The Bulletin

The Threat of Global Strongmen

27 snips
Aug 22, 2025
Noah Rothman, a senior writer at National Review, discusses the geopolitical maneuvers of strongmen like Putin, emphasizing their impact on faith and state dynamics. Liam Karr sheds light on the overlooked civil war in Sudan, detailing the human suffering and political chaos. Eliot Cohen connects global leadership issues to Shakespeare, pondering the lessons from history about power and governance. Together, they explore the intricate ties between politics, religion, and the urgent need for humanitarian action.
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INSIGHT

MAGA's Hesitant Reaction

  • MAGA response to Trump's diplomacy has been muted and in a wait-and-see mode.
  • Noah Rothman says Trump has wide domestic maneuvering room and little pressure to choose a clear objective.
INSIGHT

Consistent Russian Red Lines

  • Russia's peace demands have stayed consistent: territory surrender and Ukrainian neutralization.
  • Rothman warns Russian statements often muddy agreements to humiliate opponents and gain advantage.
INSIGHT

Churches As Instruments Of State

  • Moscow and Kyiv treat their Orthodox churches as state instruments rather than independent bodies.
  • Rothman explains the Moscow Patriarchate has been co-opted by the Kremlin and used for geopolitical ends.
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