Politico Playbook Audio Briefing, 10/29/26
Source: Politico
“Moderates put the left on notice.” (10/29/26)
Author: Thomas L. Knapp
AIPAC Isn’t Retreating. Here’s How It’s Already Shaping the Next Congress.
Source: The Intercept
by Akela Lacy
“A new project by The Intercept reveals the hundreds of candidates still taking the pro-Israel lobby’s cash, and how AIPAC is obscuring its spending.” (10/29/26)
https://theintercept.com/2026/10/29/aipac-israel-midterms-spending-elections-congress/
Reports: Hegseth removes top general amid sweeping Pentagon overhaul
Source: United Press International
“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has removed a top general from his post, according to reports, the latest exit of a senior military official amid a sweeping overhaul of the Pentagon. Hegseth fired Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, director for Strategy, Plans and Policy, J-5, Joint Staff, CNN reported, citing a spokesman for Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine. According to ABC News, citing two sources familiar with the situation, the firing occurred earlier this week, and with his removal, Sylvia has retired.” (10/29/26)
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2026/10/29/Hegseth-fires-Brett-Sylvia/3321793253301/
Advisory Opinions, 10/29/26
Source: The Dispatch
“Bringing Charges Against the President’s Political Enemies.” (10/29/26)
There is no opposition leader. The American people are standing against Trump
Source: Los Angeles Times
by Jackie Calmes
“Obama and Clinton, for their parts, have waited until midterm elections voting has begun and the outcome — a potential blue wave — seems clear. The likelihood of an electoral repudiation of Trump and his party is thanks not to their efforts, but to the voters themselves. Organically, a leaderless protest movement of sorts has taken shape, uniting Democrats, independents and a good number of repelled Republicans. Trump calls MAGA a movement, and it is. But he’s the unwitting organizer of this countermovement as well, thanks to his sorry record of self-aggrandizement, cruelty and a needless war that broke both his no-wars campaign promise and the one about bringing down Americans’ cost of living. (Moody’s Analytics recently reported that the Iran war has cost the average U.S. family more than $2,000.)” (10/29/260
The Two Faces of Gadi Eisenkot, Who Could Be Israel’s PM
Source: Antiwar.com
by Dan Steinbock
“In international media, PM Netanyahu’s adversary Gadi Eizenkot has been portrayed as a centrist voice. That’s part of his track-record. But he is also the architect of the Obliteration Doctrine that decimated Gaza.” (10/29/26)
AI Isn’t Just Extracting More Fossil Fuels—It’s Unlocking Renewable Energy Too
Source: Reason
by Jeff Luse
“A New Mexico geothermal project used AI to reduce surface infrastructure costs by 75 percent and speed up drilling by 35 percent.” (for publication 11/26)
https://reason.com/2026/10/29/ai-is-unlocking-abundant-energy/
Lagarde to step down as president of European Central Bank
Source: CNBC
“European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde will step down on Feb. 7 next year, she announced Thursday, formally kicking off a succession race that will be shaped by political bargaining and France’s looming fiscal crisis. Lagarde has led the central bank since July 2019, steering its responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war and a series of energy price shocks that sent inflation in the European Union above 11% in 2022. She will depart nearly nine months before her term was due to expire in October 2027, while the process to appoint her successor will begin immediately.” (10/29/26)
The Watch Podcast, episode 2
Source: The Watch
“An interview with Scott Colom.” (10/29/26)
https://radleybalko.substack.com/p/the-watch-podcast-episode-2-an-interview
The Blessings of Liberty with Jeffrey Rosen, 10/29/26
Source: The Blessings of Liberty with Jeffrey Rosen
“Until the Last Yoke Is Broken: The Constitutional Vision of Frederick Douglass.” (10/29/26)
https://rosenjeffrey.substack.com/p/until-the-last-yoke-is-broken-the