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Ariel J. Blocker

@drugdesigns.bsky.social

5.1K followers 7.9K following 20K posts

UCLHumGen EMBLCellBioPhD PasteurUPMMPostdoc BacteriolG+PL SWDSoPOxf CMMBris R&DnewMoAAbxs SanofiID EvotecID BrdMemAmbNetAMRIns 500WomSciLT TheMicrobeSectEd Currently located in Lyon, France #Leguminati “Artist”: etsy.me/2F7IXXU Diagnosed w/ EOPD 04/2018

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Ariel J. Blocker @drugdesigns.bsky.social · Jul 26

MUST-LISTEN!!! AND, below is a MUST-READ article by a remarkable husband & wife team who have been reporting on how Putin’s attempted restoration of Stalinist rule in its full gory glory is enabled by and what does to people presently in or escaping from Russia.
podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/s...

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Rachel Maddow @maddow.msnbc.com · 8h

“Defense lawyers who have clients caught up in the case have expressed bafflement at what possible crime could have been committed…”

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/u...

U.S. Attorney Was Forced Out After Clashes Over How to Handle Russia Inquiry

www.nytimes.com

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Rachel Maddow @maddow.msnbc.com · 8h

“Dozens of prominent artists and cultural organizations will participate in a series of artistic demonstrations to protest what authoritarian overreach by the Trump administration.

The protests, known as Fall of Freedom, will take place on the weekend of Nov. 21...”

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/14/a...

Artists Plan Nationwide Protests Against ‘Authoritarian Forces’

www.nytimes.com

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Rachel Maddow @maddow.msnbc.com · 8h

“People like Maxim — who refuse to become silent accomplices to the Kremlin’s crimes — are saving our country’s honor amid this current darkness. And it will be they who will lead Russia back to normality once the drawn-out nightmare of Putin’s rule is over.”

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Opinion | What Putin is crushing in Russia

The arrest of opposition leader Maxim Kruglov is a blow against the last vestiges of Russian democracy.

www.washingtonpost.com

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H I Sutton @covertshores.bsky.social · 3h

Russia’s Submarine Problem Is Much Worse Than Many Imagine

It’s not just the tale of one unfortunate submarine, it’s a growing hole in capacity and capability www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...

Russia’s Submarine Problem Is Much Worse Than Many Imagine - Naval News

The Russian submarine Novorossiysk, an Improved Kilo-class vessel, has been forced to limp home to the Baltic after a mechanical failure in the Mediterranean. While some reports exaggerated its plight...

www.navalnews.com

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Hanna Notte @hannanotte.bsky.social · 3h

In a remarkable first, Syria's new leader Al-Shara is in Moscow today to meet Putin

Though Russia had to postpone its Russia-Arab summit due to the Gaza ceasefire, Al-Shara still went to Moscow

In a recent @foreignaffairs.com essay I discuss how & why Russia retained influence in post-Assad Syria

Hanna Notte @hannanotte.bsky.social · 12d

10 years ago this week, Russia intervened in Syria to save Assad.

His ouster last December dealt a serious blow to Putin.

But Russia is not done in Syria. It's turning adversity into opportunity.

My essay in @foreignaffairs.com
www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/russi...

Russia Isn’t Done With Syria

How Moscow has retained influence in the post-Assad era.

www.foreignaffairs.com

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NOELREPORTS @noelreports.com · 3h

Ukraine’s delegation in the U.S. held meetings with top defense firms Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and RTX. These are producers of missiles, aircraft, and air defense systems. Preparations are underway for Zelensky’s visit to Washington this Friday, where concrete agreements may be signed.

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(((Tendar))) @tendar.bsky.social · 2h

After a long pause Russians have resumed attacks supported by columns of armored vehicles. They tried to reach their forces north of Pokrovsk, but were destroyed long before their reached their intended destination. Around one dozen Russian vehicles have been destroyed.

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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 2h

⚡️ Evacuation zone expanded in Kharkiv Oblast as Russian forces advance near Kupiansk.

In total, 601 children from 409 families are to be relocated to safer areas.

Evacuation zone expanded in Kharkiv Oblast as Russian forces advance near Kupiansk

In total, 601 children from 409 families are to be relocated to safer areas.

kyivindependent.com

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Igor Sushko @igorsushko.bsky.social · 2h

💥 Russia: Ufimsky Oil Refinery struck by Ukrainian drones in the rain — 1,450km away from Ukraine.
The refinery has a capacity to produce 7.5 million tons of fuel per year.

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Ariel J. Blocker @drugdesigns.bsky.social · 2h

#GloryToUkraine!

Reposted by Ariel J. Blocker

WarTranslated (Dmitri) @wartranslated.bsky.social · 2h

For the first time ever, an air raid alert was sounded in Chelyabinsk due to drones — the region is located approximately 1,800 kilometers away.

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Ukrainska Pravda 🇺🇦 @pravda.ua · 2h

👏 Finland joins initiative to purchase weapons from US for Ukraine

Finland joins initiative to purchase weapons from US for Ukraine

Finland has decided to join the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, which involves purchasing weapons in the United States for transfer to Ukraine.

www.pravda.com.ua

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NOELREPORTS @noelreports.com · 2h

🇸🇪 Sweden is ready to deepen its military support for Ukraine. Defense Minister Pål Jonson confirmed Stockholm is preparing a joint aid package with Norway and Denmark worth €250 million and is open to further contributions.

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Ariel J. Blocker @drugdesigns.bsky.social · 2h

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

Putin’s embarrassing cancellation of Arab summit signals waning influence in Middle East

Trump’s Gaza summit may bring home to Russia how much Ukraine war has damaged its international standing

www.theguardian.com

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NOELREPORTS @noelreports.com · 5h

⚡️🇺🇸 US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Washington expects allies to step up arms purchases for Ukraine. Speaking alongside NATO SecGen Rutte in Brussels, he urged more countries to contribute to the PURL initiative to ensure Ukraine is armed and push the war toward a just resolution.

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MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 @maks23.bsky.social · 5h

🇪🇺🇵🇱🇺🇦 Sikorski: Europe should be prepared for strikes by the occupying country Russia deep into the region. Refusing to create defense systems such as the "drone wall" is an irresponsible step. Europeans should prepare to support Ukraine for at least another three years.

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NOELREPORTS @noelreports.com · 5h

This morning, Ukrainian drones struck the Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim oil refinery in Ufa once again. Smoke is visible from afar, and damage assessment is currently underway.

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Ariel J. Blocker @drugdesigns.bsky.social · 5h

So now the Joint Chiefs (most of whom have been replaced already with mediocre MAGA loyalists) have no one they can turn to adversarial for legal advice when Trump & Hegseth’s increasingly despotic orders come in, whether about foreign or American civilians…

Ariel J. Blocker @drugdesigns.bsky.social · 5h

Trump & Hegseth are effectively now guilty of ordering 6 murders. We have coast guards to deal with drug smugglers. The US military, like all other militaries, aren’t legally allowed to target civilians. But, of course, remember that back in Jan-Feb, Trump fired the US DoD’s senior legal staff.

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Christian Thiels @christianthiels.bsky.social · 9h

"Spain is kicking against the prevailing political mood among Western nations when it comes to migration and policies regarding the African continent."
@bbcnews-world-rss.bsky.social
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Spain-Africa: Madrid's radically different approach to African migration

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government is kicking against the prevailing mood among Western nations.

www.bbc.com

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Christian Thiels @christianthiels.bsky.social · 9h

German Aid to Ukraine @deaidua.org · 1d

Funded jointly by the German government and the EU, various vehicles and equipment worth €6.5 million were handed over yesterday by @kajakallas.bsky.social to the National Police of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

Image: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine | CC BY 4.0 | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

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Ariel J. Blocker @drugdesigns.bsky.social · 5h

Interesting & economical way to go about it!

Ariel J. Blocker @drugdesigns.bsky.social · 5h

Yeah, in mine too!

Ariel J. Blocker @drugdesigns.bsky.social · 5h

Unfortunately, its a “catch 22” situation for these agencies: whether they refuse to sign up to new media rules of current US “Department of War” or not, the Trump appointed staff will keep lying. Still, it’s pretty funny even Fox News thinks this is now “too much authoritarianism”!

Reposted by Ariel J. Blocker

Christian Thiels @christianthiels.bsky.social · 9h

"US and international news outlets including The New York Times, AP, AFP and Fox News on Tuesday declined to sign new restrictive Pentagon media rules, meaning they will be stripped of their press access credentials."
@en.afp.com
sg.news.yahoo.com/major-media-...

Major media outlets reject Pentagon reporting rules

US and international news outlets including The New York Times, AP, AFP and Fox News on Tuesday declined to sign new restrictive Pentagon media rules, meaning they will be stripped of their press acce...

sg.news.yahoo.com

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