LA Fires Reveal Progressive Shortcomings: Hamas Must Seek Peace

Urbanist: LA Wildfires Reveal Progressive Failures

The crisis arising from the LA wildfires illustrates the shortcomings of the prevailing one-party progressivism in government, asserts Joel Kotkin at UnHerd. Progressives prioritize climate change and ‘social justice’ over essential infrastructure. “Although the fire may not change this mindset, it has tarnished the reputations of two prominent figures: LA Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.” Bass has “slashed the fire department budget” while boasting about commitments to defend illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, Newsom leads a California where “little has been accomplished to enhance water systems crucial for a state often threatened by drought.” “In simpler terms, progressive Democrats are not focused on building the capacities that improve people’s lives.” “It is evident that a more pragmatic approach, irrespective of ideological leanings, is urgently needed.”

Conservative: Ending Hamas for Lasting Peace

“Pressuring Israel to maintain its conflict with Hamas is not only immoral; it is illogical,” proclaims Seth Mandel at Commentary. Post-conflict resolutions are “evaluated based on their ability to reduce the likelihood of future conflicts.” Pursuing ceasefires as the primary objective of negotiations leads to a state of perpetual conflict. Temporary ceasefires are unacceptable to Israel, as “Hamas shows no intention of ending the war.” Israel has successfully maintained peace with Syria “since the annexation of the Golan Heights in 1981.” There is no question about “the status of Israel’s agreements with Jordan.” Since “Hamas is uninterested in genuinely concluding this conflict” — favoring instead “pauses to regroup and rearm,” achieving real peace requires that “Hamas be dismantled.”

Foreign Desk: Trump Faces European Challenges

“Europe is grappling with a complex array of issues,” observes Keith Naughton at The Hill — and while “Trump appears to regard Europe as a lesser priority,” “that perception may change.” The Euro, which “imposes a one-size-fits-all monetary policy, exemplifies Europe’s dilemmas.” It restricts nations from borrowing in their own currencies, despite diverse economies, fiscal approaches, national debts, and domestic politics among the 20 Euro-using countries. Thus, “when growth stumbles and financial mismanagement occurs, crises ensue.” “While mainstream commentators in the U.S. lament Trump’s view of NATO, the reality may be that European economic decline could precipitate NATO’s downfall” as “Europe becomes increasingly fragmented politically and struggles to sustain its welfare state, let alone its security.”

From the Right: Experts Losing Influence

“The ongoing dynamic between experts and the populace has increasingly favored the latter,” claims Michael Barone at the Washington Examiner, “with experts diminishing in stature.” “The most notable shift occurred recently,” when Mark Zuckerberg announced Meta would cease its fact-checking initiatives. Previously, “it was painfully apparent that Facebook was catering to the Democratic Party” by suppressing articles promoting theories that the COVID-19 virus originated from a lab in China. As political dynamics shift, “we could merely be witnessing a strategic pivot.” It is now evident that “the most educated voters have been the most enthusiastic advocates for curbing ‘misinformation’ — and over the last dozen years, much of that so-called ‘misinformation’ has proven accurate.”

Libertarian: Biden’s Empty Achievements

“When comparing [President Biden’s] accomplishments with the achievements of the private sector in the same timeframe,” it becomes clear that private enterprises “outperform government initiatives consistently,” argues Joe Lancaster at Reason. Biden’s 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act “allocated $7.5 billion for the construction of electric vehicle (E.V.) charging stations nationwide,” yet “only 183 chargers have been made available at 44 stations.” Another initiative received “$42 billion for expanding broadband internet access,” but “three years post-creation, this program has dispensed no funds and connected zero households.” “Biden’s ambitious spending plans have been stifled by red tape and bureaucratic inefficiencies.” In contrast, “Tesla Motors has significantly increased its public charging stations across the United States.”

— Compiled by The Post Editorial Board