2026 Mid Year Update
A look back at where we have been, what we have accomplished, and where we are headed during the remainder of 2026.
As we reach the six month mark of 2026, it is truly remarkable how quickly time passes before our eyes. One moment the year is just beginning, and the next we find ourselves already at its midpoint. Because of that, it is worthwhile to reflect on what has occurred and assess where things currently stand and where they may be headed during the second half of the year. That is what this article intends to do.
As far as this Substack is concerned, I am proud to report that we have published twenty articles so far in 2026, which averages out to more than three articles per month. I do hope that you have enjoyed reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them.
Those articles covered a wide range of topics, all of which carried significant geopolitical, economic, and social implications. We examined the capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the questions surrounding what such a brazen act could mean for the international community. We discussed Greenland and the Trump administration's strategic interest in acquiring the island. We also explored Cuba, its geopolitical position, and what the coming year may hold for the country.
On the domestic front, we took a deep dive into ICE, immigration policy, and the challenge of protecting our borders while remaining faithful to the rules and values that define a civilized society.
We also devoted considerable attention to the Gaza Board of Peace initiative, including the flaws within the framework itself and the unintended consequences that could emerge from its implementation.
We likewise followed the Iranian negotiations that took place in February 2026 and the subsequent surprise attack carried out by Israel and the United States. As of this writing, a ceasefire between the United States and Iran appears to be in place, though only time will tell whether it proves durable.
Beyond traditional geopolitics, we explored the concept of enshittification and how it applies not only to technology, but also to political and societal decline. We also examined the criticism directed at Tulsi Gabbard, and I offered a formal response to arguments put forward by Glenn Greenwald that I believed were not only unfair, but in certain respects reckless as well.
We spent considerable time analyzing the Russia Ukraine conflict, including possible pathways to resolution and the strategic realities facing all sides involved. Most recently, we turned our attention to Los Angeles, the mayoral race, candidate Spencer Pratt, and what that campaign may reveal about the political and cultural direction of the United States.
Taken together, these articles have covered an extraordinarily diverse range of subjects. Yet despite their differences, they all share a common purpose: understanding the forces shaping our world, questioning conventional wisdom, and attempting to identify where events may be headed before they arrive.
With six months now behind us and six more still to come, there is no shortage of important developments on the horizon. Of course, nothing I write is planned months in advance, and it remains difficult to predict exactly how events will unfold. One of the challenges of writing about geopolitics is that the world has a habit of changing direction when you least expect it.
That said, there are several topics that I believe have a strong likelihood of being covered during the second half of this year.
These may include the ceasefire between Iran and America, whether it holds, how it is enforced, and what the long term implications may be. Russia and Ukraine will certainly remain worthy of discussion given the ongoing nature of that conflict and the far-reaching geopolitical consequences attached to it.
Likewise, Cuba continues to present ongoing developments that will likely warrant additional analysis depending upon how events progress. The European Union also faces a number of political, economic, and strategic challenges that are likely to generate subjects worthy of examination.
Closer to home, the approaching midterm election cycle in the United States will undoubtedly produce developments that deserve attention and analysis. And if time permits, I may even write a piece related to America’s 250th birthday celebration and what that milestone says about the nation, its history, and its future.
Ultimately, every one of these topics may end up being discussed, or none of them may. The direction of my work has always been dictated by events rather than predetermined schedules. I simply follow the stories that matter most as they emerge. Even so, if I had to identify the subjects most likely to occupy our attention during the next six months, these would be at the top of the list.
Last but certainly not least, I would like to take this opportunity to share a new development in my writing career.
In the world of geopolitics, there is no shortage of commentators, analysts, and media outlets. Unfortunately, most of them prove to be disappointing, either because they lack a true understanding of events that are happening or because they lack the courage to tell the truth when it matters most. However, if you spend enough time researching issues of consequence, you eventually discover a handful of outlets that consistently rise above the rest.
Of all the geopolitical platforms operating today, The Duran, at least in my opinion, represents the best geopolitical commentary available anywhere in the world. Its founders, Alex Christoforou and Alexander Mercouris, both through The Duran itself and through their individual platforms on YouTube, provide daily analysis and commentary on world affairs that is truly second to none.
For many years, it was my hope that one day they might read my work, acknowledge it, or perhaps even find value in it. Never in my wildest imagination did I expect what came next.
It is therefore with tremendous gratitude, humility, and pride that I can announce that I have recently been selected as a Contributing Analyst for The Duran.
To say that this is an honor would be an understatement. For someone who has long admired the work being done there, the opportunity to contribute to what I consider the premier geopolitical outlet in the world is something that is difficult to adequately express in words.
As a result, a significant portion of my future writing will likely appear on The Duran platform first. However, that does not mean this Substack is going anywhere. Quite the opposite.
My articles published through The Duran will continue to appear here after an appropriate period of time, allowing subscribers to access them through this platform as well. In addition, there will continue to be original and exclusive content published directly to this Substack that will not appear elsewhere.
To begin, over the coming days I will be reposting the first three articles that appeared on The Duran over the past several months. After that, I expect to continue updating this platform on a regular basis with articles I write for The Duran along with exclusive pieces written specifically for this audience.
In practical terms, you can expect roughly the same amount of content moving forward. The primary difference is that some articles may appear first on The Duran before eventually making their way here, alongside additional exclusive content created specifically for my Substack readers.
As we move through the remainder of 2026, you can expect the same style of analysis, the same commitment to thoughtful writing, and the same willingness to tackle difficult subjects. The format may be evolving, but the mission remains unchanged.
More than anything, I want to thank each of you for reading, supporting, sharing, and engaging with my work. None of these opportunities would have been possible without an audience willing to invest their time and attention in what I write.
What began as a passion project has grown into something far larger than I ever expected. And while I enjoy writing, the real goal has never been simply producing content. It has always been to contribute something meaningful, to encourage thoughtful discussion, and perhaps, in some small way, to make a difference.
And given that goal, where we’ve been and where we’re headed, I couldn’t be more excited about what comes next.
As always, I thank you for your continued support and readership.
Sincerely,
Jon Kurpis
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The Jon Kurpis Substack is a personal platform and reflects only my individual thoughts, opinions, and perspectives. Nothing published here should be interpreted as official communication or correspondence in my capacity as an elected official. The views expressed do not represent the positions of any municipality, governing body, political party, or any other elected official or government entity.