Author: Karen Givens

A growing consensus is forming within the GOP that decisive action is needed to hold Iran accountable for attacks on American interests and to restore deterrence across the region. Republican leaders are arguing that deterrence has to be reestablished quickly because hesitation only invites more aggression. They point to a pattern of Iranian-backed strikes and proxy attacks that threaten U.S. personnel, partners, and critical shipping lanes. The message from the right is straightforward: weakness encourages escalation, and strength restores order. Evidence cited by conservatives includes repeated attacks on bases and commercial vessels, plus a web of militia groups acting with…

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor was just days away from returning home to her husband and two children when a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait killed her and five other U.S. service members. This sudden loss throws real human cost into sharp relief and demands a clear, accountable response from our leaders and military chain of command. Families, units, and the country deserve honest information and decisive action to prevent more tragedies. The news landed like a gut punch for anyone who knows what military service asks of families and communities. It is impossible to separate the…

A House Republican faction is pressing Speaker Mike Johnson to force a public showdown with the Senate over the SAVE America Act, demanding proof of citizenship for federal voting and warning that failure to act could sap GOP voter enthusiasm. The House GOP conference spent a weekend call circling back to one bone: why the Senate refuses to vote on requiring proof of citizenship to cast a federal ballot. That fix is simple on paper and politically charged in practice, and a vocal group in the House wants the leadership to stop letting the issue stall. The push reflects frustration…

The Supreme Court will hear U.S. v. Hemani, a case testing whether regular users of controlled substances can constitutionally possess firearms, and it brings questions about historical practice, statutory vagueness, federal-state marijuana conflicts, and how Congress should respond. The Justices take up U.S. v. Hemani after a lower court invalidated a federal prohibition on firearm possession by drug users, setting up a clash over how the Second Amendment applies to people who use illegal substances. The Trump administration asked the high court to review the statute and defend the longstanding federal rule. At the center is a Texas defendant prosecuted…

Global energy markets were shaken Monday by an escalation of conflict in the Middle East, with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran contributing to sharp increases in crude oil and natural gas prices amid renewed concerns over supply and regional stability. Markets reacted quickly as traders priced in the risk of wider disruption to shipping lanes and production facilities. Crude and natural gas climbed on the immediate threat to supply chains that already run thin. Investors and policymakers are watching for a sustained impact on energy costs. The U.S. involvement alongside Israel marks a notable shift in how Washington is…

The Iran soccer federation president says he is unsure whether the national team can safely play World Cup matches in the United States after a surprise U.S. and Israeli bombardment of Iran, raising fresh questions about security, diplomacy, and the place of sport amid escalating tensions. The announcement from Tehran’s football leadership landed in the middle of fast-moving geopolitical developments, and it underlines how quickly politics can spill onto the pitch. Organizers, federations, and fans are now left to weigh safety, travel logistics, and diplomatic fallout. For a global tournament, uncertainty of this kind is disruptive and costly. The safety…

Israel’s strikes on Beirut after cross-border missile fire mark a sharp escalation, and the U.S. and regional partners are watching closely as risks of wider conflict grow. This piece lays out what happened, the likely motivations, and what a strong, clear response looks like from a responsible perspective. “Israel launched a barrage of strikes on Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, after the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired missiles across the border early Monday.” That description captures the immediate trigger, but the situation is layered with decades of hostile behavior from Hezbollah and its backers. A measured but firm response is how governments…

The United States and Israel launched a coordinated, large-scale strike on targets inside Iran at 1:15 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, an operation labeled Operation Epic Fury by the Americans and Roaring Lion by Israel, and this action marks a sharp turn from diplomacy toward decisive military pressure. The move signals a new phase in U.S.-Iran relations and raises urgent questions about strategy, escalation, and American interests in the region. This article lays out the facts, the likely motives, and the immediate strategic implications through a clear, conservative lens. The time for substantive talks between the US and Iran has come…

Operation Epic Fury began with a coordinated US and Israeli missile strike against Iranian targets, timed at roughly 9 a.m. local — about 12:30 a.m. Eastern — and met with immediate Iranian retaliation across the Middle East, creating a volatile, fast-moving situation that has regional and global consequences. At first light local time, forces from the United States and Israel carried out a joint missile operation identified as Operation Epic Fury, hitting multiple sites inside Iran. The attack was launched at 9 a.m. local, which translates to about 12:30 a.m. Eastern, and targeted several locations tied to Iran’s military capabilities.…

Childhood obesity rates are climbing even as adult obesity trends edge the other direction, creating a new set of public health puzzles and concerns. Childhood obesity is serious. Adults may ooh and ahh and pinch chubby cheeks, remarking how cute kids are, but the extra weight can lead to a lifetime of health problems. A recent study showed that obesity in children has reached record highs, while adult obesity appears to be declining in some groups. The gap between rising childhood rates and falling adult rates raises questions about how lifestyles and environments have shifted for different generations. Kids today…