Portside

The European takeaway

Trump's first formal phone call with Putin could hardly have been more ominous—a clear sign that the American President who praised Russia’s war on its neighbor as an act of strategic “genius” now intends to force a ceasefire on Putin’s terms.

Times that try the soul

How Amazon Is Ruining Christmas. Yasmin Williams | Hummingbird. Trump's NY Conviction. Alvin Bragg Is Definitely Not 'Obeying in Advance.' What Is Russia's Plan for Victory? Who Won Big at Fox Nation’s Coveted Patriot Awards | The Daily Show.

The overthrow of Syrian dictator Assad has brought Putin’s image as a provider of stability into question. “This is a sign of his weakness. And no matter how you look at it, it’s a personal defeat for him.”

Reader Comments: Trump Cabinet; Mexican President Sheinbaum’s Letter; Democrats Touted Ground Game; Harris Turned Away From Economic Populism; Experts Explain Why America Voted for Plague; Model for City Officials Protecting Targeted Communities;

Capitalism, crisis and the left’s challenge

The Biden administration’s sanctions on Russia didn’t just tank global markets; they also helped Kamala Harris lose the election. The Democrats’ fate was sealed by a Wall Street–fueled commodity frenzy that sent gas prices and grocery bills soaring.

Euro Left reflects on a grim moment