Twenty five years after 9-11, we will wake up to a different world however intentional its creation

Aerial view of Lower Manhattan with the Twin Towers at sunset

In the minute or so it took to turn off the car and walk less than fifty yards to my cubicle, the second plane hit the other tower and I sat down at my desk in a completely different world. Of course, the real question was what that world would look like.  When the first… Continue reading Twenty five years after 9-11, we will wake up to a different world however intentional its creation

Iran: Do we need or want a deal at this point?

Balance scale with coins and stones overlooking a desert oasis at sunset

After both of our previous attempts failed largely because Iran has proven completely unable to stop firing missiles for no seemingly sane reason, it appears to be a good time to reconsider our options. Before we begin, I should come clean:  Throughout the conflict with Iran I have consistently advocated to make an even less… Continue reading Iran: Do we need or want a deal at this point?

No, Iran isn’t the same as before and they’re certainly not stronger

Two abstract human figures fighting on a broken chessboard with scattered chess pieces and crumbled architectural ruins around them.

Unless they’re the equivalent of an alien organism out of a science fiction film, not subject to any of the normal limitations of government, economics, or military might, the death of a leader in power for almost forty years and a trillion in damage will have an effect. As we continue to celebrate America’s 250th… Continue reading No, Iran isn’t the same as before and they’re certainly not stronger

The strange state of the conflict in Iran and why Republicans better hope something happens soon

Three abandoned rusted tanks in muddy battlefield with destroyed buildings in the background at sunset

The war has entered a sort of slow moving stasis rather than anything resembling the frenetic pace of the first five weeks and time is running out to pivot to the midterm elections. I’ll admit it upfront:  I didn’t expect the Iran War to devolve into a non-ceasefire ceasefire for almost a full month.  While… Continue reading The strange state of the conflict in Iran and why Republicans better hope something happens soon

The choice facing Iran, and the reality that most of us aren’t all hawk or all dove all the time

Balance scales with crude oil barrel and cash on one side, globe and missile on the other

From where the average American sits, the choice facing the leaders of Iran seems like no choice at all, but after Saturday’s peace negotiations failed to produce a deal, it clearly is to the remnants of the regime and no one really knows what they will choose, however much they may bloviate otherwise.  Throughout the… Continue reading The choice facing Iran, and the reality that most of us aren’t all hawk or all dove all the time

NATO just turned 77, but is it going down in the Strait of Hormuz?

Chessboard with France, Russia, and China flags on pieces; plaque reads FRANCE-RUSSIA-CHINA ALLIANCE.

As France joins forces with Russia and China at the United Nations, and makes a deal with Iran, supporters of the NATO alliance argue that it is a purely defensive affair. In that case, what purpose does it serve in the modern world? In one of the ironies that seem to increasingly define the modern… Continue reading NATO just turned 77, but is it going down in the Strait of Hormuz?

While much of the world is kicking and screaming, Trump is almost singlehandedly dragging us into the future

Trump Future

It certainly isn’t pretty at times, but beyond death and taxes, there have been two certainties throughout my life, the Middle East was a strange and scary place from which terrorists launched attacks and communism was a creeping, insidious threat. Trump is finally addressing them both. At the risk of dating myself, I was born… Continue reading While much of the world is kicking and screaming, Trump is almost singlehandedly dragging us into the future

The Trump Armada

The sight, however symbolic, of the Arab Nations joining traditional European, North American, and Asian allies along with their long term adversary Israel in a joint mission would be something no one has ever seen before, perhaps as important as Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet was way back in 1907. Last week, the media was… Continue reading The Trump Armada

Since when do progressives give the slightest shit about high oil prices?

Despite calling for higher prices for years, we’re supposed to believe that progressives had a recent epiphany or at least that’s what they would like you to think if you happen to have the memory of a gold fish.  In one of those ironies that so frequently seem to define the modern world, Yahoo Finance… Continue reading Since when do progressives give the slightest shit about high oil prices?

Reflections on turning 50, when you’re not exactly Dante from the Inferno in a dark wood

If you don’t want more and aren’t worried about losing what you have, either you have nothing and aren’t aware there is anything, you have everything and there’s nothing left to achieve, or you’re dead.  Midway upon the journey of our life  I found myself within a forest dark,  For the straightforward pathway had been lost.” So… Continue reading Reflections on turning 50, when you’re not exactly Dante from the Inferno in a dark wood