“While the media has covered extensively Democratic successes in the 2025 off-year elections, there is one story that has been dramatically undercovered. This is the fact that the 2025 Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races show that Democrats can win over Trump voters. Granted, these are not dramatic slices of the Trump coalition, but they are enough in these hyper-polarized times to win elections. According to CNN polling, in New Jersey Rep. Mikie Sherrill in her race for governor was able to win 7% of those who had voted for Donald Trump in 2024. Interestingly, the Virginia exit polling data shows that Rep. Abigail Spanberger won the identical (7%) of Trump voters.” (11/11/25)
“In the NFL offseason, star running back Saquon Barkley signed a $40 million contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles. Make no mistake, he earned it after rushing for 2,005 yards in the regular season and helping to bring another Lombardi Trophy to Philadelphia. I’m not alone in thinking this. As one sports writer put the point, ‘He deserves it … Barkley is easy to root for, not only because he can jump backward over people, but also because he works hard, he’s kind, and he’s a great teammate.’ Rarely does anyone argue that it’s morally wrong for a football player, or other performer, to earn tens of millions of dollars. But if a CEO earns the same amount, it’s greed, exploitation, or a symptom of the ills of late-stage capitalism.” (11/11/25)
“Americans frequently disagree over how to respond to crime, and partisan agendas sometimes lead to imprudent policy decisions, whether seen in progressive prosecutors’ refusal to charge certain offenses or in the dispatching of the military to American cities. Yet beyond the headlines, the New Right’s growing concern about the fate of the family provides a fresh opportunity for left and right to find common ground on preventing crime, particularly juvenile delinquency. The right has an opportunity to bolster families and help young men to thrive, while staying true to the fusionist alliance between traditional conservatives and libertarians.” (11/11/25)
“Politicians will be heartily applauded for saluting American’s soldiers today. But if citizens had better memories, elected officials would instead be fleeing tar and feathers. Politicians have a long record of betraying the veterans they valorize.” (originally published 11/11/28; re-posted 11/11/25)
“For more than three decades, I had the honor of serving our country in uniform. I led soldiers at home and abroad. I commanded U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency through some of the most complex technological shifts in our history. But the transition that came after my time in uniform came to an end was its own kind of mission. The structure, tempo and identity that comes with military service doesn’t simply disappear when you step out of it. The day you enter civilian life, you begin a new chapter – and you’re expected to write it while you’re living it. Every year, more than 200,000 service members make that same transition. And nearly half of post-9/11 veterans say it was harder than they expected – not because they lack discipline or talent, but because translating your experience into civilian terms can be difficult.” (11/11/25)
Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Christopher Preble & Will Smith
“The United States and Saudi Arabia are reportedly in talks over a pledge ‘similar to [the] recent security agreement the United States made with Qatar,’ with a ‘Qatar-plus’ security commitment expected to be announced during a visit to the White House by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) on November 18. Together, these developments suggest a troubling belief that handing out security guarantees is a quick, cost-free way to reassure anxious partners and ensure their alignment with U.S. priorities. That belief is mistaken. A U.S.–Saudi defense pact would be unnecessary, risky, and unlikely to achieve its unclear aims. Rather than revive the misguided Biden administration initiative, the Trump administration should shelve the idea once and for all.” (11/11/25)
“The U.S. military buildup around Venezuela has drawn comparisons to past regime change in Panama. But Washington cannot invade its way to democracy in Caracas.” (11/11/25)
“Donald Trump secured the presidency by forging a scary coalition of conservative forces and effectively playing upon many Americans worst fears. His coalition includes his MAGA base and Christian nationalists; ‘free market’ business opportunists and Silicon Valley billionaires; and ‘limited’ government advocates, be it for domestic programs or foreign involvements. The most conservative force in Trump’s coalition is known as ‘paleoconservatism’ – aka ‘paleocons.’ They advocate for a strong market economy, a shrunken federal government, restricted immigration and limited foreign involvement (unless it benefits national interests) as well as strong Christian values, the patriarchal family and a white America.” (11/11/25)
Source: The American Prospect
by Whitney Curry Wimbish
“Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) has to go. That’s the conclusion of multiple Democratic groups, House members, and candidates after Schumer oversaw his caucus implode ahead of passing a continuing resolution to fund the government with nothing more than a meaningless promise on the Affordable Care Act subsidies. Preserving health care was the whole point of the government shutdown; Democrats and workers nationwide begged Schumer to hold the line. Now, they say he has disappointed them for the last time. No Senate Democrats have joined their colleagues in seeking Schumer’s resignation and none responded to requests for comment from the Prospect. But every single one of them has the power to force a vote on Schumer’s continued control of the caucus.” (11/11/25)
“We intervened in Somalia, Iraq, Libya, and elsewhere based in large part on humanitarian arguments. America was supposed to make these countries safer and protect minorities from oppression. Instead, our interventions turned local crises into humanitarian nightmares and demonstrated we can’t solve these issues. We, in fact, made them worse. Take for instance what happened to Iraqi Christians following Operation Shock and Awe in 2003: Thousands of them were murdered and over a million fled the country. One of the oldest Christian populations in the world now stands close to extinction. It’s unlikely intervention in Nigeria will be any different from these past failures.” (11/11/25)
