Are we in 'Soviet America'? Nyet, Tovarisch
Plus: For better sanctions enforcement, look to banks.
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CATHY YOUNG: Are We in āSoviet Americaā? Not Even Close.
ONLY TWO WEEKS AFTER Ayaan Hirsi Aliās long essay in the Free Press blaming Americaās (and, more generally, the Westās) cultural woes on vaguely conspiratorial āsubversionā out of the Soviet KGB playbook, here comes a different twist on the āSoviet Americaā concept: Maybe we are the Soviets of our time. British historian Niall FergusonāAliās husbandāmakes that case in yet another Free Press article; he is enthusiastically seconded by Helen Andrews at the American Conservative, who thinks Fergusonās only error is that he underestimates just how Soviet weāve become.
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ALBERT TORRES: For Better Sanctions Enforcement, Look to Banks
ON JUNE 12, THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT announced new sanctions on entities assisting Russia in obtaining military goods for its war against Ukraine. These āsecondary sanctions,ā which expand the scope of financial restrictions beyond Russia itself to individuals, groups, and organizations in other countries that help Russia overcome āprimary sanctions,ā will complicate Russiaās ability to finance its war in Ukraine. But sanctions on paper arenāt enoughātheir enforcement matters at least as much as the letter of the law, because sanctioned countries are becoming increasingly savvy at evading Americans and Western restrictions.
šØOVERTIMEšØ
Happy debate day! Weāll see you in a few on our debate livestream.
Turmoil at the Daily Beastā¦ has staffers headed for the exits. (Will Sommer, WaPo)
To Raise Revenue, Tax the Nonprofitsā¦ At the WSJ, Scott Hodge argues š: āHospital chains and universities are businesses more than charities. They donāt deserve a break.ā
As it turns out, the Internet is not foreverā¦ The end of Paramount as we know it is probably nigh. (Hollywood Reporter)
Worth revisitingā¦ General Hayden speaks out about Trumpās mishandling of classified information. (Maybe worth sharing with the rah-rah NatSec Trump supporter in your life, passively!)
Former Uvalde school police chiefā¦ criminally charged in Robb Elementary massacre (Express News)
āFight of crazy against crazyā: Wounded Rep. Bob Good confronts āforces of evilā (Matt Laslo, RawStory)
PTSD at the ballparkā¦ Our colleague Will Selber shares his College World Series experience, and itās worth a couple minutes of your time. (While youāre there, do sign up for the Grumpy Combat Veteran and Friends!)
Good newsā¦ For New York libraries. (Gothamist).
The true taleā¦ of the Philly cheesesteak.
It was not a good dayā¦ for Congressional Republicans on Capitol Hill.
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