A Year in Review
Dear Readers,
When I launched Why it Matters, I envisioned this platform as being a means of keeping concerned Americans informed about major developments in the United States and abroad.
With this week marking the one-year anniversary of this substack, I wanted to take a moment and reflect on some of the great content we’ve published over the past few months. These posts cover everything from domestic politics and the 2024 election, to conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East.
10: On Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance
This piece provides an exploration into the ideology and background of JD Vance, Trump’s current pick for Vice President. In addition to examining JD’s flip from critic to sycophant, this post provides insight into Vance’s vision of an ideal American government and the influence of Silicon Valley figures like Curtis Yarvin.
A critical and deep analysis of the Ukrainian government’s ongoing military operations in Kursk Oblast, Russia. This article examines the goals of Kyiv’s operation and how Kursk factors into Ukrainian operations in Donetsk and Luhansk.
8: Know Your Enemy: The Shahed 136
This piece provides a comprehensive overview of the Shahed-136 drone - a weapon developed by Iran and used against Israel and Ukraine. This includes an exploration into the manufacturing process of the drone and how this piece of technology embodies the Russia-Iran axis of authoritarians.
This guest essay from my research assistant Justin Tomczyk provides an overview of how the Ukrainian incorporates a strategy of smart asymmetrical warfare to overcome Russia’s advantage in manpower and material.
A solemn reflection on the 10/07 attacks and a year of chaos in the Middle East.
5: The Evolving Battlefield in Ukraine: A Comprehensive Overview
A guest essay from my friend and colleague, Brigadier General (Ret.) Mark Arnold. This piece includes personal observations on drone activity along the line of contact in Eastern Ukraine and the innovations and changes that happen on the battlefield.
This post analyzes the unsealed documents and ongoing investigation from the Department of Justice regarding Russia Today’s covert funding of American political commentators. This piece provides a hint at the ongoing active measures used by out enemies to influence American politics.
This piece serves as the introduction post to my series on Project 2025 and provides an overview of the Heritage Foundation’s vision for America under a second Trump Presidency.
2: The Fifth Anniversary of Trump’s “Perfect Phone Call”
A personal reflection on a phone call that changed the country - and my life - forever. This piece serves as a good reminder for the chaos and criminality that defined the Trump White House and the risk that comes with a second Trump administration.
This post serves as my formal endorsement of Kalama Harris and Tim Walz and serves as a message of hope amidst the unpredictability of an election year. Together, dear readers, we will defeat Donald Trump.
Thank you for the refresher on your topics. It was quite a year.
Congratulations on this anniversary, and the very best wishes going forward. I am so very grateful for your honesty and integrity. Thank you for stepping forward through these difficult times.