Behind the Curtain: Rattled U.S. government fears wars could spread

Never before have we talked to so many top government officials who, in private, are so worried about so many overseas conflicts at once.

Why it matters: We don't like to sound dire. But to sound a siren of clinical, clear-eyed realism: U.S. officials say this confluence of crises poses epic concern and historic danger.

Former top intelligence officials tell us domestic unrest is one of their biggest fears — whether it's triggered by court rulings against former President Trump or protests over war in the Middle East.

But there has been a total collapse of people's trust in the opposing party, the media, what they see or share on social platforms, and even the top-secret intelligence the government relies on to measure these threats.

Part II, Chapter 6, "Miracle Metal" is a chapter worth reading. Rand captures exactly what our politicians think of us.

My favorite chapter remains "The Concerto of Deliverance", where Hank Rearden extricates himself from the clutches of his family.

"I live in a small city of about 30K, but I wish I was back in the country where I grew up."

I can certainly understand why. The people here in this tiny town are just so very friendly everywhere, and everybody knows your name. I was thinking today that I can forget about being in a 15-minute-city, I'm in a 5-minute-town. I could actually do most of my running around on a bicycle (as soon as I ready from a cardio perspective).

Race relations here are also as friendly as I remember them growing up. I've developed a fondness for everyone I've come into contact with here.

We only have one cafe' here, which is extremely busy every day. When the police walk in for lunch they are always greeted warmly. I look around at all he old, overall-wearing farmers in the place and think I'm probably surrounded by more millionaires than ever in the city.

And don't even get me started about the members of the local Mennonite community. What jewels of humanity! (They're pretty shrewd business people as well.)

Yep, I grew up in the country, but the city where most of our business was done and where I went to school was about 1400 people, one light town. Farming community, same kind of thing. Those were the days

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