Nation states vs non-state

Non-state actors are bleeding out nation states. Well-armed groups such as Wagner and Mexican cartels are reshaping sovereign states to their own benefit.

IC Trump, Space Command

Intelligence Community sees risk and reward under Trump. The president-elect is highly unpredictable, derisive of IC sacrifice, but also tolerant of risk taking.

Space Command should remain in Colorado. There are clear benefits to keeping the U.S. Military combatant command where it is.

DSS NYC

Diplomatic Security Service agents were responsible for catching the suspected serial killer who brought mayhem to New York City on Monday. But DSS leadership have showed little concern or regard for the agents involved.

AARO drone

AARO, UFOs, and the FBI's unidentified Exo Ranger drone. Inadvertently playing to conspiracists, the Pentagon's UFO arm said it had no further information about a UFO. Why was I easily able to find out more?

Taiwan-Ukraine, Trump travels

Admiral confirms Ukraine-Taiwan weapons trade off. Sam Paparo, head of INDOPACOM has noted that the use of U.S. weapons in Ukraine and the Middle East is undermining Pacific deterrence.

Where Trump should travel before taking office. The president-elect should visit these countries and deliver these messages.

Gabbard ODNI, Trump-Putin, Biden-Trump

Senate GOP must stop Tulsi Gabbard from getting the keys to the intelligence castle. Gabbard has shown that her ideological sympathies rest with American adversaries.

How Trump can deal effectively with Putin. The president needs to speak to regional partners who understand Russian history and strategic ambitions.

Biden shows Trump how to lose patriotically. The president showed a grace to Trump that Trump did not extend four years ago.

Colby

Elbridge Colby would make a strong addition to Trump administration. He's smart, willing to debate, and understands that allied freeloading is no longer sustainable.

Trump-Putin, CIA DEI

Don't bet on Trump being soft on Putin. While Trump has shown concerning tendencies towards Russia, his latest call with Putin seems positive.

CIA needs more diversity less DEI. One helps with the mission set, the other undermines it.

Trump-Orban

Will Trump let Viktor Orban play him like a puppet? The Hungarian leader has no interest in America's interests, only in corralling Trump into service of China and Russia.

Trump NATO/Europe, Trump Ukraine peace

What Trump's return means for the transatlantic relationship. The former president will expect European allies to do more, and they should. But if they do, Trump will likely consolidate the alliance.

Will Trump negotiate a Ukraine peace or see Putin neuter him and Ukraine? The ingredients for a peace accord are clear but the costs of insuring that deal will be significant.

Election parties

Partisanship first? U.S. embassies cancel election night parties in play to partisanship. Their decision is an embarrassment and contrary to the national interest.

Russian escalation

Russia flirts with acts of war against the United States. Russia is escalating in a manner that must not be tolerated without reprisal.