The Aiming Circle
@aimingcircle.bsky.social
We illuminate markets, contests, & other resources for writers of military fiction, non-fiction, history, analysis, poetry & more. Patreon-supported community of practice. Admin: Charlie Sherpa. Visit: linktr.ee/aimingcircle
Pinned
Here’s our latest salvo of RESOURCES, TIPS, and MARKETS for writers of military- and war-themed fiction, non-fiction, poetry, scholarship, and more!
www.aimingcircle.com/2026/01/a-ro...
* Feb. 17: On-Line Colloquy on Vets-Writing Groups
* Jan. 28 Reading to Celebrate 'Proud to Be' Vol. 14
1 of 3
www.aimingcircle.com/2026/01/a-ro...
* Feb. 17: On-Line Colloquy on Vets-Writing Groups
* Jan. 28 Reading to Celebrate 'Proud to Be' Vol. 14
1 of 3
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
Buried lede: Alliances are clutch, baby.
Dear French and British Army, we couldn’t have don’t it without you! “Lafayette, we ARE here!”
artsandculture.google.com/story/GwVhBn...
Dear French and British Army, we couldn’t have don’t it without you! “Lafayette, we ARE here!”
artsandculture.google.com/story/GwVhBn...
Spirit of 17: The American Revolution in the Great War - Google Arts & Culture
How the American Revolution shaped morale, identity, and participation during World War I
artsandculture.google.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Buried lede: Alliances are clutch, baby.
Dear French and British Army, we couldn’t have don’t it without you! “Lafayette, we ARE here!”
artsandculture.google.com/story/GwVhBn...
Dear French and British Army, we couldn’t have don’t it without you! “Lafayette, we ARE here!”
artsandculture.google.com/story/GwVhBn...
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
"Traut stressed that it is still unclear which European country is responsible for defending Europe’s interests in space. Next to Germany, France and Spain maintain military space command centres, and Italy is in the process of establishing one." www.euractiv.com/interview/ge...
INTERVIEW: German space chief backs virtual European command | Euractiv
Space capabilities have become increasingly important as Europe invests in defence
www.euractiv.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:10 PM
"Traut stressed that it is still unclear which European country is responsible for defending Europe’s interests in space. Next to Germany, France and Spain maintain military space command centres, and Italy is in the process of establishing one." www.euractiv.com/interview/ge...
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
"Imperialism defines much of this country’s history, but the latest escalation comes at a time when ICE agents have also been deployed to grab immigrants off the streets and whisk them to detention centers. Meanwhile, Trump has continued to preach the jingoistic gospel of stopping new arrivals."
When the Border is Both the Crime and the Crime Scene | Inkstick
In a world divided by borders, the US has a long tradition of blaming people fleeing the wars and violence it played a part in fueling.
inkstickmedia.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:09 PM
"Imperialism defines much of this country’s history, but the latest escalation comes at a time when ICE agents have also been deployed to grab immigrants off the streets and whisk them to detention centers. Meanwhile, Trump has continued to preach the jingoistic gospel of stopping new arrivals."
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
JOURNALISTS: Today at 3 PM ET, join the second part of our training on how to secure your devices against raids, seizure, and surveillance.
RSVP: Securing Your Devices Against Raids, Seizure, and Surveillance, Part 2
Join us for a live training on how to secure your computers against raids, seizure, and surveillance, brought to you by The Intercept’s Press Freedom Defense Fund. This is the second of two sessions…
interc.pt
February 6, 2026 at 4:13 PM
JOURNALISTS: Today at 3 PM ET, join the second part of our training on how to secure your devices against raids, seizure, and surveillance.
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
New today for War on the Rocks members:
Endless Talks, Elusive Outcomes
Mutually Assured Shrugging? The End of New START
How Reliable is Extended Deterrence, Really? The Case for a Nordic Nuclear Capability warontherocks.com/ca...
Endless Talks, Elusive Outcomes
Mutually Assured Shrugging? The End of New START
How Reliable is Extended Deterrence, Really? The Case for a Nordic Nuclear Capability warontherocks.com/ca...
February 6, 2026 at 4:15 PM
New today for War on the Rocks members:
Endless Talks, Elusive Outcomes
Mutually Assured Shrugging? The End of New START
How Reliable is Extended Deterrence, Really? The Case for a Nordic Nuclear Capability warontherocks.com/ca...
Endless Talks, Elusive Outcomes
Mutually Assured Shrugging? The End of New START
How Reliable is Extended Deterrence, Really? The Case for a Nordic Nuclear Capability warontherocks.com/ca...
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
"For determined adversaries, that combination can make space systems low-hanging fruit: high-value targets with uneven protections, complex supply chains and the promise of strategic leverage." www.aspistrategist.org.au/hack-proofin...
Hack-proofing our space infrastructure | The Strategist
The biggest and most immediate threat to space systems isn’t anti-satellite weaponry; it’s hacking. In October 2025, a group of computer scientists from the University of California, San Diego and the...
www.aspistrategist.org.au
February 6, 2026 at 4:16 PM
"For determined adversaries, that combination can make space systems low-hanging fruit: high-value targets with uneven protections, complex supply chains and the promise of strategic leverage." www.aspistrategist.org.au/hack-proofin...
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
This week's Seriously Risky Business looks at Google's cyber disruption unit disrupting the world's largest residential proxy network, SpaceX preventing Russian forces from using Starlink, and more. Read the newsletter, from @tom.risky.biz.
Google's Cyber Disruption Unit Kicks Its First Goal
The latest edition of the Seriously Risky Business cybersecurity newsletter, now on Lawfare.
lawfaremedia.org
February 6, 2026 at 4:16 PM
This week's Seriously Risky Business looks at Google's cyber disruption unit disrupting the world's largest residential proxy network, SpaceX preventing Russian forces from using Starlink, and more. Read the newsletter, from @tom.risky.biz.
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
Read @jesswash.bsky.social's piece from November on how White Christian Nationalism is shaping Trump's policies in Africa:
February 6, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Read @jesswash.bsky.social's piece from November on how White Christian Nationalism is shaping Trump's policies in Africa:
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
REPORT: National Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C., have broken up fights, administered opioid overdose medication and helped deliver a baby, but they have not had a measurable impact on crime reduction.
Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
February 5, 2026 at 10:31 PM
REPORT: National Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C., have broken up fights, administered opioid overdose medication and helped deliver a baby, but they have not had a measurable impact on crime reduction.
Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
A FREE, veterans-centered arts workshop, inspired by the poetry of U.S. veteran Brian Turner and the music of Kurt Erickson, will focus on themes of trauma and resilience. Meets on-line weekly on Fridays, Feb. 6 to Mar. 27, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Info: www.patreon.com/posts/150037...
Info: www.patreon.com/posts/150037...
FREE Veterans Music & Poetry Workshop Starts Feb. 6, 2026 | The Aiming Circle
Get more from The Aiming Circle on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:48 PM
A FREE, veterans-centered arts workshop, inspired by the poetry of U.S. veteran Brian Turner and the music of Kurt Erickson, will focus on themes of trauma and resilience. Meets on-line weekly on Fridays, Feb. 6 to Mar. 27, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Info: www.patreon.com/posts/150037...
Info: www.patreon.com/posts/150037...
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
To what degree will Russian dependency on China continue after the Russo-Ukrainian War?
The Chinese Yoke: Russia’s Return to Vassalship
In the 13th century, Muscovy, the medieval antecedent to modern Russia, was a small outpost on the periphery of Kyivan Rus. It would not emerge as a
warontherocks.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM
To what degree will Russian dependency on China continue after the Russo-Ukrainian War?
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
Read the full piece ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/w...
Russia and Ukraine Resume Talks After a Huge Attack by Moscow
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Read the full piece ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/w...
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
The deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein attempted to buy the Cologne-based private bank Sal. Oppenheim in 2009. His motive was likely not a lucrative investment—but rather to use the bank for money laundering to confuse US authorities as his funds moved in and out of Moscow.
Warum Epstein eine Kölner Privatbank kaufen wollte
Jeffrey Epstein wollte offenbar nicht länger nur Kunde sein – er wollte selbst eine Bank besitzen. Aus den „Epstein Files“ geht nun hervor, dass er 2009 die Kölner Privatbank Sal Oppenheim übernehmen ...
www.sueddeutsche.de
February 5, 2026 at 5:09 PM
The deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein attempted to buy the Cologne-based private bank Sal. Oppenheim in 2009. His motive was likely not a lucrative investment—but rather to use the bank for money laundering to confuse US authorities as his funds moved in and out of Moscow.
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
@wyden.senate.gov's record of warning that there is deep and constitutionally-serious dirt being done by the intelligence agencies in secret is unblemished. The vaguer he is, the filthier the dirt is. This is the vaguest I've ever seen him
Ron Wyden Only Talks Like This When The Spies Do Something *Real* Bad
No, I don't know what they did. But I have a lot of experience with the senator
www.forever-wars.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:10 PM
@wyden.senate.gov's record of warning that there is deep and constitutionally-serious dirt being done by the intelligence agencies in secret is unblemished. The vaguer he is, the filthier the dirt is. This is the vaguest I've ever seen him
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
Destroyer USS Truxtun Back in Norfolk for Equipment Repair, Delaying Deployment — USNI News
news.usni.org/2026/02/05/d...
news.usni.org/2026/02/05/d...
Destroyer USS Truxtun Back in Norfolk for Equipment Repair, Delaying Deployment - USNI News
A maintenance issue forced USS Truxtun (DDG-103) to return to Norfolk on Wednesday, just one day after the destroyer left for an independent deployment, USNI News has learned. “Truxtun departed Naval ...
news.usni.org
February 5, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Destroyer USS Truxtun Back in Norfolk for Equipment Repair, Delaying Deployment — USNI News
news.usni.org/2026/02/05/d...
news.usni.org/2026/02/05/d...
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
There's a VA townhall with the secretary this afternoon, the first such one since Alex Pretti was killed. The invite that went out to staff last week didn't mention him or Minneapolis, but did ask employees to submit questions. We'll see how that goes.
I spoke with several VA staffers, most in Minneapolis, who say they've heard almost nothing from VA leadership after Alex Pretti was killed. They report low morale, blocked memorials and a feeling that the VA is downplaying it. New from me @taskandpurpose.com taskandpurpose.com/news/veteran...
Veterans Affairs personnel say ‘silence is deafening’ from leaders after Alex Pretti’s death
Several VA employees report silence and slow responses from national leadership after Pretti was killed last month.
taskandpurpose.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:54 PM
There's a VA townhall with the secretary this afternoon, the first such one since Alex Pretti was killed. The invite that went out to staff last week didn't mention him or Minneapolis, but did ask employees to submit questions. We'll see how that goes.
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
Good lord
February 4, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Good lord
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
The so-called Board of Peace is shaping up to be a Trump-dominated, crony-ish operation that will decide the fate of 2 million Gazans. Not surprising. But it’s turning out to be much more.
Donald Trump’s plan to be king of the world
His Board of Peace is essentially a global slush fund, run by him and him alone.
www.motherjones.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:01 PM
The so-called Board of Peace is shaping up to be a Trump-dominated, crony-ish operation that will decide the fate of 2 million Gazans. Not surprising. But it’s turning out to be much more.
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
Ted Benfold saved wounded Marines by desperate means in Korea.
The corpsman who gave all on ‘Bunker Hill’ in Korea
Ted Benfold saved wounded Marines by desperate means in Korea.
www.armytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Ted Benfold saved wounded Marines by desperate means in Korea.
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
It’s hard to imagine today, but 50 years ago, at the height of the Cold War, the US and Russia (then the Soviet Union) jointly possessed 47,000 nuclear warheads — enough to exterminate all life on Earth many times over.
What Will the End of the US-Russia Nuclear Arms Treaty Mean? | Inkstick
The New START nuclear arms reduction pact is slated to end on Feb. 5, 2026.
inkstickmedia.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:09 PM
It’s hard to imagine today, but 50 years ago, at the height of the Cold War, the US and Russia (then the Soviet Union) jointly possessed 47,000 nuclear warheads — enough to exterminate all life on Earth many times over.
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
On a bad day for Journalism, a very good day for a SCOOP by Patty at Task & Purpose.
Army will now tie retention bonuses to PT scores, job performance trib.al/z4y1qN0
Army will now tie retention bonuses to PT scores, job performance
The Army will now consider on-the-job performance to determine reenlistment bonuses for soldiers who choose to stay in the service.
trib.al
February 4, 2026 at 4:14 PM
On a bad day for Journalism, a very good day for a SCOOP by Patty at Task & Purpose.
Here’s our latest salvo of RESOURCES, TIPS, and MARKETS for writers of military- and war-themed fiction, non-fiction, poetry, scholarship, and more!
www.aimingcircle.com/2026/01/a-ro...
* Feb. 17: On-Line Colloquy on Vets-Writing Groups
* Jan. 28 Reading to Celebrate 'Proud to Be' Vol. 14
1 of 3
www.aimingcircle.com/2026/01/a-ro...
* Feb. 17: On-Line Colloquy on Vets-Writing Groups
* Jan. 28 Reading to Celebrate 'Proud to Be' Vol. 14
1 of 3
January 30, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Here’s our latest salvo of RESOURCES, TIPS, and MARKETS for writers of military- and war-themed fiction, non-fiction, poetry, scholarship, and more!
www.aimingcircle.com/2026/01/a-ro...
* Feb. 17: On-Line Colloquy on Vets-Writing Groups
* Jan. 28 Reading to Celebrate 'Proud to Be' Vol. 14
1 of 3
www.aimingcircle.com/2026/01/a-ro...
* Feb. 17: On-Line Colloquy on Vets-Writing Groups
* Jan. 28 Reading to Celebrate 'Proud to Be' Vol. 14
1 of 3
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
Minnesota National Guard members have arrived at a federal building and were directed to distribute donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate to anti-ICE protesters. Guard members were issued reflective vests so they would not be mistaken for federal agents.
January 25, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Minnesota National Guard members have arrived at a federal building and were directed to distribute donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate to anti-ICE protesters. Guard members were issued reflective vests so they would not be mistaken for federal agents.
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
U.S. sailors on unaccompanied tours in the Middle East are in for a major upgrade to their living quarters after Naval Support Activity Bahrain broke ground this month on a $15.8 million renovation of its housing facilities, part of a Pentagon push to improve barracks.
Navy base in Bahrain breaks ground on $15.8 million barracks renovation
Unaccompanied sailors in Bahrain are in for a multi-million upgrade to their living quarters as part of a Pentagon push to spruce up barracks.
www.stripes.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:43 PM
U.S. sailors on unaccompanied tours in the Middle East are in for a major upgrade to their living quarters after Naval Support Activity Bahrain broke ground this month on a $15.8 million renovation of its housing facilities, part of a Pentagon push to improve barracks.
Reposted by The Aiming Circle
US military assets heading to Middle East even as Trump backs off toughest Iran rhetoric reut.rs/49Ox3A2
US military assets heading to Middle East even as Trump backs off toughest Iran rhetoric
A U.S. military aircraft carrier strike group and other assets will arrive in the Middle East region in the coming days, two U.S. officials said on Thursday, even as U.S. President Donald Trump voices hopes of avoiding new military action against Iran.
reut.rs
January 22, 2026 at 11:50 PM
US military assets heading to Middle East even as Trump backs off toughest Iran rhetoric reut.rs/49Ox3A2