The Crisis of the U.S. Empire, both Internal and in the Near East. Is Reaching a Climax

1). “As Qatar Officially Leaves Iran War, Questions Arise if They Will Boot US From Biggest Middle East Base in Possible Historic Contraction of American Global Military Power, 1945-2026: The Era of American Military Hegemony Is Over”, Mar 28, 2026, Christopher Armitage, The Existentialist Republic, at < https://cmarmitage.substack.com/p/qatar-pull-officially-leaves-iran >.

2). “Stalin Fought A War Using Soldiers Whose Families He Was Starving: A two part investigation into regime durability. What keeps dictators in power, what brings them down, and what decades of research tells us about the fight we are in.”, Apr 23, 2026, Christopher Armitage, The Existentialist Republic, at < https://cmarmitage.substack.com/p/stalin-fought-a-war-using-soldiers >.

3). “Coalition Collapse: Four Frameworks on How to End Authoritarian Regimes: A primer for understanding regime durability, how these regimes actually fall, and what we can do about it starting immediately”, Apr 25, 2026, Christopher Armitage, The Existentialist Republic, at < https://cmarmitage.substack.com/p/coalition-collapse-four-frameworks >.

4). “Update on the New Mexico Truth Commission's Investigation into Zorro Ranch: Don't get too excited.”, Apr 18, 2026, Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, The Pugilist with Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, at < https://alisav.substack.com/p/update-on-the-new-mexico-truth-commissions >.

5). “Confirmation of What I've Been Saying: Top Intelligence Advisor Tells the DOAC Podcast That Epstein and Maxwell Were/Are Israeli Intelligence Assets or Operatives and Everyone in US Leadership Knows It and Is Hiding It From the People.”, Apr 29, 2026, Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, The Pugilist with Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, at < https://alisav.substack.com/p/confirmation-of-what-ive-been-saying >. There is a 1 hour and 45 minute video embedded in the article.

6). “Fifth Circuit Decision Directs FDA to Restrict Mifepristone Access: If allowed to stand, this decision would be the most sweeping threat to abortion since the overturning of Roe”, May 1, 2026, Anon, Guttmacher Institute, at < https://www.guttmacher.org/news-release/2026/fifth-circuit-decision-directs-fda-restrict-mifepristone-access >.

7). “ ‘Lines are going to change’: Trump DOJ confirms it will target minority voters nationwide after Supreme Court ruling”, May 1, 2026, Yunior Rivas, Democracy Docket, at < https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/trump-doj-confirms-it-will-target-minority-voters-nationwide-after-supreme-court-ruling/ >

~~ recommended by desmond ~~

The Imperial Boomerang ~~ Unrestrained savagery turned inward.

 ~~ recommended by Brahmafear ~~

Who is Nicolás Maduro — and why Washington kidnapped him – Struggle – La Lucha

 https://www.struggle-la-lucha.org/2026/01/05/who-is-nicolas-maduro-and-why-washington-kidnapped-him/

~~ recommended by collectivist action ~~

The End of Empire and the Wild Machinations of the U.S. Ruling Class

1). “The Military ALWAYS Sides With the Regime, Except When...: The research is surprisingly consistent”, Dec 23, 2025, Christopher Armitage, The Existentialist Republic, at < https://cmarmitage.substack.com/p/the-military-always-sides-with-the >.

2). “BREAKING: America’s Internal Suicide and the Capture of the Pentagon | John Mearsheimer”, Dec 24, 2025, anon, Prof John MearsheimerTalks, duration of video 23:58, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l0AIQlDLSQ >

3). “BREAKING: Republicans’ On-Stage Moment Leaves Audience Stunned | John Mearsheimer”, Dec 24, 2025, anon, Prof John MearsheimerTalks, duration of video 25:53, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHOwjLJEIaM >.

4). “Lawrence Wilkerson: Economic Collapse Will End the U.S. Empire”, Dec 24, 2025, Glen Diesen interviews Lawrence Wilkerson, Glen Diesen, duration of video 50:13, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KKE2q7kTGI >.

~~ recommended by desmond morista ~~

US EMPIRE VS EARTH

 https://youtu.be/YykTD3EOjVE?si=rEDhKLHJ_NhygT6j

~~ recommended by collectivist action ~~

No Kings, No Empire: Protest and the war economy

 https://www.struggle-la-lucha.org/2025/10/20/no-kings-no-empire-protest-and-the-war-economy/

~~ recommended by collectivist action ~~

Is this the “Terminal Crisis” of U.S. Empire and the end of the Period of American “Weak Hegemony” (or in other words the Rough Analogue of the Suez Moment for the U.S.

1). “MIT Prof Ted Postol: Can We Believe Trump Admin's Narrative on Iran's Nuke Sites?”, Jun 26, 2025, Daniel Davis interviews Ted Postol, Daniel Davis / Deep Dive, duration of video 1:15:27, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsWZlVcVRSM >. (Ted Postol is Professor of Science, Technology, and National Security at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

2). “BUNKER BUSTER BOMB Myth /MIT Prof Ted Postol & Lt Col Daniel Davis', Jun 18, 2025, Lt. Col. Daniel Davis interviews MIT Professor Ted Postol about the limitations and capabilities of the GBU-57 Bunker Buster Bomb, Daniel Davis / Deep Dive, duration of video 12:32, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TriASB-F5UY >.

3). “Trump Lures Iran into “Peace” Trap (Again) - Continues Decades-Spanning Regime-Change Agenda”, Jun 24, 2025, Brian Berletic analyzes the developing situation in Iran, The New Atlas, duration of video 30:21, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSMSuVzwvMs >

4). “Empire Abroad, Autocracy at Home: Col. Wilkerson on the U.S.-Israel Attack on Iran”, Jun 17, 2025, Paul Jay interviews Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, the-Analysis News, duration of video 25:27 at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNRdWS6JZoM >

5). “Q&A: Genocide in Gaza, Political Assassinations in America and War With Iran”, Jun 16, 2025, Chris Hedges takes phoned-in Questions in a Q&A Session, The Chris Hedges Youtube Channel, duration of video 103:59, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iteNl2Addc8 >.

6). “Iran, Israel, USA and World War 3 | Chris Hedges | UNAPOLOGETIC”, Jun 19, 2025, Ashfaaq Carim interviews Chris Hedges, Middle East Eye, duration of video 1:11:51, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktrYjMP75Mk >.

~~ recommended by dmorista ~~

Two Faces of Late U.S. Imperial Capitalism: Christo-Fascism Domestically with a Particular focus on the lives of Women, and a Foreign Policy Composed of Endless Wars for Israel Including Attacks on Yemen and Iran, & Real Estate Terrorism in Gaza.

1). “Wake the Hell Up: Democrats think abortion is a dead issue. They need a reality check”, May 16, 2025, Jessica Valenti, Abortion, Every Day, at < https://jessica.substack.com/p/wake-tf-up >.

2). “Trump Has a Stay-At-Home Plan for Women”, May 12, 2025, Jessica Valenti, Abortion, Every Day, at < https://jessica.substack.com/p/trump-has-a-stay-at-home-plan-for?open=false#%C2%A7operation-housewife >.

3). “Watch the Replay: 'What Trump’s Second Term Means for Reproductive Rights': At this May 7 'Action Call,' Center experts unpack the Trump administration’s first 100 days and its impact on reproductive rights”, May 8, 2025, Statements from Nancy Northup, President and CEO; Rachana Desai Martin, Chief Government and External Relations Officer; Sara Outterson, Chief Federal Legislative Counsel; and Shannon Russell, Federal Policy Counsel, Center for Reproductive Rights, duration of video 42:50, at < https://reproductiverights.org/action-call-trump-100-days/ >.

4). Repro Red Flags: Trump's First 100 Days is the textual version of the actual report, May 7, 2025, Report from the Center for Reproductive Rights, at < https://reproductiverights.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/100days-RedFlags.pdf >.

5). “Iran-Russia Military Alliance just BLEW UP on Trump, Israel in TROUBLE w/ Mohammad Marandi”, May 16, 2025, Danny Haiphong interviews Mohammad Marandi, Danny Haiphong, duration of video 24:05, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1_859E0_dI >

6). “Trump’s Gulf Visit: Chas Freeman Explains the US–Israel–Gulf Shift | Deep Dive into Middle East”, May 15, 2025, Jyotishman interviews Chas Freeman, India and Global Left, duration of video 1:06:27, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTn-CqdOA8Y >.

7). “Scott Ritter & Mohammad Marandi EXPOSE: US Empire’s Collapse in Russia-Yemen Showdown!”, May 16, 2025, Nima R, Alkhorshid interviews Scott Ritter & Mohammad Marandi discuss the U.S. Empire's Collapse, Attalos Farm, (originally posted on Dialogue Works), duration of video 1:21:28, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MWzoI-WJLQ >.

8). “Master Sgt Dennis Fritz: Why Trump May Start A War w/Iran (Whether He Wants To Or Not)”, May 16, 2025, Jamarl Thomas interviews Dennis Fritz, Jamarl Thomas, duration of video 27:12, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFUDJWlMrlI >. Fritz is the author of Deadly Betrayal: The Truth about Why the United States Invaded Iraq and has an impressive resume of advisory posts and other work in the U.S. Air Force.

9). “Trump’s Not in Charge. This is who Really is”, May 18, 2025, Joanna Coles (editor of The Daily Beast) interviews David Rothkopf (Columnist at The Daily Beast), The Daily Beast, duration of video 26:02, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIx2lxMccXs >.

~~ recommended by dmorista ~~

Wolff Responds: "Trumpism: What It All Means!" dated April 2, 2025

 https://youtu.be/Ybn1PbzUtlc?si=PTO_LewbSn4dID2c

~~ recommended by collectivist action ~~

Why I No Longer Wish to Write About American Politics ANIS SHIVANI

https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/11/29/why-i-no-longer-wish-to-write-about-american-politics/

~~recommended by tpx ~~

National emergency. A trillion for the military. ~~ Ken Klippenstein

 https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=7677&post_id=149182213&utm_source=post-email-title&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=rovhk&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo0NjUxMDE4NCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ5MTgyMjEzLCJpYXQiOjE3MjY4NzM5NTAsImV4cCI6MTcyOTQ2NTk1MCwiaXNzIjoicHViLTc2NzciLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.kIVr6MXoOupraok0DsHwvObOWTJIWZOvqYwKnFr6lKoco

~~ recommended by newestbeginning ~~ as a companion piece to collectivist action's piece today

How The US Took Over The World

 https://youtu.be/NpjDyhGyjNk?si=HWNk8zeS2wuOZYlB

~~ recommended by collectivist action ~~

Chris Hedges and Jeffrey Sachs, in Separate Interviews, Discuss the End of American Empire: and Hedges Looks at how a Harris Administration or a Trump Regime Would Operate After the Next Presidential Election.

“Is this the end of the American Empire? | Chris Hedges | Real Talk”, Aug 5, 2024, Mohamed Hashem conducts a wide-ranging interview with Chris Hedges, Real Talk at Middle East Eye, duration of video 1:01:28, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGPa_omV9WI >.

“Jeffrey Sachs Interviews - What is About to Happen is Difficult to Prevent”, Aug 9, 2024, Jeffrey Sachs discusses the foibles and arrogance of U.S. Foreign Policy, Jeffrey Sachs of Fans, duration of video 27:56, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyAGzU4ZRDs >

~~ recommended by dmorista ~~

CRISIS OF THE WEST, OPPORTUNITY FOR THE REST?

 https://fpif.org/crisis-of-the-west-opportunity-for-the-rest/

~~ recommended by emil karpo ~~

Wolff Responds: Can Kamala Harris Respond To These 4 Pillars Of The American Decline July 24, 2024

 https://youtu.be/nXRx50uNpo4?si=qOKJhXek6Q9o13oS

and companion piece I did not have at time of publication earlier today - sorry for the late adjustment.

https://youtu.be/1qL-4X1hVYU?si=8kBL8-tkqLUMzNct

~~ recommended by collectivist action ~~

Useful Analyses of the Major Forces that have Driven U.S. Foreign and Domestic Policy Since WW2

 1). “Show 1200”, Len Osanic interviews Aaron Good, May 23, 2004, Black Op Radio, duration of pertinent audio 0:00 - 1:17:02, at < https://www.blackopradio.com/archives2024.html >, also MP-3 at < https://www.blackopradio.com/pod/black1200.mp3 >

2). “Empire and the Deep State - American Exception w/ Aaron Good”, Aaron Good comes on the show to discuss his book American Exception: Empire and the Deep State, Sep 01, 2023, Guerrilla History, duration of audio 1:23:49, at < https://guerrillahistory.libsyn.com/empire-and-the-deep-state-american-exception-w-aaron-good >

~~ recommended by dmorista ~~

Empire Decline and Costly Delusions ~~ RICHARD D. WOLF

 https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/03/08/empire-decline-and-costly-delusions/

~~ recommended by collectivist action ~~

The Pathology of America: Dehumanization, Greed, and the Decline of Empire

 https://youtu.be/YYucnQfnuw0?si=QvfGJMEAz-2g9-Qi

~~ recommended by collectivist action ~~

The Decline and Fall of the American Empire

 1). “Everything You’re Told About The Global Economy Is Wrong | Aaron Bastani Meets Philip Pilkington”, Jan 21, 2024, Aaron Bastani interviews Philip Pilkington, video duration 1:30:27, Novara Media, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7exjLSxKenE >.

2). “The Decline and Fall of the American Empire”, Dec 5, 2010, Alfred McCoy, TomDispatch, at < https://tomdispatch.com/alfred-mccoy-taking-down-america/ >.

3). “Trump the Terminator?: How His Second Presidency Could Signal the End of American Global Power”, Jan 14, 2024, Alfred McCoy, TomDispatch, at < https://tomdispatch.com/trump-the-terminator/ >.

4). “For a Century, the American Way of War Has Meant Killing Civilians: Indiscriminate airstrikes have been a U.S. hallmark from the 'banana wars' to the 'forever wars' ”, Nov 12, 2023, Nick Turse, The Intercept, at < https://theintercept.com/2023/11/12/america-wars bombing-killing-civilians/ >.

U.S. Empire: On the Rocks, in the Proxy War against Russia in Ukraine

“Global Capitalism: The Second War In Ukraine [January 2023]”, Jan 2023, Richard Wolff Lecture, duration of video 55:09, Democracy At Work, at <
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGBAKRzoJ1o >

Note: This is a video of a monologue by Richard Wolff. There is no transcript, no direct text. 

“Global Capitalism: War, Sanctions, Deepening Splits: Economic, Political, and Cultural [July 2022]”, July 2023, Richard Wolff Lecture, duration of video 1:16:43, Democracy At Work, at < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGVfTS489IY >.

Note: This is a video of a monologue by Richard Wolff. There is no transcript, no direct text. 

~~ recommended by dmorista ~~