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The Washington Institute for Near East Policy @washinstitute.bsky.social · 8h

New from @richardmnephew.bsky.social: "The United States and its partners should look carefully at the UN Security Council resolutions and identify similar ways to harness their measures toward preventing Iran from reconstituting its nuclear and missile programs."

Four Keys for Iran Snapback Implementation

Inevitable attempts by Tehran to rebuild its nuclear and missile programs will require a U.S.-led campaign to track the regime’s proliferation activities and block transfers of related materials.

www.washingtoninstitute.org

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Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 16h

The elimination of USAID is a moral atrocity and all involved made a choice to enable, and then lie about, ending the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.

MAE SOT, Thailand (AP) - Mohammed Taher clutched the lifeless body of his 2-year-old son and wept. Ever since his family's food rations stopped arriving at their internment camp in Myanmar in April, the father had watched helplessly as his once-vibrant baby boy weakened, suffering from diarrhea and begging for food.
On May 21, exactly two weeks after Taher's little boy died, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sat before Congress and declared: "No one has died" because of his government's decision to gut its foreign aid program. Rubio also insisted: "No children are dying on my watch."
That, Taher says, "is a lie."

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 1d

It would be nice if Treasury were to explain why rather than just sneak it into a designation announcement on the Sinaloa cartel. Yeah, we see what you're doing there.

Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 1d

Treasury removed sanctions on former president of Paraguay Cartes yesterday without an explanation.

I guess I can say that I'm not surprised, just disappointed.

Cartes was corrupt and is a corrupting influence in Paraguay. Removal of these sanctions doesn't change that.

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 2d

Worth noting: the modality may be a little baroque, but the sanctionability of all of this is absolutely clear under US law and has been for over a decade.

Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 2d

Important story: U.S. sanctions make it nearly impossible to pay Iran for its oil. China has figured out how to do it anyway, in an arrangement that has largely been secret.

www.wsj.com/world/middle...

Exclusive | How China Secretly Pays Iran for Oil and Avoids U.S. Sanctions

A hidden funding conduit has deepened economic ties between the two U.S. rivals in defiance of Washington’s efforts to isolate Tehran.

www.wsj.com

Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 2d

Important story: U.S. sanctions make it nearly impossible to pay Iran for its oil. China has figured out how to do it anyway, in an arrangement that has largely been secret.

www.wsj.com/world/middle...

Exclusive | How China Secretly Pays Iran for Oil and Avoids U.S. Sanctions

A hidden funding conduit has deepened economic ties between the two U.S. rivals in defiance of Washington’s efforts to isolate Tehran.

www.wsj.com

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 6d

Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 7d

A very interesting experience. Thanks for folks who participated. Hope you found it interesting too.

Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 7d

It's a vital moment for the challenge presented by Iran's nuclear program -- so I'm trying something new. Swing by and ask me anything on @Reddit today at 3:30PM ET. Thanks to the @Reddit team & moderators at r/IAmA for helping to organize. www.reddit.com/r/AMA/commen...

I’m a nuclear nonproliferation expert and diplomat who helped design and negotiate the Iran Nuclear Deal. AMA.

www.reddit.com

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 7d

It's a vital moment for the challenge presented by Iran's nuclear program -- so I'm trying something new. Swing by and ask me anything on @Reddit today at 3:30PM ET. Thanks to the @Reddit team & moderators at r/IAmA for helping to organize. www.reddit.com/r/AMA/commen...

I’m a nuclear nonproliferation expert and diplomat who helped design and negotiate the Iran Nuclear Deal. AMA.

www.reddit.com

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 9d

Don't sleep on the issues of corruption...corruption is an enabler of crime that debilitates government and poisons society. And people HATE corruption so it may also have some potency in public messaging.

Elise Thomas @elisethomas.bsky.social · 9d

www.notus.org/courts/doj-p...

The Justice Department Had 36 Lawyers Fighting Corruption Full-Time. Under Trump, It’s Down to Two.

The Public Integrity Section is the latest casualty in the administration’s attacks on Nixon-era good-government reforms.

www.notus.org

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 10d

Absolutely.

Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 10d

I don't know, the distraction opportunities are tremendous.

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 12d

The other thing, of course, is that they're also deep-sixing the credibility and integrity of the UNSC with this. That may suit the Russians right now but it does betray a lack of foresight. One day, they may want the UNSC's decisions to be seen as weighty. This argument won't help.

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 12d

Re-upping this too: www.wsj.com/opinion/snap...

Opinion | Snapback Sanctions Hit Iran

Actually enforcing them will require hard work by Western politicians, diplomats and experts.

www.wsj.com

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 12d

Re-upping in light of snapback

www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/back-to-basi...

Back to Basics: Iran Sanctions After the June 2025 Conflict - Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA | CGEP %

Get the latest as our experts share their insights on global energy policy.

www.energypolicy.columbia.edu

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 12d

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Nicole Grajewski @nicolegrajewski.bsky.social · 12d

Vote on UNSCR 2231 extension:
4 in favor
9 against
2 abstentions

Snapback is happening. All pre-JCPOA UN sanctions on Iran will be reinstated at 00:00 GMT tomorrow.

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Noah Shachtman @noahshachtman.bsky.social · 12d

I know a little something about military spending. I'd be shocked if this stunt didn't cost the taxpayer millions of dollars.

So much for "government efficiency."

Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 12d

WAPO SCOOP: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered hundreds of generals to travel on short notice from around the world to hear him make a speech on military standards and the “warrior ethos,” multiple people familiar with the event told The Washington Post.

www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

New details emerge on Hegseth’s unusual mass gathering of top brass

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has summoned hundreds of generals for what is expected to be a short lecture on the “warrior ethos.” But top brass is bracing for possible firings or demotions.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 12d

No deal. First of all, this isn't the only access required. Second, the CSA attaches to all safeguarded material, not just Natanz. Third, accepting the conditioning of CSA obligations generally is a mistake. Iran signed the safeguards agreement. It should fulfill it.

amwaj.media/en/article/i...

Scoop: Iran offers 'immediate' IAEA access to bombed Natanz nuclear site if Europe backs Russian 'snapback' extension

In a major climbdown geared to avert the reimposition of UN sanctions, Iran has offered to immediately open the Natanz uranium enrichment to foreign inspectors, Amwaj.media has learned. The undergroun...

amwaj.media

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 12d

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 13d

Fellow American citizens and public workers, pursuing a "noble calling" -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3by... -- treated like this. Despicable and unforgivable.

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 15d

These are all good questions but I'll add two more:

1) If he's convinced Ukraine can win (as I am), then will he put his back into supporting Ukraine? This sounds like not.

2) Is he aware that we are part of NATO?

Elizabeth N. Saunders @profsaunders.bsky.social · 15d

So many questions, e.g.: Did he reverse the reported halt last week of US sales to NATO (Denmark iirc)? Does he have a plan for informing Russians in all those Great Cities, Towns, and Districts that Putin is doing something not in their interest? Is he suggesting Ukr take & keep Russian territory?

Anton Gerashchenko @antongerashchenko.bsky.social · 15d

President Trump:

After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military&Economic situation and, after seeing the Economic trouble it is causing Russia,❗️I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union,is in a position to fight& WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.

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Dave Infante @dinfontay.com · 15d

simpsons "hottest summer" meme: https://imgflip.com/i/6k7hyi

it reads "This is the lowest point in American diplomacy of my life" - Bart, sad

"the lowest point in American diplomacy of my life so far" - homer

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Richard Nephew @richardmnephew.bsky.social · 16d

[Goes back in time to say to wife, "dear, you need to tough it out a little" when pregnant with three children.

Returns to this timeline with, somehow, three black eyes.]

Yeah, maybe let's listen to the doctors instead on this one.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 16d

Q: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists put out a statement saying 'acetaminophen remains a safe option for pain relief during pregnancy.' That's at odds with you

TRUMP: That's the establishment. They're funded by lots of different groups. And you know what? Maybe they're right.

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Jon B. Wolfsthal 🤯 @jonatomic.bsky.social · 21d

There are more than enough ideas. What we lack is the political will and leadership.

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