Keith A. Eddins
@eugeneinoregon.bsky.social
Retired American diplomat who focused on NATO, USSR/Russia, & post-1989 Central Europe. Now adjunct faculty at the Univ. of Oregon. Political & foreign policy/international security views are my own. Proudly anti-fascist; I will never be a collaborator.
Is Rubio really this dumb or is he just pretending to be so that he’ll fit in with the rest of Trump’s cabinet?
Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor's decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move
Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri
The secretary of state called it a "wasteful" diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters.
www.huffpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Is Rubio really this dumb or is he just pretending to be so that he’ll fit in with the rest of Trump’s cabinet?
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
SCOOP — Gregg Phillips, a conspiracy theorist with no emergency management experience who helped produce the election-denying documentary ‘2000 Mules’ with Dinesh D’Souza and has faced numerous legal inquiries, has been named head of FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery.
My story:
My story:
Conspiracy theorist election denier given FEMA’s second-most important role
Gregg Phillips will lead the Office of Response and Recovery, “the heart of what FEMA does.”
www.thehandbasket.co
December 9, 2025 at 10:57 PM
SCOOP — Gregg Phillips, a conspiracy theorist with no emergency management experience who helped produce the election-denying documentary ‘2000 Mules’ with Dinesh D’Souza and has faced numerous legal inquiries, has been named head of FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery.
My story:
My story:
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
Rand Paul: "This is an insane policy. It's inconsistent. It's not war. It's not the way we've ever done this. If we can blow up a boat in the ocean, what about when they get to Miami & put it in a truck? Can you shoot a grenade launcher at the truck? No! We arrest people b/c sometimes we're wrong."
December 9, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Rand Paul: "This is an insane policy. It's inconsistent. It's not war. It's not the way we've ever done this. If we can blow up a boat in the ocean, what about when they get to Miami & put it in a truck? Can you shoot a grenade launcher at the truck? No! We arrest people b/c sometimes we're wrong."
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
Owning shares in a soybean farm does not make you a soybean farmer. All it means is that you are rich and understand the tax code.
Brooke Rollins: "On the China soybeans, Secretary Bessent -- himself a soybean farmer ... "
December 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Owning shares in a soybean farm does not make you a soybean farmer. All it means is that you are rich and understand the tax code.
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
Europe is making the same mistake with the U.S. as it has done with Russia. Appeasement is never the solution.
December 9, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Europe is making the same mistake with the U.S. as it has done with Russia. Appeasement is never the solution.
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
If someone in the White House press corps doesn't ask Trump today why he's so scared of strong women, they should all go home.
December 9, 2025 at 12:35 PM
If someone in the White House press corps doesn't ask Trump today why he's so scared of strong women, they should all go home.
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
I can’t believe how much of the Trump era is about solving problems that *don’t* exist while making all the problems that *do* exist, worse.
There is no one who thinks the biggest problem with air travel right now is not having an area to do pull-ups.
There is no one who thinks the biggest problem with air travel right now is not having an area to do pull-ups.
Duffy on what he's doing to improve the airport experience for travelers: "Maybe I want a workout area where people might get some blood flowing doing some pull ups or step ups in the airport."
December 9, 2025 at 12:10 PM
I can’t believe how much of the Trump era is about solving problems that *don’t* exist while making all the problems that *do* exist, worse.
There is no one who thinks the biggest problem with air travel right now is not having an area to do pull-ups.
There is no one who thinks the biggest problem with air travel right now is not having an area to do pull-ups.
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
If you love freedom but don’t care if it applies to everyone, what you actually love is privilege.
December 8, 2025 at 9:24 PM
If you love freedom but don’t care if it applies to everyone, what you actually love is privilege.
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
This guy refused to be evacuated when Russia invaded with hundreds of thousands of troops and sent snatch squads to murder him - he’s not going to cave to Trump.
Trump - and a lot of supposedly smart opinion thinks everyone has his price - but they’re very wrong.
Trump - and a lot of supposedly smart opinion thinks everyone has his price - but they’re very wrong.
Zelensky rules out ceding land to Russia, refusing to bow to Putin or Trump
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Zelensky rules out ceding land to Russia, refusing to bow to Putin or Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country would not give up territory, not to hasten peace talks, not to satisfy Washington and not under pressure from Moscow.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:19 PM
This guy refused to be evacuated when Russia invaded with hundreds of thousands of troops and sent snatch squads to murder him - he’s not going to cave to Trump.
Trump - and a lot of supposedly smart opinion thinks everyone has his price - but they’re very wrong.
Trump - and a lot of supposedly smart opinion thinks everyone has his price - but they’re very wrong.
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
America shit the bed this time and is no longer trusted. For those that think "so what" the "so what" will be less advantageous trade. A lower value dollar over the decades ahead, more costly imports.
That's best case.
That's best case.
December 8, 2025 at 12:03 AM
America shit the bed this time and is no longer trusted. For those that think "so what" the "so what" will be less advantageous trade. A lower value dollar over the decades ahead, more costly imports.
That's best case.
That's best case.
This is quite good…
What is this "Foreign Service?" How does it benefit the American people? open.substack.com/pub/steadyst... The,,,deliberate bashing ,,,by the Administration at this pool of dedicated Americans... is so destructive to America’s ability to avoid conflict and war, promote democratic values..."
What is this "Foreign Service?" How does it benefit the American people?
The Steady State |Tom Wolfson
open.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:20 AM
This is quite good…
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
Although it is important to knock down the administration’s absurd legal justification for the boats strikes, need to recognize that these theories are just legal backfilling.
The bottom line is that POTUS and others wanted to kill people for entertainment and his lawyers concocted a justification.
The bottom line is that POTUS and others wanted to kill people for entertainment and his lawyers concocted a justification.
December 7, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Although it is important to knock down the administration’s absurd legal justification for the boats strikes, need to recognize that these theories are just legal backfilling.
The bottom line is that POTUS and others wanted to kill people for entertainment and his lawyers concocted a justification.
The bottom line is that POTUS and others wanted to kill people for entertainment and his lawyers concocted a justification.
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
The Trump administration's worldview has always been aligned with Putin's, as was clear to anyone who paid any attention to the statements and actions of its most important members. But this isn't an alignment of equals - the White House is following the Kremlin's lead. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
New US security strategy aligns with Russia's vision, Moscow says
The Kremlin welcomes the starkly worded document, which does not cast Russia as a threat to the US.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The Trump administration's worldview has always been aligned with Putin's, as was clear to anyone who paid any attention to the statements and actions of its most important members. But this isn't an alignment of equals - the White House is following the Kremlin's lead. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
From The Guardian…tells you everything you need to know in a well written headline…
December 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
From The Guardian…tells you everything you need to know in a well written headline…
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
Affordability concerns are real because:
- Tariffs raise import costs
- Deportations make it harder to harvest crops
- Attacking Obamacare hikes premiums
- Budget deficits raise mortgage payments
- Undermining the Fed risks inflation.
It's not a hoax; it's a policy choice.
- Tariffs raise import costs
- Deportations make it harder to harvest crops
- Attacking Obamacare hikes premiums
- Budget deficits raise mortgage payments
- Undermining the Fed risks inflation.
It's not a hoax; it's a policy choice.
December 7, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Affordability concerns are real because:
- Tariffs raise import costs
- Deportations make it harder to harvest crops
- Attacking Obamacare hikes premiums
- Budget deficits raise mortgage payments
- Undermining the Fed risks inflation.
It's not a hoax; it's a policy choice.
- Tariffs raise import costs
- Deportations make it harder to harvest crops
- Attacking Obamacare hikes premiums
- Budget deficits raise mortgage payments
- Undermining the Fed risks inflation.
It's not a hoax; it's a policy choice.
A reminder that ‘politically embarrassing’ is not among the legitimate rationale contained in
E.O. 13526, which I believe remains the governing USG guidance on what is and is not classified.
E.O. 13526, which I believe remains the governing USG guidance on what is and is not classified.
Sen. Mark Warner: "For them to now say they're going to show the first strikes but then the balance of the next hour with the second strike is somehow classified, that doesn't pass any smell test. I think Congress needs to see it and I think the American people need to see it."
December 7, 2025 at 5:56 PM
A reminder that ‘politically embarrassing’ is not among the legitimate rationale contained in
E.O. 13526, which I believe remains the governing USG guidance on what is and is not classified.
E.O. 13526, which I believe remains the governing USG guidance on what is and is not classified.
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
👇🎯💯🧵
5. FWIW, that's also why, if the pro-Constitutional Democracy factions of the U.S. political order ever get the trifecta, they can't wait to pass their reforms. They can't spend time hashing them out in committee. They need prêt à passer legislation.
December 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
👇🎯💯🧵
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
“The real problem here is the dubious and legally overbroad assertion that the United States is justified in using wartime authority against a criminal problem.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
Second Strike Scrutiny Obscures Larger Question About Trump’s Boat Attacks
www.nytimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 1:46 PM
“The real problem here is the dubious and legally overbroad assertion that the United States is justified in using wartime authority against a criminal problem.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
I always taught Soviet Foreign policy during the Cold War as a story of the Soviets struggling for equality as international hegemon with the US. They decisively lost in 1991.
So odd to see the US just thoughtlessly cede its dominance. “We’re number 2” is OK in DC.
So odd to see the US just thoughtlessly cede its dominance. “We’re number 2” is OK in DC.
"Russia has welcomed Donald Trump's new US National Security Strategy, calling it "largely consistent" with Moscow's vision."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
New US Security Strategy aligns with Russia's vision, Moscow says
The Kremlin welcomes the starkly worded document, which does not cast Russia as a threat to the US.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I always taught Soviet Foreign policy during the Cold War as a story of the Soviets struggling for equality as international hegemon with the US. They decisively lost in 1991.
So odd to see the US just thoughtlessly cede its dominance. “We’re number 2” is OK in DC.
So odd to see the US just thoughtlessly cede its dominance. “We’re number 2” is OK in DC.
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
Afghans Who Assisted U.S. During the War Underwent Rigorous Vetting
www.nytimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Blatant corruption. Dems must make anti-corruption a centerpiece of their agenda and messaging in 2026.
"The deal for Vulcan Elements will see the company given a government contract to increase the domestic industrial supply of magnets. Trump Jr. had invested heavily in Vulcan Elements earlier this year, and they are now set to receive a $260 million Defense Department loan as part of a deal."
Trump hands multi-million dollar deal to son's company in 'cloud of conflicts' moment
Donald Trump has handed a company partnered with Donald Trump Jr. a multi-million dollar deal in what has been described as a "cloud of conflict". The deal for Vulcan Elements will see the company giv...
www.rawstory.com
December 7, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Blatant corruption. Dems must make anti-corruption a centerpiece of their agenda and messaging in 2026.
Can we all file FOIAs to determine whether we’re on such a list? If so, with whom do we file it? DOD? CIA? SOCOM? Stephen Miller?
It should really be a bigger story that the government apparently has a kill list.
He says the men they murdered are on a list.
Let’s see the list.
Let’s hear their names.
Show us the evidence.
If you have any.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
Let’s see the list.
Let’s hear their names.
Show us the evidence.
If you have any.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
December 7, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Can we all file FOIAs to determine whether we’re on such a list? If so, with whom do we file it? DOD? CIA? SOCOM? Stephen Miller?
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
Duckworth: "It is a war crime. It's illegal. No matter how you put it, it's all illegal. I've been shot down behind enemy lines. Under the laws of war, you are supposed to help render aid to that individual ... you're not allowed to go back in and kill them."
December 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Duckworth: "It is a war crime. It's illegal. No matter how you put it, it's all illegal. I've been shot down behind enemy lines. Under the laws of war, you are supposed to help render aid to that individual ... you're not allowed to go back in and kill them."
Reposted by Keith A. Eddins
Mark Kelly: “Jobs are down. Wages are flat. Costs are up & this President is asleep — Like literally, he’s falling asleep on the job. It’s hurting the American people — He’s doing nothing to try to help people with the cost of groceries, rent, & healthcare”
December 6, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Mark Kelly: “Jobs are down. Wages are flat. Costs are up & this President is asleep — Like literally, he’s falling asleep on the job. It’s hurting the American people — He’s doing nothing to try to help people with the cost of groceries, rent, & healthcare”
Sorry, but I may have missed something.
Which faux-Nobel Prize did FIFA award today?
Physics, chemistry, medicine, literature?
I assume, like the real Nobels, they're announcing one a day.
Maybe they took the weekend off and will resume on Monday?
Which faux-Nobel Prize did FIFA award today?
Physics, chemistry, medicine, literature?
I assume, like the real Nobels, they're announcing one a day.
Maybe they took the weekend off and will resume on Monday?
December 7, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Sorry, but I may have missed something.
Which faux-Nobel Prize did FIFA award today?
Physics, chemistry, medicine, literature?
I assume, like the real Nobels, they're announcing one a day.
Maybe they took the weekend off and will resume on Monday?
Which faux-Nobel Prize did FIFA award today?
Physics, chemistry, medicine, literature?
I assume, like the real Nobels, they're announcing one a day.
Maybe they took the weekend off and will resume on Monday?