Accountability at Risk: When Unconditional U.S. Support Enables Netanyahu’s Power Politics - 2.18.2026

Thomas Friedman’s latest column is not only incisive — it is urgently necessary. He lays bare what too many American leaders refuse to say plainly: Prime Minister Netanyahu continues to disregard cease-fire understandings while expecting unquestioning U.S. support, treating the United States as though we will absorb any action without consequence.

Even more troubling is the political reality driving these policies. Netanyahu’s actions increasingly appear shaped not by long-term security strategy, but by personal political survival — by a desperate effort to remain in power, avoid accountability in his ongoing corruption cases, and appease the most extreme and undemocratic members of his far-right coalition. When policy is driven by the need to stay out of jail and satisfy ideological hardliners, stability and diplomacy inevitably suffer.

The American people are not fools. We provide extraordinary military, diplomatic, and financial backing to Israel because we are told our interests and democratic values are aligned. When cease-fires are violated, when escalation replaces restraint, and when U.S. credibility is strained on the world stage, that alignment is called into serious question.

No ally should assume automatic support while undermining agreements the United States has worked to secure. Real friendship requires accountability. Real partnership requires mutual respect.

Friedman is right to warn that unconditional backing, absent consequences for violations, damages both American interests and Israel’s long-term security.

It is time for U.S. leaders to insist that American support not be taken for granted. 

The Hidden Epidemic of Social Isolation - 2.17.2026

In our hyper-connected world, it is ironic that social isolation has reached crisis levels. Experts such as Jonathan Haidt have highlighted the profound mental health consequences of prolonged isolation, including anxiety, depression, and weakened resilience. Yet, the problem extends far beyond individual behavior—it is amplified by the design of modern technology and advertising.

Much like the historical addiction to cigarettes fueled by marketing, cell phone usage has been deliberately engineered to capture attention, drawing users into endless scrolling and passive engagement. The relentless allure of notifications, personalized ads, and social media “likes” creates a cycle that keeps individuals glued to their devices at the expense of real-world connections. The result is a generation simultaneously more connected digitally yet increasingly isolated in reality.

This is not merely a social inconvenience—it is a public health concern. Addiction to these technologies undermines our ability to form meaningful relationships, exacerbates loneliness, and fosters anxiety. Society must recognize the psychological and social cost of these digital habits and take steps to encourage genuine, face-to-face human connection. Awareness, regulation, and personal accountability are crucial in mitigating the harm caused by this modern epidemic.

Social isolation is not an inevitable consequence of modern life—it is a challenge we can address before its impact becomes irreversible.

Rethinking U.S. Policy Toward Cuba - 2.17.2026

President Trump’s recent labeling of Cuba as a “failed nation” and his refusal to rule out military action is alarming. While Cuba faces hardships, it’s crucial to remember that decades of U.S. sanctions—combined with historical interference—have exacerbated suffering for ordinary Cubans. Even before the 1959 revolution, Cuba endured the brutal dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista, supported by outside interests.

A constructive first step would be to lift the harsh sanctions that harm ordinary people and allow the free flow of oil from Venezuela, rather than treating Cuba as an enemy. The U.S. cannot continue acting as a global bully, isolating nations and creating hardships abroad while claiming moral authority at home. If we persist down this path, we risk becoming a pariah state ourselves.

Engagement, not threats, is the path toward genuine freedom and stability.

Defend Democracy - 2.13.2026

I am writing to express deep concern over what has been described as a “massive cover-up” surrounding the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and alarming reports of surveillance targeting lawmakers. Recent statements by Rep. Pramila Jayapal raise serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the integrity of our justice system under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s leadership.

The American people deserve full disclosure regarding the Epstein investigation—who was involved, what was known, and why critical information may still be withheld. Any perception that powerful individuals are being shielded from scrutiny erodes public trust and fuels cynicism about equal justice under the law.

Equally troubling are allegations of spying on members of Congress. If true, such actions represent a direct threat to democratic norms and the constitutional balance of power. Surveillance of elected officials for political purposes cannot be tolerated in a functioning democracy.

This moment demands clarity, independent oversight, and a firm commitment to the rule of law. Transparency is not optional—it is essential to restoring faith in our institutions.

Transparency and Accountability in the Epstein Investigation - 2.11.2026

The American people deserve transparency and accountability, particularly in cases involving the exploitation and trafficking of minors.

What we know so far from publicly available court records and federal proceedings is deeply troubling. Jeffrey Epstein operated a sex trafficking scheme that targeted underage girls over a period of years. He was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and later died while in federal custody. Ghislaine Maxwell was subsequently tried, convicted in 2021 on federal sex trafficking and conspiracy charges, and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Court documents and investigative records have indicated that Epstein maintained associations with numerous wealthy and influential individuals. However, many documents have been heavily redacted. While the protection of victims’ identities is absolutely essential and must remain a top priority, there are ongoing public concerns about whether the names of certain powerful individuals have been withheld beyond what is necessary to safeguard victims and ensure due process.

Transparency in this matter is not about sensationalism; it is about restoring public trust in our institutions. Survivors deserve justice. The public deserves confidence that no individual—regardless of wealth, status, or political connections—is shielded from accountability.

I respectfully urge continued oversight, lawful disclosure of appropriate information, and full accountability for anyone who knowingly participated in or enabled these crimes. Protecting victims must remain paramount, but justice must be applied equally and without favoritism. 

Light Through the Fence: How We Treat the Most Vulnerable Defines Us - 2.11.2026

The recent lawsuit alleging that a toddler was returned to an ICE detention facility during a measles outbreak forces us to confront a deeper moral question: What kind of nation are we becoming?

When children are frightened during enforcement raids—awakened by armed officers, separated from parents, or confined in unsafe conditions—the damage extends far beyond a single moment. Medical and psychological experts have long warned that such trauma can shape a child’s entire life. To then place a toddler in a facility facing a contagious disease outbreak raises serious concerns about both public health responsibility and basic human decency.
This situation also begs a profound question: If the great moral and religious leaders who shaped our world—figures who preached compassion, mercy, justice, and protection of the vulnerable—arrived at our borders today as strangers, would they be welcomed? Or would they be turned away?

The central teachings of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and other faiths emphasize care for the child, the stranger, and the oppressed. These traditions remind us that how we treat the most vulnerable is a measure of our moral character. History, including the painful legacy of apartheid in South Africa, shows us the lasting harm that occurs when state power is used in ways that dehumanize families. Leaders like Nelson Mandela demonstrated that true strength lies in justice and shared humanity.

Children are not political pawns. They are human beings deserving of safety, dignity, and protection—regardless of their immigration status.

Yet, our government designates white South Africans as an oppressed minority and grants them favored status, while subjecting Black and Brown immigrants to treatment that many describe as harsh, intimidating, and deeply distressing.
I respectfully urge you to support a full investigation into this matter, ensure stronger safeguards for minors in custody, and reaffirm policies that reflect our highest moral principles rather than our deepest fears.

The question before us is not only legal—it is moral. And history will remember how we answered it.

DOOMSDAY TICKING: A WAKE UP CALL - 2.10.2026

This Sunday on Fareed Zakaria GPS we confront a sobering reality: global nuclear stability is unraveling at an alarming pace. The landmark New START treaty — which for over a decade capped U.S. and Russian deployed strategic nuclear warheads at 1,550 each and provided vital transparency measures — officially expired on February 5, 2026, leaving no binding limits on the world’s two largest arsenals for the first time in more than 50 years.

This lapse comes at a moment when great power competition is intensifying. Russia has modernized most of its strategic forces and deployed large numbers of tactical weapons outside previous limits. China’s arsenal, while smaller, is rapidly expanding and may approach parity with other powers within a decade. Efforts to bring Beijing into future arms control talks have so far stalled.

With the symbolic Doomsday Clock nearer to midnight than ever and fears of a new arms race rising, this GPS broadcast is essential viewing. The world needs urgent leadership to rebuild arms control frameworks and reduce the risk of miscalculation or catastrophe. The clock may not read “80 seconds to midnight,” but the trend is unmistakable: unchecked nuclear competition endangers us all.