New piece. The Trump administration's earlier policy of "boast and delay" when it came to Russia-Ukraine, was designed to help Putin. Now Trump and J. Kushner seem animated to get a deal sooner. They understand their power is lessening. Elections matter. phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/trump-is-f...
Nothing to see here but the President of the USA trying to discredit a free and fair election. Thank God the result was so decisive that he could not try and overturn the result.
I think Hegseth is the worst Secretary of Defense in US history--by a long way. But if you are going to impeach him for executing unlawful orders, you have to impeach the President who gave the unlawful orders in the first place. As always, Republicans give Trump a pass.
Free weekend update is out (my 4th year anniversary if you are following). This week the course of the war and the midterm US elections results showed two things. First, without US aid, Russia would be in terrible shape. Second, that US support will wane. phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/weekend-up...
One thing to understand is that Trump is doing all these things, trying to push a terrible deal on Ukraine and Europe, having Kushner propose blowing up the European security order, making Miller chief of staff...out of weakness, not strength. He is running out of time.
I do think the Stephen Miller appointment as Trump's chief of staff proves one important point. While Trump hates Democrats and believes Americans in general are suckers and losers, he really despises other Republicans for becoming his tools so easily.
So, tell me again how popular Trump's hard border, let's build a wall plan was on the US-Mexico border?
Just put together this piece on the (freaking dark) appointment of Stephen Miller as Trump's Chief of Staff. Miller is best known for his anti-immigrant pose, but he is violently against supporting Ukraine and parrots Kremlin talking points. phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/trump-is-g...
Trump is going all in on Putin. www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
Any Republican post-mortem for their election shellacking that doesn’t place Corruption worries high on the list is being deliberately dishonest and can be disregarded. It reveals how the many in the party cannot be honest about Trump and what has happened.
Watching all these Republican attempts to explain why they lost the election is painful, because they cannot come out and say one simple truth. They handed the party to a corrupt, criminal, dictator-loving, economic and strategic idiot--who proceeded to be all of these things.
The greatest and most destructive lie being endlessly repeated in the press is that Trump just wants “peace” between Russia and Ukraine. The opposite is the truth. He wants a Russian victory and the destruction of Ukraine.
This might have been the greatest Trump con on Ukraine and the American voter of all the many Trump cons.
Just sent this free piece on the importance of the US midterm elections tomorrow. The USA has not been so insecure and weak since the US Civil War. It is not too late to change things, but if Congress is not reinvigorated in this vote, it may become so. phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/the-usa-ha...
When it comes to the US midterm elections there is really only one question left. Are the polls undercounting Republican/Trump voters as they did in 2016 and 2024 (but not 2020 and 2022)? If the polls are accurate, the Dems take both the House and the Senate. It’s pretty simple.
Free weekend update is out. 2026 is going to set a record for Ukrainian civilian casualties from Russian ranged attacks--why is this not being given the coverage it should? Also, the Oleshky evacuations show how Ukrainian identity has strengthened. phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/weekend-up...
The US military is on a precipice. It is being used for what seems to be crimes, is seeing independence of mind crushed, and there is almost no pushback. It is not the institution that it was and if action is not taken soon, the damage could be permanent. phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/the-us-mil...
Trump cancelling his rallies just before the vote is fascinating. Three possible reasons. 1) His health is weak and cannot do more. 2) His rallies are motivating the opposition and he knows it. 3) He understands it will be a Dem whitewash and is trying not to be blamed.
Companies refusing to accept Russian oil, Members of Congress actually using their power to try and thwart Trump making the USA a full Russian ally, MAGA candidates faltering badly in the polls...there are signs that the fightback might be real this time. We can but hope.
Midweek update out. How can the US best understand it has lost the war with Iran? It needs to see that the states in the region are diplomatically and politically moving on without it. Also, the Israeli elections support the case for a US ME withdrawal. phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/midweek-up...
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