Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · 8d

Siri, tell me what an extremely insecure man sounds like
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/30/u...

A Novice Defense Secretary Lectures the Brass on What It Takes to Win

www.nytimes.com

23 47 240

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · 23d

And for further reading: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

The meaning of China’s nuclear modernization

Will China’s nuclear modernization threaten U.S. security? Will it destabilize East Asia, creating new strategic problems for U.S. allies and partners? And will it make conventional war more likely...

www.tandfonline.com

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · 23d

For more background on the implications of China's nuclear modernization: www.foreignaffairs.com/china/why-ch...

Why China Wants More and Better Nukes

China is expanding its nuclear arsenal, a move that might lead China to take more risks with its conventional forces.

www.foreignaffairs.com

1

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · 23d

Delighted to have joined the Strategic Simplicity Podcast with @pranayrvaddi.bsky.social, @fravel.bsky.social, Austin Long, and Vipin Narang to discuss China's nuclear strategy!

Pranay Vaddi @pranayrvaddi.bsky.social · 26d

We're joined by Taylor Fravel and Caitlin Talmadge to talk China...or at least have 1/3 to 1/2 of a very long conversation about China. Link below.

1 2 8

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Aug 28

Sharp analysis here from @mpoznansky.bsky.social and Erik Sand, regarding what this summer's spectacular Israeli and Ukrainian drone strikes do-- and don't-- mean for U.S.

War on the Rocks @warontherocks.bsky.social · Aug 28

From Russia to Iran, recent drone attacks reveal that even secure bases may no longer be safe. What does that mean for America’s defenses?

Spectacular Drone Strikes and the Future Sanctuary of the U.S. Homeland - War on the Rocks

How vulnerable is the continental United States to drone attack? Could a wily adversary cause vast destruction of military assets on U.S. soil at a

warontherocks.com

1 3

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Aug 4

The Bike Will Always Get Through? Vivid example of how drones both constrict and create opportunities for movement on the battlefield.
www.twz.com/news-feature...

Drone-Dropped Electric Bikes Save Ukrainian Soldier Trapped Behind Enemy Lines

The operation is a glimpse of what's to come as self-rescue with the help of drones and new mobility technologies is becoming a necessity.

www.twz.com

2

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Aug 4

"The White House tried to oust Buria, but struggled to find a replacement who wanted the job." www.wsj.com/politics/nat...

Hegseth’s Latest Battle: Infighting Inside the Pentagon

The defense secretary has made a series of missteps and feuded with top generals.

www.wsj.com

1 2 6

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Aug 4

"The hour-long fight, which took place in darkness, involved some 110 aircraft, making it the world's largest air battle in decades.... Faulty intelligence gave the [Indian] Rafale pilots a false sense of confidence they were out of Pakistani firing distance."
www.reuters.com/business/aer...

Insight: How Pakistan shot down India's cutting-edge fighter using Chinese gear

Just after midnight on May 7, the screen in the Pakistan Air Force's operations room lit up in red with the positions of dozens of active enemy planes across the border in India.

www.reuters.com

1 4

Reposted by Caitlin Talmadge

Shashank Joshi @shashj.bsky.social · Aug 1

Probably the first time that idle shitposting has resulted in concrete changes to an adversary’s nuclear posture.

44 120 600

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 31

Hard to deter if you can't get to the fight: "If Nato’s tanks were called to respond to an invasion by Moscow’s forces across the EU’s eastern border, they would get stuck in tunnels, cause bridges to collapse and get snarled up in border protocols" www.ft.com/content/d77d...

Europe’s roads and rail unfit for war with Russia, EU transport chief warns

Brussels aims to spend €17bn on upgrading transport networks to be prepared for conflict

www.ft.com

3

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 25

Think also about Japanese reactions to Chinese nuclear modernization. Why do they care?

1

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 25

Well, this is the kind of thing one doesn't say in polite company, but I'm thinking here of things like NATO reactions to strategic arms control in the 70s, allied reactions to any whiff of US NFU pledge. Notion that US sits back & accepts MAD consistently freaks out allies under nuclear umbrella.

1 1

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 25

But this is in the eye of the beholder-- the allies. They can certainly come to a different conclusion regarding their own security. But I was struck by the WSJ piece b/c it implies they still want US as backstop. We shall see!

1 2

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 25

Allies historically have been deeply uncomfortable with MAD & have believed US efforts to escape it strengthen general deterrence & tolerance for risk in crises.

1 2

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 25

Beyond issues with interceptor quantity, "U.S. ships had to head to port in the Med or the Red Sea after shooting all of their interceptors, because the Navy doesn’t yet have a reliable way to reload at sea." Significant implications here for conflict in Indo-Pacific www.wsj.com/world/israel...

Israel’s 12-Day War Revealed Alarming Gap in America’s Missile Stockpile

American missile-defense systems played a crucial role in protecting Israel during its conflict with Iran. But the war revealed gaps in U.S. supplies and strategy.

www.wsj.com

1 2

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 25

I think it comes down to whether French promises to protect allies are credible when adversary can (VERY) asymmetrically hold the French homeland at risk. Allies may say no & seek to keep US as ultimate backstop while still bolstering Euro capabilities (which I am in favor of).

2 9

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 24

And: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

The meaning of China’s nuclear modernization

Will China’s nuclear modernization threaten U.S. security? Will it destabilize East Asia, creating new strategic problems for U.S. allies and partners? And will it make conventional war more likely...

www.tandfonline.com

2

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 24

For more on these themes: www.foreignaffairs.com/china/why-ch...

Why China Wants More and Better Nukes

China is expanding its nuclear arsenal, a move that might lead China to take more risks with its conventional forces.

www.foreignaffairs.com

1 2

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 24

Good discussion of US & China views on strategic stability. Would just note China need not worry about US damage limitation capability unless it plans to challenge the status quo by force, notably regarding Taiwan. Virtually only scenario where relevant.
www.brookings.edu/articles/chi...

Chinese perspectives on strategic stability engagement with the United States | Brookings

This article reviews Chinese authors’ discussions of strategic stability and the ways to reduce the risk of nuclear war.

www.brookings.edu

1 4 10

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 24

Absolutely horrific. Oh and "many of the migrants the administration removed had entered the United States legally and were complying with U.S. immigration rules." www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...

U.S. deportees, freed from Salvadoran prison, describe ‘horror movie’

Three Venezuelans, released last week from the Terrorism Confinement Center, said they were repeatedly beaten and denied access to lawyers.

www.washingtonpost.com

1 3

Reposted by Caitlin Talmadge

Jamal Greene @jamalgreene.bsky.social · Jul 23

Must read. This is criminal conduct, full stop.

Heidi Kitrosser @heidikitrosser.bsky.social · Jul 23

wapo.st/3GZuXCW
gift link

U.S. deportees, freed from Salvadoran prison, describe ‘horror movie’

Three Venezuelans, released last week from the Terrorism Confinement Center, said they were repeatedly beaten and denied access to lawyers.

wapo.st

6 390 990

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 23

Wow, today is just filled with explosive news that is completely unsurprising.

2 7 95

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 23

Randy Schriver is spot on here regarding U.S. economic and defense policies in Asia working at cross-purposes
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...

1 3

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 23

Let's say the quiet part out loud: w/o French damage limitation capability vs Russia, which France is nowhere remotely close to achieving, promises to extend nuclear umbrella over Germany lack credibility.
www.wsj.com/world/europe...

Germany’s Call for French Nuclear Protection Gets Reality Check

Talks between Berlin and Paris about expanding the scope of France’s deterrent against Russian aggression are shaping up as an evolution, not a revolution.

www.wsj.com

2 1 16

Caitlin Talmadge @proftalmadge.bsky.social · Jul 23

As this article correctly notes, Europe’s lack of strategic mobility is critical. No matter how many forces Europe builds, if it can’t move them to NATO’s eastern flank quickly enough, they won’t deter Russia effectively. www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...

How Russia Could Exploit a Vacuum in Europe

The dangers of a rapid drawdown in American forces.

www.foreignaffairs.com

3