The Big Stick

It's time to take on Chinese economic espionage

Russ — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 19:13:18 GMT

Hello all, and greetings from beautiful Sioux Falls, South Dakota! Believe it or not I left a rainy, cold, dreary D.C. for 70 degrees and sunny in the Dakotas of all places. I write to you from Remedy Brewing Co. which has some great beer, so check it out if you ever find yourselves in these parts.

Anyway, I’ve got some time to burn so I thought I’d touc…

Free Trade Isn't Free

Russ — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:52:00 GMT

Downtown King, North Carolina. Credit: Ceh2624

I was incredibly privileged to grow up in a time that could be considered an American golden age. Living in the suburbs of a mid size city in North Carolina during the 1990s was like living out a modern Norman Rockwell painting. We had a decent economy supported by tobacco, textiles, and furniture where a bl…

The Utterly Predictable Sectarian Violence in Syria

Russ — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 17:34:04 GMT

As of this writing, hundreds of Syrians are dead as a result of what appear to be reprisal killings occurring across the country.

There are disputes as to who exactly is responsible for the killings and who is being targeted. Most media reports claim the victims are Alawite Christians, while others claim Christians only make up a small percentage of the…

The Foreign Policy Blob has Forgotten How to Negotiate

Russ — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 22:04:37 GMT

In the years following the end of the Cold War, the U.S. enjoyed a period of relative peace, stability, and growth now commonly referred to as the “peace dividend.” This was a time in which the U.S. was able to reallocate resources from defense spending and put them towards economic growth. This of course had a detrimental impact on our defense capabili…

Trudeau Just Wrote a Check Canadians Can't Cash

Russ — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 00:25:26 GMT

Let’s pretend you’re a world leader in the twilight of their reign. Due to some unique circumstances, and a conveniently popular family name, you’ve managed to be the face of your political party for nearly ten years. Yo…

A new 'Sputnik Moment' for a new Cold War

Russ — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 20:20:51 GMT

In early October 1957, Americans across the country woke up to newspaper headlines announcing an incredible revelation: the Soviet Union had successfully launched the world’s first artificial satellite.

The news shocked …

Yes, Greenland

Russ — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 19:24:33 GMT

Source: Canva

By now most of you have probably seen the pearl clutching surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s comments on Greenland.

Predictably, the reactions range from absolutely neurotic takes to some pretty funny memes. This is all part of what I call the Trumpian Cycle, in which Trump says something that sounds fantastical, the usual suspects f…

What the Trudeau resignation means for the United States

Russ — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 20:09:20 GMT

A created image of Donald Trump and Pierre Poilievre. Image created with Grok 2 AI.

Well, it appears the reign of Prince Justin is finally coming to an end… or, it will, eventually…

If the headline caught you by surprise, today Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau announced he will be leaving office in late March. Additionally, he said the Canadian parli…

Why Trump is right to be concerned about the Panama Canal

Russ — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:45:37 GMT

Source: Image created with Grok 2 AI.

Of all the fateful decisions made by the Carter Administration, relinquishing control of the Panama Canal may prove to be the worst of the lot.

On September 7, 1977 President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian General Omar Torrijos signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. These two agreements ceded control of the canal to Panam…

Gloves Off: It's time for an AUMF targeting Mexican cartels

Russ — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 21:00:26 GMT

U.S. Special Forces Green Beret Soldiers, assigned to 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Operational Detachment-A, prepare to board a UH-1Y Huey as they conduct an air assault mission during Integrated Training Exercise 2-16 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Feb. 9, 2016. MCAGCC conducts relevant live-fire combined ar…

After Action Report on Israel's Iran Strike

Russ — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 18:37:43 GMT

An Israeli F-15 which participated in Operation Days of Repentance targeting Iran. Source: Israel Defense Forces

Israel finally engaged in its long-expected retaliatory strike against Iran on Saturday, several weeks after Iranian forces engaged in a large scale missile attack on Israel itself.

The fact that Israel would respond was not a mystery, but how…

The Pentagon simply can't fathom why China is drastically building up its nuclear forces

Russ — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 16:15:18 GMT

Gosh, I wonder why China is accelerating a massive buildup of its nuclear forces?

It’s truly the mystery of our times!

Well, not really. Unless of course you currently work at the Pentagon.

A recently published Defense Intelligence Agency report found that China’s nuclear weapons buildup is double what analysts previously estimated. DIA initially assessed…

Why China's Economic Collapse Could Start a War

Russ — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 17:11:17 GMT

The house of cards that is the Chinese economy has had a rough going the last few days. In the span of around 72 hours, the Chinese markets went from bust to boom. Around the same time, it was reported that Beijing would begin taxing ultra rich nationals living overseas who have invested their wealth in offshore real estate and other assets in what appe…

Robert Gates and the Power of Hindsight

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 21:40:19 GMT

One of the most amazing characteristics of Washington is that it is a place where memories fade very quickly. Policymakers who were despised for their actions just a few years ago are largely forgotten about just a few years later thanks to a frenetic 24-hour news media and the city’s four-year election cycle mindset. If you simply bide your time, your …

Big Stick Radio Ep. 7: Failure in Afghanistan, ft. Jerry Dunleavy

Russ — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 13:18:41 GMT

Losing the Plot on Winston Churchill

Russ — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 01:15:22 GMT

Winston Churchill is one of those historical figures whose myth has elevated beyond his humanity.

The former British Prime Minister is rightly a sacrosanct figure of history — a fierce defender of Western civilization who for many years single-handedly held back the menace of fascist barbarism. But Churchill also held unsavory views on race, the targeti…

The World This Week

Russ — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 19:25:45 GMT

Taliban forces parade US military vehicles on the third anniversary of the American withdrawal.

Hello and welcome to the World This Week. Let’s jump right into the top issues to get you up to speed.

Iran Targets the Trump …

The World this Week - August 9, 2024

Russ — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 19:52:08 GMT

Hello folks!

Welcome to the first edition of my new weekly series “The World this Week” where I break down some of the top stories from across the globe from the past week. If you like what you see, be sure to subscribe and follow me on socials to keep up to speed.

Why the US Can't Afford to Ignore Venezuela

Russ — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 20:53:55 GMT

Source: Andres Azpurua

The Venezuelan election crisis is a warning to American policymakers: ignore your backyard at your own peril.

At a time when there are global flashpoints occurring everywhere from Ukraine, to the Middle East, to the South China Sea, it’s easy overlook Venezuela. But that is a mistake the United States cannot afford. Venezuela is hom…

America is dangerously outnumbered in the Arctic

Russ — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 20:52:10 GMT

The Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, the Coast Guard’s only operational heavy icebreaker capable of conducting Antarctic ice operations, carves a channel in Antarctic ice near the coast of Ross Island, Jan. 16, 2017. The cutter is an integral part of the yearly operation to resupply the National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station. (U.S. Coast Guard phot…