Important points made by India’s former Deputy NSA, Amb. Pankaj Saran. A resolution to the Ukraine war and the rebuilding of US-Russia ties would have far reaching consequences. Lifting sanctions on Russian natural resources and reintegrating Russia into the international

While Puerto Rico contends with selective blackouts *again* the OBoard @fombpr is circulating a press release to the media defending spending over $2 billion on consultants and attorneys. These people are so disconnected and oblivious it's shameful. #muniland

US Energy Department extends emergency order to strengthen electrical grid security in Puerto Rico #muniland. [It's so positive to see @energy address the key flash points for Prepa. In the Biden admin Secretary Granholm made 13 trips to PR and never once addressed grid stability

FT: "The so-called Coalition of the Willing, a group of countries that have committed to help enforce security guarantees for Ukraine after any peace settlement, will meet on Sunday, according to three people with the matter." This is who needs to decide if Ukraine must give up

"At face value, some of Putin's demands would be hugely difficult for Ukraine to accept, setting the stage for potentially fraught talks about ending Europe's deadliest war in 80 years, which has dragged on for 3-1/2 years and killed or wounded more than 1 million people.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright says cuts to wind, solar tax credits came at ‘right time’. [There have been federal subsidies for renewables for 33 years. Time for the industry to compete without them.] kcrg.com/2025/08/15/us-…

Robert Crain (Texas Pacific Water Resources) put it bluntly: water is becoming a key driver of Permian basin breakevens. Managing it—through reuse, discharge, and infrastructure—will be just as important as drilling efficiency in sustaining Permian economics. #OOTT

Surprisingly robust NYT reporting on why the Russian president wants the Donbas in a Ukrainian settlement (no paywall). nytimes.com/2025/08/17/wor…

"Researchers at the US Federal Reserve reckon insurers could cut capital charges by a factor of 10 by replacing direct-loan holdings with investments in vehicles containing the same loans." [Post CLOs. Appears to be the next big thing in securitization.] bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

BBG: Fed rate-cut bets Market-implied probability of September 25-bp cut

Lets talk (again) about two tiers of justice.  On Friday a judge enjoined the FTC from investigating Media Matters, finding the investigation likely violates the First Amendment.  This isn't just immunity from prosecution; it's immunity from *investigation.*  Unpacked below. 1/

Hamas negotiators in Egypt are reviewing a new truce plan for Gaza that includes a 60-day ceasefire and hostage release in two batches, a Palestinian official told AFP. dw.com/en/middle-east…

"The 50-gigawatt small modular nuclear power plant will be built in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a long-term power purchase agreement with utility Tennessee Valley Authority to deliver electricity to Google data centers locally and in the state of Alabama."

FT: Ukraine will promise to buy $100bn of American weapons financed by Europe as part of a deal to obtain US guarantees for its security after a peace settlement with Russia, according to a document seen by the Financial Times. Under the proposals, Kyiv and Washington would also

"Oil and gas profits have shrunk to just 4.3% of US corporate profits, while energy’s market cap share has slipped to 2.55% of US corporate equity valuations—a far cry from what one may term any sort of bull market" via The Crude Chronicles

I teamed up with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Hegseth for the "Pete & Bobby Challenge" — 50 pull-ups, 100 push-ups. This is the start of a nationwide push to get Americans fit again. We’re calling on our friend Secretary Sean Duffy to take the challenge.

Important work is happening at NATO. We’re delivering for the U.S. taxpayer, strengthening Europe’s security, and supporting a path to peace in Ukraine. As I told Mornings with Maria, thanks to these efforts and President Donald J. Trump’ leadership, we are moving closer to ending the killing.

This will generate a equilibrium where Russia & Ukraine can cease fighting and America has no liability to defend Ukraine #winwin

During today's White House press briefing, our reporter Travis Gillmore asks Karoline Leavitt Q: Can you describe the President's perspective on taking a stake in Intel in exchange for federal grants? Are we expecting the White House to make similar arrangements with other

"Over two decades of socialist rule—save one year out of power—Bolivia drove out investors and lost competitiveness. Voters said they’ve had enough....Socialism, loses again and again." wsj.com/opinion/bolivi… via Wall Street Journal Opinion