Ariane Tabatabai
@atabatabai.bsky.social
Public Service Fellow at Lawfare • Ex Pentagon & State Department • Recovering academic • Author of No Conquest, No Defeat & co-author of Triple Axis: Iran’s Relations with Russia and China
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Giving the gift of independent journalism: a guide
The Handbasket has subscription suggestions for almost everyone on your list.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
Put 19th century American politics ("Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine"), 20th century racism ("civilizational erasure"), and a few teaspoons of DPRK-like devotion to the leader ("Trump" mentioned 27 times in 29 pages of text) into a blender and you get the NSS. Just eye-watering stuff.
December 5, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Put 19th century American politics ("Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine"), 20th century racism ("civilizational erasure"), and a few teaspoons of DPRK-like devotion to the leader ("Trump" mentioned 27 times in 29 pages of text) into a blender and you get the NSS. Just eye-watering stuff.
Sorry for the mixed metaphor here, but this National Security Strategy puts the nail in the transatlantic coffin, and cedes the global floor to China.
The Trump National Security Strategy is an act of vandalism against the things that actually make our country strong, safe, and prosperous.
December 5, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Sorry for the mixed metaphor here, but this National Security Strategy puts the nail in the transatlantic coffin, and cedes the global floor to China.
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
On Dec. 3, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction issued the final report conveying findings from 17 years of oversight into Afghan reconstruction which chronicled how agencies spent the $148.2 billion appropriated for the reconstruction. Read the report, from Isabel Arroyo.
Special Inspector General Publishes Afghanistan Audit
The report highlights “serious systemic issues” and characterizes the reconstruction mission as a failure.
www.lawfaremedia.org
December 4, 2025 at 10:29 PM
On Dec. 3, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction issued the final report conveying findings from 17 years of oversight into Afghan reconstruction which chronicled how agencies spent the $148.2 billion appropriated for the reconstruction. Read the report, from Isabel Arroyo.
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
On Lawfare Daily, @atabatabai.bsky.social spoke to John Drennan and Matthew Sharp about New START, the last bilateral nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia, the implications of its expiration in Feb. 2026, and where the arms control regime might go from here.
December 4, 2025 at 2:36 PM
On Lawfare Daily, @atabatabai.bsky.social spoke to John Drennan and Matthew Sharp about New START, the last bilateral nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia, the implications of its expiration in Feb. 2026, and where the arms control regime might go from here.
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
@tessbridgeman.bsky.social, @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, and @rgoodlaw.bsky.social on what you need to know about lethal strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats in their new expert Q&A.
With a note to readers to email other Qs on your mind.
www.justsecurity.org/126156/exper...
With a note to readers to email other Qs on your mind.
www.justsecurity.org/126156/exper...
Expert Q&A on the U.S. Boat Strikes
An expert Q & A on the Trump administration's lethal strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats on the high seas.
www.justsecurity.org
December 3, 2025 at 2:05 PM
@tessbridgeman.bsky.social, @mikeschmitt.bsky.social, and @rgoodlaw.bsky.social on what you need to know about lethal strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats in their new expert Q&A.
With a note to readers to email other Qs on your mind.
www.justsecurity.org/126156/exper...
With a note to readers to email other Qs on your mind.
www.justsecurity.org/126156/exper...
I’m biased because I am benefiting from this fellowship post-government, but it’s a deeply important one—especially in this environment where the very notion of public service is threatened.
So please support this initiative by @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org and @lawfaremedia.org.
So please support this initiative by @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org and @lawfaremedia.org.
On this #GivingTuesday, I want to draw your attention to the @lawfaremedia.org Public Service Fellowship, a unique program that is genuinely making a difference for people who leave government with important things to say:
givebutter.com/f7fpQk
givebutter.com/f7fpQk
Public Service Fellowship
Alumni of the federal workforce and civil service with expertise in national security, law, and policy
givebutter.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I’m biased because I am benefiting from this fellowship post-government, but it’s a deeply important one—especially in this environment where the very notion of public service is threatened.
So please support this initiative by @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org and @lawfaremedia.org.
So please support this initiative by @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org and @lawfaremedia.org.
Absolutely devastating.
Sarah Beckstrom's ex-boyfriend told NBC News she dreamed of becoming an FBI special agent.
She didn't want to deploy to D.C.
"She hated it. She cried about it."
But she started visiting monuments and museums and started enjoying it.
May she rest in peace.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
She didn't want to deploy to D.C.
"She hated it. She cried about it."
But she started visiting monuments and museums and started enjoying it.
May she rest in peace.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
National Guard member killed in D.C. shooting remembered for 'heart of gold'
The slain soldier’s former boyfriend recalled her empathy and generosity. “She doesn’t even have to know you and she’ll do anything for you,” he said.
www.nbcnews.com
November 29, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Absolutely devastating.
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
In October, French President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating dropped to just 19 percent.
@atabatabai.bsky.social explains what has led to Macron's political troubles at home and how it has impacted his attempts to flex his country’s diplomatic muscle on the international stage.
@atabatabai.bsky.social explains what has led to Macron's political troubles at home and how it has impacted his attempts to flex his country’s diplomatic muscle on the international stage.
Macronism: Fin?
France’s president is losing his electorate’s confidence. What does that mean for Paris’s role in the EU and NATO?
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 25, 2025 at 6:29 PM
In October, French President Emmanuel Macron's approval rating dropped to just 19 percent.
@atabatabai.bsky.social explains what has led to Macron's political troubles at home and how it has impacted his attempts to flex his country’s diplomatic muscle on the international stage.
@atabatabai.bsky.social explains what has led to Macron's political troubles at home and how it has impacted his attempts to flex his country’s diplomatic muscle on the international stage.
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
@atabatabai.bsky.social compares Moscow's increasing gray-zone campaign against NATO allies to Beijing's pressure on Taiwan and looks at the implications of this enhanced adversary cooperation for the United States and its allies. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/russ...
Russia and China in the Gray Zone
Moscow’s gray-zone campaign against NATO allies bears more than a passing resemblance to Beijing’s incremental pressure on Taiwan.
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:20 PM
@atabatabai.bsky.social compares Moscow's increasing gray-zone campaign against NATO allies to Beijing's pressure on Taiwan and looks at the implications of this enhanced adversary cooperation for the United States and its allies. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/russ...
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
Every winter since Russia launched its full scale invasion, it has tried–and mostly failed–to plunge Ukraine into darkness. @lapatina.bsky.social explains why this upcoming winter may be different with Russia deploying new tactics as Kyiv launches its own strikes against Moscow’s energy sites.
Russia and Ukraine Pummel Each Other’s Energy Infrastructure
The upcoming winter may be toughest yet for Ukrainians.
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 13, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Every winter since Russia launched its full scale invasion, it has tried–and mostly failed–to plunge Ukraine into darkness. @lapatina.bsky.social explains why this upcoming winter may be different with Russia deploying new tactics as Kyiv launches its own strikes against Moscow’s energy sites.
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
At @lawfaremedia.org, we spent a month tracking down public info on domestic deployments of National Guard, Reserve, and Active-Duty troops.
What we found—and what we didn't—revealed a disturbing lack of transparency on how and why military forces are being used on U.S. soil.
What we found—and what we didn't—revealed a disturbing lack of transparency on how and why military forces are being used on U.S. soil.
November 10, 2025 at 10:12 PM
At @lawfaremedia.org, we spent a month tracking down public info on domestic deployments of National Guard, Reserve, and Active-Duty troops.
What we found—and what we didn't—revealed a disturbing lack of transparency on how and why military forces are being used on U.S. soil.
What we found—and what we didn't—revealed a disturbing lack of transparency on how and why military forces are being used on U.S. soil.
Happy to have made my Rational Security debut with @tylermcbrien.com and @sranderson.bsky.social -- and the first of my (hopefully many) contributions to @lawfaremedia.org as the new Public Service Fellow!
It's the "Tyler's Revenge" edition!
On Rational Security, @sranderson.bsky.social, Ari Tabatabai and @tylermcbrien.com discussed the week’s news in national security, including President Trump's meeting with President Xi Jinping, the U.S. military build-up in the Caribbean, and more.
On Rational Security, @sranderson.bsky.social, Ari Tabatabai and @tylermcbrien.com discussed the week’s news in national security, including President Trump's meeting with President Xi Jinping, the U.S. military build-up in the Caribbean, and more.
October 30, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Happy to have made my Rational Security debut with @tylermcbrien.com and @sranderson.bsky.social -- and the first of my (hopefully many) contributions to @lawfaremedia.org as the new Public Service Fellow!
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
I think it would be a huge public service if major media outlets interviewed people given RIF notices and let them explain in detail what their jobs are so that people can judge for themselves whether these positions are wasteful like Trump and Vought claim or whether they help the country prosper.
October 11, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I think it would be a huge public service if major media outlets interviewed people given RIF notices and let them explain in detail what their jobs are so that people can judge for themselves whether these positions are wasteful like Trump and Vought claim or whether they help the country prosper.
The key here is to understand what Hegseth means by "facility."
At first glance, this framing makes it sound unusual and rather alarming. But it could be rather routine (we host allies and partners frequently, which is an important component of our cooperation with them).
At first glance, this framing makes it sound unusual and rather alarming. But it could be rather routine (we host allies and partners frequently, which is an important component of our cooperation with them).
Hegseth: "I'm also proud that today we're signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emeri air force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho."
October 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The key here is to understand what Hegseth means by "facility."
At first glance, this framing makes it sound unusual and rather alarming. But it could be rather routine (we host allies and partners frequently, which is an important component of our cooperation with them).
At first glance, this framing makes it sound unusual and rather alarming. But it could be rather routine (we host allies and partners frequently, which is an important component of our cooperation with them).
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
Are furloughed federal employees entitled to backpay?
The short answer is yes furloughed federal employees are entitled to backpay, but the mechanism a little complicated.
And, importantly, it means the House GOP CR is insufficient for reopening the govt & needs to be amended.
Thread explaining:
The short answer is yes furloughed federal employees are entitled to backpay, but the mechanism a little complicated.
And, importantly, it means the House GOP CR is insufficient for reopening the govt & needs to be amended.
Thread explaining:
Scoop: White House memo says furloughed federal workers aren't entitled to backpay
A move to deny backpay to up to 750,000 furloughed workers would dramatically escalate Trump's pressure on Democrats to end the shutdown.
www.axios.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Are furloughed federal employees entitled to backpay?
The short answer is yes furloughed federal employees are entitled to backpay, but the mechanism a little complicated.
And, importantly, it means the House GOP CR is insufficient for reopening the govt & needs to be amended.
Thread explaining:
The short answer is yes furloughed federal employees are entitled to backpay, but the mechanism a little complicated.
And, importantly, it means the House GOP CR is insufficient for reopening the govt & needs to be amended.
Thread explaining:
This really is a shame, and an own goal:
- Removes important source of US higher ed funding;
- Deprives American students of a more enriching learning experience;
- Hurts our ability to attract talent to America and competitive edge;
- And, overall, limits a core element of U.S. soft power globally.
- Removes important source of US higher ed funding;
- Deprives American students of a more enriching learning experience;
- Hurts our ability to attract talent to America and competitive edge;
- And, overall, limits a core element of U.S. soft power globally.
The number of international students entering the U.S. has seen its steepest drop on record, outside of the pandemic.
U.S. Hit by Record Drop in International Student Arrivals Under Trump
Federal travel data shows steep declines across nearly every region, with the sharpest drops among students from India, China, and Africa.
trib.al
October 6, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This really is a shame, and an own goal:
- Removes important source of US higher ed funding;
- Deprives American students of a more enriching learning experience;
- Hurts our ability to attract talent to America and competitive edge;
- And, overall, limits a core element of U.S. soft power globally.
- Removes important source of US higher ed funding;
- Deprives American students of a more enriching learning experience;
- Hurts our ability to attract talent to America and competitive edge;
- And, overall, limits a core element of U.S. soft power globally.
The admin consistent message re military service is this: If you're a white man, serving your country is your right. It's the country's privilege to have you serve regardless of your flaws. For the rest of us, serving our country is a privilege that should be taken away regardless of our strengths.
I don’t talk about this publicly, but hegseth drives me out of my silence.
I attended West Point from 1998-2000. I left, along with about 5 other young women, as a direct result of the military’s then-shameful (non) policies addressing sex harassment and assault.
I attended West Point from 1998-2000. I left, along with about 5 other young women, as a direct result of the military’s then-shameful (non) policies addressing sex harassment and assault.
September 30, 2025 at 7:03 PM
The admin consistent message re military service is this: If you're a white man, serving your country is your right. It's the country's privilege to have you serve regardless of your flaws. For the rest of us, serving our country is a privilege that should be taken away regardless of our strengths.
9 months on the job, and this is the extent of what the Secretary has to say about the day-to-day work of the Department he leads.
And this is fundamentally the issue: If you think all DoD does is break things & kill, you don’t appreciate the range of skills required outside of physical strength.
And this is fundamentally the issue: If you think all DoD does is break things & kill, you don’t appreciate the range of skills required outside of physical strength.
Hegseth: "A few months ago I was at the White House when President Trump announced his liberation day for America's trade policy. It was a landmark day. Well, today is another liberation day. The liberation of America's warriors ... you kill people and break things for a living."
September 30, 2025 at 1:18 PM
9 months on the job, and this is the extent of what the Secretary has to say about the day-to-day work of the Department he leads.
And this is fundamentally the issue: If you think all DoD does is break things & kill, you don’t appreciate the range of skills required outside of physical strength.
And this is fundamentally the issue: If you think all DoD does is break things & kill, you don’t appreciate the range of skills required outside of physical strength.
Here it is. This is what it’s all about: Reshaping the military.
Out: Anyone who disagrees with them on anything from climate to fitness standards, women, & Black people.
In: Anyone accused of toxic behavior, sexual misconduct, etc
This is not about readiness, it’s about loyalty to this admin.
Out: Anyone who disagrees with them on anything from climate to fitness standards, women, & Black people.
In: Anyone accused of toxic behavior, sexual misconduct, etc
This is not about readiness, it’s about loyalty to this admin.
Hegseth: "If the words I'm speaking today are making your heart sink, they you should do the honorable thing and resign."
September 30, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Here it is. This is what it’s all about: Reshaping the military.
Out: Anyone who disagrees with them on anything from climate to fitness standards, women, & Black people.
In: Anyone accused of toxic behavior, sexual misconduct, etc
This is not about readiness, it’s about loyalty to this admin.
Out: Anyone who disagrees with them on anything from climate to fitness standards, women, & Black people.
In: Anyone accused of toxic behavior, sexual misconduct, etc
This is not about readiness, it’s about loyalty to this admin.
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
Trump’s tariffs, sanctions, and attacks on the rule of law are putting the dollar’s dominance at risk, write Edward Fishman, @gautamjain.bsky.social, and @richardmnephew.bsky.social. “The true result of a declining dollar will be the demise of the very economic power Trump is attempting to wield.”
How Trump Could Dethrone the Dollar
The world’s reserve currency may not survive the weaponization of U.S. economic power.
www.foreignaffairs.com
April 8, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Trump’s tariffs, sanctions, and attacks on the rule of law are putting the dollar’s dominance at risk, write Edward Fishman, @gautamjain.bsky.social, and @richardmnephew.bsky.social. “The true result of a declining dollar will be the demise of the very economic power Trump is attempting to wield.”
Reposted by Ariane Tabatabai
Americans flocked to Xiaohongshu (RedNote) in January due to the TikTok ban. But what's the difference between Xiaohongshu, TikTok, & Douyin? What narratives proliferate on it? What are tradeoffs between propaganda wins & information control for the CCP?
Ryan DeVries & I explain: shorturl.at/UjRJE
Ryan DeVries & I explain: shorturl.at/UjRJE
What the TikTok ban and Xiaohongshu's brief popularity reveal about US-China relations and their tech sectors
Influx of US users to RedNote amid TikTok ban limbo presents propaganda opportunities and censorship challenges for China
shorturl.at
February 26, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Americans flocked to Xiaohongshu (RedNote) in January due to the TikTok ban. But what's the difference between Xiaohongshu, TikTok, & Douyin? What narratives proliferate on it? What are tradeoffs between propaganda wins & information control for the CCP?
Ryan DeVries & I explain: shorturl.at/UjRJE
Ryan DeVries & I explain: shorturl.at/UjRJE
This is an important element of the ongoing crackdown on the government career workforce: Beyond the direct and immediate negative impact on the lives of our Service members and their families, there are recruitment and retention implications here that shouldn’t be overlooked.
"President Trump’s blunt exercise of power has proved uniquely disruptive for federal workers whose spouses serve in the military. Many sought their positions with full-remote status to accommodate the frequent moves their loved one’s profession demands..."
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Trump’s crackdown on federal workforce alarms military families
Trump’s blunt exercise of power has proven uniquely disruptive for government personnel who do remote work to accommodate their spouses’ military careers.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 6, 2025 at 1:35 AM
This is an important element of the ongoing crackdown on the government career workforce: Beyond the direct and immediate negative impact on the lives of our Service members and their families, there are recruitment and retention implications here that shouldn’t be overlooked.
For my 1st piece since leaving government, I partnered w/ @richardmnephew.bsky.social on a piece for @warontherocks.bsky.social. We take stock of where we are on Iran, and where we should go, including steps to prevent a nuke & reconstitution of the proxy network.
warontherocks.com/2025/02/trum...
warontherocks.com/2025/02/trum...
Trump Has a Rare and Short Window to Solve the Iran Problem — Here’s How - War on the Rocks
Donald Trump is likely the last president that will get a chance to stop Iran from building a nuclear arsenal. Will he succeed? Tehran has been on the
warontherocks.com
February 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM
For my 1st piece since leaving government, I partnered w/ @richardmnephew.bsky.social on a piece for @warontherocks.bsky.social. We take stock of where we are on Iran, and where we should go, including steps to prevent a nuke & reconstitution of the proxy network.
warontherocks.com/2025/02/trum...
warontherocks.com/2025/02/trum...
I have no love lost for John Bolton and Mike Pompeo—whose attacks against me for 4 years have been relentless. But revoking their security detail is a mistake: It puts them at risk, and sends the wrong message to Iran and increasingly other bad actors targeting Americans on U.S. soil.
January 28, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I have no love lost for John Bolton and Mike Pompeo—whose attacks against me for 4 years have been relentless. But revoking their security detail is a mistake: It puts them at risk, and sends the wrong message to Iran and increasingly other bad actors targeting Americans on U.S. soil.