Barbara F. Walter
@barbarafwalter.com
Explaining what's really happening in America and where it's taking us. NYT bestselling author. UCSD Prof. NAS member. I write Here Be Dragons on Substack: https://substack.com/@barbarafwalter
I almost didn't publish this because it was too dark even for me.
Ukraine Changed How I Think About Civil War
I wish I hadn’t thought this through.
barbarafwalter.substack.com
September 17, 2026 at 2:56 PM
I almost didn't publish this because it was too dark even for me.
September 14, 2026 at 8:26 AM
There's a paradox at the heart of Trump's relationship with America's billionaires.
The more they get from him, the less free they are to leave.
History tells us why:
The more they get from him, the less free they are to leave.
History tells us why:
Billionaires Think They Can Walk Away From Trump
Getting rich was the easy part. Getting out will be harder.
barbarafwalter.substack.com
September 9, 2026 at 3:33 PM
There's a paradox at the heart of Trump's relationship with America's billionaires.
The more they get from him, the less free they are to leave.
History tells us why:
The more they get from him, the less free they are to leave.
History tells us why:
My sweet gardener was taken by ICE after living and working in the United States for 25 years.
Our neighbors came together to hire him an immigration lawyer for him and to help his family.
I’ve been documenting what has happened here:
substack.com/@barbarafwal...
Our neighbors came together to hire him an immigration lawyer for him and to help his family.
I’ve been documenting what has happened here:
substack.com/@barbarafwal...
Barbara F. Walter (@barbarafwalter)
My longtime gardener was taken by ICE this past weekend.
He has been in the U.S. 25 years, has built a team of gardeners and landscapers that everyone loves, and leaves me in awe of his hard, hard l...
substack.com
September 8, 2026 at 4:35 PM
My sweet gardener was taken by ICE after living and working in the United States for 25 years.
Our neighbors came together to hire him an immigration lawyer for him and to help his family.
I’ve been documenting what has happened here:
substack.com/@barbarafwal...
Our neighbors came together to hire him an immigration lawyer for him and to help his family.
I’ve been documenting what has happened here:
substack.com/@barbarafwal...
Republicans have a Trump problem and it's about to get expensive.
barbarafwalter.substack.com/p/why-is-tru...
barbarafwalter.substack.com/p/why-is-tru...
August 26, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Republicans have a Trump problem and it's about to get expensive.
barbarafwalter.substack.com/p/why-is-tru...
barbarafwalter.substack.com/p/why-is-tru...
Here's why nuclear weapons suddenly look like a good idea, and why that's terrible.
Trump Just Told the World: Get the Bomb
Why 80 years of nuclear restraint is coming undone.
barbarafwalter.substack.com
August 19, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Here's why nuclear weapons suddenly look like a good idea, and why that's terrible.
Want to know why Trump is rekindling his bromance with Kim Jong Un?
Because he's alienated every other world leader and has no other friends.
This would be hilarious if it didn't hurt the US in every way. But it does.
I’ll be writing more about it tomorrow on: substack.com/@barbarafwalter
Because he's alienated every other world leader and has no other friends.
This would be hilarious if it didn't hurt the US in every way. But it does.
I’ll be writing more about it tomorrow on: substack.com/@barbarafwalter
Opinion | Trump Romances Kim Jong Un Again
The President weakens deterrence by limiting U.S. military exercises with South Korea.
www.wsj.com
August 18, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Want to know why Trump is rekindling his bromance with Kim Jong Un?
Because he's alienated every other world leader and has no other friends.
This would be hilarious if it didn't hurt the US in every way. But it does.
I’ll be writing more about it tomorrow on: substack.com/@barbarafwalter
Because he's alienated every other world leader and has no other friends.
This would be hilarious if it didn't hurt the US in every way. But it does.
I’ll be writing more about it tomorrow on: substack.com/@barbarafwalter
When Trump found out Air Force One might be the target of an attack, he secretly moved to another plane. He took some of his staff with him, but left many others behind.
They were the decoys left behind - to potentially be shot down.
Who did he leave? Read more here:
substack.com/@barbarafwal...
They were the decoys left behind - to potentially be shot down.
Who did he leave? Read more here:
substack.com/@barbarafwal...
August 14, 2026 at 2:39 PM
When Trump found out Air Force One might be the target of an attack, he secretly moved to another plane. He took some of his staff with him, but left many others behind.
They were the decoys left behind - to potentially be shot down.
Who did he leave? Read more here:
substack.com/@barbarafwal...
They were the decoys left behind - to potentially be shot down.
Who did he leave? Read more here:
substack.com/@barbarafwal...
Here's a shorthand for understanding the current war with Iran:
It's unwinnable - always has been and and always will be. It’s why no President before Trump has ever attacked it.
See substack.com/@barbarafwal... to read more.
It's unwinnable - always has been and and always will be. It’s why no President before Trump has ever attacked it.
See substack.com/@barbarafwal... to read more.
August 13, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Here's a shorthand for understanding the current war with Iran:
It's unwinnable - always has been and and always will be. It’s why no President before Trump has ever attacked it.
See substack.com/@barbarafwal... to read more.
It's unwinnable - always has been and and always will be. It’s why no President before Trump has ever attacked it.
See substack.com/@barbarafwal... to read more.
What happens when strongmen start losing power?
Trump is Going to Eat His Own.
Republicans Should Be Worried.
barbarafwalter.substack.com
August 12, 2026 at 3:19 PM
What happens when strongmen start losing power?
Reposted by Barbara F. Walter
This is how you know we need a wealth tax
August 11, 2026 at 3:19 PM
This is how you know we need a wealth tax
Isiah went to the Caribbean and Barb went to Canada on summer vacation. Guess who had more fun?
And…why there’s only one way the war in Iran will end.
And…why there’s only one way the war in Iran will end.
How the war in Iran will end
YouTube video by The Tell
youtu.be
August 6, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Isiah went to the Caribbean and Barb went to Canada on summer vacation. Guess who had more fun?
And…why there’s only one way the war in Iran will end.
And…why there’s only one way the war in Iran will end.
Summertime in San Diego
A reminder that the world we've been given is boundlessly generous and extraordinary.
A reminder that the world we've been given is boundlessly generous and extraordinary.
Summertime in San Diego
No post this week.
barbarafwalter.substack.com
August 5, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Summertime in San Diego
A reminder that the world we've been given is boundlessly generous and extraordinary.
A reminder that the world we've been given is boundlessly generous and extraordinary.
When did we start treating decent people like suckers?
When Did Decency Become Weakness?
There is a big space between sucker and jerk and we are ignoring it.
open.substack.com
July 29, 2026 at 4:19 PM
When did we start treating decent people like suckers?
A healthy democracy requires this uncomfortable habit.
Can You Admit Trump Was Right About One Thing?
The question isn't about Trump. It's about you.
open.substack.com
July 22, 2026 at 3:36 PM
A healthy democracy requires this uncomfortable habit.
It’s July. Go play.
It’s the best thing you can do for yourself.
It’s the best thing you can do for yourself.
Call Your Friend
We know what matters. We just don't live like it.
substack.com
July 8, 2026 at 3:40 PM
It’s July. Go play.
It’s the best thing you can do for yourself.
It’s the best thing you can do for yourself.
Why do we keep reading about 100 million dollar houses???
America Is Becoming an Oligarchy. And We're Being Trained to Admire It.
Every morning I read the Wall Street Journal.
open.substack.com
June 24, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Why do we keep reading about 100 million dollar houses???
Why I love today.
The Most Important American Holiday Most of Us Have Never Celebrated
And Why It Matters. A Lot.
open.substack.com
June 19, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Why I love today.
What if America's most important holiday isn't July 4th?
The Most Important American Holiday Most of Us Have Never Celebrated
And Why It Matters. A Lot.
open.substack.com
June 17, 2026 at 3:03 PM
What if America's most important holiday isn't July 4th?
Friday fashion fun.
And Isiah - former celebrity stylist in Hollywood - knows fashion!
And Isiah - former celebrity stylist in Hollywood - knows fashion!
The Met Gala Lost It's Magic
YouTube video by The Tell
youtu.be
June 12, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Friday fashion fun.
And Isiah - former celebrity stylist in Hollywood - knows fashion!
And Isiah - former celebrity stylist in Hollywood - knows fashion!
Want to understand why corruption survives even when everyone can see it?
FIFA offers a surprisingly useful lesson.
FIFA offers a surprisingly useful lesson.
What FIFA Reveals about Trump's America
The World Cup tells us a lot about corruption, power, and America's future.
substack.com
June 10, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Want to understand why corruption survives even when everyone can see it?
FIFA offers a surprisingly useful lesson.
FIFA offers a surprisingly useful lesson.
Tuesday pick me up. Jon Batiste. Play it loud.
Jon Batiste - I NEED YOU
YouTube video by JonBatisteVEVO
youtube.com
June 10, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Tuesday pick me up. Jon Batiste. Play it loud.
What could possibly go wrong with a jungle primary in a place as zany as California?
Why Spencer Pratt is Terrible, and Other Thoughts on California's Jungle Primary
YouTube video by The Tell
youtu.be
June 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM
What could possibly go wrong with a jungle primary in a place as zany as California?