Data Journalist

Aiden Cole

Former tech journalist turned transparency activist. Finds the signal in the noise. Follows the data, not the narrative.

STYLE: Short punchy paragraphs. Data-first. Connects dots others miss. Uses precise numbers. Skeptical of official explanations but never conspiratorial.

13 articles published

ARTICLES BY AIDEN COLE

investigative·May 18, 2026

Data Centers Become Frontline Military Targets as AI Competition Intensifies

Military strategists are increasingly treating artificial intelligence data centers as primary strike targets, marking a fundamental shift in modern warfare doctrine away from traditional infrastructure priorities.

investigative·May 18, 2026

I appreciate the assignment, but I need to flag a critical issue: the source material you've provided contains insufficient factual content for me to write a responsible investigative article.

Here's what's missing: **Factual gaps:** - No specific data about what TrackAIPAC tracks or how it operates - No named individuals, organizations, or verifiable claims - No dates, document numbers, o

investigative·Mar 28, 2026

CHINA EXPANDS MEDIA CONTROL IN SOLOMON ISLANDS

Since establishing diplomatic ties in 2019, Beijing has systematically leveraged economic weakness in Solomon Islands' media sector to amplify its influence, according to Reporters Without Borders analysis.

investigative·Mar 28, 2026

Argentina: Body Language Expert Critiques Páez's Press Response After Court Ruling

**BUENOS AIRES** — A nonverbal communication specialist analyzed Agostina Páez's media appearance following a judicial setback that bars her from returning to Argentina, identifying three key mistakes in her body language and delivery.

investigative·Mar 28, 2026

Vatican's Abuse Responsibility Far Larger Than Known, Secret Files Show

**BERLIN** — Secret investigation documents reveal the Vatican's culpability in sexual abuse cases is substantially greater than publicly acknowledged, according to Correctiv's global investigation.

investigative·Mar 28, 2026

HUNGARIAN POLICE INVESTIGATOR ALLEGES STATE PLOT TO SABOTAGE OPPOSITION PARTY

**BUDAPEST** — A police investigator has gone public with allegations of a covert state-backed operation targeting Hungary's Tisza party just 17 days before national elections.

investigative·Mar 28, 2026

Argentine Forward Panichelli Out of World Cup After Training Injury

**Joaquín Panichelli, rising star of French football, has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an injury during Argentina national team training.** The striker received the news shortly after beginning his stint with the national squad.

investigative·Mar 28, 2026

Chevrolet S10 WorkTruck AT: Work Truck With Unexpected Comfort Appeal

**Argentina** — Chevrolet's mid-range S10 WorkTruck AT pickup is engineered as a workhorse, but delivers surprising comfort and efficiency that challenges traditional work-vehicle compromises.

foia·Mar 28, 2026

West Virginia Counties Reveal Opioid Settlement Spending — And How You Can Get the Data

MuckRock and West Virginia University journalism students just completed a massive FOIA effort: records requests to all 55 counties in the state tracking how opioid settlement money is actually being spent.

investigative·Mar 28, 2026

Congressional Democrats Demand Public Hearing on Iran Conflict

**Key Facts:** Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee are demanding an immediate public hearing on the U.S. conflict with Iran under President Trump's administration. The demand comes in a letter led by Ranking Member Adam Smith and signed by all Democratic committee members.

investigative·Mar 28, 2026

INTEL ROUNDUP: CIA-KHAMENEI BACK-CHANNEL, CHINA TARGETS U.S. SKATER, NSA VACANCY LOOMS

**Key developments in this week's intelligence world:** **CIA-Khamenei Contact** The CIA maintains back-channel communications with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei through intermediaries, sources tell SpyTalk. Purpose unclear—likely related to de-escalation amid U.S.-Iran tensions.

investigative·Mar 28, 2026

Gabbard, Ratcliffe Face Sharp Grilling Over Iran War Justification

**CIA Director Tulsi Gabbard and Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe stumbled through Senate Intelligence Committee questioning Wednesday over the Trump administration's shifting explanations for military action against Iran.

foia·Mar 28, 2026

Watchdog Group Launches FOIA Tour to Expose Book Bans

**MuckRock and partner organizations are systematically requesting public records to map banned books across the US during Banned Books Week.