If you're not following @vagobond.com - and subscribing to their Substack, well, maybe this is the moment you've been waiting for... A short post and a unique offer - well worth reading and considering! "Your Name Written on My House in Japan" open.substack.com/pub/indignif...

Narrator: "Waltz had not, in fact, 'left the chat'..."

Great article by @passblue.bsky.social on US withdrawal of #peacekeeping staff in #SouthSudan - some of my commentary is included in it - www.passblue.com/2025/04/30/u... - but here's one of my key points that is not:

I just boarded an #Amtrak train in El Paso... Where 4-6 plainclothes individuals were "racially profiling" people in the line. I asked what agency they were with - they claimed to be El Paso police. 1/2

Excerpt: BLUE HELMET by @ehcarpenter.bsky.social BLUE HELMET is the story of a U.S. Marine working to translate the words of his UN leaders into actions capable of protecting civilians in South Sudan.

If you're interested in the current state of #peacekeeping, the situation in #SouthSudan, or learning about US role UN peace ops, here's a chance to hear from an expert! umass.edu/news/article/f…https://www.umass.edu/news/article/former-un-peacekeeper-discuss-protection-civilians-campus-talk-april-4

During this appearance on the BBC's "Focus on Africa" podcast, I shared my thoughts on the situation in #SouthSudan - including whether the recent barrel bomb attacks in Nasir violated the laws of armed conflict. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...

I don't think a lot of people appreciate what the conflict map looks like right now in the Sudan-Sahel band across Africa. It hasn't quite reached the water's edge in West Africa, but it's getting there, and there isn't really a country spared through to the Horn now. Really grim.

Working cover for my next book, what do you think?

It's incredible how quickly, clearly and criminally Hegseth proved that lethality is not the proper measure of the US military's purpose and efficacy.

I'll get around to threading this as soon as I can - but I believe this issue is important enough to post the link to the whole statement here. If you believe in human rights, the rule of law, and accountability for those who commit atrocities, please read & share! worldwithout.org/articles/f/s...

Wow. In case anyone needed a little extra amazing photographic art today, please thank Richard!

Truer words never spoken!

Like sangrias and books? 🍹📕 Join @ehcarpenter.bsky.social in Los Angeles on Tuesday April 8 for the launch of his book Blue Helmet. There will be sangrias! Mark your calendar.

If you were wondering whether the DOGE-💩 policies of Elon, Hillbilly VP, and America's convicted-felon-in-chief have any real-world consequences, this Instagram post by "friendsofusaid" (link in 🧵) should answer that question. (This happened on Feb 1st, BTW...)

Are you a new or experienced writer with a military background or focus? Whether your work is creative (memoir, fiction, poetry) or more analytical/scholarly in nature (policy analysis, journal articles, etc) - there's an awards category for you here!

My brother Lt. Col @ehcarpenter.bsky.social's new book about his time as a peacekeeper in South Sudan is topping the charts at Amazon! A great resource for classrooms, scholars and the general public interested in world affairs… and he's about to start a book tour as well: bit.ly/3QmwT9H

Congratulations to both of the laureates, and to the Tyler Prize committee for selecting not one but TWO great researchers whose work highlights the importance of reducing poverty as a key step in solving the climate crisis and curbing the loss of biodiversity around the world.

So, my first post on BlueSky is to share the news that the book project that has consumed my attention for the last several years is finally going to print! If you're interested in getting an early-release signed copy, drop me a comment! #writing #peacekeeping #SouthSudan