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.

 

 

 

 

WELCOME TO RCN: REAL CONTEXT NEWS

FEATURED STORIES

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.
Much Ado About Omar: What Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Fiercest Critics and Most Ardent Defenders Miss & How to Overcome the Toxic Discourse Surrounding Her
How Cohen’s and Manafort’s Ukraine Ties Tell the Deeper Story of Trump-Russia and the Mueller Probe
Cohen’s Shady Family Business Dealings’ Unexplored Links to Key Trump-Russia Figures Demand Scrutiny
Trump’s State of the Union: State of Meaninglessness
Crime Too Narrow As Main Lens to View Putin’s Masterpiece of Collusion
America’s Current Extraconstitutional Republic
9/11 and Global Tribalism
Jordan’s Civil Society Comes of Age
The Reasons Comey Was Wrong in 2016 that Haven’t Been Discussed
The Insecure Leading the Confused: Public Opinion and Settlement Policy In Israel
In Praise of Analysis: What the News Media Can Learn From the CIA and Why Those Lessons Are Essential for Protecting Our Democracy
Trump & GOP Destroying the Pillars of Democracy
In Possible Government Shutdown, Trump and Republicans Lucky We’re Not Living in Ancient Rome
Trump’s Jerusalem Jeopardy: A Hackneyed “Holy” Hot Mess
North Korea’s Nightmare Past Key to Understanding Its Nightmare Present & Nightmare Future
After the Storms: Are Harvey, Irma the New Normal?
Redistricting at Heart of DC Dysfunction: Gerrymandering Making Politics More Partisan
I Hate Trump, But He Was Right to Strike Assad Regime of Syria
What We Can Expect from Trump & My Message to Iranians on Trump: Prove Him Wrong by Fighting for Peace & Human Rights
The Limits of Racial Progress: Obama, Clinton, Trump, & Sanders: Why Some Whites Shifted to Trump & What That Tells Us About Racism In America Today
Trump, the Specter of Political Violence, & Lessons From the Roman Republic (Or, We Have a Problem America!)
Republic of Georgia Shows Trump & His Fans Depressingly Normal: Just Another Ethno-centric Nationalist Movement
10 Reasons for Liberals to Worry About Election Besides Trump / Clinton Debate
Clinton E-mail / Server: What You Need to Know Pre-Election: Clinton Not Careless, Real Issues Overclassification & Classified Info Sharing Practices
9/11 Marked Continuation, Not Beginning, of Politicization of Foreign Policy & National Security
Republican Party Plays Politics with Zika, Shows GOP’s True (Disgraceful) Nature
Erdogan Leads Turkey’s Democracy on a Populist Death March After Failed Coup
DNC E-mail Leak Scandal: Not Much of a Scandal, Blown Way Out of Proportion: A Politics 101 Primer on Party Organization
How Would Trump Run U.S.? RNC Convention Disaster Is Preview
Clinton Foundation: Time for Truth About Its Work
Brexit Heralds End of Positive Era & Possible Lurch Towards Awful One for Europe & World
Sandernista Political Terrorism II: Sanders Derangement Syndrome, the Liberal Tea Party, & How Nevada Riot Pretty Much Sums Up Team Bernie
Sanders Political Terrorism I: Bernie Fans Fan Ignorant Nevada Drama & He Defends the Indefensible
Trump Foreign Policy Speech Latest Example of GOP Bankruptcy in Foreign Policy Ideas, Competence
How W. Bush & Obama Paved Way for Trump: A History of Risky Precedents for Becoming President
Clinton vs. Sanders In-Depth: Past, Present, & Future, or, My Olive Branch to Camp Sanders
The Sandernista Political Revolution Handbook: A Matchup Game of Bernie Sanders’ Talking Points & Those of His Fans/Supporters
The Word Terrorism & Its Diminishing Returns: Towards a Rational, Useful Definition & Application
Western Democracy Is on Trial, More than Any Time Since WWII
Caesar & the Politics of the Fall of the Roman Republic: Lessons for USA Today
GOP to Unify Behind Trump, Cease Circus, Game Has Changed Since Debate; Democrats to Face Stronger GOP in Fall, Sanders Must Tone Down Clinton Attacks
Nevada, South Carolina Make Clinton vs. Trump Showdown Nearly Certain in November; Game Over for Sanders, Rubio, Cruz
I Declare War on Bernie Sanders and His Fans: Why They May Become the Liberal Tea Party and Why They Must Be Stopped
Lincoln’s Humble, Non-Partisan Use of Religion: An Unsung Example of Our Greatest President’s Greatness
This Map Proves Sanders’ Political Revolution a Delusional Fantasy, or, My 1 Question for Bernie
Politics From Iowa to New Hampshire: Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire
Ya Got Trouble, GOP: The State of Campaigns in Early 2016
Obama’s Final State of the Union & His Legacy: What I Will (and Won’t) Miss About Him
Happy—Wait, No—Risky New Year 2016
2015 Year in Risk Review: Risky Business
What Star Wars Can Teach Us About Good and Evil in the Real World
Claiming Obama’s Iraq Withdrawal Created ISIS Problem Is Absurd; Here Are the Top 5 Reasons Why
Republican Criticism of Obama’s Sound ISIS Strategy Myopic; GOP Ideas Help ISIS, Endanger Americans
NRA, GOP Gun Disinformation Completely Debunked by these Maps, Charts
Encountering Dehumanization Among Israelis and Palestinians
Republicans vs. Syrian Refugees: Keep Your tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free Because We’re Scared
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Trump-Russia News/Analysis

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