It’s Thanksgiving week right here in the US, and it’s been my annual customized to supply up the issues for which I’m feeling significantly grateful. Like final yr, nonetheless, feeling grateful isn’t as simple as I’d prefer it to be. To be clear: I’ve been terribly blessed since start, and I’m grateful for all of the favorable bounces I’ve had. However in occasions like these, when it generally looks like occasions are spiraling downward and the worst folks have increasingly energy and are utilizing it simply as badly as you’d count on, it’s particularly essential to take solace in no matter optimistic indicators we will discern.
In that spirit, listed here are the highest 10 issues I’m grateful for in 2025.
1: The Gaza Warfare Is Over (for Now).
All first rate folks ought to be grateful that the violence in Gaza has principally ended, some additional reduction help is getting in, and there are least discussions happening about attempting to rebuild there. I’m grateful for that, and joyful to provide the Trump administration credit score for displaying that Uncle Sam did actually have some leverage there. My thanks are tempered by the popularity that the ceasefire is barely holding, and much too many Gazans are nonetheless dying violent deaths. Israeli predations on the West Financial institution are persevering with apace, and we are not any nearer to a long-lasting decision to this battle than we have been earlier than Hamas attacked on Oct. 7, 2023. However issues aren’t as terrible as they have been, and that’s purpose for thanks.
2: The Bubble Hasn’t Burst (But).
I’m not an economist, however I do know that market bubbles are solely totally evident within the rearview mirror, and no person can inform you ex ante when one will burst. It’s attainable that synthetic intelligence and different associated developments will improve productiveness by leaps and bounds and justify the hype and sky-high inventory valuations. That mentioned, there are loads of worrisome indicators on the market in addition to stratospheric price-earnings ratios, together with: the rising function of crypto; the quantity of wealth sloshing round in shadow banks and different poorly regulated monetary establishments; the Trump administration’s all-too-public marketing campaign to politicize the Federal Reserve; and the erratic nature of financial policymaking on this planet’s largest economic system. As a result of a serious financial disaster would immiserate thousands and thousands of individuals (and never simply due to what would do to many retirement plans), I’m grateful the markets proceed to defy gravity, and I hope that sentence nonetheless holds true by the point this column goes on-line. If the federal government needed to make me actually grateful, it could fund the IRS correctly in order that extra folks pay the taxes they really owe and redistribute extra of those current good points to the underside 95%. If it wants to boost my taxes to take action, go proper forward—so long as these plutocrats pay their fair proportion too.
3: No New Pandemic.
One other canine that hasn’t barked but is the following pandemic. On condition that we’ve seen not less than two large ones prior to now 40 years (HIV/AIDs and COVID-19) and a number of other lesser epidemics, one other is for certain to occur finally. It’s good that it has held off for now, as a result of the world (and particularly the Trump administration) is even much less ready this time round than it was again when COVID hit. It’s a really puzzling phenomenon: Mishandling the COVID pandemic helped value Trump the 2020 election (and sure, he did lose honest and sq.). However regardless that Operation Warp Velocity was arguably his first administration’s single biggest coverage success, Trump is ignoring that achievement, and indulging Well being and Human Companies Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s crackpot concepts about vaccines and public well being—together with letting him halt funding for analysis on mRNA vaccines that would show important to beating the following pandemic. While you sit down round a crowded Thanksgiving desk this yr, be grateful that some harmful new virus isn’t forcing us to eat alone or put on masks once more. Fingers crossed!
4: The Trump Administration—Shock, Shock!—Is Incompetent.
In equity, I’m deeply ambivalent about this one. Ideally, I’d like all U.S. presidents and their closest aides to be extremely competent individuals who know how you can choose fascinating targets, set priorities, construct help for his or her plans, and implement them successfully. I don’t need the US led by individuals who don’t perceive science, are inept prosecutors, create turmoil within the companies they’re supposed to guide, or are deeply corrupt. However when an administration is dedicated to implementing loads of dangerous concepts and the president is attempting to remove all checks on his energy; showing to name for his political opponents to be executed; enriching himself; and looking out like he desires to hold on to energy indefinitely, then I’m glad to see the wheels coming off. The one factor worse than an incompetent autocrat weakening the US could be a extremely expert one pursuing these goals successfully. I’m squinting a bit to see excellent news right here, however proper now I’ll take no matter silver linings I can get.
5: (Most) Different Nations Aren’t Taking Benefit.
Given the disarray and distractions that Trump and his minions have sown within the Protection Division, the intelligence companies, the State Division, and different key overseas coverage establishments, I’ve been pleasantly stunned that different nations haven’t sought to make the most of the US’ inept leaders. I imply, do you actually suppose Pete Hegseth or Marco Rubio are as much as dealing with a disaster with a strong adversary, versus going after failed states like Venezuela or unarmed boats within the Caribbean? To be honest, it could possibly be that some potential foes are deterred by considerations about what a famously unpredictable president would do, and a few potential adversaries (like China) are busy coping with their very own issues. However I believe the principle U.S. rivals are joyful watching the US make itself much less fashionable overseas and enacting insurance policies that may depart Individuals much less educated and united at dwelling. They’re following Napoleon’s (supposed) dictum: “By no means interrupt an enemy when they’re making a mistake.” Nonetheless, I’m glad China hasn’t determined to stage a disaster over Taiwan or that Iran has determined to dash for the bomb (so far as we all know).
There are some exceptions right here: Just a few states have taken benefit of the US over the previous yr, and I’m not grateful for that in any respect. By now, everybody has found out that Trump might be flattered and bribed, and a few states have the means to do each. Working example: Saudi Arabia is making the most of Trump’s cupidity and getting tons from the US whereas providing little in return. I assume MAGA actually stands for “Make Arabia Nice Once more.” However making the most of Trump’s poor deal-making hasn’t led to struggle anyplace, and I suppose one can be glad about that.
6: A Public Shift on Israel.
As a result of I’ve lengthy believed that it could be higher for the US and Israel if the 2 states had a standard relationship reasonably than a “particular” one (that’s, one the place the US offers Israel beneficiant and unconditional help), I’m glad to see the U.S. public embracing that concept as nicely. The shift in U.S. public opinion has been breathtaking, and it isn’t prone to be reversed by extra well-funded spin-doctoring by the Israeli authorities or its supporters in the US. I’m additionally glad that it’s now not a taboo to speak in regards to the political function of the Israel foyer or its unfavorable results on U.S. coverage each at dwelling and overseas.
Sadly, that silver lining has been accompanied by a poisonous cloud of real antisemitism, a phenomenon way more deeply entrenched on the political proper than amongst progressives who opposed the Gaza genocide and are defending Palestinian rights. Along with denying the Holocaust and sowing ethnic and non secular hatred, bigots like Nick Fuentes don’t perceive (or maybe don’t care) that pro-Israel curiosity teams are outlined by their political positions, not by their faith or ethnicity, and that what they’re doing is typical curiosity group politics—even when its results are unfavorable. The Israel foyer in the US consists of Christians, African Individuals, and sure, some U.S. Jews, however its most outstanding critics are an equally various lot and consists of many U.S. Jews as nicely. Thus, antisemites who blame Jews for the errors of U.S. Center East coverage—as an alternative of criticizing the precise people or teams who’ve contributed to those errors—aren’t genuinely taken with advancing U.S. pursuits or selling Center East peace; they’re simply hate-mongering. Even worse, their efforts will make it tougher, not simpler, to assist beleaguered Palestinians or steer U.S. coverage in a extra wise route. Though I’m grateful that debates about U.S. Center East coverage have turn out to be extra open, no wise particular person ought to be happy to see the likes of Fuentes making the most of that area to spew their harmful nonsense.
7. Males and Girls of Braveness and Precept.
Numerous highly effective folks and establishments threatened by a predatory president have bent the knee, and most of them now look each craven and short-sighted. They didn’t notice that extortionists not often cease with one demand. Thankfully, extra far-sighted and brave people have stood as much as the bullying and for that I’m grateful. I’m speaking about the college presidents (together with Harvard’s) who perceive what tutorial freedom means, and former army officers and authorities officers who blew whistles and/or resigned reasonably than do unlawful or unwise issues. That goes for abnormal Individuals defending their streets in locations like Portland, Oregon, but in addition patriotic dissidents all around the world and heroic journalists in harmful locations maintaining the remainder of us knowledgeable, usually at nice private danger. For these of us whose worst nightmare may be a foul e-book assessment, these acts of resolve and precept are awe-inspiring. They’re additionally important to the preservation of liberty the place it nonetheless exists, and to its future existence the place it’s missing.
8: Civic Engagement.
And whereas I’m on the topic, I’ve additionally been heartened by the outpouring of civic engagement over the previous yr, sparked by the popularity that U.S. democracy is imperiled and that our present establishments and a few of the politicians inside them are doing a poor job of defending it. Not solely have we seen some shocking electoral outcomes (Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York was not on my bingo card), however we’ve additionally seen massive peaceable demonstrations (just like the “No Kings” rallies), together with inventive efforts to oppose authoritarian overreach by making enjoyable of it (like these protesters in Portland carrying inflatable frog costumes). Turns on the market’s nonetheless some real grassroots vitality in help of liberal democracy—exactly the form of civic advantage the Founding Fathers noticed as important. Final November, I had my doubts about whether or not that dedication nonetheless existed, and I’m grateful to have been confirmed improper.
9. Writers and Thinkers and Entertainers.
As somebody who’s privileged to benefit from the lifetime of the thoughts (and receives a commission for it), I’m at all times grateful to these writers and thinkers who’ve knowledgeable, impressed, amused, enlightened, and challenged me over the previous yr. Right here’s a fast shout-out to some of them: Paul Krugman, Jennifer Lind, Henry Farrell, Mustafa Suleyman, Edward Luce, Andrew Preston, Nils Gilman, Monica Duffy Toft and Sidita Kushi, Mark L. Haas, Greg Mitchell, Marc Trachtenberg, David French, and Jessica Valenti, to call only a few.
And since man doesn’t stay by scholarship and political commentary alone, I’m grateful for these fiction writers who entertained me after I wasn’t working, in books starting from the profound and transferring to the purely enjoyable. A particular hat tip to Abraham Verghese, Curtis Sittenfeld, the late P.D. James, Alison Elspach, Michael Chabon, and the at all times amusing Carl Hiaasen. I received loads of pleasure this previous yr from the over-performing Purple Sox (“Simply wait ‘til subsequent yr!”), the thrilling rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the possibility to have fun my birthday at Wimbledon, and extra films and streaming collection than I ought to admit to watching. (Andor was terrific).
10: On a Private Word:
A yr in the past, I thanked my colleagues on the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, the place I used to be spending an fulfilling and productive fall semester. This yr, I’m thanking the opposite organizations that supported my newest e-book mission (coming to a bookstore close to you in 2026): the Institute for Worldwide Schooling and the Stand Collectively Basis. A particular due to the dozen students and colleagues who attended a e-book workshop on the manuscript in September and gave me tons of unsparing and very useful suggestions. Each author ought to be so fortunate.
And as at all times, my due to all of you who preserve studying this column. Whether or not you agree with me or not, I hope it helps you make clear your personal eager about this vexing world and helps us all make our manner towards a extra peaceable and affluent future.
Glad Thanksgiving!
