This is the Friends of History Debating Society. I'm John Batchel. Michael Yon, Michael underline Yon,

to see Michael's reporting at Twitter, you now called X. He is in Panama City, has been for several weeks.

Since Michael's trip this time, we've had the new Secretary of State, Mr. Rubio, the new Secretary of Defense,

Mr. Heggseth, other officials,

and some, you'd have to say, buzz haircuts wearing Hawaii shirts, which are usually indicative

of military personnel or former military personnel now working for the State Department or other

agencies with three letters.

Okay, that's Panama City now since Michael's been there.

So we call upon him to reflect about the people of Panama, much in the news, since Mr.

Trump and others in the Trump cabinet voiced grave concern about the security of Panama, brought forward

all the statistics about how much the U.S. depends upon the Panama Canal, how we're the major

customer, and how it's importantly part of the defense of the Indo-Pacific.

In the event, there is violence.

You must get supplies and resupplies through the Panama Canal to the Pacific and vice versa. And if it's in the hands of the Chinese,

there are doubts. So, Michael, rather than go right to the trouble, the Black Rock deal to make

offer that has been rejected by the Chinese Communist Party in some fashion, or the rotation of U.S. troops now announced the jungle school, other military personnel to provide security, or the intention of Mr. Trump and his administration still to bring Panama's government back under the

wing of the United States. How about the people of Panama? What is the mood in the street?

The shops full of toys or the restaurants full. How are they doing, given all this attention

they received, some of which makes some of them

very unhappy?

Good evening, Michael.

Well, as an American, I still feel very, very welcome.

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