Thomas Garrett
@tegarrett.bsky.social
Three decades in democracy assistance globally. Current Lund Practitioner-in-Residence and lecturer on democracy, Cornell University
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
Since we’re just blithely blundering into another war in the Middle East, I never want to hear a single syllable from any of the people supporting this administration decrying aid to Ukraine, a country where civilians are being slaughtered every day, ever again.
June 22, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Since we’re just blithely blundering into another war in the Middle East, I never want to hear a single syllable from any of the people supporting this administration decrying aid to Ukraine, a country where civilians are being slaughtered every day, ever again.
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
Ukraine could’ve launched the attack on civilian population centers, like Russia does to them daily.
Instead, they chose a strictly military target - the very bombers being used to kill Ukrainian civilians.
A brilliant operation solely designed to defend their own people.
Instead, they chose a strictly military target - the very bombers being used to kill Ukrainian civilians.
A brilliant operation solely designed to defend their own people.
June 1, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Ukraine could’ve launched the attack on civilian population centers, like Russia does to them daily.
Instead, they chose a strictly military target - the very bombers being used to kill Ukrainian civilians.
A brilliant operation solely designed to defend their own people.
Instead, they chose a strictly military target - the very bombers being used to kill Ukrainian civilians.
A brilliant operation solely designed to defend their own people.
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
Kochani! My już zagłosowaliśmy, a Wy? 🇵🇱
Lokale wyborcze otwarte są do 21.00! 🗳️
Lokale wyborcze otwarte są do 21.00! 🗳️
June 1, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Kochani! My już zagłosowaliśmy, a Wy? 🇵🇱
Lokale wyborcze otwarte są do 21.00! 🗳️
Lokale wyborcze otwarte są do 21.00! 🗳️
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
The State Dept's new Substack Manifesto on ‘Western Civilizational Heritage’ is also code for white supremacy. It's a warning showing how far-right thinking is now normalized in American politics and is now part of government policies. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/the-sta...
The State Department Published A Substack Manifesto On ‘Western Civilizational Heritage’
The case against “mass migration” and in favor of “Western heritage” sharply...
talkingpointsmemo.com
June 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM
The State Dept's new Substack Manifesto on ‘Western Civilizational Heritage’ is also code for white supremacy. It's a warning showing how far-right thinking is now normalized in American politics and is now part of government policies. talkingpointsmemo.com/news/the-sta...
Principled guidance from Secretary Pompeo who warns against US recognizing Russian control over Crimea: 'Mistake of epic proportions' - The Hill
June 1, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Principled guidance from Secretary Pompeo who warns against US recognizing Russian control over Crimea: 'Mistake of epic proportions' - The Hill
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
My high school age son has a classmate just seized by ICE and she is now in a cell in Louisiana, her phone seized. This is High School in the USA in 2025. More Au Revoir Les Enfants than Ferris Bueller. School and community response already in motion.
May 30, 2025 at 5:05 PM
My high school age son has a classmate just seized by ICE and she is now in a cell in Louisiana, her phone seized. This is High School in the USA in 2025. More Au Revoir Les Enfants than Ferris Bueller. School and community response already in motion.
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
Musk should be asked about this in every interview he does now and forever. To ignore it is a dereliction of duty.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...
May 30, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Musk should be asked about this in every interview he does now and forever. To ignore it is a dereliction of duty.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/o...
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
💀 Russia loses 1,050 soldiers and 18 artillery systems over past day
Russia loses 1,050 soldiers and 18 artillery systems over past day
Russia has lost 1,050 soldiers killed and wounded, four tanks and two armoured combat vehicles over the past day.
www.pravda.com.ua
May 28, 2025 at 9:22 AM
💀 Russia loses 1,050 soldiers and 18 artillery systems over past day
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
Russia never launched a drone attack of this magnitude when Biden was president.
Russia must be stopped.
Although people interpret the last few months in various ways most miss the part where Russia hasn’t quite gotten what it hoped for (bigger divide in the coalition of the willing) making things more unpredictable & so it is is getting desperate👇
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Although people interpret the last few months in various ways most miss the part where Russia hasn’t quite gotten what it hoped for (bigger divide in the coalition of the willing) making things more unpredictable & so it is is getting desperate👇
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Russia launches largest drone attack yet on Ukraine
Twelve people were reported killed in Ukraine, with its air force saying 22 locations were hit by Russian air strikes.
www.bbc.com
May 25, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Russia never launched a drone attack of this magnitude when Biden was president.
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: The Facebook account Trump shared with South Africa's president as "proof" of a genocide against white South Africans belonged to a fringe account that frequently posts racist imagery and pushes flat Earth conspiracies.
Exclusive: Trump Shared Racist, Flat-Earth Facebook Account With South African President
Trump handed President Ramaphosa a Facebook post from a fringe account that labelled his administration the “White Supremacy House"
www.meidasplus.com
May 22, 2025 at 7:34 PM
BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: The Facebook account Trump shared with South Africa's president as "proof" of a genocide against white South Africans belonged to a fringe account that frequently posts racist imagery and pushes flat Earth conspiracies.
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
As hurricane season looms, the effects of DOGE cuts on the U.S. alert system are a new menace, writes @juliettekayyem.bsky.social. “A nation best prepares for a crisis not by ignoring it and hoping it never happens, but by anticipating it and planning for it.”
This Tornado Mayhem Was a Warning
As hurricane season looms, the effects of DOGE cuts on the U.S. forecasting and alert system are a new menace.
bit.ly
May 19, 2025 at 9:39 PM
As hurricane season looms, the effects of DOGE cuts on the U.S. alert system are a new menace, writes @juliettekayyem.bsky.social. “A nation best prepares for a crisis not by ignoring it and hoping it never happens, but by anticipating it and planning for it.”
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
It wasn’t Qatar that initially offered the airplane. Trump’s people approached them first.
It sounds very much like asking for a bribe.
www.cnn.com/2025/05/19/p...
It sounds very much like asking for a bribe.
www.cnn.com/2025/05/19/p...
Trump administration first approached Qatar about acquiring jet to use as Air Force One, sources say | CNN Politics
The Trump administration first approached Qatar to inquire about acquiring a Boeing 747 that could be used as Air Force One by President Donald Trump, four sources familiar with the discussions told C...
www.cnn.com
May 19, 2025 at 11:16 PM
It wasn’t Qatar that initially offered the airplane. Trump’s people approached them first.
It sounds very much like asking for a bribe.
www.cnn.com/2025/05/19/p...
It sounds very much like asking for a bribe.
www.cnn.com/2025/05/19/p...
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
Breaking news: A federal judge ruled the Trump administration exceeded its authority when it dismantled the U.S. Institute of Peace, an independent nonprofit created by Congress.
Judge says Trump lacked authority to dismantle U.S. Institute of Peace
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell said President Donald Trump lacked the power to terminate without cause the board of the independent U.S. Institute of Peace.
wapo.st
May 19, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Breaking news: A federal judge ruled the Trump administration exceeded its authority when it dismantled the U.S. Institute of Peace, an independent nonprofit created by Congress.
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
JUST IN: Judge Howell rules that the Trump/DOGE takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace was illegal and should be treated as null and void.
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
May 19, 2025 at 4:33 PM
JUST IN: Judge Howell rules that the Trump/DOGE takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace was illegal and should be treated as null and void.
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
Wow. Bukele’s approval rating has dropped to 55%, with people specifically citing the CECOT deal with the United States as a reason for disapproval.
This is why I’ve said that Bukele is playing with fire with this. It’s hurting him internationally and now domestically as well.
This is why I’ve said that Bukele is playing with fire with this. It’s hurting him internationally and now domestically as well.
Ortega also returned to power with high approval ratings. Then they dropped in response to austerity and repression, but it didn’t matter because he had consolidated power through the security apparatus by then.
Baja popularidad de Nayib Bukele al 55 %, según encuesta
La minería metálica y el uso del CECOT son de los temas más rechazados por los salvadoreños
www.elsalvador.com
May 17, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Wow. Bukele’s approval rating has dropped to 55%, with people specifically citing the CECOT deal with the United States as a reason for disapproval.
This is why I’ve said that Bukele is playing with fire with this. It’s hurting him internationally and now domestically as well.
This is why I’ve said that Bukele is playing with fire with this. It’s hurting him internationally and now domestically as well.
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
President Trump’s announcement in a speech in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday that he would lift U.S. sanctions on Syria unleashed hope across the country that life would improve after more than a decade of war and deprivation.
Syrians Are Elated and Optimistic as Trump Vows to Lift Sanctions
www.nytimes.com
May 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
President Trump’s announcement in a speech in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday that he would lift U.S. sanctions on Syria unleashed hope across the country that life would improve after more than a decade of war and deprivation.
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
"Mexico’s security chief confirmed Tuesday that 17 family members of cartel leaders crossed into the U.S. last week as part of a deal between a son of the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel and the Trump administration."
Mexican security chief confirms cartel family members entered US in a deal with Trump administration
Mexico’s government has confirmed reports that 17 family members of the son of a former cartel leader crossed into the United States.
apnews.com
May 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
"Mexico’s security chief confirmed Tuesday that 17 family members of cartel leaders crossed into the U.S. last week as part of a deal between a son of the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel and the Trump administration."
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
Stop taking this administration at its word
May 11, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Stop taking this administration at its word
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
Joe Nye was a formidable person, a thinker with moral clarity and enormous drive, continuing to publish until the end. In one of our recent conversations he emphasized how his marriage and family were the accomplishment he cherished most. My thoughts are with his loved ones ↘️ on.ft.com/42PDAbq
Joseph Nye, who coined the term ‘soft power’, dies aged 88
Former dean of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government served in two US presidential administrations
on.ft.com
May 8, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Joe Nye was a formidable person, a thinker with moral clarity and enormous drive, continuing to publish until the end. In one of our recent conversations he emphasized how his marriage and family were the accomplishment he cherished most. My thoughts are with his loved ones ↘️ on.ft.com/42PDAbq
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
🚨 No president should use the White House for revenge. Join over 200 bipartisan leaders standing with whistleblowers like Miles Taylor. Support the legal defense fund at 👉 ENDPRESIDENTIALREVENGE.org #EndPresidentialRevenge #Whistleblower #MilesTaylor
End Presidential Revenge: Support Miles Taylor's Legal Defense
Join over 200 bipartisan leaders in defending democracy. Support the legal fund opposing presidential retaliation against whistleblowers like Miles Taylor. Stand up for constitutional rights today.
ENDPRESIDENTIALREVENGE.org
May 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM
🚨 No president should use the White House for revenge. Join over 200 bipartisan leaders standing with whistleblowers like Miles Taylor. Support the legal defense fund at 👉 ENDPRESIDENTIALREVENGE.org #EndPresidentialRevenge #Whistleblower #MilesTaylor
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
Throughout my life, I’ve advocated for human rights defenders overseas. Now, the abuse is happening here, in America. If Miles is convicted, we’re ALL vulnerable. Democracy is on the line. PLEASE help.
May 6, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Throughout my life, I’ve advocated for human rights defenders overseas. Now, the abuse is happening here, in America. If Miles is convicted, we’re ALL vulnerable. Democracy is on the line. PLEASE help.
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
GOP Sen. Thom Tillis said he won't back Ed Martin, Trump's pick for top D.C. prosecutor, because of his work defending Jan. 6 rioters.
“I have no tolerance for anybody that entered the building on Jan. 6," Tillis said. ow.ly/z4kN50VNXzZ
“I have no tolerance for anybody that entered the building on Jan. 6," Tillis said. ow.ly/z4kN50VNXzZ
May 6, 2025 at 5:43 PM
GOP Sen. Thom Tillis said he won't back Ed Martin, Trump's pick for top D.C. prosecutor, because of his work defending Jan. 6 rioters.
“I have no tolerance for anybody that entered the building on Jan. 6," Tillis said. ow.ly/z4kN50VNXzZ
“I have no tolerance for anybody that entered the building on Jan. 6," Tillis said. ow.ly/z4kN50VNXzZ
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
A video claiming USAID paid celebrities to visit Ukraine went viral earlier this year, reaching over 4.2M+ view.
It was fake.
It was just one piece of content from a sample of content attributed to Russia-aligned influence campaign Operation Overload.
Here’s what we found ⬇️
It was fake.
It was just one piece of content from a sample of content attributed to Russia-aligned influence campaign Operation Overload.
Here’s what we found ⬇️
Stolen voices: Russia-aligned operation manipulates audio and images to impersonate experts
This ISD Dispatch examines Operation Overload’s latest tactics, narratives and targets during the first quarter of 2025, as the Russian-aligned campaign evolves.
www.isdglobal.org
May 6, 2025 at 8:11 PM
A video claiming USAID paid celebrities to visit Ukraine went viral earlier this year, reaching over 4.2M+ view.
It was fake.
It was just one piece of content from a sample of content attributed to Russia-aligned influence campaign Operation Overload.
Here’s what we found ⬇️
It was fake.
It was just one piece of content from a sample of content attributed to Russia-aligned influence campaign Operation Overload.
Here’s what we found ⬇️
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
This is a shockingly mistaken understanding of due process by Stephen Miller. It is likely this misunderstanding that is informing the President’s misunderstanding.
May 5, 2025 at 7:11 PM
This is a shockingly mistaken understanding of due process by Stephen Miller. It is likely this misunderstanding that is informing the President’s misunderstanding.
Reposted by Thomas Garrett
Lots going on with the Solomon Islands government this week...
"Parliament adjourned this morning due to a lack of a quorum after only sixteen out of 49 MPs attended.
"A source within government says several cabinet ministers have deserted the Prime Minister and are in talks with the Opposition."
"Parliament adjourned this morning due to a lack of a quorum after only sixteen out of 49 MPs attended.
"A source within government says several cabinet ministers have deserted the Prime Minister and are in talks with the Opposition."
Motion of no confidence filed against Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele
A motion of no confidence in Solomon Islands prime minister Jeremiah Manele has been submitted to parliament.
www.rnz.co.nz
April 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Lots going on with the Solomon Islands government this week...
"Parliament adjourned this morning due to a lack of a quorum after only sixteen out of 49 MPs attended.
"A source within government says several cabinet ministers have deserted the Prime Minister and are in talks with the Opposition."
"Parliament adjourned this morning due to a lack of a quorum after only sixteen out of 49 MPs attended.
"A source within government says several cabinet ministers have deserted the Prime Minister and are in talks with the Opposition."