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ericfarns
@natsecguy.bsky.social
anti-authoritarian
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NEW: my latest, in the blue chip Journal of Democracy, on #Venezuela one year after the stolen elections. Please have a read and let me know you views!
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
Venezuela’s Lost Year | Journal of Democracy
A year ago Nicolás Maduro stole Venezuela’s election and entrenched his power by jailing and killing those who opposed him. But the world’s democracies don’t need to sit on the sidelines.
www.journalofdemocracy.org
Reposted by ericfarns
As Trump threatens to attack Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago are hosting U.S. forces and facilities. Grenada is considering it

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Here are the Caribbean allies helping the U.S. against Venezuela
The Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago are hosting U.S. forces and facilities. Grenada is considering it.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Trump closes Venezuela airspace. Something coming, or bluff?
November 29, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Reposted by ericfarns
The head of the Senate Armed Services Committee has vowed “vigorous oversight” following a Post report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the killing of all crew members during the first U.S. strike on suspected drug smugglers in the Caribbean.
Senate committee vows ‘vigorous oversight’ in killing of boat strike survivors
The Republican-led committee’s pledge came after The Post reported that the defense secretary ordered that a U.S. strike on an alleged narcotics boat leave no survivors.
wapo.st
November 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by ericfarns
‘You could feel decisiveness. You could feel them hitting it downhill’: Chicago Bears' D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai run roughshod over the Eagles www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/28/c...
Chicago Bears’ D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai ‘electric’ in 1st dual 100-yard performances since 1985
The Chicago Bears running back duo had the first dual 100-yard performances since Walter Payton and Matt Suhey in 1985.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Press reporting that Trump and Maduro spoke late last week. Good thing? Bad thing? Where is this heading? #Venezuela
November 28, 2025 at 9:12 PM
And, increasingly, a blue water navy to call at them.
Beijing has built or invested in commercial shipping ports on every continent sav Antarctica. Some can be used for military purposes, which has the US increasingly worried.
China Has a Network of Ports Encircling the Globe
With shipping outposts on six continents, Beijing has cemented its trade dominance. That some could be used by its navy has other nations worried.
bloom.bg
November 27, 2025 at 10:57 PM
To be a real solution Turkey would need to take in more than just Maduro…Diosdado, Los Rodriguez, Padrino Lopez just to start. Removing Maduro and leaving the others in control is no solution at all.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, facing U.S. pressure and potential military intervention, may consider Turkey as a safe haven. Turkey’s president, a close ally, could offer refuge with guarantees against extradition.
Maduro’s ties to Turkey could smooth path to possible exile
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s close relationship with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could make Turkey a possible safe harbor if he decides to flee Caracas.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Reposted by ericfarns
Nancy By Ernie Bushmiller
November 27,1950
November 27, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Reposted by ericfarns
BREAKING Jair Bolsonaro, convicted of attempting a military coup and the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, is ordered today to begin his 27-year sentence

www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Bolsonaro out of appeals; will start 27-year sentence for coup attempt
The former Brazilian president will begin his sentence in a specially prepared cell at federal police headquarters in Brasília.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
If Maduro is still in power when she goes
November 23, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Mayan vibes
November 23, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Reposted by ericfarns
Tusk says Russia has crossed a critical line in Poland, urges unity and support for Ukraine
Russia has moved to a new phase of hybrid warfare aimed at destabilizing Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, calling on Warsaw to stand with Ukraine with no caveats. He made the re...
Tusk says Russia has crossed a critical line in Poland, urges unity and support for Ukraine
Russia has moved to a new phase of hybrid warfare aimed at destabilizing Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, calling on Warsaw to stand with Ukraine with no caveats. He made the remarks in a speech to the Sejm on November 21, according to Ukrinform . “Sabotage operations inspired and directly organized by the Kremlin for many months have recently crossed a critical line. Today we can even speak of state terrorism. The goal of these actions was to endanger lives and destabilize the foundations of the Polish state,” Tusk said, commenting on recent events in Poland. He cited recent explosions damaging railway tracks, power supply disruptions along rail lines, a mass disinformation and propaganda campaign — including fabricated stories about “partisans” in Poland - and an attack on Poland’s ambassador in Russia. “Russia wants to weaken us at any cost because today’s Poland is too strong to attack directly. Moscow’s strategy is clear: we are supposed to be at odds with Europe, with Ukraine and, most importantly, with each other at home. We cannot allow this scenario, or any part of it, to come to pass. And that depends on all of us,” the prime minister said, appealing to all Poles, including politicians and the president. Tusk added he has “five simple commandments” for all politicians “who are not traitors”: “First, do not repeat the lies of Russian propaganda. Second, do not undermine trust in the Polish military and security services, and do not obstruct their work. Third, do not discredit the state and its integrity through legislative sabotage — this modern Liberum Veto (the right of one politician to block the will of the majority), which Russia has always supported. Fourth, do not undermine European unity; stand for a strong West, not for Russia. Fifth, stand with Ukraine in its war against Russia, with no ‘buts.’ Every ‘but’ serves Russia — and therefore works against our security.” On November 16, damage was recorded on a railway section on the Deblin–Warsaw route caused by planted explosives. A second incident was detected on the rail line between Warsaw and Lublin - in the same area where the tracks were damaged.
www.uawire.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by ericfarns
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared last week that U.S.-Mexico anti-drug cooperation was at 'an all-time high,' adding: 'We’re not going to take unilateral action or go in and send American forces into Mexico.'"
Sheinbaum cites Mexican-American War as she rejects Trump's cartel strike threats
"It's OK with me," Trump said about possible strikes in Mexico. His Mexican counterpart, President Claudia Sheinbaum, said Mexico will not accept U.S. intervention in its territory.
www.latimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Reposted by ericfarns
Saudi Arabia now designated major non-NATO ally; joins Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt and Israel. Implicit security coalition parallel with emerging Abraham Accord economic/tech infrastructure?
November 19, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by ericfarns
TUESDAY JAM SESSION
November 18, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by ericfarns
A bit nerdy, but a reminder that organisations like the WTO are useful for discussing concerns multilaterally and for defusing trade tensions. Not always, but it's better than not having the WTO at all.

tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/11/16/h...
About half of trade concerns reported ‘resolved’ to WTO Goods Council
The paper sheds additional light on how the WTO can reduce trade tensions by providing a place for countries to discuss and share the issues they experience with each other in trade.
tradebetablog.wordpress.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Reposted by ericfarns
A White House memo alleges Alibaba aided China’s military with tech targeting the US, the FT reports, intensifying scrutiny of the e-commerce giant as it expands in global AI
White House Memo Claims Alibaba Has China Military Ties, FT Says
A White House national security memo claims Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. provided the Chinese military with technology support against targets in the US, the Financial Times reported, raising concerns about the e-commerce giant’s links to the People’s Liberation Army as it steps up efforts to compete globally in artificial intelligence.
bloom.bg
November 16, 2025 at 2:30 AM
What is your obsession?
November 15, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by ericfarns
AI poses a threat to journalistic integrity and the business of journalism, the chair of the Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association has said.
AI poses threat to journalism in Japan, news association chair says
Japan’s publishers are concerned about the impact generative artificial intelligence is having on the news business, Shiro Nakamura said.
ebx.sh
November 15, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Reposted by ericfarns
In the forested heart of Michoacán, Mexico's Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) has declared war on environmental defenders www.proceso.com.mx/nacional/202...
Ahora el narco sentencia a muerte a estos ambientalistas de Michoacán
En el corazón boscoso de Michoacán el Cártel de Jalisco le declaró la guerra a los defensores ambientales. Liderados por "El Sierra 1", sicarios imponen su ley. Las autoridades locales se muestran inc...
www.proceso.com.mx
November 14, 2025 at 2:14 PM
BREAKING NEWS: MLS owners have officially voted to flip to a fall-to-spring season, aligning with top leagues around the world, per @paultenorio.bsky.social.

The league will begin play in the new format in 2027.
November 13, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Reposted by ericfarns
Nancy By Ernie Bushmiller
November 12,1954
November 13, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Reposted by ericfarns
"The Venezuelan people have every reason to overthrow Nicolás Maduro’s repressive, corrupt, failing regime," John R. Bolton writes.

His dictatorship has no redeeming social value.
Opinion | John Bolton: This is the right way to overthrow Maduro
The blunt reality is that it will take time and mundane hard work.
wapo.st
November 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Isnt this what the Jones Act was supposed to address? If it’s such a failure, why is it still around, raising costs unnecessarily high for the people of Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and other US possessions?
November 12, 2025 at 2:58 AM