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Welcome to our VIP feature for Hot Air as well as a members-only show in the Hughniverse! Duane Patterson and I are now doing a Week in Review show for Friday evenings, exclusive to members in both platforms. Duane has been the Generalissimo behind the Hugh Hewitt Show for more than two decades, and we have partnered on weekly commentary since 2007.
What stories topped your priority lists this week? We mainly skipped the Hormuz crisis last week, but this week saw major developments. Duane and I review the strategies, tactics, and effectiveness of the "economic D-Day" launched by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Axios acknowledges that Donald Trump now has the leverage in the Strait as the IRGC's economy nears a full collapse. Oil markets largely concur, and have for a while, as we both point out. A new deal in Venezuela may undercut the IRGC even more, and also China.
That brings us to a big question this week: Why was CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Moscow? The covert and novel nature of the trip raised eyebrows in the US, Europe, and likely in Tehran and Beijing as well. Duane tends to consider it normal business, where I see it more as a sign of something significant in the air. Whatever it is, the leakers don't seem to know, so for the moment speculation is all we have.
On the domestic front, Duane and I prepared the popcorn for the Hasan Piker Meltdown that already has Democrats from coast to coast trying to distance themselves. Duane provides a surprising clip that shows a reporter actually asking a Democrat to explain why Piker shouldn't be a topic of discussion for Democrats in every midterm contest. And if that isn't bad enough, Angie Nixon's Florida nomination may prove to be even more powerful in the GOP's Akin Strategy this cycle.
Finally, we discuss Enes Kanter Freedom's week with the WNBA. I predict a defamation suit coming for the Chicago Sky, and Duane points out how hypocritical the league has been on speech and access. My bet: we'll see the lawsuit before our next episode, which will be on Thursday of next week due to Duane's travel schedule.
Be sure to watch it all, and extend the conversation in the comments!
