Argument
Batman vs. the British Empire
From Batman’s reliance on his English butler Alfred to Gotham City’s origin in a legend from medieval Nottinghamshire, the Batman mythos offers a window into the bloody, gothic substrate of the Anglo-American relationship and the American appetite for British advice and encouragement.
Trump’s Plan for Gaza
At a Feb. 4 White House press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump proposed the relocation of Gaza’s Palestinian population. He thus transformed population transfer from a near-taboo subject in Israel to a viable policy option, with dangerous implications for Palestinians, Israel and regional stability.
The Worldview of the Afrikaner Diaspora Now Haunts the US
Donald Trump has taken an aggressive stance toward South Africa over its alleged oppression of its white Afrikaner minority, despite a lack of facts backing up his claims. The personnel guiding the new administration, including Elon Musk, may offer a hint at what is driving this new policy.
The Day After the War in Gaza
The Middle East faces a future of long-term political instability that will be grinding for everyone, particularly for Palestinians, Lebanese and Syrians. Israelis, despite their triumphalism, face a future of constant military conflict and international opprobrium. But certain trends speak to a reimagined, functioning future.
Iran and Israel’s Covert Pragmatic Friendship
Iran and Israel maintained a covert relationship after the revolution that brought Ayatollah Khomeini to power, continuing to engage in trade worth millions of dollars per year, even as Iran publicly denied Israel’s right to exist. This shows that the Iranian regime is and has historically been a rational actor.
The Changing Face of the Houthis
Yemen’s Houthis are among the most misunderstood groups in the world. The movement’s critics and observers fail to grasp that it does not function like a traditional hierarchical organization, which is why it has been able to adapt to the political landscape.
Syria Needs a Strong Society, Not a Strongman
The world is worried about the jihadism of Syria’s new leaders, but the world may be missing the point. Whether the state is religious or secular, Syria needs a strong society, not a strongman.