From 1947 to 1979, wages and productivity rose in tandem, driving broad-based prosperity. After 1980, productivity kept climbing while wages and compensation stalled. This disconnect defines the Great Regression, a period in which workers produce more but receive far less in

The US government hasn't taken a direct stake in a healthy commercial firm since at least the 1950s. This year, it's taken FOURTEEN, and more are on the way. My new Capitolism The Dispatch laments 2025's worst policy development: "The Year America Went (Kinda) Socialist"

EXCLUSIVE: The Trump administration is asking U.S. oil companies if they’re interested in returning to Venezuela once Maduro is toppled, per sources familiar with the discussions. So far, the answer is a hard “no.” politico.com/news/2025/12/1…

🚁💰 theatlantic.com/national-secur… cc Marko Papic

apparently diddly squat

The Ottawa Treaty was a great example of how norms mattered, one that constructivists loved to feature in research. Now that it is dust, what other norms are about to whittle away? Who tells Poland or South Korea they can’t get nukes? Me? You?🤷‍♂️ reuters.com/business/aeros…

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Yet another fantastic episode during the holidays. ⁦jacob l. shapiro⁩ and ⁦Marko Papic⁩ read the map so accurately. I love these guys! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/geo…

USTR Jamieson Greer yesterday laid out the Administration's assessment of the 2020 USMCA trade deal and US priorities for 2026 USMCA review. Key takeaways: 1. The Administration's overall assessment is mixed. As Greer put it in his testimony, the "USMCA has been successful to a

ok sure reuters.com/business/trump…

Karoline Leavitt For those wondering, 20 U.S.C. § 76i states that the building is "designated as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts." § 76k lists the powers of the Board: soliciting gifts, hiring employees, and proposing plans for sidewalks. Nothing about, or close, to renaming.

The move toward overt corruption and pay-to-play makes it difficult to know what is newsworthy or why anyone in government should abide by any ethical standards anymore.

so gross

One of my high confidence views for '26 -- this gets done.

Pirates of the Gulf of America

Tonight, Cousin jacob l. shapiro and I record the much anticipated, much ballyhooed, much hyped episode of Geopolitical Cousins titled "The Top 20 Geopolitical Movies." Unfortunately, it will only air right before New Year Eve. Any last minute mailbag suggestions? Let me have them!