Too Much Executive Power?

Were the Constitution’s Authors a Little Too Optimistic?
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/us/constitution-framers-president-executive-monarch.html
The founding document of the U.S. has a blind spot. President Trump is making it visible.
 
Can Trump’s brazen pursuit of WH enrichment be stopped?
https://youtu.be/4zb7oJPYwlw 

Revival of the Midwest

The Midwestern Exodus Is Finally Ending
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/akron-ohio-midwest-population-growth-5680accb
A longtime migration away from parts of the Rust Belt has started to reverse, as housing affordability draws people to metro areas such as Akron, Ohio. 

Stablecoins and Private Money

Stablecoins Are Private Money. That’s Why They’re a Risk to the Economy.
https://www.wsj.com/finance/currencies/stablecoins-are-private-money-thats-why-theyre-a-risk-to-the-economy-d3498171
Financial innovations often lead to upheaval and instability. Despite new regulations, those risks persist with stablecoins. 

Dip in US Tourism

Staggering dip in US tourism is a troubling sign for the future
https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/25/travel/analysis-tourism-fewer-international-visitors-2025-vis 

International Affairs - Interesting Items

Why Violence Persists in Nigeria
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/nigeria/why-violence-persists-nigeria
And How Governance Reform Can Break the Cycle
 
Why Mexico’s Cartels Are So Hard to Defeat
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/mexico/why-mexicos-cartels-are-so-hard-defeat
The Real Test of Sheinbaum’s Security Strategy
 
How Venezuela’s New Leader Rose from Pariah to Powerful U.S. Partner
https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/venezuela-delcy-rodriguez-trump-power-14bcf086
Delcy Rodríguez has preserved an authoritarian system and has avoided elections for five months while courting Trump officials and the oil industry.
 
Orban’s Fall and Europe’s Rise
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/hungary/orbans-fall-and-europes-rise
The Dawn of a Strange New European Consensus 

Iran War's Impact on Asia

The War-Driven Supply Shock Already Roiling Manufacturing in Asia
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/24/business/what-is-naphtha.html
A shortage of naphtha, stemming from the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, is disrupting manufacturing and retail goods in Japan and South Korea.   

Thousands of Miles from the Iran War, Asia’s Currencies Feel the Strain
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/22/business/asia-currency-iran-dollar.html
Soaring oil prices and a surging dollar are testing Asia’s foreign-exchange reserves, which were built up after the 1997 crisis.  

Argentina's 'Inflation Miracle'

Javier Milei’s inflation ‘miracle’ in Argentina is a warning to the world, not a blueprint
https://theconversation.com/javier-mileis-inflation-miracle-in-argentina-is-a-warning-to-the-world-not-a-blueprint-278840