Key Updates
A Christmas Intervention: US Strikes ISIS in Nigeria
On Christmas Day, while most of the country was otherwise occupied, the US military conducted strikes in Northwest Nigeria. President Trump announced the action today, stating the targets were affiliates responsible for attacks on Christian communities. The strikes, which took place in Sokoto state near the Niger border, were framed as a direct response to this violence, with National Security Advisor Pete Hegseth warning of more to come if attacks continue.
Interestingly, this wasn't a purely unilateral move. The Nigerian government has confirmed it collaborated with the U.S., providing intelligence and strategic coordination ahead of the operation. This suggests a level of official sanction, though the public messaging from Washington is clearly aimed at a domestic American audience, emphasizing the protection of Christians. The action marks a notable, if targeted, escalation of U.S. counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel, a region where jihadist influence has been metastasizing for years.
Analytical Take: This operation is classic Trump doctrine: decisive, headline-grabbing military action with a simple, powerful narrative. Justifying it as a defense of Christians is politically potent for his base and provides a clear moral framework that sidesteps the complexities of Nigeria's internal conflicts, which are often rooted in ethnic and resource-based tensions as much as religion. The "collaboration" with the Nigerian government is key; it provides a veneer of legitimacy and local partnership, crucial for avoiding accusations of imperialism. The real question is whether this is a one-off punitive strike or the beginning of a more sustained, low-footprint campaign in West Africa. Watch for the reaction from regional powers and the inevitable "mission creep" that can follow such interventions.
A Tale of Two Coasts: America Paralyzed by Weather
The United States is currently bookended by two major, debilitating weather crises. In the West, as reported yesterday, the situation in California has escalated. An atmospheric river continues to pummel the state, causing severe flooding and mudslides. Governor Gavin Newsom has now declared a state of emergency in six counties, with at least two deaths reported. Emergency responders, including the California National Guard on standby, are stretched thin as they contend with power outages and road closures, particularly in Southern California.
Simultaneously, the Northeast is being hit by a powerful winter storm, burying the region in snow, ice, and freezing rain. The timing couldn't be worse, plunging post-holiday travel into chaos. Over 1,000 flights have been canceled at -area airports like JFK and LaGuardia, stranding thousands of travelers. New York City is under a winter storm warning, with Mayor Eric Adams coordinating the city's response to what is a major logistical and safety challenge.
Analytical Take: The simultaneous paralysis of America's two most populous and economically vital coasts by predictable, seasonal weather events is a stark reminder of our infrastructure's fragility. While these are severe storms, they aren't black swan events. The fact that the country's primary travel hubs can be brought to a standstill so easily highlights a systemic lack of resilience. It's a telling split-screen: the federal government is projecting power with surgical strikes in Africa, while back home, state and local authorities are scrambling to keep the lights on and the roads clear. This isn't a political failure of one party, but a national one of deferred maintenance and inadequate preparation for a climate that is clearly no longer stable.
The American Consumer's Whiplash Economy
The post-holiday economic picture is a study in contradictions. On one hand, there’s a potential cash infusion on the horizon. The 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' (OBBBA), signed by Trump back in July, is expected to result in larger tax refunds for many Americans in early 2026. Treasury Secretary nominee Scott Bessent is already touting this, anticipating a boost to consumer spending power. This follows a strong year for the stock market in 2025, adding to a sense of surface-level prosperity.
On the other hand, the ground-level reality feels different. Retailers, facing their own cost pressures, are tightening the screws on customers. A growing number of major stores like Macy's ($9.99), TJ Maxx ($11.99), and J. Crew ($7.50) are now charging fees for mail-in returns, effectively ending the era of "try it for free" online shopping. This move directly eats into the disposable income of consumers, especially after a holiday season where many are already feeling the pinch from inflation and affordability concerns.
Analytical Take: We're seeing a classic push-pull on the American consumer. The government is preparing to inject a populist, election-cycle-timed sugar high into the economy via tax refunds. It’s a move designed to make people feel richer right when it matters politically. Meanwhile, the corporate world is facing the hard reality of squeezed margins and is passing those costs directly to the consumer in ways that are small but deeply annoying, like return fees. The question for 2026 is which force will win out: the macro-level stimulus or the micro-level nickel-and-diming? My bet is that while the tax refund will cause a temporary spike in spending, the underlying trend of corporations clawing back every possible dollar will continue to erode consumer sentiment in the long run.
The NFL's Manifest Destiny and Its Human Cost
The NFL's relentless expansion continues to generate friction. legend Charles Barkley is the latest to publicly call out the league for its encroachment onto Christmas Day, a holiday traditionally dominated by basketball. His comments follow the Minnesota Vikings' victory over the Detroit Lions on Christmas, a game that highlights the 's successful colonization of the holiday, bolstered by massive streaming deals with Netflix and Amazon. This push is happening as the league also floats a move to an 18-game regular season.
The human cost of this entertainment empire was also on display. Following a Christmas Day loss that officially eliminated the Kansas City Chiefs from the playoffs, star tight end Travis Kelce faced questions about his potential retirement. His non-committal answers, after a grueling and disappointing season, suggest the physical and mental toll of the game is weighing on one of its most prominent figures. The scene—a potential legend contemplating the end, his celebrity fiancée Taylor Swift watching from the stands—is a perfect snapshot of the modern : a high-stakes blend of brutal physicality and mass-market spectacle.
Analytical Take: The is operating less like a sports league and more like a resource-extraction company, and the resource is the American public's attention and leisure time. It has achieved a level of cultural dominance where it no longer feels the need to respect tradition or the territory of other leagues. Barkley’s complaint is basically a cry into the void; the ratings prove the can plant its flag wherever it wants. The potential Kelce retirement is the other side of that coin. The league's insatiable appetite for more games—more content, more revenue—is burning out its stars. An 18-game season will only accelerate this. The league is trading the long-term health of its players and potentially the careers of its icons for marginal, short-term financial gain. It's a profitable, but ultimately unsustainable, model.