Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Mark Nayler
“Every seven years, the EU approves a new budget, known as a Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The next MFF will cover the period 2028–34, and has been described by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen as ‘the most ambitious ever proposed.’ It has to be approved unanimously by the end of 2027, but with general elections due in almost a third of the bloc’s 27 countries next year (France, Italy, Poland, Spain, Greece, Estonia, Finland, and Slovakia), the pressure is on to have negotiations wrapped up by Christmas. After a two-day summit in Brussels on June 18 and 19, however, only one point of agreement had been reached: to bring new funding ideas to the next brainstorming session in October.” (06/29/26)
“President Donald Trump disclosed buying between $1 million and $5 million in Axon Enterprise stock on Feb. 10. Two weeks later, ICE posted a notice seeking a five-year, $220 million Taser contract for about 17,800 devices, along with unlimited cartridges and training — enough to more than quadruple its current inventory. The ICE notice does not name Axon, but procurement reviewers and policing experts told CNBC the specifications appear to match only Axon products. The contract has so far not been awarded. There is no evidence Trump was involved in or had knowledge of the procurement process or that Axon knew about his stock purchase. But ethics experts said the timing alone raises red flags, even as the White House has said Trump’s assets are in a trust managed by his children, that a third party made the trades and that ‘there are no conflicts of interest.'” (06/29/26)
“In a few days, Americans will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. There will be fireworks, concerts, speeches, and millions of backyard barbecues. But what precisely are we celebrating?” (06/29/26)
“The U.S. lost its war of choice against Iran. Trump and Netanyahu failed to eliminate the perceived Iranian nuclear threat, despite relentless bombing that killed thousands and destroyed both military assets and civilian infrastructure. The desired ‘regime change’ left a more hawkish leader in charge. Iranian forces then deployed missiles and drones to carry out devastating attacks on American bases in the Gulf. Thirteen U.S. soldiers lost their lives. Most significantly, Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz sparked global panic in energy, fertilizer, and other vital markets. … If the just-signed MOU maintains the 60-day ceasefire and becomes a full-fledged agreement, America’s benefits could ultimately outweigh what it loses. The possible gains are three: an end to a costly war, a downscaling of U.S. relations with Israel, and a modest retreat from American imperialism.” (06/29/26)
Source: The American Conservative
by W James Antle III
“The voters who put Trump over the top and gave Republicans control of the Senate in 2024 were not casting their ballots for higher inflation and more foreign wars. Nor was that what Trump delivered in his first term, despite taking a hard line against the ayatollahs, shredding Barack Obama’s version of an Iran nuclear deal, applying maximum pressure, and striking Qasem Soleimani. Trump left office with inflation at 1.4 percent, below the Fed’s long-term target, and leaving no new wars to his successor in Iran or elsewhere. … Vance’s intraparty detractors should realize that if voters are still talking about the war in Iran rather than domestic issues in November, much less 2028, Democrats are going to have to nominate the world’s most crazed Marxists for Republicans to have a chance.” (06/29/26)
Source: Independent Institute
by K Lloyd Billingsley
“Gavin Newsom likes to boast that California has the world’s fourth-largest economy. So why can’t it build high-speed rail, while Morocco—which ranks 57th—has had it for years? … The total cost of California’s vaunted ‘bullet train’ has surged from the original $33 billion in 2008, when voters approved Proposition 1A, to a staggering $231 billion, all before any track was laid.” (06/29/26)
“Turkish police on Sunday detained at least 50 people, including a journalist, during a Gay Pride event in Istanbul that went ahead despite a ban by local authorities and the lockdown of the city’s main gathering point, organisers said. Police stepped up security around Istanbul’s iconic Taksim Square, erecting iron barriers, while local officials banned demonstrations in key rallying areas, including the Asian-side district of Kadikoy. The governor’s office also restricted subway transport in several central locations. … LGBT+ protesters, who gathered in several neighbourhoods across the city, vowed to continue their demonstrations.” (06/28/26)
“Everybody loves local control when they run towns and counties and their opponents hold federal or state offices. It works in reverse, too, with presidents and governors denouncing rebellious officials who won’t follow dictates from the state or federal capital. So it is in Virginia, where Democrats who dominate the state government are upset that local prosecutors and police decline to enforce new restrictive gun laws they justifiably view as unconstitutional and dangerous to their constituents’ liberty. … Unsurprisingly, the politicians who pushed for the restrictive new laws that are set to take effect next month are unhappy that so many local officials disdain their legislative efforts.” (06/29/26)
