All have amassed enormous war chests, new filings show, making them the financial wild cards of this year’s midterm elections and feared political spenders.
AI:As the 2026 midterm elections approach, massive influxes of capital from the AI sector, cryptocurrency interests, and pro-Israel advocacy groups are reshaping the political landscape. These high-net-worth industries and interest groups have amassed enormous war chests, positioning them as the primary financial drivers that could dictate election outcomes through unprecedented levels of political spending.Open
President Trump should resist the regime-change temptation. The post Ignore the Hawks. Attacking Iran Comes With Huge Risks appeared first on The American Conservative .
Foreign Affairs Ignore the Hawks. Attacking Iran Comes With Huge Risks President Trump should resist the regime-change temptation. President Donald Trump appears tempted to use military force against Iran, perhaps even to push for regime change. The temptation is understandable—but must be resisted. Trying to topple the Ayatollah would be bad politics and worse policy, endangering American lives and making the Middle East less secure for decades to come. Hawks in Washington have been advocating for regime change in Tehran for decades. No president has yet been willing to adopt their most extreme ideas. Today,…Open
AI:Amidst escalating tensions and ongoing threats regarding military action against Tehran, some commentators are urging President Trump to resist calls for regime change in Iran, warning that following the "hawks" into a direct conflict could carry immense risks for regional stability and American interests. This perspective serves as a counterpoint to recent developments involving Saudi defense officials suggesting inaction emboldens the regime and various reports of heightened military preparations by the administration.Open
The new architecture enmeshes the U.S. more deeply in the Middle East, not less. The post The Board of Peace: A Return to a Failed Approach appeared first on The American Conservative .
Foreign Affairs The Board of Peace: A Return to a Failed Approach The new architecture enmeshes the U.S. more deeply in the Middle East, not less. In the opening lines of the newly released National Defense Strategy , the Trump administration defines an “America First” foreign policy as one in which the U.S. government puts the concrete interests of Americans first. The NDS calls for America’s allies and partners to “take primary responsibility for their own defense,” thereby reducing the burden borne by American taxpayers and servicemembers. In this, Trump is fulfilling his promise to reduce U.S. military…Open
AI:The Trump administration's "Board of Peace" initiative is being criticized as a regressive move that deepens American entanglement in the Middle East rather than providing the promised stability or withdrawal from regional entanglements. Critics argue this new architecture functions more like an imperial court, mirroring failed past approaches by attempting to manage regional security through centralized U.S.-led structures that may actually increase military and financial commitments abroad. Despite efforts aimed at stabilization and rebuilding Gaza, there are significant concerns that the strategy fails to offer true autonomy for local actors and instead risks trapping the United States in a perpetual cycle of Middle Eastern…Open
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the question “the one remaining item” in Abu Dhabi peace talks. Russia disputed that.
AI:The conflict over the Donbas region remains a critical sticking point in international diplomacy, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio identifying the control of the Donetsk region as the primary unresolved issue in ongoing peace negotiations held in Abu Dhabi. While the United States views the territory as the final major hurdle for stability, the Kremlin continues to dispute this characterization, complicating efforts to reach an agreement and maintaining high tensions on the ground amidst previous discussions regarding a temporary pause in hostilities due to extreme weather.Open
In nearly two dozen interviews, Houstonians expressed everything from admiration and relief to skepticism and dread following the seizure of leader Nicolás Maduro.
AI:The seizure of Nicolás Maduro has ignited a massive divide within the energy capital of Houston, where residents express a volatile mix of relief and apprehension regarding the shift in Venezuelan policy. As the Trump administration moves to stabilize the region through direct intervention—a strategy highlighted by recent cabinet discussions on military deterrence and the reopening of airspace—Houston’s industry stakeholders are weighing the potential for long-term oil market stability against the geopolitical risks of continued regime change efforts. While some see the move as a necessary strike against narco-terrorism and a way to secure energy independence, others remain skeptical of how this sudden upheaval will impact global…Open
When the winter weather worsens, what else is a writer to do? The post Snowbound Scribbler appeared first on The American Conservative .
Culture Snowbound Scribbler When the winter weather worsens, what else is a writer to do? Last weekend, Winter Storm Fern brought forth snow, ice, bitter cold—and, for me, several long, wearying days in front of my computer. No, I was not monitoring the forecast but instead pecking out the half-dozen or so articles I either had due early the following week or at least had to start getting into shape for delivery not long thereafter. Being the professional wordsmith that I am, I would have undoubtedly been attending to some of these articles over the weekend even if the weather had remained merely seasonably brisk…Open
AI:A brief commentary on the necessity of writing during worsening winter weather conditions.Open
Democrats have struggled to raise money, as is often the case for the party out of power, but the depth of their financial hole against the Republican National Committee is noteworthy.
AI:The Republican National Committee enters 2026 with a massive $100 million financial advantage over the Democratic National Committee. As Democrats struggle to maintain funding levels while out of power, Republicans continue to build significant momentum through record-breaking fundraising hauls from their various campaign arms, setting a clear fiscal stage for the upcoming midterm battles.Open
After Menefee is sworn in, Democrats will have 214 House seats. Republicans currently hold 218, giving House Speaker Mike Johnson a razor-thin majority.
AI:The Democratic Party has managed to narrow the Republican House majority following Christian Menefee's victory in the Texas special election. With Menefee joining the chamber, the GOP holds only 218 seats against 214 Democrats, leaving Speaker Mike Johnson with an incredibly precarious and razor-thin margin of control over the House.Open
Batya Ungar-Sargon asks if there’s a way Republicans and Democrats can find common ground on immigration. She applauds Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for agreeing to meet halfway with President Trump on turning down the protest temperature in his state.
AI:Batya Ungar-Sargon questions whether any common ground remains between Republicans and Democrats regarding the ongoing immigration crisis, even as she notes a rare moment of potential de-escalation from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz through his willingness to meet with President Trump to lower the political temperature in the state.Open
Menefee has served as Harris County's chief attorney and worked with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
AI:Christian Menefee, a former Harris County chief attorney with ties to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, has secured victory in the Texas House runoff election.Open
