“Federal authorities on Monday announced the arrests of four alleged members of an extremist group who are suspected of planning co-ordinated bombing attacks on New Year’s Eve across Southern California. The suspects were arrested last week in Lucerne Valley, east of Los Angeles, where they were suspected of preparing to test improvised explosive devices ahead of the planned bombings, according to the federal criminal complaint filed on Saturday. They are members of an offshoot of a pro-Palestinian group dubbed the Turtle Island Liberation Front, the complaint said. During a news conference Monday, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli described the group as a ‘radical anti-government’ group. They each face charges including conspiracy and possession of a destructive device, court documents show.” (12/15/25)
“Nearly 175 years later, Bastiat’s cautionary tale provides a window into the fallacy that lies at the heart of today’s trade war: the myth that destruction creates wealth – that breaking trade deals and global supply chains, like breaking windows, is a secret recipe for prosperity. Like the mayor in Bastiat’s tale, President Trump is a slick politician and a masterful spin artist. He’s exceptional at portraying his policy’s ‘success’ by focusing our attention squarely on its visible beneficiaries. That’s why he often unveils his latest tariffs in made-for-TV spectacles where he’s encircled by jubilant workers at revived factories that directly benefit from his protectionist policies. Thankfully, Bastiat’s parable exposes this clever marketing ploy for what it is: cheap sophistry.” (12/15/250
“Last week, the U.S. Senate rejected two health care bills intended to resolve the impasse over COVID-19–era Affordable Care Act (ACA), a.k.a. Obamacare, subsidies and, to one extent or another, concerns over the cost of medical coverage. Both were blocked by the near impossibility of advancing anything in that body without 60 votes in support. The Democrat-sponsored legislation would have kicked the can down the road on Obamacare plans’ inherent flaws by extending ‘temporary’ subsidies for another three years. The Republican bill was a more serious effort that would bring some reform to the system by expanding Americans’ access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). But neither is going anywhere right now. Maybe that’s for the best. Sen. Rand Paul (R–Ky.) proposes better legislation that expands Americans’ access to HSAs and to group health plans offered by all sorts of organizations across state lines.” (12/15/25)
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“One of the great mysteries about the rise of populism, in both the United States and Europe, is why it has benefited the political right so much more than the left. For years, American progressives have been trying to get people worked up over rising rates of economic inequality, with the expectation that this anger could fuel greater support for the Democratic Party. Yet the electoral fruits of this effort have been pretty much nonexistent. … The problem stems from a failure to grasp the psychology underlying populism. Broadly speaking, populism today is a revolt against cognitive elites, not economic elites. Its centerpiece is the affirmation of common sense over the fancy theories favored by intellectuals. … Populism is popular because it speaks to voters in concrete terms and tells them that their first instincts — about economics and more — are correct.” (12/15/25)
“India rejected on Monday US accusations that it is ‘dumping’ rice in the United States, saying its rice exports are primarily premium-grade basmati, which typically commands higher prices than non-basmati varieties. US President Donald Trump said last week that more tariffs could be imposed on Indian rice, accusing India of ‘dumping’ its shipments into the US market, referring to a practice whereby a product is exported at a price lower than its normal price. … India, the world’s largest rice exporter, shipped 20.2 million metric tons of rice in the 2024/25 financial year ending in March, including 335,554 tons to the United States, of which 274,213 tons were basmati rice.” (12/15/25)
“The end of the Cold War ushered in a long period of make-believe in American foreign policy. We saw ourselves, in the words of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, as ‘the indispensable power. We stand tall. We see farther into the future.’ And we could use our unmatched abilities to transform the world in unprecedented ways. … Things obviously did not go as planned. President Trump’s new National Security Strategy says goodbye to such magical thinking.” (12/15/25)
“The government of Trinidad and Tobago said Monday that it would allow the U.S. military access to its airports in coming weeks as tensions build between the United States and Venezuela. The announcement comes after the U.S. military recently installed a radar system at the airport in Tobago. The Caribbean country’s government has said the radar is being used to fight local crime, and that the small nation would not be used as a launchpad to attack any other country. The U.S. would use the airports for activity that would be ‘logistical in nature, facilitating supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations,’ Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. It did not provide further details. Trinidad’s prime minister previously has praised ongoing U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean.” (12/15/25)
