The coverage of the Epstein file relief by @nicollewallace.bsky.social was empathetic, caring and pointed, supportive of the victims and aghast at the approach DOJ is taking. Well done.

Just received word from my publisher ballastbooks.com that #IfIDontReturn is getting ready to ship from the printer. Pretty excited about all this!

Help me understand. The government that is demanding Venezuela give back “oil and land” to the US warning the EU to not use seize Russian funds to rebuild a society the Russians attempted to destroy?

Coming up on the @11thhourmsnow.bsky.social at 11:30 ET to discuss Venezuela.

Two very good essays. The first RE Trump's Reiner post: "No human adult outside a psych ward expresses such thoughts. To have them at all is evidence of a twisted soul." Gen. Hertling's RE Russia vs Ukraine: "One side is attacking the war-fighting capacity. The other is attacking society."

My first article for the @thebulwark.com "Morning Shots" is Ukraine Still Fighting to Win. Check it out. open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...

"I'm trying now to give new advice to a new generation." Ret. Lt. Gen. @MarkHertling.bsky.social discusses his upcoming book, "If I Don't Return," which is based on journals he wrote for his sons while serving in Iraq in the 1990s. Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4rVIuxU

Interesting comments during my first Focus Group with @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social. Thanks for having me.

"[Trump] had a lot more people building guardrails for him" in his first term, says Ret. Lt. Gen. @MarkHertling.bsky.social. "What we're seeing now, I think, is he has a coterie of people around him either not giving him good advice or he's not taking it." Apple: bit.ly/4rVIuxU

An interview I did earlier in the week with Margaret Hoover for @firinglineshow.bsky.social on @pbs.org will air Friday at 8:30 ET.

"The Atlantic Alliance has been declared finished more times than we can count. Every generation seems to discover a new reason to announce its demise. Yet each time the world grows darker...the same verdict reasserts itself: Nations are stronger with allies." From @markhertling.bsky.social

Anyone who disparages the future of NATO or the importance of the American role in the alliance is strategically short sited. My latest in @thebulwark.com

Great stuff with @markhertling.bsky.social & @katiephang.bsky.social

Read @markhertling.bsky.social's assessment of Trump's new National Security Strategy, only @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/the-nation...

@markhertling.bsky.social on the White House's new National Security Strategy: "Russia said this is a great document that does everything we need to do. That should sum it up in a nutshell when you have a competitor, a foe, saying you've great strategic approach."

NEW: The new National Security Strategy lists bold ambitions. But, as @markhertling.bsky.social warns, it skips the most important part of any strategy: how to achieve them. Without credible ways to match our ends and means, it’s rhetoric; not real guidance. lnk.thebulwark.com/4rIXHT9?utm_...

The details are coming out fast and furious about the 9/2 vessel strike. US Army Ret. Lt. Gen. @markhertling.bsky.social gives REAL insight into what went down that day & why the Trump Administration’s “lethality over legality” is destroying America’s credibility. youtu.be/Sk4wvE7G8Fo?...

A little piece on the new National Security Strategy. My latest in the @thebulwark.com

As a proud graduate of the IU School of Public Health, go Hoosiers!

Some information about Special Operations Forces. My latest in @thebulwark.com

Joining @nicollewallace.bsky.social on @msnownews.bsky.social at the top of the 4ET.

Joining @lawrenceodonnell.bsky.social on @lastwordmsnow.bsky.social at 1030. I’m sure he will ask interesting questions.

Found this gem in a used bookstore a few years ago. May be time to re-read it.

Explaining the “fog” of war…the reality of Clausewitz. My latest in the @thebulwark.com

No one “cut me off,” you lose connection sometimes. My major point is a lot of things came together in mid-October from the first strike on 2 Sept, and all those involved will be required to testify before congress. What the military says will be important. @aliciamenendez.bsky.social is the best.

No one “cut me off,”they lose connection sometimes. That’s what happened. My point is many things came together in mid-October from the first strike on 2 Sept, and all those involved will be required to testify before congress. What the military says will be important. @aliciamenendez.bsky.social

It’s important to note from a military perspective that if a subordinate is about to give an unlawful order & his senior knows about it, it’s also a requirement for the senior official to stop him from executing it. And then counsel/discipline him. So there’s that, too.

@markhertling.bsky.social warns the gravest threat to the U.S. military is the erosion of the values that keep our forces lawful and legitimate. He implores Congress to investigate whether unlawful orders were issued in the Caribbean, and hold every official to account.

Joining @nicollewallace.bsky.social at the top of the 4ET to discuss Venezuela.

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) speaks on the legality, and military and moral aspects of the September 2 boat strikes. @markhertling.bsky.social

Informed patriotism, my latest in @thebulwark.com www.thebulwark.com/p/informed-p...

Once more we’re at the Dr Phillip’s Center for the Performing Arts, our magnificent crown jewel in Orlando, and watching Hadestown. If you haven’t seen it…you’re missing a great experience.

I didn’t know her, but I wish I had.

A eulogy for Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, God bless her and those like her www.thebulwark.com/p/rememberin...

TONIGHT AT 8: Retired Lt. Gen. @markhertling.bsky.social joins to discuss the growing safety concerns for National Guardsmen nationwide. Also, what the shooting reveals about the gaps in monitoring those with prior military or paramilitary backgrounds.

Joining @ahylton26.bsky.social on @msnowreports.bsky.social in about 10 minutes to discuss several items.

"General, if you give me 30,000 names, I'll get you 30,000 packages. And she did." @markhertling.bsky.social and @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social give thanks to Operation Gratitude for all they do and offer a suggestion for folks who want to give back during this time of year.

What’s Thanksgiving really like on a military base? @markhertling.bsky.social tells @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social about the ice sculptures, the mess hall “wonderlands,” and the commanders in dress blues serving turkey to families.

Let’s start a game: What’s everyone thinking while watching the Macy’s Parade? After binging Ken Burns this week, I’m imagining George Washington time traveling back into Manhattan and thinking “I gotta get back to Mt Vernon.”

Giving thanks for family, friends and home. We are blessed beyond belief, when we realize it. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

This was supposed to be a “upbeat news heading into the holiday” but the shooting of our soldiers today caused it to take a turn. I thank @nicollewallace.bsky.social for allowing me to express my thanks to all our soldiers and families.

A few thoughts about Thanksgiving in the military. My latests in @thebulwark.com www.thebulwark.com/p/how-the-us...

My latest in rhe @thebulwark.com www.thebulwark.com/p/letter-fro...

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) talks about the DOD threats against Senator Kelly. @markhertling.bsky.social @nicollewallace.bsky.social

Tom Friedman’s piece in the NYT today again brings up the specter of Neville Chamberlain in ‘39. I disagree. A better analogy is saying to Hitler: “keep the Sudetenland, don’t worry about the Holocaust, & we’ll give you a few years to rearm to attack into Belgium again. Let’s sign that!”

Thank you, @radiofreetom.bsky.social. It can be a bit confusing and complex for those note in the military, but there is a reason for the two different oaths.

The SecState explanation of the essence & origin of the 28 pt plan presented to Ukraine BY THE US is a strong indicator of the lack of competence of those representing our nation in these efforts. Russia does these things. It’s well known. Smart negotiators know not to let them happen.

@billkristolbulwark.bsky.social and @markhertling.bsky.social bringing the truth. If you're not subscribed to @thebulwark.com , you probably should be.

Some thoughts on the Ukraine peace process. My latest in @thebulwark.com www.thebulwark.com/p/ukraine-ru...

"Enlisted personnel obey lawful orders; officers ensure the orders that reach them are lawful. The real constitutional failsafe...is the officer corps, obligated to the Constitution alone." @markhertling.bsky.social on the military and illegal orders: www.thebulwark.com/p/what-ameri...