Author: Tom Raquer
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War in the Winter: Legitimacy and the Survival of the American Republic
Crisis, Legitimacy, and the Strategic Limits of War in a Republic When a republic enters war during a crisis era, the battlefield is not the only test. The real test is whether the political system itself survives the strain. From the series: After the Winter — Collapse, Spring, and the New First Turning Tom Raquer…
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After the Winter: Collapse, Spring, and a New First Turning
After the Winter: Collapse, Spring, and a New First Turning
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Iran and the Consent Gap: A Policy in Search of Strategy
Vietnam began with overwhelming American support. The war with Iran begins less than one-third of the way there. That difference is not political commentary. It is a structural strategic condition. In a republic, the most important battlefield is not overseas. It is the political consent of the citizens at home.
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The Fourth Turning: America at the End of an Eighty-Year Cycle: Authority Grows, Legitimacy Shrinks, Collapse is Inevitable
The Donroe Corollary, Bad Bunny, and Secretary Rubio are signs that the system is falling apart and needs to be rebuilt. February 23, 2026 By Tom Raquer Summary for First Turning Strategists and a new American Cycle The United States is not experiencing normal turbulence; it is approaching the end of an 80-year civic cycle.…
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Navigating the Winter of the Fourth Turning: Embracing Collapse as a Strategic Imperative
The Fourth Turning is a very important time for the United States right now. It is marked by significant change and the impending collapse of the current order. People are starting to think this collapse is not just a possibility but will happen. Strategists need to figure out what this impending collapse means and develop…
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AFTER WINTER: BUILDING THE BLUEPRINT FOR SPRING
Winter is here! The great clock turns, and in the turning, winter’s chill settles deep into the bones of the land. The grand structures, once vibrant with noise and light, now stand in a stark silhouette against a pale sky, their foundations whispering of strain. This is not an anomaly, but a season within a…
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The Roosevelt Rule: Why the 2025 National Security Strategy Puts America Last
A country’s security strategy is more than just a piece of paper. It is its Soul! It is a promise that tells us who we are. It shows what we care about and what we will protect. This agreement has been broken by the way the 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS) was made. It prioritizes…
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THE ROOSEVELT RULE: WHY THE 2025 NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY PUTS AMERICA LAST
The very notion of an “America First” National Security Strategy developed without meaningful public engagement represents a fundamental contradiction—it prioritizes the judgment of a small political elite over the wisdom and will of the American people themselves. A strategy truly crafted for American citizens would emerge from transparent town halls, citizen advisory panels, and public…
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Checked Out but Not Leaving: The Delusion of an America First National Security Strategy
STILL SERFS: Elite Rule Over America’s National Security! They dictate the terms of war and peace, while we, the people, are left to fight and bleed, fund! Decisions shaping our fate are made in distant halls of power, where the elite control the narrative and determine when, where, and how conflicts unfold.
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The Paradox of Tolerance in Today’s America
By Tom Raquer December 6, 2025 Dear Essential American Citizen, Imagine a community torn apart by conflicting beliefs. This isn’t just a distant concern; it permeates our daily lives and societal discussions. We notice this reality across Europe. In the UK, Germany, France, and Scandinavian countries, issues surrounding Islam and immigration ignite fierce debates. They…