Max Boot
@maxboot.bsky.social
CFR fellow, Washington Post columnist. Pulitzer finalist for biography. Author: REAGAN: HIS LIFE AND LEGEND, NYT bestseller and NYT 10 best books of 2024. Man of many hats. Repost ≠ endorsement. maxboot.net.
Pinned
Reposted by Max Boot
It’s one thing to choose not to participate in the International Criminal Court. It’s entirely another for the U.S. to punish its judges like they are criminals.
The penalties effectively cut the judges off from all American funds, goods and credit cards, and prohibit individuals and business in the U.S. from working with them. “We’re treated like pariahs, we are on a list with terrorists and drug dealers,” Ms. Ibáñez said. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/w...
No Amazon, No Gmail: Trump Sanctions Upend the Lives of I.C.C. Judges
www.nytimes.com
January 11, 2026 at 1:49 PM
It’s one thing to choose not to participate in the International Criminal Court. It’s entirely another for the U.S. to punish its judges like they are criminals.
The penalties effectively cut the judges off from all American funds, goods and credit cards, and prohibit individuals and business in the U.S. from working with them. “We’re treated like pariahs, we are on a list with terrorists and drug dealers,” Ms. Ibáñez said. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/w...
No Amazon, No Gmail: Trump Sanctions Upend the Lives of I.C.C. Judges
www.nytimes.com
January 11, 2026 at 1:43 PM
The penalties effectively cut the judges off from all American funds, goods and credit cards, and prohibit individuals and business in the U.S. from working with them. “We’re treated like pariahs, we are on a list with terrorists and drug dealers,” Ms. Ibáñez said. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/w...
The “President of Peace” sure does use force a lot. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. says it hit Islamic State in Syria in response to attack on troops
The attack is the latest in a series of actions the Pentagon has taken after two U.S. service members and an interpreter were killed in Syria in December.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 11, 2026 at 1:08 PM
The “President of Peace” sure does use force a lot. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Max Boot
Myanmar's election "is not free and fair," Josh Kurlantzick and Annabel Richter write.
"Under the direction of the military junta, which has controlled the country since seizing power in a coup five years ago, Myanmar nationals are voting in an election in which most opposition parties are banned."
"Under the direction of the military junta, which has controlled the country since seizing power in a coup five years ago, Myanmar nationals are voting in an election in which most opposition parties are banned."
Myanmar's Junta-Led Election Is Neither Free nor Fair
Despite banned opposition, mass displacement, and severe repression, the staged poll is already granting the military dangerous international legitimacy.
www.cfr.org
January 10, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Myanmar's election "is not free and fair," Josh Kurlantzick and Annabel Richter write.
"Under the direction of the military junta, which has controlled the country since seizing power in a coup five years ago, Myanmar nationals are voting in an election in which most opposition parties are banned."
"Under the direction of the military junta, which has controlled the country since seizing power in a coup five years ago, Myanmar nationals are voting in an election in which most opposition parties are banned."
Reposted by Max Boot
Powerful piece in STAT this morning from some NIH staff members who have resigned
www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
1/3
www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
1/3
The NIH has lost its scientific integrity. So we left
“We can no longer lend our credibility to an organization that has lost its integrity,” write four scientists and administrators who recently resigned from the NIH.
www.statnews.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Powerful piece in STAT this morning from some NIH staff members who have resigned
www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
1/3
www.statnews.com/2026/01/10/n...
1/3
Reposted by Max Boot
US policy on protests in Iran somewhat different from policy on protests in US: “On Friday, the US repeated that killing protesters would be met with a military response.”
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Iran medics describe overwhelmed hospitals as protests in 14th day
Health workers in Tehran report being overwhelmed by injured on Friday night as security forces and demonstrators clash.
www.bbc.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:03 PM
US policy on protests in Iran somewhat different from policy on protests in US: “On Friday, the US repeated that killing protesters would be met with a military response.”
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Max Boot
'The scale of the unrest now gripping Iran is the largest since the demonstrations of 2009; some veteran Iran-watchers reckon the protests are the biggest since the overthrow of the shah in 1979' www.economist.com/middle-east-...
As protests surge, the Iranian regime’s options are narrowing
Iran’s fate depends on who has more staying power: its ruler or its people
www.economist.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:33 AM
'The scale of the unrest now gripping Iran is the largest since the demonstrations of 2009; some veteran Iran-watchers reckon the protests are the biggest since the overthrow of the shah in 1979' www.economist.com/middle-east-...
In linking the targets to the Islamic State, AFRICOM overstated its confidence in the identity of the fighters, one of the U.S. officials said. The operation, the official said, “was likely not very effective and did not remove any camps or capabilities.” www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Unexploded missiles, unclear targets in Trump’s strikes on Nigeria
Of the 16 U.S. Tomahawk missiles fired at militants in Nigeria, at least four appeared not to explode, according to officials and imagery reviewed by The Post.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:56 PM
In linking the targets to the Islamic State, AFRICOM overstated its confidence in the identity of the fighters, one of the U.S. officials said. The operation, the official said, “was likely not very effective and did not remove any camps or capabilities.” www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
Reposted by Max Boot
Our President opened up the new year with some brand new imperialism. @maxboot.bsky.social and @edwardluce.bsky.social join @djrothkopf.bsky.social l to break down what recent developments reveal about Trump’s foreign policy, and more. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
youtu.be/NmqDrFArYr8
youtu.be/NmqDrFArYr8
January 9, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Our President opened up the new year with some brand new imperialism. @maxboot.bsky.social and @edwardluce.bsky.social join @djrothkopf.bsky.social l to break down what recent developments reveal about Trump’s foreign policy, and more. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
youtu.be/NmqDrFArYr8
youtu.be/NmqDrFArYr8
Trump isn’t particularly close with Gabbard, a senior administration official said, and wanted to limit the number of people who knew about the Venezuela mission. She didn’t need to know about it, the official said. www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Tulsi Gabbard Sidelined From Venezuela Planning
As the president’s national-security team was preparing for the incursion into Venezuela, the director of national intelligence was posting photos from a Hawaiian beach.
www.wsj.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Trump isn’t particularly close with Gabbard, a senior administration official said, and wanted to limit the number of people who knew about the Venezuela mission. She didn’t need to know about it, the official said. www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
On Wednesday, Rodríguez appointed a military general, Gustavo González, as the head of the presidential guard and the military’s intelligence unit DGCIM. González has been sanctioned by the U.S. for human-rights abuses. www.wsj.com/world/americ...
Trump Cancels ‘Second Wave of Attacks’ After Venezuela Frees Prisoners
The released prisoners include Rocío San Miguel, a dual Venezuelan-Spanish citizen and respected analyst of the country’s armed forces.
www.wsj.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:55 PM
On Wednesday, Rodríguez appointed a military general, Gustavo González, as the head of the presidential guard and the military’s intelligence unit DGCIM. González has been sanctioned by the U.S. for human-rights abuses. www.wsj.com/world/americ...
Other countries are knocking down trade barriers while Trump is erecting them. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/b...
European Union Agrees to Landmark Free-Trade Deal With South America
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Other countries are knocking down trade barriers while Trump is erecting them. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/b...
The notion that wooden cabinets and vanities were endangering American security was almost as outlandish as the administration’s claim that macaroni and bowtie pasta being dumped by Italy were undermining American greatness. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | The penne is mightier than the sword
The president has quietly rolled back tariffs on household goods, including furniture and pasta.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:44 PM
The notion that wooden cabinets and vanities were endangering American security was almost as outlandish as the administration’s claim that macaroni and bowtie pasta being dumped by Italy were undermining American greatness. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Has anyone ever publicly lobbied for a Nobel Prize the way Trump is doing? www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump says he will meet Machado — and would accept Nobel Peace Prize from her
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said it “would be a great honor” if the Venezuelan opposition leader decided to share her Nobel Peace Prize with him.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:41 PM
Has anyone ever publicly lobbied for a Nobel Prize the way Trump is doing? www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Now do Greenland!
NEW: The vote of 52-47 advanced a bipartisan resolution to block Trump from using military force “within or against Venezuela” unless he gets prior approval from Congress.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Senate advances measure to restrict Trump's power to use military force in Venezuela
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who led the bipartisan resolution, said that Trump's actions in Venezuela are "clearly illegal" because he did not seek congressional approval.
www.nbcnews.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Now do Greenland!
Reposted by Max Boot
Big setback for the White House as 5 GOP Senators join all Democrats in voting to start debate on a war powers resolution re: Venezuela.
Murkowski AK
Young IN
Paul KY
Collins ME
Hawley MO
Murkowski AK
Young IN
Paul KY
Collins ME
Hawley MO
January 8, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Big setback for the White House as 5 GOP Senators join all Democrats in voting to start debate on a war powers resolution re: Venezuela.
Murkowski AK
Young IN
Paul KY
Collins ME
Hawley MO
Murkowski AK
Young IN
Paul KY
Collins ME
Hawley MO
Reposted by Max Boot
New, from me: The Trump administration isn’t just using social media to shape a narrative. They view the world through a social media lens in a way that is plausibly corrupting their judgment and undermining their performance.
Welcome to the clicktatorship. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/life-under...
Welcome to the clicktatorship. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/life-under...
Life Under a Clicktatorship
What happens to government when everything is content?
donmoynihan.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:40 PM
New, from me: The Trump administration isn’t just using social media to shape a narrative. They view the world through a social media lens in a way that is plausibly corrupting their judgment and undermining their performance.
Welcome to the clicktatorship. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/life-under...
Welcome to the clicktatorship. 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/life-under...
Reposted by Max Boot
A woman is dead in Minneapolis after ICE agents opened fire.
I don’t need to be a use-of-force expert to say this plainly: she did not need to be shot.
And no fair investigation is coming from the same system that wanted this confrontation in the first place.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
I don’t need to be a use-of-force expert to say this plainly: she did not need to be shot.
And no fair investigation is coming from the same system that wanted this confrontation in the first place.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
They Didn’t Come to Protect Minneapolis. They Came to Provoke It.
A woman is dead after an encounter with ICE agents in Minneapolis, and the rush to justify it tells us everything about where this country is headed — toward provocation, federalized force, and invest
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:13 PM
A woman is dead in Minneapolis after ICE agents opened fire.
I don’t need to be a use-of-force expert to say this plainly: she did not need to be shot.
And no fair investigation is coming from the same system that wanted this confrontation in the first place.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
I don’t need to be a use-of-force expert to say this plainly: she did not need to be shot.
And no fair investigation is coming from the same system that wanted this confrontation in the first place.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
“What happened is to some degree a confirmation of the Russian view that the liberal order is ending and in its place a global order based on spheres of influence is emerging,” said a Russian academic close to senior Russian diplomats. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
In Maduro’s capture, Russia sees a great-power rival act with impunity
The U.S. intervention in Venezuela distracts attention from Ukraine and signals a new era of great-power politics in which Russia can seek its own sphere of dominance.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:00 PM
“What happened is to some degree a confirmation of the Russian view that the liberal order is ending and in its place a global order based on spheres of influence is emerging,” said a Russian academic close to senior Russian diplomats. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
Reposted by Max Boot
As Gen McCaffrey says, the voices we now hear on Rupert Murdoch TV sound like villains from comic books.
January 7, 2026 at 7:10 PM
As Gen McCaffrey says, the voices we now hear on Rupert Murdoch TV sound like villains from comic books.
Reposted by Max Boot
CNBC: Is there a narrative in Venezuela that you are stealing their oil?
CHRIS WRIGHT: That's untrue. We're just controlled the flow of revenues from their oil
CHRIS WRIGHT: That's untrue. We're just controlled the flow of revenues from their oil
January 7, 2026 at 7:11 PM
CNBC: Is there a narrative in Venezuela that you are stealing their oil?
CHRIS WRIGHT: That's untrue. We're just controlled the flow of revenues from their oil
CHRIS WRIGHT: That's untrue. We're just controlled the flow of revenues from their oil
Reposted by Max Boot
Count me as unsurprised at reports that ICE shot a citizen legal observer in her car in Minneapolis. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has described "videotaping [agents] where they're at" or identifying them as “violence” against them. That trains agents to see counter-force as justified in self-defense.
There's a Right To Record ICE Raids--and There's No Blanket Immunity for Raiders
Notwithstanding pronouncements from leading officials of the Trump administration, the consensus of federal courts is that the Constitution protects the right to record immigration raids, and federal ...
www.cato.org
January 7, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Count me as unsurprised at reports that ICE shot a citizen legal observer in her car in Minneapolis. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has described "videotaping [agents] where they're at" or identifying them as “violence” against them. That trains agents to see counter-force as justified in self-defense.