Stathios Ballas
@stathiosb.bsky.social
Citizen
• Worker Rights, Workplace Safety & Fair Pay
• Principles of Democratic Governance
• the Common Weal
• Unabashed globalist
* εὐδαιμονία
* Stop Cruelty to Animals *
Transnational Issues & Perspectives
🇬🇷🇺🇸🇨🇦
• Worker Rights, Workplace Safety & Fair Pay
• Principles of Democratic Governance
• the Common Weal
• Unabashed globalist
* εὐδαιμονία
* Stop Cruelty to Animals *
Transnational Issues & Perspectives
🇬🇷🇺🇸🇨🇦
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
A great article in @foreignaffairs.com about the "toothless" Trump sanctions on Russian oil, that people have been getting wrong. China is still buying lots of oil, and without secondary sanctions, this will protect Moscow
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
America’s Toothless Sanctions on Russian Oil
Last month, the Trump administration imposed fresh sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, signaling a renewed desire to drive Moscow to the negotiating table in its war a...
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:02 AM
A great article in @foreignaffairs.com about the "toothless" Trump sanctions on Russian oil, that people have been getting wrong. China is still buying lots of oil, and without secondary sanctions, this will protect Moscow
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Let’s try a thought experiment - say you’ve just been appointed to head the FBI, and you have buggy eyes, and you meet a cool woman, quite amazing, and you commission a jet plane, the FBI Plane, tx payer’s expense, to visit her singing at a wrestling match. OK?
November 26, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Let’s try a thought experiment - say you’ve just been appointed to head the FBI, and you have buggy eyes, and you meet a cool woman, quite amazing, and you commission a jet plane, the FBI Plane, tx payer’s expense, to visit her singing at a wrestling match. OK?
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
We know that family gatherings can be challenging during the holidays 😬. That’s why we put together a guide to help you have the hard, but necessary, conversations about reproductive freedom.
Full conversation guide here: reproforall.org/convo
Full conversation guide here: reproforall.org/convo
November 25, 2025 at 11:22 PM
We know that family gatherings can be challenging during the holidays 😬. That’s why we put together a guide to help you have the hard, but necessary, conversations about reproductive freedom.
Full conversation guide here: reproforall.org/convo
Full conversation guide here: reproforall.org/convo
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Trump says in a post he's sending Witkoff to meet with Putin in Moscow and Driscoll to meet with the Ukrainians
"I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages."
"I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages."
November 25, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Trump says in a post he's sending Witkoff to meet with Putin in Moscow and Driscoll to meet with the Ukrainians
"I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages."
"I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages."
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
In the Lyman direction, pilots of the SIGNUM battalion struck Russian occupiers’ shelters, a "Bukhanka" vehicle, and a couple more on ATVs.
t.me/c/1234537012...
t.me/c/1234537012...
November 25, 2025 at 8:16 PM
In the Lyman direction, pilots of the SIGNUM battalion struck Russian occupiers’ shelters, a "Bukhanka" vehicle, and a couple more on ATVs.
t.me/c/1234537012...
t.me/c/1234537012...
The year-long pressure campaign by the Trump regime to force Ukraine to accept "peace-deal" conditions which are not acceptable & deny Ukraine the ability to negotiate on its own behalf is tyrannical.
Then we get the "28-point" deal & the attempt to coerce Ukraine to accept it by November 27!
1/
Then we get the "28-point" deal & the attempt to coerce Ukraine to accept it by November 27!
1/
November 25, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The year-long pressure campaign by the Trump regime to force Ukraine to accept "peace-deal" conditions which are not acceptable & deny Ukraine the ability to negotiate on its own behalf is tyrannical.
Then we get the "28-point" deal & the attempt to coerce Ukraine to accept it by November 27!
1/
Then we get the "28-point" deal & the attempt to coerce Ukraine to accept it by November 27!
1/
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
⚡️ 'Rewarding Russian butchery' — US lawmakers rail against Trump's Ukraine peace deal.
"Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America’s interests," U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell said.
"Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America’s interests," U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell said.
'Rewarding Russian butchery' — US lawmakers rail against Trump's Ukraine peace deal
"Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America’s interests," U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell said.
kyivindependent.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:01 PM
⚡️ 'Rewarding Russian butchery' — US lawmakers rail against Trump's Ukraine peace deal.
"Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America’s interests," U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell said.
"Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America’s interests," U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell said.
“Führt Russland nicht schon längst einen unerklärten Krieg gegen uns?“
"In einer Weltordnung, die macht- und nicht regelbasiert ist, sehe ich das Völkerrecht als einen normativen Horizont, der die Realität überwölbt. Aber es hat für die operative Politik zunehmend an Relevanz verloren. Es gibt keinen Hüter der Ordnung und keinen Hüter des Völkerrechts mehr." (€)
Herfried Münkler im Gespräch: „Man muss eine strukturelle Unterlegenheit des Westens einräumen“
Es gebe keinen Hüter der Ordnung und des Völkerrechts mehr, sagt der Politikwissenschaftler Herfried Münkler. Was geschieht, wenn die Trennlinien zwischen Krieg und Frieden unscharf werden?
www.tagesspiegel.de
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 AM
“Führt Russland nicht schon längst einen unerklärten Krieg gegen uns?“
Russland verübt einen der tödlichsten Raketenangriffe seit Kriegsbeginn.
www.zdfheute.de/politik/ausl...
www.zdfheute.de/politik/ausl...
Russland rückt im Süden der Ukraine vor, weiter schwere Kämpfe
Die Ukraine muss Stellungen im Süden des Landes aufgeben. Russland fliegt einen der tödlichsten Luftangriffe seit Kriegsbeginn auf Ternopil.
www.zdfheute.de
November 25, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Russland verübt einen der tödlichsten Raketenangriffe seit Kriegsbeginn.
www.zdfheute.de/politik/ausl...
www.zdfheute.de/politik/ausl...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Toby Young, self-appointed king of free speech, is speaking in Hungary tomorrow about UK “censorship”.
He’ll be addressing a group funded by Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime, which has seized control of the country’s media, judiciary, and routinely harasses its critics
He’ll be addressing a group funded by Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime, which has seized control of the country’s media, judiciary, and routinely harasses its critics
Toby Young to Address Orbán-Backed Group on UK ‘Censorship’
Conservative peer and right-wing commentator Toby Young is due to deliver a talk tomorrow (25 November) at the in-house think tank of Hungarian autocrat Viktor Orbán. Young is being interviewed by Mat...
www.desmog.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Toby Young, self-appointed king of free speech, is speaking in Hungary tomorrow about UK “censorship”.
He’ll be addressing a group funded by Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime, which has seized control of the country’s media, judiciary, and routinely harasses its critics
He’ll be addressing a group funded by Viktor Orbán’s autocratic regime, which has seized control of the country’s media, judiciary, and routinely harasses its critics
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Here Rajan Menon calls the Trump plan what it is, an abomination.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump’s ‘peace plan’ was a pro-Kremlin abomination whose failure is a glimmer of hope for Ukraine | Rajan Menon
Following criticism, the president accused Ukraine of ingratitude but also added the plan was ‘not my final offer’. Which parts of it will survive?, says Rajan Menon of the City College of New York
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Here Rajan Menon calls the Trump plan what it is, an abomination.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
What the US is committed to: Respect territorial integrity, prosecute war crimes, keep NATO open
What Trump's plan requires: Recognize conquest, grant amnesty, close NATO door
71 direct contradictions.
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/24/t...
What Trump's plan requires: Recognize conquest, grant amnesty, close NATO door
71 direct contradictions.
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/24/t...
November 23, 2025 at 11:38 PM
What the US is committed to: Respect territorial integrity, prosecute war crimes, keep NATO open
What Trump's plan requires: Recognize conquest, grant amnesty, close NATO door
71 direct contradictions.
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/24/t...
What Trump's plan requires: Recognize conquest, grant amnesty, close NATO door
71 direct contradictions.
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/24/t...
How important is the outcome of Russia’s war on Ukraine to security of Europe?
If Putin succeeds in Ukraine, European unity will disintegrate.
youtu.be/vNB3u0ii0nQ
If Putin succeeds in Ukraine, European unity will disintegrate.
youtu.be/vNB3u0ii0nQ
CEO of the MSC Franke: 'We don't want to manage our own security without the US'
YouTube video by DW News
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 6:25 PM
How important is the outcome of Russia’s war on Ukraine to security of Europe?
If Putin succeeds in Ukraine, European unity will disintegrate.
youtu.be/vNB3u0ii0nQ
If Putin succeeds in Ukraine, European unity will disintegrate.
youtu.be/vNB3u0ii0nQ
When European leaders are discussing "peace deals" with Russia & the U.S., or discussing again the persistent demand of Trump to readmit Russia to the G8 - AND when the U.S. negotiation team includes Jared Kushner & Steve Witkoff!!! - keep this here 👇 also in mind:
www.dw.com/en/us-milita...
www.dw.com/en/us-milita...
US military buildup off Venezuela's coast heightens tensions – DW – 11/24/2025
The US military continues to bolster its presence off the coast of its Latin American neighbor. Analysts say Washington's goal remains regime change, not drug cartels.
www.dw.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:32 PM
When European leaders are discussing "peace deals" with Russia & the U.S., or discussing again the persistent demand of Trump to readmit Russia to the G8 - AND when the U.S. negotiation team includes Jared Kushner & Steve Witkoff!!! - keep this here 👇 also in mind:
www.dw.com/en/us-milita...
www.dw.com/en/us-milita...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
If this is true, European states are inviting their own failures and embracing the end of what brought peace to Europe for 80 years. Welcoming Putin back into the G8, where he can team up with Trump to humiliate Europe invites disaster. www.newsweek.com/europe-russi...
Europe offers G8 return to Russia for Ukraine peace deal
Ukraine did not react positively to the peace deal brokered through the U.S., prompting European leaders to craft a counter-offer.
www.newsweek.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
If this is true, European states are inviting their own failures and embracing the end of what brought peace to Europe for 80 years. Welcoming Putin back into the G8, where he can team up with Trump to humiliate Europe invites disaster. www.newsweek.com/europe-russi...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Conduct Committee found both peers offered introductions and parliamentary services for financial benefit, echoing earlier investigative revelations.
www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-h...
www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-h...
UK House of Lords Suspends Evans and Dannatt Over Alleged Lobbying Breaches
The Conduct Committee found both peers offered introductions and parliamentary services for financial benefit, echoing earlier investigative revelations.
www.occrp.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Conduct Committee found both peers offered introductions and parliamentary services for financial benefit, echoing earlier investigative revelations.
www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-h...
www.occrp.org/en/news/uk-h...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Trump's meeting with the Central Asian leaders appears to have resulted in the OFAC delisting of entities related to Russian-Uzbek oligarch, Alisher Usmanov, who has always sued everybody for any negative mentioning of him.
How can that be justified?!
ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actio...
How can that be justified?!
ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actio...
Counter Terrorism Designation Update; Russia-related Designations Removals; Counter Narcotics Designation Update | Office of Foreign Assets Control
ofac.treasury.gov
November 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Trump's meeting with the Central Asian leaders appears to have resulted in the OFAC delisting of entities related to Russian-Uzbek oligarch, Alisher Usmanov, who has always sued everybody for any negative mentioning of him.
How can that be justified?!
ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actio...
How can that be justified?!
ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actio...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
We will keep pushing for peace based on the principle of 'Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine'.
November 24, 2025 at 5:07 PM
We will keep pushing for peace based on the principle of 'Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine'.
Initiatives like this 👇 plus PR videos with a unifying message, instilling in society a sense of common identity & purpose are exactly what every European country should be moving forward with. There's an imminent need for conscription; seed the motivation to act together.
www.dw.com/en/poland-ra...
www.dw.com/en/poland-ra...
Poland ramps up civilian defense training – DW – 11/22/2025
The Polish government has launched a nationwide program offering weekend military training for civilians. DW reporter Tessa Walther traveled to Warsaw to see what the training looks like.
www.dw.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Initiatives like this 👇 plus PR videos with a unifying message, instilling in society a sense of common identity & purpose are exactly what every European country should be moving forward with. There's an imminent need for conscription; seed the motivation to act together.
www.dw.com/en/poland-ra...
www.dw.com/en/poland-ra...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
💬 And Europe’s security will be either increased or diminished as a result of how this war ends, so of course, as EU, we demand to be included in those decisions.
In my view, it is not the victim’s ability to defend itself that should be limited, but the aggressor’s ability to carry out aggression.
In my view, it is not the victim’s ability to defend itself that should be limited, but the aggressor’s ability to carry out aggression.
November 20, 2025 at 9:31 AM
💬 And Europe’s security will be either increased or diminished as a result of how this war ends, so of course, as EU, we demand to be included in those decisions.
In my view, it is not the victim’s ability to defend itself that should be limited, but the aggressor’s ability to carry out aggression.
In my view, it is not the victim’s ability to defend itself that should be limited, but the aggressor’s ability to carry out aggression.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Apropos of this crap, a good friend who has been an immigration judge for years just got unceremoniously fired by email — another victim of the ongoing purges of those who believe in due process.
I am furious. Years of civil service ended by people who hate that an immigrant might win a case.
I am furious. Years of civil service ended by people who hate that an immigrant might win a case.
After renaming immigration judges as "deportation judges" (not what they're called by law), DHS, which acts as the prosecutor in immigration cases, is falsely claiming that people could do the job part-time "after hours"; except no, immigration courts are only open during the daytime.
November 21, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Apropos of this crap, a good friend who has been an immigration judge for years just got unceremoniously fired by email — another victim of the ongoing purges of those who believe in due process.
I am furious. Years of civil service ended by people who hate that an immigrant might win a case.
I am furious. Years of civil service ended by people who hate that an immigrant might win a case.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
⚡️4 killed, 17 injured in Kharkiv amid Russian drone attack.
Russia launched a massive drone attack on Kharkiv on the evening of Nov. 23, killing at least four people and injuring at least 17, regional officials said.
Russia launched a massive drone attack on Kharkiv on the evening of Nov. 23, killing at least four people and injuring at least 17, regional officials said.
4 killed, 17 injured in Kharkiv amid Russian drone attack
Russian forces launched a massive drone attack on Kharkiv on the evening of Nov. 23, killing at least four people and injuring at least 17, regional officials said.
kyivindependent.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:38 AM
⚡️4 killed, 17 injured in Kharkiv amid Russian drone attack.
Russia launched a massive drone attack on Kharkiv on the evening of Nov. 23, killing at least four people and injuring at least 17, regional officials said.
Russia launched a massive drone attack on Kharkiv on the evening of Nov. 23, killing at least four people and injuring at least 17, regional officials said.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Great new Mission Implausible podcast with @johnsipher.bsky.social and Jerry O’Shea podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...
NEW EPISODE! - MKUltra: The CIA’s Mind Control Quest (with Stephen Kinzer)
Podcast Episode · Mission Implausible · 23/11/2025 · 1h
podcasts.apple.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Great new Mission Implausible podcast with @johnsipher.bsky.social and Jerry O’Shea podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Public notice for the pending FTO designation of Cartel de los Soles.
Document is slated to be published on 24 November at which time it will take effect.
Next week we will likely see a considerable ramp in military activity, with strikes possible on land targets in Venezuela.
Document is slated to be published on 24 November at which time it will take effect.
Next week we will likely see a considerable ramp in military activity, with strikes possible on land targets in Venezuela.
November 23, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Public notice for the pending FTO designation of Cartel de los Soles.
Document is slated to be published on 24 November at which time it will take effect.
Next week we will likely see a considerable ramp in military activity, with strikes possible on land targets in Venezuela.
Document is slated to be published on 24 November at which time it will take effect.
Next week we will likely see a considerable ramp in military activity, with strikes possible on land targets in Venezuela.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
It's also vastly easier and cheaper for media outlets to produce culture war content than policy stuff.
With policy, you have to find actual experts that are available and willing, then pray they're good entertaining communicators.
On culture shit, you start with a talking head and work backwards.
With policy, you have to find actual experts that are available and willing, then pray they're good entertaining communicators.
On culture shit, you start with a talking head and work backwards.
This chart (which applies even more to social media than it did to TV) lives in my head rent free.
Social media enveloping traditional media means everything and everyone is now competing in the entertainment market. Boring stuff like policy that affects millions of lives doesn’t stand a chance.
Social media enveloping traditional media means everything and everyone is now competing in the entertainment market. Boring stuff like policy that affects millions of lives doesn’t stand a chance.
November 23, 2025 at 8:37 PM
It's also vastly easier and cheaper for media outlets to produce culture war content than policy stuff.
With policy, you have to find actual experts that are available and willing, then pray they're good entertaining communicators.
On culture shit, you start with a talking head and work backwards.
With policy, you have to find actual experts that are available and willing, then pray they're good entertaining communicators.
On culture shit, you start with a talking head and work backwards.