The Israeli genocide in Gaza, along with the escalating regional wars it has ignited, has brought two chilling truths into our focus: first, Israel is deliberately and aggressively undermining the security and stability of the entire Middle East and, second, Israel is utterly incapable of surviving on its own.

 These two assertions, though seemingly distinct, are inextricably linked. For if those who relentlessly sustain Israel—militarily, politically, and economically—were to finally withdraw their support, the Middle East would not be the powder keg it has been for decades, a situation that has catastrophically worsened since October 7, 2023.

The devastation embedded in the Trump-Republicans big bad budget bill for lower income families has been a drum that I’ve been beating for weeks now, but as it nears the finish line additional impacts are becoming clear. This bill has become a “whose on first, what’s on second” house of horrors. Like many other initiatives of this administration, most of its consequences are intended when it comes to its war on the poor, minorities, women, and others, but some are even surprising its fanboys, like the former Trump BBF Elon Musk, and not at all because of deficits. Ideology, not common sense or basic prudence is now running the government.

Many factors explain the demise of earlier civilizations, but not one collapsed as a result of deliberate decisions by a top political leader who wanders about destroying the pillars of his country’s greatness. Donald J, Trump, however, does so—endangering not only the United States but also U,S. allies and others previously inspired by America’s example.        

The United States has long suffered from many of the challenges that brought down earlier political systems—from Uruk in Mesopotamia to Mayan Chichén Itza to the USSR. These problems included myopic leadership, rich-poor enmity, widespread corruption; racial and religious conflict, environmental abuse, overextension and unnecessary warring—all made worse by inflation and deficit spending.

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thailand's politically powerful Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on July 1 after accepting a case of alleged "ethical misconduct" against her because she criticized a Royal Thai Army commander in her leaked phone call with Cambodia's de facto leader Hun Sen during their deadly border feud.

Ms. Paetongtarn's suspension came after the two countries briefly clashed on May 28 and Thai troops shot dead a Cambodian soldier in the Emerald Triangle where eastern Thailand, northern Cambodia, and southern Laos meet.

Ms. Paetongtarn apologized to the public and insisted she had "no ill intentions" when she clumsily tried to "negotiate" with Cambodia's battle-hardened Senate President Hun Sen .

The Constitutional Court gave her 15 days to defend herself.

Meanwhile, to run this increasingly troubled Southeast Asian nation, she appointed her Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit to become caretaker prime minister while the court decide during the next several weeks.