Sam Ratner
@samratner.bsky.social
Policy director at Win Without War, working to enact a more just and progressive US foreign policy. Formerly @ACLEDINFO and @ZitamarNews. He/him. Views my own.
Reposted by Sam Ratner
for over 3 weeks, I've spoken to ICE watchers and organizers across the country: first right after Renee Good's killing — then 2 weeks into my reporting, Alex Pretti was killed.
ICE watchers are being detained and harassed — but they're also stopping ICE abductions and inspiring others to join them
ICE watchers are being detained and harassed — but they're also stopping ICE abductions and inspiring others to join them
‘Backing down isn’t an option’: Minnesota ICE shootings mobilize Americans to join ICE observer groups
The killings of Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti have inspired people across the US to document federal agents’ activities in their communities
www.theguardian.com
January 31, 2026 at 5:18 PM
for over 3 weeks, I've spoken to ICE watchers and organizers across the country: first right after Renee Good's killing — then 2 weeks into my reporting, Alex Pretti was killed.
ICE watchers are being detained and harassed — but they're also stopping ICE abductions and inspiring others to join them
ICE watchers are being detained and harassed — but they're also stopping ICE abductions and inspiring others to join them
Reposted by Sam Ratner
Perhaps Brett McGurk can address this during his next CNN segment?
"The staff reported seeing a human femur and other bones on the roads, dead bodies abandoned in cars and 'catastrophic human needs, particularly for food and safe drinking water.'"
www.reuters.com/world/early-...
www.reuters.com/world/early-...
Exclusive: Early warning of 'Apocalyptic Wasteland' in Gaza blocked by US envoys to Israel
U.S. Agency for International Development staffers in early 2024 drafted a warning to senior officials in Joe Biden’s administration: Northern Gaza had turned into an “Apocalyptic Wasteland” with dire...
www.reuters.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Perhaps Brett McGurk can address this during his next CNN segment?
Reposted by Sam Ratner
nice argument, unfortunately I have already depicted myself as a squared-up Ilhan Omar and you as a collapsing sewer ogre
January 28, 2026 at 5:00 AM
nice argument, unfortunately I have already depicted myself as a squared-up Ilhan Omar and you as a collapsing sewer ogre
Reposted by Sam Ratner
I am just gonna say it, these guys are completely emasculated by the knowledge that they have been out-organized by a group that is significantly made up of women, and all the bullshit call of duty nonsense is cope for their wounded egos bsky.app/profile/jeet...
MAGA military geniuses are talking about Minnesota protestors like they are the Iraqi insurgency, the Taliban, and the Viet Cong all rolled into one.
January 26, 2026 at 6:12 PM
I am just gonna say it, these guys are completely emasculated by the knowledge that they have been out-organized by a group that is significantly made up of women, and all the bullshit call of duty nonsense is cope for their wounded egos bsky.app/profile/jeet...
The Tom Ricks siren (which is actually the Mark Grimsley siren, which is actually the Doug McAdam siren etc etc) blaring rn
MAGA military geniuses are talking about Minnesota protestors like they are the Iraqi insurgency, the Taliban, and the Viet Cong all rolled into one.
January 26, 2026 at 6:21 PM
The Tom Ricks siren (which is actually the Mark Grimsley siren, which is actually the Doug McAdam siren etc etc) blaring rn
Reflecting on the left commentators who said that shared authoritarian interests across the US, Chinese, and Russian oligarchic class were a greater threat to most people's safety and democracy than "great power competition" and were laughed at by "expert" analysts.
the world’s most powerful states are now ruled by leaders who ignore formal institutions and govern through inner circles of sycophants, making policy based on private fixations rather than national interests. (free access link) www.foreignaffairs.com/guest-pass/r...
January 26, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Reflecting on the left commentators who said that shared authoritarian interests across the US, Chinese, and Russian oligarchic class were a greater threat to most people's safety and democracy than "great power competition" and were laughed at by "expert" analysts.
Putting this in the massive file of responses to people who say, "we need to let frontline Dems be viciously xenophobic in order to win."
Rep. Tom Suozzi(D-NY), getting raked over the coals for his vote for more ICE funding, says in a campaign email that he didn’t understand what he was doing
January 26, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Putting this in the massive file of responses to people who say, "we need to let frontline Dems be viciously xenophobic in order to win."
Reposted by Sam Ratner
“Abolish ICE” - ICE www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
January 26, 2026 at 1:00 PM
“Abolish ICE” - ICE www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
Jennifer Mnookin is the new president of Columbia University. Congratulations to Columbia for adding to its storied reputation as a home for administrators who love calling the cops on their students. www.dailycardinal.com/article/2025...
One year later: UW-Madison’s pro-Palestine encampment in photos
University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin authorized a police raid of the pro-Palestine encampment one year ago today. Here are moments that defined the 12-day protest.
www.dailycardinal.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Jennifer Mnookin is the new president of Columbia University. Congratulations to Columbia for adding to its storied reputation as a home for administrators who love calling the cops on their students. www.dailycardinal.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Sam Ratner
Oxford & Harvard profs develop a new GHG emissions inventory system to mirror the way that financial accounting is done, where liabilities are passed down to the buyers. Did they know that it would help polluters evade disclosure? That Exxon & others would use it to sow chaos?
Exxon-Backed Coalition Challenges How Companies Account for Emissions. Some Say It Could Stop Them From Decarbonizing.
Leading climate figures argue the “E-ledgers” approach absolves businesses of their climate responsibilities.
www.wsj.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Oxford & Harvard profs develop a new GHG emissions inventory system to mirror the way that financial accounting is done, where liabilities are passed down to the buyers. Did they know that it would help polluters evade disclosure? That Exxon & others would use it to sow chaos?
Reposted by Sam Ratner
What appears unprecedented isn't as unprecedented as we think it is. In my latest for the International Policy Journal at @cipolicy.bsky.social, I write about how the abuses we're seeing under the second Trump admin are an unfortunate consequence of decades of unaccountability for similar 🧵
We need accountability from Venezuela to Minnesota - CIP
The impunity of security forces brought us crises at home and abroad. Only accountability can lead us out.
internationalpolicy.org
January 23, 2026 at 5:39 PM
What appears unprecedented isn't as unprecedented as we think it is. In my latest for the International Policy Journal at @cipolicy.bsky.social, I write about how the abuses we're seeing under the second Trump admin are an unfortunate consequence of decades of unaccountability for similar 🧵
Reposted by Sam Ratner
(!) Newly-released State Department docs show the Trump-Vance-Rubio admin detained Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi for fake news *initially propelled by Columbia itself* — including that he was yelling at "Jewish bystanders," when what he was actually doing was confronting an antisemitic disruptor.
January 23, 2026 at 3:52 PM
(!) Newly-released State Department docs show the Trump-Vance-Rubio admin detained Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi for fake news *initially propelled by Columbia itself* — including that he was yelling at "Jewish bystanders," when what he was actually doing was confronting an antisemitic disruptor.
Reposted by Sam Ratner
I hate polling questions like "What is the most important issue to you?" A ridiculous thing to ask someone. I have no clue how I would answer that. Basically meaningless data.
January 22, 2026 at 8:26 PM
I hate polling questions like "What is the most important issue to you?" A ridiculous thing to ask someone. I have no clue how I would answer that. Basically meaningless data.
Reposted by Sam Ratner
the running theme of Trump 2.0:
The elites and institutions have folded but regular people haven’t
I know people keep saying this but it’s hard to communicate the depth of active resistance here. Like, I’m on random cafes and people are checking in for observation shifts. Signs everywhere. Folks in visibility vests on the corners. It’s wild. Absolutely wild.
January 22, 2026 at 4:57 PM
the running theme of Trump 2.0:
Have we checked his popular knapsack with many different locations?
This makes me think Eric Adams has gold bars or stolen money hidden somewhere other than in his home.
Eric Adams' new PR strategy: "You called me corrupt. Yet there are no gold bars, no payoffs, no stolen money, no cash in my home."
AS IF THE ONLY WAY YO BE CORRUPT IS TO HAVE GOLD BARS STASHED IN YOUR APARTMENT
x.com/ericadamsfor...
AS IF THE ONLY WAY YO BE CORRUPT IS TO HAVE GOLD BARS STASHED IN YOUR APARTMENT
x.com/ericadamsfor...
January 22, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Have we checked his popular knapsack with many different locations?
"If each of you don't bring another 5 people into this pyramid scheme, it'll collapse!"
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
Big tech boss tells delegates at Davos that broader global use is essential if technology is to deliver lasting growth
www.irishtimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:52 PM
"If each of you don't bring another 5 people into this pyramid scheme, it'll collapse!"
Hardly the biggest problem, but that's a lot of defense small business loans that are going to default.
January 20, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Hardly the biggest problem, but that's a lot of defense small business loans that are going to default.
This is huge, and something we can push every governor, mayor, and sheriff in the country on.
January 17, 2026 at 9:32 PM
This is huge, and something we can push every governor, mayor, and sheriff in the country on.
The first screening is Tuesday -- sign up now!
In the spirit of not just newsposting all the time: My wife and I are hosting an impromptu Federico Fellini Film Festival at our apartment in Los Angeles this year, and if you're around and like film, you should come!
If you're interested, sign up here: forms.gle/u6bTNBSEASaN...
If you're interested, sign up here: forms.gle/u6bTNBSEASaN...
January 17, 2026 at 12:18 AM
The first screening is Tuesday -- sign up now!
Reposted by Sam Ratner
Holy hell, what an obituary
Renfrew Christie Dies at 76; Sabotaged Racist Regime’s Nuclear Program
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Holy hell, what an obituary
Nice of them to provide cover art for the next edition of Megan Black's excellent The Global Interior. www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
January 14, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Nice of them to provide cover art for the next edition of Megan Black's excellent The Global Interior. www.hup.harvard.edu/books/978067...
Reposted by Sam Ratner
We think of the postwar world order as having been built by the US. But as Getachew makes clear, that world order was completed by the intellectual giants of the African, pan-African and African diaspora liberation movements.
It is no coincidence Trump & Miller are targeting its fundamental tenet.
It is no coincidence Trump & Miller are targeting its fundamental tenet.
January 13, 2026 at 10:50 PM
We think of the postwar world order as having been built by the US. But as Getachew makes clear, that world order was completed by the intellectual giants of the African, pan-African and African diaspora liberation movements.
It is no coincidence Trump & Miller are targeting its fundamental tenet.
It is no coincidence Trump & Miller are targeting its fundamental tenet.