This week’s roundup spans foreign policy gambles, domestic power struggles, and the economic incentives quietly reshaping American life.

Craig Eyermann discusses how Elon Musk’s DOGE blazed into the headlines with trillion-dollar promises—but the actual savings so far are more of a “small step” than a giant leap.

Ivan Eland writes that Donald Trump’s dreams of his own Nobel Peace Prize are increasingly unlikely in the grim reality of his second term: from deploying unchecked paramilitary into American cities to the blatant use of imperialist rhetoric to threaten Venezuela to saber-rattling in the Mideast. Even worse, by reviving 19th-century imperialist rhetoric and brandishing the Monroe Doctrine, Trump is gambling at high stakes.

Scott Beyer explains why the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) system in collegiate sports has been criticized for creating billionaire-backed collectives that are dumping cash and distorting incentives for players at the expense of university programs. He points out, however, that the system is more meritocratic in certain ways than professional sports, and that the apprenticeship is now beginning to pay better than the dream.

Francis Crescia calls attention to how Canada’s push for reconciliation shifts from apologies to upending private property rights—and how that will have serious ramifications.

Lloyd Billingsley points out that while Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his ‘tenant advocate’ aim to dismantle property rights, the battle for the Big Apple is actually a fight for the fundamental rights of every American.

Alvaro Vargas Llosa warns the situation in Latin America is far more complicated than many are willing to admit.

Finally, Caleb Petitt writes about how ‘Made in America’ merchants are facing a shortage, and explains why policy reform is the life raft for the sinking domestic industry.

Happy reading.

Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor