Jay Nordlinger

Bruce Froemming, a Durable, No-Nonsense Umpire, Dies at 86

A name from my boyhood. And a wonderful obit by Richard Sandomir. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/s...

In articles about Texas politics, I keep seeing that Paxton is more "conservative" than Cornyn, and that Toth is more "conservative" than Crenshaw. I lament the corruption of this term. Conservatism does not equal, say, election denial. Burke 'n' the boys would be like, "WTF?"

A 13-year-old Australian boy swims for hours to save his mother and siblings who were swept away A 13-year-old boy swam for four hours in cold and choppy waters to save his mother and two younger siblings who had been swept out to sea off the coast of Western Australia.

Greatness. apnews.com/article/resc...

Trump & Co. never miss a chance to insult Zelensky -- who is leading a country trying to save itself from annihilation (by an enemy of the U.S.). "P.T. Barnum," Trump calls him (like he should talk). Tell me, Republicans: What is our president's insulting nickname for Putin?

The nationalist-populists call Dan Crenshaw “Eyepatch McCain.” They think that is hilariously insulting. I regard it as flattering. And I hope, somehow, Crenshaw thinks so too.

“Forty-two little hours . . .” by Jay Nordlinger Jay Nordlinger on the third concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, under Andris Nelsons, at Carnegie Hall.

"What a diff'rence a day made," goes an old song. Well, what a diff'rence *two* days made in the case of the Vienna Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. The third concert was the charm. From me, a quick review. newcriterion.com/dispatch/for...

Facing Iran Some personal experiences, with dissidents and others, since 1979

There is a great deal to read about Iran, from many angles: military, political, etc. What do I have to contribute at this juncture? Personal experience -- with Iran and Iranians, especially the dissidents I have known. For your consideration. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/facing-iran

“Forty-two little hours . . .” by Jay Nordlinger Jay Nordlinger on the third concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, under Andris Nelsons, at Carnegie Hall.

"What a diff'rence a day made," goes an old song. Well, what a diff'rence *two* days made in the case of the Vienna Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. The third concert was the charm. From me, a quick review. newcriterion.com/dispatch/for...

Facing Iran Some personal experiences, with dissidents and others, since 1979

There is a great deal to read about Iran, from many angles: military, political, etc. What do I have to contribute at this juncture? Personal experience -- with Iran and Iranians, especially the dissidents I have known. For your consideration. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/facing-iran

Melania Trump presides at UN Security Council meeting on children in conflict as US attacks Iran U.S. first lady Melania Trump is presiding over a U.N. Security Council meeting that will focus on children in conflict, one of her signature issues.

Whether Melania Trump presides over a U.N. Security Council meeting is a matter of indifference to me. But I know -- and so do you -- what the reaction would have been if President Obama had had Michelle do it ...
apnews.com/article/un-m...

Melania Trump presides at UN Security Council meeting on children in conflict as US attacks Iran U.S. first lady Melania Trump is presiding over a U.N. Security Council meeting that will focus on children in conflict, one of her signature issues.

Whether Melania Trump presides over a U.N. Security Council meeting is a matter of indifference to me. But I know -- and so do you -- what the reaction would have been if President Obama had had Michelle do it ...
apnews.com/article/un-m...

“A centenarian, a dance, etc.,” by Jay Nordlinger Jay Nordlinger on a concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

For the music-minded, a review of a concert at Carnegie Hall by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, under Andris Nelsons. As usual, interesting issues -- and touchy ones -- arise. newcriterion.com/dispatch/a-c...

Texas Is a (Just About Psychotic) State of Mind Barking at the moon on the grim raggedy edge of Lone Star politics A.D. 2026.

A Kevin D. Williamson special, about a place he knows well: Texas. The usual combination of style and wisdom. The kind of piece to read more than once. thedispatch.com/newsletter/w...

Bear in mind: The Ukrainians are not asking us Americans to commit troops to their cause (and the Free World's, frankly). They are not asking us to bomb the Kremlin. They are asking for arms, money, and moral support -- such as not voting against them at the U.N.

Honor through Vandalism, &c. On Winston Churchill, Iran, dynasties, Billie Jean King, and more

A comment or two on Iran -- plus Winston Churchill and a variety of other subjects. A column from me, for your consideration. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/honor-thro...

Honor through Vandalism, &c. On Winston Churchill, Iran, dynasties, Billie Jean King, and more

A comment or two on Iran -- plus Winston Churchill and a variety of other subjects. A column from me, for your consideration. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/honor-thro...

A street in Lower Manhattan, very New Yorky, on a bright, warmish winter day.

I do not wish to "relitigate" the Iraq War. Sometimes a tweet is just a tweet. But I have thought of something today. After our invasion, an Iranian analyst told Bernard Lewis (the late, great historian), "They should have gone in alphabetical order."

The takeover by the Islamist regime in Iran in 1979 was a curse on mankind: on Iranians, on the Middle East, on the world. Much evil has flowed from that takeover. From the downfall of the regime, much good should flow. I wish our forces all success.

American Culture, Cont. On the Bradys, all-beef patties, merry Oldsmobiles, and more

In recent days, I've been writing about American culture -- high and low. Our common culture includes (or included?) "The Brady Bunch." The anthropologist @conradk30030.bsky.social has used the Bradys to instructive effect. A column from me, possibly amusing. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/american-c...

Scouting America will alter its policies to maintain support from the US military, Pentagon says Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Scouting America will alter several policies to maintain its support from the U.S. military.

I believe there should be a separation of civil society from government (as all conservatives once did). apnews.com/article/scou...

One of the great things about Churchill -- and there were many -- was his sympathy to the Jews, and his loathing of their persecutors. He was, yes, a strong backer of the Zionist project. The vandalism depicted below is, in a sense, a badge of honor. cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_ful...

In Texas, Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Dan Crenshaw are being hammered by their Republican-primary opponents over their support of the Ukrainians. If Cornyn and Crenshaw lose because of that -- what an honorable, and admirable, way to go.

American Culture, Cont. On the Bradys, all-beef patties, merry Oldsmobiles, and more

In recent days, I've been writing about American culture -- high and low. Our common culture includes (or included?) "The Brady Bunch." The anthropologist @conradk30030.bsky.social has used the Bradys to instructive effect. A column from me, possibly amusing. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/american-c...

In the early part of my life, left-wing figures in the West mouthed the Kremlin line. Then I got a 15-year break. Then right-wing figures in the West mouthed the Kremlin line. I should have enjoyed my break more ...

“Heroes in sound,” by Jay Nordlinger Jay Nordlinger on a concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, under Klaus Mäkelä.

For the music-minded, a review of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Carnegie Hall last night. On the podium: Klaus Mäkelä. On the program: Strauss (Richard) and Sibelius. Interesting issues come up. newcriterion.com/dispatch/her...

I’m glad for the release. I just don’t understand how the president has such arbitrary and individual power. I grew up with “a nation of laws, not men” and all that. We learned it in civics class. Everything seems so … Caesaristic now.

“Heroes in sound,” by Jay Nordlinger Jay Nordlinger on a concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, under Klaus Mäkelä.

For the music-minded, a review of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Carnegie Hall last night. On the podium: Klaus Mäkelä. On the program: Strauss (Richard) and Sibelius. Interesting issues come up. newcriterion.com/dispatch/her...

‘Defend Your Culture!’ What does ICE mean when it says that? What might we ourselves mean?

In its recruitment of agents, ICE says, "Defend your culture!" What is our culture? I spend a little time on that in a column. For your consideration. www.thenextmove.org/p/defend-you...

Sweet Separation, &c. On the separation of powers; terror in Paris; fascism, then and now; lore from Harvard Law; and more

A mélange of a column, touching on a variety of things, grave and lighter. See what you think. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/sweet-sepa...