@connorechols.bsky.social , in a wild story, uncovers how an obscure staffer, David Milstein, in the State Department has blocked diplomatic cables, pushed for the firing of colleagues, and hunted for US diplomats he views as insufficiently pro-Israel. responsiblestatecraft.org/david-milste...

Good piece by @connorechols.bsky.social on the absurdity of America's anti-terrorism laws.

Good today on @nonzeronews.bsky.social by @connorechols.bsky.social -- the things that could get you designated a terrorist, even if you're clearly not: www.nonzero.org/p/are-you-a-...

Are you a terrorist? Given the ever-expanding definition of "terrorism," it can be hard to know for sure. So I've created a handy guide to help keep you on the right side of the law. My latest for @nonzeronews.bsky.social www.nonzero.org/p/are-you-a-...

Could China actually, successfully invade Taiwan? Fascinating interview from @connorechols.bsky.social on @nonzeronews.bsky.social: www.nonzero.org/p/why-china-...

I really enjoyed chatting with @connorechols.bsky.social for Nonzero World, getting a chance to reflect on some key takeaways from my last two months in China, especially in relation to the issue of academic exchange. Full video here youtube.com/watch?v=Sqvx..., and a representative clip below:

An American Scholar in China | @neysunm.bsky.social joins @connorechols.bsky.social to discuss his experience bringing American students and scholars to China—including one meeting in which his student pressed a Chinese official on human rights.

If international norms are sober motoring, then Trump has declared that drunk driving is actually pretty cool. More from @connorechols.bsky.social:

Enforcement with firepower is only part of what makes a legal regime effective. In practice, both domestic and international law derive much of their power from norms. @connorechos.bsky.social buff.ly/RDjBAqD

NEW: "International law is dying. We'll miss it when it's gone." Our latest newsletter explores how the post-WWII order is crumbling—and why Trump's indifference to international law signals a dangerous return to the jungle.

How power really works in DC | @connorechols.bsky.social talks to best-selling author Barry Eisler about his new novel, The System.

Had a great time talking to @alexgibneyfilm.bsky.social about the riveting documentary The Bibi Files, which helps explain why Netanyahu is always in the mood for war. www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG9Y...

Iranian dissidents—including former political prisoners—almost unanimously oppose military intervention, notwithstanding their deep animus toward the Islamic Republic. An in-depth report on this from 10 years ago is suddenly more relevant than ever. My 2015 piece 👇 inthesetimes.com/article/iran...

I had a great conversation with @connorechols.bsky.social on @nonzeronews.bsky.social about Trump’s lurching diplomacy with China, the scary path we’re traveling right now, and some narrow possibilities to change the trajectory. www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Ac...

Trump targets Chinese students’ visas, China courts Southeast Asia, and an AI model goes rogue. More news updates in this week’s Earthling: @robertwrighter.bsky.social @connorechols.bsky.social

In this episode of @connorechols.bsky.social's show NonZero World, we cover a lot: AI & bioweapons, Trump's star wars plan, scary JD Vance, link between foreign wars & domestic terrorism, pernicious 'Putin talking points' meme, etc. Plus check out the cool visuals. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9sc...

Important piece by @connorechols.bsky.social in @nonzeronews.bsky.social about how Blob rhetoric discourages diplomacy. www.nonzero.org/p/putins-par...

NEW–The Trump administration’s proposed NASA budget would realign the agency toward the priorities of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, adding $1 billion in funding for a Mars mission while imposing deep cuts on other programs. @robertwrighter.bsky.social @connorechols.bsky.social

Is Trump breaking with Israel? | Jon Hoffman of @cato.org and @connorechols.bsky.social discuss the Houthi ceasefire, US-Iran talks, whether Trump has given up on Gaza, and more.

I had a great chat about Trump foreign policy w/ @connorechols.bsky.social on his new show NonZero World. (And check out the cool set design by Nikita Petrov of @psychopolitica.bsky.social.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu_s...

Research compiled by the Guardian suggests that most people underestimate how much their fellow Earthlings care about fighting climate change. www.nonzero.org/p/trumps-spe...

Trump's pick to head up NIH said he hoped to foster “a culture of respect for free speech in science.” Now, he's saying you can't get a grant if you boycott Israel. New in @nonzeronews.bsky.social, with @robertwrighter.bsky.social www.nonzero.org/p/trumps-spe...

NEW: The detention of Georgetown University postdoctoral fellow Badar Khan Suri parallels the cases of Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk. His colleague Nader Hashemi reflects for @newlinesmag.bsky.social on his recent visit with Suri in an ICE facility in Texas. newlinesmag.com/first-person...

The Trump administration is of two minds about Iran talks. The success or failure of negotiations—and the possibility of full-scale war—will likely depend on which mind prevails. @robertwrighter.bsky.social and @connorechols.bsky.social

NEW: Silicon Valley stalwarts can imagine all kinds of fantastical futures… except one where we cooperate with China. @robertwrighter.bsky.social and @connorechols.bsky.social

Finland, citing preparations for potential conflict with Russia, will become the fifth country to withdraw from a treaty banning the use of anti-personnel landmines. Can the anti-landmine movement survive in a world at war? @connorechols.bsky.social

Hadn't realized how much influence on NASA policy Elon has amassed until I read this excellent piece by @connorechols.bsky.social in @nonzeronews.bsky.social. www.nonzero.org/p/elon-musks...

NEW: Elon Musk wants to scrap NASA’s plans for a base on the Moon in order to focus on sending humans to Mars. And he might have the president’s backing to do it. More from @connorechols.bsky.social below:

Elon Musk hopes that, by taking over NASA, he can launch humans on a trip to Mars during Trump's presidency. In my latest for @nonzeronews.bsky.social, I explain why this is absurdly ambitious, even by Musk-ian standards www.nonzero.org/p/elon-musks...

Lessons from the Signal snafu | Kelley B. Vlahos and @connorechols.bsky.social break down what leaked messages tell us about the intra-MAGA battle over Trump's foreign policy. youtu.be/1u9YiuJ5hCE?...

American military planners hope Typhon missile systems will help to deter China from attacking Taiwan or the Philippines. But are they really just creating a spiral of escalation? More from @robertwrighter.bsky.social and @connorechols.bsky.social

This week’s Nonzero Newsletter discusses four underemphasized aspects of “Signalgate.” @connorechols.bsky.social and @robertwrighter.bsky.social

Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Hegseth axed the Pentagon office in charge of preventing civilian harm. Now, top officials are celebrating the destruction of a residential building in Yemen. With emojis. @robertwrighter.bsky.social & @connorechols.bsky.social

NEW: What’s been missing from this week’s discussion of the Signal leak, and more from @robertwrighter.bsky.social and @connorechols.bsky.social www.nonzero.org/p/the-untold...

NEW: The Trump administration is vowing that the Houthis will be “completely annihilated” while saying that military action against Iran is on the table. What ever happened to “America First”? @robertwrighter.bsky.social @connorechols.bsky.social www.nonzero.org/p/trumps-isr...

Good question raised by @connorechols.bsky.social here: If Trump is really devoted to 'America First,' why does he spend so much time doing Israel's bidding--much of it at America's expense? www.nonzero.org/p/trumps-isr...

The rule under Trump: Back him, and you win. Oppose him, and you pay. @connorechols.bsky.social

Excellent piece by @connorechols.bsky.social in @nonzeronews.bsky.social about how America under Trump is crossing the line from plutocracy into full-blown oligarchy. www.nonzero.org/p/oligarchy-...

If you’re a billionaire and you want Trump’s favor, there’s a playbook: 1. Donate big 2. Use your platform for propaganda 3. Align your business with MAGA Elon Musk has already mastered this approach. Others appear eager to follow. @connorechols.bsky.social

Awed by Elon Musk’s growing power in the Trump administration, many American billionaires are now trying to follow his playbook. @connorechols.bsky.social

Billionaires aren’t just cozying up to Trump, or vice-versa— Instead, they're working together to inaugurate a full-blown oligarchy. @connorechols.bsky.social

NEW: Are we witnessing America’s slide from plutocracy to oligarchy? Last week’s Tesla infomercial on the White House lawn is a not-so-subtle sign of Trump’s vision for transforming America’s political system, argues @connorechols.bsky.social www.nonzero.org/p/oligarchy-...

Some health researchers warn that microplastics alarmism may be overblown—contamination in labs could be skewing the data, including the infamous "plastic spoon in your brain" study.

The US now controls 43 percent% of the global weapons trade. (read the full newsletter below) www.nonzero.org/p/the-real-m...

Had a great end-of-week cover-the-waterfront conversation with @connorechols.bsky.social on the @nonzeronews.bsky.social podcast. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LThg...

NEW: China’s new AI agent, Manus, is generating debate about the AI race—but most commentary is missing something crucial. The real takeaway? The US and China must cooperate on AI risks, or we all lose, writes @robertwrighter.bsky.social www.nonzero.org/p/the-real-m...

Is “Manus AI” a game-changer or just hype? The real story isn’t about US-China competition—it’s about the urgent need for global AI governance. www.nonzero.org/p/the-real-m...

Another DeepSeek Moment? | @connorechols.bsky.social @robertwrighter.bsky.social break down the Manus AI mania and also discuss the Columbia free speech case, Trump's Russia-Ukraine strategy, and more. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LThg...

more and more people are saying bsky.app/profile/conn...

50 Days of Trump 2.0 | @ericlevitz.bsky.social of @vox.com and @robertwrighter.bsky.social discuss Elon’s ups and downs (and his darkly weird grandfather); tariff chaos; worthwhile Canadian backlash; free speech threats; oligarchic milestones; and more. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yNE...