And if Netanyahu annexes the West Bank, they might even consider opening an embassy at some point

Another consequence is that future generations of US experts, policymakers and security officials won't have a chance to be taught about key parts of the world by people with insider understanding of those places. Which would be ok 99% of the time but you really don't want to see the remaining 1%

That would be a dangerous escalation. Being an historian, my colleague @radchenko.bsky.social must remember the WWIII that started last time a NATO member shot down a Russian plane that violated its airspace. Consultations and deep concerns work just as effectively as a deterrent

Yemen Riviera, anyone?

N=1 etc., but still... I have been teaching a class on autocracy for a decent numbers of years now. This semester the number of students I have is the lowest ever, by far. If in the past I had a full class and a waiting list, nothing like that this semester. Can't explain what's going on.

I have heard this view many times and interestingly, I am hearing it more now than in the past. Often it is little more than a convenient excuse to sit back and do nothing. Even when it isn't, the distance from here to complacency is short. "Kyiv in 3 days" is history but Russia might as well win

Today, millions of people suddenly discovered, to their astonishment, that the North Atlantic Treaty also has articles 1 to 4. Thanks to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for their educational efforts

It's all very concerning, and we all should be gravely concerned. When we do, they will also become concerned, troubled even. And that's how we protect ourselves, by close cooperation and mutually assured concerns.

So, how is the rules based international order treating you this morning?

I have a feeling this time Trump is going to get very, very angry. And blame Ukraine

Weird parallels to Russian nationalist sci-fi/fantasy writers of 1990s who started with cautiously describing the world from the perspective of the "dark side" and then moved to proudly calling themselves orcs, Moscow as Mordor etc. But these guys lost the Cold War, didn't win the presidency

Wait, I thought Vietman was a woke loser war, have I missed something since yesterday?

To be followed by an executive order renaming every Slavic Studies department the Department of War and Peace

Poll of Palestinian opinion by Zogby. Please note -The universal revulsion towards Hamas in Gaza (92% hold them responsible for the "situation") -Low support for armed struggle (only 4% in Gaza) -Low support for "one democratic state" - around 13% institute.global/insights/geo...

A robotaxi programmed to obey laws and follow signs and regulations would be a death trap in an Italian city. A robotaxi programmed to drive like everyone else around will not have the computing power to last a single short trip.

The defining conflicts of the 21st century would be The Coalition of the Willing vs. The Axis of the Doing and so God have mercy on us

Dear hivemind: Not my region, so any suggestions would be appreciated. What should I read on the violence (especially violence against civilians) during the partition of India. I know next to nothing, so mostly looking on where to start. Thanks!

Dear hivemind: Not my region, so any suggestions would be appreciated. What should I read on the violence (especially violence against civilians) during the partition of India. I know next to nothing, so mostly looking on where to start. Thanks!

PSA: If there is an academic you hate, toady is a great time to inquire how much of their summer research and writing plans they've accomplished.

A totally normal September 1 news, better get used to it

Insanity on steroids

Funny that an American Worker looks like he just stepped out of a 1960s Soviet factory somewhere in eastern Siberia , full of determination to fulfill a five-year plan in four years and conscious of the dangers of too much alcohol and talking to foreigners.

When Yeltsin was too ill/drunk to be seen in public, the official explanation was: "The president is working with documents." Thank you for your attention to this matter.

We all almost there! If we also convince North Korea, Iran and Nicaragua to provide security guarantees that would surely seal the peace deal

That surely means that new sanctions are coming fast, right?

To quote @mcopelov.bsky.social, the case for more, not less liberal arts education has never been stronger

The fact Ukraine still has an independence day in the 4th year of my 3 day war shows I remain a master strategist. #деньнезалежності

Terrific new article by Mariya Omelicheva @warontherocks.bsky.social on the role of a huge number of semi-state forces in Russia’s war against Ukraine: warontherocks.com/2025/08/insi...

Happy Molotov-Ribbentrop Day to all who celebrate or cosplay. You know who you are.

Happy Molotov-Ribbentrop Day to all who celebrate or cosplay. You know who you are.

That, unfortunately, is not decisive enough. To make a really meaningful, credible commitment and deter Russia, they will also need to express their deep concerns within 12 hours.

That loud sound that you hear all over DC are the agonized screams of the Responsible Statecraft crowd.

This is also embarrassing, just differently

I have a strong suspicion that "language" is really the only thing they would offer

As everyone in the Trump Administration knows, Russia always wins and cannot be defeated, and so Trump would be asking Ukraine to just withdraw from areas that Russia cannot capture. Makes sense.

And interesting discussion through quote tweets, or whatever it is now called, jumpstarted by observations of my colleague @radchenko.bsky.social. But the focus on war economy, weapons production and materiel is too limited. That's how we should look at the long-term situation, in my view:

And interesting discussion through quote tweets, or whatever it is now called, jumpstarted by observations of my colleague @radchenko.bsky.social. But the focus on war economy, weapons production and materiel is too limited. That's how we should look at the long-term situation, in my view:

Couldn't agree more. A very sensible recommendation for all those struggling to understand the Russian invasion and why no one photo-op summit would bring peace.

So yesterday is over, and now what?

See, yet another elderly resident of DC had his vehicle carjacked by a dangerous criminal.

Public Service Announcement: if what's happening in Alaska makes you sick, a donation to Ukraine would improve your health

Well, it could have been DC, and he could have been addressing a joint session of Congress, so silver linings and all

Sorry to say, but we, as a country, voted for this

One final prediction and I will shut up. No matter what is said inside the room, or what Trump would be willing to agree to, Putin will still push too hard, demand too much and overplay his hand. Because that's exactly what he has been doing for years and has neither desire nor capacity to change

That's rather reassuring that our best Russia, security and negotiations experts are all there to support the President

Molotov arriving to Munich? All those historical analogies make for a head-spinning morning

I can easily imagine Putin getting into the excited amateur historian mode, starting with the Vikings and Trump falling asleep and snoring loudly by the time they get to the Mongol invasion. That would be an interesting summit.

So, about the summit. I published this in March and I don't believe anything had changed since, no matter what Putin and Trump would discuss or decide

"'Our children are dying': Rare footage shows plight of civilians in besieged Sudan city" @bbcnews-world-rss.bsky.social www.bbc.com/news/article...

The most ironic part of this idiocy is that there are quite a few folks fully committed to Free Palestine who would not object to Russian occupation and annexations and also those devoted to Ukraine's territorial integrity yet also fully on board with Israeli occupation of the West Bank