The latest news from the US command, claiming they’re ramping up strikes to “degrade” Iran’s military, is yet another alarming instance of the war machine in action. Meanwhile, Iran reports explosions near the Strait of Hormuz—a flashpoint the mainstream media is itching to sensationalize. But what are they really getting at? CNN is likely to spin this as a tale of American valor versus Iranian aggression, filling headlines with emotional narratives while glossing over the intricate history of meddling that led us here.

Let’s be clear: The corporate media is not your ally; it’s a mouthpiece for the powers that be. They’ll crank out graphics of enemy missiles and stirring rhetoric while conveniently omitting the fact that decades of US involvement have set the stage for these conflicts. Fox News may take a different angle, possibly framing the strikes as a “necessary evil” to protect our freedoms—stirring up the nationalist fervor they know sells well. But latent in their rhetoric is an unsettling validation of perpetual conflict.

Where’s the accountability? Media should be dissecting these narratives rather than regurgitating them. Now, more than ever, we must scrutinize the motives behind these military actions. Who really benefits from escalating tensions in the Middle East? Spoiler alert: It’s usually not the average American. As the dust settles from potential strikes and explosions, keep your eyes open; the spin is only just beginning.