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As people from all over the world continues to migrate across borders, our society needs to draw the line somewhere. Happy New Year, Everyone! On this day, 134 years ago in 1892, an Irish teenager named Annie Moore, followed by her younger brothers Anthony and Phillip, stepped off the SS Nevada and into the brand-new Ellis Island Immigration Inspection Station in New York Harbor. The three youngsters, planning to reunite with their parents, were the pilot experiments for the

As the Trump Administration proposes uncomfortable compromises to end the Ukraine War, Americans are asked: what kind of country do we wish to be? On November 18, the news website Axios leaked news that certainly shocked the world. The Trump Administration had been negotiating a final, binding peace agreement to end the nearly four-year-long war that has not only devastated Ukraine but also damaged Russia’s critical oil infrastructure and remilitarized the now deeply host

Beyond the football and the stuffing, a little background to this national holiday Two years ago, I published one of my first ever essays  explaining all the reasons why, despite our many domestic problems , Americans’ exceptionally privileged geography is our greatest blessing and why we should all be thankful.  Since then, I have reflected on that essay several times in my head and realized, as my writing skills have matured, that this essay is cold comfort to my friends an

China shows its true colors, and Ukraine shoots itself in the foot The Mask Slips off As someone who has suffered through degrading episodes of gaslighting and contempt, there is no one on earth whom I hate more than a bully. And in international affairs, the ultimate bully is the People’s Republic of China. With territorial disputes and aggressive misconduct , China has found a way to alienate the very neighbors it supposedly seeks to befriend and earn its permanent place o

America's Big Apple spoils in a most disturbing manner Happy November, everyone! This week, as North America was plunged into an early Arctic blast, Middle Tennessee was treated to a rare November snow flurry, an unwelcome reminder that winter is indeed coming. Equally frigid was the message sent last week by the voters of New York City. After years of struggling with astronomical and seemingly extortionate housing and transportation costs , New York voters, led by the city’s

A reflection for this solemn day of remembrance The 11 th hour of the 11 th day of the 11 th month. Such was the exact moment in 1918 that the German Empire and the Allied Powers declared an Armistice — both sides would agree to lay down their weapons and prepare for the end of the four devastating years of World War I. On November 11, 107 years ago, following six weeks of intensive negotiations between Germany, the United States, and the Entente , Marshal Ferdinand Foch,

A controversial former American leader dies, while Sudan's tragedy darkens further Well, Richard Bruce Cheney is dead. There will certainly be many of my readers who believe that Cheney was the Prince of Darkness, Darth Vader, Lord Voldemort, or any other sinister archetype one can concoct. While the death of the 46 th Vice President of the United States may not preclude tremendous mourning, it would be rude of me to speak ill of the dead. According to Fox News Analyst Brit

Japan and South Korea grapple with a world dominated by superpowers This week, President Donald Trump embarked on a highly publicized state visit to Asia, visiting multiple countries and meeting with more than a dozen world leaders. The overwhelming focus of the mainstream press has been the meeting in South Korea between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve a years-long trade dispute between the two countries. However, there is more to Asia than just China. Yes,

Ceasefire in Gaza, heads roll in China, and Washington further strengthens our partnership with one of our oldest and closest allies Hello everyone! I hope you all are enjoying your October. As I near my 31 st birthday, I thought I would share with you some of the most important geopolitical stories from around the world this week. Israel-Hamas Update (Again!) Unfortunately, despite the world’s aspirations for a lasting peace, it seems that the world’s eyes are still pointed

Asia's Gen Z runs out of patience for their corrupt politicians I have a confession for all of you. Going back through my catalogue of essays, I realize that most of my interest, with a few notable exceptions , has been directed at one of three areas: US domestic politics, Europe, and the Middle east. After all, these regions consume the vast majority of American media attention and are thus easiest to analyze. For the majority of Americans, the region with by far the stronge

In the Lone Star State, I recently had the opportunity to meet a critical figure from Poland's past. Unfortunately, the past is where he...

In this closing reflection of Waitt, What? The Podcast, Samuel Waitt takes listeners on a sobering tour of the forces shaping America’s...

After a bizarre exchange between two dictators, China flexes its muscles to the world— and a very special guest For centuries, humans...

Director of the Tocqueville Center for the Study of Democracy and Society at Furman University, Professor Nelsen explores the legacy of...

Despite successes in solving other conflicts, a pair of US-led peace summits leave the war in Ukraine no closer to an end. February 28,...

Dr. Thomas Graham, former senior director for Russia at the National Security Council and now a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign...

As a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute specializing in United States–China relations, Michael Sobolik unpacks one of America’s most...

Ukraine inflicts a wound on itself— and then a U-turn Imagine this nightmare scenario: you are in a hurry, as you forgot to set your...

Retired U.S. Army General William Hickman, whose career includes deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as key leadership roles...

A review of the one expedition Theodore Roosevelt would regret During my weeks away from the office in these dog days of summer, I am...