By George Friedman

The Moscow summit between U.S. President Barack Obama, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has ended. As is almost always the case, the atmospherics were good, with the proper things said on all sides and statements and gestures of deep sincerity made. And as with all summits, those atmospherics are like the air: insubstantial and ultimately invisible. While there were indications of substantial movement, you would have needed a microscope to see them.| MORE ›

When Alaska Governor Sarah Palin announced her resignation last Friday, theories upon theories were abound about the real reasons behind it.  It seems that few — even most conservatives — were buying the explanation she gave (being a lame duck, attacks by the media, etc.).  Some suggested she was preparing for a presidential run in 2012, 2016, or perhaps 2020.  Others think she is considering opportunities in the private sector.| MORE ›

The image to the right is probably the best one I’ve seen all year long. It should win award after award, for it shows Obama’s true character, and the way his enemies think about him. In short, he sucks up to dictators of all stripes, talking about making love not war, while they are laughing at him, considering him a naive lightweight, who can be bullied around.

Here’s the strategic situation (just so you understand just how silly Obama’s speech of earlier today was):| MORE ›

Good news for those who believe that Obama is blowing up the economy, destroying the health care system, and endangering national security by cozying up to dictators of all stripes: His poll numbers continue to drop.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Tuesday shows that 33% of the nation’s voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President.| MORE ›

You have got to be kidding me:

The U.S. should consider drafting a second stimulus package focusing on infrastructure projects because the $787 billion approved in February was “a bit too small,” said Laura Tyson, an outside adviser to President Barack Obama.

The current plan “will have a positive effect, but the real economy is a sicker patient,” Tyson said in a speech in Singapore today.| MORE ›

Even though I initially agreed with Michael Merritt’s assessment of Sarah Palin’s “stunning resignation,” I’m slowly but surely starting to change my mind.

First things first: I do not for one second believe that she resigned because of the ethics complaints against her. If she is a fighter – and I believe she is – unfair accusations encourage rather than discourage her.| MORE ›

Violet of Reclusive Leftist posted a thought-provoking piece on her blog this weekend, Feminists and the Mystery of Sarah Palin. Violet is a self-described feminist who has been dismayed by the malicious, dishonest attacks on Sarah Palin.

Violet is “baffled” by feminists who never bothered to research Palin’s record and policy views.| MORE ›

I spent most of America’s Independence Day in Vicksburg, Mississippi at the Vicksburg National Military Park where, on the same day 146 years earlier, one of the key battles in the Civil War was concluded with the Confederate General John Pemberton surrendering to Union forces.  With the fall of Vicksburg, the North would thereafter control the Mississippi river and go on to crush the Confederacy, first winning the war and then implementing the peace in the form of Reconstruction.| MORE ›

I honestly don’t know what to say.  I don’t get it.  Luckily I’m not alone, because it seems nobody else does either.  Some people are trying to guess the reasons, citing burnout or family reasons or some as-of-yet hidden scandal, but until Palin says something herself or some other kind of news arises, guess is all we can do.| MORE ›

The LA Times says that U.S. District Judge George H. Wu will throw out the conviction of Lori Drew, the mother who stalked and harassed Megan Meier, a classmate of her daughter’s, until Megan committed suicide, when his written ruling is filed, probably next week.

“Is a misdemeanor committed by the conduct which is done every single day by millions and millions of people?” Wu asked. “If these people do read [the terms of service] and still say they’re 40 when they are 45, is that a misdemeanor?”

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