Federal Government Backs Supreme Court Challenge To AR-15 Bans

Turkey Recruits Trump Insiders For New Washington Lobbying Push Via Middle East Eye The Turkish government hired a lobbying firm with close ties to US President Donald Trump earlier this month under a year-long contract worth $2.4m, according to US Justice Department filings reviewed by Middle East Eye. Ballard Partners, led by Brian Ballard, a prominent Florida Republican fundraiser who also worked on Trump’s presidential campaign, signed the agreement with Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense on August 8. The firm will receive $200,000 per month. via AFP Under the contract, Ballard Partners pledged to provide “government relations services,...

US-Iran MOU Eases Energy Prices But Faces Sharp Pushback From Israel And GOP Hawks Summary: The US and Iran signed a preliminary cease-fire agreement at the G7 summit in France. Energy prices fell as some Saudi supertankers resumed crossing the Strait of Hormuz. The deal includes a $300 billion private reconstruction fund and temporary Iranian oil export waivers. Iranian officials declared themselves the clear winner. The agreement has opened significant new divisions within the Republican Party. Israel described the deal as a major strategic setback. US Vice President Vance will meet Iranian officials in Switzerland on Friday. Energy...

Self-Flagellation Nation Authored by Frank Filocomo via RealClearBooks, You've probably heard the refrain before, but it bears repeating: The West is the best. As I write this, it's nearly one hundred degrees Fahrenheit here in Brooklyn. Thank God for air conditioning. The air conditioner, by the way, was invented by the New York-born Willis Carrier in the early part of the twentieth century. Willis was, without question, a product of Western Civilization. Before the AC - which we, no doubt, take for granted nowadays - our ancestors, when faced with the dog days of...