Will The Two Cults Finally Fall?
Source: The Weekly Dish
by Andrew Sullivan
“The cult of Trump and the cult of wokeness are taking huge hits from reality.” (08/07/26)
https://andrewsullivan.substack.com/p/will-the-two-cults-finally-fall-854
Author: Thomas L. Knapp
Syria: Regime Agrees to Reorganized Russian Military Presence
Source: New York Times
“Syria and Russia have come to an agreement reorganizing Moscow’s military presence in the country after more than a year and a half of negotiations, the Syrian foreign ministry announced on Sunday. … The Syrian foreign ministry announcement on Sunday said the two countries had reached a memorandum of understanding that outlines a reorganized Russia’s presence on the Syrian coast, at the Hmeimim Air Base outside the city of Latakia and at the Tartus naval port, according to state media. Civilian facilities will be transferred to Syrian government management and gradually integrated into the country’s civilian administration, and Russian military bases will be turned into joint training centers, according to the ministry.” (08/09/26)
The rise or fail of middle powers will determine Middle East peace
Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Gabrielle Rifkind & Tom Pickering
“For more than two decades, endless wars have destabilized the Middle East, creating huge amounts of human suffering, displacement and trauma. The region is exhausted, with little faith in the possibility of peace and few structures to enable it. The region is now at an inflection point; it can continue endless violence or undertake serious mediation and conflict resolution. The war with Iran has exposed the limits of U.S. military power, leaving only one practical option on the table: pursuing negotiations that recognize the balance of power in the region and the security concerns of all parties. This requires very careful engagement and mediation.” (08/07/26)
Trump continues whining at Pirro to go back to pretending his Reflecting Pool fiasco was caused by “vandalism”
Source: The Hill
“President Trump on Saturday posted photos of alleged vandalism to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool amid a push for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro to revisit a recent decision to drop charges related to the pool. Late Saturday, the president posted two photos of what appeared to be graffiti and some peeling of the coating of the pool. Both photos were labeled with the word ‘Vandalism.’ Trump is pushing for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to backtrack on its move to drop criminal charges against people accused of damaging the site. The president pressed for Pirro to ‘re-visit her hastily made decision’ on Friday. Pirro’s office has stated contractors who undertook renovation efforts on the pool were behind the damage.” (08/09/26)
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6019003-trump-lincoln-memorial-vandalism/
The Fifth Column, episode 569
Source: The Fifth Column
“A Man of 1989 (w/ David Frum).” (08/07/26)
Nationalisation as a money sink
Source: Adam Smith Institute
by Tim Worstall
“Much can be said – and we’ve said much of it over the decades – about nationalisation. How taking an organisation out of the bracing rigour of competitive markets and into the sloth of the bureaucracy tends not to increase efficiency. Say and as an example. Or that government never will invest for the long term as there’s always some more immediate purchase of votes to be done with whatever funds might be available. But just to nod to one more point: ‘At the same time, British Steel’s physical assets – including property, plant and equipment – have been deemed largely worthless after an audit review.’ … Two billion, plus or minus a bit of change, to buy something worth nothing. On the basis, we assume, that some still have the hots for the sort of industry where manly men do manly things in girt big factories.” (08/08/26)
https://www.adamsmith.org/blog/nationalisation-as-a-money-sink
Suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan returning to Ireland in high-security operation
Source: BBC News [UK state media]
“The Irish government jet carrying suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan has departed Dubai for Dublin. The 49-year-old was arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in April and is being extradited to the Republic of Ireland to face a charge of directing a criminal organisation. Kinahan will be immediately charged upon his arrival in Dublin and then brought by Gardaí (Irish police) to appear before the the non-jury, three judge Special Criminal Court on Sunday evening. A large-scale security operation is in place. Ahead of the extradition the Irish Prison Service bought a bulletproof and bombproof van which can be used to escort prisoners who are considered high-risk. … Daniel Kinahan’s lawyer previously told BBC Panorama that he has no criminal record or convictions and allegations about him being a crime boss are false and have no evidential basis.” (08/09/26)
How to Defend Billionaires Stupidly …
Source: Center for a Stateless Society
by Kevin Carson
“Since this seems to be go-time for defending billionaires, you might as well jump on the bandwagon, too. I can’t guarantee you’ll get picked up by The Atlantic and appear alongside the Jonathans Rauch, Chait, and Haidt, or Ross Douthat — but it’s worth a shot. That’s why I’ve gone through an enormous body of hand-wringing literature by some of the most irritating people alive, scanned it for the points they share in common, and compiled this list of helpful hints for would-be bootlickers.” (08/08/26)
Typhoon Dolphin hits China’s east coast, over 1 million evacuated
Source: NBC News
Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit China this year, made landfall on the country’s eastern coast on Sunday, bringing torrential rain and strong winds and triggering warnings of flooding and landslides. The typhoon has already swept through Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture, injuring six people and cutting power to more than 50,000 buildings. … Transport was widely disrupted across the east of the country and more than 1 million people were evacuated from their homes.” (08/09/26)
The Dispatch Podcast, 08/07/26
Source: The Dispatch
“Should MAGA Expect Representation in the Mainstream Media?” (08/07/26)
https://thedispatch.com/podcast/dispatch-podcast/should-mainstream-media-platform-maga-thinkers/