The Typist
@thetypist.bsky.social
Dyslexic humanist in search for the light switch. Geopolitical news junkie.
Reposted by The Typist
US ambassador to NATO Matt Whittaker, whose prior career has focused on marketing men's urinals, says that Putin has the upper hand in negotiations, because that's what Trump wants. www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-ambas...
Trump’s Own Ambassador Admits Putin Has Upper Hand in Peace Talks
Even Trump’s allies know Putin is calling the shots as usual.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:25 PM
US ambassador to NATO Matt Whittaker, whose prior career has focused on marketing men's urinals, says that Putin has the upper hand in negotiations, because that's what Trump wants. www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-ambas...
Reposted by The Typist
The Trump administration is such a disgraceful mess that we now have senior diplomats coaching representatives of nations that are openly hostile to American interests on how to best manipulate our president into giving them a sweetheart deal. These assholes don't give a fuck about America.
November 25, 2025 at 11:04 PM
The Trump administration is such a disgraceful mess that we now have senior diplomats coaching representatives of nations that are openly hostile to American interests on how to best manipulate our president into giving them a sweetheart deal. These assholes don't give a fuck about America.
Reposted by The Typist
Agree that this is "court-style politics", a great phrase. And that in part it's about succession. But it's also about desperation. Putin needs a ceasefire and he has is asking all his assets to lean in, and they are doing so without coordination. See thread.
What happened last week is that Putin ran out of money. All this diplomatic chaos, unofficial actors trying to set foreign policy, started the week Russia began selling off its gold reserves. What we're seeing is weakness, and influence: Putin has called in his US assets to stave off catastrophe. 8/
Russia’s Central Bank Starts Selling Physical Gold From Reserves - The Moscow Times
Russia’s Central Bank has for the first time begun selling physical gold from its reserves as part of Finance Ministry operations to fund the state budget, the Bank said on Wednesday.
www.themoscowtimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Agree that this is "court-style politics", a great phrase. And that in part it's about succession. But it's also about desperation. Putin needs a ceasefire and he has is asking all his assets to lean in, and they are doing so without coordination. See thread.
Imagine this happening in the US.
Former MEP Nathan Gill got 10.5 years for taking bribes to spread pro Russian messages.
🧵 1/9 ⬇️
🧵 1/9 ⬇️
November 25, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Imagine this happening in the US.
Another step for Europe's communication autonomy 🚀
🇪🇺's most advanced governmental comms system to date is here.
Now that SpainSat NG II has joined its twin in orbit, the SpainSat NG programme will provide reliable governmental comms.
This is a major step for Europe's security, crisis-response capabilities and technological autonomy.
See comment 👇
Now that SpainSat NG II has joined its twin in orbit, the SpainSat NG programme will provide reliable governmental comms.
This is a major step for Europe's security, crisis-response capabilities and technological autonomy.
See comment 👇
November 25, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Another step for Europe's communication autonomy 🚀
Bolsonaro just got his 27 year prison sentence confirmed, so if Trump is planing an "extraction" of his fascist pal he may have to invade Brazil.
This is something. It looks like Bolsonaro was going to break out of house arrest and flee to the US. The US embassy or to the actual US. Trump looks to have been involved.
White House hedges on Trump’s curious claim about his call with Brazil’s Bolsonaro White House hedges on Trump’s curious claim about his call with Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro
Did the Republican president talk to Bolsonaro as the Brazilian plotted to escape? Trump said yes, but the White House isn’t so sure.
www.ms.now
November 25, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Bolsonaro just got his 27 year prison sentence confirmed, so if Trump is planing an "extraction" of his fascist pal he may have to invade Brazil.
Reposted by The Typist
Three things about the Witkoff tapes:
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
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 8:40 PM
Three things about the Witkoff tapes:
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
Reposted by The Typist
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
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 Ukra...
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by The Typist
Someone (Rubio?) is MEGA pissed at the Ukraine peace plan situation if they leaked a full on *recording* of this Witkoff call (with transcript, lol).
November 25, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Someone (Rubio?) is MEGA pissed at the Ukraine peace plan situation if they leaked a full on *recording* of this Witkoff call (with transcript, lol).
Reposted by The Typist
So many senior MAGA figures are so careless I wouldn't be surprised if two dozen intelligence agencies have cracked their means of communication
November 25, 2025 at 8:26 PM
So many senior MAGA figures are so careless I wouldn't be surprised if two dozen intelligence agencies have cracked their means of communication
Witkoff, Putin's special envoy.
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 8:36 PM
Witkoff, Putin's special envoy.
Reposted by The Typist
Sweden wants long-range weapon systems able to strike inside Russia reut.rs/4oUAYBE
Sweden wants long-range weapon systems able to strike inside Russia
Sweden's military wants long-range cruise missiles able to strike targets deep inside other countries, a deterrent which the defence minister said on Tuesday was needed to match Russia's own long-range capabilities.
reut.rs
November 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Sweden wants long-range weapon systems able to strike inside Russia reut.rs/4oUAYBE
Reposted by The Typist
Exclusive: Russia's government is discussing different ways to prop up Russian Railways, the country's biggest commercial employer, which has built up a $50.8 billion debt pile, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters reut.rs/48yVX7f
November 25, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Exclusive: Russia's government is discussing different ways to prop up Russian Railways, the country's biggest commercial employer, which has built up a $50.8 billion debt pile, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters reut.rs/48yVX7f
First Trump appoints a clueless pro-Russia real estate developer, and now it's the turn of a former investment banker with a degree in business administration. Surprised Trump has not asked Steven Segal with his deep insight into the Russian mindset.
Trump’s former ‘drone guy’ Dan Driscoll is the unlikely point man for the Ukraine peace deal
The army secretary has little in his résumé to suggest he can end the war between Russia and Ukraine
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:14 PM
First Trump appoints a clueless pro-Russia real estate developer, and now it's the turn of a former investment banker with a degree in business administration. Surprised Trump has not asked Steven Segal with his deep insight into the Russian mindset.
Reposted by The Typist
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Referring to Trump as "the most openly corrupt president in US history" is an accurate description.
NEWS --> BBC confirms to me that they did edit a line out of historian @rutgerbregman.com's speech. It called Trump "the most openly corrupt president in US history."
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
BBC also confirms this was done on the advice of lawyers. So Trump's threats worked.
New piece:
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
Trump’s Fury at BBC Gets Unnerving Results with Pro-MAGA Edit Stunner
First, British Broadcasting Corporation execs resigned after Trump complained about a segment. Now the BBC edited out a line from a historian that was critical of Trump. Where does this end?
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Referring to Trump as "the most openly corrupt president in US history" is an accurate description.
Reposted by The Typist
Platforms like X don’t have a list of algorithms, some of which are ’toxic’ and some of which are ‘nice’. It’s all one system. The profiling and targeting are built in to that system. The overall model is what produces the effect, not some specific toxic algorithms that can be turned off.
"The guidance is not enforceable".
Ofcom is hopelessly out of touch with what is a national emergency.
www.thetimes.com/article/c47a...
Ofcom is hopelessly out of touch with what is a national emergency.
www.thetimes.com/article/c47a...
Ofcom bans social media giants from using ‘toxic’ algorithms
Regulator targets ‘manosphere’ misogyny and hate as seen in content produced by Andrew Tate
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Platforms like X don’t have a list of algorithms, some of which are ’toxic’ and some of which are ‘nice’. It’s all one system. The profiling and targeting are built in to that system. The overall model is what produces the effect, not some specific toxic algorithms that can be turned off.
Another shameful international act brought to you by the US of Trump.
This story should be covered waaaaayy more than it is.
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
Nicolas Guillou, French ICC judge sanctioned by the US: 'You are effectively blacklisted by much of the world's banking system'
Six judges and three prosecutors at the International Criminal Court have been sanctioned by the Trump administration. In an interview with Le Monde, Guillou discusses the impact of these measures on ...
www.lemonde.fr
November 25, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Another shameful international act brought to you by the US of Trump.
I wish for a world without empire mindset.
China's Xi tells Trump Taiwan's 'return' key to post-war order, Xinhua reports reut.rs/4pu8YEH
China's Xi tells Trump Taiwan's 'return' key to post-war order, Xinhua reports
Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump during a phone call on Monday that Taiwan's "return to China" is a key part of the post-war international order, state news agency Xinhua reported.
reut.rs
November 24, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I wish for a world without empire mindset.
Reposted by The Typist
This is a hugely important story. I wrote about its consequences already in "Road to Unfreedom" and we know much more now. If we want to be a democracy we have to create structures of factuality rather than selling our future to the loudest yeller in another country.
Although the scale of this is still to be assessed, this is the inevitable outcome of the monetization of the algorithm. Rage-bait becomes a personal revenue model. Nothing about this should be a surprise.
NEWS: I spent the past 24 hours going through major MAGA accounts on Twitter, and a bombshell development has become clear: most of the right-wing ecosphere is being fed propaganda from foreign actors.
This impacts elections. This impacts discourse. This is major. Subscribe to support my work:
This impacts elections. This impacts discourse. This is major. Subscribe to support my work:
November 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM
This is a hugely important story. I wrote about its consequences already in "Road to Unfreedom" and we know much more now. If we want to be a democracy we have to create structures of factuality rather than selling our future to the loudest yeller in another country.
Reposted by The Typist
"By leaping right to the idea that Russia should be rewarded rather than punished, the document executes a very typical Russian maneuver: crime for Russians without punishment, and punishment for others without crime."
“It looks a lot like that Russians are seeking to bribe Americans to allow Russia to win a war it would otherwise lose.”
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
Russian Unreality and American Weakness
Notes from a bizarre moment of diplomatic history
open.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM
"By leaping right to the idea that Russia should be rewarded rather than punished, the document executes a very typical Russian maneuver: crime for Russians without punishment, and punishment for others without crime."
The entry for 'Limitrophe' explains everything you need to know about the Russian imperial mindset.
Russia has a new dictionary meant to reflect the country’s “traditional values.” Authoritarianism? The “most effective form of governance.” Limitrophe? A “buffer state” between Russia and Western Europe. See for yourself.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Russia’s new state dictionary calls authoritarianism the ‘most effective’ form of government and bans the word ‘ass’ — Meduza
In April, Russia introduced a new Explanatory Dictionary of the State Language of the Russian Federation, compiled at St. Petersburg State University and immediately added to the official list…
meduza.io
November 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
The entry for 'Limitrophe' explains everything you need to know about the Russian imperial mindset.
".. Security experts have expressed fears in recent months that Russia is trying to seed chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini with pro-Russia narratives by feeding them large volumes of disinformation, a process called “LLM grooming”.
November 24, 2025 at 9:59 AM
".. Security experts have expressed fears in recent months that Russia is trying to seed chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini with pro-Russia narratives by feeding them large volumes of disinformation, a process called “LLM grooming”.
Reposted by The Typist
When you start melting down the family silver, things are not going great.
In fiscal policy, #Putin’s regime is running out of safe options.
#Russia
www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/11/20/r...
In fiscal policy, #Putin’s regime is running out of safe options.
#Russia
www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/11/20/r...
Russia’s Central Bank Starts Selling Physical Gold From Reserves - The Moscow Times
Russia’s Central Bank has for the first time begun selling physical gold from its reserves as part of Finance Ministry operations to fund the state budget, the Bank said on Wednesday.
www.themoscowtimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:49 AM
When you start melting down the family silver, things are not going great.
In fiscal policy, #Putin’s regime is running out of safe options.
#Russia
www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/11/20/r...
In fiscal policy, #Putin’s regime is running out of safe options.
#Russia
www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/11/20/r...
Reposted by The Typist
A British patrol vessel intercepted a Russian corvette and tanker, and divers discovered a suspected Russian surveillance device.
bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com/news/article...
November 24, 2025 at 9:20 AM
A British patrol vessel intercepted a Russian corvette and tanker, and divers discovered a suspected Russian surveillance device.
bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com/news/article...