Chris Bennett
@cwbennett.bsky.social
Reposted by Chris Bennett
GWU is home to some of the best scholars of Russia, and multiple important research initiatives related to Russia and the region, so of course the Russian state considers it "undesirable."
Prosecutors alleged that the university had provided funding to media outlets and individuals labeled “foreign agents.”
Russia Designates George Washington University as ‘Undesirable’ Organization
- The Moscow Times
Russia’s General Prosecutor’s Office on Monday designated the George Washington University as an “undesirable” organization, accusing the U.S.-based institution of promoting anti-Russian sentiment and...
www.themoscowtimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
GWU is home to some of the best scholars of Russia, and multiple important research initiatives related to Russia and the region, so of course the Russian state considers it "undesirable."
Reposted by Chris Bennett
Our military has been an apolitical and trusted fighting force for over 200 years. Its role is not domestic law enforcement — except under the most exceptional and extreme circumstances defined by law. Get the facts on why it should stay this way: NotTheMission.org
December 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Our military has been an apolitical and trusted fighting force for over 200 years. Its role is not domestic law enforcement — except under the most exceptional and extreme circumstances defined by law. Get the facts on why it should stay this way: NotTheMission.org
Reposted by Chris Bennett
You’ve heard of the Palantir and Sauron security systems. May introduce the Peregrine Took weight loss program.
two men are standing next to each other and one is asking the other what about second breakfast
ALT: two men are standing next to each other and one is asking the other what about second breakfast
media.tenor.com
December 29, 2025 at 12:56 PM
You’ve heard of the Palantir and Sauron security systems. May introduce the Peregrine Took weight loss program.
Reposted by Chris Bennett
One of the biggest lies too many people have bought into is that those with capital are geniuses.
If you pay somebody to build a rocket you are not a space engineer.
If you pay somebody to write a book you are not a writer.
If you (don't) pay somebody to build a tower you are not an architect.
If you pay somebody to build a rocket you are not a space engineer.
If you pay somebody to write a book you are not a writer.
If you (don't) pay somebody to build a tower you are not an architect.
December 29, 2025 at 2:46 PM
One of the biggest lies too many people have bought into is that those with capital are geniuses.
If you pay somebody to build a rocket you are not a space engineer.
If you pay somebody to write a book you are not a writer.
If you (don't) pay somebody to build a tower you are not an architect.
If you pay somebody to build a rocket you are not a space engineer.
If you pay somebody to write a book you are not a writer.
If you (don't) pay somebody to build a tower you are not an architect.
If they misunderstand Lord of the Rings that badly there’s no way I’m trusting them with my home security- maybe the name is more accurate than they realize?
It’s not just “we decided to name our company after the personification of evil.” It’s also “we decided to name our home security company after the personification of evil who was so vainly proud of his vigilance that he let his home get invaded in the most catastrophic way possible.”
Sauron is appearing on the scene as concerns rise about crime among the most wealthy.
December 29, 2025 at 2:46 PM
If they misunderstand Lord of the Rings that badly there’s no way I’m trusting them with my home security- maybe the name is more accurate than they realize?
Reposted by Chris Bennett
Two stories side by side in WashPost
December 26, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Two stories side by side in WashPost
Reposted by Chris Bennett
The blatant selling of pardons is perhaps the clearest instance of criminal conduct authorized by SCOTUS. Pardons are a quintessential "official act." So, even when Trump takes a bribe to issue one, he is presumably above the criminal law.
The president’s own chief of staff was reportedly stunned by his pardon of a former Honduran president.
Trump’s Ice Maiden Blindsided by President’s Controversial Pardon
The president’s own chief of staff was reportedly stunned by his pardon of a former Honduran president.
trib.al
December 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The blatant selling of pardons is perhaps the clearest instance of criminal conduct authorized by SCOTUS. Pardons are a quintessential "official act." So, even when Trump takes a bribe to issue one, he is presumably above the criminal law.
Reposted by Chris Bennett
You guys. No. It's named by statute. Do better.
BREAKING: Kennedy Center to be renamed Trump-Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center will become the Trump-Kennedy Center: Leavitt
Leavitt said the the board unanimously voted to rename the performing arts venue.
www.axios.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
You guys. No. It's named by statute. Do better.
Reposted by Chris Bennett
Reposted by Chris Bennett
The timing of this post and the reference to the murders being "due to the anger ... caused others through … TDS" suggests strongly that Trump believed that **one or more of his supporters** had committed the murders—and that they had committed the atrocity **justifiably**.
December 16, 2025 at 3:50 AM
The timing of this post and the reference to the murders being "due to the anger ... caused others through … TDS" suggests strongly that Trump believed that **one or more of his supporters** had committed the murders—and that they had committed the atrocity **justifiably**.
Reposted by Chris Bennett
As a person who has been studying extreme far right ideologies for the last decade (and did a PhD on immigration) I find the entrance of “remigration” into the mainstream American political lexicon so profoundly disturbing
December 16, 2025 at 1:03 PM
As a person who has been studying extreme far right ideologies for the last decade (and did a PhD on immigration) I find the entrance of “remigration” into the mainstream American political lexicon so profoundly disturbing
Reposted by Chris Bennett
Are they supposed to do those workouts in the suits that Duffy et al insist they wear?
Duffy on what he's doing to improve the airport experience for travelers: "Maybe I want a workout area where people might get some blood flowing doing some pull ups or step ups in the airport."
December 9, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Are they supposed to do those workouts in the suits that Duffy et al insist they wear?
Reposted by Chris Bennett
A few thoughts on the new NSS, expert responses, and upcoming NDS.
1. The first talking point for every expert should have been that this is an overtly white nationalist document that spits on every American ideal of meritocracy, the innate value of human life, and self-determination.
1/
1. The first talking point for every expert should have been that this is an overtly white nationalist document that spits on every American ideal of meritocracy, the innate value of human life, and self-determination.
1/
December 7, 2025 at 9:11 PM
A few thoughts on the new NSS, expert responses, and upcoming NDS.
1. The first talking point for every expert should have been that this is an overtly white nationalist document that spits on every American ideal of meritocracy, the innate value of human life, and self-determination.
1/
1. The first talking point for every expert should have been that this is an overtly white nationalist document that spits on every American ideal of meritocracy, the innate value of human life, and self-determination.
1/
Reposted by Chris Bennett
Karp says he "pays the price" when he's wrong.
When Palantir's algorithm gets the wrong person arrested, is he arrested? When it gets the wrong person killed, is he killed?
So no, he doesn't pay the price. He pays a tiny, inconsequential fraction of the price.
When Palantir's algorithm gets the wrong person arrested, is he arrested? When it gets the wrong person killed, is he killed?
So no, he doesn't pay the price. He pays a tiny, inconsequential fraction of the price.
Holy smokes! If you acted like Palantir CEO Alex Karp in a corporate meeting, they would report you to HR. Just saying.
December 7, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Karp says he "pays the price" when he's wrong.
When Palantir's algorithm gets the wrong person arrested, is he arrested? When it gets the wrong person killed, is he killed?
So no, he doesn't pay the price. He pays a tiny, inconsequential fraction of the price.
When Palantir's algorithm gets the wrong person arrested, is he arrested? When it gets the wrong person killed, is he killed?
So no, he doesn't pay the price. He pays a tiny, inconsequential fraction of the price.
Reposted by Chris Bennett
Even if you ignore ethics, it's baby's first war thoughts that you want to make it easy for the enemy to give up fighting you. If they think giving up will get them tortured and/or executed, THEY WON'T.
The Iraqi army surrendered so fast in 1991 in part because we were like "we have snacks y'all"
The Iraqi army surrendered so fast in 1991 in part because we were like "we have snacks y'all"
a man in a suit adjusts his glasses with the words it 's not a joke below him
Alt: a man in a suit adjusts his glasses with the words it 's not a joke below him
media.tenor.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Even if you ignore ethics, it's baby's first war thoughts that you want to make it easy for the enemy to give up fighting you. If they think giving up will get them tortured and/or executed, THEY WON'T.
The Iraqi army surrendered so fast in 1991 in part because we were like "we have snacks y'all"
The Iraqi army surrendered so fast in 1991 in part because we were like "we have snacks y'all"
Reposted by Chris Bennett
The Nobel Prize committee should announce the World Cup winner tomorrow
December 6, 2025 at 4:29 AM
The Nobel Prize committee should announce the World Cup winner tomorrow
“WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH”
Thankfully in this case its foundation is one old man’s fragile ego and (so far) is not the Big Brother we fear. Their weakness is on display.
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH”
Thankfully in this case its foundation is one old man’s fragile ego and (so far) is not the Big Brother we fear. Their weakness is on display.
President Donald Trump is eager to be recognized as a peacemaker.
His administration obliged by renaming the building that houses the U.S. Institute of Peace in downtown D.C. https://wapo.st/48zkAzK
His administration obliged by renaming the building that houses the U.S. Institute of Peace in downtown D.C. https://wapo.st/48zkAzK
December 5, 2025 at 12:36 PM
“WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH”
Thankfully in this case its foundation is one old man’s fragile ego and (so far) is not the Big Brother we fear. Their weakness is on display.
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH”
Thankfully in this case its foundation is one old man’s fragile ego and (so far) is not the Big Brother we fear. Their weakness is on display.
Reposted by Chris Bennett
I’m just a foreign policy wonk, standing in front of the GOP, asking them to read at least one fucking book about the history of US interventions in Latin America. www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
December 3, 2025 at 10:15 PM
I’m just a foreign policy wonk, standing in front of the GOP, asking them to read at least one fucking book about the history of US interventions in Latin America. www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Reposted by Chris Bennett
Hegseth is very transparently blaming a Navy admiral for his own decision. Let this be a lesson for every other military officer: The Trump administration will issue unlawful orders, then blame you for following them.
December 2, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Hegseth is very transparently blaming a Navy admiral for his own decision. Let this be a lesson for every other military officer: The Trump administration will issue unlawful orders, then blame you for following them.
Reposted by Chris Bennett
Yet again, @duffelblog.com for the win.
Pentagon recalls Hegseth to active duty for violating most of the UCMJ
“He promised accountability,” says lawyer holding 3,000-page indictment.
www.duffelblog.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Yet again, @duffelblog.com for the win.
Reposted by Chris Bennett
Per a new report, Kash Patel refused to exit his plane without an FBI jacket, but the only one that would fit him was a woman’s jacket. Then he demanded SWAT patches for it. www.scribd.com/document/958...
December 1, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Per a new report, Kash Patel refused to exit his plane without an FBI jacket, but the only one that would fit him was a woman’s jacket. Then he demanded SWAT patches for it. www.scribd.com/document/958...
Reposted by Chris Bennett
FYI: the EXAMPLE of what a war crime is in the DoD Law of War manual is EXACTLY what Hegseth did. bsky.app/profile/jjin...
⚖️ DoD Law of War Manual, page 1075:
"For example, orders to fire upon the shipwrecked would be clearly illegal."
ogc.osd.mil/Portals/99/d...
"For example, orders to fire upon the shipwrecked would be clearly illegal."
ogc.osd.mil/Portals/99/d...
December 1, 2025 at 5:06 PM
FYI: the EXAMPLE of what a war crime is in the DoD Law of War manual is EXACTLY what Hegseth did. bsky.app/profile/jjin...
Reposted by Chris Bennett
If you want to deter escalation you have to impose costs. Otherwise you signal there are no costs for escalating further. Fear of escalation has to go both ways if you want to avoid it and clearly the Russians aren’t afraid enough.
December 1, 2025 at 9:55 AM
If you want to deter escalation you have to impose costs. Otherwise you signal there are no costs for escalating further. Fear of escalation has to go both ways if you want to avoid it and clearly the Russians aren’t afraid enough.