The Biden administration is committed to providing Ukraine with significant aid to help them defend against Russia’s invasion in the coming year. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the urgency of this effort, stating that the US will work to ensure Ukraine has the necessary resources to fight effectively or negotiate peace from a position of strength. The US is adapting its support by providing updated equipment, despite political uncertainty surrounding the incoming Trump administration’s potential changes to US policy towards the conflict. The urgency of the situation is highlighted by the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine, including the recent deployment of North Korean troops to bolster Russian forces in the Kursk region.
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The United States is opening a new air defense base in Redzikowo, Poland, marking the first permanent U.S. military base in the country. This base, part of NATO’s missile shield, is strategically located near Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and is intended to deter potential threats from Russia and Iran. While the project has been in development for over a decade, its opening comes amidst rising tensions with Russia and uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Trump administration. Despite concerns about potential disruptions to NATO’s unity, the base signifies the enduring strength of the U.S.-Poland alliance and highlights the importance of bolstering defenses on NATO’s eastern flank.
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Donald Trump’s first term was marred by a staggering number of ethical scandals, including several Cabinet officials being referred to the Department of Justice for potential criminal investigations. Despite this unprecedented level of corruption, the DOJ chose not to pursue charges against any of them. Trump has now chosen to bring back several of these figures, including Robert Wilkie, the former Veterans Affairs secretary who was accused of discrediting a female veteran who said she had been sexually assaulted at a VA facility. Trump’s decision to rehire these figures, alongside others like Stephen Miller and Tom Homan, who were architects of the family separation policy at the border, indicates that his second term will likely be just as extreme and chaotic as his first.
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Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s choice for Defense Secretary, has sparked controversy with his past comments regarding women in combat roles and veterans’ benefits. Hegseth, a Fox News commentator and former Army National Guard member, has argued against women serving in combat roles, claiming they are not as capable as men, and criticized veterans’ groups for encouraging veterans to claim government benefits. His appointment has drawn criticism from veterans’ groups and defense experts who question his qualifications and perceive his appointment as politically motivated, highlighting Trump’s preference for loyalty over experience. Hegseth’s past advocacy for military personnel accused of war crimes and his outspoken support for Israel further contribute to the controversy surrounding his nomination.
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Following an Israeli airstrike near our air base in Latakia, Syria, we have requested that Israel desist from such actions in the future. The attack, which occurred close to the Russian base and one of Syrian President Bashar Assad’s strongholds, poses a serious threat to the safety of our personnel. Our military has conveyed to Israeli officials that these strikes are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
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In the tragic case of baby Onyxx Cooley, who died unexpectedly at 10 weeks old, the elected coroner of Bonneville County, Idaho, failed to conduct a thorough investigation, despite national guidelines recommending a full autopsy, scene investigation, and interviews with caregivers. The coroner, Rick Taylor, opted for a “paperwork autopsy,” choosing to accept the ER doctor’s initial diagnosis of SIDS without further investigation, citing Idaho’s lack of legal requirements for following national standards. This lack of thoroughness leaves the cause of Onyxx’s death unanswered and highlights the systemic issues within Idaho’s coroner system, where the state has the nation’s lowest autopsy rate for unexplained child deaths.
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The personnel choices made by former President Donald Trump suggest a looming wave of mass deportations, a policy that will have significant economic consequences. This move, according to New York Times columnist Paul Krugman, will likely lead to a surge in inflation. The ramifications of this policy will be felt most acutely by Trump voters, who will soon discover that they were misled by his promises of economic prosperity. The impact of mass deportations on the labor market will disrupt supply chains and drive up prices, ultimately hurting the very people Trump claimed to be fighting for.
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Despite the clear language of the Twenty-Second Amendment, which prohibits a president from serving more than two terms, President Trump has expressed interest in running for a third term, suggesting he might only do so if his potential opponent is deemed exceptionally strong. This statement disregards the longstanding constitutional restriction established in 1951, following President Roosevelt’s unprecedented four terms, and the unofficial precedent set by George Washington. The amendment unequivocally states that no person can be elected to the presidency more than twice, effectively barring Trump from seeking another term after his current one concludes.
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Just Eat Takeaway, the European meal delivery giant, is selling its US subsidiary Grubhub to Wonder, a restaurant chain led by former Walmart executive Marc Lore, for $650 million. This divestiture comes four years after Just Eat acquired Grubhub for $7.3 billion, seeking to expand its reach into the lucrative US market. The sale marks a retreat for Just Eat, which faced pressure from investors following the decline in pandemic-fueled food delivery demand. Just Eat believes the deal will accelerate its growth and provide Grubhub with a suitable future under Wonder’s leadership. The transaction is expected to close in early 2025, subject to regulatory approval.
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Mike Huckabee, President-elect Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to Israel, has previously stated that there is “no such thing as a Palestinian,” calling it a “political tool” to claim land from Israel. He further argued that a Palestinian state, if it were to exist, should be located in neighboring countries like Egypt, Syria, or Jordan, rather than within Israel’s borders. These remarks, made during his 2008 presidential campaign and reiterated in 2015, suggest a strong bias against Palestinian statehood and raise concerns about his ability to represent US interests in the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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John Q. Hosedrinker