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We discuss the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz with the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft's Trita Parsi. U.S. officials are denying Iranian reports that a U.S. vessel was struck by Iranian missiles amid the two countries' dual blockade of the strait. The warring nations still say they are observing a fragile temporary ceasefire as negotiations continue for a possible longer-term deal. However, says Parsi, "both sides are making maximalist demands," so a diplomatic solution is unlikely. "As long as Trump continues to listen to those forces, the very same forces that also sold him this blockade that has backfired, we're not going to see a diplomatic breakthrough. It requires a far more disciplined and flexible approach to negotiations, and right now we're not seeing that from either side."
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In a major blow to abortion access, a federal appeals court decision siding with the state of Louisiana has placed major restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone. The medication, used in roughly two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S., can no longer be sent by mail or prescribed through telemedicine. But previous abortion restrictions show that curtailing access doesn't reduce the prevalence of abortions. Instead, they make the procedure more dangerous, and even deadly. "They're trying to stop the unstoppable. And as a result, these restrictions are pretty draconian and increasingly absurd," says The Nation's abortion access correspondent Amy Littlefield, who also explains what alternate steps patients and providers can now take to access medication abortion. The decision is expected to be challenged at the Supreme Court, making the anti-abortion movement "top of mind once again in a midterm election year."
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The party's congressional campaign arm is promoting more contenders to take down at-risk Republicans — and is taking sides in some competitive primaries.
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