David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
@dburbach.bsky.social
Prof. National Security and International Relations. Space security, civil-military relations. Cats, science, photography for fun. Providence RI; Oregon at heart! Personal views ONLY; no govt resources used. Assoc Ed @TNSR.org
Pinned
David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
@dburbach.bsky.social
· Oct 19
My pinned tweet through Presidents of both parties: Sen. Leahy reminds an appointee that federal employees swear an oath to the Constitution, not of personal loyalty to any one man or woman.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlSI...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlSI...
Interesting
BREAKING: An American military operation in Venezuela killed 32 Cuban officers over the weekend, the Cuban government said in the first official acknowledgement of the deaths.
Cuba says 32 Cuban officers were killed in US action in Venezuela
An American military operation in Venezuela killed 32 Cuban officers over the weekend, the Cuban government said Sunday in the first official acknowledgement of the deaths.
bit.ly
January 5, 2026 at 3:44 AM
Interesting
Totally fine if we put Miller in Timberland boots and parachute him into Caracas on his own.
Don't worry, they're considering putting Stephen Miller in charge....
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
January 5, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Totally fine if we put Miller in Timberland boots and parachute him into Caracas on his own.
My. God.
WH sources say Venezuela's opposition leader committed the "ultimate sin": She accepted the Nobel Peace prize.
“If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today,” one said.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
“If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today,” one said.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
January 5, 2026 at 3:37 AM
My. God.
The interesting part of the 1990s movie Wag The Dog was not the notion of a President launching a diversionary war -- that's old hat. it's that there was no war! The movie White House FAKED a war, largely with CGI video, including grateful liberated people.
This video, viewed millions of times on TikTok, Facebook and X, claims to show Venezuelans taking to the street to thank the US for detaining Maduro.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
But the video is a combination of four AI-generated clips and was first posted on TikTok by a user who frequently shares AI videos. It's not real.
January 5, 2026 at 12:52 AM
The interesting part of the 1990s movie Wag The Dog was not the notion of a President launching a diversionary war -- that's old hat. it's that there was no war! The movie White House FAKED a war, largely with CGI video, including grateful liberated people.
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
No. No. No.
Punitive processes make narrowly targeted programs *less* efficient and *more* costly. Because more scrutiny requires more bureaucracy.
Punitive processes also make it *less* likely that people will get aid for which they qualify. Because of the roadblocks and stigma scrutiny creates.
Punitive processes make narrowly targeted programs *less* efficient and *more* costly. Because more scrutiny requires more bureaucracy.
Punitive processes also make it *less* likely that people will get aid for which they qualify. Because of the roadblocks and stigma scrutiny creates.
January 4, 2026 at 8:48 PM
No. No. No.
Punitive processes make narrowly targeted programs *less* efficient and *more* costly. Because more scrutiny requires more bureaucracy.
Punitive processes also make it *less* likely that people will get aid for which they qualify. Because of the roadblocks and stigma scrutiny creates.
Punitive processes make narrowly targeted programs *less* efficient and *more* costly. Because more scrutiny requires more bureaucracy.
Punitive processes also make it *less* likely that people will get aid for which they qualify. Because of the roadblocks and stigma scrutiny creates.
Look outside tonight. In a few more days the Moon will be waning half full. It's quite possible that *next* time it's waning half, in February, when you look at up at it there will also be four humans in a tiny spacecraft passing next to it. #artemisII
whoa, wait.
This really snuck up on me (in my head, there was waaaaay longer space between now and this event).
But #ArtemisII launch date is scheduled for a month from now?
I thought this was pushed forward ....
Even any point in this year feels like it snuck up on me!
This really snuck up on me (in my head, there was waaaaay longer space between now and this event).
But #ArtemisII launch date is scheduled for a month from now?
I thought this was pushed forward ....
Even any point in this year feels like it snuck up on me!
January 4, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Look outside tonight. In a few more days the Moon will be waning half full. It's quite possible that *next* time it's waning half, in February, when you look at up at it there will also be four humans in a tiny spacecraft passing next to it. #artemisII
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
As an example of how this is complicated, prior to maybe 2021 like 95% of the officers who would take the time to make a point to give everyone a "remember you swore an oath to the Constitution, read it and understand it" spiel were oathkeeper cranks on track to be the next Mike Flynn
January 4, 2026 at 10:49 PM
As an example of how this is complicated, prior to maybe 2021 like 95% of the officers who would take the time to make a point to give everyone a "remember you swore an oath to the Constitution, read it and understand it" spiel were oathkeeper cranks on track to be the next Mike Flynn
A bit of perspective.
Soon after taking office JFK asked Bundy to confirm w DOD that if Kennedy called the command center and ordered an immediate launch, they would execute it no questions asked and no matter how 'green' the threat board was at the time.
January 4, 2026 at 9:30 PM
A bit of perspective.
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
It's wild that the PM of a NATO member feels compelled to put out a statement like this vis-à-vis the US government.
January 4, 2026 at 8:23 PM
It's wild that the PM of a NATO member feels compelled to put out a statement like this vis-à-vis the US government.
I do find it interesting it seems mostly civilians saying "but how many right wing crackpot generals can there be?" or "so you just fire the Flynns", and mostly career military "yeah... you really do want to keep the generals in a tight box..."
A problem is that if it's ok for Johnny Goodgeneral to overrule DOJ/POTUS on legality of orders, you also get Mike Flynn or Jerry Boykin rejecting orders on vaccines, allowing gay service, escorting kids in Little Rock, or saying Obama is Kenyan and not really President
January 4, 2026 at 8:24 PM
I do find it interesting it seems mostly civilians saying "but how many right wing crackpot generals can there be?" or "so you just fire the Flynns", and mostly career military "yeah... you really do want to keep the generals in a tight box..."
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
hey, do you remember when Elon Musk allowed Dom Lucre - that Qanon influencer who posted CSAM - back on Twitter/X, kept giving him payments, and then the New York Times wrote a soft-focus piece about Lucre’s life?
For the last few days on X, people (mainly women, and sometimes children) have had nonconsensual images of them in swimsuits (or much worse) requested by users and created by Grok.
Musk's only apparent response thus far has been to crack jokes about it.
Musk's only apparent response thus far has been to crack jokes about it.
so x dot com’s ai generated CSAM and they admitted it may violate US law and … i haven’t seen in anyone in power say much at all or call to stop using the platform
January 2, 2026 at 5:46 PM
hey, do you remember when Elon Musk allowed Dom Lucre - that Qanon influencer who posted CSAM - back on Twitter/X, kept giving him payments, and then the New York Times wrote a soft-focus piece about Lucre’s life?
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
NBC's sources said that "the potential mission in Mexico is not designed to undermine the Mexican government." But that's what it will do if the US is doing CIA drone strikes on Mexican soil over the objections of the president.
January 4, 2026 at 7:19 PM
NBC's sources said that "the potential mission in Mexico is not designed to undermine the Mexican government." But that's what it will do if the US is doing CIA drone strikes on Mexican soil over the objections of the president.
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
“The only thing the elite Washington press corps likes more than a bipartisan commission on debt reduction is a stack of flag-draped coffins.” web.archive.org/web/20200103...
January 4, 2026 at 7:07 PM
“The only thing the elite Washington press corps likes more than a bipartisan commission on debt reduction is a stack of flag-draped coffins.” web.archive.org/web/20200103...
Are we going to maintain an 'armada' in the Caribbean indefinitely, ready to bomb Venezuela or kidnap the oil minister or whatever any day we don't like some decision? You really can't "run" a nation like that
A former staffer said that U.S. officials would not be performing a formal occupation like in Iraq. “We’re going to tell them: ‘Hey, this is what you have to do in order for there not to be another strike. That’s what [Trump] sees as running the country.” www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Rubio takes on most challenging role yet: Viceroy of Venezuela
The top U.S. diplomat has pushed for regime change for over a decade. Now the hard part begins.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Are we going to maintain an 'armada' in the Caribbean indefinitely, ready to bomb Venezuela or kidnap the oil minister or whatever any day we don't like some decision? You really can't "run" a nation like that
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAID WE ARE IN CONTROL OF VENEZUELA
STEPHANOPOULOS: Why wasn't congressional authorization necessary?
RUBIO: It wasn't necessary because this was not an invasion. We didn't occupy a country. This was an arrest operation.
RUBIO: It wasn't necessary because this was not an invasion. We didn't occupy a country. This was an arrest operation.
January 4, 2026 at 6:26 PM
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SAID WE ARE IN CONTROL OF VENEZUELA
A problem is that if it's ok for Johnny Goodgeneral to overrule DOJ/POTUS on legality of orders, you also get Mike Flynn or Jerry Boykin rejecting orders on vaccines, allowing gay service, escorting kids in Little Rock, or saying Obama is Kenyan and not really President
January 4, 2026 at 1:53 PM
A problem is that if it's ok for Johnny Goodgeneral to overrule DOJ/POTUS on legality of orders, you also get Mike Flynn or Jerry Boykin rejecting orders on vaccines, allowing gay service, escorting kids in Little Rock, or saying Obama is Kenyan and not really President
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
hey buddy (someone in the bay area please adopt him!)
"Stromboli is a ~2 y/o big boy who was trapped for a TNR project but is way too friendly to be released back outside. He is a sweet young cat who loves pets and attention. He's weighing in at over 14 lbs!"
www.petfinder.com/cat/strombol...
"Stromboli is a ~2 y/o big boy who was trapped for a TNR project but is way too friendly to be released back outside. He is a sweet young cat who loves pets and attention. He's weighing in at over 14 lbs!"
www.petfinder.com/cat/strombol...
January 3, 2026 at 12:50 AM
hey buddy (someone in the bay area please adopt him!)
"Stromboli is a ~2 y/o big boy who was trapped for a TNR project but is way too friendly to be released back outside. He is a sweet young cat who loves pets and attention. He's weighing in at over 14 lbs!"
www.petfinder.com/cat/strombol...
"Stromboli is a ~2 y/o big boy who was trapped for a TNR project but is way too friendly to be released back outside. He is a sweet young cat who loves pets and attention. He's weighing in at over 14 lbs!"
www.petfinder.com/cat/strombol...
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
The Chicago protest against the U.S. attack on Venezuela has stepped off to march through the downtown area. Hundreds have joined the march.
January 3, 2026 at 11:51 PM
The Chicago protest against the U.S. attack on Venezuela has stepped off to march through the downtown area. Hundreds have joined the march.
What about the "everyone who worked here yesterday, minus one" government still in place in Caracas?
January 4, 2026 at 4:38 AM
What about the "everyone who worked here yesterday, minus one" government still in place in Caracas?
Reposted by David Burbach 🇺🇸🌹
So ultimately we come to something like @sky.skymarchini.net’s explanation as perhaps pretty likely: they get positive utility from fighting
A prewar deal isn’t worth as much as the same post-war result because the war itself has performative value
bsky.app/profile/sky....
A prewar deal isn’t worth as much as the same post-war result because the war itself has performative value
bsky.app/profile/sky....
And, I want to emphasize, it’s not even as complicated as “they want to occupy Poland” it’s even stupider, they wanna appear tough online and/or jack off to snuff films. It’s entirely the politics of aesthetics, looking like you’re beating the shit outta those pathetic liberal/foreigner/slurs
We are being governed by people who have an absolute compulsion to appear to be “the man in the arena“ on Twitter dot com. Like, that’s what this boils down to. It’s a flame war by people who control an army bsky.app/profile/abea...
January 4, 2026 at 3:13 AM
So ultimately we come to something like @sky.skymarchini.net’s explanation as perhaps pretty likely: they get positive utility from fighting
A prewar deal isn’t worth as much as the same post-war result because the war itself has performative value
bsky.app/profile/sky....
A prewar deal isn’t worth as much as the same post-war result because the war itself has performative value
bsky.app/profile/sky....
Event betting markets are treated as commodities, insider trading OK, but
1. This is like betting not on future bulk orange juice prices, but "will Sunkist dump salt in their OJ" and Sunkist execs can bet
2. Sucks for Sunkist shareholders when execs motivated by crazy event market payoffs
1. This is like betting not on future bulk orange juice prices, but "will Sunkist dump salt in their OJ" and Sunkist execs can bet
2. Sucks for Sunkist shareholders when execs motivated by crazy event market payoffs
A side story is there’s a ton of insider trading on these prediction markets. New accounts making hundreds of thousands on their first and only trade, that maduro would be ousted. Seems like insider trading is legal if not encouraged on these platforms
January 4, 2026 at 1:53 AM
Event betting markets are treated as commodities, insider trading OK, but
1. This is like betting not on future bulk orange juice prices, but "will Sunkist dump salt in their OJ" and Sunkist execs can bet
2. Sucks for Sunkist shareholders when execs motivated by crazy event market payoffs
1. This is like betting not on future bulk orange juice prices, but "will Sunkist dump salt in their OJ" and Sunkist execs can bet
2. Sucks for Sunkist shareholders when execs motivated by crazy event market payoffs
One reason Trump 1.0 NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine was pretty successful maintaining bipartisan support for NASA, including Biden keeping Artemis, was Bridenstine stayed clear of unnecessary chest-thumping, attack-dog, or controversial political statements
January 4, 2026 at 1:15 AM
One reason Trump 1.0 NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine was pretty successful maintaining bipartisan support for NASA, including Biden keeping Artemis, was Bridenstine stayed clear of unnecessary chest-thumping, attack-dog, or controversial political statements
Fascinating
1. Admin may not have informed Congress but has been talking regime change w US oil industry
2. Oil at $60, US firms not excited about major capex to get VZ heavy sour crude
3. Sounds like WH wants to prod oil firms to make their vision happen, more than WH doing US oil's bidding
1. Admin may not have informed Congress but has been talking regime change w US oil industry
2. Oil at $60, US firms not excited about major capex to get VZ heavy sour crude
3. Sounds like WH wants to prod oil firms to make their vision happen, more than WH doing US oil's bidding
a lot of interesting revelations between the lines of this story www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 4, 2026 at 1:07 AM
Fascinating
1. Admin may not have informed Congress but has been talking regime change w US oil industry
2. Oil at $60, US firms not excited about major capex to get VZ heavy sour crude
3. Sounds like WH wants to prod oil firms to make their vision happen, more than WH doing US oil's bidding
1. Admin may not have informed Congress but has been talking regime change w US oil industry
2. Oil at $60, US firms not excited about major capex to get VZ heavy sour crude
3. Sounds like WH wants to prod oil firms to make their vision happen, more than WH doing US oil's bidding