Mona Smitte
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monalisazelf.bsky.social
Mona Smitte
@monalisazelf.bsky.social
Let's find out what happens next
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Never Surrender
Dante Hart · Never Surrender · Song · 2020
open.spotify.com
Reposted by Mona Smitte
"By forcing everyone to hand over their most valuable and sensitive identity data, the law builds out a dangerous new surveillance infrastructure instead of actually keeping young people safe," EFF’s Molly Buckley told TechRadar. www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-pri...
Missouri search for VPNs quadruples as age verification laws kick in
Missourians begin to take matters of data security into their own hands
www.techradar.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
AI may soon dissolve the boundaries between diplomacy, intelligence, economics, and military power faster than policymakers can redraw them.
Operating AI in the Gray Zone: Drawing Clear Lines Before They Blur 
Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series exploring key AI policy choices faced by the Department of Defense & Congress. Please also read the first
warontherocks.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
It may not happen soon, but Mitch Bradley should remember that he can be recalled to duty someday and court martialed for ordering murder.
Hegseth's not the only war criminal here. "The [USSOCOM] commander overseeing the operation from Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Adm. Frank M. 'Mitch' Bradley, told people on the secure conference call that the survivors were still legitimate targets... He ordered the second strike."
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
The Netherlands has taken over defense of NATO’s key logistics hub in Rzeszow, eastern Poland, deploying 300 troops, 2 Patriot systems, NASAMS, and anti-drone gear. Part of the NSATU program, the mission runs through June 1, 2026, ensuring secure delivery of aid to Ukraine.
December 1, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
Further evidence that when actual experts with a degree of self-awareness speak with Chotiner, the results can be informative and reflect well on the interviewee.
December 1, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
Really good discussion here between Todd Huntley and @ichotiner.bsky.social.

Highly recommended.

www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a...
The Legal Consequences of Pete Hegseth’s “Kill Them All” Order
A former military judge on the Trump Administration’s contradictory—and likely unlawful—justifications for its Caribbean bombing campaign.
www.newyorker.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
An excellent and badly needed intervention
My latest this AM with @warontherocks.bsky.social. Of note: "[Military officers] will be active participants with choices to make about the degree to which they continue to serve civilians intent on undermining the liberal values enshrined in the Constitution."

1/

warontherocks.com/2025/12/the-...
The Soldier in the Illiberal State is a Professional Dead End
The American political system today is indeed in crisis. Government function is in doubt, the administration has politicized and weaponized a previously
warontherocks.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
The group of ex-military lawyers published their memo after The Washington Post released a report on the alleged killing of survivors from a boat strike.
Former JAGs say Hegseth, others may have committed war crimes
The group of ex-military lawyers published their memo after The Washington Post released a report on the alleged killing of survivors from a boat strike.
www.marinecorpstimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
API Security Nightmare: 10 Seconds to Breach, But Here’s Your Ultimate Shield

Introduction: In today's cloud-native world, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are the silent backbone of digital services, yet they represent one of the most critical and overlooked attack surfaces. This article…
API Security Nightmare: 10 Seconds to Breach, But Here’s Your Ultimate Shield
Introduction: In today's cloud-native world, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are the silent backbone of digital services, yet they represent one of the most critical and overlooked attack surfaces. This article delves into the technical trenches of API security, exposing common vulnerabilities and providing actionable, step-by-step guides for penetration testers and defenders alike to secure these essential conduits of data. Learning Objectives:
undercodetesting.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
Stealthy browser extensions waited years before infecting 4.3M Chrome, Edge users with backdoors and spyware www.theregister.com/2025/12/01/c...
Browser extensions pushed malware to 4.3M Chrome, Edge users
: And some are still active in the Microsoft Edge store
www.theregister.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
NATO is building a secure cloud system to handle Ukraine’s battlefield data, aiming to launch it in January 2026. While the tech is ready, policy hurdles remain. The system will be government-owned, based on open architecture, and designed to integrate real-time military data across the alliance.
December 1, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
Great visual summary from Ian Ellis on X on the strikes against drug boats: x.com/ianellisjone...
December 1, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
🇺🇦☁️ “Ukraine has a lot of data that they want to give to NATO” as part of a joint training center in Poland, said Tom Goffus.

“Cloud solution for that…to be able to handle large amounts of data from the Ukraine battlefield. We're hoping that it's going to be operational on NATO cloud in Jan 2026.”
December 1, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
A senior member of the Iranian parliament said on Monday that US President Donald Trump had sent a message to Tehran via Saudi Crown Prince listing three conditions for any resumption of talks, confirming an earlier report by Iran International.
iranintl.com/en/202512018446
Senior lawmaker confirms Trump sent message to Iran via Saudi crown prince
A senior member of the Iranian parliament said on Monday that US President Donald Trump had sent a message to Tehran via Saudi Crown Prince listing three conditions for any resumption of talks.
iranintl.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
x.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
2/
December 1, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
❗️The 🇳🇱Netherlands have deployed 300 troops, 2 Patriot batteries, a NASAMS, and counter-drone systems to 🇵🇱Poland (Rzeszów) to protect a key NATO logistics hub until June 2026.
December 1, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
Microsoft Rushes to Patch Outlook Bug Blocking Excel Attachments

Introduction A frustrating glitch inside Microsoft’s new Outlook has quietly disrupted daily workflows across thousands of desktops. Users discovered they couldn’t open Excel attachments containing non-ASCII characters – the kind of…
Microsoft Rushes to Patch Outlook Bug Blocking Excel Attachments
Introduction A frustrating glitch inside Microsoft’s new Outlook has quietly disrupted daily workflows across thousands of desktops. Users discovered they couldn’t open Excel attachments containing non-ASCII characters – the kind of letters and symbols common in global filenames. The issue sparked confusion, stalled reports, and left teams scrambling for manual workarounds. Microsoft has now pushed out a patch, but the full fix depends on system updates that may take time to reach every device.
undercodenews.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
Apple’s AI Crossroads: The Quiet Exit, the New Power Shift, and What It Means for the Future

Introduction Apple rarely changes its leadership in a way that ripples across the entire tech industry. Yet the departure of John Giannandrea — the executive once entrusted with Apple’s full Machine…
Apple’s AI Crossroads: The Quiet Exit, the New Power Shift, and What It Means for the Future
Introduction Apple rarely changes its leadership in a way that ripples across the entire tech industry. Yet the departure of John Giannandrea — the executive once entrusted with Apple’s full Machine Learning and AI Strategy — feels like a turning point the company can’t downplay. For years, Apple projected confidence in its slow-burn approach to AI. But behind that calm exterior were product delays, public criticism, and a noticeable struggle to keep pace with competitors pushing generative AI at breakneck speed.
undercodenews.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
Japan is reportedly considering whether to sell surface-to-air missiles to the Philippines as Tokyo moves to loosen export restrictions and respond to rising security threats in the Indo-Pacific region. (from @hanakusumoto.bsky.social)
Japan weighs missile sales to Philippines as both nations eye China threat
Japan is considering whether to sell surface-to-air missiles to the Philippines as Tokyo moves to respond to rising security threats in the region.
www.stripes.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
This is a must read. The most in depth understanding of how corrupt our foreign policy has become. Trump and Witkoff (Rubio totally sidelined) are proposing to sell out Ukraine in exchange for Russian deals for their billionaire crowd.

Not about peace. Just about profit.
Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
www.wsj.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
Q: You said that second strike was in accordance with the law of armed conflict, but the Navy's own manual says that firing on survivors from a wrecked vessel is an example of a war crime

LEAVITT: I would reiterate that the strike was conducted in accordance with the law of armed conflict
December 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
In the Holocaust, Nazis captured my grandpa’s sister Sheinale (Yiddish for "beautiful") & her family & executed them in a forest in Lithuania. Their bodies are in an unmarked forest grave.

In contrast, Covid vaccines saved an estimated 20 million lives in their 1st year of use.

See the difference?
Just when I thought I'd seen it all........
endpoints.news/new-acip-cha....
December 1, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
Steve Witkoff has shown the world he will adopt Putin's talking points and concede the sovereignty of our Ukrainian allies if it means some of his billionaire buddies can get rich off Russia.

It's un-American and a total betrayal of our values. Witkoff needs to be fired.
Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
www.wsj.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Reposted by Mona Smitte
'Chilling': Experts sound the alarm over the next 'existential' threat to health care
www.rawstory.com
'Chilling': Experts sound the alarm over the next 'existential' threat to health care
twp.ai
December 1, 2025 at 11:22 PM