Commentary in The Wall Street Journal argues that America's "munitions shortfall" stems from reduced production capacity and an underestimation of modern warfare duration. William Schneider Jr. and David A. Deptula suggest that defense planning has prioritized budgets over strategy, a trend revealed by the intensity of the conflict in Ukraine. To address this, they propose leveraging allies to expand the U.S. industrial base for missile production. Current U.S. policy, designed to restrict sensitive technology, impedes such cooperation. Schneider and Deptula advocate for "licensing exemptions" and "security arrangements" to foster industrial collaboration among trusted allies, emphasizing that rebuilding the arsenal requires a corresponding system overhaul.
In education, concerns are raised about New York State's decision to eliminate the Regents exams as a mandatory graduation requirement. The Fordham Institute's Meredith Coffey notes that while other states are reevaluating standards, New York is the first to abandon clear academic expectations without a defined replacement. The new portfolio-based assessment system, previously attempted in Kentucky and Vermont with limited success, faces scrutiny. The state's ability to maintain rigorous and consistent educational standards will depend on the implementation of the new system, rather than adherence to abstract ideals.
The stalled plan to close the Rikers Island jail complex in New York City is also under discussion. Charles Fain Lehman of City Journal points out that the original de Blasio-era plan was predicated on building new borough jails within eight years and reducing the daily jail population to 3,300. Neither assumption has materialized. The new jails are reportedly behind schedule and over budget, and are projected to be insufficient for the current pretrial detention population of 6,500. Despite officials acknowledging that the 2027 closure date is unattainable, the current administration appears committed to the plan, raising questions about the revised strategy.
Additionally, commentary from The Hill addresses Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's perceived reluctance to distance himself from controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker. The article suggests that El-Sayed's past association with Piker, whose past statements regarding Israel have drawn criticism, presents a political challenge as he seeks broader voter support. The commentary questions whether the controversy persists because some individuals privately agree with Piker's viewpoints.
Separate commentary addresses the Federal Trade Commission's potential review of bulk book digitization. Demand Progress Education Funds has requested an investigation into whether this practice, which may involve destroying physical copies of rare or out-of-print books, is anticompetitive. Reason magazine's Jack Nicastro argues that while "destructive scanning" sounds concerning, it is an efficient digitization method that benefits consumers through improved AI models. He contends that digitizing these works does not endanger cultural heritage and that the FTC should not expend resources on such an investigation.