TRANSCENDING DAILY HEADLINES AND SOCIAL MEDIA SNARK

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.

FEATURED STORIES

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.
Much Ado About Omar: What Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Fiercest Critics and Most Ardent Defenders Miss & How to Overcome the Toxic Discourse Surrounding Her
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
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
Cohen’s Shady Family Business Dealings’ Unexplored Links to Key Trump-Russia Figures Demand Scrutiny
Trump’s State of the Union: State of Meaninglessness
Trump’s State of the Union: State of Meaninglessness
Crime Too Narrow As Main Lens to View Putin’s Masterpiece of Collusion
Crime Too Narrow As Main Lens to View Putin’s Masterpiece of Collusion
America’s Current Extraconstitutional Republic
America’s Current Extraconstitutional Republic
9/11 and Global Tribalism
9/11 and Global Tribalism
Jordan’s Civil Society Comes of Age
Jordan’s Civil Society Comes of Age
The Reasons Comey Was Wrong in 2016 that Haven’t Been Discussed
The Reasons Comey Was Wrong in 2016 that Haven’t Been Discussed
The Insecure Leading the Confused: Public Opinion and Settlement Policy In Israel
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
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
Trump & GOP Destroying the Pillars of Democracy
In Possible Government Shutdown, Trump and Republicans Lucky We’re Not Living in Ancient Rome
In Possible Government Shutdown, Trump and Republicans Lucky We’re Not Living in Ancient Rome
Trump’s Jerusalem Jeopardy: A Hackneyed “Holy” Hot Mess
Trump’s Jerusalem Jeopardy: A Hackneyed “Holy” Hot Mess
North Korea’s Nightmare Past Key to Understanding Its Nightmare Present & Nightmare Future
North Korea’s Nightmare Past Key to Understanding Its Nightmare Present & Nightmare Future
After the Storms: Are Harvey, Irma the New Normal?
After the Storms: Are Harvey, Irma the New Normal?
Redistricting at Heart of DC Dysfunction: Gerrymandering Making Politics More Partisan
Redistricting at Heart of DC Dysfunction: Gerrymandering Making Politics More Partisan
I Hate Trump, But He Was Right to Strike Assad Regime of Syria
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
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
The Limits of Racial Progress: Obama, Clinton, Trump, & Sanders: Why Some Whites Shifted to Trump & What That Tells Us About Racism In America Today
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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.
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
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SPECIAL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 COVERAGE

Trump-Russia News/Analysis

Read Brian's singular work on piecing together the largest scandal in American history, as it unfolded and still unfolds, going all the way back to July, 2016

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ABOUT BRIAN

A BIG F**KING DEAL: Biden’s Infrastructure Bill in Historical Perspective
A BIG F**KING DEAL: Biden’s Infrastructure Bill in Historical Perspective
THE Way to Watch Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Clone Wars Finale for Max Emotional Impact
THE Way to Watch Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Clone Wars Finale for Max Emotional Impact
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
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