Grifty Grifters Who Grift

He’s back to easy street.

The 2026 National Defense Strategy

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

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.

What is the Monroe Doctrine?

And what application does it have to Venezuela in 2026?

“Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed.”

Sure, Donald. Whatever you say.

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

Will’s Attempt to Criticize Trump’s Foreign Policy Takes a Turn

Come for the shots fired at the cabinet, stay for the weird digression.

Some People Will Never Learn

Bret Stephens wants to oust Maduro in Venezuela.

President Donald Trump signs a mineral agreement during a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Cabinet Room, Monday, October 20, 2025. President Donald Trump signs a mineral agreement during a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Cabinet Room, Monday, October 20, 2025.

Trump Won’t Ask Congress for Approval

“What are they going to do? Say, ‘Gee, we don’t want to stop drugs pouring in?’”

The Elephant is the traditional symbol for the Republican party. The Donkey is the traditional symbol for the Democratic party. The Elephant is the traditional symbol for the Republican party. The Donkey is the traditional symbol for the Democratic party.

Competitive Authoritarianism

A four-pronged test.

Trump’s Message to Generals and Admirals

A long and unusual speech has implications for civil-military relations.

Some Comparative Video

Since I was thinking about 2016

Site Maintenance Site Maintenance

Site Maintenance Update: Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

Whoever you are, please stop trying to register clearly fake accounts.

A Core Problem of American Politics

The disconnect between perception and reality about elections.

Donald Hearts Vlad

A strange obsession.

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.

Hiroshima Bombing’s 80th Anniversary

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

Space Waste?

Nuclear reactors to the moon!

Tariffs are Magic!

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

Checking in on The List

Where are we with my concerns about the Trump administration?

Why Might Iran Want a Nuke?

Is dropping it on Israel the most likely reason?

Israel-Iran War: What’s the End State?

Thinking about possible outcomes.

President Donald Trump participates in a press conference with departing DOGE adviser Elon Musk, Friday, May 30, 2025, in the Oval Office. President Donald Trump participates in a press conference with departing DOGE adviser Elon Musk, Friday, May 30, 2025, in the Oval Office.

The Trump-Musk Breakup

The bromance is apparently over.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks on 'Investing in America', Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in the Cross Hall of the White House. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on 'Investing in America', Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in the Cross Hall of the White House.

Trump: Ending Wars is Hard

Who could have known?

Trump to Gut Intelligence Agencies

Thousands of job cuts are envisioned.

President Donald Trump speaks with Secretary of Commerce Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in the Oval Office, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks with Secretary of Commerce Scott Bessent, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz in the Oval Office, Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

Michael Waltz Out as National Security Advisor [But in as UN Ambassador!]

A major reshuffling of the foreign policy team 100 days into the administration.

A Musical Observation

Eye of the storm, indeed.

American Exceptionalism

USA! USA! USA!

American Wealth

The illogical of MAGA.

The free high-resolution photo of thought, symbol, blackboard, think, business, lamp, black, light bulb, lighting, lightbulb, material, bubble, circle, education, chalkboard, jewellery, font, meditation, creativity, philosophy, psychology, vision, inspiration, concept, school, studying, learning, problem, idea, imagination, solution, innovation, analysis, invention, brainstorm, chalk board, brain storm, mental image , taken with an ILCE-5000 04/06 2017 The picture taken with 50.0mm, f/2.8s, 1/50s, ISO 100 The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required. The free high-resolution photo of thought, symbol, blackboard, think, business, lamp, black, light bulb, lighting, lightbulb, material, bubble, circle, education, chalkboard, jewellery, font, meditation, creativity, philosophy, psychology, vision, inspiration, concept, school, studying, learning, problem, idea, imagination, solution, innovation, analysis, invention, brainstorm, chalk board, brain storm, mental image , taken with an ILCE-5000 04/06 2017 The picture taken with 50.0mm, f/2.8s, 1/50s, ISO 100 The image is released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC0. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required.

Reverse Brain Drain

America’s edge in innovation, built over a century, is being squandered in weeks.

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.

Israel’s Next Move

Will the Netanyahu government double down on its weakening of Iran?

A Carnival of Dunces

You know, the meritocracy at work.

The Dual State

First thing we do, let’s intimidate all the lawyers.

Trump Deporting 530,000 Legal Immigrants, Shuttering DHS Due Process Offices

Then process gets in the way of efficiency, kill the process.

TGI Tabs!

“Freedom is Slavery”

Orwell came to mind this morning.

SaturTabs

Parade of poor governance edition.

The Big Chilling Effect

Our leaders are afraid to lead.

Trump’s Very Long Congressional Speech Roundup

It made history in many ways.

Trump and the Liberal Order

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