Conservatives need to embrace ‘fusion’ of populism, top leader says, calling AmFest scenes ‘encouraging’
The future of the conservative movement rests on the ability of candidates and activists to embrace the best tenets of populism while addressing issues that are uncomfortable in “establishment Washington,” the leader of one of America’s oldest conservative policy groups told Fox News Digital. Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts, in Phoenix for the first AmericaFest following the murder of Charlie Kirk, said that despite a wave of recent losses for conservatives, there is great hope for the future. The event was packed with thousands of conservatives from around the nation. “I was expecting to be really encouraged, and I am,” Roberts said of people he has engaged with at AmericaFest. “There’s a lot of passion and encouragement in that room. And I think we have to keep in mind, moving on to a second point, that you have to ignore sort of the naysayers and the doomsayers about conservative politicians losing the midterms.” He said that despite bad press and wipeouts for the right in Virginia, New Jersey, Florida and Pennsylvania, conservatives “ought to be more optimistic” after what he called a great first year of the Trump-Vance administration and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., working together. VIVEK RAMASWAMY CRITICIZES POCKETS OF ‘ONLINE RIGHT’ FIXATED ON HERITAGE IN TURNING POINT ADDRESS “What we’ve got to do for 2026 is articulate to the American people — starting with this crowd here at AmFest — what those policy priorities need to be; not just for the short term but for the long term and Heritage certainly is in the middle of that conversation.” To keep conservatism at the fore in 2026, given recent setbacks, conservatives must run on an “aspirational vision” he said was lacking in several 2025 races – while noting Jack Ciattarelli’s failed bid for governor of New Jersey bid as one of the better-run campaigns. Looking to the new year, Roberts said Heritage is interested in seeing policymakers asking those uncomfortable questions inside the Beltway, like what the future of the American family looks like, whether the workplace is one where Americans earn dignity and not just a paycheck, and more directly, “what it means to be an American.” TIM SCOTT TELLS MAGA VOTERS TRUMP ‘IS ON THE BALLOT’ AS GOP FIGHTS TO GROW SENATE MAJORITY IN 2026 “[That’s] to say something, of course, that establishment Washington doesn’t like to talk about,” he said. “What’s the future, not just of immigration policy, but how can we assimilate the highest percentage of foreign-born population we’ve had in modern American history? This is important for all of us if in fact we’re going to have a healthy society,” he said. “The bottom line is this, if establishment Washington talks about just sort of sidebar issues in this campaign, then the midterms are going to be a disaster. “ WHY 2026 SHOULD TERRIFY REPUBLICANS AFTER TENNESSEE SPECIAL ELECTION “They, to state the obvious, have to talk about what the American people are asking, and they actually have to offer policy solutions where I happen to think Heritage has some good things to say.” In 2028, Trump will be term-limited and a new conservative leader will have to rise. The best way for conservatives to move forward, he said, is to embrace a “good fusion of the best elements of populism.” SETTING THE STAGE: WHAT THE 2025 ELECTIONS SIGNAL FOR NEXT YEAR’S MIDTERM SHOWDOWNS “Namely, exercising popular will over longstanding conservative principles like diminishing the size of the administrative state, but also making sure that we’re sustaining our longstanding, conservative principles,” Roberts said. “Whoever the standard-bearers are for conservatism in 2028, 2032, 2036, their policy ideas are going to sound a lot like Trump’s, but of course they are going to bring their own imprint into that.” “Those of us who focus on ideas and policy for a living need to do our jobs zealously well to keep offering not just the long-standing policy ideas, but some innovative ones as well,” he added. Looking ahead to Heritage’s work in 2026, Roberts said the think tank will focus on family, the future of free enterprise, national security, and citizenship. “And then we’re also focused, especially on the side of our enterprise that works on advocacy and campaigns, “Heritage Action [For America]“, what those particular places are where we can tell that story to the American people. And hopefully, people running for office will take those issues and run with them,” he said.
LIVE: Tottenham vs Liverpool – Premier League
blinking-dotLive MatchLive Match, Follow our live build-up, with full team news coverage, before our text commentary stream of the EPL clash in London. Published On 20 Dec 202520 Dec 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
Israel launches new raids in Syria’s Quneitra, establishes checkpoints
Syrian state television denounces the Israeli incursion as another violation of the nation’s sovereignty. Israeli forces have advanced into the Quneitra area of Syria’s occupied Golan Heights and set up two military checkpoints, an Al Jazeera correspondent on the ground reports. The Israeli military operation on Saturday took place in the villages of Ain Ziwan and al-Ajraf in the southern part of the country. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list For months, Israeli forces have conducted near-daily incursions into southern Syria, particularly in the Quneitra governorate, carrying out arrests, erecting checkpoints, and bulldozing land, all of which have prompted growing public anger and unrest. Syrian state television said the Israeli incursion was a violation of Syrian sovereignty, noting that the army used five military vehicles to set up the checkpoint in Ain Ziwan. The latest raid comes one day after Israeli forces advanced towards the towns of al-Asha, Bir Ajam, Bariqa, Umm al-Azam and Ruwayhina in the southern Quneitra countryside, according to the Syrian News Agency (SANA). Dozens of Syrians on Friday protested the Israeli incursion in the city of al-Salam in the Quneitra Governorate, condemning the ongoing Israeli attacks against citizens and their properties. The demonstrators, part of a group called “Syrians with Palestine”, held banners denouncing what they stated were repeated Israeli violations of Syrian lands. Despite a reduction in direct military threats, the Israeli army continues to carry out air raids that have caused civilian casualties and destroyed Syrian army sites and facilities. Over the past year, Israel has launched more than 600 air, drone or artillery attacks across Syria, averaging nearly two attacks a day, according to a tally by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED). Advertisement Israeli military incursions have become more brazen, more frequent and more violent since Israel expanded its occupation of southern Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Disengagement accord After al-Assad’s fall, Israel declared the 1974 Disengagement Agreement – brokered after the 1973 war, in which Syria failed to regain the occupied Golan Heights – void. The agreement had established a UN-patrolled buffer zone, which Israel has since violated, advancing deeper into Syrian territory. Citing al-Assad’s flight, Israel says the accord no longer applies, while carrying out air raids, ground incursions, reconnaissance flights; setting up checkpoints; and arresting or disappearing Syrians. Syria has not responded with attacks. In September, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that Israel had conducted more than 1,000 air attacks and more than 400 ground incursions in Syria since al-Assad was overthrown, describing the actions as “very dangerous”. Syrians believe that the continuation of these violations hinders efforts to restore stability in the region and undermines attempts to improve the economic situation in southern Syria. Al Jazeera visited Quneitra in recent weeks and spoke to Syrians about Israeli incursions and abductions there, which have stoked fears. Syria and Israel are currently in talks to reach an agreement that Damascus hopes will secure a halt to Israel’s air raids on its territory and the withdrawal of Israeli troops who have pushed into southern Syria. In the background, the United States has been pushing diplomatic efforts to restore the 1974 deal. Adblock test (Why?)
US aerial bombardment strikes ‘ISIS thugs’ in Syria
NewsFeed In a ‘declaration of vengeance’ for a deadly attack on US soldiers last week, the US military launched more than 70 strikes on alleged ISIL targets in Syria. Published On 20 Dec 202520 Dec 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
PM Modi slams Mamata Banerjee’s TMC in virtual Bengal address: ‘Let Trinamool oppose me…’
During the virtual address, PM Modi apologised to the attendees for not being able to speak in-person and launched a scathing attack at the state’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on a number of issues. Here’s more on this.
PM Modi’s chopper forced to return to Kolkata due to…, will now address Ranaghat event virtually, here’s all you need to know
PM Modi arrived in Kolkata at 10:40 am and departed for Nadia. However, due to dense fog, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s helicopter was unable to land at the Taherpur helipad in West Bengal.
Sonia Gandhi attacks Centre over G RAM G Bill: ‘Modi govt has ignored…’
Addressing party workers and supporters, Gandhi, the longest-serving president of the Congress, described G RAM G as a “black law.” She said MGNREGA had proved to be a revolutionary milestone that benefited crores of rural families.
Lionel Messi Kolkata event controversy: Raid at organiser Satadru Dutta’s home, police reveal shocking details
The Kolkata police’s special investigation team (SIT) raided Satadru Dutta’s luxurious three-storey home in Rishra early Saturday, following a visit to the local police station. A team of five officers entered the property, where only a domestic help was present.
AR Rahman concert: Delhi traffic police issue advisory; know which roads will be affected, routes to avoid
The traffic police directed that commuters can face restrictions, and diversions imposed on IP Marg and Vikas Marg if required. There will be a prohibition on heavy vehicles to ply from Rajghat towards IP Marg during the event hours.
BIG update on Gaganyaan mission, ISRO successfully completes parachute deceleration tests; WATCH
Sharing the achievement on X, the space agency said: “The tests confirmed the performance and reliability of the drogue parachutes under varying flight conditions, marking a key step in qualifying the parachute system for human spaceflight.”