Dead Carl
@deadcarl.bsky.social
www.deadcarl.com
Writer on Clausewitz, international relations, and German history. Words in American Purpose.
Kiran Pfitzner
Writer on Clausewitz, international relations, and German history. Words in American Purpose.
Kiran Pfitzner
Pinned
Dead Carl
@deadcarl.bsky.social
· Nov 14
The Myth of Military Logic
How "military necessity" became the key-stone of militarism
www.deadcarl.com
Since there's a lot of us migrating, I figured I should make a thread of some of the better things I've written as an introduction (and of course, self promotion:
Reposted by Dead Carl
This is, once again, a fantastic reminder of the need for a strong natsec bench for Dems and by strong bench I do not just mean people who are vocal about cutting the budget an insane percentage and go drinking with Quincy Institute fellows.
January 4, 2026 at 5:04 AM
This is, once again, a fantastic reminder of the need for a strong natsec bench for Dems and by strong bench I do not just mean people who are vocal about cutting the budget an insane percentage and go drinking with Quincy Institute fellows.
Reposted by Dead Carl
I swear Trump could start a war unilaterally and Bluesky would be more angry about what Hakeem Jefferies and Chuck Schumer have to say about it than the actual war itself.
January 3, 2026 at 8:25 PM
I swear Trump could start a war unilaterally and Bluesky would be more angry about what Hakeem Jefferies and Chuck Schumer have to say about it than the actual war itself.
Reposted by Dead Carl
As I've been saying for years to others "Both sides are the same" or "All Politicians are corrupt" only serves to run cover for those that are worse at the expense of those that are better.
Far too many times did the person saying such things also come with the smug aura of "I'm smart to say that"
Far too many times did the person saying such things also come with the smug aura of "I'm smart to say that"
January 4, 2026 at 3:31 AM
As I've been saying for years to others "Both sides are the same" or "All Politicians are corrupt" only serves to run cover for those that are worse at the expense of those that are better.
Far too many times did the person saying such things also come with the smug aura of "I'm smart to say that"
Far too many times did the person saying such things also come with the smug aura of "I'm smart to say that"
There’s no alternative to the military being part of checks and balances if we want a republic and not an elective dictatorship. If an officer is told to do something illegal, they must refuse. Otherwise, the president could order the other branches killed.
You want civilian control of the military in a democracy. Well, this is it. Elect better civilians.
You want the military to be part of the checks and balances? That’s a praetorian guard.
You want the military to be part of the checks and balances? That’s a praetorian guard.
Real black pilled on the military. The oath means absolutely nothing at all, apparently. Happy to be praetorians, just as long as the check clears.
January 4, 2026 at 4:55 AM
There’s no alternative to the military being part of checks and balances if we want a republic and not an elective dictatorship. If an officer is told to do something illegal, they must refuse. Otherwise, the president could order the other branches killed.
Reposted by Dead Carl
my own basic take is that, for basic economic-demographic-geographic reasons, american power isn't going anywhere. the next democratic president is going to confront the fact of american power. you can wish it away... but wishing won't do much.
the question is, how do we do better?
the question is, how do we do better?
idk man maybe there's a chance for us to be better and self-flagellation is very dumb right now
January 4, 2026 at 2:45 AM
my own basic take is that, for basic economic-demographic-geographic reasons, american power isn't going anywhere. the next democratic president is going to confront the fact of american power. you can wish it away... but wishing won't do much.
the question is, how do we do better?
the question is, how do we do better?
Reposted by Dead Carl
So this is sort of fascinating because on the one hand obviously the Roman imperial senate was a shadow of what, say, the Senate of the third and second centuries BC had been, but at the same time it was a pretty crucial component of imperial governance into the third century.
You ever think about how the Roman Senate kept meeting centuries into the reigns of emperors. Hanging out, shooting the shit, giving speeches, and play-acting that their positions of privilege remained positions of power.
January 4, 2026 at 2:43 AM
So this is sort of fascinating because on the one hand obviously the Roman imperial senate was a shadow of what, say, the Senate of the third and second centuries BC had been, but at the same time it was a pretty crucial component of imperial governance into the third century.
Reposted by Dead Carl
“Realists” try not to be wrong challenge (impossible)
January 3, 2026 at 10:14 PM
“Realists” try not to be wrong challenge (impossible)
Reposted by Dead Carl
Their messaging is so fucking incoherent. Maduro was an illegitimate leader who lost in 2024, which is why we're replacing him with his VP instead of the person who won in 2024. We did this to stop fentanyl, which is why he's indicted for cocaine.
We're also occupying Venezuela via Zoom call.
We're also occupying Venezuela via Zoom call.
January 3, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Their messaging is so fucking incoherent. Maduro was an illegitimate leader who lost in 2024, which is why we're replacing him with his VP instead of the person who won in 2024. We did this to stop fentanyl, which is why he's indicted for cocaine.
We're also occupying Venezuela via Zoom call.
We're also occupying Venezuela via Zoom call.
Reposted by Dead Carl
"This actually isn't about oil" is often perfectly correct and it's guaranteed to make the most noxious, stupid people on the internet lose their ever-living minds.
OK, crash course in oil. Oil has two main gradings, viscosity (light or heavy) and sulfur (sweet or sour). A light (low viscosity) and sweet (low sulfur) oil is easier to process into gasoline and other products than a heavy and sour one, so the light & sweet oil commands a premium price.
I know several oil barons, I’ve had the oil and gas industry as clients in a past life: none of them want the Venezuelan oil, it’s dog shit quality and getting the PDVSA fields up to modern standards would take 20 years! It’s just trump being stuck in 1987
January 3, 2026 at 10:08 PM
"This actually isn't about oil" is often perfectly correct and it's guaranteed to make the most noxious, stupid people on the internet lose their ever-living minds.
Reposted by Dead Carl
I keep seeing people posting like “another capitalist war of imperialism“, and like, no, nobody wants to do this.
one of the dumbest parts of this is the idea that oil producers actually want their holdings in venezeula back, which they do not. it’s a war for oil no one really wants.
January 3, 2026 at 9:16 PM
I keep seeing people posting like “another capitalist war of imperialism“, and like, no, nobody wants to do this.
Reposted by Dead Carl
>Trump gets elected
>starts illegally smuggling Venezuelans to America
Now who's weak on the border, huh?
>starts illegally smuggling Venezuelans to America
Now who's weak on the border, huh?
January 3, 2026 at 9:28 PM
>Trump gets elected
>starts illegally smuggling Venezuelans to America
Now who's weak on the border, huh?
>starts illegally smuggling Venezuelans to America
Now who's weak on the border, huh?
Reposted by Dead Carl
Something something sphere of influence, something America’s backyard, something BRICS expansion
January 3, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Something something sphere of influence, something America’s backyard, something BRICS expansion
I think it is very important to acknowledge that Maduro is a bad guy for the sake of keeping the conversation focused on the unconstitutionality of the strikes.
There’s a real debate about if and when it is acceptable to topple a dictator, and this is not the time for that.
There’s a real debate about if and when it is acceptable to topple a dictator, and this is not the time for that.
January 3, 2026 at 8:01 PM
I think it is very important to acknowledge that Maduro is a bad guy for the sake of keeping the conversation focused on the unconstitutionality of the strikes.
There’s a real debate about if and when it is acceptable to topple a dictator, and this is not the time for that.
There’s a real debate about if and when it is acceptable to topple a dictator, and this is not the time for that.
The Washington Post editorial board comes out in favor of the Venezuela attack/operation to capture Maduro
January 3, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by Dead Carl
Bluesky FP and MilSci poasters sharing memes this morning like:
January 3, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Bluesky FP and MilSci poasters sharing memes this morning like:
Reposted by Dead Carl
Whether attempting regime change in Venezuela is smart or just is not the question. Many will try to make it the question.
The question is whether the President can start wars without the authorization of Congress. The question is whether the armed forces are still loyal to the Constitution.
The question is whether the President can start wars without the authorization of Congress. The question is whether the armed forces are still loyal to the Constitution.
January 3, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Whether attempting regime change in Venezuela is smart or just is not the question. Many will try to make it the question.
The question is whether the President can start wars without the authorization of Congress. The question is whether the armed forces are still loyal to the Constitution.
The question is whether the President can start wars without the authorization of Congress. The question is whether the armed forces are still loyal to the Constitution.
My guess at the moment is some mix of too afraid to disobey but very ready to pull the plug.
if they pulled the plug and aborted early into the op, that would probably be the single reasonable thing to happen tonight
January 3, 2026 at 9:00 AM
My guess at the moment is some mix of too afraid to disobey but very ready to pull the plug.
Reposted by Dead Carl
The members who did the "don't follow illegal orders" video absolutely need to immediately do a "hey these were the illegal orders we were talking about and participating in them can expect to face consequences to the fullest extent of the law" video
Uniformed military are involved in this shambolic behavior and they all need to be held to account
A primary goal of the discussion now on dragging dem pols to do the right thing has to be on widespread accountability and where appropriate prosecutions of significant numbers of servicemembers
A primary goal of the discussion now on dragging dem pols to do the right thing has to be on widespread accountability and where appropriate prosecutions of significant numbers of servicemembers
Inexcusable shit.
January 3, 2026 at 8:29 AM
The members who did the "don't follow illegal orders" video absolutely need to immediately do a "hey these were the illegal orders we were talking about and participating in them can expect to face consequences to the fullest extent of the law" video
Reposted by Dead Carl
OK, crash course in oil. Oil has two main gradings, viscosity (light or heavy) and sulfur (sweet or sour). A light (low viscosity) and sweet (low sulfur) oil is easier to process into gasoline and other products than a heavy and sour one, so the light & sweet oil commands a premium price.
I know several oil barons, I’ve had the oil and gas industry as clients in a past life: none of them want the Venezuelan oil, it’s dog shit quality and getting the PDVSA fields up to modern standards would take 20 years! It’s just trump being stuck in 1987
At this point the oil barons hardly even care (they can pivot to renewables too). It’s just gender and internal combustion brain
January 3, 2026 at 8:35 AM
OK, crash course in oil. Oil has two main gradings, viscosity (light or heavy) and sulfur (sweet or sour). A light (low viscosity) and sweet (low sulfur) oil is easier to process into gasoline and other products than a heavy and sour one, so the light & sweet oil commands a premium price.
Reposted by Dead Carl
Even if Maduro were a greater monster than Hitler and his overthrow an unalloyed good that might be easily achieved through military action, such action would still require the approval of Congress. Any orders to act absent that approval must be refused by officers of the armed forces.
January 3, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Even if Maduro were a greater monster than Hitler and his overthrow an unalloyed good that might be easily achieved through military action, such action would still require the approval of Congress. Any orders to act absent that approval must be refused by officers of the armed forces.
Whether attempting regime change in Venezuela is smart or just is not the question. Many will try to make it the question.
The question is whether the President can start wars without the authorization of Congress. The question is whether the armed forces are still loyal to the Constitution.
The question is whether the President can start wars without the authorization of Congress. The question is whether the armed forces are still loyal to the Constitution.
January 3, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Whether attempting regime change in Venezuela is smart or just is not the question. Many will try to make it the question.
The question is whether the President can start wars without the authorization of Congress. The question is whether the armed forces are still loyal to the Constitution.
The question is whether the President can start wars without the authorization of Congress. The question is whether the armed forces are still loyal to the Constitution.
This is the ball-game. Either we have a republic or we don’t. Time to find out.
They didn’t even bother to ask for an AUMF, impeachment
January 3, 2026 at 8:01 AM
This is the ball-game. Either we have a republic or we don’t. Time to find out.
Reposted by Dead Carl
Something I don't think folks have fully clocked is the degree to which just about everyone under the age of 45 in any natsecs adjacent space to the left of groypers is flatly saying "this is illegal as shit, that's all there is to it"
Yep there’s no legal justification here. Either we have laws or we don’t.
They didn’t even bother to ask for an AUMF, impeachment
January 3, 2026 at 7:54 AM
Something I don't think folks have fully clocked is the degree to which just about everyone under the age of 45 in any natsecs adjacent space to the left of groypers is flatly saying "this is illegal as shit, that's all there is to it"
There are many reasons these strikes are morally abhorrent and simply illegal, but it would be a mistake to equate them to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Bombing the forces of a tyrannical dictatorship is very different from attacking a democratic state.
January 3, 2026 at 7:59 AM
There are many reasons these strikes are morally abhorrent and simply illegal, but it would be a mistake to equate them to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Bombing the forces of a tyrannical dictatorship is very different from attacking a democratic state.
Reposted by Dead Carl
The distance between our world and one without two world wars is basically “Frederick quits tobacco”
I’ve previously joked that if you develop a Time Machine you don’t kill baby Hitler, you give young Frederick goddamn nicorette
January 2, 2026 at 6:33 PM
The distance between our world and one without two world wars is basically “Frederick quits tobacco”