Anne-Marie Weeden
@amweeden.bsky.social
Senior Research Fellow at RUSI, working on environmental crime, corruption and illicit finance. Chasing a healthier, happier world, for people, nature and security.
(All tweets my own, etc.)
(All tweets my own, etc.)
Good things are rarely said of leaders who expand the powers and duties of the military to use their troops against their own people. Even Trump will have a hard crime rationalizing just how this makes America great again. The states have never felt less united.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/u...
Suggesting More Troops in More Cities, Trump Bends Military’s Role
www.nytimes.com
June 12, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Good things are rarely said of leaders who expand the powers and duties of the military to use their troops against their own people. Even Trump will have a hard crime rationalizing just how this makes America great again. The states have never felt less united.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/u...
As the US defies the global environmental agenda, unlikely defenders are emerging. Economic self-interest? Likely a contributing factor at the very least. But it’s the only thing between us and a (literal and figurative) race to the bottom on #deepseamining
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Donald Trump deep sea mining order violates law, China says
The US president speeds up permits for a practice opposed by many countries and environmentalists.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 29, 2025 at 7:39 AM
As the US defies the global environmental agenda, unlikely defenders are emerging. Economic self-interest? Likely a contributing factor at the very least. But it’s the only thing between us and a (literal and figurative) race to the bottom on #deepseamining
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
In other news I saw my first swallow of the year on Sunday, divebombing over a local hedgerow after some ill-fated insect, and for a moment, the chaos of our times was stilled. Nature is awesome.
April 23, 2025 at 2:03 PM
In other news I saw my first swallow of the year on Sunday, divebombing over a local hedgerow after some ill-fated insect, and for a moment, the chaos of our times was stilled. Nature is awesome.
Critical minerals do keep reminding us of their leverage in modern-day geopolitics and trade dynamics. If you are going to start a trade war, you need to think through the consequences of retailiation moves.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/b...
Elon Musk Warns China’s Rare Earth Restrictions May Delay Tesla Robots
China’s halt this month on exports of magnets containing heavy rare earth metals has affected Tesla’s plans to manufacture Optimus robots.
www.nytimes.com
April 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Critical minerals do keep reminding us of their leverage in modern-day geopolitics and trade dynamics. If you are going to start a trade war, you need to think through the consequences of retailiation moves.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/b...
Civic space and dialogue is undeniably a building block of healthy societies. Attacking it is the hallmark of arbitrary authoritarianism the world over and creates a climate of fear and compliance.
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
Law firms, universities and now civil society groups are in Trump's sights for punitive action
First, the nation’s top law firms. Then its premier universities. Now, President Donald Trump is threatening the advocacy groups that underpin U.S. civil society.
apnews.com
April 21, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Civic space and dialogue is undeniably a building block of healthy societies. Attacking it is the hallmark of arbitrary authoritarianism the world over and creates a climate of fear and compliance.
apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com/article/trum...
In other news, the #IWT community has discovered this week that illegally sourced and smuggled giant harvester ants are big business. Feeding the global trend for ant farms, Kenya has convicted 4 ant traffickers of biopiracy (as invertebrates not CITES-protected). news.mongabay.com/short-articl...
Kenya arrests 4 suspected ant traffickers, seize 5,300 harvester ants
In two separate but related incidents, Kenyan authorities have arrested four suspects for illegally possessing and attempting to smuggle some 5,300 ants valued at about 1.2 million Kenyan shillings ($...
news.mongabay.com
April 18, 2025 at 5:20 PM
In other news, the #IWT community has discovered this week that illegally sourced and smuggled giant harvester ants are big business. Feeding the global trend for ant farms, Kenya has convicted 4 ant traffickers of biopiracy (as invertebrates not CITES-protected). news.mongabay.com/short-articl...
Everyone: Mr President, when it comes to protecting rare and vital marine ecosystems and biodiversity, why don’t you tell us how you really feel?
The President:
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/c...
The President:
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/c...
Trump Opens Marine National Monument to Commercial Fisheries
The president said the move was aimed at making the United States the world’s “dominant seafood leader.”
www.nytimes.com
April 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Everyone: Mr President, when it comes to protecting rare and vital marine ecosystems and biodiversity, why don’t you tell us how you really feel?
The President:
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/c...
The President:
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/c...
The latest commentary from Cathy Haenlein, director of our team at @rusi.bsky.social evaluating global efforts to combat the #IllegalWildlifeTrade and exploring why - after a decade of enhanced policy dialogue and programming - dynamic trends in IWT persist. www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Evolve or Perish? Global Action on Illegal Wildlife Trade
Ten years since 46 countries and 11 international organisations committed to act together to bring illegal wildlife trade to an end, is a strategic rethink and wholesale reinvigoration of the collecti...
www.rusi.org
April 15, 2025 at 1:32 PM
The latest commentary from Cathy Haenlein, director of our team at @rusi.bsky.social evaluating global efforts to combat the #IllegalWildlifeTrade and exploring why - after a decade of enhanced policy dialogue and programming - dynamic trends in IWT persist. www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Everyone in the UK is talking about the Netflix series “Adolescence”. Here’s a great report from colleagues at RUSI on the role the manosphere plays in radicalisation by extremist groups. www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Radicalisation through Gaming: The Role of Gendered Social Identity
This project aims to understand, through a gender and intersectional lens, how socialisation processes coupled with exposure to harassment, hate-based discrimination and extreme content can potentiall...
www.rusi.org
March 29, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Everyone in the UK is talking about the Netflix series “Adolescence”. Here’s a great report from colleagues at RUSI on the role the manosphere plays in radicalisation by extremist groups. www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
I read a Nov ‘24 US Treasury press release the other day, about the sanctioning of Mexican cartel members for illegal fishing in US waters. Happily, I noticed the map still carried the label “Gulf of Mexico”. Probably as you can’t search CTRL+F on jpegs.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The Words Federal Agencies Are Discouraged From Using Under Trump
Federal agencies have issued guidance to employees on hundreds of terms to limit or avoid using. An analysis of government websites shows many of the same words being removed.
www.nytimes.com
March 7, 2025 at 9:33 PM
I read a Nov ‘24 US Treasury press release the other day, about the sanctioning of Mexican cartel members for illegal fishing in US waters. Happily, I noticed the map still carried the label “Gulf of Mexico”. Probably as you can’t search CTRL+F on jpegs.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Amid an increasingly drill-friendly political climate comes this bit of research: half of global carbon emissions emanate from the activities of just 36 fossil fuel firms. With an audience this discrete, such an issue should be easy to regulate against. And yet…
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Half of world’s CO2 emissions come from 36 fossil fuel firms, study shows
Researchers say data strengthens case for holding firms to account for their contribution to climate crisis
www.theguardian.com
March 5, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Amid an increasingly drill-friendly political climate comes this bit of research: half of global carbon emissions emanate from the activities of just 36 fossil fuel firms. With an audience this discrete, such an issue should be easy to regulate against. And yet…
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
As the socials light up with discussion on whether the UK should rescind Trump’s state visit invite, the media announce that Zelensky will meet the King on Sunday evening (presumably wearing a sweatshirt, just like the last time they met) www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family...
Zelensky to meet King at Sandringham
The meeting follows Zelensky’s clash with Donald Trump in Washington DC on Friday
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 1, 2025 at 4:48 PM
As the socials light up with discussion on whether the UK should rescind Trump’s state visit invite, the media announce that Zelensky will meet the King on Sunday evening (presumably wearing a sweatshirt, just like the last time they met) www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family...
My colleague Jenny published a brilliant piece yesterday analysing how Trump’s policies are actually counter productive to America’s interests. Her context was his stance on Latin America, and how defunding environmental work will drive migration and fuel criminality. rusi.org/explore-our-...
How Trump’s Environment and Aid Policies Undermine His Latin America Agenda
While Latin America has featured prominently in the new US administration’s foreign policy, the suspension of vital aid and censoring of official discussion on climate change are directly at odds with...
rusi.org
March 1, 2025 at 9:40 AM
My colleague Jenny published a brilliant piece yesterday analysing how Trump’s policies are actually counter productive to America’s interests. Her context was his stance on Latin America, and how defunding environmental work will drive migration and fuel criminality. rusi.org/explore-our-...
It’s never been more evident that natural resources - especially CRMs - increasingly influence geopolitical relations. In the new power-based world order, minerals talk.
Ukraine and US ‘agree minerals deal’
Sources in Ukraine told the AFP news agency that the deal would involve the US jointly developing Ukraine’s mineral wealth, with revenues going to a newly created fund that would be “joint for Ukraine and America”
www.thetimes.com/us/american-...
Sources in Ukraine told the AFP news agency that the deal would involve the US jointly developing Ukraine’s mineral wealth, with revenues going to a newly created fund that would be “joint for Ukraine and America”
www.thetimes.com/us/american-...
Ukraine and US ‘agree minerals deal’ as Zelensky plans visit
Development of natural resources ‘part of a bigger picture’ in agreement that could be signed this Friday
www.thetimes.com
February 25, 2025 at 10:15 PM
It’s never been more evident that natural resources - especially CRMs - increasingly influence geopolitical relations. In the new power-based world order, minerals talk.
Recycling is a fairy tale we tell ourselves. Waste management drives injustices, attracts organised crime, and accelerates global asymmetries. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/opinion/trash-recycling-global-waste-trade.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Opinion | I’ve Seen the World Our Trash Makes, and It’s Terrifying
The world’s poorer nations have never stopped being receptacles for the West’s rubbish.
www.nytimes.com
February 15, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Recycling is a fairy tale we tell ourselves. Waste management drives injustices, attracts organised crime, and accelerates global asymmetries. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/opinion/trash-recycling-global-waste-trade.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
First Trump united the world in response to the ICC sanctions. Now an alliance is forming to protect Ukraine against the twin threats of Russia and the US.
Anybody that happened to fall into a coma in mid-Jan is going to wake up and wonder how long they’ve been asleep. Three weeks, my friend.
Anybody that happened to fall into a coma in mid-Jan is going to wake up and wonder how long they’ve been asleep. Three weeks, my friend.
BREAKING: France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain & UK sign a joint statement vowing to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty & demanding a role in the peace talks.
This is leadership.
It’s also unprecedented.
A western alliance is having to form against a new, twin & united threat: Trump & Putin.
This is leadership.
It’s also unprecedented.
A western alliance is having to form against a new, twin & united threat: Trump & Putin.
February 13, 2025 at 12:31 AM
First Trump united the world in response to the ICC sanctions. Now an alliance is forming to protect Ukraine against the twin threats of Russia and the US.
Anybody that happened to fall into a coma in mid-Jan is going to wake up and wonder how long they’ve been asleep. Three weeks, my friend.
Anybody that happened to fall into a coma in mid-Jan is going to wake up and wonder how long they’ve been asleep. Three weeks, my friend.
As a colleague said “nothing bad ever comes from leaders asking for info on journalists”.
Authoritarian leaders rush to harness the new narrative, to dig the dirt on dissidents. “Distorting” forces or simply pro-democracy activists. History will decide.
#fico #AuthoritarianAbuse #anti-democracy
Authoritarian leaders rush to harness the new narrative, to dig the dirt on dissidents. “Distorting” forces or simply pro-democracy activists. History will decide.
#fico #AuthoritarianAbuse #anti-democracy
February 13, 2025 at 12:22 AM
As a colleague said “nothing bad ever comes from leaders asking for info on journalists”.
Authoritarian leaders rush to harness the new narrative, to dig the dirt on dissidents. “Distorting” forces or simply pro-democracy activists. History will decide.
#fico #AuthoritarianAbuse #anti-democracy
Authoritarian leaders rush to harness the new narrative, to dig the dirt on dissidents. “Distorting” forces or simply pro-democracy activists. History will decide.
#fico #AuthoritarianAbuse #anti-democracy
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you.
#booksky
#bookchallenge
No. 10: Findings by Kathleen Jamie
Kathleen’s lyrical prose was my first real experience of nature writing. What an intro - she writes beautifully. She also taught at my old university, tho not while I was there!
#booksky
#bookchallenge
No. 10: Findings by Kathleen Jamie
Kathleen’s lyrical prose was my first real experience of nature writing. What an intro - she writes beautifully. She also taught at my old university, tho not while I was there!
February 10, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you.
#booksky
#bookchallenge
No. 10: Findings by Kathleen Jamie
Kathleen’s lyrical prose was my first real experience of nature writing. What an intro - she writes beautifully. She also taught at my old university, tho not while I was there!
#booksky
#bookchallenge
No. 10: Findings by Kathleen Jamie
Kathleen’s lyrical prose was my first real experience of nature writing. What an intro - she writes beautifully. She also taught at my old university, tho not while I was there!
The White House is pushing to extend tax cuts for the wealthy at an estimated cost of $4.7 trillion.
Makes $40 billion of “wasteful” USAID funding seem like small change.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Makes $40 billion of “wasteful” USAID funding seem like small change.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
www.politico.com
February 10, 2025 at 11:43 PM
The White House is pushing to extend tax cuts for the wealthy at an estimated cost of $4.7 trillion.
Makes $40 billion of “wasteful” USAID funding seem like small change.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Makes $40 billion of “wasteful” USAID funding seem like small change.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Investing in global vaccination programmes makes this world safer for all, not just those who receive the vaccines.
Despite this, and in the wake of the sudden withdrawal of US programmes, the U.K. is considering cutting funding to the global effort.
Despite this, and in the wake of the sudden withdrawal of US programmes, the U.K. is considering cutting funding to the global effort.
The UK is poised to cut funding to a global vaccination group that has inoculated more than a billion children in developing countries, a move aid groups say would be counterproductive and cost lives
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Dismay as UK poised to cut funding for global vaccination group Gavi
Exclusive: Aid charities alarmed as decision would come in wake of Donald Trump’s decision to freeze USAid activities
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Investing in global vaccination programmes makes this world safer for all, not just those who receive the vaccines.
Despite this, and in the wake of the sudden withdrawal of US programmes, the U.K. is considering cutting funding to the global effort.
Despite this, and in the wake of the sudden withdrawal of US programmes, the U.K. is considering cutting funding to the global effort.
Reposted by Anne-Marie Weeden
Gutting USAID will have a monumental effect on combating climate change. The agency was a key player in renewable energy and disaster protection around the world—until Elon Musk showed up
www.wired.com/story/guttin...
www.wired.com/story/guttin...
Gutting USAID Will Have a Monumental Effect on Combating Climate Change
The agency was a key player in renewable energy and disaster protection around the world—until Elon Musk showed up.
www.wired.com
February 10, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Gutting USAID will have a monumental effect on combating climate change. The agency was a key player in renewable energy and disaster protection around the world—until Elon Musk showed up
www.wired.com/story/guttin...
www.wired.com/story/guttin...
I lived in Uganda for 12 years and saw firsthand the impact of USAID support of health programmes, enabling world class responses to outbreaks of Ebola and other problems. So this figure is horrifying.
We are about to see in the worst possible way, exactly how much US money underpinned African health systems
75% of Uganda’s health budget
21% of Nigeria’s
17% of South Africa’s
75% of Uganda’s health budget
21% of Nigeria’s
17% of South Africa’s
Paywalled, but this story about how the destruction of USAID is already ruining lives in Kenya and obliterating US influence overseas is instructive - not least about the incredible bang for buck delivered by overseas aid.
February 8, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I lived in Uganda for 12 years and saw firsthand the impact of USAID support of health programmes, enabling world class responses to outbreaks of Ebola and other problems. So this figure is horrifying.
Thank goodness. We need a little light relief right now.
Amandaland review – a rare chance to laugh so hard you wee yourself
Amandaland review – a rare chance to laugh so hard you wee yourself
The worst Motherland mother of all gets her own spin-off – and the gag rate is so high it fizzes with the hysterical energy of perimenopause. It’s good to be back in hell
Amandaland begins, in time-honoured Motherland fashion, under pressure on the…
www.theguardian.com
February 5, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Thank goodness. We need a little light relief right now.