Frank O'Donnell
@frank11285.bsky.social
Senior Research Adviser, @apln.network
Adjunct Fellow, @eastwestcenter.bsky.social
Opinions my own, reposts ≠ endorsement.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-o-donnell-b84675158
Adjunct Fellow, @eastwestcenter.bsky.social
Opinions my own, reposts ≠ endorsement.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-o-donnell-b84675158
Pinned
Frank O'Donnell
@frank11285.bsky.social
· Aug 13
Advancing Nuclear Fail-Safe in the Asia-Pacific | Asia-Pacific Leadership Network
APLN has worked with partners in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States to highlight the benefits of independent, internal “fail-safe” reviews in nuclear-armed states.
Fail-safe reviews are...
apln.network
Nuclear failsafe reviews - as conducted by 🇺🇸 in 1990-1992 and 2022-2024 - are important measures to safeguard against accidental or inadvertent nuclear use. Today, @apln.network, @nti.org & @theeln.bsky.social co-publish summaries from 🇨🇳 🇮🇳 🇵🇰 🇫🇷 🇬🇧 Track-II failsafe workshops over the last year.
Operation Dubowitz-Heinonen II, with the first of course being that fiasco last June. The JCPOA was a good agreement.
U.S. Gathers the Most Air Power in the Mideast Since the 2003 Iraq Invasion
President Trump is being briefed on military options for striking Iran, even as aides hold talks with its regime.
www.wsj.com
February 19, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Operation Dubowitz-Heinonen II, with the first of course being that fiasco last June. The JCPOA was a good agreement.
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
NEW: Hockey rink shooter Robert Dorgan was the father of Kevin Colantonio, who was convicted of setting fire to a predominantly Black church in RI in 2024.
Sources tell Target 12 Colantonio was influenced by Dorgan's far-right ideology. w/
@elisherman.bsky.social
www.wpri.com/target-12/pa...
Sources tell Target 12 Colantonio was influenced by Dorgan's far-right ideology. w/
@elisherman.bsky.social
www.wpri.com/target-12/pa...
www.wpri.com
February 18, 2026 at 7:50 PM
NEW: Hockey rink shooter Robert Dorgan was the father of Kevin Colantonio, who was convicted of setting fire to a predominantly Black church in RI in 2024.
Sources tell Target 12 Colantonio was influenced by Dorgan's far-right ideology. w/
@elisherman.bsky.social
www.wpri.com/target-12/pa...
Sources tell Target 12 Colantonio was influenced by Dorgan's far-right ideology. w/
@elisherman.bsky.social
www.wpri.com/target-12/pa...
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
In this special report, Moeed Yusuf and Rizwan Zeb examine the trilateral dynamic in five South Asian nuclear crises whereby the United States played a mediatory role, leading to crisis termination.
www.apln.network/projects/nuc... #NukeSky
www.apln.network/projects/nuc... #NukeSky
A Quarter Century of Nuclear South Asia: Nuclear Noise, Signalling, and the Risk of Escalation in India-Pakistan Crises | Asia-Pacific Leadership Network
www.apln.network
February 5, 2026 at 8:38 AM
In this special report, Moeed Yusuf and Rizwan Zeb examine the trilateral dynamic in five South Asian nuclear crises whereby the United States played a mediatory role, leading to crisis termination.
www.apln.network/projects/nuc... #NukeSky
www.apln.network/projects/nuc... #NukeSky
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
In this special report, APLN member Rakesh Sood examines how #India and #Pakistan have perceived and responded to each other’s #nuclear signalling across multiple crises.
www.apln.network/projects/nuc...
www.apln.network/projects/nuc...
Escalation Dynamics Under the Nuclear Shadow—India’s Approach | Asia-Pacific Leadership Network
www.apln.network
February 11, 2026 at 1:36 PM
In this special report, APLN member Rakesh Sood examines how #India and #Pakistan have perceived and responded to each other’s #nuclear signalling across multiple crises.
www.apln.network/projects/nuc...
www.apln.network/projects/nuc...
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
75 former senior officials & experts call on all nuclear-armed states to strengthen safeguards against accidental, mistaken, or unauthorised nuclear use.
Joint statement by APLN, EASLG, @theeln.bsky.social, Grandview Institution & @nti.org, released at #MSC2026.
www.apln.network/analysis/sta...
Joint statement by APLN, EASLG, @theeln.bsky.social, Grandview Institution & @nti.org, released at #MSC2026.
www.apln.network/analysis/sta...
Group Statement: Supporting Nuclear Fail-safe | Asia-Pacific Leadership Network
www.apln.network
February 13, 2026 at 11:07 AM
75 former senior officials & experts call on all nuclear-armed states to strengthen safeguards against accidental, mistaken, or unauthorised nuclear use.
Joint statement by APLN, EASLG, @theeln.bsky.social, Grandview Institution & @nti.org, released at #MSC2026.
www.apln.network/analysis/sta...
Joint statement by APLN, EASLG, @theeln.bsky.social, Grandview Institution & @nti.org, released at #MSC2026.
www.apln.network/analysis/sta...
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
So the Obama administration oral history project went live today. An extraordinary resource for historians and teachers, and a great credit to the team of folks who compiled them all, including Evan McCormick, @pastpunditry.bsky.social and many others.
Obama Presidency Oral History
The Obama Presidency as told by 450+ officials, activists, organizers, and extraordinary people from all walks of life.
share.google
February 17, 2026 at 11:50 PM
So the Obama administration oral history project went live today. An extraordinary resource for historians and teachers, and a great credit to the team of folks who compiled them all, including Evan McCormick, @pastpunditry.bsky.social and many others.
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
India's government launched a Vibrant Villages Programme almost four years ago. But as China steadily builds up its side, Indian residents wonder what's taking so long. n.pr/4alUgen
India has long promised 'vibrant' border villages, as China speedily builds up
India's government launched a Vibrant Villages Programme almost four years ago. But as China steadily builds up its side, Indian residents wonder what's taking so long.
n.pr
February 18, 2026 at 1:05 AM
India's government launched a Vibrant Villages Programme almost four years ago. But as China steadily builds up its side, Indian residents wonder what's taking so long. n.pr/4alUgen
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
Macron arrives in India as blockbuster fighter jet deal nears ft.trib.al/ZnsRDhp
Macron arrives in India as blockbuster fighter jet deal nears
The $35bn sale of more than 100 Rafales would be the largest-ever for New Delhi and Dassault Aviation
ft.trib.al
February 17, 2026 at 4:34 AM
Macron arrives in India as blockbuster fighter jet deal nears ft.trib.al/ZnsRDhp
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
Great opportunity to join @ssp-mit.bsky.social and conduct research on China's foreign and security policies!
If you are a recent or soon-to-be college graduate interested in China’s foreign and security policies and possess advanced Chinese language skills, then consider applying for the China research support associate position at MIT’s Security Studies Program.
Info + application: https://bit.ly/4rCIhz3
Info + application: https://bit.ly/4rCIhz3
February 17, 2026 at 2:09 AM
Great opportunity to join @ssp-mit.bsky.social and conduct research on China's foreign and security policies!
I drive past this place about once a week. Ban guns. Also, who brings a gun to a high school hockey game?
Two Killed, Three Injured in Rhode Island Ice Rink Shooting
Authorities said the shooting appeared to be the result of a family dispute. The shooting suspect was also found dead in the arena.
www.wsj.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:50 AM
I drive past this place about once a week. Ban guns. Also, who brings a gun to a high school hockey game?
Love the new Gabriela Márcia -
Nightfall, by Gabriela Márcia
4 track album
gabimarciaofc.bandcamp.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:29 AM
Love the new Gabriela Márcia -
RIP. A giant.
Robert Duvall, Chameleonlike Actor of Film, Stage and TV, Dies at 95 www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/m...
Robert Duvall, Chameleonlike Actor of Film, Stage and TV, Dies at 95
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 6:31 PM
RIP. A giant.
Asking it to generate a legal justification?
Exclusive | Pentagon Used Anthropic’s Claude in Maduro Venezuela Raid
The use of the model through a contract with Palantir highlights the growing role of AI in the Pentagon.
www.wsj.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Asking it to generate a legal justification?
Great Doonesbury today -
February 15, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Great Doonesbury today -
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
Unfortunate for civilian students at these schools, too. Having mil folks in my undergrad and grad classes was valuable
DOD own goaling itself all the way to obscurity - critical thinking is woke, AI can do all our thinking for us
Just so profoundly mind numbing, in addition to everything else
Just so profoundly mind numbing, in addition to everything else
February 13, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Unfortunate for civilian students at these schools, too. Having mil folks in my undergrad and grad classes was valuable
“Nikhil Gupta Worked at the Direction of an Indian Government Employee to Arrange the Murder of U.S.-Based Leader of Sikh Separatist Movement” - Gupta pleads guilty and will be sentenced in May
www.justice.gov
February 14, 2026 at 10:20 AM
“Nikhil Gupta Worked at the Direction of an Indian Government Employee to Arrange the Murder of U.S.-Based Leader of Sikh Separatist Movement” - Gupta pleads guilty and will be sentenced in May
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
One result of the Schlesinger task force (responding to the time the USAF flew live nukes across the country by mistake and then left them chilling on the tarmac for 36 hours) was to set up programs for officers to attend Stanford (PhD) and Harvard (Masters) to learn nukes.
New: Military officers could soon find dozens of top colleges and universities across the US (list in replies) abruptly off limits for tuition assistance as part of Hegseth’s campaign against schools he describes as being biased against the US military
www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/p...
www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/p...
Pentagon may bar tuition aid for top universities in Hegseth’s crackdown on ‘biased’ schools | CNN Politics
Military officers could soon find dozens of top colleges and universities across the United States abruptly off limits for tuition assistance as part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s campaign again...
www.cnn.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:22 AM
One result of the Schlesinger task force (responding to the time the USAF flew live nukes across the country by mistake and then left them chilling on the tarmac for 36 hours) was to set up programs for officers to attend Stanford (PhD) and Harvard (Masters) to learn nukes.
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
I keep saying that one of these years Massachusetts should try electing a Democrat as governor instead
At the same time that Healey is saying that we have enough money to give large corporations tax cuts for investments they make in Texas, she wants to bring back asset tests for welfare programs.
commonwealthbeacon.org/government/s...
commonwealthbeacon.org/government/s...
‘It just requires people to be destitute’: Healey draws criticism over push to tighten eligibility for safety-net program
Five years after lawmakers scrapped the asset limit attached to the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children program, Gov. Maura Healey wants to bring it back at a higher threshold — a mov...
commonwealthbeacon.org
February 13, 2026 at 4:32 PM
I keep saying that one of these years Massachusetts should try electing a Democrat as governor instead
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
Exclusive: US military preparing for potentially weeks-long Iran operations - www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Exclusive: US military preparing for potentially weeks-long Iran operations
The U.S. military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, two U.S. officials told Reuters, in what could become a ...
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:15 PM
Exclusive: US military preparing for potentially weeks-long Iran operations - www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
US Sec of State Rubio skips Ukraine meeting with European leaders in Munich. He canceled attendance at last minute in move that EU official calls ‘insane’
www.ft.com/content/fdd6...
www.ft.com/content/fdd6...
Rubio skips Ukraine meeting with European leaders in Munich
US secretary of state cancels attendance at last minute in move that EU official calls ‘insane’
www.ft.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:56 PM
US Sec of State Rubio skips Ukraine meeting with European leaders in Munich. He canceled attendance at last minute in move that EU official calls ‘insane’
www.ft.com/content/fdd6...
www.ft.com/content/fdd6...
Reposted by Frank O'Donnell
ICYMI: Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha sat down with Dr. Sheena Chestnut Greitens for a wide-ranging conversation on the U.S.-Korea alliance, from the $350B Korean investment and workforce challenges to the North Korea-Russia military axis and the future of wartime operational control. Worth a watch!
Fireside Chat with Ambassador Kang & U.S.-ROK Shipbuilding Cooperation: Opportunities and Challenges
YouTube video by Korea Economic Institute of America
www.youtube.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:29 PM
ICYMI: Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha sat down with Dr. Sheena Chestnut Greitens for a wide-ranging conversation on the U.S.-Korea alliance, from the $350B Korean investment and workforce challenges to the North Korea-Russia military axis and the future of wartime operational control. Worth a watch!