#ourCOG Daily Brief [August 22, 2026]

Good evening, and welcome to #ourCOG Daily Brief for August 22, 2026.

On the U.S. front, trade relations with Canada have soured, leading to a new round of retaliatory tariffs after talks collapsed, targeting a wide range of goods. Meanwhile, the U.S. military’s role in immigration enforcement has expanded, with new legal opinions granting greater arrest powers at the southern border. In the world of commerce, consumer interest in the origins of chocolate is driving a “bean-to-bar” movement among boutique makers. Politically, the intersection of sports and government is a hot topic, with fans at events like the “Freedom 250” IndyCar race asking how politics might be impacting their favorite pastimes. And in Washington, questions about self-dealing and ethical standards during the presidency are rising, with potential for increased oversight if Democrats gain control of the House in upcoming midterm elections. Globally, the deep roots of Mexican chocolate culture, dating back 4,000 years, are being celebrated, while in Côte d’Ivoire, the heartland of cocoa production, farmers are seeking new opportunities and greater benefits from their iconic crop. Before its recent deadly earthquakes, Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, experienced a decline in violent crime and a newfound sense of opportunity following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro, leading residents to explore their city in new ways.

In our video section, we have thought-provoking content including “You Cannot Fight the Enemy Alone,” a philosophical look at “Does God Exist?” with Jonathan Vorce, plus messages titled “We are Family” and “Not on My Watch.”

From our FaithNews feed, today marks the Church of God’s 140th Anniversary. We also hear that Christian AI FlickerFaith is now free worldwide, there are updates on Iranian Christians struggling to survive, and the General Council continues its vital work fighting human trafficking.

Turning to prophecy news, today’s discussions recall the “Echoes of Exceptionalism” and the refusal “to live by lies,” drawing parallels to the 1991 Moscow coup. There’s also reflection on Rosh Hashanah converging with the 25th anniversary of 9/11 this year, a day when judgment is written but the shofar remains silent. Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly lost a crucial economic lifeline in the Middle East, as the United Arab Emirates suspended all trade and financial transactions after accusing Tehran of firing ballistic missiles. And domestically, recent reports suggest Democrats are trying to walk back “woke” ideology, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez herself calling “woke one” crazy, following studies indicating voters perceive the party as out-of-touch.

Finally, in Jewish history, looking back at August 22nd through the ages: In 70 AD, according to Josephus, Titus began battering operations against the wall of the Temple Court. Later in 634 AD, Abu Bakr, the first Caliph and a leader in campaigns against the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir, passed away, succeeded on this very day by Um ibn Al-khattab, who was accompanied by a Yemenite rabbi and early convert to Islam on his journey to Jerusalem. And in 1241 AD, Pope Gregory IX, a prominent opponent of Judaism who condemned it as “containing every kind of vileness and blasphemy,” passed away, having invested heavily in the doctrine of the perpetual servitude of Jews.