This week, we discuss U.S.-Russia diplomacy in the context of the Ukraine crisis; how citizen science can help communities become safer and stronger; protecting the U.S. blood supply from future shocks; how the pandemic affected military recruitment and retention; U.S. capacity-building efforts in Africa; and new “visual essays” that show why people might join—and later… Continue reading U.S.-Russia Diplomacy, Citizen Science, America’s Blood Supply: RAND Weekly Recap
Fasting as the Beginning of Inner Restoration
My Lent started in December of 2021. This may sound strange, but since then I’ve been fasting constantly. Some would call it a diet, but a diet is temporary. I’m calling it a lifestyle change of fasting with Jesus. This is something I had felt the Lord calling me to and giving me the grace… Continue reading Fasting as the Beginning of Inner Restoration
Most Complete Simulation of a Cell Probes Life’s Hidden Rules
From the bizarre creatures in the depths of the oceans to the bacteria inside our bodies, all life on Earth consists of cells. But we have only a very rough idea of how even the simplest of those cells function. Now, as described recently in Cell, a team at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and… Continue reading Most Complete Simulation of a Cell Probes Life’s Hidden Rules
Tesla Stops Scheduling Solar Roof installs Due To “Supply Chain Issues”
There’s nothing like a nice global scapegoat du jour for companies to fall back on when they want to deliver bad news. Along those lines, stop us if you’ve heard this one before: Tesla is reportedly pausing installations of its solar roofs due to “supply chain issues”. The company has reportedly communicated to employees that it is… Continue reading Tesla Stops Scheduling Solar Roof installs Due To “Supply Chain Issues”
Risks and Opportunities in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
A Quick Primer on What is Happening Russia, and Ukraine are embroiled in a territorial conflict right now. It’s actually been heating up for a while, with Russian troops being stationed along the Ukrainian border since March 2021. Early on Thursday 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in full-force, with explosions occurring in Kyiv, Ukraine’s biggest… Continue reading Risks and Opportunities in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
U.S. Military Aid to Ukraine: A Silver Bullet?
With Russian forces massed on Ukraine’s borders, the policy discussion in Washington increasingly has focused on what the United States can do to help its Ukrainian partners defend their country. Just this week, the Biden administration has approved deliveries of U.S.-made Stinger shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles to Kyiv, in addition to upping provision of other military… Continue reading U.S. Military Aid to Ukraine: A Silver Bullet?
Pre-Lenten Meditation: On the Passion of Jesus Christ
Authors Introduction: This is the second of a series of meditations based on the Lenten Votive Masses of the Passion of Jesus that have been prayed throughout the history of the Church in various usages. Some have their origin in early medieval times and were used in various places in Europe and in particular religious… Continue reading Pre-Lenten Meditation: On the Passion of Jesus Christ
Cryptographers Achieve Perfect Secrecy With Imperfect Devices
In Ian Fleming’s first novel, James Bond returns from the Royale-les-Eaux casino to his hotel room and inspects it for signs of intrusion. First, he confirms that a hair carefully placed inside his writing desk has not been moved. He then checks that talcum powder on a cupboard handle is free of fingerprints. Lastly, he… Continue reading Cryptographers Achieve Perfect Secrecy With Imperfect Devices
Cryptos Jump, Stocks Slump As Bonds & The Dollar Dump
As we transitioned from January to February, stocks soared higher as monthly flows were anticipated and op-ex overhangs were wrung out. But, as the week went on and NFLX and FB were clubbed like a baby seal (only to redeemed minimally by AMZN), dip buyers jumped back in and AMZN’s gains rescued investors from more… Continue reading Cryptos Jump, Stocks Slump As Bonds & The Dollar Dump
American Deterrence’s Missing Half
After much hemming and hawing, Congress in December finally passed a $768 billion defense authorization bill, some $25 billion over what the Biden administration had requested. For defense hawks, this is good news. With China becoming increasingly belligerent towards Taiwan, Russia poised to invade Ukraine, and Iran stiff-arming nuclear negotiations, the United States faces intensifying… Continue reading American Deterrence’s Missing Half