Ken Schultz
@kschultz.bsky.social
I am professor of political science at Stanford University and an avid nature photographer. All views are my own. More photos at https://kenschultz.smugmug.com
Reposted by Ken Schultz
This must be more of that people-first populism I've been hearing so much about.
E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved When Setting Rules on Air Pollution
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 5:16 PM
This must be more of that people-first populism I've been hearing so much about.
The library in the Abbey of St. Gallen 📷
January 11, 2026 at 9:22 PM
The library in the Abbey of St. Gallen 📷
New twist on diversionary war theory.
“A diplomatic source said: 'The generals think Trump's Greenland plan is crazy and illegal. So they are trying to deflect him with other major military operations. They say it's like dealing with a five-year-old'.”
what the fuck
have we tried turning the country off and back on again
what the fuck
have we tried turning the country off and back on again
January 11, 2026 at 8:16 AM
New twist on diversionary war theory.
Zürich in the snow 📷
January 9, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Zürich in the snow 📷
Reposted by Ken Schultz
one net effect of this will just be to make life a little harder for Americans in ways, they can’t quite put their finger on, because some of these organizations do the invisible work of multilateralism that enables contemporary life; another will be to hold up progress on most shared global goal…
Withdrawing the United States from International Organizations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United
www.whitehouse.gov
January 8, 2026 at 12:34 AM
one net effect of this will just be to make life a little harder for Americans in ways, they can’t quite put their finger on, because some of these organizations do the invisible work of multilateralism that enables contemporary life; another will be to hold up progress on most shared global goal…
Reposted by Ken Schultz
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/w...
Our strategy hinges on immiserating Venezuela.
If there's anything we know from the Iraq sanctions experience, it's that regime elites find ways to insulate themselves and it's ordinary people who suffer.
Our strategy hinges on immiserating Venezuela.
If there's anything we know from the Iraq sanctions experience, it's that regime elites find ways to insulate themselves and it's ordinary people who suffer.
Venezuela Braces for Economic Collapse From U.S. Blockade
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 2:32 PM
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/w...
Our strategy hinges on immiserating Venezuela.
If there's anything we know from the Iraq sanctions experience, it's that regime elites find ways to insulate themselves and it's ordinary people who suffer.
Our strategy hinges on immiserating Venezuela.
If there's anything we know from the Iraq sanctions experience, it's that regime elites find ways to insulate themselves and it's ordinary people who suffer.
Yes, this. Denmark is a loyal ally that has fought by our side. If the administration can't address its security interests through negotiations with a friendly nation, then they are lousy diplomats.
What is just crazy about this, aside from the need for this statement at all, is that Greenland already IS in the US sphere of influence. It's far cheaper for the US, in material, security, and reputational terms, to have Denmark continue administering Greenland and work within NATO on security.
Joint Statement of major EU/NATO countries on Greenland, together with Denmark:
January 6, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Yes, this. Denmark is a loyal ally that has fought by our side. If the administration can't address its security interests through negotiations with a friendly nation, then they are lousy diplomats.
Reposted by Ken Schultz
At the risk of disagreeing with the wonderful @profsaunders.bsky.social, I think the Venezuela operation shows that while the president is largely unconstrained in deciding whether to use force, he is constrained when it comes to scope and scale. 1/6
The foreign policy of a personalist dictatorship. There are no constraints.
Trump in a single gaggle on Air Force One just threatened:
-- a second strike against Venezuela
-- Cuba
-- Mexico
-- Colombia
-- Iran
-- Greenland (which in turn would be an attack on the EU and Denmark)
-- a second strike against Venezuela
-- Cuba
-- Mexico
-- Colombia
-- Iran
-- Greenland (which in turn would be an attack on the EU and Denmark)
January 5, 2026 at 5:59 PM
At the risk of disagreeing with the wonderful @profsaunders.bsky.social, I think the Venezuela operation shows that while the president is largely unconstrained in deciding whether to use force, he is constrained when it comes to scope and scale. 1/6
Reposted by Ken Schultz
New thread on why Rubio can't just tell Venezuela what to do and expect results. Here's a link to the whole thread on one page, via @skywriter.blue: skywriter.blue/pages/did:pl...
January 5, 2026 at 1:56 PM
New thread on why Rubio can't just tell Venezuela what to do and expect results. Here's a link to the whole thread on one page, via @skywriter.blue: skywriter.blue/pages/did:pl...
Reposted by Ken Schultz
🧵Day 3 and we have a new meaning for "running Venezuela," courtesy of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the nation's top diplomat, who is in charge of Venezuela as well as the National Archives. We're going to insist they do what's in the US national interest. Time for some principal-agent theory. 1/
January 5, 2026 at 1:50 PM
🧵Day 3 and we have a new meaning for "running Venezuela," courtesy of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the nation's top diplomat, who is in charge of Venezuela as well as the National Archives. We're going to insist they do what's in the US national interest. Time for some principal-agent theory. 1/
Apropos current events, I want to tout this paper by @soyounglee.bsky.social showing that discussion of economic benefits can reduce public support for military action. People are skeptical when they think specific groups (e.g., oil companies) will benefit.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
January 5, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Apropos current events, I want to tout this paper by @soyounglee.bsky.social showing that discussion of economic benefits can reduce public support for military action. People are skeptical when they think specific groups (e.g., oil companies) will benefit.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Ken Schultz
I can’t believe we need this reminder in 2026, but countries have sovereignty over their natural resources.
hrlibrary.umn.edu/instree/c2ps...
hrlibrary.umn.edu/instree/c2ps...
Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources, G.A. res. 1803 (XVII), 17 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No.17) at 15, U.N. Doc. A/5217 (1962).
hrlibrary.umn.edu
January 4, 2026 at 8:17 PM
I can’t believe we need this reminder in 2026, but countries have sovereignty over their natural resources.
hrlibrary.umn.edu/instree/c2ps...
hrlibrary.umn.edu/instree/c2ps...
Reposted by Ken Schultz
It's wild that the PM of a NATO member feels compelled to put out a statement like this vis-à-vis the US government.
January 4, 2026 at 8:23 PM
It's wild that the PM of a NATO member feels compelled to put out a statement like this vis-à-vis the US government.
So we’re not doing Iraq 2003. Instead, we’re doing Iraq 1991-2002. Wonder how that went?
A former staffer said that U.S. officials would not be performing a formal occupation like in Iraq. “We’re going to tell them: ‘Hey, this is what you have to do in order for there not to be another strike. That’s what [Trump] sees as running the country.” www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Rubio takes on most challenging role yet: Viceroy of Venezuela
The top U.S. diplomat has pushed for regime change for over a decade. Now the hard part begins.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:59 PM
So we’re not doing Iraq 2003. Instead, we’re doing Iraq 1991-2002. Wonder how that went?
Water and ice ❄️ 📷
December 30, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Water and ice ❄️ 📷
Merry Christmas from Bellwald, Switzerland 📷
December 25, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Merry Christmas from Bellwald, Switzerland 📷
Reposted by Ken Schultz
Imagine interviewing a victim of torture and independently confirming the details of his torture and then being told you can’t broadcast it because the people who ordered the torture wouldn’t give their side of the story.
December 23, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Imagine interviewing a victim of torture and independently confirming the details of his torture and then being told you can’t broadcast it because the people who ordered the torture wouldn’t give their side of the story.
Reposted by Ken Schultz
You know where this kind of discussion across differing viewpoints *actually* happens on a daily basis? In university classrooms across the country.
December 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
You know where this kind of discussion across differing viewpoints *actually* happens on a daily basis? In university classrooms across the country.
This afternoon’s view from Zürich’s Uitliberg mountain. 📷
December 17, 2025 at 8:07 PM
This afternoon’s view from Zürich’s Uitliberg mountain. 📷
Reposted by Ken Schultz
December 15, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The Habsburg castle in Aargau, Switzerland, from which the famous dynasty got its name (and yes, the castle had the name first).
December 13, 2025 at 6:18 PM
The Habsburg castle in Aargau, Switzerland, from which the famous dynasty got its name (and yes, the castle had the name first).
Ah yes, the Putin Addendum to the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
RUSSIA'S PUTIN IN PHONE CALL WITH VENEZUELA'S MADURO EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH VENEZUELAN PEOPLE, CONFIRMS RUSSIAN SUPPORT - REPORTS
December 12, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Ah yes, the Putin Addendum to the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
Feels more like Times Late Roman
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 5:55 AM
Feels more like Times Late Roman