natasha iilov
@natasha-iilov.bsky.social
Libya Analyst. Loser. I mostly make salad bowls and stock shelves for a living
it’s looking like the Saudi forces in Yemen are pushing the Southern Transitional Council back towards Aden
Reports the head of the STC has fled to the UAE
completely underestimated the Saudi’s willingness to actually keep going
Reports the head of the STC has fled to the UAE
completely underestimated the Saudi’s willingness to actually keep going
January 8, 2026 at 3:29 PM
it’s looking like the Saudi forces in Yemen are pushing the Southern Transitional Council back towards Aden
Reports the head of the STC has fled to the UAE
completely underestimated the Saudi’s willingness to actually keep going
Reports the head of the STC has fled to the UAE
completely underestimated the Saudi’s willingness to actually keep going
I completely got wrong the idea that the Saudi’s would just give up in yemen after the presidential council defeat to the STC
the Saudis just bombed STC forces in al-Dahle Governorate and had the Presidential council expelled STC members and label them as traitors
not strong moves, but something
the Saudis just bombed STC forces in al-Dahle Governorate and had the Presidential council expelled STC members and label them as traitors
not strong moves, but something
January 7, 2026 at 6:34 PM
I completely got wrong the idea that the Saudi’s would just give up in yemen after the presidential council defeat to the STC
the Saudis just bombed STC forces in al-Dahle Governorate and had the Presidential council expelled STC members and label them as traitors
not strong moves, but something
the Saudis just bombed STC forces in al-Dahle Governorate and had the Presidential council expelled STC members and label them as traitors
not strong moves, but something
it feels like Delcy Rodriguez will be put in an difficult spot trying to navigate US demands and domestic military interests
while it feels unlikely localized armed groups like the collectivos will be open to U.S. investment, never underestimate the power of bribery, possibly backed by US oil money
while it feels unlikely localized armed groups like the collectivos will be open to U.S. investment, never underestimate the power of bribery, possibly backed by US oil money
January 5, 2026 at 3:35 PM
it feels like Delcy Rodriguez will be put in an difficult spot trying to navigate US demands and domestic military interests
while it feels unlikely localized armed groups like the collectivos will be open to U.S. investment, never underestimate the power of bribery, possibly backed by US oil money
while it feels unlikely localized armed groups like the collectivos will be open to U.S. investment, never underestimate the power of bribery, possibly backed by US oil money
Interesting note, reportedly at the end of December a Ukrainian shipment of 7,500 tons of wheat arrived in Sirte, central Libya
the shipment was received by the National Development Agency, a Libyan investment body directly controlled by Saddam Haftar who enjoys close relations with Russia
the shipment was received by the National Development Agency, a Libyan investment body directly controlled by Saddam Haftar who enjoys close relations with Russia
January 5, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Interesting note, reportedly at the end of December a Ukrainian shipment of 7,500 tons of wheat arrived in Sirte, central Libya
the shipment was received by the National Development Agency, a Libyan investment body directly controlled by Saddam Haftar who enjoys close relations with Russia
the shipment was received by the National Development Agency, a Libyan investment body directly controlled by Saddam Haftar who enjoys close relations with Russia
i think I am terminally stupid
just learned the term “Butlerian Jihad” has no connection to Judith Butler
just learned the term “Butlerian Jihad” has no connection to Judith Butler
January 5, 2026 at 3:22 AM
i think I am terminally stupid
just learned the term “Butlerian Jihad” has no connection to Judith Butler
just learned the term “Butlerian Jihad” has no connection to Judith Butler
half of these are a weird “neo-1940s” style, in some sort of modernist rejection. But then the other half are very modern.
a small note is that the Nazi’s specifically created a neo-gothic design to directly contest the modernist bauhaus movement that was taking over german design at the time
a small note is that the Nazi’s specifically created a neo-gothic design to directly contest the modernist bauhaus movement that was taking over german design at the time
New: We got an internal ICE document revealing its $100 million ad plan to bring in 14,000 new hires: deals with "tactical" influencers; ads to gun & military buffs; and geo-targeting phones around NASCAR races and gun shows.
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j
ICE plans $100 million ‘wartime recruitment’ push targeting gun shows, military fans for hires
An internal ICE document shared among immigration officials details plans to use influencers and geo-targeted ads to rapidly hire thousands of deportation officers.
wapo.st
December 31, 2025 at 6:35 PM
half of these are a weird “neo-1940s” style, in some sort of modernist rejection. But then the other half are very modern.
a small note is that the Nazi’s specifically created a neo-gothic design to directly contest the modernist bauhaus movement that was taking over german design at the time
a small note is that the Nazi’s specifically created a neo-gothic design to directly contest the modernist bauhaus movement that was taking over german design at the time
An interesting factor in all of this is the UAE, one of the main backers of multiple non-state governments and militaries
the UAE has developed their relations not only with Somaliland, but the Libyan National Army, Sudanese Rapid Support Forces, and now the Yemeni Southern Transnational Counil
the UAE has developed their relations not only with Somaliland, but the Libyan National Army, Sudanese Rapid Support Forces, and now the Yemeni Southern Transnational Counil
as sovereignty becomes increasingly detached from international law we'll see more cases where state recognition becomes transactional (Israel is looking for a military base). Ryan and I wrote about this in Foreign Affairs back in May. open access link: foreignaffairs.com/guest-pass/r...
December 26, 2025 at 9:47 PM
An interesting factor in all of this is the UAE, one of the main backers of multiple non-state governments and militaries
the UAE has developed their relations not only with Somaliland, but the Libyan National Army, Sudanese Rapid Support Forces, and now the Yemeni Southern Transnational Counil
the UAE has developed their relations not only with Somaliland, but the Libyan National Army, Sudanese Rapid Support Forces, and now the Yemeni Southern Transnational Counil
Reposted by natasha iilov
"Turkey is seeking parliamentary approval to keep its military forces in Libya for another two years, arguing that continued involvement is critical to preventing renewed conflict and protecting regional stability": maghrebi.org?sdm_process_...
December 22, 2025 at 5:07 PM
"Turkey is seeking parliamentary approval to keep its military forces in Libya for another two years, arguing that continued involvement is critical to preventing renewed conflict and protecting regional stability": maghrebi.org?sdm_process_...
football experts are calling this: the most boring game of all time
December 21, 2025 at 3:03 AM
football experts are calling this: the most boring game of all time
More and more college educated Americans are going to end up funneled into the service sector
which, has long term impacts, mostly in that more Americans will get paid less for work they will be treated like shit doing.
Not great for cost of living crisis and political dissatisfaction
which, has long term impacts, mostly in that more Americans will get paid less for work they will be treated like shit doing.
Not great for cost of living crisis and political dissatisfaction
December 19, 2025 at 3:01 PM
More and more college educated Americans are going to end up funneled into the service sector
which, has long term impacts, mostly in that more Americans will get paid less for work they will be treated like shit doing.
Not great for cost of living crisis and political dissatisfaction
which, has long term impacts, mostly in that more Americans will get paid less for work they will be treated like shit doing.
Not great for cost of living crisis and political dissatisfaction
i jokingly say they will rename DC but at this point it’s only a half joke
December 18, 2025 at 6:28 PM
i jokingly say they will rename DC but at this point it’s only a half joke
The recent consolidation of south yemen by Southern Separatist groups is made more confusing by their desire to resume the war against the Houthis
their goal of southern independence conflicts with capturing Sana’a, and I think in some way shows the UAE’s influence
their goal of southern independence conflicts with capturing Sana’a, and I think in some way shows the UAE’s influence
December 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The recent consolidation of south yemen by Southern Separatist groups is made more confusing by their desire to resume the war against the Houthis
their goal of southern independence conflicts with capturing Sana’a, and I think in some way shows the UAE’s influence
their goal of southern independence conflicts with capturing Sana’a, and I think in some way shows the UAE’s influence
The touchdown call in favor of the rams is just so absurd.
I guess I am biased, but it’s hard to rule someone has control when they hit the ground and lose control
i don’t know how that can be a complete and then fumbled?
I guess I am biased, but it’s hard to rule someone has control when they hit the ground and lose control
i don’t know how that can be a complete and then fumbled?
December 14, 2025 at 11:43 PM
The touchdown call in favor of the rams is just so absurd.
I guess I am biased, but it’s hard to rule someone has control when they hit the ground and lose control
i don’t know how that can be a complete and then fumbled?
I guess I am biased, but it’s hard to rule someone has control when they hit the ground and lose control
i don’t know how that can be a complete and then fumbled?
Reposted by natasha iilov
WORKER WIN: We secured $1.5 million in restitution and penalties for a wage theft scheme in DC construction.
Brothers Mechanical and its subcontractors misclassified hundreds of workers at developments in NoMa and Navy Yard.
This denied workers overtime, paid sick leave, and critical protections.
Brothers Mechanical and its subcontractors misclassified hundreds of workers at developments in NoMa and Navy Yard.
This denied workers overtime, paid sick leave, and critical protections.
December 9, 2025 at 1:48 PM
WORKER WIN: We secured $1.5 million in restitution and penalties for a wage theft scheme in DC construction.
Brothers Mechanical and its subcontractors misclassified hundreds of workers at developments in NoMa and Navy Yard.
This denied workers overtime, paid sick leave, and critical protections.
Brothers Mechanical and its subcontractors misclassified hundreds of workers at developments in NoMa and Navy Yard.
This denied workers overtime, paid sick leave, and critical protections.
taking a leap, and leaving the service sector for the first time in my life
going full time at a research, analysis, and risk firm
going to be financially wobbly for a bit, but going to try and push through
going full time at a research, analysis, and risk firm
going to be financially wobbly for a bit, but going to try and push through
December 5, 2025 at 10:32 PM
taking a leap, and leaving the service sector for the first time in my life
going full time at a research, analysis, and risk firm
going to be financially wobbly for a bit, but going to try and push through
going full time at a research, analysis, and risk firm
going to be financially wobbly for a bit, but going to try and push through
York mentioned
"The Barnes and Noble in York—where Fetterman was born and raised—had sold zero copies. The Barnes and Noble in Philadelphia had sold two copies. An independent store in Pittsburgh and an independent store in Philadelphia each told me they weren’t stocking Unfettered" defector.com/john-fetterm...
John Fetterman's Memoir Is As Low-Effort As His Senate Tenure | Defector
John Fetterman’s just-released memoir, Unfettered, argues that he’s turned a corner and has everything under control. Fetterman was a “stubborn asshole” (his words), he was clinically depressed, he wa...
defector.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:43 AM
York mentioned
Reposted by natasha iilov
Stories about the death of Eden Knight have dropped to the second page of search results for "Michael Pocalyko," behind all sorts of generic fluff about his business and some novel he wrote. I do no know whether some concerted SEO effort was involved, but here's a link.
Rest in Peace, Eden Knight
Editor’s Note: Eden Knight (2000–2023) was a Saudi Arabian trans woman studying computer science in the United States. After her visa expired, she began the process of seeking asylum. During this time...
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Stories about the death of Eden Knight have dropped to the second page of search results for "Michael Pocalyko," behind all sorts of generic fluff about his business and some novel he wrote. I do no know whether some concerted SEO effort was involved, but here's a link.
At the lions-commanders game a young couple sat to my right and never cheered or showed any emotion
except for when trump was onscreen, but it was positive cheering. They even stood for him and clapped
they didn’t wear any sports merch, and left immediately after trump was done talking at halftime
except for when trump was onscreen, but it was positive cheering. They even stood for him and clapped
they didn’t wear any sports merch, and left immediately after trump was done talking at halftime
November 10, 2025 at 4:16 AM
At the lions-commanders game a young couple sat to my right and never cheered or showed any emotion
except for when trump was onscreen, but it was positive cheering. They even stood for him and clapped
they didn’t wear any sports merch, and left immediately after trump was done talking at halftime
except for when trump was onscreen, but it was positive cheering. They even stood for him and clapped
they didn’t wear any sports merch, and left immediately after trump was done talking at halftime
Trump spoke during the lions-commanders half time but it was near impossible to hear via the boos, jeers, and cheers
November 9, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Trump spoke during the lions-commanders half time but it was near impossible to hear via the boos, jeers, and cheers
great world series and holy shit we need a salary cap
November 2, 2025 at 5:46 AM
great world series and holy shit we need a salary cap
U.S. naval action in the Caribbean should just be called Hegseth’s War, as it’s just a hyper personalized affair in which Hegseth kills random people to assert some idea of masculinity
It seems the general public doesnt care it’s going on, both for and against.
It seems the general public doesnt care it’s going on, both for and against.
October 28, 2025 at 9:56 PM
U.S. naval action in the Caribbean should just be called Hegseth’s War, as it’s just a hyper personalized affair in which Hegseth kills random people to assert some idea of masculinity
It seems the general public doesnt care it’s going on, both for and against.
It seems the general public doesnt care it’s going on, both for and against.
Grok? ChatGPT?
Sorry, I only use LIBIGPT, the Libyan government’s AI model
Sorry, I only use LIBIGPT, the Libyan government’s AI model
October 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Grok? ChatGPT?
Sorry, I only use LIBIGPT, the Libyan government’s AI model
Sorry, I only use LIBIGPT, the Libyan government’s AI model
getting to that point in the bullpen
patrick star from spongebob squarepants is holding an ice cream cone while standing in front of a large rock .
ALT: patrick star from spongebob squarepants is holding an ice cream cone while standing in front of a large rock .
media.tenor.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:40 AM
getting to that point in the bullpen
both teams loading the bases in extra innings only to do nothing with it just for the love of the game
October 28, 2025 at 5:32 AM
both teams loading the bases in extra innings only to do nothing with it just for the love of the game
as a orioles fan this is unsurprising
October 28, 2025 at 3:05 AM
as a orioles fan this is unsurprising