MBR
@flame89.bsky.social
Can’t say too much about my job these days but international affairs (especially Asia) is my specialty. I love films, novels, and history. Degrees from Oxford, Virginia Tech, and the London School of Economics. Opinions are entirely my own. He/him
Pinned
MBR
@flame89.bsky.social
· Oct 20
Every Republican President of my lifetime has ended their term with a higher unemployment rate than when they began while every Democrat has finished with a lower unemployment rate than they received - and yet the public almost always rates Republicans higher on the economy.
Reposted by MBR
O, horrible, O, horrible, most horrible!
December 15, 2025 at 3:48 AM
O, horrible, O, horrible, most horrible!
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Thanks for everything.
Your legend goes to 11 🖤
Your legend goes to 11 🖤
December 15, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Thanks for everything.
Your legend goes to 11 🖤
Your legend goes to 11 🖤
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Farewell, RR. Nothing but love for ya
December 15, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Farewell, RR. Nothing but love for ya
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Bogus convictions based on bogus charges based on a bogus law. The Hong Kong and Beijing authorities will face accountability for their cruelty towards Jimmy Lai — one of the bravest human beings of our time. I hope that day will come soon, and we together will bring it about.
December 15, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Bogus convictions based on bogus charges based on a bogus law. The Hong Kong and Beijing authorities will face accountability for their cruelty towards Jimmy Lai — one of the bravest human beings of our time. I hope that day will come soon, and we together will bring it about.
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It was great fun talking to these guys!
December 14, 2025 at 11:22 PM
It was great fun talking to these guys!
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Reposted by MBR
congratulations to sean o’brien www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘A very hostile climate for workers’: US labor movement struggles under Trump
National Labor Relations Board, the federal watchdog for workers’ rights, has been rendered toothless as employees grapple with corporations
www.theguardian.com
December 14, 2025 at 12:49 PM
congratulations to sean o’brien www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
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Greetings from Kyiv,
where there’s no power at home,
but snow outside.
It’s the first snow of the winter season.
where there’s no power at home,
but snow outside.
It’s the first snow of the winter season.
December 14, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Greetings from Kyiv,
where there’s no power at home,
but snow outside.
It’s the first snow of the winter season.
where there’s no power at home,
but snow outside.
It’s the first snow of the winter season.
Reposted by MBR
In this piece, I share lessons for Americans who are struggling with whether to protest Trump. Drawing from my years working with courageous Chinese activists, I argue that while acting on one’s moral convictions can be risky, it can also feel profoundly good. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I’m a Chinese pro-democracy activist. Here’s how to find courage to oppose Trump | Yaqiu Wang
While acting on your moral convictions can be risky, it can also feel profoundly good
www.theguardian.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:53 PM
In this piece, I share lessons for Americans who are struggling with whether to protest Trump. Drawing from my years working with courageous Chinese activists, I argue that while acting on one’s moral convictions can be risky, it can also feel profoundly good. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
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Reposted by MBR
Making friends in Wyoming.
December 14, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Making friends in Wyoming.
Laughable, but I had high school teachers that basically argued this.
Why did Rome fall? Because it became too woke.
December 14, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Laughable, but I had high school teachers that basically argued this.
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Reposted by MBR
Incredible story, exposing how far the CCP will go to hunt down its perceived enemies and how willingly American tech companies enable that abuse. Here, the pursuit of power, control and profit brought diverging interests together to silence dissent.
apnews.com/article/whis...
apnews.com/article/whis...
A Chinese whistleblower now living in the US is being hunted by Beijing with help from US tech
Retired Chinese official Li Chuanliang fled to the U.S. seeking asylum, fearing persecution from the Chinese government.
apnews.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Incredible story, exposing how far the CCP will go to hunt down its perceived enemies and how willingly American tech companies enable that abuse. Here, the pursuit of power, control and profit brought diverging interests together to silence dissent.
apnews.com/article/whis...
apnews.com/article/whis...
They’re plotting some serious shit for Venezuela.
USAF HH-60Ws from Kadena Air Base in Japan were off loaded in Puerto Rico today.
USAF HH-60W helicopters are used to rescue pilots in hostile places.-Reuters
No need for these in counter drug ops….
USAF HH-60W helicopters are used to rescue pilots in hostile places.-Reuters
No need for these in counter drug ops….
December 12, 2025 at 7:20 AM
They’re plotting some serious shit for Venezuela.
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It's not like INDOPACOM might need electronic warfare or combat search-and-rescue assets anyway
December 12, 2025 at 6:47 AM
It's not like INDOPACOM might need electronic warfare or combat search-and-rescue assets anyway
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Rutte: Allied defense spending and production must rise rapidly. Our armed forces must have what they need to keep us safe. And Ukraine must have what it needs to defend itself.
We must all accept that we must act to defend our way of life now, because this year Russia has become even more brazen
We must all accept that we must act to defend our way of life now, because this year Russia has become even more brazen
December 12, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Rutte: Allied defense spending and production must rise rapidly. Our armed forces must have what they need to keep us safe. And Ukraine must have what it needs to defend itself.
We must all accept that we must act to defend our way of life now, because this year Russia has become even more brazen
We must all accept that we must act to defend our way of life now, because this year Russia has become even more brazen
Reposted by MBR
mainstream MAGA media is just unvarnished white nationalism now
December 12, 2025 at 2:02 AM
mainstream MAGA media is just unvarnished white nationalism now
Sometimes life is like being a jackass in a Texas hailstorm. You can’t go anywhere. You just have to stand there and take it.
December 12, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Sometimes life is like being a jackass in a Texas hailstorm. You can’t go anywhere. You just have to stand there and take it.
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I realize tons of orgs are asking for contributions — but please consider donating to @globalreportingcentre.org. The world is in crisis and yet at this important time, newsrooms are cutting international reporting budgets:
Things have never felt so dangerous - Global Reporting Centre
The Centre's focus on international reporting when media organizations are cutting back on world coverage is crucial.
globalreportingcentre.org
December 11, 2025 at 10:07 PM
I realize tons of orgs are asking for contributions — but please consider donating to @globalreportingcentre.org. The world is in crisis and yet at this important time, newsrooms are cutting international reporting budgets:
Reposted by MBR
Join us at Independence Ave and New Jersey across from Longworth House office building until 6 pm today Thursday.
Call your members of Congress and tell them to support a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
#CrimeaIsUkraine 🇺🇸🇺🇦
Call your members of Congress and tell them to support a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
#CrimeaIsUkraine 🇺🇸🇺🇦
December 11, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Join us at Independence Ave and New Jersey across from Longworth House office building until 6 pm today Thursday.
Call your members of Congress and tell them to support a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
#CrimeaIsUkraine 🇺🇸🇺🇦
Call your members of Congress and tell them to support a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
#CrimeaIsUkraine 🇺🇸🇺🇦
Reposted by MBR
The entire White House press corps is built around the premise that what the President and his spokespeople say is real-world news, not complete fantasy.
The premise has become fatally flawed.
The premise has become fatally flawed.
December 11, 2025 at 9:37 PM
The entire White House press corps is built around the premise that what the President and his spokespeople say is real-world news, not complete fantasy.
The premise has become fatally flawed.
The premise has become fatally flawed.
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I just read that trump claimed
82% of Ukrainians demand a peace settlement.
No.
That’s a lie.
A Ukrainian is speaking.
82% of Ukrainians demand a peace settlement.
No.
That’s a lie.
A Ukrainian is speaking.
December 11, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I just read that trump claimed
82% of Ukrainians demand a peace settlement.
No.
That’s a lie.
A Ukrainian is speaking.
82% of Ukrainians demand a peace settlement.
No.
That’s a lie.
A Ukrainian is speaking.
Reposted by MBR
Watch this. Then remember that the president doesn’t care. He cares that his old ass gets richer in the hand full of years he may have left.
And his sick rich friends. The most corrupt evil man to ever serve as president is ignoring real evil
And his sick rich friends. The most corrupt evil man to ever serve as president is ignoring real evil
💔 A European Parliament interpreter could not hold back tears during the speech of 11-year-old Roman Oleksiv from Lviv.
The boy survived a missile strike on Vinnytsia on July 14, 2022, which killed his mother - it was the last time he saw her alive.
The boy survived a missile strike on Vinnytsia on July 14, 2022, which killed his mother - it was the last time he saw her alive.
December 11, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Watch this. Then remember that the president doesn’t care. He cares that his old ass gets richer in the hand full of years he may have left.
And his sick rich friends. The most corrupt evil man to ever serve as president is ignoring real evil
And his sick rich friends. The most corrupt evil man to ever serve as president is ignoring real evil
Reposted by MBR
Holy shit, thank you FIFA for naming me Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. I am honored, and I can't wait to KICK it with y'all at the after party and whatnot.
December 10, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Holy shit, thank you FIFA for naming me Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. I am honored, and I can't wait to KICK it with y'all at the after party and whatnot.