A Few Thousand Words About Our Very Serious Commander-in-Chief

Or “Things to do while the military has an excursion.”

On “Realism” and Trump’s Attacks on Iran

An IR theory that is often misapplied in my view (especially by certain kinds of practitioners).

President Donald Trump speaks with members of the media alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in the Oval Office, Wednesday, October 22, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks with members of the media alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in the Oval Office, Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth

If the shoe doesn’t fit, wear it.

Iran War Roundup: Day 16

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

President Donald Trump monitors U.S. military operations in Venezuela, from Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. President Donald Trump monitors U.S. military operations in Venezuela, from Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, January 3, 2026.

Rubio’s War

Little Marco has come a long way.

SaturTabs

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine conduct a press briefing on Operation Epic Fury at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 10, 2026. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine conduct a press briefing on Operation Epic Fury at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 10, 2026.

In Front of Our Noses: Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud

Plus: the Strait of Hormuz.

Tabby Thursday

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the Dignified Transfer of remains of six U.S. soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the Dignified Transfer of remains of six U.S. soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

Iran War ‘Very Complete, Pretty Much’

An update from the Commander-in-Chief.

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the Dignified Transfer of remains of six U.S. soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the Dignified Transfer of remains of six U.S. soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

Trump and Kennedy: Trendsetters

Presidential fashion choices for solemn occasions.

Iran Surrenders!

Well, it’s complicated.

SaturTabs

Another Bad Jobs Report

Job losses and an increased unemployment rate.

Americans Think Americans Are Bad People

A majority describe the morality and ethics of their fellow citizens as “bad.”

Breaking: Noem Out at DHS

But, unfortunately, not exactly gone, either.

It’s Easy: Just Kill the Bad Guys

Or, why having simpletons in charge is a bad idea.

CIA Backing Kurdish Forces to Disrupt Iran

What could go wrong?

Iran War: Actionable Intelligence

Now we know why it started when it did.

The Role of Primaries on Display in Texas

Just more evidence of how our institutions help shape our parties.

I’ll Have What Friedman is Smoking…

Are our columnists learning? (I think you know the answer).

President Airstrike

The peace president in action.

Fort Benning honors the nation's fallen service members with a Memorial Day ceremony at the post's cemetery May 27. The 9 a.m. ceremony at the Main Post Cemetery went forward under bright but partly cloudy skies, with an audience of some 200 Soldiers and civilians seated outdoors. The ceremony included remarks by a speaker, and a wreath-laying in tribute to "all the nation's veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice." The wreath-laying was followed by the firing of a three-volley rifle salute and the playing of "Taps." (U.S. Army photos by Patrick Albright, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs) Fort Benning honors the nation's fallen service members with a Memorial Day ceremony at the post's cemetery May 27. The 9 a.m. ceremony at the Main Post Cemetery went forward under bright but partly cloudy skies, with an audience of some 200 Soldiers and civilians seated outdoors. The ceremony included remarks by a speaker, and a wreath-laying in tribute to "all the nation's veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice." The wreath-laying was followed by the firing of a three-volley rifle salute and the playing of "Taps." (U.S. Army photos by Patrick Albright, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs)

Four American Servicemembers Killed, Three American Planes Shot Down

The nature of war does not change; only its character.

A THAAD interceptor is launched from the Reagan Test Site, Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, during Flight Test THAAD-23, August 30, 2019. label_outline A THAAD interceptor is launched from the Reagan Test Site, Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, during Flight Test THAAD-23, August 30, 2019. label_outline

The Logistics of Massive Air Defense

Shooting down cheap drones with expensive missiles is problematic in more ways than one.

(The Lack of) Public Support for Attacking Iran

Usually president care what the public thinks, especially at times of major military action. Not this time.

More on Post-Khamenei Iran

More excerpts from excellent columns I’ve read.

Ali Khamenei's visit to the exhibition of achievements of the IRGC Aerospace Force 19 November 2023 Ali Khamenei's visit to the exhibition of achievements of the IRGC Aerospace Force 19 November 2023

The Ayatollah Is Dead. Now What?

I’m sure there’s a plan for that.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a recorded message. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a recorded message.

Ayatollah Khamenei Dead: Israeli Government

Breaking news. Big if true.

Dictatorial

Trump’s love of the unilateral is on display with serious consequences.

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A Republic, If You Can Keep It

Apathy all the way down.

We’re at War With Iran

“Major combat operations” are underway.

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.

Approaching a Major Red Line on Elections

A potential Executive Order on elections.

In Front of Our Noses: Manipulating the Media Landscape

Trump admin helping pick winners and losers

On “Heritage Americans”

Are some of us more American than others?

Americans Are Self-Deporting

More Americans are living abroad than ever. Probably.

Tabby Thursday

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’s Approval Rating

Not so huge.

President Donald Trump, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet in the Situation Room of the White House, Saturday, June 21, 2025. Portions of this photo have been blurred for security purposes. President Donald Trump, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet in the Situation Room of the White House, Saturday, June 21, 2025. Portions of this photo have been blurred for security purposes.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Cautious About Iran Fight

Will POTUS listen?

Did Gaza Cost Harris the Election?

The evidence is thin.

A Photo of Christian Nationalism

Right in front of our noses, one might say.

DHS Suspends TSA Pre and Global Entry

The libs are so owned.

Meanwhile, in North Korea…

More trophies and banners for Dear Leader.

More Trump Tariffs

He really likes tariffs.

Jeffrey Epstein connections Government Business Academia Media Arts Jeffrey Epstein connections Government Business Academia Media Arts

The Psychology of Epstein’s Circle

Enough is never enough.

The Tariff Ruling and the Balance of Power

The case has major implications beyond the taxation issue.

The Odd State of the Transatlantic Alliance

Roles have been reversed.

Undermining a Governance Success Story

One of the great success stories of American governance—economic growth paired with environmental progress—has gone largely unnoticed.