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
Strengthening "strategic cooperation among the world’s democracies" was not hard to do in 2009. It has become nearly impossible now that the world’s most powerful democracy has turned into a rogue nation led by a president who is more sympathetic to dictators than democrats. wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Strengthening "strategic cooperation among the world’s democracies" was not hard to do in 2009. It has become nearly impossible now that the world’s most powerful democracy has turned into a rogue nation led by a president who is more sympathetic to dictators than democrats. wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Trump and Hegseth want to go the other way.
South Korea intends to abolish provisions obligating soldiers and civil servants to follow superiors’ commands even when they may be improper or unlawful.
S. Korea pushes for soldiers, civil servants to have right to refuse unlawful orders
The South Korean government is moving to remove long-standing obedience requirements for civil servants and soldiers, on the heels of former President Yoon Suk
www.koreaherald.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Trump and Hegseth want to go the other way.
Reposted by Max Boot
"U.S.-European relations reached a new crisis point on Friday," @maxboot.bsky.social writes. https://wapo.st/3XhUsnD
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 7:45 PM
"U.S.-European relations reached a new crisis point on Friday," @maxboot.bsky.social writes. https://wapo.st/3XhUsnD
Witkoff: "I told the president that you - that the Russian Federation has always wanted a peace deal. That’s my belief. I told the president I believe that."
What reason is there to think this? Unbelievable naiveté (at best) from a US envoy.
What reason is there to think this? Unbelievable naiveté (at best) from a US envoy.
"Now, me to you, I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere."
-- Steve Witkoff, in his call to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov
Read the whole transcript of the Oct 14 call. It's amazing.
Gift link (for 7 days) ⤵️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
-- Steve Witkoff, in his call to Putin aide Yuri Ushakov
Read the whole transcript of the Oct 14 call. It's amazing.
Gift link (for 7 days) ⤵️
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Discusses Ukraine Plans With Key Putin Aide: Transcript
The following is a transcript of an Oct. 14 phone call lasting just over 5 minutes between Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s special envoy for peace missions, and Yuri Ushakov, Vladimir Putin’s most senio...
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Witkoff: "I told the president that you - that the Russian Federation has always wanted a peace deal. That’s my belief. I told the president I believe that."
What reason is there to think this? Unbelievable naiveté (at best) from a US envoy.
What reason is there to think this? Unbelievable naiveté (at best) from a US envoy.
Is the envoy to Russia or from Russia?
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg
November 25, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Is the envoy to Russia or from Russia?
Reposted by Max Boot
The administration stayed home from Halifax and forced the US military to do so as well. This isn’t an aberration: Also over the weekend, the administration boycotted the G20 in S Africa. How does the Trump team expect to win any diplomatic victories when it’s not even on the field? wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The administration stayed home from Halifax and forced the US military to do so as well. This isn’t an aberration: Also over the weekend, the administration boycotted the G20 in S Africa. How does the Trump team expect to win any diplomatic victories when it’s not even on the field? wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Reposted by Max Boot
Destroying US influence in the world more effectively than any adversary the US has ever faced.
The administration stayed home from Halifax and forced the US military to do so as well. This isn’t an aberration: Also over the weekend, the administration boycotted the G20 in S Africa. How does the Trump team expect to win any diplomatic victories when it’s not even on the field? wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Destroying US influence in the world more effectively than any adversary the US has ever faced.
Reposted by Max Boot
This is an interesting column by Max Boot. trump has damaged our relations with Canada, Mexico, and the nations of Europe so badly.
This is a gift article.
@maxboot.bsky.social
This is a gift article.
@maxboot.bsky.social
The administration stayed home from Halifax and forced the US military to do so as well. This isn’t an aberration: Also over the weekend, the administration boycotted the G20 in S Africa. How does the Trump team expect to win any diplomatic victories when it’s not even on the field? wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 4:49 PM
This is an interesting column by Max Boot. trump has damaged our relations with Canada, Mexico, and the nations of Europe so badly.
This is a gift article.
@maxboot.bsky.social
This is a gift article.
@maxboot.bsky.social
Europe needs to counter Trump’s appeasement by rushing frozen Russian funds to Ukraine without delay. wapo.st/3XcRot6
Opinion | Ukraine needs Russia’s frozen $200 billion immediately, Europe
With Trump seeking Kyiv’s capitulation to Russia, now is the moment for decisive European action.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Europe needs to counter Trump’s appeasement by rushing frozen Russian funds to Ukraine without delay. wapo.st/3XcRot6
Reposted by Max Boot
Good to see the U.S. and Ukraine agree to a joint peace plan. However, this plan is irrelevant.
Russia never proposed a legitimate plan. The 28 point “Dim-Witt” plan was an influence operation rather than a plan for a just and lasting peace.
Russia never proposed a legitimate plan. The 28 point “Dim-Witt” plan was an influence operation rather than a plan for a just and lasting peace.
November 25, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Good to see the U.S. and Ukraine agree to a joint peace plan. However, this plan is irrelevant.
Russia never proposed a legitimate plan. The 28 point “Dim-Witt” plan was an influence operation rather than a plan for a just and lasting peace.
Russia never proposed a legitimate plan. The 28 point “Dim-Witt” plan was an influence operation rather than a plan for a just and lasting peace.
The administration stayed home from Halifax and forced the US military to do so as well. This isn’t an aberration: Also over the weekend, the administration boycotted the G20 in S Africa. How does the Trump team expect to win any diplomatic victories when it’s not even on the field? wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The administration stayed home from Halifax and forced the US military to do so as well. This isn’t an aberration: Also over the weekend, the administration boycotted the G20 in S Africa. How does the Trump team expect to win any diplomatic victories when it’s not even on the field? wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Reposted by Max Boot
For many allies, the uncertainty over U.S. support for Ukraine merely confirmed what has already become obvious: The United States is no longer a reliable partner. The post-American world predicted by Fareed Zakaria in a 2008 book is finally dawning. wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
For many allies, the uncertainty over U.S. support for Ukraine merely confirmed what has already become obvious: The United States is no longer a reliable partner. The post-American world predicted by Fareed Zakaria in a 2008 book is finally dawning. wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Sen. Kevin Cramer was fuming after watching a video of Trump’s insults. Trying to defend him, Cramer insisted, “Christians in Nigeria are feeling good about Trump.” A few minutes later came the first question: “I’m a Christian from Nigeria, and I’m not feeling good about Trump.” wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Sen. Kevin Cramer was fuming after watching a video of Trump’s insults. Trying to defend him, Cramer insisted, “Christians in Nigeria are feeling good about Trump.” A few minutes later came the first question: “I’m a Christian from Nigeria, and I’m not feeling good about Trump.” wapo.st/4oZH3wz
For many allies, the uncertainty over U.S. support for Ukraine merely confirmed what has already become obvious: The United States is no longer a reliable partner. The post-American world predicted by Fareed Zakaria in a 2008 book is finally dawning. wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
For many allies, the uncertainty over U.S. support for Ukraine merely confirmed what has already become obvious: The United States is no longer a reliable partner. The post-American world predicted by Fareed Zakaria in a 2008 book is finally dawning. wapo.st/4oZH3wz
During Trump’s first term, many allies comforted themselves that an America First foreign policy was a fleeting aberration and that normality would soon be restored. Few think that anymore. wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
During Trump’s first term, many allies comforted themselves that an America First foreign policy was a fleeting aberration and that normality would soon be restored. Few think that anymore. wapo.st/4oZH3wz
U.S.-Canadian relations have been more strained than at any time since the 19th century after Trump’s tariffs. U.S.-European relations reached a new crisis point on Friday when the Trump administration presented Ukraine with an ultimatum to accept a pro-Russian “peace plan.” wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
U.S.-Canadian relations have been more strained than at any time since the 19th century after Trump’s tariffs. U.S.-European relations reached a new crisis point on Friday when the Trump administration presented Ukraine with an ultimatum to accept a pro-Russian “peace plan.” wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Strengthening "strategic cooperation among the world’s democracies" was not hard to do in 2009. It has become nearly impossible now that the world’s most powerful democracy has turned into a rogue nation led by a president who is more sympathetic to dictators than democrats. wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Strengthening "strategic cooperation among the world’s democracies" was not hard to do in 2009. It has become nearly impossible now that the world’s most powerful democracy has turned into a rogue nation led by a president who is more sympathetic to dictators than democrats. wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Trump’s claim is not even close to accurate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed gratitude to the United States on dozens of occasions – 78 examples are listed below – since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of his country in early 2022. www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/p...
Fact check: 78 times Zelensky has expressed gratitude to the US | CNN Politics
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed gratitude to the United States on dozens of occasions – 78 examples are listed below – since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of his country...
www.cnn.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Trump’s claim is not even close to accurate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed gratitude to the United States on dozens of occasions – 78 examples are listed below – since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of his country in early 2022. www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/p...
Reposted by Max Boot
"If the President orders soldiers to do it, it's not illegal."
From the Nixon Chapter of the TrumpLaw Code of Military Justice.
From the Nixon Chapter of the TrumpLaw Code of Military Justice.
Leavitt: "Not a single order this president or administration has given to our military has ever been illegal, nor will it ever be. This administration respects and abides by the law."
November 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
"If the President orders soldiers to do it, it's not illegal."
From the Nixon Chapter of the TrumpLaw Code of Military Justice.
From the Nixon Chapter of the TrumpLaw Code of Military Justice.
Reposted by Max Boot
He literally tweeted this out.
“SHOULD ORDERS AND THE LAW EVER CONFLICT, OUR OFFICERS MUST OBEY THE LAW.”
This plaque is displayed at West Point. It’s the law. Not sedition.
“SHOULD ORDERS AND THE LAW EVER CONFLICT, OUR OFFICERS MUST OBEY THE LAW.”
This plaque is displayed at West Point. It’s the law. Not sedition.
November 24, 2025 at 8:48 PM
He literally tweeted this out.
“SHOULD ORDERS AND THE LAW EVER CONFLICT, OUR OFFICERS MUST OBEY THE LAW.”
This plaque is displayed at West Point. It’s the law. Not sedition.
“SHOULD ORDERS AND THE LAW EVER CONFLICT, OUR OFFICERS MUST OBEY THE LAW.”
This plaque is displayed at West Point. It’s the law. Not sedition.
Reposted by Max Boot
I swore an oath to the Constitution in 1986. I've upheld it through 25 years of service and every day since I retired.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
November 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I swore an oath to the Constitution in 1986. I've upheld it through 25 years of service and every day since I retired.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
If Trump's trying to intimidate me, it won’t work. I’ve given too much to our country to be silenced by bullies who care more about power than the Constitution.
Chilling authoritarianism. Also absurd because this “official statement” says that service members are required to follow lawful orders, meaning that they are not required to follow unlawful orders—which is what Sen Kelly and other lawmakers said.
The Department of Defense announces it's considering "court-martial proceedings or administrative measures" against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly.
November 24, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Chilling authoritarianism. Also absurd because this “official statement” says that service members are required to follow lawful orders, meaning that they are not required to follow unlawful orders—which is what Sen Kelly and other lawmakers said.
This is an improvement but it’s not doing anything to end the war. Ukraine is negotiating with the US—not Russia. Only Putin can end this horrible war.
💥 US and Ukraine have drafted a new 19-point peace deal in Geneva, but left the most politically sensitive elements to be decided by the countries’ presidents, Kyiv negotiator Sergiy Kyslytsya tells @christopherjm.ft.com
"Very few things are left from the original version"
on.ft.com/48w8tnY
"Very few things are left from the original version"
on.ft.com/48w8tnY
US and Ukraine draft new 19-point peace plan but defer biggest decisions
[FREE TO READ] The most politically sensitive elements left for Trump and Zelenskyy to discuss
on.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:58 PM
This is an improvement but it’s not doing anything to end the war. Ukraine is negotiating with the US—not Russia. Only Putin can end this horrible war.