Who Will Blink First?
The blog compares the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis to today’s dual blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran and the Trump administration each restrict shipping. Iran briefly opened the waterway on April 17, only to re‑impose its blockade, while the U.S. continues its own restrictions to maintain pressure. The piece argues that lasting resolution requires both sides to “blink” simultaneously, but current rhetoric from Trump outpaces any tangible de‑escalation. It highlights the economic fallout and the risk of a prolonged standoff for global energy markets.
Is Time Running Out for Putin?
The post argues that keeping Ukraine in the fight is itself a viable strategy, even though Europe lacks a clear "theory of victory" for Kyiv. It notes that Russia’s war has made little headway since September 2022 despite massive resource...
The US No Longer Leads
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sparked a global oil supply crisis, and stalled US‑Iran negotiations mean relief could take months. The article argues that the Trump administration’s strategic errors have fundamentally weakened America’s ability to lead, leaving...
Is Ukraine Winning the Drone Race?
Ukraine has reclaimed the lead in battlefield drone warfare, outmatching Russian systems with quieter, round‑the‑clock UAVs. Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov warned President Putin that this technological edge creates a critical situation for Moscow’s forces. In response, Russia published the...
Understanding MAGA
Laura K. Field’s new book *Furious Minds* maps the intellectual genealogy of the MAGA‑driven new right, identifying three core schools—Claremont Straussians, post‑liberals, and national conservatives—plus a tech‑bro accelerationist wing. The analysis links dozens of Claremont alumni to senior Trump‑era posts,...
Making It up as They Go Along
The United States and Israel launched a coordinated strike on Iran on February 28, intensifying rhetoric around regime change without committing ground forces. President Trump urged Iranians to overthrow the clerical government, yet his administration stopped short of providing direct...
Sovereignty for Sale
Elon Musk’s decision to block Russia from using Starlink satellites has hampered Russian drone and artillery operations, highlighting the strategic power of private space assets. After initially supplying Ukraine with terminals, Musk later restricted their use against Russian territory following...