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When evaluating your local ballot measures, please choose wisely If you remember a decade ago, voters in the United Kingdom made waves globally by voting for Brexit—a formal withdrawal from the European Union. Fueled by grievances over immigration and a loss of sovereignty, and against the advice of the news media and most economic experts, more than 17 million British voters opted to make the plunge. In the immediate aftermath of that shocking verdict, Google searches in Bri

John Lennon’s utopian 1971 hit may carry a lovely melody, but its impact today has become an existential crisis for Western civilization Tomorrow, October 9, 2026, would have been the 86th birthday of the Beatle John Lennon, a certified musical legend. But he was also a flawed man, and potentially even partially responsible for the existential threat facing Western civilization today. There is no doubt that Lennon was one of the greatest musicians and songwriters of all time,

Word to the wise: don’t ever tick off one of your most important allies— especially when you are the President of Ukraine For anyone who does not know me well or has only just begun his or her journey through this newsletter, one region on this planet that has long occupied a special place in my heart more than anywhere else: Central and Eastern Europe. For centuries, we here in the West, both in North America and Western Europe, have dismissed this space, situated on the cro

At last, America’s Greenland quarrel reaches a conclusion If there is one thing you can write about me, it’s that I am not much of a gambler. There is a reason why I have only traveled to Las Vegas twice in my entire life and have no interest in ever returning: gambling is a waste of time and money better spent on more intellectually worthwhile pursuits— such as composing this very newsletter. However, if I were a gambling man, I would bet that no one reading this blog has ev

With the midterm elections on the horizon, a little foray into American domestic politics Author’s note: While I usually prefer to avoid domestic politics entirely, the upcoming midterm elections, as well as overwhelming popular demand from my readers, have pushed me to write this article regarding issues I know everyone who follows me cares about deeply. And perhaps my non-American readers can learn a little something about how our system functions… or doesn’t function. Last

A generation since the tragedy, public memory is changing While the popular cliché would dictate that I claim to remember this fateful day in American history, a day when Al Qaeda terrorists hijacked four planes and murdered thousands of innocent Americans, just like it was yesterday, such circumstances unfortunately do not apply to me. I was only six years old, living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, having recently begun first grade. It would be another 3 ½ months before I would re

Iran and Russia, despite severe strain, dig in. Once a KGB, always a KGB Happy September, everyone! As summer reaches its psychological end, even as extreme temperatures continue to bake Middle Tennessee, perhaps you may have, through no fault of your own, missed some of the critical stories occurring around the world. In that case, it would be my pleasure to inform you. After all, with two major wars with no end in sight raging in the heart of Eurasia, there is never a short

A nation erases its culture— and suffers the consequences Toronto may look nice, but this facade is hiding a deeper rot In the American psyche, there are some nations and cultures that still can capture our imagination, and then there are those who do not. China, Great Britain, Italy, Russia and Japan, for example, all possess a legacy of centuries or even millennia of great empires, profound literature, distinct languages, and indigenous cultures inseparable from their core

With destructive neighbors like Iran, Middle Eastern states like Oman can no longer simply have their cake and eat it. Perhaps the only thing hotter than the Northern Hemisphere’s sweltering summer of 2026, complete with a Europe literally on fire and a triple-digit heat advisory last weekend that turned Middle Tennessee into a furnace and drove the region’s air conditioners to their outer limits, may be President Donald Trump’s temper at traditional American allies who defy

A Gen Z phenomenon rehabilitates a once disgraced president whose mistakes ought not overshadow his intellect Of all the many injustices and outrages that occur in our world, there are few, if any, that frustrate me more than revisionist history. As a writer dedicated to informing my readers of the most accurate information I can access, I consider the world of misinformation and rumors to be my most formidable enemy. I may have even called you out personally if I spot such m

William Howard Taft may have been America's heaviest president. He was also a legal visionary whose work still shapes our judicial system today. When I was little boy, all those years ago in New Mexico, I was one of those children who decided to, rather than play sports or video games, memorize the chronology of every single American President, from George Washington to, at the time, George W. Bush. One of my favorites I came across was William Howard Taft, the 27th officehol

Why the Middle East, long a tinderbox, finally exploded It was a lovely two months. Not since May 13 have I published a single entry relating to the conflict in the Middle East. Thanks to three weeks in Europe, a very special anniversary, and a brief window where it seemed that a peaceful Middle Eastern order could be at hand, I was offered a blissful reprieve from all bad news hailing from the region that has never ceased to give me and other geopolitically-minded researcher

An obitiuary to Senator Lindsey Graham, the last of the hawks of the US Senate and a political giant not only in Washington, but across the globe. Air Force veteran. United States Senator. Foreign policy hawk. King of the Sunday morning talk shows. Fierce defender of President Donald Trump. One can assign many labels to the recently and shockingly deceased South Carolinian Lindsey Graham, but discreet was certainly not one of them. Following his initial election as a US Senat

The life and legacy of James Knox Polk, in honor of America 250 Author’s Note: The following article has also been published on Breitbart News, as a part of their “Celebrating American Greatness” series in honor of America 250. Back in April, I visited Mr. Polk’s home in Columbia, Tennessee, and knew he was exactly the man whom I should honor for this year’s celebration. While you may or may not agree with everything Breitbart writes, I hope you all appreciate that I am treme

The events of July 4, 1776 may not have been the most dramatic. Their impact, however is profound and immeasurable. The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by Solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be Solemnized with Pomp and Parade with Shews, Games,

What is life really like for America’s Green Berets? Legion Fund founder Willy Stern explains sacrifice, family, combat, and the hidden realities of these elite warriors quietly carrying the burden of America’s longest wars. “They're trained to bring lethal violence to an enemy on Tuesday, and on Wednesday put on a Brooks Brothers suit and brief the ambassador — every soldier is trained in an almost bizarre range of skillsets that don't appear obviously complimentary, but the

What is great power competition and why does it matter now? Former State Department official Wess Mitchell explains the return of geopolitics, China’s rise, and the future of American power. “The safety and prosperity of the United States will depend on our ability to navigate an era of great power history that looks like not so much the last 30 years, but the 3,000 years that preceded that.” — A. Wess Mitchell What if the last thirty years were the exception — not the rule?

Is America’s global role worth the cost? Dr. Peter Feaver, a leading expert in civil-military relations, explains war, security, and the unseen benefits of U.S. foreign policy. “The United States has enjoyed the benefits of it, yes, but we've had to pay a price for it as well. And that brings us, of course, to the present day debate: should we still be bearing those costs? Still shouldering those burdens? — Dr. Peter Feaver What if the greatest success of American foreign p

What happens when the U.S. pulls back from global engagement? Mietek Bodoszynski, a former diplomat, explains the real impact of soft power, conflict, and foreign policy decisions. “I continue to believe — maybe naively — that one of the sources of US strength is our values…That's what we have as a comparative advantage against rivals like China who don't.” — Mietek Bodoszynski What happens when a global superpower decides to step back? Not in rhetoric, but in practice. For d

Stories you may have missed for a little detour from the Middle East Not even the conservative Giorgia Meloni has escaped President Trump’s wrath. Hello from sunny Santa Barbara! While I may have the luxury of enjoying a break from my hectic lifestyle in Tennessee, I do not have the similar luxury of disengaging from the extremely complex and dangerous geopolitical situation many experts warn amounts to an unraveling of the entire world order. Indeed, you have a situation whe