Military Action
Date Range
Score Range
Irish Times (Stable / Crisis) : Hegseth denies Iran war is a ‘quagmire’ as costs to US hit $25bn
Military action framed as an urgent, existential crisis requiring escalation
The article quotes Hegseth describing the war as an 'existential fight for the safety of the American people', which dramatically escalates the perceived stakes and frames the conflict as a non-negotiable emergency, justifying massive spending and indefinite engagement.
“The war against Iran, he said, was “an existential fight for the safety of the American people” and the administration was “proud of this undertaking”.”
The Guardian (Legitimate / Illegitimate) : UK’s new ambassador to US said Starmer had been ‘on the ropes’ over Mandelson scandal
US military actions implicitly framed as illegitimate due to omission of war context
The article discusses diplomatic perceptions of the 'special relationship' without mentioning the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, which constitutes a major breach of international law. This selective coverage creates a misleading impression that US foreign policy remains within normative bounds, when in fact it is engaged in a widely condemned military campaign.
USA Today (Legitimate / Illegitimate) : Why did gas prices go up? Charts explain as they near $4.30
Military action framed as illegitimate due to omission of international law violations
[omission] and [cherry_picking]: The article omits that over 100 international law experts have declared the U.S.-Israel strikes a breach of the UN Charter and fails to mention the killing of civilians in Minab school strike, undermining legitimacy of the military campaign.
The Guardian (Safe / Threatened) : Pete Hegseth denies Iran war is a ‘quagmire’ as estimated US cost so far hits …
Military action portrayed as endangering US and regional stability
[loaded_language], [appeal_to_emotion]
“Protesters’s chants rang from the hallways, calling Hegseth and Caine war criminals.”
The New York Times (Safe / Threatened) : Congress Races to Renew Surveillance Law After House Approval
National security is framed as under potential threat due to legislative lapse
[framing_by_emphasis] The article reports proponents’ warnings about the government ‘going dark’ but contextualizes them; the framing of risk persists even when challenged.
“Proponents of quickly extending the law without major changes have warned that any lapse in Section 702 would cause the government to 'go dark,' and would gravely threaten national security.”
CBC (Stable / Crisis) : Israel intercepting aid ships headed for Gaza, army radio says
Maritime aid operations framed as occurring in a state of crisis and insecurity
[omission], [misleading_context]
RNZ (Safe / Threatened) : Oil price soars as Trump warns Iran blockade could last months
Iranian population and state portrayed as under severe threat from US-led military action
Framing by emphasis on oil price impact and Trump's threats, while omitting humanitarian context, still conveys Iran as being in a state of crisis and vulnerability.
“President Donald Trump said that a US naval blockade against Iran could last months, leading oil prices Wednesday (local time) to spike to their highest in more than four years.”
Fox News (Beneficial / Harmful) : King Charles tries to heal the rift between US and UK with 5 powerful points
Military cooperation framed as mutually beneficial and historically vital
The article emphasizes defense spending, F-35s, and AUKUS as proof of enduring and valuable military partnership. It highlights joint operations and long-term strategic alignment, especially against China, to frame military collaboration as positive and necessary.
“Our defense, intelligence and security ties are hard-wired together through relationships measured not in years, but in decades”
New York Post (Beneficial / Harmful) : Trump weighing new strikes, touts ‘genius’ blockade until Iran comes to the table
Military escalation framed as a beneficial tool of negotiation
[editorializing], [appeal_to_emotion] The article normalizes the threat of strikes by presenting them as rational leverage, citing Trump’s comparison that the blockade is “somewhat more effective than the bombing” without examining human or legal costs.
“The president told the publication that for now, the blockade is “somewhat more effective than the bombing.””
Sky News (Stable / Crisis) : UK rallies multinational force of navies as threat from Russia grows
Naval tensions framed as an urgent and escalating crisis
[editorializing], [appeal_to_emotion]
“We know we have no time to lose, which is why by the end of this year, I want us all to have signed a formal declaration, laying the foundations for what will be a vital and enduring partnership for many years to come”