May Days

A review of the month at AQL

May was an exceptionally busy month for us, and below you’ll find a roundup of some of our most widely read and discussed coverage.

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Here is our May roundup:

The Age of Shamelessness

We argued that corruption under Trump has reached unprecedented levels in American political life. Drawing on The Age of Innocence, we contrasted earlier eras of concealed corruption with today’s openly transactional politics, where influence, self-enrichment, and patronage are displayed without shame. We highlighted examples including a proposed $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” Elon Musk’s close relationship with the administration, media consolidation tied to Trump allies, and Trump’s own extensive stock trading during periods of geopolitical turmoil. Scandals that once would have ended political careers are now normalized, with partisan loyalty overriding institutional accountability.

Trump’s Iran Failure Began in Greenland

We argued that Trump’s threats toward Greenland fatally damaged European trust in the United States at the precise moment Washington needed NATO unity against Iran. European governments viewed the rhetoric toward Denmark as proof that the administration no longer respected alliance norms, making them reluctant partners during the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Iran exploited those divisions, realizing the West lacked cohesion and resolve. The piece frames Greenland not as a sideshow, but as the symbolic rupture that fractured Western strategic credibility.

Hormuz Is Not Just About Iran - China Is Watching

In this geopolitical analysis, we argued that the Strait of Hormuz crisis is being closely studied by China as a test of Western resolve. Iran’s willingness to inflict economic pain through disruptions in global shipping demonstrates how authoritarian powers can exploit democratic societies’ aversion to economic hardship. Beijing may conclude that if the West hesitates to unite firmly against Iran, it would be even less willing to endure the massive economic costs of defending Taiwan against China.

My Desperate Debate with Top Haredi Rabbis

This essay reflects on intense discussions with senior Haredi rabbis about the future of Israeli society. Dan Perry portrays the conflict not merely as political, but as a profound civilizational struggle over education, modernity, military service, democracy, and the meaning of Jewish identity. He argues that Israel faces perhaps the deepest internal cultural war in the democratic world, with secular and ultra-Orthodox visions increasingly irreconcilable. The conversations reveal mutual fear and misunderstanding, while highlighting demographic trends that may fundamentally reshape the state. Perry warns that Israel’s liberal foundations could erode if compromise and reform remain impossible.

One King

We contrast King Charles III’s speech to the U.S. Congress with Trump’s approach to leadership, alliances, and democracy. Charles is cast as an unlikely but effective defender of the postwar liberal order — emphasizing NATO, Ukraine, democratic norms, and institutional continuity without directly attacking Trump. The piece uses passages from the speech to highlight opposing worldviews about alliances and global order. Ultimately, the essay becomes a broader defense of institutions, expertise, and constitutional stability against populist spectacle and political opportunism.

Romania Is Emerging as a Surprising Tech Power

Alison Mutler argues that Romania’s surprising sweep of the 2026 FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship in Houston reflects a deep and longstanding reservoir of technical talent rather than a fluke. Despite Romania’s reputation for corruption, weak infrastructure, and low R&D spending, the country has consistently produced outstanding engineers, mathematicians, and scientists through a rigorous educational tradition dating back to the communist era. Mutler traces how strong technical training survived institutional collapse, brain drain, and economic turmoil after 1989. She contends that Romania now occupies an increasingly important place in Europe’s tech landscape, illustrating how smaller nations can leverage human capital into strategic influence and technological relevance.

Getting Our Bearings

In this reflective essay, we explore how deeply maritime and archery metaphors shape the English language and, by extension, modern thought itself. Prompted by a conversation in London, we trace phrases like “learn the ropes,” “at sea,” “long shot,” and “hit the mark” back to England’s naval and military history. Britain’s seafaring culture forged a language built for precision, navigation, and survival, which later spread globally through empire and American dominance in technology, finance, and media. The essay ultimately becomes a meditation on how language silently structures perception, steering how people think, communicate, organize ideas, and understand the world around them.

Ghosts Over Berlin

Dan Perry reflects on Berlin’s transformation from a divided Cold War city to a vibrant, unified capital. Revisiting places he first saw in 1988, he recalls the stark contrast between communist East Berlin and prosperous West Berlin, and marvels that almost no trace of the Wall remains. Encounters with his longtime German friend Ulli spark reflections on German history, the Holocaust, national character, and Europe’s security challenges. Visits to memorials, museums, bars, and palaces reveal a city haunted by its past yet remarkably normal. The essay ultimately considers redemption, memory, friendship, and whether nations—and people — can transcend even their darkest histories.