Commemorations as Israel Marks Two Years Since October 7 Attack

The attack on the lone democracy in the region—and how it’s understood—has become something of a Rorschach test for Western Civilization. We saw a horrific massacre that defied laws of warfare and morality. We saw the face Islamist terror. We also saw the vulnerability of Israel—a beacon of hope in the region and, increasingly, our nation’s most strategic ally. And yet: On university campuses in the US and in Europe, we saw protestors come out in force to celebrate the barbarism. The world had changed more than many recognized. What any individual makes of October 7 says a lot about their broader worldview. Jerusalem Post: Jewish communities around the world commemorated the second anniversary of the October 7 Massacre ahead of the date, which fell on the holiday of Sukkot. Events were held across France on Sunday, according to Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) President Yonathan Arfi. In Paris CRIF held a demonstration with the families of hostages, and in the evening there was a tribute to the victims of the Hamas-led pogrom in southern Israel. Arfi said that programming was held in coordination with the Interior Ministry and police would be present. While tensions were high after Thursday’s Manchester synagogue terrorist attack, Jewish events and culture had to continue “We don’t want fear to win,” said Arfi (Jerusalem Post). New documentary: “October 7: Bearing Witness to the Massacre” (Amazon).

Trump Pushing Hamas on Hostage Release: “very positive discussions”

The president’s update on Sunday evening: There have been very positive discussions with Hamas, and Countries from all over the World (Arab, Muslim, and everyone else) this weekend, to release the Hostages, end the War in Gaza but, more importantly, finally have long sought PEACE in the Middle East. These talks have been very successful, and proceeding rapidly. The technical teams will again meet Monday, in Egypt, to work through and clarify the final details. I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to MOVE FAST. I will continue to monitor this Centuries old “conflict.” TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE OR, MASSIVE BLOODSHED WILL FOLLOW — SOMETHING THAT NOBODY WANTS TO SEE! (Truth). No surprise: Hamas has been sending mixed messages. Israel Hayom: An Arab diplomat involved in the talks said there were “somewhat contradictory signals” coming from Hamas, with moments of agreement followed by renewed objections to clauses already settled. Still, he expressed confidence that the negotiations could conclude within days, and that by the end of the week the process of releasing hostages and prisoners could begin. Discussions set to take place in Egypt will focus on the technical aspects of returning the hostages, Israeli troop withdrawals to the yellow line, and the entry of supplies into Gaza. The United Nations and international aid agencies are closely involved in efforts to prevent looting of humanitarian shipments. Coordination with the Red Cross is particularly crucial. Israel seeks to deliver immediate medical aid to the hostages even before their release, and to ensure that, if necessary, hostages are transported by ambulances or other vehicles equipped with medical gear (Israel Hayom).

Government Shutdown Continues as Democrat Leaders Yield to Far Left

As leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) demonstrate their willingness to push the nation over the brink to advance their agenda. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) are leaders in name only. Wall Street Journal: All signs point to another week of posturing and repeat Senate votes that fail to get the 60 votes needed to reopen the government. Congressional leaders in both parties insist that they have the upper hand and that the other side bears the blame for the shutdown. “Right now, we’re at a stalemate,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.) said on Fox’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” urging Democrats to buck their party’s leaders. “They’ll get another chance on Monday to vote again, and I’m hoping that some of them have a change of heart” (Wall Street Journal). When elite media breaks rank with the left, it’s worth noting: Even NBC is calling out Democrats over their government shutdown hypocrisy. WELKER: “It’s Democratic Senators who are withholding their votes on what is called a clean resolution…which is something quite frankly … that you and other Democrats have advocated for in the past” (RNC). It’s worth noting that Democrats, including the hard left, have been put in a unique spot. Their brazen hypocrisy forces them to argue against their own previous positions. AOC in her first House speech: “It is not normal to shut down the government when we don’t get what we want” (Guardian).

Newsom Pursuing Court Challenge as California Troops Among National Guard Sent to Oregon

Scott McClallen of Townhall: President Donald Trump has ordered 300 California troops to Oregon after a judge temporarily blocked Trump from using Oregon troops. California Gov. Gavin Newsom posted on social media: “After a federal court blocked his attempt to federalize the Oregon National Guard, Donald Trump is deploying 300 California National Guard personnel into Oregon. They are on their way there now. We are taking this fight back to court. The public cannot stay silent in the face of such reckless and authoritarian conduct by the President of the United States” (Townhall). Kevin McCullough: Portland’s leadership has spent years proving they’d rather coddle criminals than protect citizens. The city that once prided itself on quirky charm has devolved into a graffiti-coated, fentanyl-strewn, crime-infested cautionary tale. At this point, calling it a “hellhole” isn’t hyperbole—it’s a public service announcement (Townhall).

Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party Select “Iron Lady” Sanae Takaichi as Leader

Having been elected head of the party, she’s viewed as a nearly certain to be elected prime minister later this month. New York Sun: The rise of 64-year-old Sanae Takaichi, who will become Japan’s first female leader, signals the country’s rebirth as an aggressive power that’s sure to adopt a hardline policy toward its feared Asian foes – Communist China and North Korea – as well as its ally America, which she has criticized for tariffs imposed by President Trump…. One of Ms. Takaichi’s heroes is Margaret Thatcher, whom she admired for her nationalist brand of conservatism…. Also, she’s “against same sex marriage” (New York Sun). The Hill adds some color: Takaichi also admits she is a workaholic who would rather study at home instead of socializing. After unsuccessfully running for party presidency twice in the past, she made efforts to be more sociable to build connections as advised, she said. But on Saturday, as she called for an all-out effort to rebuild the party and regain public support, she asked all party lawmakers to “work like a horse.” Then she added, “I will abandon the word ‘work-life balance.’ I will work, work, work and work.” The “work-life balance” quickly trended on social media, triggering mixed reactions — support for her enthusiasm and concern about her work ethic… A drummer in a heavy-metal band and a motorbike rider as a student, Takaichi has called for a stronger military, more fiscal spending for growth, promotion of nuclear fusion, cybersecurity and tougher policies on immigration (The Hill).

Voter ID Ballot Measure Launches in California

Could something good really happen in California? Benny Johnson: We’re heading to California to kickstart the revival. The state has the largest Republican population in America, but no voter ID. That’s how Gavin Newsom’s machine survives. In 2026, that changes. 875,000 signatures puts voter ID on the ballot…. We are getting voter ID on the ballot, giving Republicans a voice, saving the state, and changing politics forever. Stay tuned (Johnson). Reform California: CA State Rep. Carl DeMaio, Senator Tony Strickland, and Donald DiCostanzo of Californians for Voter ID filed the California Voter ID Initiative with the Secretary of State. This filing triggers a 75-day timeline to start collecting the 1 million signatures needed to qualify the CA Voter ID Initiative for a vote…. With the filing complete, the campaign now enters its most urgent phase: qualifying the initiative for the November 2026 ballot. That means gathering over 1 million signatures from registered California voters — and doing it quickly and legally before the deadline (Reform California). Initiative website: (Reform California).

War on Drugs, 2.0

President Trump has made it formal: We are in a “armed conflict” with drug cartels. New York Times: The notice to Congress, which was deemed controlled but unclassified information, cites a statute requiring reports to lawmakers about hostilities involving U.S. armed forces. It repeats the administration’s earlier arguments but also goes further with new claims, including portraying the U.S. military’s attacks on boats to be part of a sustained, active conflict rather than isolated acts of claimed self-defense. Specifically, it says that Mr. Trump has “determined” that cartels engaged in smuggling drugs are “nonstate armed groups” whose actions “constitute an armed attack against the United States.” And it cites a term from international law — a “noninternational armed conflict” — that refers to a war with a nonstate actor (New York Times). On Sunday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made it clear: He has every authorization needed for U.S. military strikes on vessels just off the coast of Venezuela allegedly carrying illegal drugs.
Hegseth was speaking in a Fox News interview broadcast on Sunday. The United States killed four people in a strike in the Caribbean Sea on Friday, at least the fourth such attack in recent weeks. “We have every authorization needed. These are designated as foreign terrorist organizations,” Hegseth said in an interview on Fox News’ “The Sunday Briefing” (Reuters). The war language harkens back to George H.W. Bush and the “War on Drugs.” H.W.’s address to the nation in 1989: (UCSB). Trump is doing well to address the supply side of the equation. The demand side demands significant attention as well.

“The ADL withdrew its smear of Charlie Kirk. The SPLC should follow its example”

That’s the subtitle from Kristen Waggoner, writing in the Wall Street Journal: The Anti-Defamation League last week retired its “Glossary of Extremism” amid backlash for having designated Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA as an extremist organization. The ADL isn’t alone in applying such inflammatory labels. Months before Kirk’s assassination, the Southern Poverty Law Center added Turning Point USA to its “hate map,” equating it with the Ku Klux Klan…. Since I was accosted and threatened at Yale Law School in 2022, I have had to travel with security virtually everywhere I go. Videos about me online that refer to the SPLC’s hate designation are adorned with comments such as “Where is Luigi when you need him?”—a reference to the alleged assassin of UnitedHealth care CEO Brian Thompson. But we won’t be cowed. When our cases in defense of women’s sports are argued at the Supreme Court in January, we expect to be back with the biggest rally yet—this time with the security apparatus needed to defend our speakers (Wall Street Journal).

Speaker Johnson on Charlie Kirk: “If we're going to honor the life and legacy of Charlie, the best thing we can do is live like Charlie did”

The Speaker was with Isabel Brown of the Daily Wire, giving a challenge we’d do well to listen to. Addressing those who feel a “burning desire” to do something after Charlie’s death, he said: If we’re going to honor the life and legacy of Charlie, the best thing we can do is live like Charlie did. And two things: You advance his principles and you adopt his approach. The approach was one in love. He’s trying to win over hearts and minds, and he was never hateful…. Mike Huckabee said one time—he’s running for governor of Arkansas many years ago—he said: “I’m a conservative, but I’m not mad at anybody.” I mean, that’s our approach, right? We’re going to be winsome warriors, but you have to be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have, the scripture says. And be ready for those debates. And Charlie was, but he never hated anybody on the other side of the table. That kind of message, the hopeful message, the things that he articulated: Faith, family, freedom, patriotism, American exceptionalism, people respond to that. And in one sense, in my view, it’s a response to the woke progressive nihilism that just leads to emptiness and despair and hopelessness. It’s an offer of hope and eternity and real truth, and that’s what people are yearning for (Brown).

South Koreans Take to Streets to Protest Far-Left Government

Longtime observer of southeast Asia sums it up: Korea is in revolt: “On October 3, countless citizens filled the streets of Seoul, rising up against Lee Jae-myung’s tyrannical regime. This is the true voice of the South Korean people that the corrupt legacy media hides from the world. They pass unjust laws, jail those who speak the truth, and try to silence free voices on social media. But the harder they push, the more the people awaken. This is the truth the world must know. Darkness can never overcome the light” (Chang). Breitbart sums up President Jae-myung’s efforts: Lee Jae-myung, who became president after a special election in June prompted by the impeachment and ouster of conservative Yoon Suk-yeol, has repeatedly stated his intention to silence anti-communist voices in his country. On Thursday, he condemned the upcoming conservative rally as an “utterly harmful” hatemonger event. “Rumors and hate speech targeting specific countries and their people are being spread indiscriminately, and racially discriminatory rallies continue,” Lee said, according to a translation by the Yonhap News Agency. “These utterly harmful, self-destructive acts that damage our national interest and image must be completely eradicated” (Breitbart).