Meridian Weekly: Jan 19, 2026-Jan 25, 2026

Meridian is a weekly, subscriber briefing for readers who want to step back from the daily cycle and understand what’s actually happening—politically, culturally, and geopolitically—and why it matters

The opening weeks of 2026 have witnessed a series of developments that underscore persistent divisions within American society and challenges on the global stage. In the domestic arena, aggressive enforcement of immigration laws has sparked intense backlash in certain localities, while efforts to safeguard religious liberty and public order have drawn sharp responses from federal authorities. Internationally, decisive actions against adversarial regimes in the Western Hemisphere have reshaped regional dynamics, even as domestic political maneuvering and cultural tensions continue to unfold.