The wider significance of the new National Security Strategy, what the United States should do to pressure Venezuela, and more.
Saturday Reads
January 3, 2026
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Donald Trump’s National Security Strategy Signals the Start of Imperial America
by Carlos Roa
The 2025 National Security Strategy abandons the liberal international order’s ideological pretensions, embracing transactional imperialism, hemispheric primacy, and economic nationalism to secure America’s survival and unapologetic renewal. Read it here.
How the United States Can Pressure Venezuela on Oil Without Helping China and Russia
by Brabim Karki
Effective pressure on Maduro requires US leadership with Latin American allies, regional energy investment, and humanitarian engagement—not confrontation alone. Read it here.
It’s Time to End Yemen’s Civil War
by Chad Kunkle
Maintaining the ceasefire in Gaza will be more difficult if Yemen erupts into conflict once again. Read it here.
Who Benefits from the Alleged Assassination Attempt on Vladimir Putin?
by Andrew C. Kuchins
Despite being at war with Russia, Ukraine has few reasons to attempt an assassination of Vladimir Putin. Read it here.
Why US Critical Mineral Security Depends on the South Pacific
by Allen Zhang and Miles Pollard
The Pacific Ocean’s vast deposits of critical minerals are essential to any plan to compete with China’s dominance of the sector. Read it here.
