Bob Cekuta
@rfcekuta.bsky.social
Diplomat, analyst, focused on development, energy, and figuring out better ways of doing things. When all else fails, have some chocolate.
In my first Foreign Service tour, my assistant in the Commercial Section was Somali. While their country has been wracked by violence in the years since, I have known and worked with Somalis here in the U.S. and abroad. They were/are honorable, kind, friendly. POTUS should be ashamed.
December 2, 2025 at 9:36 PM
In my first Foreign Service tour, my assistant in the Commercial Section was Somali. While their country has been wracked by violence in the years since, I have known and worked with Somalis here in the U.S. and abroad. They were/are honorable, kind, friendly. POTUS should be ashamed.
Reposted by Bob Cekuta
Steven Cash, Executive Director of the Steady State, gives a two-minute primer on two Steady State slogans—#holdfast and #getsmart—and what they mean. #SteadyState
youtu.be/OdUM6TUyamY
youtu.be/OdUM6TUyamY
Two min primer #holdfast #getsmart
YouTube video by The Steady State
youtu.be
November 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Steven Cash, Executive Director of the Steady State, gives a two-minute primer on two Steady State slogans—#holdfast and #getsmart—and what they mean. #SteadyState
youtu.be/OdUM6TUyamY
youtu.be/OdUM6TUyamY
www.thebulwark.com/p/letter-fro...
Right on target: peace is NOT just the absence of fighting. There is a lot that needs to be done to build a real peace. Trump and his team would do well to take to heart the lessons here and stop playing “Let’s Make A Deal” with Putin.
Right on target: peace is NOT just the absence of fighting. There is a lot that needs to be done to build a real peace. Trump and his team would do well to take to heart the lessons here and stop playing “Let’s Make A Deal” with Putin.
A Letter from Clausewitz to Secretary Rubio
Channeling the author of ‘On War’ on the U.S. pursuit of peace in Ukraine.
www.thebulwark.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:41 PM
www.thebulwark.com/p/letter-fro...
Right on target: peace is NOT just the absence of fighting. There is a lot that needs to be done to build a real peace. Trump and his team would do well to take to heart the lessons here and stop playing “Let’s Make A Deal” with Putin.
Right on target: peace is NOT just the absence of fighting. There is a lot that needs to be done to build a real peace. Trump and his team would do well to take to heart the lessons here and stop playing “Let’s Make A Deal” with Putin.
Reposted by Bob Cekuta
There is no debate --
“An order requiring the performance of a military duty or act may be disobeyed when such act is unlawful.”
Manual for Courts-Martial United States (2024), Part IV, ¶ 14.c.(2)(a)(i)
www.sja.marines.mil/Portals/135/...
#HOLDFAST
“An order requiring the performance of a military duty or act may be disobeyed when such act is unlawful.”
Manual for Courts-Martial United States (2024), Part IV, ¶ 14.c.(2)(a)(i)
www.sja.marines.mil/Portals/135/...
#HOLDFAST
www.sja.marines.mil
November 22, 2025 at 12:13 PM
There is no debate --
“An order requiring the performance of a military duty or act may be disobeyed when such act is unlawful.”
Manual for Courts-Martial United States (2024), Part IV, ¶ 14.c.(2)(a)(i)
www.sja.marines.mil/Portals/135/...
#HOLDFAST
“An order requiring the performance of a military duty or act may be disobeyed when such act is unlawful.”
Manual for Courts-Martial United States (2024), Part IV, ¶ 14.c.(2)(a)(i)
www.sja.marines.mil/Portals/135/...
#HOLDFAST
In March, unfolding the world‘s biggest flag on the Ellipse, just outside the White House. Better than what seems to be coming out of the Oval Office.
November 22, 2025 at 12:11 AM
In March, unfolding the world‘s biggest flag on the Ellipse, just outside the White House. Better than what seems to be coming out of the Oval Office.
In March, unfolding the world‘s biggest flag on the Ellipse, just outside the White House. Better than what seems to be coming out of the Oval Office.
November 22, 2025 at 12:08 AM
In March, unfolding the world‘s biggest flag on the Ellipse, just outside the White House. Better than what seems to be coming out of the Oval Office.
Ukraine Faces ‘Difficult Choice’ Over U.S. Plan to End War, Zelensky Says www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/w...
So why should Ukraine — or the U.S, capitulate to Putin??? Russia is NOT succeeding on the battlefield. Trump‘s offer is a present to Moscow. This is insane.
So why should Ukraine — or the U.S, capitulate to Putin??? Russia is NOT succeeding on the battlefield. Trump‘s offer is a present to Moscow. This is insane.
Ukraine Faces ‘Difficult Choice’ Over U.S. Plan to End War, Zelensky Says
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Ukraine Faces ‘Difficult Choice’ Over U.S. Plan to End War, Zelensky Says www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/w...
So why should Ukraine — or the U.S, capitulate to Putin??? Russia is NOT succeeding on the battlefield. Trump‘s offer is a present to Moscow. This is insane.
So why should Ukraine — or the U.S, capitulate to Putin??? Russia is NOT succeeding on the battlefield. Trump‘s offer is a present to Moscow. This is insane.
Trump Administration Live Updates: Officials Demand States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamp Benefits www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
Obscene.
Obscene.
Trump Administration Live Updates: Officials Demand States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamp Benefits
www.nytimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Trump Administration Live Updates: Officials Demand States ‘Undo’ Work to Send Full Food Stamp Benefits www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
Obscene.
Obscene.
Administration Live Updates: Trump Appeals Ruling That Orders Fast and Full SNAP Payments www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
OK, so rather than work with Congress to get a way forward on the budget, the Administration insists on cutting off food to needy Americans, plus slashing air travel.
OK, so rather than work with Congress to get a way forward on the budget, the Administration insists on cutting off food to needy Americans, plus slashing air travel.
Administration Live Updates: Trump Appeals Ruling That Orders Fast and Full SNAP Payments
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Administration Live Updates: Trump Appeals Ruling That Orders Fast and Full SNAP Payments www.nytimes.com/live/2025/11...
OK, so rather than work with Congress to get a way forward on the budget, the Administration insists on cutting off food to needy Americans, plus slashing air travel.
OK, so rather than work with Congress to get a way forward on the budget, the Administration insists on cutting off food to needy Americans, plus slashing air travel.
Reposted by Bob Cekuta
Doing this the same weekend Americans lose SNAP — the White House has taken oblivious to a whole new level.
A lavish Gatsby-themed gala at Mar-a-Lago… while TSA workers go unpaid and families lose food assistance. It’s not just bad taste; it’s authoritarian pageantry. #steadystateassessment #authoritarian #democracy
November 3, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Doing this the same weekend Americans lose SNAP — the White House has taken oblivious to a whole new level.
Administration actions on Ukraine keep showing two mortal sins: 1) lack of a coherent policy, and 2) flip flopping so often that it undermines the overall credibility of U.S. deference capabilities.
Defend Ukraine; Ukraine is defending U.S.!
Defend Ukraine; Ukraine is defending U.S.!
October 28, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Administration actions on Ukraine keep showing two mortal sins: 1) lack of a coherent policy, and 2) flip flopping so often that it undermines the overall credibility of U.S. deference capabilities.
Defend Ukraine; Ukraine is defending U.S.!
Defend Ukraine; Ukraine is defending U.S.!
Reposted by Bob Cekuta
Reposted by Bob Cekuta
Don Jr.’s drone venture isn’t just a conflict of interest. It’s a symptom of democratic breakdown—family ties driving defense policy and corruption becoming governance.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
Trump’s Son Is Poised to Profit From Pentagon Drone Proposal
www.nytimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Don Jr.’s drone venture isn’t just a conflict of interest. It’s a symptom of democratic breakdown—family ties driving defense policy and corruption becoming governance.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/u...
Part of White House Is Reduced to Rubble. Trump’s Ballroom Will Rise in Its Place. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/u...
Think about it — TSA, Capitol Police and other federal workers aren’t getting paid, medical insurance costs are through the roof and Trump is building a ballroom.
Think about it — TSA, Capitol Police and other federal workers aren’t getting paid, medical insurance costs are through the roof and Trump is building a ballroom.
Part of White House Is Reduced to Rubble. Trump’s Ballroom Will Rise in Its Place.
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Part of White House Is Reduced to Rubble. Trump’s Ballroom Will Rise in Its Place. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/u...
Think about it — TSA, Capitol Police and other federal workers aren’t getting paid, medical insurance costs are through the roof and Trump is building a ballroom.
Think about it — TSA, Capitol Police and other federal workers aren’t getting paid, medical insurance costs are through the roof and Trump is building a ballroom.
Coast Guard Buys Two Private Jets for Noem, Costing $172 Million www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
The NYT got it wrong — WE the citizens and taxpayers bought these planes. Our tax dollars went for this. Is that really how we want our money spent?
The NYT got it wrong — WE the citizens and taxpayers bought these planes. Our tax dollars went for this. Is that really how we want our money spent?
Coast Guard Buys Two Private Jets for Noem, Costing $172 Million
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Coast Guard Buys Two Private Jets for Noem, Costing $172 Million www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...
The NYT got it wrong — WE the citizens and taxpayers bought these planes. Our tax dollars went for this. Is that really how we want our money spent?
The NYT got it wrong — WE the citizens and taxpayers bought these planes. Our tax dollars went for this. Is that really how we want our money spent?
Today National Energy Dominance Council head told a think tank audience that nuclear is key to meeting AI and other energy needs. How long will it take to build those new nuclear facilities and who will pay? And electricity prices are already sky-high and rising.
Tech companies have proposed building more than 20 of the power-hungry data centers around Pennsylvania. Some advocates are seeking to control their growth through zoning.
Pennsylvania Community Groups Urge Officials to Restrict Data Center Development - Inside Climate News
Tech companies have proposed building more than 20 of the power-hungry complexes around the state. Some advocates are seeking to control their growth through zoning.
insideclimatenews.org
October 16, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Today National Energy Dominance Council head told a think tank audience that nuclear is key to meeting AI and other energy needs. How long will it take to build those new nuclear facilities and who will pay? And electricity prices are already sky-high and rising.
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Another example of the consequences of the bad decision to eliminate USAID and its functions. Can Americans really accept being responsible for more such tragedies??
Another example of the consequences of the bad decision to eliminate USAID and its functions. Can Americans really accept being responsible for more such tragedies??
Babies' deaths in Cameroon show how US aid cuts curtail malaria fight
Nine-month-old baby Mohamat burned with fever for three days before his family took him to the closest health centre in northern Cameroon, but it was too late. He died of malaria that day.
www.reuters.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:53 PM
www.reuters.com/business/hea...
Another example of the consequences of the bad decision to eliminate USAID and its functions. Can Americans really accept being responsible for more such tragedies??
Another example of the consequences of the bad decision to eliminate USAID and its functions. Can Americans really accept being responsible for more such tragedies??
Trump Wades Into Bailout Politics in Offering a Lifeline to Argentina www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/u...
Meanwhile, thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill, Americans are looking at the loss of need food benefits, astronomically higher medical insurance bills, less money for schools … America First???
Meanwhile, thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill, Americans are looking at the loss of need food benefits, astronomically higher medical insurance bills, less money for schools … America First???
Trump Wades Into Bailout Politics in Offering a Lifeline to Argentina
www.nytimes.com
September 25, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Trump Wades Into Bailout Politics in Offering a Lifeline to Argentina www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/u...
Meanwhile, thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill, Americans are looking at the loss of need food benefits, astronomically higher medical insurance bills, less money for schools … America First???
Meanwhile, thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill, Americans are looking at the loss of need food benefits, astronomically higher medical insurance bills, less money for schools … America First???
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/o...
When DOGE and Trump wrecked in January, there were multiple warnings this would be the outcome. A bad set of policies and actions need to be reversed. History shows humanitarian crises turn into political crises and wars. Congress needs to act.
When DOGE and Trump wrecked in January, there were multiple warnings this would be the outcome. A bad set of policies and actions need to be reversed. History shows humanitarian crises turn into political crises and wars. Congress needs to act.
Opinion | Trump’s Most Lethal Policy
www.nytimes.com
September 22, 2025 at 4:13 PM
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/o...
When DOGE and Trump wrecked in January, there were multiple warnings this would be the outcome. A bad set of policies and actions need to be reversed. History shows humanitarian crises turn into political crises and wars. Congress needs to act.
When DOGE and Trump wrecked in January, there were multiple warnings this would be the outcome. A bad set of policies and actions need to be reversed. History shows humanitarian crises turn into political crises and wars. Congress needs to act.
www.hudson.org/defense-stra...
But will Trump take it? Sound national security policy means seeing the world as it is and where it may be moving. That requires the best, most sound information available — not fantasies and “facts” selected to please leaders and substantiate preconceived notion.
But will Trump take it? Sound national security policy means seeing the world as it is and where it may be moving. That requires the best, most sound information available — not fantasies and “facts” selected to please leaders and substantiate preconceived notion.
Trump Has Opportunity to Recalibrate US Defense Posture
In the opening months of President Donald Trump’s second term, he and many of his senior officials have emphasized what they view as an imbalance in global burden-sharing between the US and its partne...
www.hudson.org
September 17, 2025 at 1:51 PM
www.hudson.org/defense-stra...
But will Trump take it? Sound national security policy means seeing the world as it is and where it may be moving. That requires the best, most sound information available — not fantasies and “facts” selected to please leaders and substantiate preconceived notion.
But will Trump take it? Sound national security policy means seeing the world as it is and where it may be moving. That requires the best, most sound information available — not fantasies and “facts” selected to please leaders and substantiate preconceived notion.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Right from the start, people noted Trump’s Bill obediently passed by the “Republican” Congress would mean the loss of health care and hospital closures, here in Maine and elsewhere in the country. Why wasn’t the media covering this mess then?
Right from the start, people noted Trump’s Bill obediently passed by the “Republican” Congress would mean the loss of health care and hospital closures, here in Maine and elsewhere in the country. Why wasn’t the media covering this mess then?
The GOP cut parts of Obamacare. Now it’s at the center of a funding fight.
Democrats are asking for restored health care subsidies and funding in exchange for their support, but Republicans are daring them to risk a shutdown over the issue.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 17, 2025 at 11:13 AM
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Right from the start, people noted Trump’s Bill obediently passed by the “Republican” Congress would mean the loss of health care and hospital closures, here in Maine and elsewhere in the country. Why wasn’t the media covering this mess then?
Right from the start, people noted Trump’s Bill obediently passed by the “Republican” Congress would mean the loss of health care and hospital closures, here in Maine and elsewhere in the country. Why wasn’t the media covering this mess then?
Public Broadcast Cuts Hit Rural Areas, Revealing a Political Shift www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/u...
Another example of a bad political decision by the Trump Administration hurting everyday Americans. Congress needs to stand up and do what the Founders — and we taxpayers — have expected it to do.
Another example of a bad political decision by the Trump Administration hurting everyday Americans. Congress needs to stand up and do what the Founders — and we taxpayers — have expected it to do.
Public Broadcast Cuts Hit Rural Areas, Revealing a Political Shift
www.nytimes.com
August 31, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Public Broadcast Cuts Hit Rural Areas, Revealing a Political Shift www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/u...
Another example of a bad political decision by the Trump Administration hurting everyday Americans. Congress needs to stand up and do what the Founders — and we taxpayers — have expected it to do.
Another example of a bad political decision by the Trump Administration hurting everyday Americans. Congress needs to stand up and do what the Founders — and we taxpayers — have expected it to do.
The Administration will probably appeal to the Supreme Court — just as they do everything else Donnie doesn’t like — but today’s appeals court decision is still good news.
August 29, 2025 at 11:44 PM
The Administration will probably appeal to the Supreme Court — just as they do everything else Donnie doesn’t like — but today’s appeals court decision is still good news.