| Kensington Review |
7 November 2025 |
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Cogito Ergo Non Serviam |
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Latest Commentary: US Establishing Base in Syria -- During the regime of the al-Assad family, Syria was a Soviet/Russian satellite. Today, the Russians have Hmeimim airbase near Latakia and the Tartus naval base on the Mediterranean coast. A third base is located at Qamishli airport in the northeast. Despite the fall of the Assad government, Russia continues to hold these bases and is reportedly seeking to formalize its presence with the new Syrian leadership. So, it was a bit of a shock to learn that the USA was talking to Damascus about setting up an American base to support a potential Israeli-Syrian security arrangement. This shows the re-alignment in the region is significant and real. It also creates a new theatre of friction between the US and Russia. [7 November] FAA Orders 10% Reduction in US Flights -- The first few days of any government shut down are almost exactly the same as the few days before it. Only when a couple of weeks have passed do things get serious. Once federal employees miss a paycheck, the country starts to pay attention. Air traffic controlers have one of the most important and stressful jobs in the world, and they have not been paid in a month. Many are calling in sick rather than work without pay, and some are taking other jobs to make ends meet. Yesterday, the Secretary of Transportation and the FAA announced a 10% reduction in the number of flights allowed in and out of the 40 busiest airports in the country. As people travel for Thanksgiving, this is going to bite hard. [6 November] Democrats Sweep Off-Year Elections -- Off-year elections rarely get much attention. If the presidency, or at least congressional offices, are not on the ballot, turnout is low, and the offices are largely small ones. But yesterday, the Democratic Party crushed the Republicans with huge turn out in almost every race in the country. This includes the governorships of Virginia and New Jersey, the job of New York City mayor, Pennsylvania supreme court judges. They all went to the Democrats. The Democrats carried the day in Californian redistricting vote as well. None of the races were close. The meaning here is clear. Without Mr. Trump on the ballot, the Republicans do not win. [5 November] Dick Cheney, 1941-2025 -- Dick Cheney passed away last night at the age of 84. The former Vice President of the United States was one of the real powerbrokers in Washington, a town full of wannabes. He rose quickly in the 1970s to become the youngest White House Chief of Staff in history. He served in Congress as well, and by the time the 2000 election rolled around, he was able to make himself the running mate of his old boss' kid. When 9/11 happened, Mr. Cheney embarked on a Global War on Terror [GWOT] that failed miserably to achieve its ends. The nation is still reeling from that idiocy. In a small act of decency, he did show up to commemorate those who fell on January 6, when most GOP members of the House failed to attend. It was far from enough. [4 November] Fed Cuts Rates 25 BP -- Yesterday, the Federal Reserve cut US interest rates by 25 basis points. The Fed Funds rate range is now 3.75-4%. The cut is an attempt by the Fed to strengthen the labor market, the very same labor market it was so desperate to break with its hikes. It should help, but at the same time, lower rates are inflationary. The Fed wants inflation at 2%, and currently, the US is at 3%. It is more likely to reach 4% than 2% now. The Fed will have to thread the needle quite deftly, but there is reason to believe it will get it wrong. Without government statistics, the Fed is flying blind. Without the government re-opening, there will be no new government data. This is unlikely to end well. [30 October] © Copyright 2025 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Ubuntu Linux.
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23 Years Online Volume XXIII, Number 169
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