elia ayoub
@ayoub.bsky.social
Writer, Journalist, Historian, Podcaster. Authoritarianism, hauntology, alternative futures. Eng/Fr/Esp/It/ع
In Brighton, from Lebanon.
@thefirethesetimes.com / @thestartrekpod.bsky.social / https://hauntologies.net / @972mag.com / https://shado-mag.com
In Brighton, from Lebanon.
@thefirethesetimes.com / @thestartrekpod.bsky.social / https://hauntologies.net / @972mag.com / https://shado-mag.com
Pinned
elia ayoub
@ayoub.bsky.social
· Nov 3
Hey y'all, will soon start an online class on Lebanese history and politics.
If you're interested, send me an email or Signal. Please say why you're messaging.
I'll send an email/text (no more) with more details soon.
Email: ayoub@thefirethesetimes.com
Signal: @ ayoub.02
If you're interested, send me an email or Signal. Please say why you're messaging.
I'll send an email/text (no more) with more details soon.
Email: ayoub@thefirethesetimes.com
Signal: @ ayoub.02
Reposted by elia ayoub
No matter how dumb things seem, they can apparently always be dumber:
"Mr. Maduro's regular public dancing and other displays of nonchalance in recent weeks helped persuade some on the Trump team that the Venezuelan president was mocking them and trying to call what he believed to be a bluff"
"Mr. Maduro's regular public dancing and other displays of nonchalance in recent weeks helped persuade some on the Trump team that the Venezuelan president was mocking them and trying to call what he believed to be a bluff"
January 4, 2026 at 12:36 PM
No matter how dumb things seem, they can apparently always be dumber:
"Mr. Maduro's regular public dancing and other displays of nonchalance in recent weeks helped persuade some on the Trump team that the Venezuelan president was mocking them and trying to call what he believed to be a bluff"
"Mr. Maduro's regular public dancing and other displays of nonchalance in recent weeks helped persuade some on the Trump team that the Venezuelan president was mocking them and trying to call what he believed to be a bluff"
Reposted by elia ayoub
Given everything happening right now, I updated this article with options for weather apps, web forms, and translation services — along with some tweaks to existing categories.
I hope it helps your transition off US tech!
I hope it helps your transition off US tech!
Silicon Valley’s alliance with Donald Trump was a mask off moment and showed the world we can’t depend on US tech companies.
For the past few months, I’ve been trying to get off US tech and I put together a guide so you find alternatives too. I hope you find it helpful!
For the past few months, I’ve been trying to get off US tech and I put together a guide so you find alternatives too. I hope you find it helpful!
Getting off US tech: a guide
I’m in the process of dropping US tech services. Here’s how I did it, and options you should consider.
www.disconnect.blog
January 4, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Given everything happening right now, I updated this article with options for weather apps, web forms, and translation services — along with some tweaks to existing categories.
I hope it helps your transition off US tech!
I hope it helps your transition off US tech!
The New York Times and Washington Post both knew of the Trump plan to kidnap Maduro and chose not to publish it to protect US troops.
At least 40 Venezuelans were killed by US troops.
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
At least 40 Venezuelans were killed by US troops.
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
News organizations held off on reporting Venezuela raid
The American news organizations held their stories over concerns about endangering US troops.
www.semafor.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:25 PM
The New York Times and Washington Post both knew of the Trump plan to kidnap Maduro and chose not to publish it to protect US troops.
At least 40 Venezuelans were killed by US troops.
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
At least 40 Venezuelans were killed by US troops.
www.semafor.com/article/01/0...
Reposted by elia ayoub
Yesterday a group of survivors of the Bosnian genocide were apparently required by the President of the German Parliament, Julia Klöckner (CDU), to remove memorial pins they wore because these pins were “political” and therefore violated the Parliament’s clothing regulations.
Gestern war der 30. Gedenktag an den Genozid an den Bosniak:innen & der erste internationale Gedenktag.
Zu dem Anlass waren ich & ein weiterer Genozidüberlebender, sowie einige bosnische Diplomat:innen im deutschen Bundestag eingeladen.
Was folgte war extrem traumatisierend.
Zu dem Anlass waren ich & ein weiterer Genozidüberlebender, sowie einige bosnische Diplomat:innen im deutschen Bundestag eingeladen.
Was folgte war extrem traumatisierend.
July 13, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Yesterday a group of survivors of the Bosnian genocide were apparently required by the President of the German Parliament, Julia Klöckner (CDU), to remove memorial pins they wore because these pins were “political” and therefore violated the Parliament’s clothing regulations.
“Audacious” is an interesting way of not writing “a violation of the UN charter and international law that is also a violation of US law”
January 4, 2026 at 9:27 AM
“Audacious” is an interesting way of not writing “a violation of the UN charter and international law that is also a violation of US law”
They are this close to just posting “we blew shit up and it was so cool, bro“
The price of not holding men accountable is fascism. It’s also very cringe because these are profoundly stupid men with zero self-control or emotional self-regulation.
The price of not holding men accountable is fascism. It’s also very cringe because these are profoundly stupid men with zero self-control or emotional self-regulation.
January 4, 2026 at 4:17 AM
They are this close to just posting “we blew shit up and it was so cool, bro“
The price of not holding men accountable is fascism. It’s also very cringe because these are profoundly stupid men with zero self-control or emotional self-regulation.
The price of not holding men accountable is fascism. It’s also very cringe because these are profoundly stupid men with zero self-control or emotional self-regulation.
Good read. The reaction of most Western politicians since confirms her thesis too
NEW: A mass propaganda event is about to engulf the US news cycle and what, if anything, survives it will be a lesson for our times.
But it’s what the rest of the world does now that’s key. When someone tells you who they are, believe them.
broligarchy.substack.com/p/the-threat...
But it’s what the rest of the world does now that’s key. When someone tells you who they are, believe them.
broligarchy.substack.com/p/the-threat...
January 4, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Good read. The reaction of most Western politicians since confirms her thesis too
Reposted by elia ayoub
Albanese might as well have just tweeted out his infamous selfie with the rapist pedophile and current US President.
That's all this amounts to: grinning subservience to this utterly evil war machine masquerading as a country.
That's all this amounts to: grinning subservience to this utterly evil war machine masquerading as a country.
January 3, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Albanese might as well have just tweeted out his infamous selfie with the rapist pedophile and current US President.
That's all this amounts to: grinning subservience to this utterly evil war machine masquerading as a country.
That's all this amounts to: grinning subservience to this utterly evil war machine masquerading as a country.
In typical Starmer fashion, he reiterates his ‘support for international law’ while backing the violation of international law
January 3, 2026 at 9:59 PM
In typical Starmer fashion, he reiterates his ‘support for international law’ while backing the violation of international law
I don’t think this administration is disciplined enough to even pretend that this has anything to do with drug trafficking or Maduro being horrible
And there ya have it…
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Finance Industry Eyes Investment Opportunities in Venezuela
Some on Wall Street are already considering possible investment opportunities in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, according to Charles Myers, chairman of consulting firm Signum Globa...
www.wsj.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:42 PM
I don’t think this administration is disciplined enough to even pretend that this has anything to do with drug trafficking or Maduro being horrible
Statements like this one will age really well
Please see my statement on the situation in Venezuela:
January 3, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Statements like this one will age really well
Reposted by elia ayoub
I feel like Trump is jealous of Obama for taking out Bin Laden. He wants his own heavily publicized victory against a monstrous enemy of the people who killed huge numbers of U.S. citizens.
More than oil or anything else he wants the optics of quickly and (for us) painlessly taking out an "enemy".
More than oil or anything else he wants the optics of quickly and (for us) painlessly taking out an "enemy".
If Maduro is in custody my expectation is the admin will try to hold Dumb Nuremberg. They'll make it a judicial referendum on fentanyl and try to blame Maduro for the deaths from the opiate crisis.
January 3, 2026 at 1:14 PM
I feel like Trump is jealous of Obama for taking out Bin Laden. He wants his own heavily publicized victory against a monstrous enemy of the people who killed huge numbers of U.S. citizens.
More than oil or anything else he wants the optics of quickly and (for us) painlessly taking out an "enemy".
More than oil or anything else he wants the optics of quickly and (for us) painlessly taking out an "enemy".
Hard to imagine this not causing a backlash. Regardless of Maduro himself, this also tells heads of states that no one is safe.
January 3, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Hard to imagine this not causing a backlash. Regardless of Maduro himself, this also tells heads of states that no one is safe.
We are having our first monthly Patreon hangout at 4pm UK time today. I’m guessing the topic of conversation will be Venezuela.
fromtheperiphery.com/hangout/
fromtheperiphery.com/hangout/
The Monthly Hangout
The Monthly Hangout Where “doom scrolling” meets “take a deep breath” Join Here ✓ The first Saturday of every month, on Zoom ✓ 16:00 UK Time (Online Converter) ✓ Get a +1 wi…
fromtheperiphery.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:28 PM
We are having our first monthly Patreon hangout at 4pm UK time today. I’m guessing the topic of conversation will be Venezuela.
fromtheperiphery.com/hangout/
fromtheperiphery.com/hangout/
I worry about people in Venezuela, and about what it means for all of us for the world’s largest military power to go fully rogue
January 3, 2026 at 12:09 PM
I worry about people in Venezuela, and about what it means for all of us for the world’s largest military power to go fully rogue
Reposted by elia ayoub
Spain's RTVE has live coverage from Venezuela (Spanish only).
Currently Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has no information on the whereabouts of Maduro.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku09...
Currently Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has no information on the whereabouts of Maduro.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku09...
🔴 CANAL 24 HORAS DIRECTO | TRUMP ANUNCIA LA CAPTURA DE MADURO EN LOS ATAQUES A VENEZUELA | RTVE
YouTube video by RTVE Noticias
www.youtube.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:13 AM
Spain's RTVE has live coverage from Venezuela (Spanish only).
Currently Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has no information on the whereabouts of Maduro.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku09...
Currently Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has no information on the whereabouts of Maduro.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku09...
Reposted by elia ayoub
Sky News quotes sources within the Venezuelan opposition claiming that Maduro's capture was a "negotiated exit"
news.sky.com/story/venezu...
news.sky.com/story/venezu...
Venezuela latest: Venezuelan president Maduro captured after US strikes on country
Explosions have been heard in Venezuela's capital of Caracas. It comes after repeated threats of land operations by Donald Trump amid efforts to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to leave office. We'...
news.sky.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Sky News quotes sources within the Venezuelan opposition claiming that Maduro's capture was a "negotiated exit"
news.sky.com/story/venezu...
news.sky.com/story/venezu...
It’s a calculation that comes from genocide and it makes complete sense from the point of view of the genocidaires. Complete control over who gets to live and who gets to die is the point.
Denying medical assistance is unacceptable in any circumstances.
Israel’s threat to withhold registration from MSF & other INGOs is a cynical and calculated attempt to prevent organizations from providing services in #Gaza and the #WestBank, #Palestine.
https://ow.ly/XQwE50XR5OE
Israel’s threat to withhold registration from MSF & other INGOs is a cynical and calculated attempt to prevent organizations from providing services in #Gaza and the #WestBank, #Palestine.
https://ow.ly/XQwE50XR5OE
January 2, 2026 at 4:52 PM
It’s a calculation that comes from genocide and it makes complete sense from the point of view of the genocidaires. Complete control over who gets to live and who gets to die is the point.
Reposted by elia ayoub
Born in Trinidad, Dr. John Alcindor earned his MD in Scotland in 1899 & was a physician, political activist, & senior district medical officer in London. He was awarded a Red Cross medal for his work treating the wounded in WWI. His great-nephew is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
January 2, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Born in Trinidad, Dr. John Alcindor earned his MD in Scotland in 1899 & was a physician, political activist, & senior district medical officer in London. He was awarded a Red Cross medal for his work treating the wounded in WWI. His great-nephew is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
it’s cool how predictable enshittification is
The power of suggestions ... "OpenAI Reportedly Planning to Make ChatGPT “Prioritize” Advertisers in Conversation" futurism.com/artificial-i...
OpenAI Reportedly Planning to Make ChatGPT "Prioritize" Advertisers in Conversation
OpenAI employees working on ChatGPT report plans to unleash sponsored advertisements above organic results.
futurism.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:55 PM
it’s cool how predictable enshittification is
Reposted by elia ayoub
It's worth reading the whole interview in full. It basically verifies that the NYT has spent the past decade-plus doubling down on top-down narratives for coverage, getting more intense over time.
Sulzberg personally picked & chose whom the news apparatus would target and whom it would kiss up to.
Sulzberg personally picked & chose whom the news apparatus would target and whom it would kiss up to.
In this in-depth interview Billie Jean Sweeney — a former editor at The New York Times — details how the paper shifted towards openly promoting anti-trans hatred, why this was directed from the very top, how some staff pushed back and the immense damage done by the NYT legitimizing bigotry.
'A directive from above': Former NYT editor lays out how the paper pushes anti-trans bigotry
In this in-depth interview, former New York Times editor Billie Jean Sweeney details how the paper shifted towards openly promoting anti-trans hatred, how some staff tried to stop it, how it's directe...
transnews.network
January 1, 2026 at 7:30 PM
It's worth reading the whole interview in full. It basically verifies that the NYT has spent the past decade-plus doubling down on top-down narratives for coverage, getting more intense over time.
Sulzberg personally picked & chose whom the news apparatus would target and whom it would kiss up to.
Sulzberg personally picked & chose whom the news apparatus would target and whom it would kiss up to.
Excellent talk by Cory Doctorrow on the post-American and enshittification-resistant internet
archive.org/details/doct...
archive.org/details/doct...
A post-American, enshittification-resistant internet : Cory Doctorow : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Trump has staged an unscheduled, midair rapid disassembly of the global system of trade. Ironically, it is this system that prevented all of America's...
archive.org
January 2, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Excellent talk by Cory Doctorrow on the post-American and enshittification-resistant internet
archive.org/details/doct...
archive.org/details/doct...
Reposted by elia ayoub
A young woman leads a group of protesters into chants of "don't be afraid, we're all together" in Tehran's Grand Bazaar.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/sDDP83mJR1GH...
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/sDDP83mJR1GH...
December 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
A young woman leads a group of protesters into chants of "don't be afraid, we're all together" in Tehran's Grand Bazaar.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/sDDP83mJR1GH...
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/sDDP83mJR1GH...
Reposted by elia ayoub
A group of protesters in the small city of Azna, in the western porvince of Lorestan, set fire to the local police station on 1 January, the fifth day of protests in Iran.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/FvzkwLsChdLT...
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/FvzkwLsChdLT...
January 1, 2026 at 11:33 PM
A group of protesters in the small city of Azna, in the western porvince of Lorestan, set fire to the local police station on 1 January, the fifth day of protests in Iran.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/FvzkwLsChdLT...
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/FvzkwLsChdLT...