Steph
@twistedzen.bsky.social
Nukes and national security, PhD candidate Conflict Management. Researcher focused on US nuclear policy and deterrence.
Reposted by Steph
White Sands Missile Range is pretty close by. They have their own permanent TFR up but apparently no-one in the area has any clue what’s going on. Fort Bliss folks were taken by surprise and have been scrabbling around trying to figure stuff out.
February 11, 2026 at 10:59 AM
White Sands Missile Range is pretty close by. They have their own permanent TFR up but apparently no-one in the area has any clue what’s going on. Fort Bliss folks were taken by surprise and have been scrabbling around trying to figure stuff out.
This is amazing.
I do want to shout-out my fellow sociologists, who have collectively created a discipline so woke that not a single one of our introductory textbooks can make it past Florida's censors.
Great work everyone.
Great work everyone.
February 7, 2026 at 4:08 PM
This is amazing.
Reposted by Steph
Xi’s purge of top Chinese generals has cost Western governments a key contact and deepened fears that the PLA is becoming even more walled-off – Bloomberg: ‘chief of the PLA’s Joint Staff Department [Liu] had been the most effective point of contact for managing risks and preventing miscalculation’
Diplomats Worry Xi’s Purge Will Curb Critical Contact With China
Xi Jinping’s purge of top Chinese generals has cost Western governments a key contact and deepened fears that the People’s Liberation Army is becoming even more walled-off from contact.
www.bloomberg.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Xi’s purge of top Chinese generals has cost Western governments a key contact and deepened fears that the PLA is becoming even more walled-off – Bloomberg: ‘chief of the PLA’s Joint Staff Department [Liu] had been the most effective point of contact for managing risks and preventing miscalculation’
Reposted by Steph
This picture is actually quite concerning. In 2009-2010, the young KJU established his command bona fides by directing military action against South Korea. KJA appears to be getting set up for possibly a similar demonstration. Difficult to deter action that's motivated by internal regime dynamics.
January 27, 2026 at 10:42 PM
This picture is actually quite concerning. In 2009-2010, the young KJU established his command bona fides by directing military action against South Korea. KJA appears to be getting set up for possibly a similar demonstration. Difficult to deter action that's motivated by internal regime dynamics.
Reposted by Steph
We just posted a quick analysis of the shooting of Alex Pretti in Mineapolis. Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkFc...
Analysis of Alex Pretti Shooting in Minneapolis
YouTube video by Bellingcat
www.youtube.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:36 PM
We just posted a quick analysis of the shooting of Alex Pretti in Mineapolis. Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkFc...
Reposted by Steph
Worse than Kent State, really than any episode I can think of probably dating back to Reconstruc & earlier b/c
1. continuing, not 1 off.
2. organized, not individual ofcrs losing it
3. literally at hand of federal government, which is
4. immediately lying & circling the wagons to prevent inves.
1. continuing, not 1 off.
2. organized, not individual ofcrs losing it
3. literally at hand of federal government, which is
4. immediately lying & circling the wagons to prevent inves.
January 24, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Worse than Kent State, really than any episode I can think of probably dating back to Reconstruc & earlier b/c
1. continuing, not 1 off.
2. organized, not individual ofcrs losing it
3. literally at hand of federal government, which is
4. immediately lying & circling the wagons to prevent inves.
1. continuing, not 1 off.
2. organized, not individual ofcrs losing it
3. literally at hand of federal government, which is
4. immediately lying & circling the wagons to prevent inves.
Reposted by Steph
Trump on Greenland: "If it effects NATO, it effects NATO. But they need us much more than we need them…We're talking about acquiring [Greenland] — not leasing, not having it short-term. We're talking about acquiring."
January 12, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Trump on Greenland: "If it effects NATO, it effects NATO. But they need us much more than we need them…We're talking about acquiring [Greenland] — not leasing, not having it short-term. We're talking about acquiring."
I think it's now painfully obvious the international status quo has changed. It won't make anyone safer or more prosperous. We are in uncharted territory at home and abroad.
January 8, 2026 at 2:09 AM
I think it's now painfully obvious the international status quo has changed. It won't make anyone safer or more prosperous. We are in uncharted territory at home and abroad.
Reposted by Steph
Reposted by Steph
North Korea has test-fired two long-range “strategic” cruise missiles, state media said Monday, as leader Kim Jong Un pledged to continue the “unlimited and sustained development” of his country’s nuclear forces.
North Korea tests long-range, nuclear-capable cruise missiles
Pyongyang test-fired two “strategic” cruise missiles on Sunday, as leader Kim Jong Un pledged to continue the “unlimited and sustained development” of his nuclear forces.
ebx.sh
December 29, 2025 at 2:40 AM
North Korea has test-fired two long-range “strategic” cruise missiles, state media said Monday, as leader Kim Jong Un pledged to continue the “unlimited and sustained development” of his country’s nuclear forces.
Reposted by Steph
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Pyongyang will unveil a policy to advance both its nuclear arsenal and conventional military power at an upcoming key ruling party meeting, state media said Saturday.
North Korea's Kim says country to boost nuclear arsenal and conventional military
Experts said the remarks reflect Kim's view that nuclear forces alone have limits as a deterrent, and that his conventional arsenal must also be modernized.
ebx.sh
September 13, 2025 at 10:48 AM
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Pyongyang will unveil a policy to advance both its nuclear arsenal and conventional military power at an upcoming key ruling party meeting, state media said Saturday.
Reposted by Steph
Report to Congress on Israel-Iran Conflict, U.S. Strikes — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/06/27/r...
news.usni.org/2025/06/27/r...
Report to Congress on Israel-Iran Conflict, U.S. Strikes - USNI News
The following is the June 26, 2025, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, Israel-Iran Conflict, U.S. Strikes and Ceasefire. From the report On June 13, 2025, Israel began a major military op...
news.usni.org
June 27, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Report to Congress on Israel-Iran Conflict, U.S. Strikes — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/06/27/r...
news.usni.org/2025/06/27/r...
Reposted by Steph
FY 2026 Budget: Navy Wants 6,000 More Sailors, Marine Corps End Strength to Shrink Slightly — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/06/26/f...
news.usni.org/2025/06/26/f...
FY 2026 Budget: Navy Wants 6,000 More Sailors, Marine Corps End Strength to Shrink Slightly - USNI News
The Navy continues to grow its force while the Marine Corps is budgeting for a slightly smaller force in the next fiscal year, according to the Department of the Navy Fiscal Year 2026 budget material ...
news.usni.org
June 26, 2025 at 9:55 PM
FY 2026 Budget: Navy Wants 6,000 More Sailors, Marine Corps End Strength to Shrink Slightly — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/06/26/f...
news.usni.org/2025/06/26/f...
Reposted by Steph
Early intelligence suggests Iran’s uranium largely intact, European officials say https://on.ft.com/46c4UCH
Early intelligence suggests Iran’s uranium largely intact, European officials say
Preliminary assessments suggest Tehran was able to move much of its stockpile
on.ft.com
June 26, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Early intelligence suggests Iran’s uranium largely intact, European officials say https://on.ft.com/46c4UCH
Reposted by Steph
Centrifuges at the Fordo uranium enrichment plant in Iran are "no longer operational" after the U.S. attacked the facility with bunker-busting bombs, Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said on French radio Thursday.
Centrifuges at Fordo ‘No Longer Operational,’ U.N. Nuclear Watchdog Head Says
Rafael Grossi told French radio that there was “no escaping significant physical damage” after the U.S. dropped bunker-buster bombs on the Iranian facility.
trib.al
June 26, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Centrifuges at the Fordo uranium enrichment plant in Iran are "no longer operational" after the U.S. attacked the facility with bunker-busting bombs, Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said on French radio Thursday.
Reposted by Steph
Thomas Schelling: Tacit bargaining and escalation management is a skillful art involving subtle signaling and anticipating your adversary's next moves.
Trump: Hey yeah dude, 1 o'clock is fine.
Trump: Hey yeah dude, 1 o'clock is fine.
Lmao. I knew it was telegraphed to the point of constructive approval, but actually saying that is *wild*
June 25, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Thomas Schelling: Tacit bargaining and escalation management is a skillful art involving subtle signaling and anticipating your adversary's next moves.
Trump: Hey yeah dude, 1 o'clock is fine.
Trump: Hey yeah dude, 1 o'clock is fine.
Reposted by Steph
This is also very important, depending on what the facilities do. "US officials believe Iran also maintains secret nuclear facilities that were not targeted in the strike and remain operational, according to two sources familiar with the matter." edition.cnn.com/2025/06/24/p...
Exclusive: Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, sources say | CNN Politics
The US military strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities last weekend did not destroy the core components of the country’s nuclear program and likely only set it back by months, according to an e...
edition.cnn.com
June 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
This is also very important, depending on what the facilities do. "US officials believe Iran also maintains secret nuclear facilities that were not targeted in the strike and remain operational, according to two sources familiar with the matter." edition.cnn.com/2025/06/24/p...
Reposted by Steph
Important. "The US military strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities last weekend did not destroy the core components of the country’s nuclear program and likely only set it back by months, according to an early US [DIA] intelligence assessment" edition.cnn.com/2025/06/24/p...
Exclusive: Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, sources say | CNN Politics
The US military strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities last weekend did not destroy the core components of the country’s nuclear program and likely only set it back by months, according to an e...
edition.cnn.com
June 24, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Important. "The US military strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities last weekend did not destroy the core components of the country’s nuclear program and likely only set it back by months, according to an early US [DIA] intelligence assessment" edition.cnn.com/2025/06/24/p...
Reposted by Steph
US affirms NATO ties as European leaders move toward military spending increase
US affirms NATO ties as European leaders move toward military spending increase
The top U.S. official at NATO affirmed Tuesday that there will be no hasty military withdrawal from Europe, as President Donald Trump and other leaders gather in Brussels for an expected military spen...
www.stripes.com
June 24, 2025 at 1:08 PM
US affirms NATO ties as European leaders move toward military spending increase
Seriously, the social media age where a post is official government speech.
June 24, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Seriously, the social media age where a post is official government speech.
Reposted by Steph
⚡️Update: 'Dead and wounded everywhere' — Russia strikes Dnipro with ballistic missiles, hits civilian train.
According to Dnipropetrovsk Governor, at least 8 people were killed and 84 injured in Dnipro.
In Samarske, the number of wounded rose to 11, while 2 people were killed.
According to Dnipropetrovsk Governor, at least 8 people were killed and 84 injured in Dnipro.
In Samarske, the number of wounded rose to 11, while 2 people were killed.
'Dead and wounded everywhere' — Russia strikes Dnipro with ballistic missiles, hits civilian train
Russia launched a deadly missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on June 24, striking civilian infrastructure and a passenger train, local officials reported.
kyivindependent.com
June 24, 2025 at 12:14 PM
⚡️Update: 'Dead and wounded everywhere' — Russia strikes Dnipro with ballistic missiles, hits civilian train.
According to Dnipropetrovsk Governor, at least 8 people were killed and 84 injured in Dnipro.
In Samarske, the number of wounded rose to 11, while 2 people were killed.
According to Dnipropetrovsk Governor, at least 8 people were killed and 84 injured in Dnipro.
In Samarske, the number of wounded rose to 11, while 2 people were killed.
It's almost like nuclear armed aggressor states are emboldened to do whatever the hell they want these days.
Breaking News: President Trump lashed out at Israel and Iran over concerns that both countries had violated a cease-fire he helped broker to end the deadly conflict. Follow live updates.
Live Updates: Trump Lashes Out at Israel and Iran as Fragile Truce Is Tested
Mr. Trump suggested that both Israel and Iran had continued fighting despite a cease-fire that both had agreed to hours earlier. He warned Israel that further attacks would be a “major violation.”
trib.al
June 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
It's almost like nuclear armed aggressor states are emboldened to do whatever the hell they want these days.