RIP NSA Bahrain?

This article is the most detailed account I’ve seen about the extent of the damage to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain 🇧🇭. The NYT says Iranian attacks “destroyed much of the base”, much worse than publicly acknowledged. Mrs. Crab and I spent practically every weekend at NSA Bahrain practically every weekend during our first Foreign Service tour. It was a slice of Americana, complete with a PX, commissary, bowling alley, movie theatre and food court. I just hope the Taco Bell 🌮 🛎️ is still there!

Winter Olympics 2026!

Psyched for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 6-22 in Cortina, Italy. Two standouts to watch:

First up: America’s new sweetheart, Amber Glenn: A sports diplomacy dork to watch at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Cortina. Amber is a “Star Wars” nerd, collects lightsabers, legos, Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering cards, and identifies as pansexual. And yesterday she won U.S. Figure Skating Women’s Championship for the third straight year. Click here to see her winning performance on January 9, 2026 from Oklahoma.

In skiing, all eyes are on Lindsey Vonn‘s historic comeback at age 41! Yesterday she finished first in Zuchensee, Austria. Click here.