The U.S. military’s “heavy” attack on Iran in response to ballistic missile threats is spinning into yet another tangled web of media narratives that all need to be dissected. Major players like CNN and MSNBC are framing this conflict as an inevitable clash, painting the U.S. as a noble defender against an “evildoer.” But let’s unpack what’s really happening: a military-industrial complex hungry for conflict, boosted by sensationalist headlines to keep us glued to our screens.

Meanwhile, Fox News leans into the traditional “America, right or wrong” trope while glossing over the complexities involved. Their coverage rarely digs into whether those missile threats were truly imminent or if they’re just the latest excuse for more war. What’s alarmingly consistent is the lack of tough questions being asked or the nuanced discussions we desperately need. Are we supposed to believe that this strikes back initiative is for democracy, when it looks more like a show for power?

It’s all a part of the same playbook: deliberate framing to elicit a visceral reaction from the public while burying the truth. Let’s demand more from our media, reject the narratives served to us like a low-quality fast food meal, and instead, challenge these establishment talking points that lead us down a dangerous, unnecessary path.