Yesterday’s closed-door briefing to lawmakers on U.S. actions in Venezuela did little to resolve the most troubling questions raised by the operation. If anything, it exposed a widening gap between executive power and moral clarity. Members of Congress emerged divided not merely over tactics or outcomes, but over first principles: who authorizes force, what limits…
Power, Precedent, and the Perils of Unilateral Force: The High-Risk Gamble of Capturing Maduro
The U.S. military strike on Venezuela and the announced capture of Nicolás Maduro mark one of the most dramatic assertions of American power in the Western Hemisphere in decades. The operation will likely stand alongside the most consequential unilateral interventions of the modern era, not only because of its immediate tactical audacity but because of…
Credibility, Authority, and the Cost of Confusing Power with Truth
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.…
Strength, Scruples, and the Question of Purity
President Trump’s decision to deploy U.S. forces near Venezuela has landed squarely in the middle of a long-running American struggle: how to exercise power responsibly in a world where every option carries moral risk. On the surface, the debate appears to be about strategy, legality, and geopolitics. Supporters emphasize deterrence, border security, and the disruption…
Deterrence, Covenant, and the Cost of Power
One of the dangers of modern geopolitics is that we talk about power almost exclusively in terms of capacity—how many missiles, how much money, how quickly we can move hardware—while forgetting that power, untethered from order and responsibility, has a long track record of going sideways. President Trump’s decision to move forward with a massive…
Talking to MBS Isn’t the Problem
Jason Rezaian wrote an opinion piece that sounded the alarm about Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington, and I get where he’s coming from. But while Jason raises some legitimate concerns — especially about human rights, accountability, and the uneasy symbolism of the whole thing — I think there’s a more balanced way to look…
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…
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…
A Review of Trump’s 20-Point Gaza Plan
The Middle East is a mess. I know, that’s not exactly a news flash. For decades, Israel and Hamas have been caught in the same exhausting cycle: rockets fly, bombs drop, the world yells “ceasefire,” and then—surprise—it all starts over again. It’s like watching the world’s worst rerun, except every season ends with more destruction,…
Palestinian Statehood: Hope or Hazard?
A fresh Reuters/Ipsos poll finds that most Americans now support international recognition of a Palestinian state, which is a striking shift in public opinion. For many, the heartbreaking humanitarian crisis in Gaza has stirred compassion, with recognition seen as a step toward justice and lasting peace. Yet others voice serious concerns: terrorism, weak governance, and…
The Independent Christian Conservative 