Matthew Kupfer
@matthewkupfer.bsky.social
News editor, DemocracyDocket | Ex: Voice of America, San Francisco Standard, OCCRP, Kyiv Post, Moscow Times | Opinions mine | DM for Signal
NEW: Republicans in Indiana’s State House released a draft congressional map that could eliminate both districts currently held by Democrats. It comes after months of pressure to gerrymander from President Trump and weeks of escalating threats & harassment against lawmakers.
✍️: @jenrice.bsky.social
✍️: @jenrice.bsky.social
Indiana Republicans Unveil Map to Eliminate Both Dem Congressional Seats
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:31 PM
NEW: Republicans in Indiana’s State House released a draft congressional map that could eliminate both districts currently held by Democrats. It comes after months of pressure to gerrymander from President Trump and weeks of escalating threats & harassment against lawmakers.
✍️: @jenrice.bsky.social
✍️: @jenrice.bsky.social
NEW: In a settlement with four Republican-led states, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agreed to redesign its federal immigration database to serve voter 'verification' purposes — a move that could supercharge wrongful purges and threaten voter privacy.
✍️: @yuniorarivas.bsky.social
✍️: @yuniorarivas.bsky.social
DHS Agrees to Overhaul Federal Immigration System for Mass Voter Screenings
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:29 PM
NEW: In a settlement with four Republican-led states, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agreed to redesign its federal immigration database to serve voter 'verification' purposes — a move that could supercharge wrongful purges and threaten voter privacy.
✍️: @yuniorarivas.bsky.social
✍️: @yuniorarivas.bsky.social
If you wrote this as dialogue in a work of fiction about a Trump-like president, your editor would say it lacks realism and you would probably lose your book contract.
Reporter: Governor Walz called for the release of your MRI results
Trump: They were perfect like my phone call where I got impeached.
Reporter: Can you tell us what they were looking at?
Trump: I have no idea. It was just an MRI. It wasn’t the brain because I took a cognitive test and aced it.
Trump: They were perfect like my phone call where I got impeached.
Reporter: Can you tell us what they were looking at?
Trump: I have no idea. It was just an MRI. It wasn’t the brain because I took a cognitive test and aced it.
December 1, 2025 at 12:32 AM
If you wrote this as dialogue in a work of fiction about a Trump-like president, your editor would say it lacks realism and you would probably lose your book contract.
After less than a year spent destroying the federal government, sending troops into Democratic-led cities, violating the rights of immigrants and trying to rig the 2026 elections, momentum is may no longer be on Trump's side.
NEW: This year, the only ones in the administration having a good Thanksgiving may be Waddle and Gobble, the two turkeys Trump pardoned earlier this week. Trump, on the other hand, had few reasons to give thanks.
Here’s why ⬇️
Here’s why ⬇️
This Thanksgiving, Trump Has Little to Be Thankful For
Read about the fight for democracy from activists, elected officials, legal experts and others.
www.democracydocket.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:21 PM
After less than a year spent destroying the federal government, sending troops into Democratic-led cities, violating the rights of immigrants and trying to rig the 2026 elections, momentum is may no longer be on Trump's side.
Time to make it official: Earlier this month, I joined @democracydocket.com as a news editor.
November 25, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Time to make it official: Earlier this month, I joined @democracydocket.com as a news editor.
Reposted by Matthew Kupfer
"The outer shell of the empire fell off in 1991, and many mistook that for collapse. Like a matryoshka doll, within one 'prison of nations' another waited," writes Andrew Chakhoyan, an academic director at the University of Amsterdam, in this op-ed.
Why Russia cannot help but invade
The planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest has been shelved. The White House says there's no point meeting unless "we're going to make a deal." Some view this as a setback for diplomacy, but it may we...
kyivindependent.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"The outer shell of the empire fell off in 1991, and many mistook that for collapse. Like a matryoshka doll, within one 'prison of nations' another waited," writes Andrew Chakhoyan, an academic director at the University of Amsterdam, in this op-ed.
Reposted by Matthew Kupfer
So if AI succeeds loads of people lose their jobs as they're replaced by AI, and if AI fails, loads of people lose their jobs as the economy crashes?
It’s amazing how this story has gone from 0 to 60 in UK press. There’s been no mainstream coverage to date but this morning the story is leading BBC News site & bulletins.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Google boss Sundar Pichai warns 'no company immune' if AI bubble bursts
Speaking exclusively to BBC News, CEO Sundar Pichai said the artificial intelligence boom had been an
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 10:14 AM
So if AI succeeds loads of people lose their jobs as they're replaced by AI, and if AI fails, loads of people lose their jobs as the economy crashes?
Gross as it may be, "The Goon Squad" is one of the most insightful reportages on the ways in which our rapidly changing information space, ubiquitous online connectivity, and growing isolation have altered how we interact (or don’t interact) with others. antidotenote.substack.com/p/the-pornif...
October 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Gross as it may be, "The Goon Squad" is one of the most insightful reportages on the ways in which our rapidly changing information space, ubiquitous online connectivity, and growing isolation have altered how we interact (or don’t interact) with others. antidotenote.substack.com/p/the-pornif...
After a long hiatus on here, I’ve launched a Substack where I’ll be writing about how we navigate the rapidly changing information space — and often get lost in it. Here's my first post on an important subject. I hope you’ll read & subscribe (it's free). antidotenote.substack.com/p/charlie-ki...
Charlie Kirk’s Killing Shows Us How Much the Information Space Has Changed
The people who control the narrative aren't on the TV news, don't hold elected office, and may not even fully understand what's going on.
antidotenote.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:30 PM
After a long hiatus on here, I’ve launched a Substack where I’ll be writing about how we navigate the rapidly changing information space — and often get lost in it. Here's my first post on an important subject. I hope you’ll read & subscribe (it's free). antidotenote.substack.com/p/charlie-ki...
NEW: A federal court in New York has rejected a Russian businessman’s challenge to the U.S. government's efforts to confiscate a luxury superyacht that allegedly belongs to sanctioned #Russia oligarch Suleyman Kerimov.
Court rejects Russian oligarch’s challenge to US efforts to confiscate yacht
Ruling is a victory for US government, but likely not the end of the saga
www.voanews.com
March 12, 2025 at 7:02 PM
NEW: A federal court in New York has rejected a Russian businessman’s challenge to the U.S. government's efforts to confiscate a luxury superyacht that allegedly belongs to sanctioned #Russia oligarch Suleyman Kerimov.
Former Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Prosecutors said he "shepherded military aid to Egypt, provided assistance to Qatar, and interfered in local prosecutions [...] in exchange for bribes including gold, cash and a Mercedes-Benz."
Prosecutors said he "shepherded military aid to Egypt, provided assistance to Qatar, and interfered in local prosecutions [...] in exchange for bribes including gold, cash and a Mercedes-Benz."
Bob Menendez to be sentenced in gold bar bribery case that ended US Senate career
Former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez will be sentenced on Wednesday over his 2024 conviction for taking bribes including gold bars in exchange for favors for Egypt and New Jersey businessmen, a case that ended the once-powerful Democrat's political career.
www.reuters.com
January 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Former Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Prosecutors said he "shepherded military aid to Egypt, provided assistance to Qatar, and interfered in local prosecutions [...] in exchange for bribes including gold, cash and a Mercedes-Benz."
Prosecutors said he "shepherded military aid to Egypt, provided assistance to Qatar, and interfered in local prosecutions [...] in exchange for bribes including gold, cash and a Mercedes-Benz."
NEW: Scammers have been stealing Facebook accounts in multiple countries to advertise a phony @voanews.com.web.brid.gy article and push a “cryptocurrency investment” plan that Russian tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov supposedly described to Tucker Carlson.
It's all BS & it's bizarre. I dug into it.
It's all BS & it's bizarre. I dug into it.
Facebook scammers use fake VOA article to push Russian cryptocurrency scheme
They said it was a continuation of conservative commentator Tucker Carlson’s interview with Russian IT businessman Pavel Durov, but that was a lie
www.voanews.com
January 29, 2025 at 8:26 PM
NEW: Scammers have been stealing Facebook accounts in multiple countries to advertise a phony @voanews.com.web.brid.gy article and push a “cryptocurrency investment” plan that Russian tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov supposedly described to Tucker Carlson.
It's all BS & it's bizarre. I dug into it.
It's all BS & it's bizarre. I dug into it.
NEW: At first blush, the video appeared to show a teenage refugee from #Ukraine making insulting comments about US aid and racist remarks about Black people.
In reality, it was a deepfake — one of several — created and pushed by Matryoshka, a #Russia info op.
Details from me & Tatiana Vorozhko.
In reality, it was a deepfake — one of several — created and pushed by Matryoshka, a #Russia info op.
Details from me & Tatiana Vorozhko.
Russian deepfake videos target Ukrainian refugees, including teen
Phony clips emphasize almost no target is off limits in Kremlin's quest to undermine Western support for Ukraine
www.voanews.com
January 28, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Reposted by Matthew Kupfer
Royal Navy surfaces a sub (nuclear?) near the Russian surveillance ship Yantar that was sailing in the North Sea (now apparently has left). "This is a Russian spy ship used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure," per defense minister John Healey.
January 22, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Royal Navy surfaces a sub (nuclear?) near the Russian surveillance ship Yantar that was sailing in the North Sea (now apparently has left). "This is a Russian spy ship used for gathering intelligence and mapping the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure," per defense minister John Healey.
What is new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's position on Russia's war against #Ukraine? @kyivindependent.com had a look at his recent statements.
Yesterday he said: "Russia is the aggressor in this conflict, but this war needs to end. And ultimately, that’s the complexity of foreign policy."
Yesterday he said: "Russia is the aggressor in this conflict, but this war needs to end. And ultimately, that’s the complexity of foreign policy."
‘It needs to end’ — State Secretary Rubio’s position on Russia’s war against Ukraine
As state secretary, Marco Rubio will oversee the implementation of the president's foreign policy, including that relating to Russia's full-scale war — which wasn't directly referred to during Donald ...
kyivindependent.com
January 21, 2025 at 4:10 PM
What is new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's position on Russia's war against #Ukraine? @kyivindependent.com had a look at his recent statements.
Yesterday he said: "Russia is the aggressor in this conflict, but this war needs to end. And ultimately, that’s the complexity of foreign policy."
Yesterday he said: "Russia is the aggressor in this conflict, but this war needs to end. And ultimately, that’s the complexity of foreign policy."
NEW: News reports have revealed that #Russia is deceptively recruiting young African women to work in a military drone factory.
Salem Solomon and I tried to find out what governments in #Africa are doing to protect their citizens. So far? Not much.
Salem Solomon and I tried to find out what governments in #Africa are doing to protect their citizens. So far? Not much.
Expert: Several African governments unaware of young workers in Russian drone factories
Young Africans are being duped into working in Russian drone factories under harsh conditions, with little intervention from their home governments
www.voanews.com
December 20, 2024 at 4:09 PM
Reposted by Matthew Kupfer
threadreaderapp.com/thread/18658.... My thoughts on rumors of Russian evacuation from Syria, what we know, and what we don’t.
Thread by @MassDara on Thread Reader App
@MassDara: There are many rumors that Russia is evacuating its bases at Tartus and Khmeimim in Syria, but most assets remain there. If evacuation happens, it will be obvious. A brief thread on what is...
threadreaderapp.com
December 8, 2024 at 8:58 PM
threadreaderapp.com/thread/18658.... My thoughts on rumors of Russian evacuation from Syria, what we know, and what we don’t.
Reposted by Matthew Kupfer
Assad seems finished. An Iranian intervention is not forthcoming. Russia is also running out of options. They may try to cut a deal to keep bases, which are key to operations in MENA. I suspect it will end up as either a panicked evacuation, or a negotiated withdrawal given how things are trending.
December 7, 2024 at 1:17 AM
Assad seems finished. An Iranian intervention is not forthcoming. Russia is also running out of options. They may try to cut a deal to keep bases, which are key to operations in MENA. I suspect it will end up as either a panicked evacuation, or a negotiated withdrawal given how things are trending.
Reposted by Matthew Kupfer
A London-based man won a $24m Ukrainian state contract for a project meant to defend Dnipro power plant from Russian attacks while secretly helping Moscow’s spy services to launder money and evade sanctions.
Wild scoop w/ my colleague Miles Johnson @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/57a3...
Wild scoop w/ my colleague Miles Johnson @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/57a3...
Money launderer for Russian spies won deal to help defend Ukraine power plant
Sanctioned ‘entrepreneur’ awarded sensitive state contract to provide parts for Dnipro hydroelectric station damaged by Russian missiles
www.ft.com
December 5, 2024 at 11:33 AM
A London-based man won a $24m Ukrainian state contract for a project meant to defend Dnipro power plant from Russian attacks while secretly helping Moscow’s spy services to launder money and evade sanctions.
Wild scoop w/ my colleague Miles Johnson @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/57a3...
Wild scoop w/ my colleague Miles Johnson @financialtimes.com
www.ft.com/content/57a3...
What does the future look like for #Russia 's Wagner Group and other mercenaries over a year after the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin? I spoke with @jackmargolin.bsky.social, @johnalechner.bsky.social, Ilya Barabanov, and Maria Kucherenko to find out.
Read my story for their insights.
Read my story for their insights.
Over a year after Wagner Group leader’s death, Russian mercenaries aren’t going away
The Wagner Group made Russian mercenaries infamous. With its co-founder Yevgeny Prigozhin dead, the Russian state is strengthening its control over the fighters, researchers say
www.voanews.com
December 5, 2024 at 3:06 PM
What does the future look like for #Russia 's Wagner Group and other mercenaries over a year after the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin? I spoke with @jackmargolin.bsky.social, @johnalechner.bsky.social, Ilya Barabanov, and Maria Kucherenko to find out.
Read my story for their insights.
Read my story for their insights.
Very alarming news about how #China penetrated the US telecom system. “We have to let the American people know this,” Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner said. “Folks need to know.” www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/u...
China’s Hacking Reached Deep Into U.S. Telecoms
The chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee said hackers listened to phone calls and read texts by exploiting aging equipment and seams in the networks that connect systems.
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2024 at 3:08 PM
Very alarming news about how #China penetrated the US telecom system. “We have to let the American people know this,” Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner said. “Folks need to know.” www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/u...
Reposted by Matthew Kupfer
Germany, meanwhile, announces its own new weapons package for Ukraine as well, including several dozen more MRAPs; more air defense radars; 4 more self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers; a few hundred more surveillance drones, and other equipment.
www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news...
www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news...
November 20, 2024 at 2:57 PM
Germany, meanwhile, announces its own new weapons package for Ukraine as well, including several dozen more MRAPs; more air defense radars; 4 more self-propelled Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers; a few hundred more surveillance drones, and other equipment.
www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news...
www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news...
#Israel is finding large amounts of modern Russian weapons — some manufactured as recently as 2020 — in #Lebanon, raising concerns that #Russia could be deepening its relationship with Hezbollah. www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Israel Finds Large Troves of Russian Arms in Hezbollah’s Hands
Some of the weapons, which include modern antitank missiles, have come from Russian stockpiles in neighboring Syria.
www.wsj.com
November 19, 2024 at 5:14 PM
#Israel is finding large amounts of modern Russian weapons — some manufactured as recently as 2020 — in #Lebanon, raising concerns that #Russia could be deepening its relationship with Hezbollah. www.wsj.com/world/middle...
As we mark 1000 days of #Russia 's full-scale war against #Ukraine, the Kremlin has a new endorsement: Norwegian neo-Nazi terrorist Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people — mostly teenagers — in 2011.
(Not visible in photo: He shaved Russian war symbol "Z" into his hair.) nypost.com/2024/11/19/w...
(Not visible in photo: He shaved Russian war symbol "Z" into his hair.) nypost.com/2024/11/19/w...
Norwegian mass killer Anders Behring Breivik seeks parole for second time
He is serving a 21-year sentence, the maximum penalty at the time of his crimes, which can be extended for as long as he is deemed a threat to society.
nypost.com
November 19, 2024 at 4:46 PM
As we mark 1000 days of #Russia 's full-scale war against #Ukraine, the Kremlin has a new endorsement: Norwegian neo-Nazi terrorist Anders Breivik, who killed 77 people — mostly teenagers — in 2011.
(Not visible in photo: He shaved Russian war symbol "Z" into his hair.) nypost.com/2024/11/19/w...
(Not visible in photo: He shaved Russian war symbol "Z" into his hair.) nypost.com/2024/11/19/w...
Reposted by Matthew Kupfer
I am not sure what’s the fuss in Moscow about. Ukraine struck Crimea with ATACMS many many times. Is Lavrov suggesting that Crimea unlike Bryansk is not, well, really Russian? www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Ukraine Uses U.S.-Provided Long-Range Missiles in Russia for First Time
The strike, against an ammunition depot, comes days after the U.S. authorized the use of ATACMS on Russian territory.
www.wsj.com
November 19, 2024 at 2:32 PM
I am not sure what’s the fuss in Moscow about. Ukraine struck Crimea with ATACMS many many times. Is Lavrov suggesting that Crimea unlike Bryansk is not, well, really Russian? www.wsj.com/world/europe...