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Casa Margo

An independent forum for research and commentary on geopolitics, democracy, and international relations. We analyze emerging national and global trends and the future of democratic systems.

Coming Events
Rev. Dr. Samuel Cruz of Union Theological Seminary
The Aguilar Conversations

An Urgent Need: Decolonizing the Latinx Pentecostalism and Evangelical Movement

The Aguilar Conversations welcomes Rev. Dr. Samuel Cruz of Union Theological Seminary as he discusses what he calls "An urgent need of decolonizing the Latinx Pentecostalism and evangelical movement."

Rev. Dr. Samuel Cruz

Professor, Union Theological Seminary

Flirting with Evil: The Catholic Church in the Age of Total War by Dr. Ambrogio Caiani
The Aguilar ConversationsMonday, July 27 • 10:00 AM

Flirting with Evil: The Catholic Church in the Age of Total War

Join Tony Aguilar as he welcomes Dr. Ambrogio Caiani to discuss his new book Flirting with Evil: The Catholic Church in the Age of Total War. The conversation will explore the Catholic Church's complex relationship with totalitarian regimes during the 20th century, and what history reveals about faith, power, and moral compromise.

Dr. Ambrogio Caiani

Dr. Ambrogio Caiani

Historian and author of Flirting with Evil: The Catholic Church in the Age of Total War

Latest Commentary
Rupert Lowe, British MP, on the Joe Rogan podcast
Media2025Tony Aguilar

Algorithms Are a Key Life Blood of Social Media Entities

On a recent episode of the Joe Rogan podcast, Rogan interviewed British MP Rupert Lowe. Lowe also traveled to Texas where he was welcomed by Elon Musk during the Fourth of July weekend.

Social Media · Algorithms · Rupert LoweRead
Jay Feely congressional campaign Arizona
United States2026Tony Aguilar

Relationships, Money, and the Question of Jay Feely (Part 3)

Relationships and money are essential aspects to gain electoral office. It would be an interesting question to ask why various media and sports figures are financially supporting Jay Feely.

Arizona Congress · Jay Feely · Jim NantzRead
Fourth of July fireworks over the United States Capitol building
United StatesJuly 4, 2026Tony Aguilar

Bridge Over Troubled Water

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Tony Aguilar reflects on the nation's troubled waters — from the Patriot Front marching through Washington DC to the removal of MLK Day and Juneteenth as National Park Service free days.

America · Democracy · Fourth of JulyRead
Latest Commentary
AI and journalism media economy transformation
Media2026Melissa Cannell

The AI Reputation Economy Has Arrived

Journalism is undergoing another structural shift as AI reshapes how information is produced and valued. Major publishers have entered licensing agreements with AI companies while The New York Times' lawsuit against OpenAI sets the stage for a copyright battle.

AI · Journalism · Media EconomyRead
Is It Always About Oil - energy geopolitics
Middle East2026Tony Aguilar

Is It Always About Oil?

From the 1953 US-British coup in Iran to Venezuela's oil reserves and the Strait of Hormuz standoff, Tony Aguilar examines how oil has driven American foreign policy and why the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve is at its lowest level since 1983.

Iran · Oil · Strait of HormuzRead
Television broadcast news studio with cameras and anchor desk
MediaJune 2026Melissa K. Cannell

When Journalism Becomes a Corporate Asset, Everybody Loses

CBS News fired Scott Pelley after he criticized leadership and accused the editor-in-chief of murdering 60 Minutes. When corporations treat journalism as a brand rather than a public trust, credibility suffers.

Media · CBS News · Editorial IndependenceRead
Latest Commentary
South African Parliament building in Cape Town
AfricaJune 2026Daniel Onyango

Ramaphosa Faces Impeachment Test as South Africa's Coalition & Stability Hangs in Balance

South Africa's parliament is convening an impeachment committee to scrutinize President Cyril Ramaphosa over the long-running Farmgate scandal, threatening the resilience of the country's young democracy.

South Africa · Ramaphosa · ImpeachmentRead
Pakistan and Iran diplomats at a formal diplomatic meeting
Geopolitics2026Areeb Imran

Pakistan at the Center of Iran and US Diplomacy

As fears of a wider Middle East war intensified in 2026, Pakistan emerged as a key mediator between Iran and the United States, leveraging its unique diplomatic relationships with all major stakeholders.

Pakistan · Iran · US DiplomacyRead
Healthcare workers in PPE at an Ebola treatment centre in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Global Health2026Dr. Aqsa Munir

The Present Ebola Crisis: Why the World Cannot Look Away

The current Ebola epidemic spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda is a clear warning to the world. By late May 2026, the DRC recorded 282 verified cases and 42 known deaths.

Ebola · Global Health · CongoRead
Past Event
The Lost History of Liberalism by Dr. Helena Rosenblatt
Latest Commentary
Iran — Can Reza Pahlavi Unite the Opposition?
IranMay 7, 2026Alexandra Eleferenko

Can Reza Pahlavi Unite Iran?

In recent years, debates over Iran's political future have increasingly focused on Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last Shah, who has re-emerged as a prominent and controversial personality. Whether he could serve as an organizing principle for a broader political grand bargain — uniting opposition forces and enabling a transition of power — remains an open question.

A 2022 survey of 158,000 respondents inside Iran found that Pahlavi received the highest level of support — 32.8% — in the event of a regime transition. Yet his ability to genuinely consolidate the opposition remains deeply uncertain given Iran's fragmented political landscape.

Iran · Geopolitics · Opposition Politics · Regime Change
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About the Author

Alexandra Eleferenko is a geopolitical analyst and independent researcher holding a Master's degree in International Relations from IE University, with a specialization in Global Governance and International Cooperation. Her research focuses primarily on Russia, digital diplomacy, and the strategic use of sports diplomacy. From 2021 to 2024, she served as a contributing writer for the IE International Policy Review.

Latest Commentary
Aid workers distributing food and medical supplies in a humanitarian crisis zone
Global Affairs2025Dr. Aqsa Munir

What Happens When USAID Is Cut and How It Became a Human Crisis

In 2025, the United States drastically cut USAID, and the repercussions were felt throughout the world. OECD preliminary data show that total official development assistance fell 23.1% in 2025, the biggest one-year drop ever recorded. The United States experienced a reduction of approximately three-quarters of the total decrease due to USAID alone.

UNICEF warns at least 14 million children face disruptions to critical nutrition services. UNAIDS projects 6.6 million more HIV infections and 4.2 million more AIDS-related deaths by 2029 if U.S.-supported HIV services are not replaced.

USAID · Foreign Aid · Global Health · Humanitarian Crisis · Development
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About the Author

Dr. Aqsa Munir is a contributor to Aguilar Commentary, providing independent analysis on global affairs, humanitarian policy, and international development.

Latest Commentary
Power grid transmission towers at dusk with data center in the background
Technology2026Melissa K. Cannell

AI and Data Center Growth Pushing America's Fragmented Power Grid to Its Limits

Artificial intelligence (AI) runs inside expansive U.S. data centers. These facilities continue to spread as adoption accelerates. They already consume about 4-5% of the nation's electricity, and demand will rise over the next 5, 10, and 15 years. Depending on size, a single site can house 500 to more than 100,000 servers — all requiring constant power from an aging, uneven grid.

The U.S. does not lack energy. It lacks a modern, efficient delivery system. Most transmission lines are now 40-60 years old, creating bottlenecks that put grid stress at its highest in Texas, Virginia, the Midwest, and the West.

AI · Data Centers · Power Grid · Energy Policy · Technology
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About the Author

Melissa K. Cannell is a newspaper reporter, freelance correspondent, and public relations representative. A graduate of Weber State University, her writing has appeared in the Davis County Clipper, Utah Spirit magazine, and the Deseret News.

Latest Commentary
US Constitution document and American flag
Democracy2026Tony Aguilar

Stop Pretending Birthright Citizenship Is a Crisis

As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, the issue of who should count as a citizen is once again front and center in American discourse about the 14th Amendment. Those who claim the initial purpose of the 14th Amendment was about granting citizenship to former slaves and overturning the horrendous Dred Scott decision are correct. But the story does not end there.

The present challenge is not about civilizational superiority. Despite protestations by various American pundits, the real issue is who gets to wield political power and who to cast aspersions on as a liability to society.

14th Amendment · Birthright Citizenship · Democracy · Immigration · Supreme Court
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About the Author

Tony Aguilar is the founder of Casa Margo Communications Group and a veteran political analyst and commentator specializing in international affairs, democracy, and U.S. foreign policy.

Latest Commentary
BRICS summit diplomacy discussing Strait of Hormuz crisis
Geopolitics2026Suman Keshanti

BRICS and the Strait of Hormuz: Can the Bloc Step Up?

The current military standoff between the two nations is quickly turning out to be an international stress test of energy security, commerce, and crisis negotiation. With the conflict threatening the vital Straits of Hormuz — which carries about a fifth of all international oil and liquefied natural gas transportation — it becomes imperative who could negotiate and resolve the matter at hand.

Here, the significance of the BRICS organization comes into play as a political and not simply economic organization. The recent addition of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE means that the organization will have both warring nations within its ambit.

BRICS · Iran · Strait of Hormuz · Energy Security · Maritime Trade
Read the commentary

About the Author

Suman Keshanti is a contributor to Aguilar Commentary, providing independent analysis on international affairs and geopolitics.

Latest Commentary
Spanish Parliament building in Madrid
Europe2026Alexandra Eleferenko

A Master of Survival: Pedro Sánchez's Multi-Front Political Struggle

Spain is navigating a complex and volatile political landscape, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the center of mounting domestic and international pressures. Growing political polarization, corruption allegations, protests, and renewed tensions over Catalan independence have all placed his leadership under strain.

His foreign policy positioning, including a critical stance toward Donald Trump and refusal to support the US war in Iran, further reflects an attempt to balance Spain's role within a shifting global order. Sánchez is likely to remain in power in the short term, but in a state of managed instability.

Spain · Catalonia · NATO · Corruption · Pedro Sánchez
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About the Author

Alexandra Eleferenko is a geopolitical analyst and independent researcher holding a Master's degree in International Relations from IE University, with a specialization in Global Governance and International Cooperation. Her research focuses primarily on Russia, digital diplomacy, and the strategic use of sports diplomacy. From 2021 to 2024, she served as a contributing writer for the IE International Policy Review.

Latest Commentary
North American border crossing with US, Mexico and Canada flags
Trade Policy2026Melissa K. Cannell

Beyond NAFTA's Shadow: Can USMCA Survive Rising Trade Tensions?

As North America approaches the July 1, 2026, review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the stakes could not be higher. Lawmakers, businesses, and workers are watching closely to see whether the pact can deliver on its promises: supporting U.S. jobs, boosting growth in industries such as automotive manufacturing, and safeguarding intellectual property and digital trade.

The backdrop is tense, with negotiations limited, Canada staying on the sidelines, and lingering Trump-era tariffs continuing to complicate the road ahead. Mexico's door is open, and dialogue is happening. The review could either solidify North America's trade partnership or expose its vulnerabilities.

USMCA · North America · Trade · Tariffs · Canada · Mexico
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About the Author

Melissa K. Cannell is a newspaper reporter, freelance correspondent, and public relations representative. A graduate of Weber State University, her writing has appeared in the Davis County Clipper, Utah Spirit magazine, and the Deseret News.

Latest CommentaryMarch 2026
Religion & SocietyDemocracySociety
Featured Commentary
Latest Commentary
US Supreme Court building — voting rights and democracy
Democracy2026Tony Aguilar

From Carter Glass to Roberts and Alito: The Enduring Struggle Over Voting Rights in America

In 1928, Senator Carter Glass declared his intent to remove every Black voter possible. Almost one hundred years later, the goal may not be coming to full fruition - but limiting its efficacy may be. Since his start in 1982 as a lawyer with the Reagan administration, Chief Justice John Roberts' goal has been the elimination of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Little by little, both Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito have spearheaded the dismantling of what many consider to be the crown jewel of the civil rights era - from Shelby v. Holder in 2013 to Brnovich v. DNC in 2021 and Louisiana v. Callais.

Voting Rights · Supreme Court · Democracy · Civil Rights · John Roberts · Samuel Alito
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About the Author

Tony Aguilar is the founder of Casa Margo Communications Group and a veteran political analyst and commentator specializing in international affairs, democracy, and U.S. foreign policy.

The Aguilar Conversations

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Casa Margo Communications Group publishes independent analysis on international, national, and local issues through expert commentary, podcasts, and interviews. Our contributors bring academic rigor and real-world perspective to the most pressing questions in politics, democracy, and global affairs.

From geopolitical shifts in Central Europe to landmark constitutional rulings in Washington, CMCG provides the context that partisan media cannot.