Terrorist Merger 

Anti-trust regulators at the Justice Department are monitoring a potential merger involving Halliburton. They want to make sure Halliburton doesn't get a monopoly on the drilling market. But the real threat to America is not a merger of oil drilling giants. The real threat is a merger of jihadists, which just happened. 

The Associated Press reports that key figures in ISIS and Al Qaeda recently met in northern Syria and agreed to join forces in their fight against the Assad regime and moderate rebel factions. This is bad news. 

It's difficult to see how the moderate Syrian forces survive a two-front war against the ISIS/Al-Qaeda axis and Assad's regime. Once the rebels are out of the picture, could ISIS and Al-Qaeda topple Assad? If Damascus falls and Assad's conventional and chemical weapons become property of ISIS and Al Qaeda, what then? Do the two groups fight it out there or do they expand their caliphate by marching on Baghdad? 

This news may explain why President Obama is now acknowledging the failure of his previous Syria policy and is asking his national security team for a new strategy. 

Obama Vs. Obama 

Consider these statements: 
 

"It's way overdue. We've been talking about it for 10 years now and it's been consistently stalled."

"This is a process that is supposed to be followed."

Both comments were made by President Obama this morning. The first justifying his threat to unilaterally rewrite our immigration laws via executive fiat. The second justifying his threat to veto legislation authorizing construction of the Keystone pipeline. 

Do you see the contradiction, my friends? 

When it comes to immigration, Obama is refusing to respect the processes of our immigration laws, and he's refusing to follow the constitutional process of changing our laws. 

Yet, when it comes to the Keystone pipeline, originally considered by the Bush Administration and stalled after years of debate and study, Obama is demanding we follow the "rules" -- defined by him, of course. 

On both the concept and the process of amnesty, the public overwhelmingly opposes Obama. According to an August poll by Investors Business Daily, 63% of Americans oppose the concept of Obama's amnesty (work permits for illegal immigrants), while just 34% support it. 

And Americans were even more opposed to the idea of Obama "acting on his own." Seventy-three percent said Obama should respect the process and work with Congress to achieve reforms, while just 22% said he should "sidestep Congress and act on his own."  

The Keystone pipeline, which Obama opposes, is overwhelmingly popular. Today 31 House Democrats bucked Obama and joined every Republican in voting to approve legislation authorizing construction of the pipeline. 

For all of Obama's frustration at Republicans for not passing a quasi-amnesty bill, his party controlled Congress for the first two years of his administration. Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi could have passed immigration reform. But they didn't do it. 

A few members of Congress are warning of a constitutional crisis. More of them and more journalists should be speaking up against this abuse of power. There cannot be two sets of rules -- one for Democrats and one for Republicans -- when it comes to governing. But to the left, the ends justify the means. 

Cruise With Kristol, Barnes & Bauer 

Have you ever wanted to take a cruise to Alaska? If so, here's the perfect opportunity!

Join Bill Kristol, Fred Barnes and me for The Weekly Standard's 20th anniversary Alaska cruise. In addition to the majestic beauty of God's creation, you'll enjoy panel discussions, seminars and numerous social events. 

Cabins are going fast, so make your reservation today. Book by December 1st and save $100! Click here for more information. 

I look forward to seeing you in Alaska!