The world is a dumpster fire right now. For my own sanity, but also for yours, we need more critical takes about current events. There’s too much happening and it’s hard to keep track of everything that matters.

So as a bonus for patrons of the newsletter, I’m going to check in each week with a run down of stories that deserve amplification, with critiques from the Un-Diplomatic perspective.

This week:

The gigification of Temu supply chains amid great-power rivalry.

The Russian missile crisis and what it has to do with North Korea.

The hikoi protest march in New Zealand as a beacon of hope for humanity.

Further Reading:

Biden Allows Ukraine to Strike Russia With Long-Range U.S. Missiles

The U.S. Chinese immigrants running Temu shipping centers from their homes

Live updates: Hīkoi concludes as attention shifts to inside parliament