Shield of the Republic On The Precipice of Illegal War (w/ Frank Dikötter)
Feb 23, 2026
Frank Dikötter, historian and Hoover Institution senior fellow, discusses his new book on how the Chinese Communist Party rose to power. He explores Soviet support, brutal siege tactics, Stalinist influence on CCP strategy, and the myths that blinded Western observers. Short, sharp takes on violence, logistics, and the propaganda that shaped perceptions.
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Rubio's Munich Speech Framed As Soft Trumpism
- Marco Rubio delivered a deliberate "Trumpism with a human face" speech at Munich to reassure Europeans while appealing to domestic Republican audiences.
- Eliot Cohen notes Rubio emphasized Western civilization and Christianity but omitted Enlightenment principles and any direct callout of Russia.
Rubio's Munich Move Was Damage Control For NATO
- Eliot A. Cohen argues Rubio tried to appease President Trump and prevent a total rupture with European allies after the Greenland episode.
- Cohen says Rubio's aim was damage control: keep NATO ties intact and stop the bleeding, not fully restore pre-Trump trust.
Iran Campaign Lacks Clear Objective Or Congressional Buy-In
- Eric Edelman warns the U.S. lacks a clear objective in the Iran escalation and hasn't consulted Congress or the public.
- He fears limited strikes could cascade into a prolonged campaign with high risks of escalation and unclear end-states.
