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The New York Times Cannot Be This Dumb
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The New York Times Cannot Be This Dumb

Another example of how the paper's ideological blinders cause it to print complete nonsense.

Jack Mirkinson's avatar
Jack Mirkinson
Oct 28, 2024
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The New York Times Cannot Be This Dumb
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Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images

As the genocide in Gaza grinds on, and Israel aggressively tries to set the entire Middle East alight, a theme has emerged in the American media: if only the United States could do something about all of this.

Every few days, it seems, we get an article lamenting the “waning” or “limited” influence the U.S. has over Israel.

Israel-Gaza War As Israel escalates in Lebanon, U.S. influence is limited The widening gap between Washington’s desires and Israel’s actions has left the Biden administration struggling to adapt its diplomatic efforts.
Washington Post

Sad!

Politico

Tragic!

Former CIA director: Escalating conflict could signal waning U.S. influence in Middle East
NBC News

Quel dommage!

These stories are, of course, based on a completely bullshit premise—and I’ll get to that premise. But first, I want to introduce perhaps the most masterfully bullshit example I’ve seen of this form, which was published this morning in—where else?—the New York Times.

The piece, by longtime staff writer and current London bureau chief Mark Landler, is irksome right from the headline.

news analysis  Israel Calls the Shots in the Mideast as U.S. Plays a Lesser Role A once pivotal player has seen its influence become limited.

Can these news outlets please use their substantial resources to come up with, like, one more way of pushing this tired trope? I guess not. But things get quite a bit worse from there.

Let’s dive in, he says through gritted teeth.

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