Mike Mike Mike Mike Mike … what time is it? Closing tab time …
“We seek the end of tyranny in our world. Some dismiss that goal as misguided idealism. In reality, the future security of America depends on it.” That was George W. Bush in his 2006 State of the Union.
Here was Donald Trump yesterday in Riyadh: “The gleaming marvels of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi were not created by the so-called ‘nation-builders,’ ‘neocons,’ or ‘liberal nonprofits.’ Instead, the birth of a modern Middle East has been brought about by the people of the region themselves.”
It’s astonishing what a difference 20 years has made.
Ed: Indeed, as I observed in my VIP analysis earlier today. As is its custom, the Free Press story links to two somewhat opposing views that it hosts on the topic. I see wisdom in both takes, but neither is conclusive … nor could they be.
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I will say this:
For all my criticisms of Trump this week, if there is ONE man who can somehow make Syria change from a pariah regime to a functioning country, it’s him.
I really want to be hopeful this is the start of something new. Not holding my breath, but still. pic.twitter.com/CntE37uDIj
— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) May 14, 2025
Ed: Hope is a powerful force. We shall see, but perhaps we need to bear the difficulty that this enterprise faces before we get hopes up too high. It’s an approach worth trying — as long as we keep our eyes open and our power ready to defend ourselves and our allies.
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As this report also observed, the “religious zealots” and “hardliners” in HTS are complicating matters for Syria’s interim president. When he called himself al-Jolani, he shared HTS’s official support for replacing the Assad regime’s Ba’athist ideology with a form of Sharia law — a goal Sharaa’s deputies haven’t abandoned. The harassment of Christians and Druze continues, and there have been reports of atrocities against women alleged to have violated Islamic modesty codes. This sort of thing has reportedly led skeptics of the new regime in Trump’s orbit — figures like National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard and Counterterrorism Director Sebastian Gorka — to recommend that the U.S. keep up the pressure on Damascus.
Their concerns are not unfounded. And yet, the president’s decision to side with those in his administration who counsel tentative engagement with the Syrian regime is a praiseworthy enterprise. If it succeeds, the benefits to the United States and the West would be immense.
Ed: A surprising concurrence from my friend and former Hot Air colleague Noah Rothman. I’m a little surprised to see Gabbard and Gorka among the skeptics, though perhaps I shouldn’t be.
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Deals, not war. In one day, Trump showed he’s the dealmaker, peacemaker, realist, and optimist. $283B in deals, pressure on Iran, outreach to Syria—and always America First. This is what leadership looks like. pic.twitter.com/uV0c9oUkzR
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) May 14, 2025
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‘War is never inevitable. Weapons can and must fall silent, for they never solve problems but only intensify them,’ Pope Leo XIV wrote on the official ‘Pontifex’ X account.
‘Those who sow peace will endure throughout history, not those who reap victims,’ he added. ‘Others are not enemies to hate but human beings with whom to speak.’
The pope did not refer to President Trump by name, but his post emphasized a universal truth about the teachings of Christ at a time of war and chaos around the world.
Ed: The Daily Mail headlines this as a “possible olive branch to Trump,” which is a bit puzzling, since there hasn’t been any discord between Pope Leo XIV and Trump. Trump offered him his best wishes on Thursday after being elected pontiff, and the new Pope hasn’t commented on American policy at all yet. With that said, popes rarely comment on matters out of coincidence, and Pope Leo XIV seems like a pontiff not given to glib commentary.
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Reuters is reporting that Vladimir Putin will not be going to Turkey for talks with President Zelenskyy.
Unsurprising.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) May 14, 2025
Ed: I wonder if Pope Leo XIV meant that message for Moscow.
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A significant overhaul of the National Security Council at the White House is expected in the coming days, including a staff reduction and a reinforced top-down approach with decision-making concentrated at the highest levels, three senior Trump administration officials told CNN. …
“NSC as we know it is done,” an administration official said.
Ed: This is absolutely related to the new “neocon era is over” direction by Trump. Whether or not one agrees with that direction, the nat-sec ‘establishment’ is oriented almost entirely in that direction. This kind of major shift would require a complete overhaul.
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🚨WATCH: Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen is removed by law enforcement for interrupting RFK Jr. hearing pic.twitter.com/OU7Pc5GHrP
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 14, 2025
Ed: I guess Ben’s hoping to embarrass Unilever enough to dump the B&J brand to his equity partners on the cheap.
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My style can be described as modern minimalist meets classic. I own several sheath dresses that fit and flatter, but when I put them on now, they echo what I see as MAGA style. How can I restyle them without sacrificing my aesthetic? — Miriam, Whidbey Island, Wash.
There is a very specific look associated with women who subscribe to the Trump worldview, one that is sort of a cross between a Fox newscaster and Miss Universe. It generally involves flowing tresses that are at least shoulder length, false eyelashes, plumped-up cheeks and lips, high heels and, as you say, a sheath dress. The effect underscores an almost cartoonish femininity that speaks to a relatively old-fashioned gender stereotype; the counterpart to this woman is the square-jawed, besuited guy with a side part.
Ed: You really have to read the whole thing to appreciate how deeply sprained some people are in Trump’s second term. Without hovering over the link, try to guess which newspaper printed this in a fashion-advice column. I bet you’ll get it in three guesses.
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— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@HarmeetKDhillon) May 14, 2025
Ed: If I were Dr. Alan Garber, I’d be worried. Speaking of which …
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A Harvard spokesperson confirmed that President Alan Garber is taking a voluntary 25% pay cut between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. The Harvard Crimson, which was the first to report the news, said Harvard presidents typically earn over $1 million annually.
Earlier this month, dozens of tenured Harvard professors said they would donate 10% of their salaries “as our contribution to the university’s financial resources while it legally contests these attacks.”
Ed: (1) Still overpaid. (2) They’ll need the money for legal fees for the fight to continue their discrimination and violations of Title VI. (3) Imagine what discovery will produce in Harvard’s lawsuit if Chris Rufo already has the above!
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