Archive - The Diehard Optimist

Vance in Islamabad

To seek peace with Iran, the US turns to another rogue state

8 hrs ago • Chris Alexander

The Orban Package

Hungary's made-in-Moscow autocrat is losing his grip

Apr 9 • Chris Alexander

Strategic Cross-Purposes

The US, Israel, Europe and other allies need to get over themselves

Apr 7 • Chris Alexander

Dogmatic Slumber

Seeing Iran's regime clearly through the fog of war

Apr 2 • Chris Alexander

Persian Blanket

For 47 years, Iran has not been held to any standard

Apr 2 • Chris Alexander

March 2026

#nojs-banner { position: fixed; bottom: 0; left: 0; padding: 16px 16px 16px 32px; width: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; background: red; color: white; font-family: -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; } #nojs-banner a { color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; } This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. Please turn on JavaScript or unblock scripts