January 2026 Was a Long Month

Just exhaustingly long…

The 2026 National Defense Strategy

The long-awaited document is less disruptive than it appears on the surface.

Trump Reaches Greenland Deal

It’s huuuuge!

Friendship between the United States and Canada was developed and strengthened by the signing of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, on August 9, 1842, in the old State Department building which stood on this site (wherever that is). This treaty established the north- eastern boundary between the two countries. This tablet paced by the Kiwanis Club of Washington in Cooperation with the committee on marking points of historic interest April 30, 1929. Friendship between the United States and Canada was developed and strengthened by the signing of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, on August 9, 1842, in the old State Department building which stood on this site (wherever that is). This treaty established the north- eastern boundary between the two countries. This tablet paced by the Kiwanis Club of Washington in Cooperation with the committee on marking points of historic interest April 30, 1929.

When You’ve Lost Canada . . .

Our closest ally and trading partner is balancing against us.

Peak Republican Cowardice?

The question mark is for the peak, not for the cowardice.

North American Aerospace Defense Command F-35 Lightning II aircraft with the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing, F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing fly over Greenland Oct. 7, 2025. Operating in the Arctic provides the flexibility and adaptability needed to overcome logistical hurdles in a dynamic and unforgiving environment. Greenland, as part of the Kingdom of Denmark has long played an important role in the defense of North America, which strengthens NORAD's ability to protect the continent from today's threats and emerging challenges from all approaches. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 2d Lt Cameron Lewis) North American Aerospace Defense Command F-35 Lightning II aircraft with the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing, F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft with the South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing fly over Greenland Oct. 7, 2025. Operating in the Arctic provides the flexibility and adaptability needed to overcome logistical hurdles in a dynamic and unforgiving environment. Greenland, as part of the Kingdom of Denmark has long played an important role in the defense of North America, which strengthens NORAD's ability to protect the continent from today's threats and emerging challenges from all approaches. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by 2d Lt Cameron Lewis)

Greenland Follies

A slow-moving disaster.

The Department of Wars

The quest for the elusive Peace Prize continues.

Greenland is a Red Line

An actual move to acquire Greenland by force or coercion would be a massive line for the Trump administration to cross.

Invasion of Greenland Would End NATO

So says Denmark’s prime minister.

President Donald Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Monday, August 18, 2025, in the Oval Office President Donald Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Monday, August 18, 2025, in the Oval Office

Trump and Zelensky to Discuss Peace Plan

Ukraine’s president is trying to negotiate a deal that Russia will surely reject.

Another Brick Out the Wall

Don’t tell me there’s no hope at all

How WWII Affects Contemporary Thinking

Some musings on the wrong lessons from a major global event.

Beyond Parody

If any other president…

caricature of Vladimir Putin caricature of Vladimir Putin

Putin Summit Yields Nothing

The artless deal.

A Very Good Week For Putin

The Russian autocrat may be on the verge of getting what he wants.

Meanwhile, in North Korea

A gift for Dear Leader.

Hiroshima Bombing’s 80th Anniversary

The last survivors want us to remember the horrors of nuclear war.

Tariffs are Magic!

Trump’s One Weird Trick to end the war in Ukraine.

President Donald Trump thanks the crowd after remarks at the Salute to America Celebration, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. President Donald Trump thanks the crowd after remarks at the Salute to America Celebration, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

Trump Applies Madman Theory For Real

An unusual diplomatic approach.

Checking in on The List

Where are we with my concerns about the Trump administration?

On Propaganda and Childish Politics

Team Trump and the DIA assessment of the Iran bombings.

US Attack Likely Set Iran Nuke Program Back Mere Months

The preliminary DIA assessment has been leaked.

Ceasefire in Iran War

This phase seems to be over. [Or maybe not!]

Why Might Iran Want a Nuke?

Is dropping it on Israel the most likely reason?

Joseph Nye, 1937-2025

The scholar-statesman best known for coining “soft power” has died at 88.

Hegseth Orders Big Cuts to General and Flag Officer Ranks

Whether it’s a good policy will depend almost entirely on execution.

Trump to Gut Intelligence Agencies

Thousands of job cuts are envisioned.

The free high-resolution photo of america, china, commerce, communication, business, concept, country, currency, distribution, earth, economy, exchange, export, global, globe, goods, hand, import, industry, information, international, investment, logistic, map, market, message, rate, shipping, tariff, trade, transfer, transportation, war, blue, text, cartoon, flag, art, font, illustration, line, graphic design, clip art, graphics, human behavior @Mohamed Hassan , taken with an unknown camera 08/04 2018 The picture taken with The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. The free high-resolution photo of america, china, commerce, communication, business, concept, country, currency, distribution, earth, economy, exchange, export, global, globe, goods, hand, import, industry, information, international, investment, logistic, map, market, message, rate, shipping, tariff, trade, transfer, transportation, war, blue, text, cartoon, flag, art, font, illustration, line, graphic design, clip art, graphics, human behavior @Mohamed Hassan , taken with an unknown camera 08/04 2018 The picture taken with The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0.

All-in On China

A natural evolution in American foreign policy, albeit a concerning one.

Trump and the Liberal Order

America is getting screwed by playing by the rules it created.

The Artlessness of the Deal

Applying rational analysis to attitude and instinct.

Navy aircraft carrier with jets Navy aircraft carrier with jets

Norway Cutting Off Fuel to US Navy

A story I thought I’d never see.

US Abandons Ukraine, Ruptures Atlantic Alliance

A shocking but completely unsurprising development.

Friedrich Merz (CDU-Parteivorsitzender); Porträt, Einzelbild Friedrich Merz (CDU-Parteivorsitzender); Porträt, Einzelbild

German Election Dominated by Parties of the Right

But a centrist grand coalition will likely govern.

A Grotesquerie for Our Age

Trump blames Ukraine for being invaded.

The New World Order

Really, a older, more imperialistic one.

Making Imperialism Great Again

Greenland, Canada, and Panama. Oh my.

Flag Ukraine Silhouette Ruins Soldier War Flag Ukraine Silhouette Ruins Soldier War

Feel-Good News Out of Ukraine

The bad guys are having a bad week.

The Shamelessness of Mitch McConnell

Not to mention impotence.

Assad Regime Toppled

A fifty-year dictatorship has been ousted. What now?

lego people crowd lego people crowd

Trump the Antihero?

The cruelty isn’t the point.

Matthew Whitaker as NATO Ambassador

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

Mike Waltz Next National Security Advisor

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

Marco Rubio Next Secretary of State

Trump’s foreign policy team is taking shape.

The List

My concerns about a second Trump administration.

Tim Walz’s Political Origin Story

An oft-told tale turns out to be bullshit.

MAGA is Getting More MAGA

Trump’s second term would be much worse than his first.