From taking on Marvel’s work to sanitize the military industrial complex to dismantling Elon Musk’s bizarre claim that empathy is the West’s supposed “weakness,” Inkstick’s commentary contributors have sought to hold the powerful to account in 2025.
This year, we published commentary on everything from the war in Gaza to the growing antisemitism crisis in the Republican Party.
Here are Inkstick’s five most-read commentary articles from 2025
“Marvel’s Military Industrial Complex,” by Ashley Gate
“This seemingly fantastical connection between hawkish foreign policy and the blockbuster Marvel Cinematic Universe is not make-believe. Pop culture has been militarized. Americans are often inundated with cultural projects such as movies, games, and TV shows that promote militarism, leading America’s cultural identity to become intertwined with the nation’s military interests.”
“Elon Musk Said Empathy is the West’s Weakness. He is Half Right,” by Cathleen Jeanty
“In a February 2025 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Elon Musk went viral when he stated that ‘the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy.’ He is half right. Empathy is America’s weakness — not because it has too much of it, but because it does not have nearly enough.”
“Russia Wants a New World Order,” by Kate Johnston and Nicholas Lokker
“Despite setbacks, Russia’s attempts to overturn the international order are still finding success elsewhere, and resisting Moscow’s efforts is no small order for the West. It will have to both safeguard multilateralism and address accusations of double standards.”
“The US is Waging War in Somalia. What Will Trump Do About It?” by Devra Baxter
“American involvement in Somalia spans decades and has left lasting impacts, up to and including its current instability. Back in 2006, the US-backed invasion and occupation of Somalia by Ethiopian troops resulted in the worst humanitarian crisis in Africa at the time. Somalia has struggled to regain its footing and has since been characterized by experts as a ‘shadow state.’”
“Behind the Fanfare, Trump’s Peace Deals are Built to Fail,” by Miriam Frost
“In his haste to attempt to secure a Nobel Peace Prize, Trump appears to have rushed to secure quick wins on paper. His approach has meant excluding key conflict parties from negotiations (the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda), ignoring fundamental issues at the heart of disputes (India and Pakistan), exaggerating the severity of tensions (Ethiopia and Egypt), or overstating US involvement in outcomes (Cambodia and Thailand).”
