it.euronews.com
Pizza Orders Near Pentagon May Correlate With Geopolitical Tensions
Frank Meeks, a Washington D.C. Domino's affiliate, first noticed increased pizza orders near the CIA on August 1, 1990, coinciding with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. This observation, revived on social media in 2024 and 2025, suggests pizza orders near the Pentagon may correlate with rising geopolitical tensions, particularly between Israel and Iran.
- How did the "Pentagon Pizza Meter" theory evolve from its origins during the Gulf War to its current iteration on social media platforms?
- The theory originated with Frank Meeks, a Domino's affiliate, who observed a surge in pizza deliveries near CIA buildings on August 1, 1990, coinciding with Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Similar spikes occurred during the Bill Clinton impeachment hearings in 1998, solidifying the purported link between pizza orders and political tension.
- What specific events correlated with increased pizza deliveries near the Pentagon, suggesting a potential predictive indicator of geopolitical tensions?
- A bizarre yet fascinating theory circulating online posits a correlation between increased pizza deliveries near the Pentagon and escalating international crises. This "Pentagon Pizza Meter," popularized by a The Takeout article, suggests pizza orders might foreshadow geopolitical tension, a notion tracing back to the Gulf War.
- What are the potential limitations and biases inherent in using pizza delivery data as a predictor of international crises, and what alternative explanations might account for the observed correlations?
- Recently, social media revived the theory. In April 2024, unusual pizza activity near the Pentagon preceded Iranian drone attacks on Israel. A Twitter account, @PenPizzaReport, tracks pizza orders in real-time, noting a June 1st, 2025 spike near the Pentagon that preceded heightened Israel-Iran tensions. This anecdotal evidence, though lacking scientific rigor, continues to fuel the meme.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing consistently supports the 'Pentagon Pizza Meter' theory, highlighting anecdotes and social media activity that reinforce the correlation. The headline and opening paragraphs immediately introduce the theory as intriguing and captivating, without any initial skepticism or counter-arguments. The narrative emphasizes the anecdotal evidence and viral spread rather than focusing on the potential flaws in the theory's logic.
Language Bias
While largely neutral in tone, the article uses words like "mysterious," "intriguing," and "strange phenomenon" to describe the pizza-geopolitics connection, creating an air of mystery and intrigue that favors the theory's credibility without direct evidence. More neutral alternatives would include phrases such as "unusual correlation" or "observed pattern.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on anecdotal evidence and the viral nature of the "Pentagon Pizza Meter" theory, without providing deeper analysis of geopolitical events or alternative explanations for pizza order fluctuations. It omits discussion of potential confounding factors such as normal variations in pizza demand, special offers, or local events that might influence order numbers. While acknowledging limitations of scope, the lack of counterarguments weakens the analysis and potentially misleads the reader into accepting the correlation as causation.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by framing the pizza-geopolitics connection as either a mere coincidence or a genuine indicator. It fails to consider other possible interpretations or explanations for the observed correlations.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a correlation between increased pizza orders near the Pentagon and heightened international tensions. While not a direct causal link, monitoring this unusual indicator could contribute to early warning systems for potential conflicts, indirectly supporting efforts for peace and preventing escalation of conflict. The increased awareness and (humorous) monitoring of this trend could improve information gathering and situational awareness for decision-makers.