The Power Vertical Podcast is available on Substack! open.substack.com/pub/brianwhi...

Russia is increasing its attacks on European critical infrastructure. On The Power Vertical this week, I talked to James Sherr & Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social about what that portends. www.powervertical.org/2026/05/29/r...

The psychological war is the only one Russia can win. And the softest target as ever is the White House.

James Talarico responded to the latest faux scandal: "I’m an eighth-generation Texan. I’ve been eating barbecue since before Ken Paxton’s first indictment. And if all they have on me is lying about me being a vegan, I feel pretty good about our chances this November."

They didn't die while serving in the military, but they died protecting our freedoms from those who would destroy them, nonetheless. Remembering these heroes on this Memorial Day.

Worth reading open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

The Power Vertical Podcast is available on Substack! This week I speak with the always insightful @michaelkofman.bsky.social about whether the vibe shift reflects the situation on the ground open.substack.com/pub/brianwhi...

There has been a vibe shift in Ukraine. How much dies it reflect the reality at the front? On this week’s Power Vertical Podcast, I spoke with the always insightful @michaelkofman.bsky.social www.powervertical.org/2026/05/22/v...

This New Yorker cartoon is accurate but a gut punch.

Well worth reading open.substack.com/pub/twogrump...

This is an interesting take open.substack.com/pub/khodorko...

Northern lights from last night!!!!!!

Highly recommended open.substack.com/pub/michaeld...

Jesus Christ this is the most chilling thing I've read in ages. The "new understanding of truth" described here is not new in any way, it is basically a return to pre-literate dark ages & the inevitable result is going to be fascism.

This is disturbing www.nytimes.com/2026/05/15/o...

If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, denies it’s a duck, demands you prove it's a duck, accuses you of being a duck, says your dog is a duck, and that it won't shit on your grass anymore if you just give it your garden to shit in, it’s a Kremlin duck 🦆

This is a really worthwhile read

You can now get The Power Vertical Podcast on Substack! open.substack.com/pub/brianwhi...

The Kremlin's decision to scale back the Victory Day parade reveals a deeper malaise as the war turns in Ukraine's favor. On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, I look at Russia's season of discontent w/ Mike Carpenter and Casey Michel @cjcmichel.bsky.social www.powervertical.org/2026/05/08/r...

I'm going to need a deeper bunker.

This is well worth reading open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...

Ukraine has ushered in a new era in which smaller countries can resist great powers. On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, I had a great discussion about this phenomenon with the always insightful duo of James Sherr & John Sipher @johnsipher.bsky.social www.powervertical.org/2026/05/01/u...

The more things change…

OTD in 1986 Chernobyl blew up. We lied about it and said it just small thing, not a complete disaster... Imagine us lying like that today...

Kyiv sunrise

The arrival in Kyiv after 34 hours on trains, planes, and automobiles

Ukraine is on quite a roll lately. On this week’s Power Vertical Podcast I take a deeper look with the always insightful Serhiy Kudelia open.substack.com/pub/brianwhi...

Ukraine is suddenly on a roll. Find out why as I break it all down with the always insightful Serhiy Kudelia on this week’s Power Vertical Podcast www.powervertical.org/2026/04/16/d...

A very smart take from Steve

Makes me proud to be North American substack.com/@dgardner/no...

A smart take from Dan open.substack.com/pub/danieldr...

Thank you Hungary!!! www.reuters.com/world/hungar...