Phillips OBrien
@phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Professor of Strategic Studies, Author, Lover of Sicily. Purveyor of a “righteous-but-rational vibe”
Here are details of the attack that Trump promised Putin would never do. It was launched by Putin to do maximum damage to Ukrainian heating and power generation. The President of the USA participated in a deception plan to make it more effective.
February 3, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Here are details of the attack that Trump promised Putin would never do. It was launched by Putin to do maximum damage to Ukrainian heating and power generation. The President of the USA participated in a deception plan to make it more effective.
So Trump is now deploying ICE to protect government property in Democratic cities? How does that have to do with Immigration and Customs? The growth of a personal paramilitary force continues unabated.
February 1, 2026 at 4:26 PM
So Trump is now deploying ICE to protect government property in Democratic cities? How does that have to do with Immigration and Customs? The growth of a personal paramilitary force continues unabated.
There were two main stories. First, there was a great report (with link to download) released by CSIS which detailed just how the Russian military and economy is struggling. Second, there were numerous signs of Trump's desire to work with Putin, including family photos. Enjoy.
February 1, 2026 at 9:10 AM
There were two main stories. First, there was a great report (with link to download) released by CSIS which detailed just how the Russian military and economy is struggling. Second, there were numerous signs of Trump's desire to work with Putin, including family photos. Enjoy.
Do not pass this off as the ravings of a looney, old, narcissist. These false reports are going to be used to try and corrupt the 2026 elections by increasing White House Power over the vote. It could spark off the greatest crisis in the USA since the Civil War.
January 30, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Do not pass this off as the ravings of a looney, old, narcissist. These false reports are going to be used to try and corrupt the 2026 elections by increasing White House Power over the vote. It could spark off the greatest crisis in the USA since the Civil War.
Trump’s Board of Corruption signs up a truly awesome member.
January 29, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Trump’s Board of Corruption signs up a truly awesome member.
Wait, why would Iran have to negotiate not to have nuclear weapons if Trump, as he boasted, "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program a few months ago.
Might it be that this was nonsense?
Might it be that this was nonsense?
January 28, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Wait, why would Iran have to negotiate not to have nuclear weapons if Trump, as he boasted, "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program a few months ago.
Might it be that this was nonsense?
Might it be that this was nonsense?
I get so many kind messages from subscribers to my Substack, and I have always kept them private. However, I just got this and loved it!
I'm going to always aim for the "righteous-but-rational" vibe.
Thanks CHM
I'm going to always aim for the "righteous-but-rational" vibe.
Thanks CHM
January 28, 2026 at 11:16 AM
I get so many kind messages from subscribers to my Substack, and I have always kept them private. However, I just got this and loved it!
I'm going to always aim for the "righteous-but-rational" vibe.
Thanks CHM
I'm going to always aim for the "righteous-but-rational" vibe.
Thanks CHM
Keep in mind that after the killing of Renee Good, Trump went out and egged on ICE to be a force for "RECKONING AND RETRIBUTION" in Minnesota. It was no accident that Alex Pretti was executed, it was almost inevitable because of Trump's actions. He is to blame, no one else.
January 28, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Keep in mind that after the killing of Renee Good, Trump went out and egged on ICE to be a force for "RECKONING AND RETRIBUTION" in Minnesota. It was no accident that Alex Pretti was executed, it was almost inevitable because of Trump's actions. He is to blame, no one else.
Here is a temperature map (in celsius) of the USA today, during what is being called the "Big Freeze". Ukraine was colder than this basically every day from Jan 5-23. And thanks to the USA helping Putin, the country was starved of heat and power.
January 27, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Here is a temperature map (in celsius) of the USA today, during what is being called the "Big Freeze". Ukraine was colder than this basically every day from Jan 5-23. And thanks to the USA helping Putin, the country was starved of heat and power.
Turns out that executing defenseless, disarmed US citizens might not be very popular.
January 26, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Turns out that executing defenseless, disarmed US citizens might not be very popular.
So America is on edge, angry and reaching a boiling post--and this is President Trump's latest tweet.
Serious Nero fiddling while Rome is burning vibes...
Serious Nero fiddling while Rome is burning vibes...
January 25, 2026 at 7:05 PM
So America is on edge, angry and reaching a boiling post--and this is President Trump's latest tweet.
Serious Nero fiddling while Rome is burning vibes...
Serious Nero fiddling while Rome is burning vibes...
Here is a key part of President's Zelensky's address in Davos yesterday. What he says outwardly and implicitly is key. Trump actually hates Europe today, will not change, Europe needs to accept that and look after itself.
Bravo!
Bravo!
January 23, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Here is a key part of President's Zelensky's address in Davos yesterday. What he says outwardly and implicitly is key. Trump actually hates Europe today, will not change, Europe needs to accept that and look after itself.
Bravo!
Bravo!
Zelensky is entirely justified in speaking bluntly like this to Europeans. Too many seem willing to see Ukrainians suffer to provide Europe greater time and security, without acknowledging that Ukraine’s fight is their own.
January 22, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Zelensky is entirely justified in speaking bluntly like this to Europeans. Too many seem willing to see Ukrainians suffer to provide Europe greater time and security, without acknowledging that Ukraine’s fight is their own.
It is now more than two weeks since we were told that Trump had "greelit" the Graham-Blumenthal sanctions bill on Russia. I thought a vote was going to be scheduled right away. Where is it?
Looks like we might have to wait another two weeks....
Looks like we might have to wait another two weeks....
January 22, 2026 at 2:47 PM
It is now more than two weeks since we were told that Trump had "greelit" the Graham-Blumenthal sanctions bill on Russia. I thought a vote was going to be scheduled right away. Where is it?
Looks like we might have to wait another two weeks....
Looks like we might have to wait another two weeks....
And Trump spent a few hours this morning humiliating European leaders more--even releasing their private messages. If they now revert to their habit of praising him, he will despise them even more.
January 20, 2026 at 2:59 PM
And Trump spent a few hours this morning humiliating European leaders more--even releasing their private messages. If they now revert to their habit of praising him, he will despise them even more.
Of course he has…I mean getting that billion dollars won’t be a problem.
January 19, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Of course he has…I mean getting that billion dollars won’t be a problem.
One thing that now even the most hopeful have to admit, is that the unctuous European tactic of flattering, praising, massaging Trump has been a catastrophic failure and made things worse.
January 19, 2026 at 8:52 AM
One thing that now even the most hopeful have to admit, is that the unctuous European tactic of flattering, praising, massaging Trump has been a catastrophic failure and made things worse.
Doing Putin's bidding by pretending to be anti-Russian is peak Trump.
January 19, 2026 at 6:45 AM
Doing Putin's bidding by pretending to be anti-Russian is peak Trump.
As if by clockwork, a few hours after I send out this piece, Trump starts bullying all of Europe to hand over Greenland to the USA. This will only get worse.
January 17, 2026 at 5:05 PM
As if by clockwork, a few hours after I send out this piece, Trump starts bullying all of Europe to hand over Greenland to the USA. This will only get worse.
This is a sign of ethical collapse. Trump has forced this brave person to debase herself--with gold trimming.
January 16, 2026 at 4:54 AM
This is a sign of ethical collapse. Trump has forced this brave person to debase herself--with gold trimming.
Trump enthusiastically endorsing keeping the Maduro regime in power in Venezuela.
January 15, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Trump enthusiastically endorsing keeping the Maduro regime in power in Venezuela.
The President of the USA openly celebrating the giving and taking of bribes.
January 7, 2026 at 6:07 AM
The President of the USA openly celebrating the giving and taking of bribes.
Does that qualify you for a special award?
January 3, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Does that qualify you for a special award?
And it seems possible that Trump’s vision for regime change is to get rid of Maduro but possibly leave the Maduro regime and the military in power. The man loves his dictatorships….
January 3, 2026 at 2:55 PM
And it seems possible that Trump’s vision for regime change is to get rid of Maduro but possibly leave the Maduro regime and the military in power. The man loves his dictatorships….
Update--Trump is claiming Maduro has been captured and is being transported out of the country. As I said in the piece, getting rid of Maduro is likely to be the easiest part. Let the regime change commence....
January 3, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Update--Trump is claiming Maduro has been captured and is being transported out of the country. As I said in the piece, getting rid of Maduro is likely to be the easiest part. Let the regime change commence....