Chris, Melanie, and Zack debate Wess Mitchell's proposed U.S. strategy of consolidation. They discuss whether this strategy would finally realign America's objectives with its resources. They also question the Trump administration's ability or willingness to execute such an approach. Chris commends Tom Stevenson's essay on the war in Afghanistan, Melanie questions the lack of American ambassadors worldwide, and Zack expresses frustration with the meager results of the Trump-Xi meeting.

Show Links:

• Robbie Gramer, Trump Still Hasn't Appointed More Than 100 Ambassadors, Some to Key Allies, Wall Street Journal, May 14, 2026.

• Chao Deng, This Arkansas Town is Humming with the Sound of Missile Making, Wall Street Journal, May 17, 2026.

• Zachary Federico, Utah Breaks Down Occupational Licensing Barriers for Veterans, ALEC, May 14, 2026.

• Sean Hannity interview with Donald Trump, May 14, 2026.

• Wolfgang Munchau, Boots on the Ground is Trump's Best Option, UnHerd, May 11, 2026

• Tom Stevenson, We Were Doing Well When I Left, London Review of Books, May 2026.

• Gil Barndollar and Jason Dempsey, Don't Believe the Generals, The Atlantic, September 2, 2022.

• A. Wess Mitchell, "A Grand Strategy of Consolidation," Foreign Affairs, May/June 2026.

• Sal Mercogliano, "The Great Battleship Debate," What's Going on With Shipping channel, YouTube, May 12, 2026.