The Shamelessness of Mitch McConnell

Not to mention impotence.

On Fentanyl and the Border

Spoiler: tariff threats and other “one weird trick” approaches won’t work.

DeSantis For SECDEF?

The Florida governor is among several names being floated to replace Pete Hegseth.

Another Inexperienced Pick

This time for Secretary of the Navy

Matthew Whitaker as NATO Ambassador

Stop me if you have heard this before, but he is unqualified for the job.

Biden Authorizes Ukraine to Fire ATACMS into Russia

We have crossed Putin’s red line.

Hesgeth Flagged as White Nationalist

The man tabbed to lead the Defense Department was deemed an “insider threat.”

Some Hegseth Clips

“Fox & Friends Weekend” Host for SECDEF

No, I am not kidding.

Mike Waltz Next National Security Advisor

The Congressman and Green Beret colonel will head Trump’s national security team.

Thinking About the Border

Plus some thoughts on mass deportation.

Trump’s Disdain for the Military

With a guest appearance by Hitler.

Biden Wants to Limit Data Transfers to Adversaries

Closing the barn door after the horse has left.

Gaza After Sinwar

Has the calculus of either side changed?

Biden, Harris Push to End Gaza War

Is Sinwar’s assassination an opening?

Yahya Sinwar Killed in Gaza

Another one bites the dust.

Kris Kristofferson, 1936-2024

The legendary singer, songwriter, and actor is gone at 88.

Lawful But Unethical Orders

Should military officers substitute their judgment for the Commander-in-Chief’s?

Nasrallah Killing Fallout

What we know a day later.

Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah Killed

The Israeli military says they got their man after years of intelligence collection.

Pager Bombs and Just War

The leading scholar on the subject dissents.

Israeli Airstrike Kills Hezbollah’s Military Commander and Several Deputies

A massive follow-up to the exploding communications devices.

Israeli Pager Attack Update

My thoughts on what we know now.

Hundreds Wounded in Pager Sabotage

A massive Israeli operation. To what end?

Nate Silver Under Fire

The election analyst is out on a limb with Trump.

Presidential Appointees and the Hatch Act

The Secretary of the Navy supports the man who hired him. Who knew?

Being A Useful Idiot Pays Well (Allegedly)

Where’s my $400,000 a month contract?

Hamas Kills 6 Hostages, Blame Netanyahu

Israeli forces recovered their bodies.

McMaster on Trump

His former National Security Advisor is not impressed.

Donald Trump Shrugging Donald Trump Shrugging

Loose Lips Sink Ships (Or Campaigns)

Trumps undercuts current messaging & brings up past military service controversies

[Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States [Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States

Tim Walz’ Military Record III

A third (and hopefully final) post on the matter.

[Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States [Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States

Tim Walz’ Military Record Redux

Some additional (and longwinded) perspective.

[Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States [Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States

[Updated] Reviewing 5 Claims About Tim Walz Military Record

I don’t think its stolen valor, but Walz has played it loose when referring to his service

Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Assasinated in Iran

A bold strike that threatens to escalate a regional war.

William Calley, 1943-2024

One of the most notorious war criminals in American history is dead at 80.

Wounded Knee Medals Redux

New information has changed my thinking on this.

Defense Department to Review Wounded Knee Medals

An understandable but wrongheaded action.

Biden to Pardon Veterans Convicted for Gay Sex

A long overdue move.

Assange Pleas Guilty and Will Be Freed

The only let him go so long out of kindness I suppose.

Israel Hostage Rescue Creates Outrage

Joy of four returned safe is mixed with the reality of scores of dead Palestinians.

Spies Unlike Us

Our natural instincts in hiring are wrong.

Why the IDF Fights As It Does

A small, conscript-driven military has very different training and doctrine than ours.

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War, Maturity, and Necessity

Are we avoiding facing hard truths?

Real Military Spending

An interesting analysis by The Economist.

"Speaker Mike Johnson and I just had a great meeting. We’re committed to meeting our nation’s biggest challenges with strong Republican leadership." - 26 October 2023 "Speaker Mike Johnson and I just had a great meeting. We’re committed to meeting our nation’s biggest challenges with strong Republican leadership." - 26 October 2023

A Return of National Security Republicans?

Several glimmers of hope from the Ukraine funding bill.

TikTok Ban Close. Is it Constitutional?

The courts would likely allow restricting a Chinese data mining operation popular with American teenagers.

Republicans Are Again Threatening To Remove Their Speaker

It must be another day that ends in a “Y”