Connor Echols
@connorechols.bsky.social
Reporter at Responsible Statecraft. Formerly @nonzeronews.bsky.social. Foreign policy journalist. Cover image by Nikita Petrov
Reposted by Connor Echols
@connorechols.bsky.social
, in a wild story, uncovers how an obscure staffer, David Milstein, in the State Department has blocked diplomatic cables, pushed for the firing of colleagues, and hunted for US diplomats he views as insufficiently pro-Israel.
responsiblestatecraft.org/david-milste...
, in a wild story, uncovers how an obscure staffer, David Milstein, in the State Department has blocked diplomatic cables, pushed for the firing of colleagues, and hunted for US diplomats he views as insufficiently pro-Israel.
responsiblestatecraft.org/david-milste...
How a little-known embassy aide hijacked US Israel policy
David Milstein, top adviser to Amb. Mike Huckabee, has stoked a culture of fear at the State Department, current and former officials say
responsiblestatecraft.org
September 24, 2025 at 1:33 PM
@connorechols.bsky.social
, in a wild story, uncovers how an obscure staffer, David Milstein, in the State Department has blocked diplomatic cables, pushed for the firing of colleagues, and hunted for US diplomats he views as insufficiently pro-Israel.
responsiblestatecraft.org/david-milste...
, in a wild story, uncovers how an obscure staffer, David Milstein, in the State Department has blocked diplomatic cables, pushed for the firing of colleagues, and hunted for US diplomats he views as insufficiently pro-Israel.
responsiblestatecraft.org/david-milste...
Reposted by Connor Echols
Good piece by @connorechols.bsky.social on the absurdity of America's anti-terrorism laws.
Are You a Terrorist?
As the definition of terrorism expands, NonZero has compiled a handy guide to keep you on the right side of the law.
www.nonzero.org
July 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Good piece by @connorechols.bsky.social on the absurdity of America's anti-terrorism laws.
Reposted by Connor Echols
Good today on @nonzeronews.bsky.social by @connorechols.bsky.social -- the things that could get you designated a terrorist, even if you're clearly not: www.nonzero.org/p/are-you-a-...
Are You a Terrorist?
As the definition of terrorism expands, NonZero has compiled a handy guide to keep you on the right side of the law.
www.nonzero.org
July 30, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Good today on @nonzeronews.bsky.social by @connorechols.bsky.social -- the things that could get you designated a terrorist, even if you're clearly not: www.nonzero.org/p/are-you-a-...
Are you a terrorist? Given the ever-expanding definition of "terrorism," it can be hard to know for sure. So I've created a handy guide to help keep you on the right side of the law.
My latest for @nonzeronews.bsky.social
www.nonzero.org/p/are-you-a-...
My latest for @nonzeronews.bsky.social
www.nonzero.org/p/are-you-a-...
Are You a Terrorist?
As the definition of terrorism expands, NonZero has compiled a handy guide to keep you on the right side of the law.
www.nonzero.org
July 29, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Are you a terrorist? Given the ever-expanding definition of "terrorism," it can be hard to know for sure. So I've created a handy guide to help keep you on the right side of the law.
My latest for @nonzeronews.bsky.social
www.nonzero.org/p/are-you-a-...
My latest for @nonzeronews.bsky.social
www.nonzero.org/p/are-you-a-...
Reposted by Connor Echols
Could China actually, successfully invade Taiwan? Fascinating interview from @connorechols.bsky.social on @nonzeronews.bsky.social: www.nonzero.org/p/why-china-...
Why China Won't Invade Taiwan | NonZero World feat. Dan Grazier
Listen now | 0:00 Why a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is so unlikely 3:36 Taiwan’s terrain: A defender’s dream, an invader’s nightmare 10:30 Why Taipei might be the hardest city in the world to conquer 1...
www.nonzero.org
July 27, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Could China actually, successfully invade Taiwan? Fascinating interview from @connorechols.bsky.social on @nonzeronews.bsky.social: www.nonzero.org/p/why-china-...
Reposted by Connor Echols
I really enjoyed chatting with @connorechols.bsky.social for Nonzero World, getting a chance to reflect on some key takeaways from my last two months in China, especially in relation to the issue of academic exchange. Full video here youtube.com/watch?v=Sqvx..., and a representative clip below:
July 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I really enjoyed chatting with @connorechols.bsky.social for Nonzero World, getting a chance to reflect on some key takeaways from my last two months in China, especially in relation to the issue of academic exchange. Full video here youtube.com/watch?v=Sqvx..., and a representative clip below:
Reposted by Connor Echols
An American Scholar in China | @neysunm.bsky.social joins
@connorechols.bsky.social to discuss his experience bringing American students and scholars to China—including one meeting in which his student pressed a Chinese official on human rights.
@connorechols.bsky.social to discuss his experience bringing American students and scholars to China—including one meeting in which his student pressed a Chinese official on human rights.
A Journey Into the New Cold War | NonZero World feat. Neysun Mahboubi
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
July 12, 2025 at 10:22 PM
An American Scholar in China | @neysunm.bsky.social joins
@connorechols.bsky.social to discuss his experience bringing American students and scholars to China—including one meeting in which his student pressed a Chinese official on human rights.
@connorechols.bsky.social to discuss his experience bringing American students and scholars to China—including one meeting in which his student pressed a Chinese official on human rights.
Reposted by Connor Echols
If international norms are sober motoring, then Trump has declared that drunk driving is actually pretty cool. More from @connorechols.bsky.social:
July 8, 2025 at 1:30 AM
If international norms are sober motoring, then Trump has declared that drunk driving is actually pretty cool. More from @connorechols.bsky.social:
Reposted by Connor Echols
Enforcement with firepower is only part of what makes a legal regime effective. In practice, both domestic and international law derive much of their power from norms. @connorechos.bsky.social
buff.ly/RDjBAqD
buff.ly/RDjBAqD
July 8, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Enforcement with firepower is only part of what makes a legal regime effective. In practice, both domestic and international law derive much of their power from norms. @connorechos.bsky.social
buff.ly/RDjBAqD
buff.ly/RDjBAqD
Reposted by Connor Echols
NEW: "International law is dying. We'll miss it when it's gone." Our latest newsletter explores how the post-WWII order is crumbling—and why Trump's indifference to international law signals a dangerous return to the jungle.
International law is dying. We’ll miss it when it’s gone.
Welcome to the jungle.
www.nonzero.org
July 7, 2025 at 10:26 PM
NEW: "International law is dying. We'll miss it when it's gone." Our latest newsletter explores how the post-WWII order is crumbling—and why Trump's indifference to international law signals a dangerous return to the jungle.
Reposted by Connor Echols
How power really works in DC | @connorechols.bsky.social
talks to best-selling author Barry Eisler about his new novel, The System.
talks to best-selling author Barry Eisler about his new novel, The System.
How America's 'System' Shuts Down Dissent | NonZero World feat. Barry Eisler
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
June 28, 2025 at 2:18 AM
How power really works in DC | @connorechols.bsky.social
talks to best-selling author Barry Eisler about his new novel, The System.
talks to best-selling author Barry Eisler about his new novel, The System.
Reposted by Connor Echols
Had a great time talking to @alexgibneyfilm.bsky.social about the riveting documentary The Bibi Files, which helps explain why Netanyahu is always in the mood for war.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG9Y...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG9Y...
Why Bibi Always Needs More War | Robert Wright & Alex Gibney
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
June 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Had a great time talking to @alexgibneyfilm.bsky.social about the riveting documentary The Bibi Files, which helps explain why Netanyahu is always in the mood for war.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG9Y...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG9Y...
Reposted by Connor Echols
Iranian dissidents—including former political prisoners—almost unanimously oppose military intervention, notwithstanding their deep animus toward the Islamic Republic. An in-depth report on this from 10 years ago is suddenly more relevant than ever. My 2015 piece 👇
inthesetimes.com/article/iran...
inthesetimes.com/article/iran...
Iranian Dissidents Explain Why They Support the Nuclear Deal
We know what politicians from the U.S. to Israel think about the Iran nuclear deal. How about asking some opponents of Iran's regime?
inthesetimes.com
June 15, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Iranian dissidents—including former political prisoners—almost unanimously oppose military intervention, notwithstanding their deep animus toward the Islamic Republic. An in-depth report on this from 10 years ago is suddenly more relevant than ever. My 2015 piece 👇
inthesetimes.com/article/iran...
inthesetimes.com/article/iran...
Reposted by Connor Echols
I had a great conversation with @connorechols.bsky.social on @nonzeronews.bsky.social about Trump’s lurching diplomacy with China, the scary path we’re traveling right now, and some narrow possibilities to change the trajectory.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Ac...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Ac...
Is the US-China Trade War About to Explode? | NonZero World feat. Jake Werner
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
June 16, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I had a great conversation with @connorechols.bsky.social on @nonzeronews.bsky.social about Trump’s lurching diplomacy with China, the scary path we’re traveling right now, and some narrow possibilities to change the trajectory.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Ac...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Ac...
Reposted by Connor Echols
Trump targets Chinese students’ visas, China courts Southeast Asia, and an AI model goes rogue. More news updates in this week’s Earthling:
@robertwrighter.bsky.social @connorechols.bsky.social
@robertwrighter.bsky.social @connorechols.bsky.social
Trump’s National Security Carousel
Plus: AI whistleblowers, Erik Prince returns, good climate news, cold war updates, and more!
buff.ly
May 30, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Trump targets Chinese students’ visas, China courts Southeast Asia, and an AI model goes rogue. More news updates in this week’s Earthling:
@robertwrighter.bsky.social @connorechols.bsky.social
@robertwrighter.bsky.social @connorechols.bsky.social
Reposted by Connor Echols
In this episode of @connorechols.bsky.social's
show NonZero World, we cover a lot: AI & bioweapons, Trump's star wars plan, scary JD Vance, link between foreign wars & domestic terrorism, pernicious 'Putin talking points' meme, etc. Plus check out the cool visuals. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9sc...
show NonZero World, we cover a lot: AI & bioweapons, Trump's star wars plan, scary JD Vance, link between foreign wars & domestic terrorism, pernicious 'Putin talking points' meme, etc. Plus check out the cool visuals. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9sc...
Israel and its Enemies | NonZero World feat. Robert Wright
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
May 24, 2025 at 2:53 PM
In this episode of @connorechols.bsky.social's
show NonZero World, we cover a lot: AI & bioweapons, Trump's star wars plan, scary JD Vance, link between foreign wars & domestic terrorism, pernicious 'Putin talking points' meme, etc. Plus check out the cool visuals. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9sc...
show NonZero World, we cover a lot: AI & bioweapons, Trump's star wars plan, scary JD Vance, link between foreign wars & domestic terrorism, pernicious 'Putin talking points' meme, etc. Plus check out the cool visuals. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9sc...
Reposted by Connor Echols
Important piece by @connorechols.bsky.social in @nonzeronews.bsky.social about how Blob rhetoric discourages diplomacy. www.nonzero.org/p/putins-par...
‘Putin’s Parrot’: How the ‘Talking Points’ Trope Fuels War
The discourse over Ukraine shows just how pervasive, and corrosive, this rhetorical reflex has become.
www.nonzero.org
May 22, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Important piece by @connorechols.bsky.social in @nonzeronews.bsky.social about how Blob rhetoric discourages diplomacy. www.nonzero.org/p/putins-par...
Reposted by Connor Echols
NEW–The Trump administration’s proposed NASA budget would realign the agency toward the priorities of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, adding $1 billion in funding for a Mars mission while imposing deep cuts on other programs. @robertwrighter.bsky.social @connorechols.bsky.social
Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and Strange Orbs
Plus: Interplanetary oligarchy, controversial cloud seeding, Gaza escalation, legally dubious deportations, and more!
www.nonzero.org
May 9, 2025 at 10:05 PM
NEW–The Trump administration’s proposed NASA budget would realign the agency toward the priorities of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, adding $1 billion in funding for a Mars mission while imposing deep cuts on other programs. @robertwrighter.bsky.social @connorechols.bsky.social
Reposted by Connor Echols
Is Trump breaking with Israel? | Jon Hoffman of @cato.org and @connorechols.bsky.social discuss the Houthi ceasefire, US-Iran talks, whether Trump has given up on Gaza, and more.
Is Trump breaking with Israel? | NonZero World feat. Jon Hoffman
YouTube video by Nonzero
youtu.be
May 10, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Is Trump breaking with Israel? | Jon Hoffman of @cato.org and @connorechols.bsky.social discuss the Houthi ceasefire, US-Iran talks, whether Trump has given up on Gaza, and more.
Reposted by Connor Echols
I had a great chat about Trump foreign policy w/ @connorechols.bsky.social on his new show NonZero World. (And check out the cool set design by Nikita Petrov of @psychopolitica.bsky.social.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu_s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu_s...
Trump Doubles Down on the Law of the Jungle | NonZero World feat. Robert Wright
YouTube video by Nonzero
www.youtube.com
May 5, 2025 at 6:00 AM
I had a great chat about Trump foreign policy w/ @connorechols.bsky.social on his new show NonZero World. (And check out the cool set design by Nikita Petrov of @psychopolitica.bsky.social.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu_s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu_s...
Reposted by Connor Echols
Research compiled by the Guardian suggests that most people underestimate how much their fellow Earthlings care about fighting climate change. www.nonzero.org/p/trumps-spe...
April 27, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Research compiled by the Guardian suggests that most people underestimate how much their fellow Earthlings care about fighting climate change. www.nonzero.org/p/trumps-spe...
Trump's pick to head up NIH said he hoped to foster “a culture of respect for free speech in science.” Now, he's saying you can't get a grant if you boycott Israel.
New in @nonzeronews.bsky.social, with @robertwrighter.bsky.social
www.nonzero.org/p/trumps-spe...
New in @nonzeronews.bsky.social, with @robertwrighter.bsky.social
www.nonzero.org/p/trumps-spe...
Trump’s Speech Crackdown Makes a Quantum Leap
Plus: Job-stealing AI, Space Force gets offensive, papal foreign policy, the ‘holier-than-thou’ effect, a novel climate argument, and more!
www.nonzero.org
April 25, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Trump's pick to head up NIH said he hoped to foster “a culture of respect for free speech in science.” Now, he's saying you can't get a grant if you boycott Israel.
New in @nonzeronews.bsky.social, with @robertwrighter.bsky.social
www.nonzero.org/p/trumps-spe...
New in @nonzeronews.bsky.social, with @robertwrighter.bsky.social
www.nonzero.org/p/trumps-spe...
Reposted by Connor Echols
NEW: The detention of Georgetown University postdoctoral fellow Badar Khan Suri parallels the cases of Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk. His colleague Nader Hashemi reflects for @newlinesmag.bsky.social on his recent visit with Suri in an ICE facility in Texas.
newlinesmag.com/first-person...
newlinesmag.com/first-person...
Teaching Gandhi in a Texas Detention Center
A visit to the ICE facility housing the Georgetown postdoctoral fellow Badar Khan Suri, whose case parallels those of Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk
newlinesmag.com
April 23, 2025 at 10:50 AM
NEW: The detention of Georgetown University postdoctoral fellow Badar Khan Suri parallels the cases of Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk. His colleague Nader Hashemi reflects for @newlinesmag.bsky.social on his recent visit with Suri in an ICE facility in Texas.
newlinesmag.com/first-person...
newlinesmag.com/first-person...
Reposted by Connor Echols
The Trump administration is of two minds about Iran talks. The success or failure of negotiations—and the possibility of full-scale war—will likely depend on which mind prevails. @robertwrighter.bsky.social and @connorechols.bsky.social
Tariffs, Tech, and the View from China
Plus: US-Russia cooperation, thirsty data centers, tariff fears, AI fears, US-Iran conflict fears, and more!
www.nonzero.org
April 11, 2025 at 11:00 PM
The Trump administration is of two minds about Iran talks. The success or failure of negotiations—and the possibility of full-scale war—will likely depend on which mind prevails. @robertwrighter.bsky.social and @connorechols.bsky.social
Reposted by Connor Echols
NEW: Silicon Valley stalwarts can imagine all kinds of fantastical futures… except one where we cooperate with China. @robertwrighter.bsky.social and @connorechols.bsky.social
Tariffs, Tech, and the View from China
Plus: US-Russia cooperation, thirsty data centers, tariff fears, AI fears, US-Iran conflict fears, and more!
www.nonzero.org
April 11, 2025 at 9:30 PM
NEW: Silicon Valley stalwarts can imagine all kinds of fantastical futures… except one where we cooperate with China. @robertwrighter.bsky.social and @connorechols.bsky.social