Brian Finucane
@bcfinucane.bsky.social
Senior Adviser, US Program, International Crisis Group. Editor at Just Security. Non-Resident Senior Fellow at Reiss Center on Law and Security at NYU Law. Ex State Dept Lawyer. War Powers| Use of Force| Counterterrorism| Law of War| War Crimes| Arms Sales
Pinned
Upending the International Order
Through both word and deed, President Trump has been aggressively undermining the rule of law internationally.
www.justsecurity.org
As I wrote last spring:
"In short, the United States behaving as a predatory hegemon unconstrained by the UN Charter and threatening other states with territorial conquest...may spur more countries to acquire their own atomic insurance policies."
www.justsecurity.org/109537/upend...
"In short, the United States behaving as a predatory hegemon unconstrained by the UN Charter and threatening other states with territorial conquest...may spur more countries to acquire their own atomic insurance policies."
www.justsecurity.org/109537/upend...
“Dart frogs in captivity do not produce this toxin and it is not found naturally in Russia. There is no innocent explanation for its presence in Navalny’s body.
Russia has brazenly developed and deployed this poison in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.”
Russia has brazenly developed and deployed this poison in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.”
UK government: “consistent, collaborative work has confirmed through laboratory testing that the deadly toxin found in the skin of Ecuador dart frogs (epibatidine) was found in samples from Alexei Navalny’s body and highly likely resulted in his death” www.gov.uk/government/n...
UK confirms Russia poisoned Navalny in prison with rare toxin
UK and partners are today exposing the tragic circumstances surrounding Alexei Navalny's death and have confirmed there was poison found in samples from his body.
www.gov.uk
February 14, 2026 at 10:22 PM
“Dart frogs in captivity do not produce this toxin and it is not found naturally in Russia. There is no innocent explanation for its presence in Navalny’s body.
Russia has brazenly developed and deployed this poison in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.”
Russia has brazenly developed and deployed this poison in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.”
Best I can tell, rationale for bombing Syria is retaliation against remnants of ISIS (who Trump previously declared defeated) for killing US troops there.
US didn’t intervene against ISIS in 2014 due to threats against the homeland.
And Trump admin doesn’t seem to be claiming any such threat now.
US didn’t intervene against ISIS in 2014 due to threats against the homeland.
And Trump admin doesn’t seem to be claiming any such threat now.
US military reports a series of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria
US military reports a series of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria
The attacks came in retaliation for the Dec. 13 ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and one American civilian interpreter.
dlvr.it
February 14, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Best I can tell, rationale for bombing Syria is retaliation against remnants of ISIS (who Trump previously declared defeated) for killing US troops there.
US didn’t intervene against ISIS in 2014 due to threats against the homeland.
And Trump admin doesn’t seem to be claiming any such threat now.
US didn’t intervene against ISIS in 2014 due to threats against the homeland.
And Trump admin doesn’t seem to be claiming any such threat now.
Vows of accountability and collecting potential evidence are vital at this moment.
The Illinois Accountability Commission is gathering precisely the kind of evidence that will hold ICE and the Trump Administration responsible.
Democratic AGs stress importance of citizen-generated evidence in challenging ICE • Stateline
Cellphone video has emerged as a powerful rebuttal to the Trump administration’s version of immigration enforcement incidents.
stateline.org
February 14, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Vows of accountability and collecting potential evidence are vital at this moment.
Great event, featuring opening remarks from @annikennorway.bsky.social and discussion between @ishaantharoor.bsky.social and @crisisgroup.org President @comfortero.crisisgroup.org of our 2026 10 Conflicts to Watch.
Peace ≠ Appeasement.
Ambassador @annikennorway.bsky.social hosted an important fireside chat and reception marking International International Crisis Group’s 10 Conflicts to Watch 2026.
Ambassador @annikennorway.bsky.social hosted an important fireside chat and reception marking International International Crisis Group’s 10 Conflicts to Watch 2026.
February 14, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Great event, featuring opening remarks from @annikennorway.bsky.social and discussion between @ishaantharoor.bsky.social and @crisisgroup.org President @comfortero.crisisgroup.org of our 2026 10 Conflicts to Watch.
The low cost option would be not doing any of that.
The Trump administration says Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured at minimum cost to the US taxpayer. Bloomberg calculations show the price tag of the ships deployed in the Caribbean hit more than $20 million a day at its peak.
Trump's Caribbean Surge Nears $3 Billion Price Tag So Far
The operations around Venezuela that eventually led to the capture of its president pulled in nearly a fifth of the US Navy’s surface fleet at a cost of more than $20 million a day.
bloom.bg
February 14, 2026 at 6:53 PM
The low cost option would be not doing any of that.
I’ve had some DIY mishaps and even some injuries.
But none quite like (allegedly) baking my brain with a homemade raygun.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
But none quite like (allegedly) baking my brain with a homemade raygun.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Researcher skeptical of ‘Havana syndrome’ tested secret weapon on himself
The CIA investigated a Norwegian government experiment with a pulsed-energy machine in which a researcher built and tested a “Havana syndrome” device on himself.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:49 PM
I’ve had some DIY mishaps and even some injuries.
But none quite like (allegedly) baking my brain with a homemade raygun.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
But none quite like (allegedly) baking my brain with a homemade raygun.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
That’s two of my alma matres
February 14, 2026 at 6:43 PM
That’s two of my alma matres
I read Rubio’s discussion of “civilizational erasure” as him:
1) dutifully carrying water for others in the administration and
2) trying to position himself to compete in a future GOP primary.
1) dutifully carrying water for others in the administration and
2) trying to position himself to compete in a future GOP primary.
Rubio's speech in Munich warned of the "civilizational erasure" of Europe and the ills of "mass migration." He said the US aims to save European culture. And he pushed for more defense spending. Rubio hit these themes in a friendlier tone than Vance. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/w...
Rubio Stresses Shared History to Europeans but Warns of ‘Civilizational Erasure’ in Munich
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:07 PM
I read Rubio’s discussion of “civilizational erasure” as him:
1) dutifully carrying water for others in the administration and
2) trying to position himself to compete in a future GOP primary.
1) dutifully carrying water for others in the administration and
2) trying to position himself to compete in a future GOP primary.
First skate ski of the season.
February 14, 2026 at 3:47 PM
First skate ski of the season.
Reposted by Brian Finucane
@ishaantharoor.bsky.social wrote The Washington Post's WorldView column for its flagship newsletter on international affairs. It had around half a million subscribers when management eliminated it — and Ishaan's position — last week. You can continue to follow his work by signing up here ⬇️
Dear friends on Bluesky, it's been an overwhelming week since the mass layoff at the Post. I'll be continuing the work and would be so grateful if you sign up here to keep up with my future journalism. docs.google.com/forms/d/1dlh...
Ishaan Tharoor — Follow my work
Please share your email address so I can keep you posted.
docs.google.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:52 PM
@ishaantharoor.bsky.social wrote The Washington Post's WorldView column for its flagship newsletter on international affairs. It had around half a million subscribers when management eliminated it — and Ishaan's position — last week. You can continue to follow his work by signing up here ⬇️
This El Paso mess could have been avoided with a properly functioning NSC and a properly functioning interagency lawyers group to resolve the legal disagreement (getting OLC to adjudicate if necessary).
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/u...
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 11:46 AM
This El Paso mess could have been avoided with a properly functioning NSC and a properly functioning interagency lawyers group to resolve the legal disagreement (getting OLC to adjudicate if necessary).
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/u...
There’s a risk that this lawless premeditated killing spree fades into background noise, like the neglected but intensified U.S. bombing campaign in Somalia.
More lawless slaughter at sea.
First strike in the Caribbean in a few months.
As usual, the “designated terrorist organizations” (note plural) supposedly operating the vessel are unidentified.
And no details on the victims smeared as “narco-terrorists.”
First strike in the Caribbean in a few months.
As usual, the “designated terrorist organizations” (note plural) supposedly operating the vessel are unidentified.
And no details on the victims smeared as “narco-terrorists.”
February 14, 2026 at 11:13 AM
There’s a risk that this lawless premeditated killing spree fades into background noise, like the neglected but intensified U.S. bombing campaign in Somalia.
Reposted by Brian Finucane
More lawless slaughter at sea.
First strike in the Caribbean in a few months.
As usual, the “designated terrorist organizations” (note plural) supposedly operating the vessel are unidentified.
And no details on the victims smeared as “narco-terrorists.”
First strike in the Caribbean in a few months.
As usual, the “designated terrorist organizations” (note plural) supposedly operating the vessel are unidentified.
And no details on the victims smeared as “narco-terrorists.”
February 14, 2026 at 2:29 AM
More lawless slaughter at sea.
First strike in the Caribbean in a few months.
As usual, the “designated terrorist organizations” (note plural) supposedly operating the vessel are unidentified.
And no details on the victims smeared as “narco-terrorists.”
First strike in the Caribbean in a few months.
As usual, the “designated terrorist organizations” (note plural) supposedly operating the vessel are unidentified.
And no details on the victims smeared as “narco-terrorists.”
"Rubio even made a nod to the impact of German immigrants, who 'dramatically improved the quality of our beer.' Why those immigrants were good for America and others now are not was not clear."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/02...
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/02...
Update from Steven Erlanger
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:08 AM
"Rubio even made a nod to the impact of German immigrants, who 'dramatically improved the quality of our beer.' Why those immigrants were good for America and others now are not was not clear."
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/02...
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/02...
The @wsj.com needing to provide a stepwise guide for adults to starting a fire is a bit on the nose.
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
Why the Traditional Wood-Burning Fireplace Is Facing Extinction
Homeowners still love a crackling, cozy fire. But environmental concerns, construction barriers and the lack of skills needed to build them are turning wood-burners into a ‘vanishing art.’
www.wsj.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:50 AM
The @wsj.com needing to provide a stepwise guide for adults to starting a fire is a bit on the nose.
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
The “Secretary of War” remains preoccupied with Culture War.
New: Military officers could soon find dozens of top colleges and universities across the US (list in replies) abruptly off limits for tuition assistance as part of Hegseth’s campaign against schools he describes as being biased against the US military
www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/p...
www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/p...
Pentagon may bar tuition aid for top universities in Hegseth’s crackdown on ‘biased’ schools | CNN Politics
Military officers could soon find dozens of top colleges and universities across the United States abruptly off limits for tuition assistance as part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s campaign again...
www.cnn.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:44 AM
The “Secretary of War” remains preoccupied with Culture War.
More lawless slaughter at sea.
First strike in the Caribbean in a few months.
As usual, the “designated terrorist organizations” (note plural) supposedly operating the vessel are unidentified.
And no details on the victims smeared as “narco-terrorists.”
First strike in the Caribbean in a few months.
As usual, the “designated terrorist organizations” (note plural) supposedly operating the vessel are unidentified.
And no details on the victims smeared as “narco-terrorists.”
February 14, 2026 at 2:29 AM
More lawless slaughter at sea.
First strike in the Caribbean in a few months.
As usual, the “designated terrorist organizations” (note plural) supposedly operating the vessel are unidentified.
And no details on the victims smeared as “narco-terrorists.”
First strike in the Caribbean in a few months.
As usual, the “designated terrorist organizations” (note plural) supposedly operating the vessel are unidentified.
And no details on the victims smeared as “narco-terrorists.”
Well, I’m reassured that components of DHS should be blazing away at the sky with anti-drone lasers.
Q: Can you confirm that CBP actually hit a party balloon it thought was a drone with a laser? And why wasn't that coordinated with the FAA?
KRISTI NOEM: You know, this was a joint agency task force, um, mission that was undertaken. And um, we're continuing to work on communication
*ends presser*
KRISTI NOEM: You know, this was a joint agency task force, um, mission that was undertaken. And um, we're continuing to work on communication
*ends presser*
February 13, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Well, I’m reassured that components of DHS should be blazing away at the sky with anti-drone lasers.
Reposted by Brian Finucane
WOW. Incredible. This is the case in which DHS claimed that ICE officers had been attacked with a shovel and fired back in self-defense. Evidence since suggests an ICE officer fired through a closed door and struck someone on the other side.
Will DHS retract the prior claims?
Will DHS retract the prior claims?
February 13, 2026 at 7:24 PM
WOW. Incredible. This is the case in which DHS claimed that ICE officers had been attacked with a shovel and fired back in self-defense. Evidence since suggests an ICE officer fired through a closed door and struck someone on the other side.
Will DHS retract the prior claims?
Will DHS retract the prior claims?
Recalling once again the historic victory over the Houthis in Operation Rough Rider.
Trump: "We won World War 1. We won everything. World War 2. And everything before, during, and a little bit after except we fought a little bit differently. We fought to be politically correct. We were a politically correct force with the presidents. But now we have a real force."
February 13, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Recalling once again the historic victory over the Houthis in Operation Rough Rider.
February 13, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Tapping the sign
One point I’ve been banging on about in interviews the last few weeks is that the mere threat of the use of force by the U.S. President is illegal both under Article 2(4) of the UN Charter but also the U.S. Constitution by virtue of the Take Care Clause.
February 13, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Tapping the sign