Matthew Pottinger, Francis Fukuyama, and Aaron MacLean on the latest in Iran. Plus: Kat Rosenfield on that viral polyamory memoir. Arthur Brooks on the joys of multigenerational living. And more.
Completely off topic from today's TFP, and posted on another site:
"A23a was once Earth's largest iceberg, measuring 1,540 square miles. Now, after moving north to the warmer waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, it likely has weeks before it ceases to exist."
Which countries are going to drown from this?? Should we call Al Gore????
Can we stop listening to so called "political scientists." Sitting with your ass in a ivory tower does not provide incite into the real world. Their ridiculous pronouncements provides incite into the fact that these people have never left school and they think like children.
Get us information, not pontifications, from people who 1) know the MENA region both history and politics 2) speak farsi/hebrew/arabic 3) understand military campaigns 4) have a background in traversing the real world
Too bad you’re not a journalist! But you’re from the generation who actually knows what it takes to be a journalist, so you likely wouldn’t succeed now! Sometimes all it takes is experience and perspective. Thank you.
Lanny my man! Positing this comment here so others can be drawn to the conversation earlier as well:
“Lanny! My man, thanks for this comment! And thanks for that nuke piece. So here’s a little bit of history and propaganda to show how world narratives work.
In Vietnam, in the article I posted above, the only reason why we have the War of Powers Act from the 70s is due to the Gulf of Tonkin resolution from the 60s.
The crazy thing is that the gulf of Tonkin incident was false. A lie. Fabrication. This was verified by the US a few decades ago.
So essentially, we created new policies to override the constitution that was built off of a fabricated lie.
This is the history and propaganda at play. And we’ve been doing it since WW2. This is why I write on these topics and put them together so we can see things differently.
Now, in 2026, the propaganda, just like Gulf of Tonkin is nukes. Again, this is where I call the fallacy of nukes because this is what we also used with Iraq - and turn to find out there were no nukes, but the damage was already done.
The propaganda goes really really deep, but it’s not more so about the propaganda, but really the effect the propaganda enables, takeovers without the declaration of war. “
So yes, Hilary, Obama and Biden were all wrong. By far! That’s the point here. I wrote an article on how the democrats literally destroy society. So yes, you are 100% accurate in that line of reasoning.
Agreed! If anything, I’m here to learn from you all as you all lived through it and I’m fairly young as a millennial. So I do look to you all for guidance.
However, after seen the propaganda placed on the American populace since the pandemic, it makes me wonder “how much propaganda has been placed since history?”
This is what gives me a new lens on things. For example, Gulf of Tonkin was truth in the 60s, but by the 90s, 30 years later, was proved to be fabricated by the NSA.
So I’d imagine that a lot of things told to the people as true, over time, we’ve learned were false. Seeing how the pandemic played that out, I imagine that’s taken place through history as well.
We are in a war of choice an d its not Iran. It's a POLITICAL war of choice being waged against all Americans who are in the process of flying. TSA delays are massive and were chosen by Hakeem and Chuck. Maximum pain inflicted on purpose. Will it end before Nov or ramp up further?
I think the chaos agents, i.e., Democrats, would love to see things like astronomically long TSA lines and worse, as this is a midterm election year. Look for a Floyd-like moment to usher in another long, hot summer of mostly peaceful riots.
Except the war powers act of the 1970’s gives the president permission to use military force for a limited amount of time. So, because of congress, it is legal and has been for 50+ years.
What I don’t understand is why American voters detest congress as a whole (lowest popularity ever recorded) but think their local representative is great…? Its congress that has done this to us
My man! I'm guessing you're one of those "living constitution" folks who mostly disregard the constitution except when it's needed to further your opinion, knowing that we on the right DO respect the constitution.
I actually just commented in my response to Lanny and in the article as well. It’s seems quite American, but it’s very unconstitutional. That’s the argument I make. It was a lie regarding Tonkin that justified it and we’ve been following it ever since
Cant wait to see all the patriotism come July 4. How should we characterize those who will be spitting on america at that time? And how many today are Root, Root Rooting for the Mullahs?
Franklin is a smart guy but this is 2026 not 1826.
I too would love to live in a land where benevolent unicorns ruled according to the wishes of the Founding Fathers and world events moved at comparatively a snail's pace.
When nukes are involved there is zero room for error.
Gridlock in DC can work when we are merely dealing with most issues. Not so well in today's world of hypersonic missiles and regimes intent on annihilation and whose vision and objectives are... Just a tad extreme
Lanny! My man, thanks for this comment! And thanks for that nuke piece. So here’s a little bit of history and propaganda to show how world narratives work.
In Vietnam, in the article I posted above, the only reason why we have the War of Powers Act from the 70s is due to the Gulf of Tonkin resolution from the 60s.
The crazy thing is that the gulf of Tonkin incident was false. A lie. Fabrication. This was verified by the US a few decades ago.
So essentially, we created new policies to override the constitution that was built off of a fabricated lie.
This is the history and propaganda at play. And we’ve been doing it since WW2. This is why I write on these topics and put them together so we can see things differently.
Now, in 2026, the propaganda, just like Gulf of Tonkin is nukes. Again, this is where I call the fallacy of nukes because this is what we also used with Iraq - and turn to find out there were no nukes, but the damage was already done.
The propaganda goes really really deep, but it’s not more so about the propaganda, but really the effect the propaganda enables, takeovers without the declaration of war.
As much as ...
I LOVE TRUMP'S IRAN POLICY
He will be the greatest President in history IF he can end Daylight Savings Time!!!!!
Completely off topic from today's TFP, and posted on another site:
"A23a was once Earth's largest iceberg, measuring 1,540 square miles. Now, after moving north to the warmer waters of the South Atlantic Ocean, it likely has weeks before it ceases to exist."
Which countries are going to drown from this?? Should we call Al Gore????
'... Ominously for Khamenei, Trump added: “If he doesn’t get approval from us he’s not going to last long.” ...'
What a great way to find out your coworkers despise you.
"Yo!! Mojtaba!! We elected you!!"
You forgot to include this in the app. So I had to come to the website to access the front page.
"Iran gets a say in this war."
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA....
Yeah, "Oh, shit" comes to mind.
Thanks that made me laugh out loud!
Can we stop listening to so called "political scientists." Sitting with your ass in a ivory tower does not provide incite into the real world. Their ridiculous pronouncements provides incite into the fact that these people have never left school and they think like children.
Get us information, not pontifications, from people who 1) know the MENA region both history and politics 2) speak farsi/hebrew/arabic 3) understand military campaigns 4) have a background in traversing the real world
THANK GOD FOR DONALD TRUMP!
At 1st Bull Run, Union troops were trampling each other in a headlong panicked retreat.
At Kasserine Pass, Americans licked their wounds after getting their asses handed to them.
At the Pusan Perimeter, Americans desperately held on to an enclave to keep from getting pushed into the ocean.
In each case we expended trillions (in 2026 dollars).
In each case we sacrificed thousands of lives.
In each case Americans endured real sacrifice for years to obtain victory.
After a little more than a week of success, we are experiencing a case of the vapors over spending.
After a little more than a week of success, Americans are bellyaching about the cost of gas.
After a little more than a week of success, with 7 dead you would think we had just fought Antietam.
And folks ask why I am pessimistic about America’s long-term ability to endure as a super power.
Trump has given us a window of opportunity but too many Americans seem hell bent on closing it as quickly as possible.
Too bad you’re not a journalist! But you’re from the generation who actually knows what it takes to be a journalist, so you likely wouldn’t succeed now! Sometimes all it takes is experience and perspective. Thank you.
Kindest words I have gotten in a long time.
That warms my heart.
Thank you!
We are not the same people that endured through World War II, for sure.
Sad to say but true.
Lanny my man! Positing this comment here so others can be drawn to the conversation earlier as well:
“Lanny! My man, thanks for this comment! And thanks for that nuke piece. So here’s a little bit of history and propaganda to show how world narratives work.
In Vietnam, in the article I posted above, the only reason why we have the War of Powers Act from the 70s is due to the Gulf of Tonkin resolution from the 60s.
The crazy thing is that the gulf of Tonkin incident was false. A lie. Fabrication. This was verified by the US a few decades ago.
So essentially, we created new policies to override the constitution that was built off of a fabricated lie.
This is the history and propaganda at play. And we’ve been doing it since WW2. This is why I write on these topics and put them together so we can see things differently.
Now, in 2026, the propaganda, just like Gulf of Tonkin is nukes. Again, this is where I call the fallacy of nukes because this is what we also used with Iraq - and turn to find out there were no nukes, but the damage was already done.
So this is why I look at everything together.
Hope this helps and actually, here’s a piece I write about nukes: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/false-fire-5-reasons-to-doubt-the
The propaganda goes really really deep, but it’s not more so about the propaganda, but really the effect the propaganda enables, takeovers without the declaration of war. “
Did you tell *Hillary* that her selling the uranium to Iran is 'propaganda'? Cause she would be pissed off for sure.
Did you tell Obama that the (literal) pallets of cash he airlifted to Iran were 'propaganda'? Because he would *really* not appreciate that.
Did you tell Biden that unfreezing billions in Iranian assets was 'propaganda'? Hmmm. never mind. He probably had (and still has) No Clue.
Oh, and we didn't openly sell uranium to Iraq, btw.
So yes, Hilary, Obama and Biden were all wrong. By far! That’s the point here. I wrote an article on how the democrats literally destroy society. So yes, you are 100% accurate in that line of reasoning.
Franklin may just be a little peckish or maybe he just got out on the wrong side of the bed.
Whichever, I don't take offense when he drones on into lecturing mode on a subject some of us lived through in great detail.
"So here’s a little bit of history and propaganda to show how world narratives work."
Franklin you are being a tad pedantic this AM.
Just as I told you earlier... This is 2026 not 1826.
It is also not 1964.
You may believe you have found the Rosetta Stone but some of us lived through Vietnam and the 70's and know full well the story.
We just disagree with your conclusions.
You are not my professor and I am not your student.
Agreed! If anything, I’m here to learn from you all as you all lived through it and I’m fairly young as a millennial. So I do look to you all for guidance.
However, after seen the propaganda placed on the American populace since the pandemic, it makes me wonder “how much propaganda has been placed since history?”
This is what gives me a new lens on things. For example, Gulf of Tonkin was truth in the 60s, but by the 90s, 30 years later, was proved to be fabricated by the NSA.
So I’d imagine that a lot of things told to the people as true, over time, we’ve learned were false. Seeing how the pandemic played that out, I imagine that’s taken place through history as well.
We are in a war of choice an d its not Iran. It's a POLITICAL war of choice being waged against all Americans who are in the process of flying. TSA delays are massive and were chosen by Hakeem and Chuck. Maximum pain inflicted on purpose. Will it end before Nov or ramp up further?
Think we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg headed our way.
I think the chaos agents, i.e., Democrats, would love to see things like astronomically long TSA lines and worse, as this is a midterm election year. Look for a Floyd-like moment to usher in another long, hot summer of mostly peaceful riots.
Could not agree more!
For the record, this war is a drastic overreach of the executive powers. This was the very thing the forefathers warned against, but we’ve forgotten that lesson: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/stop-calling-it-the-iran-war-start
It’s quite un-American in this 250 year anniversary
Except the war powers act of the 1970’s gives the president permission to use military force for a limited amount of time. So, because of congress, it is legal and has been for 50+ years.
What I don’t understand is why American voters detest congress as a whole (lowest popularity ever recorded) but think their local representative is great…? Its congress that has done this to us
My man! I just touched on the war powers act earlier too in my comment to Lanny
My man! I'm guessing you're one of those "living constitution" folks who mostly disregard the constitution except when it's needed to further your opinion, knowing that we on the right DO respect the constitution.
My argument is that the American use of resources against other countries should go through a process like the constitution requires.
What we’re witnessing is a direct avoidance of that by the one branch called out against this power.
It’s not just trump. It’s every president since the 70s. This war of poets act, bypasses the constitution.
Afghanistan, Iran, Vietnam, Libya, the list goes on. It seems quite American unless you have TDS.
I actually just commented in my response to Lanny and in the article as well. It’s seems quite American, but it’s very unconstitutional. That’s the argument I make. It was a lie regarding Tonkin that justified it and we’ve been following it ever since
Cant wait to see all the patriotism come July 4. How should we characterize those who will be spitting on america at that time? And how many today are Root, Root Rooting for the Mullahs?
Unfortunately lots of people with TDS.
Franklin is a smart guy but this is 2026 not 1826.
I too would love to live in a land where benevolent unicorns ruled according to the wishes of the Founding Fathers and world events moved at comparatively a snail's pace.
When nukes are involved there is zero room for error.
Gridlock in DC can work when we are merely dealing with most issues. Not so well in today's world of hypersonic missiles and regimes intent on annihilation and whose vision and objectives are... Just a tad extreme
Lanny! My man, thanks for this comment! And thanks for that nuke piece. So here’s a little bit of history and propaganda to show how world narratives work.
In Vietnam, in the article I posted above, the only reason why we have the War of Powers Act from the 70s is due to the Gulf of Tonkin resolution from the 60s.
The crazy thing is that the gulf of Tonkin incident was false. A lie. Fabrication. This was verified by the US a few decades ago.
So essentially, we created new policies to override the constitution that was built off of a fabricated lie.
This is the history and propaganda at play. And we’ve been doing it since WW2. This is why I write on these topics and put them together so we can see things differently.
Now, in 2026, the propaganda, just like Gulf of Tonkin is nukes. Again, this is where I call the fallacy of nukes because this is what we also used with Iraq - and turn to find out there were no nukes, but the damage was already done.
So this is why I look at everything together.
Hope this helps and actually, here’s a piece I write about nukes: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/false-fire-5-reasons-to-doubt-the
The propaganda goes really really deep, but it’s not more so about the propaganda, but really the effect the propaganda enables, takeovers without the declaration of war.
"So here’s a little bit of history and propaganda to show how world narratives work."
Franklin you are being a tad pedantic this AM.
Just as I told you earlier... This is 2026 not 1826.
It is also not 1964.
Hell, its not even 2014 or whenever Obama gave the green light
Kinda like the last 75 years.
Yes, so what?