The controversy surrounding Donald Trump’s response to Russia’s claim that Ukraine attempted a drone attack near a residence associated with Vladimir Putin is not merely about diplomatic tone. It’s about something more foundational: how authority is exercised, how truth is discerned, and how public power either restrains or amplifies deception in moments of global consequence.…
Some Thoughts on President Trump’s Nigeria Threats
When President Trump announced that the United States was “prepared to use force” if Nigeria’s government failed to stop the slaughter of Christians, it sent shockwaves through both Washington and Abuja. The boldness of his words sounded like classic Trump: unfiltered, unapologetic, and absolutely certain that the United States should defend Christians under attack. But…
East Timor Joins ASEAN: A Small Country with a Big Lesson for the World
East Timor just made history by becoming the 11th member of ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. That might sound like bureaucratic alphabet soup, but it’s a big deal, both for Asia and for anyone who still believes in freedom, sovereignty, and self-determination. This marks ASEAN’s first expansion since the 1990s, and it welcomes…
A Test of Leadership and Integrity on Both Sides of the Equator
When President Trump announced sanctions against Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, his family, and several top officials, the media reacted like the sky was falling. But here’s the simple truth: when it comes to the global drug trade, there’s a limit to what polite diplomacy can accomplish. At some point, words have to give way to…
When Tweets Trump Tact: A Lesson in Cooling Off Before Calling Out
President Trump has never been accused of underreacting, and his latest dust-up with Canada proves the point. When an ad popped up north of the border quoting Ronald Reagan about “the dangers of protectionism,” Trump slammed the brakes on trade talks faster than you can say “NAFTA.” There was just one small problem: the ad…
Trump’s Sanctions on Russia: A Strong Move, But Long Overdue
When President Trump announced sweeping new sanctions on Russia’s energy sector yesterday, many of us who value peace through strength let out a long, relieved sigh. Finally. After months of drawn-out talks and mounting civilian deaths in Ukraine, Trump is putting his money where his mouth is. The sanctions — targeting Russia’s two largest oil…
The Risks and Rewards of a Trump–Putin Summit in Budapest
As we all remember, President Trump and Vladimir Putin already met once this year: the much-ballyhooed Alaska Summit in August 2025. It was chilly in more ways than one. The meeting produced no binding agreement, no grand peace plan, and no Nobel-worthy handshake moment. But what it did produce was symbolism, lots of it. It…
The Arab States’ Moral and Strategic Test: Why They Can’t (or Won’t) Enforce Peace in Gaza
Every time the guns fall silent in Gaza, the world exhales like a nervous parent whose toddler finally stopped screaming. The diplomats dust off their talking points, the news anchors smile a little wider, and everyone starts asking the same hopeful question: “Who’s going to keep the peace this time?” Predictably, the answer that floats…
The Test of True Peace: Why Hamas Must Lay Down Its Arms
President Trump’s diplomacy has won an important and dramatic pause: Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of a ceasefire plan that promises hostage releases, humanitarian corridors, and an initial Israeli withdrawal. This is a relief worth noting, but it’s not, on its own, an assurance of lasting peace. The reason is…
Ceasefires and Crossroads: A Look at the Iran–Israel Pause
After a relentless exchange of fire between Iran and Israel—and a thunderous U.S. airstrike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure—President Trump announced a ceasefire. It was a hopeful moment... for about five minutes. But then, during a NATO summit last night, President Trump announced that the ceasefire was back on. So far, it’s held longer than the…
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