Weekly Email - 2/2/26

What do these sticks and NATO have in common?

This photo reminds us of the moral of the famous Aesop's fable. A father has three quarrelsome sons, and he gives them a bundle of sticks to try to break; none can do it. But if the bundle is broken apart, the sons easily break them one by one. "My Sons," said the Father, "do you not see how certain it is that if you agree with each other and help each other, it will be impossible for your enemies to injure you? But if you are divided among yourselves, you will be no stronger than a single stick in that bundle."

Read Aesop's fable here

Topic of the Week: NATO and Our Alliances

These past few weeks in particular have made us all think about our alliances around the world. How do this administration's actions impact our country's security? What are the benefits of alliances? Why shouldn't we go it alone? How have this administration's actions affected our decades-long approach to peacekeeping and world order?

It is clear that the priorities of this administration differ greatly from US policy over the last few decades. We've gathered resources to help answer these questions:

Breaking Down Trump's 2025 National Security Strategy (Brookings Institute)This assessment sheds light on how the current administration's approach to national security differs from decades of US foreign policy. Read here

The Competitive Advantages and Risks of Alliances (Heritage Foundation, 2020)Kathleen J. McInnis weighs the advantages and risks of our alliances, as well as the threats from Russia and China. As Winston Churchill once famously quipped, "There is only one thing worse than fighting with allies, and that is fighting without them."Read here

Why Shouldn't the US Go It Alone? Richard Haass of the Council on Foreign Relations talks to Charles Kupchan about his book, Isolationism: A History of America's Efforts to Shield Itself from the World. Watch here

What is the Board of Peace? The Board of Peace was first unveiled as the body overseeing the Gaza Peace Plan. While many countries have signed up, some prominent allies have declined to participate. What is this organization? Is this an attempt to create an alternative to the United Nations? Read here

Other News and Upcoming Events!

• Next Social Hour: Wednesday, February 18

  • 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

  • Venue information to follow

• Save the Date: April Roundtable on Healthcare

  • The next RTB roundtable event in April will focus on healthcare. Please watch this space to confirm the date and venue.

• Volunteer Opportunity — Learn more here

  • Are you interested in serving on a county board? There are multiple openings, including one on the planning commission. 

• On the Radar, Local Meetings: 

  • Board of County Commissioners: Tuesdays @ 9 am

  • Grand Junction City Council: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 5:30 pm

  • Palisade City Council: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays @ 6 pm

  • Fruita City Council: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 7 pm

  • D51 School Board: 3rd Tuesdays @ 5 pm

  • Mesa County Library Board: Last Thursdays @ 5:30 pm

  • Public Health Board: Monthly Tuesdays @ 3 pm 

RTB Member Insights.

Here are some recommendations from our members:

• Listen:

  • The Ezra Klein Show: Prime Minister Mark Carney's Speech at Davos. In Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent speech at Davos, he stated that "We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition." In this podcast, Ezra Klein discusses the ramifications of this speech with political scientist Henry Farrell.

    • Listen here

• For reflection:

  • Bruce Springsteen: "Streets of Philadelphia." Sadly, a ballad of our times, but we must never forget Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

    • Listen here

• Thank you to all who have reached out and shared photos. Don't forget to send us your book and podcast recommendations!

  • Want to Contribute to Our Weekly Newsletter? Our best recommendations come from you! Have you read a thought-provoking book? Listened to an insightful podcast? Found an article worth sharing? Captured a beautiful photo of Western Colorado? We want to feature your discoveries and perspectives in our Monday Update. You can share resources, suggest topics you'd like RTB to address, or submit photos from around our community. All submissions can be anonymous or attributed to you; it's your choice.

    • Submit your recommendations here