John Hudson
@johnphudson.bsky.social
I cover diplomacy and national security for The Washington Post
Ric Grenell navigating geopolitics and MAGA politics
January 13, 2026 at 11:57 PM
Ric Grenell navigating geopolitics and MAGA politics
In 2023, five U.S. intelligence agencies determined it was "very unlikely" that the symptoms associated with Havana Syndrome were the result of a foreign adversary using a directed energy weapon. Here's why:
January 13, 2026 at 5:01 PM
In 2023, five U.S. intelligence agencies determined it was "very unlikely" that the symptoms associated with Havana Syndrome were the result of a foreign adversary using a directed energy weapon. Here's why:
NEW: WaPo confirms NYT report: The Trump administration’s first deadly strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat in early September was conducted by a secretive military aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane
January 13, 2026 at 11:44 AM
NEW: WaPo confirms NYT report: The Trump administration’s first deadly strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat in early September was conducted by a secretive military aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane
NYT: "Two survivors of the initial attack later appeared to wave at the aircraft after clambering aboard an overturned piece of the hull, before the military killed them in a follow-up strike that also sank the wreckage."
January 12, 2026 at 11:55 PM
NYT: "Two survivors of the initial attack later appeared to wave at the aircraft after clambering aboard an overturned piece of the hull, before the military killed them in a follow-up strike that also sank the wreckage."
The State Department, which has revoked the visas of individuals for making insensitive remarks about Charlie Kirk or strongly criticizing Israel or other offenses, is touting that it "revoked over 100,000 visas from foreign nationals," a 150% increase from 2024
January 12, 2026 at 4:59 PM
The State Department, which has revoked the visas of individuals for making insensitive remarks about Charlie Kirk or strongly criticizing Israel or other offenses, is touting that it "revoked over 100,000 visas from foreign nationals," a 150% increase from 2024
Smart analysis by Chris Kennedy, a former member of Rubio's State Dept. policy planning staff, on the road ahead in Venezuela: "a protracted status quo & continued, regime-led crackdowns could sour the Cuban- and Venezuelan-American base on Trump ahead of the midterms"
January 8, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Smart analysis by Chris Kennedy, a former member of Rubio's State Dept. policy planning staff, on the road ahead in Venezuela: "a protracted status quo & continued, regime-led crackdowns could sour the Cuban- and Venezuelan-American base on Trump ahead of the midterms"
I pressed Rubio on whether he and Hegseth lied to Congress when promising to seek congressional approval before attacking Venezuela. This was his response:
January 4, 2026 at 1:43 PM
I pressed Rubio on whether he and Hegseth lied to Congress when promising to seek congressional approval before attacking Venezuela. This was his response:
WSJ: “an 18-year-old beautician returned to Mar-a-lago from a house call to Epstein and reported to managers that he had pressured her for sex, former employees said.”
December 31, 2025 at 2:28 AM
WSJ: “an 18-year-old beautician returned to Mar-a-lago from a house call to Epstein and reported to managers that he had pressured her for sex, former employees said.”
WSJ: “At least 10 CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, which are used by special-operations forces, flew into the region Monday night from New Mexico. C-17 cargo aircraft from Army bases arrived Monday in Puerto Rico. Military personnel and equipment were transported on planes.”
December 23, 2025 at 7:46 PM
WSJ: “At least 10 CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, which are used by special-operations forces, flew into the region Monday night from New Mexico. C-17 cargo aircraft from Army bases arrived Monday in Puerto Rico. Military personnel and equipment were transported on planes.”
An update from the U.S. State Department on one of the 8 wars Trump "ended"
December 21, 2025 at 9:16 PM
An update from the U.S. State Department on one of the 8 wars Trump "ended"
Audit Finds Palestinian Inmates Face Starvation and Beatings in Israeli Prisons
December 4, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Audit Finds Palestinian Inmates Face Starvation and Beatings in Israeli Prisons
That’s commitment
December 4, 2025 at 1:35 AM
That’s commitment
The Miami meeting between Trump's top aides (Witkoff, Rubio and Jared Kushner) and Ukraine's top negotiators has been going on for 20 minutes now. Here's the list of Ukrainian participants:
November 30, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The Miami meeting between Trump's top aides (Witkoff, Rubio and Jared Kushner) and Ukraine's top negotiators has been going on for 20 minutes now. Here's the list of Ukrainian participants:
House votes overwhelmingly to compel release of Jeffrey Epstein files
November 18, 2025 at 7:48 PM
House votes overwhelmingly to compel release of Jeffrey Epstein files
"Trump is poised to end Washington’s decade of the China Hawks," writes @semaforben. Smart column, including a sneaky jab at members of the China pundit class who have never been to China www.semafor.com/article/10/2...
October 27, 2025 at 8:46 PM
"Trump is poised to end Washington’s decade of the China Hawks," writes @semaforben. Smart column, including a sneaky jab at members of the China pundit class who have never been to China www.semafor.com/article/10/2...
This type of statement from a moderate Democrat in Congress would’ve been unthinkable just a few years ago
October 16, 2025 at 9:43 PM
This type of statement from a moderate Democrat in Congress would’ve been unthinkable just a few years ago
One of those odd moments where Trump offers highly specific & totally inaccurate info about something no one asked him about: "Literally, you walk over from Iran to Qatar, you can walk it in 1 second. You go, boom, boom & now you're in Qatar” (they don't share a border)
October 13, 2025 at 2:22 AM
One of those odd moments where Trump offers highly specific & totally inaccurate info about something no one asked him about: "Literally, you walk over from Iran to Qatar, you can walk it in 1 second. You go, boom, boom & now you're in Qatar” (they don't share a border)
The United States government currently employs an admiral named Brad Cooper and a DHS official named Chris Pratt
October 10, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The United States government currently employs an admiral named Brad Cooper and a DHS official named Chris Pratt
Hamas now has 72 hours to release the hostages, says Witkoff
October 10, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Hamas now has 72 hours to release the hostages, says Witkoff
October 8, 2025 at 11:21 PM
NEW: Trump announces that Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of the peace deal involving the release of all hostages and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops
October 8, 2025 at 10:54 PM
NEW: Trump announces that Hamas and Israel have agreed to the first phase of the peace deal involving the release of all hostages and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops
“Trump has ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza, but residents and local hospitals said strikes continued across the territory.”
October 6, 2025 at 11:28 AM
“Trump has ordered Israel to stop bombing Gaza, but residents and local hospitals said strikes continued across the territory.”