What is going on with this guy who is striking deals with a Russian leader? Throughout history, American presidents have always negotiated from a position of strength. The Republican hero, Ronald Reagan, maintained a firm stance in his negotiations with Gorbachev. It is a tradition that most American presidents have followed since the Second World War. Unlike many, I was never a supporter of Reagan; in fact, I believe that the deception behind his "trickle-down" economic theory—which, in practice, has only fostered an upward accumulation of wealth, benefiting the affluent—is the root cause of our current situation: a landscape of billionaire oligarchs who fail to pay their fair share of taxes, while trying to convince the working class that it is immigrants who threaten their livelihoods. And yet, Reagan knew how to stand up to an adversary without betraying the interests of our allies. I will never forget the images of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing their sovereign nation following the Russian invasion in 2022. I find it despicable that the man in the White House is turning his back on Ukraine—along with his ultra-wealthy friend, who is denying them access to essential internet connectivity. What is happening? Many people around the world are asking themselves this very question. I hope that at least some of the most die-hard Republicans will engage in some honest self-reflection ahead of the upcoming elections. © Photographs by Peter Turnley.