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Articles by Ashby Foote
Military must adjust to mastering drone technology
Months ago in a hemisphere far, far away … It is a period of great conflicts between old empires … War fogs the Strait of Hormuz … Drones swarm Ukraine – Russian battlefields … Long-range drones destroy oil refineries hundreds of miles behind Russian lines … Kinetic combat across the planet is a key feature of 2026. The action has centered around energy and some of the world’s great oil and gas fields.
Energy Wars: Attack of the drones
Like the rifled bore, the gatling gun and the tank, drones will change the battlefield and the tactics used on it. Military doctrine must adjust and mastering drone technology is an existential necessity.
Blockades, Bottlenecks and Bullet Proof Stocks
The 2nd Quarter did not disappoint for drama or trauma. On 13 April the U.S. initiated a three Carrier Strike Force blockade of the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Less than two months later, the U.S. began on again off again ceasefires which continue still. All that sound and fury did little to deter the stock market which with Kevlar flair rallied 16% to its best quarterly gain in 6 years. Why? Big time earnings, that’s why. The 2nd Quarter rally was an earnings growth story.
A Jackson data center: Threat or opportunity?
Jackson City Councilman Ashby Foote says the consideration of a data center in the capital city is an important topic worthy of calm and rational discussion. Ranting about data centers is all the rage these days. Word got out recently of a developer exploring Jackson in hopes of building a new AI (artificial intelligence) data center. Who knew it would unleash a hornet’s nest of protests and gnashing of teeth?
The fog of peacemaking
The Iran conflict combined with the event in Venezuela could be a big gamechanger for the U.S. and the rest of the world. But a successful lasting peace is a necessary requirement. Two plus months into the war with Iran and the fog of war is becoming the fog of peacemaking. What was a shoot-out has become a stand-off. The key terrain feature remains the Strait of Hormuz. It is the key to this conflict in much the same way that Vicksburg was to the Civil War.
The Strait Jacket of Hormuz
This war features the latest in 21st century arms and munitions and an Old Testament adversary. That is a dangerous mix. For fifty years Pentagon planners, whose job it is to analyze risk and threats around the globe, have concluded year after year that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is the worst possible scenario to confront – but it never happened – until now! The world is now witnessing firsthand what scared the military analysts.
Foote: Obvious connection between great feats of engineering and global leadership
Ashby Foote dives into “Breakneck – China’s Quest to Engineer the Future” by Dan Wang. “Breakneck – China’s Quest to Engineer the Future” hit bookstores in August. It is an important book and should be a big wake-up call to national leaders, citizens and investors here and around the world. The author, Dan Wang, was born in China in 1992 and migrated at age 7 with his parents to Ottawa, Canada.
Apple in China: A consequential book with global implications
Ashby Foote reviews Patrick McGee’s book, saying it offers plenty of critical lessons for investors, business tycoons and diplomats. My nominee for the best business book of 2025 is “Apple In China – The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company”. The author, Patrick McGee, was a decade long correspondent for the Financial Times including the Apple beat from 2019 to 2023. His book is both a history and an expose’.
Is Iran poised for disruption?
Ashby Foote writes that Iran and its Mullahs has been a major thorn in the side of world peace and progress for 45 years. We are still in the fog of war but the US Air Force B-2 bomber bunker buster strikes in Iran on June 21 may have set in motion major political disruptions. Paradigm shifts matter and this could be a big one. If the Mullahs, who have ruled Iran as a theocracy for 45 years, lose their grip on power the world’s political and economic chessboards will be scrambled.
Book Review: “The Coming Wave” by Mustafa Suleman
Ashby Foote calls the book a useful primer that makes the bull case for AI and provides good historical context. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all the rage on Wall Street today. It is the “next big thing” and the world’s biggest companies are investing hundreds of billions of dollars to make sure they don’t miss out. The surge of market value in seven key AI related stocks, often referred to as the “Magnificent Seven” or Mag 7, is breathtaking.
PERS Board hearing: What we learned
Ashby Foote says infusing the PERS conversation with new voices and ideas can only help, not harm, the system’s long-term outlook. Last week, the Senate Government Structure committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1590 which aligns Mississippi’s retirement board structure with national models and prevents the rate hike approved by the current board to increase by hundreds of millions of dollars what taxpayers contribute to the plan known as PERS (Public Employees’ Retirement System).
Mississippi’s Gaining a Competitive Edge, While Others Falter
In 2008, then-Governor Haley Barbour in speaking on his ‘More Energy’ policy, said, “ten or fifteen years from now, companies looking to site facilities will not only ask about energy ‘What does it cost?’ but ‘Can we get it?’.” No one knew then how right he would be.
Outside Mississippi, legislators reacting as soaring property values hike property taxes
In Mississippi, when state government aims to implement tax reform the sights are usually set on individual or corporate income taxes, sales and use taxes, insurance premium taxes or so-called “sin” taxes on gaming, tobacco, liquor and beer. After all, those categories of state taxes generated over 99 percent of all state General Fund receipts in Fiscal Year 2022 representing some $7.189 billion in total receipts.
Senator Wicker faces GOP Primary Challenge as Democrats back Pinkins
The race for the Mississippi U.S. Senate seat held by incumbent Republican Roger Wicker is in full swing as qualifying nears its end on Monday, January 15th. Wicker, the state’s senior Senator who has served in the chamber since 2007, launched his re-election campaign before the New Year. Since then, he has been actively traversing the state, speaking at events and laying the groundwork for the March 12th Republican Primary.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves sworn in for second term
Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice. It is a great day to be a Mississippian. Lieutenant Governor Hosemann, Speaker White, President Pro Tem Kirby, Speaker Pro Tem Barton, members of the Mississippi Legislature, friends, family, and my fellow Mississippians joining us in person and those watching from home, it is my pleasure to stand before you here today. It is the single highest honor of my professional life to serve as the governor of the great state of Mississippi.
Mississippi revenues up $100M over estimates halfway through fiscal year
Revenue collections in Mississippi pushed over $100 million above legislative budget estimates halfway through the current fiscal year, according to the December report from the Legislative Budget Office released on Tuesday. The December 2023 revenue report showed that the revenue collections for the month were $28,359,591 or 4.30% above the sine die revenue estimate, bringing the Fiscal Year-to-date revenue collections through December to $104,290,058 or 2.91% above estimate.
Magnolia Mornings: January 9, 2024
The Jackson Redevelopment Authority (JRA), Congressman Bennie Thompson, and Greyhound Lines Inc. announced a five-year agreement for bus services to return to Jackson’s Union Station on Monday, outlining plans for structural and safety improvements at Union Station. JRA and Greyhound resumed intercity service routes at Jackson’s Union Station in December 2023.
Our Great High Priest
The concept of priesthood and the sacrificial system is far removed from our contemporary Western world, but understanding it is fundamental to Christian living. The practice of animal sacrifice in Old Testament Israel was not a man-made system created as a futile attempt to reach God and make humans acceptable to Him. Rather, it was meant to help God’s covenant people understand His character, His expectations, and the wonder of His plan of redemption (and it can still help us in this way today).
A Difficult Name to Pronounce: Kosciusko, aka Beehive of the Hills
My children make fun of the way I pronounce certain words. For example, ‘parmesan’ is at the top of the list. For years I have managed to turn it into a fancy French-sounding word. Even now, when I need to say the word, I must stop and think about the correct pronunciation before the incorrect pronunciation rolls off my tongue. When I first moved to Mississippi, it was also difficult for me to enunciate Kosciusko. However, it didn’t take long to get the hang of it.
Magnolia Tribune Sitdown with Congressman Michael Guest
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Mississippi University for Women set to change name to Mississippi Brightwell University
On Monday, the Mississippi University for Women, or MUW, announced it would be changing the school’s name to Mississippi Brightwell University (MBU). The change comes after a 2022 survey that sought responses for the potential change through a formal naming process. MUW said the new name is based on the motto, “We study for light to bless with light.” “Our distinguished faculty – beacons of enlightenment and a wellspring of knowledge – collaborate with each of our students one-on-one.
Wicker calls failure to disclose Defense Secretary's medical complications an indictment of the Biden Administration
Senator Roger Wicker (R) is raising concerns over the Department of Defense “deliberately” withholding the medical condition of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin from not only the public, but from the National Security Advisor, Congressional officials and President Joe Biden. It has come to light that Secretary Austin was reportedly admitted to the hospital on New Year’s Day.
Choose Truth as Your New Year’s Resolution
For so many around the world, the beginning of the new year normally is a time to reflect on a festive holiday season and to get back into the daily routine. In Israel however, it is far from a normal time. Three months have passed since the unprecedented terror attack on our country and people on October 7th by Hamas terrorists. Since that day, Israel is at war with the Hamas terror organization in Gaza. Hamas leaders have declared that they will commit October 7th again and again and again.
A Tale of Two Years and Two Worlds
Charles Dickens put it well 165 years ago, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity…” This is an apt metaphor for the stock market and the world in 2023 and perhaps for 2024 as well. Last year saw seven magnificent technology stocks promising glorious productivity gains from Artificial Intelligence (AI) lead the S&P 500 to dramatic double-digit returns.
Ashby Foote | The Grenada Star
We delve deep into the complex world of energy with expert Mark Mills of the Manhattan Institute as he debunks myths and shines a light on the future. From the realities of electric vehicles to the impact of green energy on the mining industry, we cover it all.
BPF Book Review of Alex Epstein's "Fossil Future"
Are we all Malthusians now? Listening to today’s elite leaders from the academic, media and political realms could leave one to conclude as much. Thomas Malthus (1766-1834) was a Cambridge educated philosopher, economist and a high profile thought leader at the turn of the 18th century. Malthus gained great fame and long-term notoriety for his apocalyptic predictions of doom and gloom about the future.
Ashby Foote: Craft breweries contribute to great cities
If you are not a beer drinker you may have missed a profound shift in the adult beverage marketplace: Business for the big beer brands has gone flat. Overall beer sales are doing fine, but all the excitement and growth is in craft beer — especially the small batch brewers which are sprouting up at a rapid pace. Since 1989, the number of breweries in the U.S. has exploded from 89 to 4,400, with industry watchers expecting the total to hit 10,000 over the next five years.
Foote: Bill seeks to hijack Jackson airport
In 87 years of operations, Jackson’s airports have never suffered a hijacking, but that streak may be about to end. The state Legislature is considering a bill that would create a new airport board appointed by the governor. If passed, it would effectively take control of the Jackson-Megar Wiley Evers International Airport away from the current airport commission, which is appointed by the mayor of Jackson and confirmed by the Jackson City Council.
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