David Sterman
@davidsterman.bsky.social
Deputy Director, New America Future Security program
Pinned
Is the U.S. Conducting Air Strikes Against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
Reports suggest renewed U.S. drone strikes in Yemen against AQAP despite official denials, raising transparency and accountability questions.
www.justsecurity.org
My latest: Is the U.S. conducting strikes against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
My look at recent reports, the dangers of a return to seemingly covert strikes, and why it’s a failure even if recent strikes are not American.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
My look at recent reports, the dangers of a return to seemingly covert strikes, and why it’s a failure even if recent strikes are not American.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Reposted by David Sterman
ICYMI: The U.S. appears to be conducting a covert strike campaign against AQAP, raising real questions about transparency and strategy.
And if it’s not, then it’s a significant information/messaging failure.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
And if it’s not, then it’s a significant information/messaging failure.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Is the U.S. Conducting Air Strikes Against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
Reports suggest renewed U.S. drone strikes in Yemen against AQAP despite official denials, raising transparency and accountability questions.
www.justsecurity.org
February 13, 2026 at 1:39 PM
ICYMI: The U.S. appears to be conducting a covert strike campaign against AQAP, raising real questions about transparency and strategy.
And if it’s not, then it’s a significant information/messaging failure.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
And if it’s not, then it’s a significant information/messaging failure.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Reposted by David Sterman
There’s a “boy who cried wolf” hazard of the Cuban government’s insistence on the word bloqueo to mean embargo. The US fully blockaded the island during the 1962 missile crisis, and is now blockading oil shipments. But under the embargo, other countries trade with Cuba, just not the US.
February 13, 2026 at 9:56 PM
There’s a “boy who cried wolf” hazard of the Cuban government’s insistence on the word bloqueo to mean embargo. The US fully blockaded the island during the 1962 missile crisis, and is now blockading oil shipments. But under the embargo, other countries trade with Cuba, just not the US.
Reposted by David Sterman
And so concludes another week w/ no news briefing at the Pentagon.
The last on-camera briefing was held for an alternative right-wing press corps more than two months ago, on Dec. 2.
The press space has been mostly vacant since the traditional press departed in October.
The last on-camera briefing was held for an alternative right-wing press corps more than two months ago, on Dec. 2.
The press space has been mostly vacant since the traditional press departed in October.
February 13, 2026 at 9:20 PM
And so concludes another week w/ no news briefing at the Pentagon.
The last on-camera briefing was held for an alternative right-wing press corps more than two months ago, on Dec. 2.
The press space has been mostly vacant since the traditional press departed in October.
The last on-camera briefing was held for an alternative right-wing press corps more than two months ago, on Dec. 2.
The press space has been mostly vacant since the traditional press departed in October.
Reposted by David Sterman
Why the secrecy? Why does a low-grade drone campaign against AQAP in Yemen have to be a covert CIA action, when the much more extensive overt DOD one in Somalia faces no public opposition of any kind, and the Saudis etc. in Yemen welcomed the overt DOD air campaign there against the Houthis?
ICYMI: The U.S. appears to be conducting a covert strike campaign against AQAP, raising real questions about transparency and strategy.
And if it’s not, then it’s a significant information/messaging failure.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
And if it’s not, then it’s a significant information/messaging failure.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Is the U.S. Conducting Air Strikes Against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
Reports suggest renewed U.S. drone strikes in Yemen against AQAP despite official denials, raising transparency and accountability questions.
www.justsecurity.org
February 13, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Why the secrecy? Why does a low-grade drone campaign against AQAP in Yemen have to be a covert CIA action, when the much more extensive overt DOD one in Somalia faces no public opposition of any kind, and the Saudis etc. in Yemen welcomed the overt DOD air campaign there against the Houthis?
As I recall, this latest 9/11 conspiracizing from Cenk Uygur is far from the only instance from Young Turks’ key figures.
Another reason I don’t think this can be treated as a one off or contained to him alone.
Another reason I don’t think this can be treated as a one off or contained to him alone.
February 13, 2026 at 8:14 PM
As I recall, this latest 9/11 conspiracizing from Cenk Uygur is far from the only instance from Young Turks’ key figures.
Another reason I don’t think this can be treated as a one off or contained to him alone.
Another reason I don’t think this can be treated as a one off or contained to him alone.
Reposted by David Sterman
New study at The Lancet estimates that the illegal dismantling of USAID will result in up to 9.4 million deaths by 2030 alone
Some 2.5 million will be children under the age of 5
No hell too hot, no prison too brutal, for the DOGE boys who did this
Some 2.5 million will be children under the age of 5
No hell too hot, no prison too brutal, for the DOGE boys who did this
One year on from dismantling of USAID, study projects that global aid cuts could lead to 9.4 million deaths by 2030 | CNN
It’s been one year since the Trump administration dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID), with aid cuts leading to the closure of HIV clinics in South Africa, the termination o...
www.cnn.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:09 PM
New study at The Lancet estimates that the illegal dismantling of USAID will result in up to 9.4 million deaths by 2030 alone
Some 2.5 million will be children under the age of 5
No hell too hot, no prison too brutal, for the DOGE boys who did this
Some 2.5 million will be children under the age of 5
No hell too hot, no prison too brutal, for the DOGE boys who did this
Reposted by David Sterman
Is the war on terror on auto-pilot? Trump has bombed Somalia more than any other country, across two terms. He barely ever mentions it and it’s unclear how much he’s even involved. www.vox.com/politics/478...
February 13, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Is the war on terror on auto-pilot? Trump has bombed Somalia more than any other country, across two terms. He barely ever mentions it and it’s unclear how much he’s even involved. www.vox.com/politics/478...
A must read article on the Somalia strikes increase from @joshuakeating.bsky.social
Goes well beyond merely noting the increased number of strikes.
Also cites me/our New America data.
www.vox.com/politics/478...
Goes well beyond merely noting the increased number of strikes.
Also cites me/our New America data.
www.vox.com/politics/478...
Trump’s biggest war is one he almost never talks about
Why did the US bomb Somalia more than 100 times last year?
www.vox.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:24 PM
A must read article on the Somalia strikes increase from @joshuakeating.bsky.social
Goes well beyond merely noting the increased number of strikes.
Also cites me/our New America data.
www.vox.com/politics/478...
Goes well beyond merely noting the increased number of strikes.
Also cites me/our New America data.
www.vox.com/politics/478...
A notable function / interest given Trump’s use of removal of details for critics as a politicized tool.
interesting that these people — and fellow travelers like bari weiss — insist on large, expensive security details. they are status markers, i suppose.
“.. using millions of dollars from the former U.S. foreign aid agency to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought ..”
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/whi...
February 13, 2026 at 2:56 PM
A notable function / interest given Trump’s use of removal of details for critics as a politicized tool.
Interesting read.
But I’m very skeptical about this emphasis on the visual.
My experience is that for many strikes there’s assiduous avoidance of giving visuals and availability of local witnesses is often itself a rarity.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
But I’m very skeptical about this emphasis on the visual.
My experience is that for many strikes there’s assiduous avoidance of giving visuals and availability of local witnesses is often itself a rarity.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
The Visual Performance of Precision Lethality on Social Media
How precision strikes became visual performances—and why that matters for law, legitimacy, and civilian harm.
www.lawfaremedia.org
February 13, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Interesting read.
But I’m very skeptical about this emphasis on the visual.
My experience is that for many strikes there’s assiduous avoidance of giving visuals and availability of local witnesses is often itself a rarity.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
But I’m very skeptical about this emphasis on the visual.
My experience is that for many strikes there’s assiduous avoidance of giving visuals and availability of local witnesses is often itself a rarity.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
Reposted by David Sterman
Why keep thousands of people alive when you can instead make one man feel safe and special?
Exclusive: White House uses USAID funds for budget director Vought's security, documents show
The White House budget office is using millions of dollars from the former U.S. foreign aid agency to pay for the security detail of Russell Vought, President Donald Trump's budget chief and an archit...
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Why keep thousands of people alive when you can instead make one man feel safe and special?
ICYMI: The U.S. appears to be conducting a covert strike campaign against AQAP, raising real questions about transparency and strategy.
And if it’s not, then it’s a significant information/messaging failure.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
And if it’s not, then it’s a significant information/messaging failure.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Is the U.S. Conducting Air Strikes Against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
Reports suggest renewed U.S. drone strikes in Yemen against AQAP despite official denials, raising transparency and accountability questions.
www.justsecurity.org
February 13, 2026 at 1:39 PM
ICYMI: The U.S. appears to be conducting a covert strike campaign against AQAP, raising real questions about transparency and strategy.
And if it’s not, then it’s a significant information/messaging failure.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
And if it’s not, then it’s a significant information/messaging failure.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Reposted by David Sterman
Significant that the High Court ruling is still, in places, quite damning of Palestine Action. It emphatically rejects that the group is engaged in "civil disobediance", for example.
It just finds (compellingly) that proscription was still wrong, despite that.
It just finds (compellingly) that proscription was still wrong, despite that.
February 13, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Significant that the High Court ruling is still, in places, quite damning of Palestine Action. It emphatically rejects that the group is engaged in "civil disobediance", for example.
It just finds (compellingly) that proscription was still wrong, despite that.
It just finds (compellingly) that proscription was still wrong, despite that.
February 13, 2026 at 12:58 PM
This is the kind of thing I’m talking about. Yet more reports of alleged U.S. strikes in Yemen.
yemenonline.info/special-repo...
yemenonline.info/special-repo...
February 13, 2026 at 12:18 PM
This is the kind of thing I’m talking about. Yet more reports of alleged U.S. strikes in Yemen.
yemenonline.info/special-repo...
yemenonline.info/special-repo...
Reposted by David Sterman
The UK High Court has ruled that the Palestine Action proscription (terrorist designation) is unlawful. This a rare step of turning back the massive expansion of terrorist lists.
In recent years, Western lists have expanded to include
-vandalism/direct action
-govt entities
-drug traffickers
-PMCs
In recent years, Western lists have expanded to include
-vandalism/direct action
-govt entities
-drug traffickers
-PMCs
February 13, 2026 at 11:34 AM
The UK High Court has ruled that the Palestine Action proscription (terrorist designation) is unlawful. This a rare step of turning back the massive expansion of terrorist lists.
In recent years, Western lists have expanded to include
-vandalism/direct action
-govt entities
-drug traffickers
-PMCs
In recent years, Western lists have expanded to include
-vandalism/direct action
-govt entities
-drug traffickers
-PMCs
Reposted by David Sterman
The UK government's decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist group has been ruled unlawful by the High Court
I'm still in Japan, but had a feeling this ruling would come while I was away and so a story will be coming shortly...
I'm still in Japan, but had a feeling this ruling would come while I was away and so a story will be coming shortly...
February 13, 2026 at 10:12 AM
The UK government's decision to ban Palestine Action as a terrorist group has been ruled unlawful by the High Court
I'm still in Japan, but had a feeling this ruling would come while I was away and so a story will be coming shortly...
I'm still in Japan, but had a feeling this ruling would come while I was away and so a story will be coming shortly...
Reposted by David Sterman
The U.S. gov and media are pretty silent but Yemeni and regional news are alight with multiple reports of alleged American strikes against AQAP in Yemen.
That should flag a need for more transparency, oversight, and more reporting effort on the U.S. side.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
That should flag a need for more transparency, oversight, and more reporting effort on the U.S. side.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Is the U.S. Conducting Air Strikes Against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
Reports suggest renewed U.S. drone strikes in Yemen against AQAP despite official denials, raising transparency and accountability questions.
www.justsecurity.org
February 12, 2026 at 5:05 PM
The U.S. gov and media are pretty silent but Yemeni and regional news are alight with multiple reports of alleged American strikes against AQAP in Yemen.
That should flag a need for more transparency, oversight, and more reporting effort on the U.S. side.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
That should flag a need for more transparency, oversight, and more reporting effort on the U.S. side.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Reposted by David Sterman
My latest: Is the U.S. conducting strikes against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
My look at recent reports, the dangers of a return to seemingly covert strikes, and why it’s a failure even if recent strikes are not American.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
My look at recent reports, the dangers of a return to seemingly covert strikes, and why it’s a failure even if recent strikes are not American.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Is the U.S. Conducting Air Strikes Against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
Reports suggest renewed U.S. drone strikes in Yemen against AQAP despite official denials, raising transparency and accountability questions.
www.justsecurity.org
February 12, 2026 at 1:50 PM
My latest: Is the U.S. conducting strikes against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
My look at recent reports, the dangers of a return to seemingly covert strikes, and why it’s a failure even if recent strikes are not American.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
My look at recent reports, the dangers of a return to seemingly covert strikes, and why it’s a failure even if recent strikes are not American.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
The U.S. gov and media are pretty silent but Yemeni and regional news are alight with multiple reports of alleged American strikes against AQAP in Yemen.
That should flag a need for more transparency, oversight, and more reporting effort on the U.S. side.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
That should flag a need for more transparency, oversight, and more reporting effort on the U.S. side.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Is the U.S. Conducting Air Strikes Against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
Reports suggest renewed U.S. drone strikes in Yemen against AQAP despite official denials, raising transparency and accountability questions.
www.justsecurity.org
February 12, 2026 at 5:05 PM
The U.S. gov and media are pretty silent but Yemeni and regional news are alight with multiple reports of alleged American strikes against AQAP in Yemen.
That should flag a need for more transparency, oversight, and more reporting effort on the U.S. side.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
That should flag a need for more transparency, oversight, and more reporting effort on the U.S. side.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Reposted by David Sterman
Do you know if your government is conducting strikes against al Qaeda in Yemen?
That this can even be a question is a worrisome indictment of current policy whether strikes make sense or not.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
That this can even be a question is a worrisome indictment of current policy whether strikes make sense or not.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Is the U.S. Conducting Air Strikes Against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
Reports suggest renewed U.S. drone strikes in Yemen against AQAP despite official denials, raising transparency and accountability questions.
www.justsecurity.org
February 12, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Do you know if your government is conducting strikes against al Qaeda in Yemen?
That this can even be a question is a worrisome indictment of current policy whether strikes make sense or not.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
That this can even be a question is a worrisome indictment of current policy whether strikes make sense or not.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Do you know if your government is conducting strikes against al Qaeda in Yemen?
That this can even be a question is a worrisome indictment of current policy whether strikes make sense or not.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
That this can even be a question is a worrisome indictment of current policy whether strikes make sense or not.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Is the U.S. Conducting Air Strikes Against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
Reports suggest renewed U.S. drone strikes in Yemen against AQAP despite official denials, raising transparency and accountability questions.
www.justsecurity.org
February 12, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Do you know if your government is conducting strikes against al Qaeda in Yemen?
That this can even be a question is a worrisome indictment of current policy whether strikes make sense or not.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
That this can even be a question is a worrisome indictment of current policy whether strikes make sense or not.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Reposted by David Sterman
The U.S. government hasn’t claimed responsibility for an airstrike against AQAP in Yemen since 2020.
But the U.S. may still be targeting the al Qaeda branch, David Sterman writes. He argues that transparency is necessary for oversight and accountability.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
But the U.S. may still be targeting the al Qaeda branch, David Sterman writes. He argues that transparency is necessary for oversight and accountability.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Is the U.S. Conducting Air Strikes Against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
Reports suggest renewed U.S. drone strikes in Yemen against AQAP despite official denials, raising transparency and accountability questions.
www.justsecurity.org
February 12, 2026 at 1:41 PM
The U.S. government hasn’t claimed responsibility for an airstrike against AQAP in Yemen since 2020.
But the U.S. may still be targeting the al Qaeda branch, David Sterman writes. He argues that transparency is necessary for oversight and accountability.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
But the U.S. may still be targeting the al Qaeda branch, David Sterman writes. He argues that transparency is necessary for oversight and accountability.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
My latest: Is the U.S. conducting strikes against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
My look at recent reports, the dangers of a return to seemingly covert strikes, and why it’s a failure even if recent strikes are not American.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
My look at recent reports, the dangers of a return to seemingly covert strikes, and why it’s a failure even if recent strikes are not American.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Is the U.S. Conducting Air Strikes Against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
Reports suggest renewed U.S. drone strikes in Yemen against AQAP despite official denials, raising transparency and accountability questions.
www.justsecurity.org
February 12, 2026 at 1:50 PM
My latest: Is the U.S. conducting strikes against Al Qaeda in Yemen?
My look at recent reports, the dangers of a return to seemingly covert strikes, and why it’s a failure even if recent strikes are not American.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
My look at recent reports, the dangers of a return to seemingly covert strikes, and why it’s a failure even if recent strikes are not American.
www.justsecurity.org/129392/us-ai...
Al Shabaab claims a U.S. strike on Feb 8 killed a Shabaab official. Somali gov confirmed the strike but didn’t name US.
In reply to query, AFRICOM says they didn’t conduct a strike on that date.
In reply to query, AFRICOM says they didn’t conduct a strike on that date.
February 11, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Al Shabaab claims a U.S. strike on Feb 8 killed a Shabaab official. Somali gov confirmed the strike but didn’t name US.
In reply to query, AFRICOM says they didn’t conduct a strike on that date.
In reply to query, AFRICOM says they didn’t conduct a strike on that date.