The McLaughlin Group

Discussing the wall and reappropration of military spending, Brexit chaos, gun control

Mark Esper, Boris Brexit, Angela Merkel

Mark Esper should serve as an example to Mike Pompeo. He is willing to tell the truth about Huawei to all parties. Pompeo is not.

Boris Johnson needs Trump to pressure the European Union. Absent that, Johnson’s government is likely to fall.

Angela Merkel shows rare leadership in China. Speaking out against Beijing’s treatment of Hongkongers, Merkel infuriates Xi.

Hong Kong, Kremlin Kamala

This weekend is a critical moment for Hong Kong’s future. The ingredients for violence and an ensuing Chinese military intervention are clear.

Kremlin Kamala? Kamala Harris and other Democrats are pursuing policies firmly in the favor of Vladimir Putin.

Iran tanker, ISIS bombings, UK election?

The U.S. is acting like a headless chicken when it comes to the Iranian oil tanker. Where is the clarity of purpose and action?

Don’t be shocked ISIS is using cows as suicide bombers. The group’s ideology is fixed on the flexible use of murderous means.

The high stakes and complex probabilities of a UK general election. This is what we’re likely to see.

Rodrigo Duterte, Red Dead, UFO, Boris Johnson

Trump must put Rodrigo Duterte on notice. The problem for America is that Duterte wants American cake and to sell our order to China.

Red Dead Online's summer update is coming next week. 

Here's what we can expect from the game.

Tom DeLonge is failing to convince the public on the real issue of UFOs. The issue is that he says too many out-there things.

Boris Johnson's Brexit plans hit a big roadblock. The vote on Wednesday will be crucial.

RUSSIANS Georgia, US Afghanistan, Syria Idlib, Iran satellite

What are the Russians up to in South Ossetia? I

s it a looming incursion or an effort to intimidate the Georgians?

The US must put its security interests first in Afghanistan withdrawal decisions. To do otherwise is to risk great danger.

Wake up to Syria and Russia’s massacre in Idlib. 

The civilian casualties are highly significant.

Be glad Iran’s satellite launch failed. The Iranians are not interested in satellites.

Jim Mattis, Colombia FARC, Google China

What Jeffrey Goldberg gets wrong about Jim Mattis. He doesn’t recognize that Mattis cares about the long term over the short term partisan fires.

The US must help Colombia break FARC again. If the terrorists want to die for a disgusting cause, let’s speed them on their way.

Trump rightly forces Google to break away from China. The technology firm should be more patriotic.

Esper China, North Korea, Boris Johnson

For Mark Esper it’s China, China, China. The defense secretary has a robust focus on one nation.

Why North Korea’s new ballistic missile submarine is not a game changer. It is going to be loud, limited, and vulnerable.

Boris Johnson’s great Brexit gamble. The prime minister sees Parliament as an obstacle to effecting Brexit. So he’s sending them home.

Navy China, Rouhani Trump, RAF Arrows

Outgoing Navy chief explains how the US is challenging Chinese imperialism. It’s about robust, relentless forward presence.

Rouhani’s ridiculous rejection of Trump’s overture. What on Earth does Rouhani think he can do to reduce the economic crisis on his regime.

The British - air force display team - are coming! They intend to wow Americans with their acrobatic skills. But more than that is at stake here.

US China, Israel strikes, Trump Iran, British Airways

Be realistic about what a US-China trade deal would look like. It would almost certainly entail limited gains in US market access.

Why Israel bombed Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria this weekend. It’s all about countering Iranian forces.

Trump and Pompeo are clearly separated on Iran. They have very different expectations from the Islamic Republic.

British Airways breaks its brand. The airliner is failing on the customer service front.