letterswithoutborders

  The recent U.S. bombing of Iran has once again stirred up old fears about so-called “sleeper cells” lurking within the United States. These alleged covert operatives—usually Middle Eastern in origin—are said to live quiet lives among us, waiting for orders to attack. It's a narrative that resurfaces whenever  the U.S. gears up for conflict in the region, and it serves a clear purpose: to stoke fear and justify war. The term "sleeper cell" gained traction under the Bush administration during the post-9/11 panic. In 2002, then-FBI Director Robert Mueller admitted there was no credible evidence of such cells operating in the U.S. In many cases, the “plots” uncovered amounted to entrapment schemes targeting vulnerable individuals. Yet in 2025, we find ourselves being asked to fall for the same myth all over again—this time, in the buildup to potential conflict with Iran. But what if the real threat to American democracy isn’t coming from shadowy figures in basements—b...

  A new wave of Israeli missile strikes on Iran has drawn international concern over the reported targeting of civilian and humanitarian infrastructure, echoing tactics seen during Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. According to Al Mayadeen, missiles struck the central command headquarters of Iran’s national police in Tehran. Additional strikes reportedly hit facilities operated by the Iranian Red Crescent Society , the country’s primary humanitarian aid organization. These strikes come amid increasing tension between the two regional powers, raising fears of broader conflict. Humanitarian organizations have condemned the targeting of aid workers and emergency responders. Attacks on institutions like the Red Crescent are considered violations of international humanitarian law, which protects neutral aid agencies during conflict. Reports also document strikes on hospitals, media offices and civilian vehicles. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz appeared to confirm a poli...

  Israeli airstrikes struck the densely populated southern suburbs of Beirut on Thursday evening, just hours before Muslims in Lebanon and across the region prepared to mark the Eid al-Adha holiday. The attacks, which Israeli authorities said targeted underground Hezbollah drone facilities, mark the fourth time Israel has bombed Beirut since a ceasefire agreement with the Lebanese group went into effect in November. Targeting what it said were underground drone production facilities operated by the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah. Before the attack, the Israeli military ordered residents of three areas in Dahiya, a tightly packed cluster of neighborhoods to evacuate from the vicinity of buildings it had highlighted on a map posted to social media site, X. Since October 2023, Israel has frequently used social media as a tool to warn of future war crimes. Hoping to deter the airstrikes, the Lebanese military attempted to inspect the buildings flagged by Israel and had contacted...

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), launched the Madleen from Catania, Sicily, on June 1 with a final destination of Gaza. Named after Gaza’s first and only fisherwoman, the FCC says the trip is aimed at trying “to break Israel’s more than 17-year illegal and inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip”. Israel has had a land, sea and air blockade on Gaza since 2007. In partnership with Forensic Architecture, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has equipped the  Madleen  with an advanced tracking system. This technology plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of those on board, maintaining transparency about the vessel’s location, and holding potential aggressors accountable for their actions,” the Freedom Flotilla said. As of June 5, the tracker had stopped transmitting. The 1,250-mile (2,000km) journey is expected to take seven days, if there are no disruptions. The FFC has emphasized that all volunteers and crew on board Madleen are trained in ...