Newsletter for July 1, 2025.

Your newsletter for July 1, 2025

Newsletter Summary.

1. Wall Street Journal: Israeli and U.S. strikes have delayed Iran’s nuclear program by months, but even brief setbacks carry major political consequences for Tehran’s weaponization calculus.

2. New York Times: Gulf states are seizing Syria’s post-Assad moment to invest in reconstruction, sideline Iran, and promote their authoritarian development model.

3. Foreign Affairs: Ukraine can still achieve strategic victory if the West abandons incrementalism and delivers decisive military, economic, and industrial support.

4. Foreign Affairs: The U.S. must adopt a democratic version of industrial policy—emulating aspects of China’s scale and integration—to compete globally in critical sectors.

5. Washington Post: Kim Jong Un’s public tribute to North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine signals Pyongyang’s deepening military alliance with Russia in exchange for vital resources and tech.

6. The Economist: Moscow’s summer festivals and urban beautification mask war casualties and repression, creating a surreal veneer of normalcy as Putin deepens authoritarian control.

7. Foreign Policy: Trump’s economic policies—protectionist, debt-heavy, and institutionally destabilizing—are accelerating global moves away from the U.S. dollar and toward financial instability.

8. Newsweek: Khamenei’s postwar survival masks a weakened authority and intensifying power struggle that may gradually shift Iran toward nationalist, military-led governance.

9. National Security Journal: After crippling Iran militarily, Israel now holds unmatched dominance in the Middle East—but that supremacy could provoke backlash and regional instability.

10. Fox News: U.S. presidents from both parties have clashed with Netanyahu’s defiance and political maneuvering, often resulting in private expletive-laden outbursts of frustration.

11. The New Yorker: Zohran Mamdani’s bold progressive agenda to address NYC’s affordability crisis faces elite backlash but aims to revive civic trust through public-sector innovation.

12. RealClearPolitics: Conrad Black argues Democrats’ obsessive opposition to Trump has led to radicalism and institutional decay, enabling Trump’s unchallenged resurgence.

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1) For Iran’s Nuclear Program, a Month Is Longer Than It Sounds (Wall Street Journal, June 30, 2025)

Overview:
While U.S. and Israeli strikes may have delayed Iran's nuclear program by a few months, the political ramifications of even a short delay are significant. Tehran must now weigh the heightened risks of proceeding with weaponization.

Key Points:

• Political Calculations vs. Technical Timelines:
  Delays give the U.S. and Israel more time to detect and respond, making the decision to pursue a bomb riskier. Iran must consider whether it can reach nuclear capability before being struck again.

• Impact of Airstrikes:
  U.S. and Israeli attacks on major sites (Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan) may have destroyed critical infrastructure, but they also risk convincing Iranian hardliners that nuclear arms are necessary for regime survival.

• Remaining Capabilities and Stockpiles:
  Iran still has technical expertise and possibly hidden centrifuges. Pre-war stockpiles were sufficient for multiple bombs if further enriched. The IAEA notes Iran could resume enrichment within months.

• Strategic Pathways:
  Iran could race covertly toward a bomb, reengage in diplomacy, or pursue both simultaneously. Rebuilding secretly would be harder now due to exposure and logistical challenges.

• Limits on Monitoring:
  Due to post-JCPOA restrictions, IAEA inspectors lost visibility into many of Iran's activities. Equipment from the earlier nuclear program remains unaccounted for, complicating threat assessments.

• Leadership Decision Point:
  Supreme Leader Khamenei has not publicly resumed the weapons program since suspending it in 2003. His next move following the strikes will determine whether timelines accelerate or stall.

Key Takeaway:
Even a modest delay can reshape Iran's strategic calculations, potentially deterring nuclear breakout—or deepening resolve to pursue it under the belief that deterrence is the only safeguard.

2) Gulf States Lead Push to Invest in New Syria (New York Times, June 30, 2025)
Overview:
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Gulf states have rapidly moved to support Syria’s reconstruction, viewing the country’s transition as an opportunity to reduce Iranian influence and assert a regional model based on economic development and authoritarian stability.

Key Points:

• Collapse of Assad and Gulf Opportunity:
  The unexpected ousting of Assad by rebel forces in December marked the end of Iran’s dominant influence in Syria. Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar, were first to step in with financial and political backing for the new government led by former rebel Ahmed al-Shara.

• Trump Lifts Sanctions, Unlocks Investment:
  President Trump’s decision to suspend U.S. sanctions on Syria during a May visit to Riyadh catalyzed Gulf investment. Qatar and Saudi Arabia paid off Syria’s World Bank debt, unlocking international reconstruction aid.

• Strategic Economic Moves:
  Dubai’s DP World signed an $800 million deal to develop the port of Tartus, signaling early Gulf economic expansion. State airlines resumed flights to Damascus, and Gulf leaders framed the moment as a chance to reshape the regional order.

• Shift Away from Iran’s Influence:
  Syria had long been a critical part of Iran’s “crescent of influence.” The new government’s neutral stance during the Israel-Iran war and downgraded ties with Tehran underscore a broader strategic realignment.

• Ahmed al-Shara’s Transformation:
  Once a jihadist labeled a terrorist by Saudi Arabia, al-Shara has rebranded as a pragmatic leader embracing Gulf-backed development. His personal history in Saudi Arabia has helped him build credibility with Gulf monarchies.

• Authoritarian Stability Model:
  Gulf rulers hope to export their model of authoritarian governance paired with economic reform. While wary of Iran’s Shia revolutionary ideology, they aim to stabilize Syria through state-led reconstruction and regional integration.

• Regional Unity and Relevance:
  Gulf officials see Syria’s turnaround as a rare point of unity amid conflicts in Yemen, Libya, and Sudan. Analysts believe the shared focus on infrastructure and basic needs could forge a more cooperative Middle East climate.

Key Takeaway:
The Gulf states are leveraging Syria’s post-Assad moment to expand their influence, replace Iran’s foothold, and promote a model of stability through investment and authoritarian pragmatism—betting on a new regional alignment centered around reconstruction, not revolution.

3) Ukraine Can Still Win (Foreign Affairs, July 1, 2025)
Overview:
Despite battlefield stalemates and growing Western pessimism, Ukraine can still achieve strategic victory—preserving sovereignty and advancing toward NATO and EU membership—if the West provides decisive military aid, seizes Russian assets, and escalates economic pressure on Moscow.

Key Points:

• False Assumptions Fuel Defeatism:
  The belief that Ukraine cannot win and that Putin is unstoppable has paralyzed Western policy. These assumptions ignore battlefield realities and Ukraine’s asymmetric successes, such as Operation Spiderweb and the defense of Kyiv and Kharkiv without advanced Western weaponry.

• Aid Delays Prolong the War:
  Contrary to claims that arming Ukraine drags out the conflict, the article argues that delayed and insufficient aid is the real reason for its length. U.S. restrictions on target engagement and slow delivery of high-end systems have repeatedly limited Ukraine’s ability to counter Russia.

• Sanctions Have Been Ineffective:
  Early sanctions and SWIFT expulsions were too narrow, riddled with carve-outs that blunted their impact. Russian GDP grew in 2023–24, aided by oil sales and selective enforcement of trade bans. A “dose too low” approach left Russia’s economy intact.

• Frozen Assets Could Be a Game Changer:
  Roughly $300 billion in frozen Russian assets—mostly in the EU—should be used now to fund Ukraine’s war effort, not reserved for future reconstruction. These could support defense production, humanitarian needs, and NATO-aligned infrastructure.

• Build Ukraine’s Defense Industrial Base:
  The West should help Ukraine scale its drone and missile industries through co-production deals, IP sharing, and long-term support. This would reduce Ukraine’s dependence on foreign supply chains and deepen interoperability with NATO.

• Economic Pressure Points Still Available:
  Despite Russia’s apparent resilience, it suffers from deep structural problems—high inflation, interest rates, and a depleted sovereign wealth fund. Cutting off energy revenue, fully blocking Russian banks, and enforcing export controls could cripple its war economy.

• Confronting Russia’s Backers, Especially China:
  Russia’s military is now sustained by foreign support—drones from Iran, missiles from North Korea, and especially high-tech inputs from China. Europe must use its market leverage to pressure Beijing, whose contributions are central to sustaining Russia’s war effort.

• A Strategic Endgame Is Still Viable:
  Ukraine does not need to reclaim all occupied land to win strategically. An armistice, akin to Korea’s, could allow Ukraine to rebuild, resettle, and join Western institutions, while leaving Russia overstretched and geopolitically diminished.

Key Takeaway:
Victory remains within reach—but only if the West abandons incrementalism, arms Ukraine to win, and economically isolates Russia and its enablers with full force. Half-measures ensure a prolonged, bloodier war; decisive action could tip the balance.

4) An Industrial Policy With American Characteristics (Foreign Affairs, July 1, 2025)
Overview:
To effectively compete with China’s production dominance, the U.S. must adopt a more assertive industrial policy rooted in domestic capacity-building, vertical integration, infrastructure investment, and regional clustering—without replicating China's political system.

Key Points:

• America’s Structural Deficit in Scale:
  The U.S. lacks the scale and vertical integration that enable China’s dominance in clean energy and electrification. Replicating China’s production model—though tailored to American political and economic norms—is now viewed as essential for strategic competitiveness.

• China’s Model of Speed and Agglomeration:
  China’s rapid advances in electric vehicles, solar panels, and nuclear technology stem from government coordination, vertically integrated firms (like BYD and LONGi), and aggressive infrastructure build-out. Vertical integration has dramatically cut costs and sped up innovation.

• Industrial Clustering as a Growth Engine:
  China’s regional clusters, like Hefei (EVs) and Baotou (rare earths), provide lessons for the U.S. about co-locating suppliers, talent, and infrastructure. These clusters have attracted foreign investment (e.g., VW in Hefei) and accelerated production cycles.

• Opportunities for a U.S. “Battery Belt”:
  The Midwest, rich in minerals like copper and cobalt, is ripe for clustering lithium-ion battery supply chains. Chinese firm Gotion has already invested in plants in Illinois and Michigan, suggesting the region could become a new industrial hub akin to China’s tech zones.

• Government as “Agent of Acceleration”:
  To counter decades of stagnation in U.S. infrastructure projects, federal agencies must expedite permitting, streamline regulations, and collaborate across jurisdictions to fast-track strategic industry development. A proposed national sovereign wealth fund could finance critical clusters.

• Learning From—but Not Copying—China:
  Like the U.S. adapted Japanese industrial practices in the 1980s, it can selectively emulate Chinese models in areas like supply chain integration and cluster development. The aim is reindustrialization through American methods, not authoritarian replication.

Key Takeaway:
To compete with China’s industrial might, the U.S. must revive its own capacity to “build fast and build well,” investing in domestic production, clustering, and supply chains—guided by a modern industrial policy designed for democratic governance and long-term renewal.

5) North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Shown With Coffins of His Soldiers Killed in Russia (Washington Post, July 1, 2025)

Overview:
Kim Jong Un publicly honored North Korean soldiers killed in Russia’s war on Ukraine, signaling a deepening alliance with Moscow and showcasing Pyongyang’s growing strategic role in the conflict.

Key Points:

• Public Display of Commitment:
  In a rare move, Kim appeared in state media paying tribute to the coffins of fallen North Korean soldiers who died fighting for Russia in Ukraine’s Kursk region. The footage marks the first open acknowledgment of Pyongyang’s military role in the war.

• Troop Deployment and Casualties:
  Since the defense pact with Russia, Kim has sent an estimated 12,000 troops to assist in Ukraine. Thousands reportedly died, with survivors described by Ukrainian soldiers as fanatical and unwilling to be captured alive. Intelligence reports suggest another 4,000–6,000 North Korean personnel may soon deploy.

• Gains for North Korea:
  In return, Pyongyang is believed to be receiving compensation in the form of oil, cash, and military technology. Kim is leveraging the alliance to gain global relevance and reinforce domestic legitimacy through patriotic spectacle and memorialization.

• Russia’s Acknowledgment and Diplomatic Symbolism:
  Russia credited North Korean troops for helping retake Kursk and sent officials, including Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, to attend a commemorative event in Pyongyang. The show of solidarity underscores mutual dependence amid international isolation.

• Strategic Depth of Alliance:
  Beyond battlefield support, reports indicate North Korea will also send military construction and land mine removal personnel to Russia. Kim’s frequent symbolic gestures and Russia’s reciprocal visits suggest both sides aim to institutionalize their partnership beyond the war.

Key Takeaway:
Kim’s dramatic tribute to North Korean war dead highlights the regime’s bet on a long-term alliance with Russia—trading manpower and munitions for resources and geopolitical leverage in a rare moment of strategic centrality for Pyongyang.

6) In Putin’s Moscow, a Summer of Death and Distraction (The Economist, June 30, 2025)

Overview:
Moscow is experiencing a surreal juxtaposition: public festivals and beautification projects mask the deepening ideological crackdown and growing war casualties from Ukraine. Putin’s regime cultivates distraction and repression in equal measure to sustain support for the war.

Key Points:

• Contradictory Reality in the Capital:
  While Putin’s rhetoric frames Russia as a civilizational bulwark against the West, Moscow hosts the “Summer in Moscow” festival—an urban celebration filled with flowers, art, music, and leisure, deliberately shielding the public from war’s reality.

• Rise of Millenarian Ideology:
  Putin’s ideology lacks a utopian vision; instead, it’s a fusion of militarism, anti-Westernism, and conservative nationalism. Its role is not to inspire, but to justify the war and sanctify death, casting Russia’s losses as civilizational heroism.

• Repression and Isolation:
  Repressive measures continue to expand. A new decree classifies preparation for mobilization as a state secret, and contact with the West is criminalized. This ensures domestic silence as the regime tightens control over information and dissent.

• Distraction and Consumption:
  With the war largely fought by contract soldiers from poor regions, Moscow’s elite is shielded. Consumerism and internal tourism boom as families of soldiers receive compensation and spend within Russia. The capital becomes a showroom of normalcy.

• Erasure of Dissent:
  Symbolic public spaces once associated with protest—like Bolotnaya Square or Pushkin’s statue—have been physically transformed or fenced off. The shrine to opposition leader Boris Nemtsov has been buried in flowers, muting its political symbolism.

• Split Consciousness and Suppressed Protest:
  Citizens acknowledge the contradiction between Moscow’s vibrant facade and the war’s brutality. With over 300,000 having fled, those who remain are silenced, only able to protest in courtrooms before sentencing. “Psychedelic” is how one photographer describes the experience.

Key Takeaway:
Putin’s Moscow embodies a carefully curated illusion—public joy and urban beauty conceal a regime built on sacrifice, suppression, and spectacle. The war is ever-present, but deliberately displaced, leaving Muscovites suspended in a state of denial and dread.

7) Trump Is Accelerating the End of Dollar Dominance (Foreign Policy, June 30, 2025)

Overview:
Kenneth Rogoff argues that President Trump’s second-term economic policies—particularly protectionism and fiscal recklessness—are hastening a global shift away from the U.S. dollar, risking inflation, slower growth, and financial instability akin to the 1970s post–gold standard era.

Key Points:

• Historical Parallel with Nixon:
  Trump’s economic disruption mirrors Nixon’s 1971 abandonment of the gold standard, which led to inflation, dollar depreciation, and global monetary instability. Similarly, Trump’s policies risk undermining trust in the dollar as a stable global reserve.

• Emerging Rival Currencies:
  The renminbi and euro are expanding as alternatives in global trade and finance. China is leading a decoupling push across East Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Meanwhile, cryptocurrencies are increasingly used in the underground economy, further eroding dollar dominance.

• Trump-Era Economic Instability:
  Despite inheriting a strong economy, Trump’s tariffs, anti-immigration stance, hostility to trade, attacks on institutions, and proposals like zero-coupon 100-year bonds (“Mar-a-Lago accord”) have rattled foreign confidence and raised fears of de facto default.

• Debt and Inflation Risks:
  With Trump’s deficits projected to exceed 7% of GDP and U.S. debt above 120% of national income, the risk of a fiscal crisis has grown. Rising interest rates and falling foreign demand for U.S. assets would further destabilize public finances.

• Structural Vulnerabilities Already in Place:
  Dollar dominance had been weakening even before Trump’s return. China’s decoupling began in 2015. The U.S. now faces not only external competition but internal fiscal recklessness, amplifying vulnerabilities in a debt-laden, inflation-sensitive economy.

Key Takeaway:
Trump’s policies could trigger a structural unraveling of dollar dominance, unleashing a new era of inflation, financial turmoil, and weakened U.S. economic leadership—paralleling the post-Nixon 1970s but with potentially greater global consequences.

8) Iran's Khamenei Survived War With Israel—Now Faces Power Struggle at Home (Newsweek, July 1, 2025)

Overview: Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has emerged from a brief but intense war with Israel claiming victory, but his authority has been weakened, triggering internal power struggles over his succession and the future role of Iran’s military and political institutions.

Key Points:

• Post-War Uncertainty and Succession Struggle:
  Although Khamenei remains in power after the 12-Day War with Israel, insiders suggest an attempted plot to sideline him during the conflict. His age (86) and the war’s fallout have intensified elite jockeying over succession, possibly accelerating institutional change.

• IRGC Consolidation and Internal Fractures:
  The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) remains a powerful force, with deep military, economic, and ideological influence. Despite battlefield losses, the IRGC is neither unified nor weakened to the point of collapse. Analysts note multiple factions within it now maneuver for post-Khamenei dominance.

• Artesh Resurgence:
  Iran’s conventional military (Artesh), long overshadowed by the IRGC, is experiencing a quiet comeback. Khamenei has begun empowering Artesh leaders, like Abdolrahim Mousavi and others, potentially to balance IRGC dominance and placate pragmatic elites.

• Power Shift from Clerics to Military-Technocratic Elites:
  Both the IRGC and Artesh increasingly operate based on strategic rationality, not religious doctrine. This reflects a broader institutional pivot from clerical rule to militarized nationalism and pragmatism, particularly as reformist President Pezeshkian and former President Rouhani reemerge as political forces.

• Possible Evolution, Not Revolution:
  Experts suggest Iran is undergoing "internal evolutionary regime change" rather than collapse. The Islamic Republic may shift toward a more nationalist, less ideological system while preserving state continuity, akin to Saudi Arabia’s recent transformations under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

• Guardianship System Under Review:
  Iran’s doctrine of Velayat-e-Faqih (clerical rule) could be softened or reinterpreted in the next era. Khamenei’s successor may hold symbolic influence rather than absolute power, similar to Iraq’s Grand Ayatollah Sistani.

• Institutional Resilience:
  Despite internal tensions, Iran’s institutions have demonstrated capacity to absorb shocks. IRGC casualties have been swiftly replaced, and military-clerical relations—though evolving—remain functional. The Assembly of Experts may already be preparing for succession proceedings.

Key Takeaway:
Though Khamenei survived the war with Israel, his weakened authority has exposed rifts among Iran’s elites. A post-Khamenei Iran is likely to be shaped not by foreign pressure or popular revolt, but by a gradual shift from clerical rule to military-technocratic governance rooted in pragmatic nationalism.

9) Israel: Now the Dominant Military Power in the Middle East? (National Security Journal, June 30, 2025)
Overview:
Following coordinated Israeli and U.S. strikes that crippled Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities, Israel now stands as the unrivaled military hegemon in the Middle East—but its newfound dominance comes with risks of overreach and regional backlash.

Key Points:

• Neutralizing Iran’s Threat:
  After Israel’s surprise attack on June 13, Iran’s nuclear program, air defenses, and ballistic missile arsenal were severely degraded. Iran’s proxies—including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Assad regime—have also been severely weakened or defeated.

• Uncontested Air Superiority:
  The Israel Air Force, bolstered by U.S. technology, maintains overwhelming aerial dominance. Integrated air defense systems and cutting-edge strike aircraft (F-35s, F-15Is) have cemented Israel’s advantage across the region.

• Collapse of Iran’s Axis:
  Tehran's multi-front strategy backfired: Hezbollah was defeated, the Assad regime fell, and Hamas was severely damaged after the October 7 war. Iran's failure to repel Israeli strikes exposed military weakness, while its drone attacks were mostly intercepted.

• U.S.-Israel Strategic Symbiosis:
  U.S. backing was pivotal. Washington’s support for Israeli strikes and the policy of preserving Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge enabled Israel’s leap in regional power projection. Defense cooperation continues to fuel Israel’s technological edge.

• Hegemony Brings New Dilemmas:
  Like other historical great powers, Israel now faces the perils of dominance: entanglement in long insurgencies (Gaza), strategic inflexibility, and diplomatic friction. Analogies to U.S. post-Cold War hegemony and Athens after its rise warn of potential overextension.

• Risks to Peace and Diplomacy:
  Regional hegemony could discourage Israeli concessions in peace talks with Lebanon, Syria, or the Palestinians. It may also harden positions on issues like Palestinian statehood, alienating potential peace partners such as Saudi Arabia.

• New Regional Dynamics:
  Power vacuums invite rivals: Turkey (a NATO member close to Trump) and Qatar (a backer of Hamas and broker in ceasefires) will seek influence. Despite Israel’s dominance, future instability could arise from overlooked actors or shifting alliances.

Key Takeaway:
Israel’s unprecedented military dominance has shifted the Middle East’s strategic balance—but whether this hegemony leads to long-term security or breeds new instability will depend on how Israel wields its power in the coming years.

11) Presidents Have F---’s to Give When It’s About Israel’s Bibi Netanyahu (Fox News, June 28, 2025)

Overview:
President Trump’s recent vulgar outburst directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reflects a long-standing pattern—across multiple U.S. administrations—of presidents growing deeply frustrated with the famously defiant Israeli leader.

Key Points:

• Trump’s Latest Outburst:
  Amid tensions over ceasefire violations with Iran, Trump lashed out, saying Israel and Iran “don’t know what the f--- they’re doing.” This echoed earlier Trump grievances, including Netanyahu’s call to congratulate Joe Biden in 2020, after which Trump said bluntly, “f--- him.”

• Bipartisan Presidential Frustration:
  Netanyahu has drawn the ire of several U.S. presidents. Bill Clinton reportedly fumed “who’s the f---ing leader of the free world?” after a tense press event. Barack Obama’s aides called Bibi “a chickensh*t,” with Obama himself allegedly referring to him as “a f---ing liar.”

• Biden’s Record of Profanity:
  According to reports, Biden has outpaced predecessors in angry expletives toward Netanyahu, calling him and Mahmoud Abbas “two of the biggest f---ing a--holes in the world,” and criticizing Israeli actions even when they align with U.S. interests, such as the assassination of a Hezbollah figure.

• Why Bibi Provokes U.S. Presidents:
  Netanyahu’s method of bypassing the White House to appeal directly to the American public and Congress—derived from Ze’ev Jabotinsky’s strategy—often irritates sitting presidents, especially when combined with his unapologetic defense posture and political maneuvering.

• Pattern of Cooperation and Fallout:
  Even presidents with friendly ties to Israel, such as Trump, eventually clash with Netanyahu over perceived overreach, inflexibility, or misalignment in priorities—especially on Iran, the Palestinians, or public diplomacy tactics.

Key Takeaway:
Netanyahu’s aggressive and independent political style, while effective in Israeli politics, has repeatedly clashed with the ego and expectations of U.S. presidents—turning diplomatic friction into a recurring pattern of expletive-laden frustration from the White House.

11) The Case for Zohranomics (The New Yorker, June 30, 2025)

Overview:
Zohran Mamdani’s sweeping progressive agenda as New York City’s likely next mayor has drawn fierce criticism from Wall Street and centrists, but supporters argue his focus on affordability, public investment, and economic dignity meets the demands of a city in crisis.

Key Points:

• Progressive Economic Vision:
  Mamdani proposes rent freezes on stabilized units, free public buses, city-run grocery store pilots, universal child care, and massive investment in public housing. Economist Isabella Weber and others frame this as a practical response to the affordability crisis, not socialism.

• Critics Warn of Economic Fallout:
  Figures like Larry Summers and business leaders like Kathryn Wylde argue Mamdani’s policies could hurt investment, drive away wealthy residents, and strain city finances. Cuomo and The New York Times editorial board echoed concerns about distorting housing supply and tax base erosion.

• Supporters Emphasize Structural Reform:
  Backers say Mamdani’s blend of rent controls and new housing construction balances short-term relief and long-term supply expansion. His grocery store pilot—one per borough—aims to reduce food deserts and promote market discipline through public-sector competition.

• Historical Precedents and Political Constraints:
  Mamdani’s vision echoes earlier efforts, such as Fiorello La Guardia’s public housing drive and de Blasio’s pre-K expansion. Yet much of his agenda—especially tax increases and bond issuance—requires approval from Albany, limiting what he can unilaterally implement.

• Child Care and Public Options as Pillars:
  Universal child care is a major pillar of his platform, building on past Democratic efforts. His broader strategy is to create “public options” in essential sectors—housing, food, transportation—as a counterweight to corporate price-setting and power.

• Economic Philosophy Framed as Antifascist:
  Weber frames “Zohranomics” as antifascist economic policy—focused on restoring affordability, dignity, and civic trust in the face of right-wing populism. She views Mamdani’s agenda as a model for progressive leadership in an era of deepening inequality and rising authoritarianism.

Key Takeaway:
Zohran Mamdani’s policy platform blends radical ambition with pragmatic public-sector strategy, aiming to reshape New York’s political economy around affordability and dignity—but its success will hinge on overcoming entrenched institutional and political resistance.

12) Democrats, Animated by Loathing of Trump, Are Driving Their Party to Self-Destruction (RealClearPolitics, July 1, 2025)

Overview:
Conrad Black argues that the Democratic Party has lost its institutional credibility and moral coherence, consumed by a pathological obsession with Donald Trump, which has led it to embrace radicalism, corruption, and strategic failure.

Key Points:

• Historical Self-Sabotage:
  Black traces Democratic missteps from Vietnam and Watergate through Carter’s handling of Iran to modern politicization of intelligence agencies and the FBI. He claims the party has repeatedly undermined U.S. strength in favor of partisan vendettas.

• Trump as a Catalyst:
  Democrats’ efforts to destroy Trump—from Russiagate to multiple impeachments and indictments—are framed as illegitimate power plays that failed to diminish his popularity. Instead, they have allegedly reinforced his political strength and public support.

• COVID, Riots, and Ballots:
  Black accuses Democrats of weaponizing the COVID-19 pandemic for economic sabotage and aligning with radical movements during the 2020 riots. He also implies widespread ballot harvesting and election irregularities contributed to Biden’s 2020 victory.

• Collapse of Democratic Leadership:
  The party is described as a coalition of “superannuated tyros,” grifters, and extremists. Mamdani, the likely next NYC mayor, is held up as emblematic of the left’s radical drift, with Black labeling him a “Marxist” who supports globalizing the intifada.

• Trump’s Second-Term Achievements:
  Black praises Trump’s 2025 return as more focused and effective, citing wins like NATO defense spending, Iranian military dismantlement, and Supreme Court rejection of liberal judge-shopping tactics as key victories in restoring national strength.

Key Takeaway:
In Black’s view, Democratic elites have become so consumed with destroying Trump that they’ve abandoned moderation, embraced extremism, and rendered themselves politically irrelevant—leaving Trump free to reshape American power unopposed.