I think there are a lot of policy types who don’t follow right-wing media and have a totally over-intellectualized view of what’s going on. So wonks act focus on stuff like whether USAID balanced development and humanitarian aid correctly while the right screams "there are too many black babies"

Every time his name came up my mom would get furious about the Moynihan Report, but I thought he was an amazing to listen to. “Moynihan chronicled the exodus of working-class voters from the left as it began.” www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...

Every day we get closer to the plot of Ministry for the Future. www.politico.com/news/2025/12...

Today in history. The Soviet Union dropping dead was an early lesson that world events can change on a dime, with little or no warning.

this is the story you need today, trust me.

Holiday reading: Have always been curious about how what appeared to be a stable (on the surface) democracy in the 1990s basically fell apart. Fascinating story of abundant natural resources, corrupt politicians, inequality, weak governance, and the seduction of populism. #Venezuela

“A country can do something about gun violence and mass shootings. If it wants to.” open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...

Today in history: Elvis Presley meets President Richard Nixon at the White House.

This Yglesias piece in the NYT is horrifically bad. Almost every "fact" it cites is provably false. At best it is cocktail party banter from a pundit who knows nothing of energy. At worst, it was cut/paste from oil industry talking points. So, a rebuttal: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/18/o...

His books on Reagan “have never been transcended,” said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley. wapo.st/498dv9r

One of the journalists who influenced my interest in the world. Do reporters like this even exist any longer? Peter Arnett, Pulitzer-Winning War Correspondent, Dies at 91 www.nytimes.com/2025/12/17/w...

1970s America: “Why do we have to be the policeman of the world? What about our allies, our so called allies? What are they contributing towards it?”

Didn't predict Devo making any sense when I was a kid. "The restless natives react to digital shadows on the wall, reduced to fear, hate, and superstition." (2018) www.vice.com/en/article/d...

Today in history, regime change in the Americas. The US invaded Panama, aiming to remove dictator Manuel Noriega, who was wanted by U.S. authorities on drug trafficking and racketeering charges. www.army.mil/article-amp/...

It was a pleasure to share my experience working as a political appointee at the U.S. Information Agency and the Department of State, and as a civil servant at the Department of Energy. open.spotify.com/episode/3aVc...

“I will argue that the situation is more dangerous than I have known during my career and the price of peace is rising.” www.gov.uk/government/s...

Chancellor Merz: It’s a war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine,against Europe.If Ukraine falls,it won't end.Just as the Sudetenland wasn't enough in 1938 Putin doesn't stop.Anyone who still believes he's had enough should carefully analyze his strategies,documents,speeches,public appearances

“It is long past time for Europe to realize that, when it comes to the Russia-Ukraine war and the continent’s security, it is, at best, alone.” foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/05/n...

The UAE is outpacing the US as Africa's investment partner www.semafor.com/article/12/1...

As Washington steps back from its role in today’s international system, Beijing is enhancing its “capabilities and influence in the underlying systems that will define the decades ahead,” writes Elizabeth Economy.

76% of respondents "including nearly 8-in-10 Republicans and Democrats, said they support a U.S. military response if a NATO ally was attacked."

There’s a headline that’ll turn your head. 👀 “The New German War Machine” www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...

"They are playing games with both you and us" www.spiegel.de/internationa...

I’m thinking Canada joins the EU within the next decade. 🤔 Canada clinches deal to join Europe’s €150B defense scheme www.politico.eu/article/cana...

North Carolina is becoming home to an increasing number of data centers, which handle the data needed for cloud computing and artificial intelligence. But they also present challenges. amp.newsobserver.com/news/busines...

“Siri, what is it like to live in a major metropolitan area in the United States right now?”

Are we slipping into an era where the lowest common cognitive denominator dictates what we read, write, and believe? Or are we witnessing collective wisdom on steroids, accelerating our ability to learn from one another? www.forbes.com/sites/cornel...

Back to worrying about the Fulda Gap? www.wsj.com/world/europe...

‘A step-change’: tech firms battle for undersea dominance with submarine drones www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Walking tours shed light on Madrid's hidden Black history. www.reuters.com/business/med...

"Scientists may have solved why this ancient, advanced civilization vanished" wapo.st/43SMBR8

An Auto Holy Grail: Motors That Don’t Rely on Chinese Rare Earths www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/b...

if you came of age in the 20th century then this really sits you down about how much the Worlds changed in 21st century. no going back…. www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/bri...

“Europe tries to right old wrongs.” www.politico.eu/article/in-t...

Pie, Power, and Politics open.substack.com/pub/deindc/p...

it is happening again theonion.com/this-war-wil...

Love the solidarity in this video from the South African President's office #G20 x.com/AthiGeleba/s...

"The effort aims to restore civility in the skies and address a surge in disruptive behavior."...🤣🤣 www.cnbc.com/2025/11/22/u...

"Where are the Black photographers?" Deborah Willis on how she turned that question into an artistic mission. n.pr/4pqMJQ5

"Until Africa has addressed its development challenges, eliminated its energy poverty, and built its climate resilience, the continent should not be pressured to decarbonise like the rest of the world." allafrica.com/stories/2025...

Pope Leo calls out world leaders for not stepping up to fight against climate change

"Tapping energy from “superhot rock” could produce cheap, clean, constant energy almost anywhere — if drills and wells can survive infernal heat and pressure." www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solu...

Best music film of the punk/New wave era.👍🏾

Ethiopia’s COP32 success offers opportunity for Africa www.semafor.com/article/11/1...

The havoc AI is going to wreak on people’s psychology is going to be epic.

“The race to master AI is new but it is part of a centuries-old story. Throughout history, every technological superpower has risen on the back of cheap energy.“ on.ft.com/3JIvE58