Israel and Iran have long been locked in a path toward conflict. Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images Andrew Latham, Macalester College The latest escalation in the Middle East is in many ways the inevitable culmination of a long-simmering rivalry. Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons capability and Israel’s determination to stop that from … [Read more...] about The commitment trap: How Israel, Iran and the US risk becoming prisoners to policies
FEEDSPOT SELECTS THE MODERATE VOICE AS ONE OF TOP 15 CENTRIST BLOGS
Feedspot has listed The Moderate Voice as one of the top 15 centrist blogs on the web. GO HERE to read the details. A word about The Moderate Voice. I started it in 2003 with a version on BlogSpot. AFter a few months moved it from Blogspot to the first in a series of other blog friendly platforms. I tended to be a moderate Republican (20th century style, not a la Susan … [Read more...] about FEEDSPOT SELECTS THE MODERATE VOICE AS ONE OF TOP 15 CENTRIST BLOGS
Trump and the Decline of American Innovation
It appears as if President Trump is intent on reducing American innovation and scientific achievement, playing into China and Russia’s hands. Many of his policy moves make no sense at all in terms of advancing the nation’s scientific and military prowess. Trump and his supporters do not seem to believe in science and scientific expertise. His administration appears to be … [Read more...] about Trump and the Decline of American Innovation
Iran-Israel ‘threshold war’ has rewritten nuclear escalation rules
Smoke rises from locations targeted in Tehran amid the third day of Israel’s waves of strikes against Iran, on June 15, 2025. Photo by Khoshiran/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images Farah N. Jan, University of Pennsylvania Israel’s conflict with Iran represents far more than another Middle Eastern crisis – it marks the emergence of a … [Read more...] about Iran-Israel ‘threshold war’ has rewritten nuclear escalation rules
Learning from the Past: Khamenei’s Threats Reminiscent of Hitler’s
By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel Mark Twain’s famous quote, “History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme,” is a concise and insightful observation about the nature of historical events. It suggests that while specific situations, people, and outcomes in history are unique and never precisely replicated, there are recurring patterns, themes, and consequences that echo … [Read more...] about Learning from the Past: Khamenei’s Threats Reminiscent of Hitler’s
Millions rally against authoritarianism, while the White House portrays protests as threats – a political scientist explains
Protesters parade through the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans as part of the nationwide No Kings protest against President Donald Trump, on June 14, 2025. Patt Little/Anadolu via Getty Images Jeremy Pressman, University of Connecticut At the end of a week when President Donald Trump sent Marines and the California National Guard to Los … [Read more...] about Millions rally against authoritarianism, while the White House portrays protests as threats – a political scientist explains
JUST HOW BIG A BOMB WAS DONALD TRUMP’S BIRTHDAY MILITARY PARADE?
How big a bomb was Donald Trump's military parade that celebrated the Army's 250th anniversary and -- coincidental or not -- his birthday? It was so bad even some tanks called in sick. It was so bad North Korea sent a sympathy card. It was so bad the bulk of the audience was made up of tumbleweeds. It was so bad even the Proud Boys said, "Nah, we've got … [Read more...] about JUST HOW BIG A BOMB WAS DONALD TRUMP’S BIRTHDAY MILITARY PARADE?
What does Israel’s strike mean for US policy on Iran and prospects for a nuclear deal?
Smoke rises over Tehran, Iran, following an Israeli strike on June 13, 2025. SAN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images Javed Ali, University of Michigan Israel’s strike on Iranian nuclear and military facilities has pushed the Middle East one step closer to a far wider, more dangerous regional war. It also has implications for recent U.S. … [Read more...] about What does Israel’s strike mean for US policy on Iran and prospects for a nuclear deal?
QUOTE OF THE DAY: CHARLIE SYKES ON WHO WILL SAVE DEMOCRACY
Our Quote of the Day comes from Charlie Sykes on who will save democracy: No one is coming to save us. Not the courts. Not Congress. Not the media. Keep that in mind as protesters gather tomorrow across the country. It’s not hyperbole to say that the public is the last guardrail standing. And, while the rallies are officially called “No Kings,’” this is rather unfair … [Read more...] about QUOTE OF THE DAY: CHARLIE SYKES ON WHO WILL SAVE DEMOCRACY
ICE AGENTS INDISCRIMINATE SEIZURES
JOURNALISTS IN CROSSHAIRS
Press freedom is an issue close to my heart. Here in America, Journalists have never had to worry so much for their physical safety....There are other places outside the United States where being a journalist can be very dangerous. Mexico can be a very bad place for journalists, not so much from the government but from drug cartels. Murderers of journalists in Haiti are … [Read more...] about JOURNALISTS IN CROSSHAIRS
From Kent State to Los Angeles, using armed forces to police civilians is a high-risk strategy
Smoke and tear gas surround a protester in Los Angeles on June 7, 2025, amid confrontations between immigration rights advocates and law enforcement personnel. Taurat Hossain/Anadolu via Getty Images Brian VanDeMark, United States Naval Academy Responding to street protests in Los Angeles against federal immigration enforcement raids, … [Read more...] about From Kent State to Los Angeles, using armed forces to police civilians is a high-risk strategy
Washington’s Mafia Don
There have been frequent instances of financial and political corruption in our federal, state and municipal governments since the birth of our nation. But President Trump makes past corrupt activities by officials appear minor by comparison. It seems as if every day, Trump and his family devise some new ways to extract money from their wealthy friends and the public. If their … [Read more...] about Washington’s Mafia Don
Trump orders Marines to Los Angeles as protests escalate over immigration raids, demonstrating the president’s power to deploy troops on US soil
National Guard members watch protests in Los Angeles on June 9, 2025. Luke Johnson/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images William C. Banks, Syracuse University President Donald Trump ordered a contingent of about 700 Marines to Los Angeles on June 9, 2025, in response to what Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described as “increased threats to … [Read more...] about Trump orders Marines to Los Angeles as protests escalate over immigration raids, demonstrating the president’s power to deploy troops on US soil
Is Donald Trump’s Deployment of National Guard in Los Angeles a “Dress Rehearsal” for What’s to Come?
Was Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles to quell demonstrations a dress rehearsal for what's to come in other states or nationally? The Atlantic's David Frum thinks it is. And he's not alone in this fear. If so it'd be another longtime-prediction by those accused of having Trump Derangement Syndrome having come true. There are increasing … [Read more...] about Is Donald Trump’s Deployment of National Guard in Los Angeles a “Dress Rehearsal” for What’s to Come?
What a Difference Four Years Make
The caption of the image above on a social media site reads: Look at what’s happening in LA! Someone, call the National Guard! Oh, wait...that’s Jan 6...my bad. I will just add: It is chilling, disturbing, that President Trump has called up 2,000 National Guard troops to quell protests on the streets of an American city, while he refused to do the same when … [Read more...] about What a Difference Four Years Make
Trump-Musk Bitter Breakup Isn’t Over Yet: Bigger Fireworks in the Offing?
The fiery, long-predicted breakup of the Donald Trump Elon Musk bromance has been pitchforked into the headlines, and there is no détente in sight. The breakup between the most powerful man in the world and the richest man in the world quickly has morphed into an online feud that continues to rage and escalate. The latest: President Donald Trump suggested that he might take … [Read more...] about Trump-Musk Bitter Breakup Isn’t Over Yet: Bigger Fireworks in the Offing?
D-Day Girls Revisited
Today is the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings on the beaches of Normandy -- a Day of honor, gallantry and heroism that eventually led to the defeat of the Nazi aggressors. But also, a Day that saw 4,414 Allied troops make the ultimate sacrifice. Research shows that no women are included in that grim toll on that Day. However, two British nurses on a hospital ship … [Read more...] about D-Day Girls Revisited
“The Intern in Charge”: Meet the 22-Year-Old Trump’s Team Picked to Lead Terrorism Prevention
“The Intern in Charge”: Meet the 22-Year-Old Trump’s Team Picked to Lead Terrorism Preventionby Hannah AllamProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.When Thomas Fugate graduated from college last year with a degree in politics, he celebrated in a social media post about the … [Read more...] about “The Intern in Charge”: Meet the 22-Year-Old Trump’s Team Picked to Lead Terrorism Prevention
