America has many domestic issues, and so it is understandable that many Americans would bristle at the idea of a proposed increase to the military budget. Such proposed increases would come at the cost of funds for health, education and other initiatives. From the onset, I agree on some level with those who believe the current administration is not taking care of domestic issues. However, budgets are intended to reflect present priorities. Looking at the state of the international order, an increased military budget, while unappealing, is necessary as America faces multiple threats all over the world. The most recent…

Scandalous behavior from our elected officials seems so common nowadays. Several sexual scandals here, a corruption charge there and even an example of blasphemy from the President of the United States. As citizens, we should, rightfully, demand accountability and the ousting of leaders who have misused their positions of power. However, we should also take a good look at ourselves, and examine if we, as a society, are forming an environment that produces such leaders. After all, leaders in a democratic society are individuals that have been chosen from the wider population. In essence, leaders are a reflection of those…

Many Americans strongly believe in the separation of church and state. It is an important principle that the government should not dictate or interfere in an individual’s religious conscience. However, many misunderstand the principle to mean that the Church cannot engage with the government. However, it is the duty of the Church to influence the world, including the world’s political leaders, with the Gospel of Christ. Such influence also involves criticism. Christian history has a long tradition of the Church standing against what is unjust and profane behavior. For example, Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, barred Emperor Theodosius I from Communion…

In February, former President Barack Obama made a comment on a podcast saying that aliens are real. Despite later clarifications, President Donald Trump announced that he would direct government agencies to release files on extraterrestrials and UFOs. In addition to all these, the recent launch of NASA’s Artemis II moon mission has increased interest in the idea of aliens from distant planets coming to visit Earth. There is a common line of thinking that aliens, if they saw us humans and how we manage our affairs, would laugh at us or think we are crazy. We indeed have many problems:…

Midterms are coming up and my personal guess is that Democrats will have major victories across several states. This is mainly because that’s how midterms usually go: the party in power (currently the Republicans) tends to lose.However, one place where Democrats may actually lose in this midterm is the race for the new Californian governor. With Governor Gavin Newsom being unable to run again, there are many candidates clamoring to take his place. But the problem for Democrats is that there are too many. In California, the top two candidates (regardless of party affiliation) that receive the most votes move…

It’s been a little over a month since Operation Epic Fury began. Did you forget the name of the military operation? I wouldn’t blame you, after seeing how President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire and willingness to negotiate with the Iranian regime. After all this, will America really fold because Iran decided to take the Strait of Hormuz hostage? Keep in mind, I am not criticizing the American military. Contrary to most news outlets, the American military has crippled the Iranian military, navy, Islamic Guard and its militant allies. It will take a long while for Iran to recover.But, Trump…

Christian nationalism is a controversial topic that is frequently debated. It is a broad ideology which generally believes that a nation’s identity is rooted in Christian values; adherents believe that they should enact laws or policies that promote, or enforce, Christian values. Its breadth draws various responses, ranging from those who approve such a vision to those who view Christian nationalists as trying to upend a supposedly secular country. Christian nationalism typically appears as a pejorative term to describe right-wing politicians and pundits who encourage a more religiously conservative America. Contrary to the disapproval that the term evokes, there is…

President Donald Trump has expressed a dismissive attitude toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that nations that rely on it being open (European and Asian nations) should be responsible for the problem. While it is true that America’s allies (and even adversaries, seeing that China is losing out on huge amounts of oil due to Iran’s actions) should play a role in opening the strait, Trump’s dismissive attitude may be contrary to his goal of getting American allies to do what he wants. Frankly, many of America’s allies (especially Europe) do not have navies that are capable of forcing…

A few weeks ago, Arab countries were afraid that President Donald Trump would look for an easy way out of the Iran War. On Wednesday, President Trump made a speech that clarified the case for the Iran War and also praised Gulf allies for their help. Trump said that the bombings on Iran would continue, a relief to these allies, which have endured so much Iranian hostility. Now, as Iran tries to implement a formal toll booth upon the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf countries are getting annoyed—and perhaps even ready to join the fight, as the United Arab Emirates is…

Last year, Californian Democrats passed Proposition 50 (which temporarily replaces the non-partisan California district map with a more Democratic-leaning one), calling it a necessary move against President Donald Trump and the Republican party. They did it, supposedly, to save American democracy. Now, as the election for the next Californian governor approaches, Democrats are fractured between eight candidates, all of whom are refusing to drop out. Currently, the two Republican candidates are leading in the polls. If Californian Democrats were serious enough to sacrifice the state’s non-partisan districting committee, then why are their candidates struggling to make the necessary sacrifices to…