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January 21, 2026
Welcome to The Lighthouse, the weekly email newsletter of the Independent Institute covering politics, economics, current events, and everything in between.
Dear Supporters of Liberty,
You may have noticed an updated look on our website and social media channels this week. As we celebrate Independent Institute’s 40th anniversary, we are proud to unveil a new logo that honors our history!
For forty years, our mission has been to boldly promote peaceful, prosperous, and free societies that uphold the values of human worth and dignity. Our newly refreshed look features our lighthouse symbol, which serves not only as a metaphorical beacon of guidance but is also inspired by Ronald Coase’s famous essay, “The Lighthouse in Economics.” This week’s articles are written in that spirit—this week and every week.
Regarding foreign policy, Ivan Eland writes about Trump's aggressive gesturing towards Denmark, and Chris Motia reminds us what is at stake during the turbulent unrest in Iran.
Allen Gindler offers a timely review of the first year of Trump's second term, assessing the administration's impact so far.
I offer two pieces: the first discusses critical security vulnerabilities in a specific type of police camera, and the second covers the history of the FBI’s surveillance of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jane Shaw Stroup analyzes the "publish or perish" mentality in academia, highlighting the resulting surge in retractions.
In a pair of articles, Scott Beyer explains that market forces, not central planning, are the reason televisions have become so affordable. He also argues that vandalism is a symptom of a broader cultural hostility toward business in America.
Enjoy.
Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor
Top picks this week
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** “Might Makes Right” Will Not Be Effective, Even in the Western Hemisphere ([link removed])
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** by Ivan Eland
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Trump’s threat that the United States will militarily attack the 56,000 peaceful people of Greenland on whim seems perilously similar to the “might makes right” doctrine of the ancient Athenians … but it doesn’t have to be this way.
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** Iran Doesn’t Need a King. It Needs Freedom ([link removed])
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** by Chris Motia
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The people of Iran have always yearned to break free from authoritarianism. To advocate for authoritarianism under a different name dooms us to repeat the mistakes of our past.
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** A Review of Trump’s First Year of His Second Term ([link removed])
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** The Good, the bad and the DOGE ([link removed])
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** by Allen Gindler
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We have reached the first anniversary of the second Trump administration, and it is time to assess the results of its first year.
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** Vulnerability in Flock Condor Cameras Lets Anyone Spy on the Public ([link removed])
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** Exposed security flaws allowed unrestricted access to live and archived police surveillance footage. ([link removed])
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** by Jonathan Hofer
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Technologist Benn Jordan exposes security flaws that allowed unrestricted access to live and archived police surveillance footage.
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** The Peer-Review Problem and the Explosion of Retractions ([link removed])
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** A surge in scientific paper retractions exposes flaws in peer review, rising paper mills, and growing concerns about bias, error detection, and research integrity. ([link removed])
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** by Jane Shaw Stroup
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A “publish or perish” mentality is causing many universities to prioritize government research over teaching, leading to a proliferation of journals—including some with low standards that accommodate “paper mills.”
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** The FBI’s Monitoring of MLK and the Use of Surveillance for Intimidation ([link removed])
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** by Jonathan Hofer
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While revered today, King was once seen as a threat by the government, highlighting the irony of the belief that “if you’re not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to fear.”
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** Why Televisions Have Become So Cheap ([link removed])
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** Goods and services that enjoy capitalism become cheaper and better. Those that fall under heavy government regulation do the opposite. ([link removed])
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** by Scott Beyer
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Have you noticed how much cheaper—and better—televisions have become the last few decades? There’s a reason for that.
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** Vandalism and America’s Anti-Business Climate ([link removed])
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** When wealth producers are perceived as ‘owing’ to society, the pointless defacement and theft directed toward them soon follows. ([link removed])
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** by Scott Beyer
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America’s anti-business climate is not just the consequence of government; it is also a cultural disposition.
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** FEATURED BOOK — AVAILABLE SOON!
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** The Independent Guide to the Constitution ([link removed][…]ium=email&utm_campaign=constitutionbook&utm_content=ibd2545)
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** Original Intentions, Modern Inventions ([link removed][…]ium=email&utm_campaign=constitutionbook&utm_content=ibd2545)
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** by William J. Watkins, Jr.
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Drawing on a lifetime of experience in the law—as prosecutor, defense attorney, and constitutional scholar—William J. Watkins, Jr., offers a bold, independent examination of the most important legal document in modern history.
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