Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, made a historic visit to the Israeli settlement of Ariel in the West Bank, accompanied by Republican members of Congress. Johnson, the highest-ranking US official to visit an Israeli settlement, was photographed planting a tree with the settlement mayor. The visit, organized by a pro-Israel advocacy group, drew condemnation from the Palestinian Foreign Ministry, who cited the visit as a violation of international law. This trip follows Johnson’s strong public support for Israel, contrasting the current US stance against settlements that the US considers illegal.
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The article explores the growing divide between the Democratic establishment and its voters regarding US support for Israel, highlighting a significant shift in public opinion, particularly among Democrats, towards greater sympathy for Palestinians. This change contrasts with the Democratic party’s slow response, attributed to the influence of the Israel lobby, particularly groups like AIPAC, which actively works to maintain unwavering US support for Israel. Furthermore, the article acknowledges how groups like the Anti-Defamation League conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Ultimately, the piece posits that despite the changing political landscape, many establishment Democrats are hesitant to fully embrace the evolving views of their voters.
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Following a recent ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, the United States implemented a 19% tariff on imports from both nations, along with Malaysia, which helped broker the deal. This decision came after President Trump threatened trade restrictions due to a border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The new rates are part of a broader plan to maintain minimum global tariff rates at 10%. Thailand had attempted to avoid higher tariffs by offering greater market access to US products and vowing to reduce its trade surplus.
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Senator Bernie Sanders’ attempts to block the sale of American arms to Israel failed in the Senate, with all Republicans and some Democrats voting against the resolutions. Despite the failure, a majority of Senate Democrats supported the resolutions, which aimed to halt the sale of bombs, guidance kits, and assault rifles. The votes garnered significantly more Democratic support than previous efforts, highlighting a shift in sentiment regarding U.S. military aid to Israel. Supporters of the resolutions emphasized the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the growing public disapproval of Israel’s actions.
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The US Treasury Department, under the direction of Donald Trump, imposed sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, accusing him of human rights abuses and a political “witch-hunt”. Simultaneously, the US announced 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports, citing the government’s persecution of former president Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters. These actions, viewed as a direct attack on Brazilian democracy, were celebrated by Bolsonaro’s allies and condemned by members of President Lula da Silva’s government, who saw them as foreign interference in their justice system. Legal experts and human rights activists have expressed outrage and astonishment at the use of Magnitsky sanctions, typically reserved for severe human rights violators, against a judge in Brazil.
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The United States has lifted sanctions on several entities and individuals linked to Myanmar’s ruling generals, prompting concerns from human rights groups and politicians. These delistings include companies previously sanctioned for their ties to military-owned firms and arms production, such as KT Services & Logistics and Myanmar Chemical and Machinery Company. The US Treasury stated the removals were routine, but critics argue the decision undermines efforts to hold the military regime accountable, especially given the ongoing civil war and the junta’s deadly attacks on civilians. Despite the removals, the US continues to maintain sanctions against key figures and state-owned banks, recognizing that financial restrictions remain a critical tool to limit the regime’s access to foreign currency.
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State Department starts firing more than 1,350 workers in Trumps shake-up of diplomatic corps, and it’s hard not to feel a sense of bewilderment mixed with a dash of… well, something akin to dread, as these things often do. This is a big move, a massive personnel shake-up within the very heart of the nation’s foreign policy apparatus. The implications are vast, and it feels like we’re still trying to fully grasp the scope of the changes.
This whole situation seems to be happening in a swirling vortex of other, equally concerning news. The Epstein files are a hot topic. You know, the ones everyone’s talking about.… Continue reading
US awareness of the reported death of an American after a beating by Israeli settlers is now a stark reality, and it’s a situation that demands careful consideration. The initial reports, which seem to be accurate, depict a brutal event: an American citizen, allegedly beaten to death by Israeli settlers. The details are horrific, and the fact that an American life has been taken in this manner is undeniably serious. It’s a situation the US State Department has acknowledged, though their response, so far, has been measured.
The initial reaction from the State Department, as described, is one of acknowledging the reports and respecting the privacy of the victim’s family.… Continue reading
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced her intentions to block additional military aid to Israel. Speaking on the “War Room” podcast, Greene emphasized that Israel, already a nuclear-armed nation, receives substantial annual aid from the United States and does not require further funding. She stated that the proposed $500 million in additional aid should instead be allocated for the defense of the American people. This stance aligns with Greene’s consistent opposition to foreign intervention, previously seen in her criticism of aid packages to Ukraine and Israel.
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The Pentagon’s unexpected halt of weapon transfers to Ukraine, including air defense missiles and precision munitions, has raised concerns among US allies and officials. This decision, reportedly driven by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby and a small group of advisors, was made without consulting the State Department, US embassy in Kyiv, or other key players. The pause has led to internal divisions within the White House and prompted reactions from both the Ukrainian President and members of Congress. The withheld shipments include Patriot missiles, Hellfire missiles, and thousands of Howitzer rounds, while Russian forces continue their attacks on Ukrainian territories.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood