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Longform, big-picture, detailed analysis of world events, politics, policy, & more with depth & context you won't find anywhere else.
Transcend the noise with an academic approach to news coverage from independent analyst, consultant, & historian Brian Frydenborg.

Named a “Top 60 Foreign Policy Blogs & Websites” site in 2020, 2021, & 2022

FEATURED STORIES

A Flurry of Telling Parallels Between the 1939-1940 Soviet-Finnish Winter War and Russia’s 2022 Ukraine War
A Flurry of Telling Parallels Between the 1939-1940 Soviet-Finnish Winter War and Russia’s 2022 Ukraine War
Moscow’s 1939 Finland Hubris Repeats Itself in Ukraine in 2022
Moscow’s 1939 Finland Hubris Repeats Itself in Ukraine in 2022
How Delusions of Phantom Fascists Duped Stalin in 1939 and Putin in 2022
How Delusions of Phantom Fascists Duped Stalin in 1939 and Putin in 2022
“Banderites”: What Russia Really Means When It Calls Ukraine Nazi and Fascist
“Banderites”: What Russia Really Means When It Calls Ukraine Nazi and Fascist
A Brief History of Russian and Soviet Genocides, Mass Deportations, and Other Atrocities in Ukraine
A Brief History of Russian and Soviet Genocides, Mass Deportations, and Other Atrocities in Ukraine
A Terrifying Comparison Between Putin and Stalin
A Terrifying Comparison Between Putin and Stalin
A Super-Short Guide to Why Ukraine is Kicking Russia’s Ass in Putin’s Ukraine War
A Super-Short Guide to Why Ukraine is Kicking Russia’s Ass in Putin’s Ukraine War
How Ukraine Can Take Back Crimea from Putin’s Reeling Russian Military
How Ukraine Can Take Back Crimea from Putin’s Reeling Russian Military
Ukraine Will Easily Destroy or Sideline Russia’s Navy with Game-Changing Anti-Ship Missiles
Ukraine Will Easily Destroy or Sideline Russia’s Navy with Game-Changing Anti-Ship Missiles
The Real Context News Podcast #9: Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties, on Democracy & War in Ukraine
The Real Context News Podcast #9: Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties, on Democracy & War in Ukraine
Time for the Russian Army and Russian People to Revolt and Overthrow Putin
Time for the Russian Army and Russian People to Revolt and Overthrow Putin
Putin’s Zombie Russian/Slavic Ethnonationalism Is Utterly Banal
Putin’s Zombie Russian/Slavic Ethnonationalism Is Utterly Banal
How Best to Penetrate Putin’s Media Iron Curtain in Russia? Dead Russian Troops
How Best to Penetrate Putin’s Media Iron Curtain in Russia? Dead Russian Troops
On Casualty Counts in Russia’s War on Ukraine
On Casualty Counts in Russia’s War on Ukraine
A Look at Putin’s Disgraceful, Heartless, Barbaric Treatment of Russian Soldiers and Their Families
A Look at Putin’s Disgraceful, Heartless, Barbaric Treatment of Russian Soldiers and Their Families
Putin’s NATO Narrative Is Bullshit
Putin’s NATO Narrative Is Bullshit
How to Lose Nations and Alienate People, by Vladimir Putin
How to Lose Nations and Alienate People, by Vladimir Putin
Why Is Putin Doing All This Now?
Why Is Putin Doing All This Now?
January 6 Heralded Simple Yet Brutal Dichotomy of America that Defines Our Current Era
January 6 Heralded Simple Yet Brutal Dichotomy of America that Defines Our Current Era
On Christianity, Ancient Rome, History, and Memory: A Christmas Season Reflection
On Christianity, Ancient Rome, History, and Memory: A Christmas Season Reflection
A BIG F**KING DEAL: Biden’s Infrastructure Bill in Historical Perspective
A BIG F**KING DEAL: Biden’s Infrastructure Bill in Historical Perspective
9/11, Afghanistan, and the “War on Terror”: The Long View (& the Tragic One)
9/11, Afghanistan, and the “War on Terror”: The Long View (& the Tragic One)
The Real Context News Podcast #8: Col. T. X. Hammes, USMC (Ret.), on Strategic Failure in Afghanistan
The Real Context News Podcast #8: Col. T. X. Hammes, USMC (Ret.), on Strategic Failure in Afghanistan
The Kabul Airlift in Light of the Berlin Airlift: Surprising Parallels and Important Lessons
The Kabul Airlift in Light of the Berlin Airlift: Surprising Parallels and Important Lessons
The Real Context News Podcast #7: Col. Steve Miska, U.S. Army (Ret.) on the U.S. Withdrawal & Our Duty to Our Afghan Allies
The Real Context News Podcast #7: Col. Steve Miska, U.S. Army (Ret.) on the U.S. Withdrawal & Our Duty to Our Afghan Allies
The Urgent Questions About Cyberwarfare We Are Not Even Asking (But Must)
The Urgent Questions About Cyberwarfare We Are Not Even Asking (But Must)
The U.S. Should Weaponize Europe’s Oil and Natural Gas Markets in an Economic Offensive Against Russia
The U.S. Should Weaponize Europe’s Oil and Natural Gas Markets in an Economic Offensive Against Russia
Already in a Cyberwar with Russia, NATO Must Expand Article 5 to Include Cyberwarfare
Already in a Cyberwar with Russia, NATO Must Expand Article 5 to Include Cyberwarfare
Wading into Israel and Palestine Quicksand, Biden Offers a Diplomacy 101 Class for All
Wading into Israel and Palestine Quicksand, Biden Offers a Diplomacy 101 Class for All
Death, Stupidity; Rinse, Repeat: What Is New, What Is Old in Latest Israeli-Palestinian Tragedy
Death, Stupidity; Rinse, Repeat: What Is New, What Is Old in Latest Israeli-Palestinian Tragedy
The Iran Natanz Attack Sorta Happened in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (and in a way instructive for us all!)
The Iran Natanz Attack Sorta Happened in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (and in a way instructive for us all!)
Trump Impeachment Trial Shockingly Makes Shocking Insurrection Dramatically More Shocking
Trump Impeachment Trial Shockingly Makes Shocking Insurrection Dramatically More Shocking
Trump’s Impeachment Trial Exceedingly Simple: No Excuse Not to Convict
Trump’s Impeachment Trial Exceedingly Simple: No Excuse Not to Convict
The Real Context News Podcast #6: Georgia’s Secretary of State Raffensperger & Deputies Sterling, Fuchs on Election Integrity & Georgia Elections
The Real Context News Podcast #6: Georgia’s Secretary of State Raffensperger & Deputies Sterling, Fuchs on Election Integrity & Georgia Elections
The History of Russia’s Cyberwarfare Against NATO Shows It Is Time to Add to NATO’s Article 5
The History of Russia’s Cyberwarfare Against NATO Shows It Is Time to Add to NATO’s Article 5
To Save the Republic, Trump and Trumpism MUST Be Defeated Now and Biden Must Take Office in January
To Save the Republic, Trump and Trumpism MUST Be Defeated Now and Biden Must Take Office in January
Biden 291, Trump 247: My Election Day Electoral College Map
Biden 291, Trump 247: My Election Day Electoral College Map
As America Votes, UK’s Russian Election Interference Report Should Be a Wake-Up Call to America
As America Votes, UK’s Russian Election Interference Report Should Be a Wake-Up Call to America
When Dirty Russian-Connected Money Saved Trump’s Ass and His Ensuing Business Disasters Helped Destroy the Global and American Economies
When Dirty Russian-Connected Money Saved Trump’s Ass and His Ensuing Business Disasters Helped Destroy the Global and American Economies
The Nexus of American Right-Wing and Kremlin Disinformation Exposes Trump-Russia’s Mechanics
The Nexus of American Right-Wing and Kremlin Disinformation Exposes Trump-Russia’s Mechanics
The Real Context News Podcast #2: Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton Interview
The Real Context News Podcast #2: Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton Interview
Nationalism: A National Security Threat from Without and Within and one of Putin’s Favorite Weapons
Nationalism: A National Security Threat from Without and Within and one of Putin’s Favorite Weapons
The Real Context News Podcast Inaugural Episode: State of the Country (Media & Politics)
The Real Context News Podcast Inaugural Episode: State of the Country (Media & Politics)
Hairgate: Speaker Pelosi, a Hair Salon Setup, and the Utter Stupidity of American Politics in 2020
Hairgate: Speaker Pelosi, a Hair Salon Setup, and the Utter Stupidity of American Politics in 2020
A Proposal for a Department of Pandemic Preparedness and Response (DPPR): Protecting America from Poor Leadership, Politicization, and Competing Responses
A Proposal for a Department of Pandemic Preparedness and Response (DPPR): Protecting America from Poor Leadership, Politicization, and Competing Responses
The Lessons of V-J Day: As Necessary As Ever for an America and a World In Crisis
The Lessons of V-J Day: As Necessary As Ever for an America and a World In Crisis
I Was Wrong about Harris. Why I Changed My Mind and How She Won Me Over.
I Was Wrong about Harris. Why I Changed My Mind and How She Won Me Over.
Substance vs. Style as Biden Picks Harris over Rice
Substance vs. Style as Biden Picks Harris over Rice
Based on Experience, Susan Rice Is Easily—by Far—the Best Choice for VP for Biden (Sorry Harris Fans, that Includes Kamala): A Tale of Two Careers
Based on Experience, Susan Rice Is Easily—by Far—the Best Choice for VP for Biden (Sorry Harris Fans, that Includes Kamala): A Tale of Two Careers
Numbers Show Clone Wars Has Dominated Streaming in 2020, Reached Huge Audience (I Hope Disney Gets the Message!!)
Numbers Show Clone Wars Has Dominated Streaming in 2020, Reached Huge Audience (I Hope Disney Gets the Message!!)
The Ten Levels of White Racism in America: A Useful Spectrum
The Ten Levels of White Racism in America: A Useful Spectrum
Coronavirus Exposes U.S. As Unprepared for Biowarfare & Bioterrorism, Highlighting Traditional U.S. Weakness in Unconventional, Asymmetric Warfare
Coronavirus Exposes U.S. As Unprepared for Biowarfare & Bioterrorism, Highlighting Traditional U.S. Weakness in Unconventional, Asymmetric Warfare
The Death Throes of the Failed Sandernista Revolution
The Death Throes of the Failed Sandernista Revolution
The Best Guide to Super Tuesday (no, seriously): Biden’s Got This (and the Nomination)
The Best Guide to Super Tuesday (no, seriously): Biden’s Got This (and the Nomination)
Democrats Look Disastrous, But Biden May Yet Save Them from Themselves Starting in South Carolina; & Why Putin Boost Bernie Sanders
Democrats Look Disastrous, But Biden May Yet Save Them from Themselves Starting in South Carolina; & Why Putin Boost Bernie Sanders
Iowa Caucuses: 2020 Predictions in Dark Times for a Process that Should Be Abolished
Iowa Caucuses: 2020 Predictions in Dark Times for a Process that Should Be Abolished
Iran, America, Poor Leadership, and the Thucydides Trap
Iran, America, Poor Leadership, and the Thucydides Trap
The Untold Story of the Bidens and Burisma
The Untold Story of the Bidens and Burisma
Time to Play Hardball with Russia
Time to Play Hardball with Russia
A Song of Gas and Politics: How Ukraine Is at the Center of Trump-Russia, or, Ukrainegate: A “New” Phase in the Trump-Russia Saga Made from Recycled Materials (eBook preview/excerpt)
A Song of Gas and Politics: How Ukraine Is at the Center of Trump-Russia, or, Ukrainegate: A “New” Phase in the Trump-Russia Saga Made from Recycled Materials (eBook preview/excerpt)
Ukrainegate Proves the Media Has Learned Almost Nothing from 2016
Ukrainegate Proves the Media Has Learned Almost Nothing from 2016
Bibi’s Trump Show: How Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Wins by Imitating the Donald
Bibi’s Trump Show: How Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Wins by Imitating the Donald
On Bourdain Day, His Life a Reminder to All that Anyone Can Speak Up for the Marginalized, Bring People Together
On Bourdain Day, His Life a Reminder to All that Anyone Can Speak Up for the Marginalized, Bring People Together
Game of Thrones and the Gift of Empathy
Game of Thrones and the Gift of Empathy
Barr Summary and Mueller Report Do Not Mean Trump Russia Is a Hoax. Far From It.
Barr Summary and Mueller Report Do Not Mean Trump Russia Is a Hoax. Far From It.
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A Flurry of Telling Parallels Between the 1939-1940 Soviet-Finnish Winter War and Russia’s 2022 Ukraine War
Moscow’s 1939 Finland Hubris Repeats Itself in Ukraine in 2022
How Delusions of Phantom Fascists Duped Stalin in 1939 and Putin in 2022
“Banderites”: What Russia Really Means When It Calls Ukraine Nazi and Fascist
A Brief History of Russian and Soviet Genocides, Mass Deportations, and Other Atrocities in Ukraine
A Terrifying Comparison Between Putin and Stalin
A Super-Short Guide to Why Ukraine is Kicking Russia’s Ass in Putin’s Ukraine War
How Ukraine Can Take Back Crimea from Putin’s Reeling Russian Military
Ukraine Will Easily Destroy or Sideline Russia’s Navy with Game-Changing Anti-Ship Missiles
The Real Context News Podcast #9: Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties, on Democracy & War in Ukraine
Time for the Russian Army and Russian People to Revolt and Overthrow Putin
Putin’s Zombie Russian/Slavic Ethnonationalism Is Utterly Banal
How Best to Penetrate Putin’s Media Iron Curtain in Russia? Dead Russian Troops
On Casualty Counts in Russia’s War on Ukraine
A Look at Putin’s Disgraceful, Heartless, Barbaric Treatment of Russian Soldiers and Their Families
Putin’s NATO Narrative Is Bullshit
How to Lose Nations and Alienate People, by Vladimir Putin
Why Is Putin Doing All This Now?
January 6 Heralded Simple Yet Brutal Dichotomy of America that Defines Our Current Era
On Christianity, Ancient Rome, History, and Memory: A Christmas Season Reflection
A BIG F**KING DEAL: Biden’s Infrastructure Bill in Historical Perspective
9/11, Afghanistan, and the “War on Terror”: The Long View (& the Tragic One)
The Real Context News Podcast #8: Col. T. X. Hammes, USMC (Ret.), on Strategic Failure in Afghanistan
The Kabul Airlift in Light of the Berlin Airlift: Surprising Parallels and Important Lessons
The Real Context News Podcast #7: Col. Steve Miska, U.S. Army (Ret.) on the U.S. Withdrawal & Our Duty to Our Afghan Allies
The Urgent Questions About Cyberwarfare We Are Not Even Asking (But Must)
The U.S. Should Weaponize Europe’s Oil and Natural Gas Markets in an Economic Offensive Against Russia
Already in a Cyberwar with Russia, NATO Must Expand Article 5 to Include Cyberwarfare
Wading into Israel and Palestine Quicksand, Biden Offers a Diplomacy 101 Class for All
Death, Stupidity; Rinse, Repeat: What Is New, What Is Old in Latest Israeli-Palestinian Tragedy
The Iran Natanz Attack Sorta Happened in Star Wars: The Clone Wars (and in a way instructive for us all!)
Trump Impeachment Trial Shockingly Makes Shocking Insurrection Dramatically More Shocking
Trump’s Impeachment Trial Exceedingly Simple: No Excuse Not to Convict
The Real Context News Podcast #6: Georgia’s Secretary of State Raffensperger & Deputies Sterling, Fuchs on Election Integrity & Georgia Elections
The History of Russia’s Cyberwarfare Against NATO Shows It Is Time to Add to NATO’s Article 5
To Save the Republic, Trump and Trumpism MUST Be Defeated Now and Biden Must Take Office in January
Biden 291, Trump 247: My Election Day Electoral College Map
As America Votes, UK’s Russian Election Interference Report Should Be a Wake-Up Call to America
When Dirty Russian-Connected Money Saved Trump’s Ass and His Ensuing Business Disasters Helped Destroy the Global and American Economies
The Nexus of American Right-Wing and Kremlin Disinformation Exposes Trump-Russia’s Mechanics
The Real Context News Podcast #2: Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton Interview
Nationalism: A National Security Threat from Without and Within and one of Putin’s Favorite Weapons
The Real Context News Podcast Inaugural Episode: State of the Country (Media & Politics)
Hairgate: Speaker Pelosi, a Hair Salon Setup, and the Utter Stupidity of American Politics in 2020
A Proposal for a Department of Pandemic Preparedness and Response (DPPR): Protecting America from Poor Leadership, Politicization, and Competing Responses
The Lessons of V-J Day: As Necessary As Ever for an America and a World In Crisis
I Was Wrong about Harris. Why I Changed My Mind and How She Won Me Over.
Substance vs. Style as Biden Picks Harris over Rice
Based on Experience, Susan Rice Is Easily—by Far—the Best Choice for VP for Biden (Sorry Harris Fans, that Includes Kamala): A Tale of Two Careers
Numbers Show Clone Wars Has Dominated Streaming in 2020, Reached Huge Audience (I Hope Disney Gets the Message!!)
The Ten Levels of White Racism in America: A Useful Spectrum
Coronavirus Exposes U.S. As Unprepared for Biowarfare & Bioterrorism, Highlighting Traditional U.S. Weakness in Unconventional, Asymmetric Warfare
The Death Throes of the Failed Sandernista Revolution
The Best Guide to Super Tuesday (no, seriously): Biden’s Got This (and the Nomination)
Democrats Look Disastrous, But Biden May Yet Save Them from Themselves Starting in South Carolina; & Why Putin Boost Bernie Sanders
Iowa Caucuses: 2020 Predictions in Dark Times for a Process that Should Be Abolished
Iran, America, Poor Leadership, and the Thucydides Trap
The Untold Story of the Bidens and Burisma
Time to Play Hardball with Russia
A Song of Gas and Politics: How Ukraine Is at the Center of Trump-Russia, or, Ukrainegate: A “New” Phase in the Trump-Russia Saga Made from Recycled Materials (eBook preview/excerpt)
Ukrainegate Proves the Media Has Learned Almost Nothing from 2016
Bibi’s Trump Show: How Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Wins by Imitating the Donald
On Bourdain Day, His Life a Reminder to All that Anyone Can Speak Up for the Marginalized, Bring People Together
Game of Thrones and the Gift of Empathy
Barr Summary and Mueller Report Do Not Mean Trump Russia Is a Hoax. Far From It.
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SPECIAL REPORTS

PUTIN'S WAR ON UKRAINE

RUSSIA-NATO CYBERWAR

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

If We Get Qui-Gon Jinn in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Expect Yoda, Too
If We Get Qui-Gon Jinn in Obi-Wan Kenobi, Expect Yoda, Too
A Flurry of Telling Parallels Between the 1939-1940 Soviet-Finnish Winter War and Russia’s 2022 Ukraine War
A Flurry of Telling Parallels Between the 1939-1940 Soviet-Finnish Winter War and Russia’s 2022 Ukraine War
Moscow’s 1939 Finland Hubris Repeats Itself in Ukraine in 2022
Moscow’s 1939 Finland Hubris Repeats Itself in Ukraine in 2022
How Delusions of Phantom Fascists Duped Stalin in 1939 and Putin in 2022
How Delusions of Phantom Fascists Duped Stalin in 1939 and Putin in 2022
“Banderites”: What Russia Really Means When It Calls Ukraine Nazi and Fascist
“Banderites”: What Russia Really Means When It Calls Ukraine Nazi and Fascist
A Brief History of Russian and Soviet Genocides, Mass Deportations, and Other Atrocities in Ukraine
A Brief History of Russian and Soviet Genocides, Mass Deportations, and Other Atrocities in Ukraine
A Terrifying Comparison Between Putin and Stalin
A Terrifying Comparison Between Putin and Stalin
A Super-Short Guide to Why Ukraine is Kicking Russia’s Ass in Putin’s Ukraine War
A Super-Short Guide to Why Ukraine is Kicking Russia’s Ass in Putin’s Ukraine War
How Ukraine Can Take Back Crimea from Putin’s Reeling Russian Military
How Ukraine Can Take Back Crimea from Putin’s Reeling Russian Military
Ukraine Will Easily Destroy or Sideline Russia’s Navy with Game-Changing Anti-Ship Missiles
Ukraine Will Easily Destroy or Sideline Russia’s Navy with Game-Changing Anti-Ship Missiles
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