Has a consensus emerged that when Trump told the New York Times last week that his power was limited only by his "own morality," that he actually meant to say "mortality"?

Best Trump lines from the New York Times interview: "Everything I’ve read has been proven." "I did do that? When did I do that?" "I always respect the results of elections, but the elections in our country are rigged." "I just hate dishonest people." "I love democracy. I’m a big fan."

(1/3) It’s appropriate to criticize China for accusing the US of violating international law in Venezuela but not accusing Russia of violating it in Ukraine. But Beijing obviously has diplomatic reasons for condemning Washington and for not condemning Moscow. . . .

"The Trump administration’s attack on Venezuela gives Beijing another opening to portray China as a more responsible international actor than the United States."

Something was needed to distract attention from the fifth anniversary of January 6.

In the current dispute between Japan and China over Taiwan, Washington and Tokyo are relying on a highly selective reading of history. They are also obscuring the erosion over time of their positions on “one China.” My take: nationalinterest.org/feature/why-...

A very useful primer on the history and details of the current Japan-China dispute over Taiwan: responsiblestatecraft.org/japan-china-...

“Many commentators have readily characterized all this as a typically unreasonable Chinese overreaction to a relatively benign—even if ill-advised—Japanese statement. But the shadow of much history looms over this episode.” nationalinterest.org/feature/how-...

Contrary to the prevailing view, "Trump Derangement Syndrome" is not an affliction of his critics. It's actually what mobilizes his supporters.

(1/2) This spot-on analysis from @rushdoshi.bsky.social presents Washington with a choice: either recognize the constraints of interdependence and pursue some form of cooperative coexistence with China . . . www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/o...

"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The Trump Administration is engaged in a comprehensive assault on the truth in an effort to influence what you think you "know." What does that tell you about Trump's intentions regarding freedom? Think about that.

Here's a thought: China's approach to Russia's war in Ukraine is comparable to Washington's approach to Israel's war in Gaza: rationalizing and excusing the behavior of a highly problematic strategic partner. Discuss.

The most immediate and important thing Congress can do is to call Adm Holsey, Lt Gen McGee and other cashiered officers to testify about their experience since Trump took office. Unless, that is, the GOP majority can’t handle the truth about what Trump is doing to the armed forces. wapo.st/4nEItvh

"[I]f Trump can accept China as a peer power rather than constantly seeking new sources of leverage and can impose his vision of great power peace on his fractious administration, he could finally swing the world off a trajectory toward conflict."

What exactly are the Republicans getting from Trump in reward for their loyalty and acquiescence? What substantive and sustainable gains? (Do they really believe he is making America great?)

Is it a coincidence that the amount of money Trump is demanding from the taxpayer-funded Justice Department is about the same as the estimated cost of the new White House ballroom that he said would not be paid for by taxpayers?

I’m very excited for this discussion with @daveckang.bsky.social, @zenobiachan.bsky.social, and Jackie S H Wong. They wrote “What Does China Want?”, the rare academic article that started a social media controversy. Join us! Sep 25 Thu 1–2pm ET quincyinst.org/events/what-...

Think about this: Will Trump/MAGA peacefully relinquish power?

This cogent analysis from @zackcooper.bsky.social is an alarm bell for those who have failed to recognize--or refused to acknowledge--for the last 15 years that history has been moving on from the role that the United States (thought it) had in East Asia.

Wouldn't it be funny if the Republicans realized that Harris would have created fewer problems for them, and would have been easier for them to deal with?

"By misunderstanding what China wants, the United States risks creating problems where none exist and isolating itself from East Asia in ways that are deleterious to U.S. long-term national interests." From @daveckang.bsky.social, @zenobiachan.bsky.social, and Jackie S. H. Wong.

"[T]he conventional wisdom has converged on a view that China has expansive goals to dominate not just Asia but the world; ultimately, it seeks to supplant the United States as the global hegemon. . . . We challenge this conventional wisdom." direct.mit.edu/isec/article...

"Alaska was not just another drop in our overflowing bucket of mortifications. It was proof that for the next 41 months, no interlocutor can believe a word the U.S. president says."

"Xi’s iron grip on the military not only endures, it is also indicative of his obsession with breaking the PLA’s insularity and endemic corruption and ensuring that, should he need to bet the regime on the military’s prowess, it will not fail."

"China’s Achilles’ heel has long been the fear it engenders with its aggressive behavior and lack of respect for other nations. Now, America is acting a lot like China and paying the price in global opinion."

"The real politicization is the calculated distortion of intelligence by administration officials, notably Mr. Trump’s directors of national intelligence and the CIA, positions that should be apolitical." www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/o...

An important but largely overlooked—and still highly relevant—passage from the Biden Administration’s 2022 National Security Strategy: “We cannot succeed in our competition with the major powers who offer a different vision for the world if we do not have a plan . . ." (1/3)

What’s happening here? The US Government is now being driven by two things: the impulsive whims of an egotistical leader who recognizes no limits on his power; and a new “deep state” that is using him as the vehicle for its retrograde and revengeful agenda. (1/4)

"While publicly claiming that its actions are meant to depoliticize U.S. intelligence agencies, the Trump administration has in fact politicized them further . . . " www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...

Republicans keep saying that Trump is "doing what he was elected to do." But during the campaign, he denied any connection to Project 2025. Now that is the agenda his administration is implementing. So he was elected to do what he said he had no intention of doing?

Republicans believe that Trump is saving America from the damage that Harris would have done to the country. Let that thought sink in.

This is an excellent summary of Beijing's strategic perspective. But it will be largely dismissed in Washington as disingenuous and dishonest CCP propaganda. thediplomat.com/2025/05/why-...

More analysis that diverges from the COVID lab leak theory, which--contrary to the assertions of many of its proponents--remains unproven. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/s...

Republicans keep denying this because their belief system now requires them to. Rationalizing, excusing, or minimizing everything Trump does is easier than admitting that they made a mistake and have been exploited by Trump.

This is a huge deal. The official record of US diplomatic history will apparently be discontinued.

James Mann: “He will be missed, and never more than right now, as President Donald Trump and his aides question the value of the alliances in which Armitage believed so strongly.” www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

I cannot but admire those who are still writing foreign policy pieces about American should do this and that, as if the house is not on fire and one can still pretend that Washington is the capital of a benign liberal superpower. Good luck.

This quote from Henry Adams seems applicable to Trump (and his administration): "True ignorance approaches the infinite more nearly than any amount of knowledge can do."

Trump and his tariffs.

These firings are probably for stupid reasons--loomer, "dei"--but if a tyrant wanted to abuse massive intercept & cyber capabilities to attack domestic opponents, a pliable NSA/CYBERCOM leadership would be key. This is a senate-confirmed position, so the tell will be the nominee.

What would Trump be doing differently if he was the agent of a foreign power that was determined to subvert American democracy and undermine the United States' international influence?

Here is ODNI's Annual Threat Assessment: www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/d...

The death of Senator Alan Simpson reminded me of this line from his eulogy for George H. W. Bush: "Those who travel the high road of humility in Washington DC are not bothered by heavy traffic."

One of the three branches of government (Congress) has surrendered its power to the second (Executive), which doesn't recognize the power of the third (SCOTUS), which will take months--maybe years--to consider whether and how to assert its power. This is like watching the Titanic sink.

Here's a scary scenario; and one that we probably are moving inexorably (if not inevitably) toward: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/o...

Since writing this article, I have received messages from federal civil servants who tell me it is accurate, and that they are frightened. Please share this with anyone who doesn't understand the scale of the transformation. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

A very thought-provoking article . . . that will be wrongly dismissed by many as apologizing for autocrats: johnmenadue.com/russophobia-...

America has a malignant brain tumor. The key uncertainty is whether it is operable or terminal.

Something just reminded me of this line from the American Declaration of Independence: "The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States."