As the year 2024 approaches, there are increasing signs of internal division in my country that will only grow as the standard of living declines due to insurmountable debt and global de- dollarization.

I wanted to do this quick nightly update as there are a few developments that couldn’t wait.

Amb. Jack Matlock on Israel, Ukraine, and why he couldn’t repeat the most inspired passages of his July, 4, 1982 speech.

Republican senators walk out of secret briefing on Ukraine with defense secretary

In 1973, during the sacred Jewish days of Yom Kippur, a coalition of Arab countries, led by Egypt and Syria, unexpectedly attacked Israel. The day before, the Israeli government had discussed this possibility but did not perceive it as a serious threat. The initial attack turned into a catastrophe for Israel and could have led to direct military confrontations between superpowers – the USSR, supporting the Arab countries, and the USA, an ally of Israel. Israel had the opportunity to inflict a crushing defeat on the enemy, but the USA did not allow them to reach Cairo and Damascus. In determining US policy, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, a Jew who escaped the Holocaust, played a crucial role, but his primary concern was American interests in the region.

Nicolai N. Petro, Professor of Political science at the University of Rhode Island, published just a year ago, “The Tragedy of Ukraine: What Classical Greek Tragedy Can Teach Us About Conflict.” He spoke with the superb Neutrality Studies podcast last week about Russia, Ukraine and this tragic and unnecessary war.

Everyone knows America spreads lies abroad, and lately we’ve even started bragging about it in print. But the #CTIFiles suggest “information warfare” is being deployed domestically

Unlike the millions of cockroaches and lice – Sorry, think tank and media pundits – that thrive within the Washington beltway, I do not claim either personal friendship and intimacy with the now departed Henry Kissinger: Nor do I share their universal delusion that they are all far smarter and capable of greater achievements than he ever was.

Russian leader will meet Saudi crown prince, UAE president. Items on agenda include oil market, wars in Ukraine, Gaza