Nick Vavich
@badgerintweed.bsky.social
Retired Marine Colonel. OEF/GWOT/Balkans Veteran. Husband. Dad to kids, dogs, and cats. Friend of animals anywhere. Reader. NAFO. Pacific Northwesterner. Believer in messy democracy and centrism.
Reposted by Nick Vavich
“America prevailed in the cold war because it insisted on not simply being powerful…It made people imagine that the victory of the US was their own victory…without America standing for freedom, or at least pretending to do so, what’s the point of being pro-American?”
www.ft.com/content/658e...
www.ft.com/content/658e...
Trump is making the world fall in love with China
Countries that once saw American success as their own now view the US as an adversary and Beijing as a model
www.ft.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:40 PM
“America prevailed in the cold war because it insisted on not simply being powerful…It made people imagine that the victory of the US was their own victory…without America standing for freedom, or at least pretending to do so, what’s the point of being pro-American?”
www.ft.com/content/658e...
www.ft.com/content/658e...
Reposted by Nick Vavich
Trump claims the US needs to buy Greenland to secure the Arctic.
This map proves that is a lie.
Washington used to have bases all over the island. Now they rely on just one.
The 1951 Defense Treaty allows the US to build more bases if they ask
This map proves that is a lie.
Washington used to have bases all over the island. Now they rely on just one.
The 1951 Defense Treaty allows the US to build more bases if they ask
January 18, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Trump claims the US needs to buy Greenland to secure the Arctic.
This map proves that is a lie.
Washington used to have bases all over the island. Now they rely on just one.
The 1951 Defense Treaty allows the US to build more bases if they ask
This map proves that is a lie.
Washington used to have bases all over the island. Now they rely on just one.
The 1951 Defense Treaty allows the US to build more bases if they ask
Reposted by Nick Vavich
"We’re actually seeing new super PACs being established. One of them has already committed to spending $100 million in the midterms. And we’re seeing politicians and candidates speaking very frankly about wanting to install pro-crypto candidates"
more here:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
more here:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
How Crypto Is Used for Political Corruption
This new source of money is giving the administration unprecedented new powers.
www.theatlantic.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:32 PM
"We’re actually seeing new super PACs being established. One of them has already committed to spending $100 million in the midterms. And we’re seeing politicians and candidates speaking very frankly about wanting to install pro-crypto candidates"
more here:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
more here:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
Reposted by Nick Vavich
Danish and Greenland ministers just left the White House. It did not go well.
I have a long discussion here of Trump's attempt to get Greenland and why it could lead to World War III.
(Gifted.)
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
I have a long discussion here of Trump's attempt to get Greenland and why it could lead to World War III.
(Gifted.)
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Trump’s Most Dangerous Gambit
His irrational obsession with Greenland could lead to global conflict.
www.theatlantic.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Danish and Greenland ministers just left the White House. It did not go well.
I have a long discussion here of Trump's attempt to get Greenland and why it could lead to World War III.
(Gifted.)
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
I have a long discussion here of Trump's attempt to get Greenland and why it could lead to World War III.
(Gifted.)
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Nick Vavich
Meanwhile in Russia: state TV experts rejoiced about Trump's approach towards Greenland, since they believe it ushers in a cynical new world order, where the U.S. withdraws from NATO, gets control over the Western Hemisphere — and Russia takes the rest.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3BF...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3BF...
Russian experts discuss Greenland
YouTube video by Russian Media Monitor
www.youtube.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:45 AM
Meanwhile in Russia: state TV experts rejoiced about Trump's approach towards Greenland, since they believe it ushers in a cynical new world order, where the U.S. withdraws from NATO, gets control over the Western Hemisphere — and Russia takes the rest.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3BF...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3BF...
Reposted by Nick Vavich
Nuclear defense is why we built a base on Greenland in 1951. We had this idea 75 years ago. The base has been there since then. You don’t have to invade a country where you already have everything. Invasion just destroys what you have and much else besides.
January 17, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Nuclear defense is why we built a base on Greenland in 1951. We had this idea 75 years ago. The base has been there since then. You don’t have to invade a country where you already have everything. Invasion just destroys what you have and much else besides.
Reposted by Nick Vavich
This is a very important milestone for eventual restoration of justice in Georgia.
Actually, any and all crisis in Georgia stems from the June 2019 Gavrilov’s Night in terms of both timeline and consequentialism.
Ever since that brutal crackdown, it’s one thing leading to another. 1/2
Actually, any and all crisis in Georgia stems from the June 2019 Gavrilov’s Night in terms of both timeline and consequentialism.
Ever since that brutal crackdown, it’s one thing leading to another. 1/2
1/ The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has delivered its judgment in the case concerning 26 Georgian citizens who were harmed during the dispersal of the 20–21 June 2019 protest.
December 11, 2025 at 12:27 PM
This is a very important milestone for eventual restoration of justice in Georgia.
Actually, any and all crisis in Georgia stems from the June 2019 Gavrilov’s Night in terms of both timeline and consequentialism.
Ever since that brutal crackdown, it’s one thing leading to another. 1/2
Actually, any and all crisis in Georgia stems from the June 2019 Gavrilov’s Night in terms of both timeline and consequentialism.
Ever since that brutal crackdown, it’s one thing leading to another. 1/2
Reposted by Nick Vavich
🇩🇪The German Minister of Economy has arrived in Kyiv.
She emphasized that urgent assistance is needed for the restoration and stable energy supply in Ukraine, and promised to find out how Germany can provide more concrete and effective support.
ㅤ
She emphasized that urgent assistance is needed for the restoration and stable energy supply in Ukraine, and promised to find out how Germany can provide more concrete and effective support.
ㅤ
October 24, 2025 at 7:20 AM
🇩🇪The German Minister of Economy has arrived in Kyiv.
She emphasized that urgent assistance is needed for the restoration and stable energy supply in Ukraine, and promised to find out how Germany can provide more concrete and effective support.
ㅤ
She emphasized that urgent assistance is needed for the restoration and stable energy supply in Ukraine, and promised to find out how Germany can provide more concrete and effective support.
ㅤ
In case you had other ideas…
Meanwhile in Russia: Zakhar Prilepin explained that regardless of any ceasefire, Russia will eventually resume its efforts to take all of Ukraine. He scoffed at Trump's peacekeeping proposals and emphasized that Russia will never be friends with America.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKrS...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKrS...
Zakhar Prilepin says Russia will never be friends with America
YouTube video by Russian Media Monitor
www.youtube.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:59 PM
In case you had other ideas…
Meanwhile in Russia: Vladimir Solovyov and Margarita Simonyan discussed Trump's health and America's diminishing global standing.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezOy...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezOy...
Vladimir Solovyov and Margarita Simonyan discuss Trump's health and global standing
YouTube video by Russian Media Monitor
www.youtube.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Reposted by Nick Vavich
And this is how you end up at “everything is genocide”
Tom; deaths that were willfully caused (by whatever means; neglect, targeting, gas chambers, etc) is inhumane and can be used as evidence of genocide. Making excuses will never change events on the ground or the inhumanity of the result.
Arguing over semantics or means doesn't change the facts.
Arguing over semantics or means doesn't change the facts.
September 1, 2025 at 12:43 AM
And this is how you end up at “everything is genocide”
Reposted by Nick Vavich
Cities often are war zones. Where do you think wars take place? Out in the special part of the Earth marked “War zone only?”
And on the other side, "cities are war zones". Serious people should be thoughtful in the words they use. Personally, I think people know this deep down, it's just that society rewards us for doubling down instead of owning up.
September 1, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Cities often are war zones. Where do you think wars take place? Out in the special part of the Earth marked “War zone only?”
Trump is firing the competent people in the national security apparatus because they are competent.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/u...
N.S.A.’s Acting Director Tried to Save Top Scientist From Purge
www.nytimes.com
August 28, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Reposted by Nick Vavich
"If it were true that Ukraine belongs to Russia in the 2020s because a Russian dictator knows a legend about a Viking in the 860s... millions of people who actually live there would have no voice in their own identity: no choice but to accept the executions, the torture, the kidnapping of children."
"Nothing that happened in medieval eastern Europe bound future states to make war against each other a thousand years later"
My latest essay: "The myths that made Putin’s war"
www.ft.com/content/9731...
My latest essay: "The myths that made Putin’s war"
www.ft.com/content/9731...
The myths that made Putin’s war
The Alaska summit exposed the flawed history and personal vanity that fuel the conflict with Ukraine, argues Timothy Snyder
www.ft.com
August 24, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"If it were true that Ukraine belongs to Russia in the 2020s because a Russian dictator knows a legend about a Viking in the 860s... millions of people who actually live there would have no voice in their own identity: no choice but to accept the executions, the torture, the kidnapping of children."
Happy National Day, Moldova.
You have shown the world what independence means: the freedom to choose your path and your future.
Today, the pulse of Europe beats with you — and with your journey towards the EU.
You have shown the world what independence means: the freedom to choose your path and your future.
Today, the pulse of Europe beats with you — and with your journey towards the EU.
August 28, 2025 at 8:39 AM
While the world seeks a path to peace, Russia responds with missiles.
The overnight attack on Kyiv shows a deliberate choice to escalate and mock the peace efforts.
Russia must stop the killing and negotiate.
The overnight attack on Kyiv shows a deliberate choice to escalate and mock the peace efforts.
Russia must stop the killing and negotiate.
August 28, 2025 at 8:38 AM
“It’s worth noting that Karnaukhov’s certainty about regime thinking is well-founded. His senior editors are among those attending weekly sessions at the Kremlin, where they are directed by senior Putin aide Alexy Gromov on how to cover the news.”
Putin–Zelenskyy Meeting Is Impossible, Say Russia’s Propagandists | "Russia propagandists were in a lather of excitement during and after the Alaska summit. The mood has changed." @juliadavisnews.bsky.social
Putin–Zelenskyy Meeting Is Impossible, Say Russia’s Propagandists
Russia propagandists were in a lather of excitement during and after the Trump-Putin Alaska summit. The mood has changed.
cepa.org
August 22, 2025 at 3:57 PM
“It’s worth noting that Karnaukhov’s certainty about regime thinking is well-founded. His senior editors are among those attending weekly sessions at the Kremlin, where they are directed by senior Putin aide Alexy Gromov on how to cover the news.”
Meanwhile in Russia: Sergey Karnaukhov explained why Putin should never meet with Zelensky and expressed his hope that Russia will destroy the democratic Europe, in concert with the United States. This and more in my latest article, linked below ⤵️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFu3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFu3...
Sergey Karnaukhov asserts Putin should never meet with Zelensky
YouTube video by Russian Media Monitor
www.youtube.com
August 22, 2025 at 3:56 PM
“The partisan movement has become an integral part of the Ukrainian military's successes, acting not only as its eyes but also its hands deep inside enemy territory.“
On the partisan groups that work inside occupied Crimea. Long term occupation will not be easy for Russia www.counteroffensive.news/p/ukrainian-...
Ukrainian sabotage groups operating behind Russian lines
Since 2022, agents of the underground resistance movement Atesh have relentlessly carried out brutal sabotage against the Russian army. Djohar, leading a group of agents, takes us behind the scenes.
www.counteroffensive.news
August 22, 2025 at 3:55 PM
“The partisan movement has become an integral part of the Ukrainian military's successes, acting not only as its eyes but also its hands deep inside enemy territory.“
“Alaska clarified what was unclear only to the obtuse: Putin wants to win the war, Trump wants to end it, and as George Orwell said, the quickest way to end a war is to lose it.”
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Now it is the Old World’s turn to rescue the United States
As Trump met with European leaders on Ukraine, Churchill’s words from days long ago came to mind.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Hard to believe it, but we are progressing quickly towards a full blown imaginary conspiracy, complete with prosecutions
nypost.com/2025/08/19/u...
nypost.com/2025/08/19/u...
nypost.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Trump: "Russia is a powerful military nation whether people like it or not. It's a much bigger nation. It's not a war that should have been started, you don't do that. You don't take on a nation that's 10x your size."
August 20, 2025 at 2:03 AM
“Trump was oddly eager to castigate his predecessors for being weak: Crimea, he said, was handed over to Russian President Vladimir Putin by Barack Obama “without a shot fired.” (Should Obama have fired some? No one asked.)”
New from me: Trump thinks Ukraine is to blame for the war and that Russia is right to think of the West as "the enemy."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Trump Keeps Defending Russia
The president sees the Ukraine war through Kremlin-tinted glasses.
www.theatlantic.com
August 20, 2025 at 2:02 AM
“Trump was oddly eager to castigate his predecessors for being weak: Crimea, he said, was handed over to Russian President Vladimir Putin by Barack Obama “without a shot fired.” (Should Obama have fired some? No one asked.)”