Well, howdy there, internet people, it's Bell again. And welcome to the Roads with Bell.

Today is May 17th, 2026, and this is episode 143 of The Roads Not Taken, which is a weekly series where we go over the news.

That was unreported, underreported, didn't get the coverage we thought it deserved, or we just found it interesting.

And then we go through a few questions from y'all.

Today is May 17th, and it's Cherry Cobbler Day.

Take your parents to the Playground Day, and the International

Day Against LGBTQ Phobia. And on this date in 1854, Brown v. Board of Education was decided.

And starting with foreign policy. A resolution to stop Trump's elective war

failed in both the House and Senate. There were more Republican defections this time.

Alleged Democratic Senator John Federman voted in favor of continuing the war.

Cuba has run out of gas and diesel because of Trump's blockade.

The island is on the brink. The power grid is collapsing. Reporting says the U.S. CIA director was recently in Havana.

The FBI is offering a reward of 200 grand for information leading to the arrest of former Air Force Counterintelligence Specialist Monica Witt, who was charged back in 2019 with espionage over

accusations she shared classified intel with Iran.

Trump has backed down yet again on the Iran War and his conditions for victory.

He's now indicated he's willing to accept a promise not to enrich for 20 years instead of unconditional surrender.

And giving up on enrichment forever.

Iran, on the other hand, is announcing a new mechanism to formalize control of the strait.

Iran is urging Brick's nations to condemn the war.

The Trump administration has reportedly halted the movement of U.S. troops to Poland on a pretty routine thing.

It's raising questions in Congress because there are minimum troop levels required by law in Europe.

I don't think Trump is below those yet, but the Senate seems sensitive to any unknown changes.

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