Every few years, Washington rediscovers the Strait of Hormuz—usually when tensions spike, tankers get harassed, or oil prices twitch. The script is familiar: send ships, issue warnings, reaffirm that the United States will keep the artery open for global trade. But what if that script is exactly what Donald Trump would tear up? Strip away the outrage for a second and look at … [Read more...] about Not Our Strait? Trump and the Case for Letting Hormuz Go
China’s Interest in the Strait of Hormuz
For China, the Strait of Hormuz is not a distant geopolitical issue. It is a structural vulnerability built into the country’s energy system. As the world’s largest importer of crude oil, China depends heavily on energy supplies originating in the Persian Gulf. A large share of those shipments must pass through the narrow waters of the Strait of Hormuz before continuing across … [Read more...] about China’s Interest in the Strait of Hormuz
Robbing Blind: The $750,000 Death Tax That Pretends to Target the Rich
Every so often a policy proposal appears that strips away the usual political euphemisms and reveals the underlying instinct in plain numbers. Zohran Mamdani’s idea to raise New York’s estate tax to 50% while lowering the threshold to $750,000 does exactly that. The slogan might still say “tax the rich,” but the math tells a far less flattering story. When the government … [Read more...] about Robbing Blind: The $750,000 Death Tax That Pretends to Target the Rich
The Kremlin Shadow Over Washington
Politics often contains contradictions, but sometimes those contradictions become so glaring they stop looking like strategy and start looking like surrender. The latest reports emerging from the Middle East create exactly that kind of moment. According to multiple U.S. officials cited by major outlets, Russia has been providing Iran with intelligence that could help Tehran … [Read more...] about The Kremlin Shadow Over Washington
Geneva Is Not a Peace Table, It’s the Last Stop Before Force
The latest round of negotiations between the United States and Iran in Geneva feels less like diplomacy and more like ritual, the kind performed because everyone expects it, not because anyone believes it will work. The language is familiar to the point of fatigue: “constructive atmosphere,” “frank exchanges,” “more time needed.” Strip that away and what remains is a stark … [Read more...] about Geneva Is Not a Peace Table, It’s the Last Stop Before Force