Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 2d

Ryan dropping some wisdom. He doesn't like to be right, he says, but he often is. :)

ريّان نور @noorryan.bsky.social · 5d

Ok.
Let's talk about #SoW (what an apt acronym) #Hegseth's last pronunciamento. As much as I feel nothing but Schadenfreude seeing generals being at the receiving end of a bullshit briefing in a reverse Uno karmic proverbial return of the boomerang, I have a few things to says.

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 2d

I can't think of any precedents for this.

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 3d

This morning, the Trump Administration’s Department of War gave me an ultimatum: call up your troops, or we will. It is absolutely outrageous and un-American to demand a Governor send military troops within our own borders and against our will.

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 2d

Dungeons and Dragons, obvs.

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 2d

Let's believe the Turkish state news agency, why don't we?

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 3d

Looks like it. Answers the question of "if Israel is so good at precision strikes, why does Gaza look the way it does?"

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 3d

Relatedly, an informative piece by @rusi.bsky.social about the Russian use of artillery in Ukraine.

www.rusi.org/explore-our-...

Russia’s Artillery War in Ukraine: Challenges and Innovations

While Russia has experienced difficulties elsewhere on the battlefield, artillery has been central to its ability to hold Ukrainian forces at bay. This article explores how the Russian armed forces ha...

www.rusi.org

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 3d

I've been reading up on artillery for a video. I found this fascinating. About the "fallacy" of precision strike in urban settings.

www.ausa.org/articles/pre...

Precision Fires Hindered by Urban Jungle

In a March–April 2015 Military Review article, Lt. Gen. H.R.

www.ausa.org

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 3d

youtu.be/TQ-oLVIHQm4

Why People Want Israel to be Guilty of Genocide

YouTube video by Pax Americana

youtu.be

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 3d

The world will never forgive Israel for 7 October.

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 4d

Over 2 million people across Italy have rallied in more than 100 cities for a one-day general strike.

2 million rally in Italy for Gaza as general strike halts key services

Over 2 million people across Italy have rallied in more than 100 cities for a one-day general strike.

bit.ly

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Reposted by Michael Shurkin

Zoidberg @zoidbergmd.bsky.social · 9d

@michaelshurkin.bsky.social on the role of government in the defence industry.

What Role Should the Government Have in the Defense Industry?

YouTube video by Pax Americana

youtu.be

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 9d

Thanks!

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 16d

Thoughts on Argentina's Air Force.

youtu.be/B8jflfRCBcQ

Argentina's Air Force Overhauls Itself

YouTube video by Pax Americana

youtu.be

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Reposted by Michael Shurkin

Jean Salvati @jean-salvati.bsky.social · 21d

Another thoughtful, balanced piece by @michaelshurkin.bsky.social:

'The standard that matters to me is not “is it legal?,” but “does it make any sense?” And is this a good thing or a bad thing for U.S. national interest?'

shurkin.substack.com/p/our-little...

Our Little War with Venezuela

President Trump on Monday announced that U.S.

shurkin.substack.com

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 21d

🧐

NOELREPORTS @noelreports.com · 21d

Ukrainian reconnaissance unit “Tur” of the 225th Assault Regiment claims to have found detonators at a Russian ammo depot, marked with Nazi swastikas. They date back to Soviet-Nazi cooperation of 1939–40, when the USSR imported German military tech.

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Reposted by Michael Shurkin

Thomas Wiegold @wiegold.de · 21d

“It’s also a morale lifter, a truly fabulous experience for many starting at sea”

Royal Navy revives sail training for junior officers

The Royal Navy is preparing to bring back sail training for young officers by chartering a tall ship to teach seamanship, navigation, and teamwork, the service stated.

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 22d

80 years after the genocide of Europe's Jews, the campaign to delegitimize and destroy the world's only Jewish state, which harbors so many of the survivors of that genocide, continues.

Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 22d

Ireland's President Michael D. Higgins suggests Israel and states supplying it with weapons be excluded from the United Nations, in light of the genocide conclusions in the UN CoI report.
@president.ie #Spéirghorm
www.rte.ie/news/2025/09...

President suggests Israel should be excluded from the UN

President Michael D Higgins has suggested Israel and countries that supply it with weapons should be excluded from the United Nations.

www.rte.ie

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 22d

I've been working on that, but for now, the best closest thing I've done to what you're asking for is this interview I did with Hubin:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn-i...

Ukraine and Why Armies Must Rethink Everything - A Conversation with General Guy Hubin

YouTube video by Pax Americana

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Michael Shurkin

The Times & Sunday Times @thetimes.com · 22d

Narendra Modi has sent troops to take part in the Zapad exercises rehearsing conflict with neighbouring Nato countries as relations with the US unravel

India ‘crosses red line’ by joining Russia-Belarus war games

Narendra Modi has sent troops to take part in the Zapad exercises rehearsing conflict with neighbouring Nato countries as relations with the US unravel

www.thetimes.com

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 22d

100%

Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 22d

You can count on the French to make a beautiful warship. I have no idea if it's any good, but don't really care.

Naval Group @naval-group.com · 22d

Today, the #FDI Amiral Ronarc’h leaves Lorient to join her homeport of Brest, in the North Atlantic.

Designed for rough seas.
Eager to brave strong headwinds.
Arrow through the waves.

DGA @marinenationale.bsky.social

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 22d

Alas, no rescue ship this time.

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 22d

My take on the Swiss military.

youtu.be/ueR-fXreVos

Switzerland: The Art of Armed Neutrality

YouTube video by Pax Americana

youtu.be

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 22d

I haven't gone nuts. The world has gone nuts. But I'm glad people are still reading this. I'm quite proud of it.

“Hey man did you get QA to sign off?” Gigan @gigansprogress.bsky.social · 24d

He's kinda gone nuts lately over October Sword and the Gaza War but Michael Shurkin wrote this back in 2021 and I think about it all the time when I read updates from Ukraine.
warontherocks.com/2021/02/kill...

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 22d

I would have loved to use proper citations.

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Michael Shurkin @michaelshurkin.bsky.social · 26d

American centrists and moderates these days be like:

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