Author: Rana McCallister

A concise summary: the Democratic Socialists of America unveiled program.dsausa.org on July 14, outlining a sweeping socialist blueprint that would replace key constitutional institutions, promise universal benefits, and call for public ownership and aggressive taxation—an agenda critics argue is economically unrealistic and a direct threat to the republic. The DSA’s new online platform lays out a radical reshaping of American life, promising government-provided or heavily subsidized healthcare, education, housing, transportation, food, and energy. The plan reads like a full socialization of basic goods and services, presented as an aspirational roadmap for supporters. That vision appeals to those who want government…

PILF urged Green Bay’s left-leaning mayor and city council to remove the city clerk from her duties, sending a formal letter pressing local leaders to act and raising questions about accountability and city governance. The Public Interest Legal Foundation mailed a formal request to Green Bay’s mayor and city council asking that the city clerk be relieved of her duties. That step puts the spotlight on local leadership and the way elected officials respond when outside groups demand action. City hall now faces a test between political principle and practical responsibility, with critics arguing that swift action would restore confidence…

A federal indictment unsealed in the Northern District of Ohio names three Russian nationals and two “bulletproof hosting” companies accused of operating infrastructure that allegedly facilitated criminal cyber activity, and the case highlights ongoing challenges in holding foreign operators accountable. The unsealing of charges in the Northern District of Ohio focuses attention on how overseas actors set up and protect networks to support illegal online operations. The indictment names three Russian nationals and two firms described as “bulletproof hosting” providers, which prosecutors say helped mask and sustain malicious activity. This development makes clear that cybercriminal infrastructure is as important a…

The U.S. military will leave Iraq by the end of September, American and Iraqi officials said Tuesday, following a 23-year presence that started with the 2003 invasion against Saddam Hussein and ended up shaping regional dynamics, security partnerships, and domestic debate in both countries. The announcement that American forces will withdraw from Iraq by the end of September landed like a shock to many who have followed the long post-2003 presence. For two decades plus, U.S. troops were a core part of operations against insurgents, advisory missions, training programs, and efforts to contain extremist groups. Those years created deep military…

A coalition led by the Rev. Al Sharpton and the family of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. plans a march for democracy next month to mark the anniversary of the original March on Washington, and the event has drawn a mix of public attention and political reaction. The announcement that Rev. Al Sharpton and descendants of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will lead a coalition to mark the March on Washington anniversary landed quickly in public debate. Organizers call it a march for democracy, intending a large, symbolic public demonstration tied to civil rights history. For many Americans the…

George Lucas has weighed in on artificial intelligence and its role in filmmaking, calling it a transformative tool that changes how movies get made while raising questions about craft, labor and authorship. Filmmaking is shifting as tools evolve, and industry veterans are taking note of how technology alters both process and product. New systems for image generation, editing and sound design promise faster turnarounds and lower costs, which can reshape budgets and schedules. That makes the debate about technology less theoretical and more about immediate choices for creators and studios. Right now, AI can speed up routine tasks that once…

An insuragraphic look at the SAVE America Act shows broad public support colliding with political reality, a stalled Senate, and a handful of strategic objections that keep a simple voter ID reform from becoming law. An insurmountable problem with a simple solution has become an ugly example of Washington dysfunction. The SAVE America Act, aimed at making voter ID the law of the land, enjoyed clear backing from most voters but ran headlong into Senate obstruction. That mismatch between public sentiment and congressional behavior is the story here. President Donald Trump has been explicit and relentless in backing the bill,…

The death toll from a huge fire in a Bangkok music bar has increased to 30, officials said Tuesday, as the investigation into the blaze proceeded while relatives of the victims took on the grim task of identifying bodies and arranging final rites. Officials confirmed the grim total and described frantic, ongoing work at the scene and in hospitals as families sought answers and closure. Emergency crews, medical teams and investigators remained focused on sorting the immediate humanitarian needs while piecing together how the fire spread so rapidly. Local authorities said they would press a careful, thorough inquiry to understand…

Iran’s military told Washington that the United States must respect the Islamic regime’s claim to sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz if international shipping is to return to prewar levels, a demand that ties freedom of navigation to Iranian control of a critical waterway. Iran’s statement links commercial traffic to political recognition, saying international shipping will only normalize if Tehran’s authority in the Strait is acknowledged. The claim is part of a broader posture Tehran has taken in recent years, where naval operations and rhetoric serve both domestic and regional signaling. That posture complicates any simple return to stable maritime…

Support for Israel shapes identity for older American Jews while younger generations shift priorities, creating a clear generational divide that touches religion, politics, and community life. Support for Israel is a key component of the religious identity of many Jewish adults ages 45 and older in the United States, while younger Jewish adults are increasingly focused on different priorities. That generational split shows up in how people connect faith, politics, and communal obligations. The contrast matters for community leaders, politicians, and anyone paying attention to American Jewish life. For Jewish adults 45 and older, backing Israel often feels like a…