The recent announcement from President Biden regarding potential “intense strikes” on Iran over the weekend is like throwing gasoline on a smoldering fire. Yet, what we’re getting from outlets like CNN or MSNBC is a predictable, watered-down analysis that deflects away from the real implications of such a decision. They seem to peddle a false narrative of restraint, framing it as “strategic” rather than recognizing it for what it is — a reckless gamble that could spiral into a broader conflict.

Meanwhile, Fox News, while not entirely off-base, often falls into the trap of hyperbolic warnings about an impending war, sensationalizing every morsel of news without addressing the underlying motivations behind the president’s actions. Both sides are pushing a narrative that allows the establishment to keep their agenda alive, rather than asking hard-hitting questions about the potential consequences of military escalation.

Do you notice the blatant absence of a real discussion on the influence of military-industrial complex interests on this Administration’s sudden drumbeat for war? You won’t find it in the mainstream talking points, that’s for sure. Corporate media are either too cozy with those in power or too busy creating sensationalist content to bother critically examining their motives. We go back to sleep, believing we’re informed while they spin tales for clicks and ratings.

Let’s be clear: the stakes here are elevated. Media outlets should be holding the Biden administration accountable instead of peddling soft headlines. Only then can we start to truly understand the geopolitical chessboard that is being manipulated right under our noses.