The Lieberman Files

Israel's National Elections

Matt Lieberman — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 13:00:45 GMT

At the end of October, Israelis will vote to continue or end Bibi Netanyahu’s leadership of the country. Media commentator Noa Tishby offers this brief and helpful primer.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcbXkXYSTeX/?igsi=MWJvcHk1OXFiMXMwcg==

Sunsets

Matt Lieberman — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:17:59 GMT

I've been fortunate enough to spend a few days over the last couple of weeks by the water, first in Branford, Connecticut and then in Avalon, New Jersey. Here are a few sunset shots for your enjoyment. Have a great weekend.

A quick,bleak thought about antisemitism

Matt Lieberman — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 19:49:44 GMT

I've been wanting to share this thought for a while, but it's too depressing and so I have put it off. I don't want to go down the rabbit hole that so many of today's news events sends me down. I just want to share a simple thought.

Roughly speaking, I divide anti-semites into two groups. First is the frighteningly large group that embraces anti-semiti…

Central Park

Matt Lieberman — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:02:44 GMT

It's a nice enough Sunday afternoon in the summer. I have somewhere to be on the Upper East Side, too far given the time for me to walk all the way from my uppermost West Side home. So I take a subway down to 72nd Street and then walk across.

Is there an event of some sort? The number of people out on the lawn called Sheep Meadow suggests an imminent c…

The Passing of Lindsey Graham

Matt Lieberman — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:01:09 GMT

As many of you know, my dad, John McCain, and Lindsey Graham were known as the three amigos - an unusual bipartisan trio who shared strong points of view on a handful of issues and who genuinely enjoyed eachother’s company. This true friendship was forged both in Washington and on trips around the world that were focused on America's interest - and the …

My Daughter's Thoughts About Graham Platner

Matt Lieberman — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 20:24:20 GMT

Finally, and unapologetically, Graham Platner has stood down. It’s remarkable he lasted this long given the litany of actual and credibly alleged bad acts that have been raised. He and his campaign emitted a huge and persistent cloud of toxic smoke. Finally, his supporters started to choke on it and pulled their support. Why did it take so long? Fo…

July 4th Weekend

Matt Lieberman — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 22:36:32 GMT

We've made it a quarter millennium. I like that description better than semiquincentennial. I immediately know what it means. And it suggests not only that we've come a long way but also that we might reasonably hope we still have a long way to go.

I was not quite nine years old at the Bicentennial. It was a big deal, something special, a true celebrati…

Early Summer In New York

Matt Lieberman — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:44:18 GMT

I hope everyone is well! I'm sure I'll have some July 4th photos and maybe even a thought or two to send your way soon. Meantime, enjoy.

Uncle Sam Cries Uncle

Matt Lieberman — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 21:34:00 GMT

Donald Trump will only ever declare victory. And so he did, last week, as he agreed to pay Iran hundreds and hundreds of billions of dollars to open up the Strait of Hormuz, which had been open before we attacked them. So we’re paying this kingly sum to the ayatollahs in exchange for the status quo ex ante. In financial terms, it seems very much like we…

My Feelings Exactly

Matt Lieberman — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:15:45 GMT

Literally every day the problem of Israel and Jew hatred stabs me in one way or another. Maybe it’s reading the latest bit on antisemitic insanity - the latest double standard, the latest half-truth/non-truth. Maybe it’s an interaction with someone, even someone important to me, who has lost the capacity for moral reason specifically in regard to this…

Israel Day Parade vs Eid al-Adha

Matt Lieberman — Fri, 29 May 2026 16:39:34 GMT

On a beautiful spring afternoon in Morningside Park, I found myself watching a scene this week that felt like New York at its very best.

Hundreds of Senegalese Muslims had gathered to celebrate Eid al-Adha, the Muslim holiday marking Abraham’s readiness to sacrifice his son, Isaac - yes, a very “old testament” Muslim holiday. Families spilled across the …

Trump Is King! Trump's Run Amok

Matt Lieberman — Wed, 27 May 2026 16:07:29 GMT

Donald Trump does not merely want loyalty. He wants erasure of dissent. Not Democratic dissent - I mean maybe, eventually, he’d like universal adoration, but Democrats being Democrats gives him someone to fight with. The dissent that “dare not speak its name” in TrumpLand is Republican dissent. Some internal dissent has traditionally made political par…

A Timely And Important Op-Ed From Bret Stephens Of The NYT

Matt Lieberman — Mon, 25 May 2026 20:10:30 GMT

(Relatively) Good News About One Branch Of Our Government

Matt Lieberman — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:16:16 GMT

If you’re a regular reader here, you know I hold a dim view of our government. Our current executive branch, to an extent greater than any in memory, rapaciously tramples on and seeks to usurp as much power from the legislative and judicial branches of government as possible. The legislative branch is feckless and riven by hyperpartisanship. It achie…

Happy Mother's Day!

Matt Lieberman — Sun, 10 May 2026 19:11:18 GMT

Happy Mother's Day to all who are celebrating! I'm in Branford, CT with mom and family. Here are some photos from this last week, mostly from a cross town, cross park evening walk. Enjoy!

Upper East side playground around 530 pm

Assassination As Performance Art

Matt Lieberman — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:54:31 GMT

On Saturday night, Cole Allen tried to assassinate the President and as many of his appointees as possible. In theory, he claims in his “manifesto,” he was ready to kill as many innocents in the ballroom as necessary to get to his targets because they had “chose” to be there and therefore somehow could be deemed complicit. What I’m about to say notwiths…

What I've Learned About Tulips, And Other Pictures

Matt Lieberman — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:15:29 GMT

Tulips take their time. That's the lesson I've learned the last few weeks. It was around three weeks ago that I walked over to the Conservatory Garden in Central Park on the Upper East side. I think I shared a couple of photos with you from that visit. I didn't share with you other photos I took of banks of tulips seemingly ready to burst into flower. I…

The Severe Danger Of Trump's Madman Antics

Matt Lieberman — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:18:37 GMT

Our president this past week has acted like a wounded animal thrashing about in its death throes trying desperately to kill something else even as it sits on the verge of expiring itself.

His statements the last few days about what he might do, in our name, to Iran and Iranian civilization are sickening, repugnant, unhinged and unacceptable. They’re a…

UConn - Duke!

Matt Lieberman — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 19:59:16 GMT

Last night was one of the great, most exciting nights of my life. And yet - or consequently - I almost crashed to the floor unconscious.

Here’s what occurred:

Signs Of Spring

Matt Lieberman — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:48:42 GMT

Growing up, my annual spying of the green shoots and then purple and yellow flowers of the crocuses next to our neighbor's house across the driveway meant, strangely, a whole lot. Little, beautiful, hardscrabble perennials heralding the end of winter, the start of baseball season and little league, the holiday of Passover close at hand - a lot of symbol…