Defining and Discussing Fascism (Part I)

And yes, Trump fits the definitions all too well.

Is Western Civilization Real?

A scholarly treatise argues it is not.

LaPierre’s Grift

Geert Wilders ‘Wins’ Dutch Elections

The trend toward hard-right parties continues.

Europe Becoming Poorer?

The Eurozone is falling further behind the United States.

Turkey’s Elections

Don’t get your hopes up.

Why the Catholic Church Sides with Putin and Orban

The Pope is siding with evil.

State Department to Spell Turkiye ‘Turkiye’

The US Government has reluctantly decided to spell an ally’s name they way they prefer.

George Will on UATX (Part II)

Wherein I examine UATX specifically.

On the Number of Parties 3: More Sophisticated Counting

The effective number of parties.

Peak Fact-Checking?

Not every argument can be tested on a Pinocchio scale.

More on Social Policy and Comparisons

Mostly about how not to do it.

Nick Burns to Be China Ambassador

An exceptional choice that breaks the recent tradition of politicos in the post.

Philip Mountbatten, 1921-2021

Queen Elizabeth’s husband has died two months shy of his 100th birthday.

United States Less Democratic Than it Used to Be

Multiple indicators point to a decline in the representativeness of the American system.

Gridlock is not a Feature, it is a Bug

Gridlock doesn’t mean government stops. It just shifts who is governing.

What We Don’t Know About COVID-19

Two new studies bring more questions than answers.

Turkey at War with Syria and Europe

President Erdogan is playing a dangerous game.

Israel Headed To Third Election In A Year

Having failed to form governments after two successive elections, Israel is headed for a third election inside of a year.

The Russia-Right Wing Talking Point Cycle

How insidious talking points spread in the modern media environment.

Supreme Court Holds That Maryland Peace Cross Can Stay On Public Land

The Supreme Court ruled that a World War One memorial that had been on public grounds for 70 years can stay where it is.

They’ve Got XCIX Problems, But Arabic Numerals Ain’t One

Amusing results, and a history lesson, in a new poll

D-Day At 75

Seventy-five years ago today, American soldiers and our allies undertook an invasion that helped change the world.

Today in Terrible Electoral College Columns

No, abolishing the EC would not turn farmers into serfs.

Supreme Court Appears Likely To Let ‘Peace Cross’ On Public Property Stay In Place

The Supreme Court appears to be leaning toward letting a war memorial on public property stay in place.

Separation Of Church And State Back Before The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral argument in a case involving a World War I Memorial in the form of a cross on public land in Suburban Maryland.

Theresa May Still Searching For A Brexit Deal

With just over two months to go until the March 29th deadline, British Prime Minister Theresa May is no closer to a Brexit deal.

Trump, Nationalism, And The Lessons Of World War One

One hundred years after the end of World War One, the forces that led to it are waking up from a long slumber.

Supreme Court Accepts Case Involving Maryland’s War Memorial Cross

There’s a new church/state separation case on the Supreme Court’s docket.

Eastern Orthodox Schism Grows Wider

The dispute over Ukraine between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Patriarch is widening and nearing the point of a complete break.

Macedonia Name Dispute Still Unresolved After Referendum

The three-decade-old name dispute between Greece and the former Yugoslav state of Macedonia remains unresolved after Sunday’s referendum.

Lawsuits Challenge “Winner Take All” Allocation Of Electoral College Votes

A group of lawsuits filed across the country are seeking to challenge the predominant method for allocation of Electoral College votes. These lawsuits appear to have little merit.

Greece And Macedonia Settle Three-Decade Long Name Dispute

Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have apparently finally settled a three-decade old name dispute.

The US, Russia, and the EU

The actions of the Trump administration are helping Russian-EU relations (to the detriment of the US).

Why Do We Have Congressional Chaplains To Begin With?

The incident involving Paul Ryan and the House Chaplain has raised some questions.

Australia Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

After a long wait, gays and lesbians in Australia have achieved marriage equality.

Macron Scores Decisive Win Over Le Pen In French Presidential Election

Centrist candidate Emmanuelle Macron scored a decisive win over the far-right Marine Le Pen in today’s runoff round of the French Presidential election.

Kids these Days! (Feats of Strength Edition)

Who knew Tim “The Toolman” Taylor was a columinist at NRO? (Will kids these days get that reference?).

Attempted Coup Rocks Turkey, But Fails To Overthrow Government

Turkey’s government appears to have rebuffed a coup attempt, but questions remains about the stability of the government going forward.

Britain Votes To Leave European Union, Cameron Resigns As Prime Minister

By a narrow margin, British voters have chosen to send their nation, themselves, and indeed all of Europe into uncharted waters.

France’s National Front Suffers Setbacks In 2nd Round Voting, But Still Seems Likely To Rise

Marine Le Pen suffered setbacks in the second round of regional voting on Sunday, but the party still seems likely to become more popular in the coming years.

NATO Admitting Montenegro As Full Member For Some Reason

NATO is extending full membership to the tiny nation of Montenegro, and there doesn’t seem to be a good reason why they’re doing it.

Is Portugal Europe’s Next Greece?

The election of an anti-austerity government in Portugal is raising some concerns.

Chief Suspect In Paris Attacks Killed In Police Raid, French Authorities Report

French officials have confirmed that Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the man believed to be the plotter of last Friday’s attacks in Paris, was killed in a police raid early Wednesday morning. This doesn’t mean authorities in France or elsewhere in Europe are any less concerned about future attacks, though.

France Strikes ISIS As Investigation Into Paris Attacks Continues

France launched its first attacks against ISIS even as the investigation into Friday’s attacks continues, but it’s not clear that the retaliation really accomplished anything.

The Paris Attacks Have Made The Syrian Refugee Crisis Much More Complicated

The news that at least some of the men who were involved in the terrorist attacks in Paris were among the refugees who have arrived in Europe since the summer is likely to complicate an already complicated situation.

British Labour Party Takes A Strong Tilt Left In Leadership Election

Britain’s Labour Party has taken a hard tilt left with the election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader.

Why Does Europe Want To Keep Greece?

It’s easy to see what Greece thinks it still needs Europe, it’s more of puzzle why Europe thinks it needs to hang on to Greece.

Greece Reaches Deal With Europe That’s Quite Similar To The One Voters Rejected

Greece reached a new deal with European bankers that seems oddly similar to the one that voters rejected just a week ago.