Casey Michel
@cjcmichel.bsky.social
Dictators are a cowardly and superstitious lot. | Head of Combating Kleptocracy Program at Human Rights Foundation | Author of AMERICAN KLEPTOCRACY and FOREIGN AGENTS | Posts in personal capacity
Pinned
Casey Michel
@cjcmichel.bsky.social
· Oct 21
Now that my beloved Mariners have been bounced from the baseball playoffs, it's time for some good news: my new book cover!
One slim (very slim) upside of Trump pushing to annex Greenland is that more Americans become aware of the fact that there are currently millions of people in American colonies—with no say whatsoever in how the U.S. government is run.
Once again losing my mind over all the coverage of the Greenland thing that just skips over the fact that the USA has colonies *right now*
January 6, 2026 at 4:46 AM
One slim (very slim) upside of Trump pushing to annex Greenland is that more Americans become aware of the fact that there are currently millions of people in American colonies—with no say whatsoever in how the U.S. government is run.
Reposted by Casey Michel
The problem isn't that Europeans don't understand that Trump's foreign policy is fundamentally kleptocratic, or neo-patrimonial, or neo-Royal, or whatever one wants to call it.
The problem is that they don't have a lot of good options for how to respond.
The problem is that they don't have a lot of good options for how to respond.
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:44 PM
The problem isn't that Europeans don't understand that Trump's foreign policy is fundamentally kleptocratic, or neo-patrimonial, or neo-Royal, or whatever one wants to call it.
The problem is that they don't have a lot of good options for how to respond.
The problem is that they don't have a lot of good options for how to respond.
Anyone who thinks Trump isn’t going to make a move to seize Greenland imminently is fooling themselves.
“'We do need Greenland, absolutely'”--Donald Trump to @michaelscherer.bsky.social this morning, before the president's morning round of golf.
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
Trump Threatens Venezuela’s New Leader With a Fate Worse Than Maduro’s
The president told The Atlantic that Delcy Rodríguez needs to comply with U.S. wishes—or else.
www.theatlantic.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Anyone who thinks Trump isn’t going to make a move to seize Greenland imminently is fooling themselves.
Yet one more reason Democrats have to be out front—right now—in saying they condemn any talk of annexing Greenland, and pledging that they will undo it the second they return to the presidency.
Uhhhh. So to be clear this would be the end of the transatlantic alliance and Europeans should really make that clear.
January 4, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Yet one more reason Democrats have to be out front—right now—in saying they condemn any talk of annexing Greenland, and pledging that they will undo it the second they return to the presidency.
Today would be an amazing day for Democrats to go on record as saying they will oppose any move Trump makes to annex Greenland—and that, if they reclaim the presidency, they will undo it.
January 3, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Today would be an amazing day for Democrats to go on record as saying they will oppose any move Trump makes to annex Greenland—and that, if they reclaim the presidency, they will undo it.
It's weird that Taft's presidency/foreign policy isn't more studied, given that he was president only a year(!) before WWI broke out.
January 3, 2026 at 10:05 PM
It's weird that Taft's presidency/foreign policy isn't more studied, given that he was president only a year(!) before WWI broke out.
Incredible how impotent this makes Russia look.
Putin couldn't do anything when Azerbaijan barreled into Karabakh. Then he couldn't do anything to save Assad. Now he couldn't do anything to protect Maduro.
Who's next? Lukashenko? Transnistria? Kadyrov?
Putin couldn't do anything when Azerbaijan barreled into Karabakh. Then he couldn't do anything to save Assad. Now he couldn't do anything to protect Maduro.
Who's next? Lukashenko? Transnistria? Kadyrov?
January 3, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Incredible how impotent this makes Russia look.
Putin couldn't do anything when Azerbaijan barreled into Karabakh. Then he couldn't do anything to save Assad. Now he couldn't do anything to protect Maduro.
Who's next? Lukashenko? Transnistria? Kadyrov?
Putin couldn't do anything when Azerbaijan barreled into Karabakh. Then he couldn't do anything to save Assad. Now he couldn't do anything to protect Maduro.
Who's next? Lukashenko? Transnistria? Kadyrov?
Preorder UNITED STATES OF OLIGARCHY in any format at @barnesandnoble.com from 12/30-1/1 and get 25% off with code PREORDER25!
Already a member? Order your copy at: bit.ly/USOfOligarch...
Already a member? Order your copy at: bit.ly/USOfOligarch...
December 30, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Preorder UNITED STATES OF OLIGARCHY in any format at @barnesandnoble.com from 12/30-1/1 and get 25% off with code PREORDER25!
Already a member? Order your copy at: bit.ly/USOfOligarch...
Already a member? Order your copy at: bit.ly/USOfOligarch...
Feels like there's a lack of chatter about what a strategic disaster the US forcibly annexing Greenland would be for Canada.
December 29, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Feels like there's a lack of chatter about what a strategic disaster the US forcibly annexing Greenland would be for Canada.
The thing that is so idiotic about the Kushner-Witkoff approach to Russia—that business deals can solve all!—is that... we tried this already.
It was called the 1990s. And all it did was enrich Russia, entrench corruption, and set the stage for Russian neo-imperialism.
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
It was called the 1990s. And all it did was enrich Russia, entrench corruption, and set the stage for Russian neo-imperialism.
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Trump’s Inner Circle Sees Russia as an El Dorado for Business, but Pitfalls Abound
Veteran U.S. investors say Vladimir Putin’s Russia will remain a treacherous business environment.
www.wsj.com
December 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The thing that is so idiotic about the Kushner-Witkoff approach to Russia—that business deals can solve all!—is that... we tried this already.
It was called the 1990s. And all it did was enrich Russia, entrench corruption, and set the stage for Russian neo-imperialism.
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
It was called the 1990s. And all it did was enrich Russia, entrench corruption, and set the stage for Russian neo-imperialism.
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Reposted by Casey Michel
When you see the criminal facilitation laid out—as @cjcmichel.bsky.social has done—by the Trump Administration, often for their private financial gain, you realize just how much the average US citizen and the economy as a whole is now even more vulnerable to scams, terrorists, narcotics…
“Authoritarian systems do not emerge spontaneously. They are financed, lubricated and sustained by precisely these kinds of quid-pro-quo arrangements. The end point is not merely corruption, but entrenchment: a political order in which crime is rewarded, enforcement is optional&loyalty is currency.”
Thanks to Donald Trump, 2025 was a good year … for white-collar criminals
Why would the Trump administration choose to set aside consequences from criminals whose actions threaten the stability of the broader American economy?
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:40 PM
When you see the criminal facilitation laid out—as @cjcmichel.bsky.social has done—by the Trump Administration, often for their private financial gain, you realize just how much the average US citizen and the economy as a whole is now even more vulnerable to scams, terrorists, narcotics…
Reposted by Casey Michel
Trump's absolutely correct that a new golden age is upon us—for white-collar criminals.
My essay in @theguardian.com on how white-collar criminals just had the best year they've ever seen:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
My essay in @theguardian.com on how white-collar criminals just had the best year they've ever seen:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Thanks to Donald Trump, 2025 was a good year … for white-collar criminals
Why would the Trump administration choose to set aside consequences from criminals whose actions threaten the stability of the broader American economy?
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Trump's absolutely correct that a new golden age is upon us—for white-collar criminals.
My essay in @theguardian.com on how white-collar criminals just had the best year they've ever seen:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
My essay in @theguardian.com on how white-collar criminals just had the best year they've ever seen:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
This American imperialism is absolutely reprehensible, and Democrats need to be front and center in condemning it—and vowing that they will undo any moves to annex Greenland.
www.ft.com/content/8c0e...
www.ft.com/content/8c0e...
Trump’s new special envoy says Greenland should be part of US
Jeff Landry’s appointment underlines US president’s determination to control Arctic island, but outrages Denmark
www.ft.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:37 PM
This American imperialism is absolutely reprehensible, and Democrats need to be front and center in condemning it—and vowing that they will undo any moves to annex Greenland.
www.ft.com/content/8c0e...
www.ft.com/content/8c0e...
Trump's absolutely correct that a new golden age is upon us—for white-collar criminals.
My essay in @theguardian.com on how white-collar criminals just had the best year they've ever seen:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
My essay in @theguardian.com on how white-collar criminals just had the best year they've ever seen:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Thanks to Donald Trump, 2025 was a good year … for white-collar criminals
Why would the Trump administration choose to set aside consequences from criminals whose actions threaten the stability of the broader American economy?
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Trump's absolutely correct that a new golden age is upon us—for white-collar criminals.
My essay in @theguardian.com on how white-collar criminals just had the best year they've ever seen:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
My essay in @theguardian.com on how white-collar criminals just had the best year they've ever seen:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
"Crypto operators have placed more than $1 billion in pre-tax profits in the pockets of the president and his family in the past year."
www.ft.com/content/2ea2...
www.ft.com/content/2ea2...
How the Trump companies made $1bn from crypto
The president and his family have built a rapidly growing digital assets empire which has been fuelled by the administration’s industry-friendly policies
www.ft.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
"Crypto operators have placed more than $1 billion in pre-tax profits in the pockets of the president and his family in the past year."
www.ft.com/content/2ea2...
www.ft.com/content/2ea2...
"The emergence of Witkoff as envoy to the Kremlin is partly a story of Putin maneuvering to nudge aside America’s diplomats and clasp hands with its billionaires." www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
How Putin Got His Preferred U.S. Envoy: Come Alone, No CIA
The Kremlin fueled the rise of Trump’s friend Steve Witkoff with a prisoner release, sidelining career diplomats.
www.wsj.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:13 PM
"The emergence of Witkoff as envoy to the Kremlin is partly a story of Putin maneuvering to nudge aside America’s diplomats and clasp hands with its billionaires." www.wsj.com/world/putin-...
Reposted by Casey Michel
In the 12th report in The Atlantic Council's (@atlanticcouncil.bsky.social) Russia Tomorrow series (Casey Mchel @cjcmichel.bsky.social deconstructs the myths and narratives the Kremlin has used to justify its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-seri...
Narrating the war: Analyzing Russia’s narratives for its invasion of Ukraine
The latest report in the Atlantic Council's Russia Tomorrow series examines the Kremlin's narratives about its invasion of Ukraine.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
December 19, 2025 at 7:43 PM
In the 12th report in The Atlantic Council's (@atlanticcouncil.bsky.social) Russia Tomorrow series (Casey Mchel @cjcmichel.bsky.social deconstructs the myths and narratives the Kremlin has used to justify its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-seri...
December 19, 2025 at 5:28 PM
"In 2024, European countries spent more money importing Russian energy than they did aiding Ukraine financially, effectively footing the bill for Russia’s aggression." www.foreignaffairs.com/china/weakne...
The Weakness of the Strongmen
Not long ago in the sweep of history, countries that had once been buried behind the Iron Curtain, and even some Soviet republics, were transformed into members of the solidly democratic club. Some of...
www.foreignaffairs.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:00 PM
"In 2024, European countries spent more money importing Russian energy than they did aiding Ukraine financially, effectively footing the bill for Russia’s aggression." www.foreignaffairs.com/china/weakne...
The fact that some of these people still have cachet in DC (i.e., Sam Charap) after being so spectacularly wrong is such a damning reflection of U.S. policy-making.
ok so maybe I was wrong when I said Putin would never invade. and maybe I was wrong when I said Putin will win in a week and we should not help. But now we’re here, and I'm going to tell you what putin is thinking, and I’m going to do it in the most patronizing way possible
December 18, 2025 at 2:25 PM
The fact that some of these people still have cachet in DC (i.e., Sam Charap) after being so spectacularly wrong is such a damning reflection of U.S. policy-making.
Another year down, and another phenomenal crop of books to read through. Here are the 10 best books I read in 2025:
open.substack.com/pub/cjcmiche...
open.substack.com/pub/cjcmiche...
Top 10 Books of 2025
Another year down, and plenty of phenomenal books to get through along the way.
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Another year down, and another phenomenal crop of books to read through. Here are the 10 best books I read in 2025:
open.substack.com/pub/cjcmiche...
open.substack.com/pub/cjcmiche...
Reposted by Casey Michel
The notion that the President's son-in-law is running around the world negotiating deals for Trump-branded hotels barely merits a mention as another unprecedented corruption of US foreign policy.
Jared Kushner, private equity firm manager and son-in-law to President Trump, has ended his efforts to redevelop a Serbian historical monument into a luxury hotel complex after weeks of protest and controversy. trib.al/ucgINLT
December 17, 2025 at 1:47 AM
The notion that the President's son-in-law is running around the world negotiating deals for Trump-branded hotels barely merits a mention as another unprecedented corruption of US foreign policy.
Join us this Friday for a conversation about all the different narratives the Kremlin has spun to defend its invasion of Ukraine—and to detail what Moscow actually wants. (Hint for Steve Witkoff: it's not just a land swap in the Donbas.)
www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/report...
www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/report...
Report launch: How have Kremlin narratives shaped Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
The latest report in the Atlantic Council’s Russia Tomorrow series examines how the Kremlin has justified its expanded war against Ukraine.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
December 16, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Join us this Friday for a conversation about all the different narratives the Kremlin has spun to defend its invasion of Ukraine—and to detail what Moscow actually wants. (Hint for Steve Witkoff: it's not just a land swap in the Donbas.)
www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/report...
www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/report...
Yet one more downside to the U.S.'s nuclear umbrella receding from Europe—and the potential nuclearization of Poland, Germany, etc.
www.wsj.com/opinion/a-ba...
www.wsj.com/opinion/a-ba...
December 16, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Yet one more downside to the U.S.'s nuclear umbrella receding from Europe—and the potential nuclearization of Poland, Germany, etc.
www.wsj.com/opinion/a-ba...
www.wsj.com/opinion/a-ba...
"More than half of Ukrainians believe national elections should be held only after a final peace agreement is signed and the war with Russia has fully ended" www.kyivpost.com/post/66236?u...
Majority of Ukrainians Say Elections Should Wait Until War Ends, Poll Shows
A majority of Ukrainians say elections should take place only after the war ends and a peace deal is signed, while public trust in Zelensky remains high, according to a new survey.
www.kyivpost.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:43 PM
"More than half of Ukrainians believe national elections should be held only after a final peace agreement is signed and the war with Russia has fully ended" www.kyivpost.com/post/66236?u...