Gail Helt
@gailhelt.bsky.social
CIA analyst, 2003-14. Close Guantanamo. Human Rights. China. My posts reflect only my views.
The US government is basically a street gang.
Stephen Miller: "What the president said is true. The United States of America is running Venezuela ... by definition we are in charge because we have the US military stationed outside the country. We set the terms and conditions ... for them to do commerce, they need our permission."
January 5, 2026 at 11:30 PM
The US government is basically a street gang.
So I’m guessing Hegseth was told he has no grounds on which to court martial Kelly, so Hegseth (and his lackeys) chose to pursue this option than risk the possibility that Kelly be found not guilty in a court martial proceeding.
How weak.
How weak.
The Pentagon will cut the military retirement pay of Sen. Mark Kelly for what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the Arizona Democrat’s “seditious” statements on a video telling service members they have the right to refuse to execute illegal orders.
Read more: cnb.cx/495FHLo
Read more: cnb.cx/495FHLo
January 5, 2026 at 4:06 PM
So I’m guessing Hegseth was told he has no grounds on which to court martial Kelly, so Hegseth (and his lackeys) chose to pursue this option than risk the possibility that Kelly be found not guilty in a court martial proceeding.
How weak.
How weak.
But we have always worked toward those values.
Americans of all stripes embraced those values.
Now we’ve abandoned them entirely. We don’t see them as worthy.
(I’d also note we have been a force for good in this world more often than not.)
Americans of all stripes embraced those values.
Now we’ve abandoned them entirely. We don’t see them as worthy.
(I’d also note we have been a force for good in this world more often than not.)
Our country was founded on genocide and slavery.
We have never lived up to the values we claim to believe in.
We have never been the good guys that our education system teaches our children.
We have never lived up to the values we claim to believe in.
We have never been the good guys that our education system teaches our children.
January 5, 2026 at 2:15 PM
But we have always worked toward those values.
Americans of all stripes embraced those values.
Now we’ve abandoned them entirely. We don’t see them as worthy.
(I’d also note we have been a force for good in this world more often than not.)
Americans of all stripes embraced those values.
Now we’ve abandoned them entirely. We don’t see them as worthy.
(I’d also note we have been a force for good in this world more often than not.)
We used to be.
But at the moment we are the kind of country that the good America would have protested, sanctioned, and potentially invaded in order to bring democracy.
We haven’t been the good guys in quite some time, and it’s heartbreaking.
But at the moment we are the kind of country that the good America would have protested, sanctioned, and potentially invaded in order to bring democracy.
We haven’t been the good guys in quite some time, and it’s heartbreaking.
Fetterman on Fox & Friends: "America is a force of good, order, and democracy. And we are promoting these kinds of values. We are the good guys."
January 5, 2026 at 1:41 PM
We used to be.
But at the moment we are the kind of country that the good America would have protested, sanctioned, and potentially invaded in order to bring democracy.
We haven’t been the good guys in quite some time, and it’s heartbreaking.
But at the moment we are the kind of country that the good America would have protested, sanctioned, and potentially invaded in order to bring democracy.
We haven’t been the good guys in quite some time, and it’s heartbreaking.
Mussolini knew Italians were increasingly disillusioned by his broken promises of improving the economy and their livelihoods, and invaded Ethiopia.
He decided it was time to recreate the Roman Empire, which would boost prosperity.
Dunno why I’m thinking about Mussolini’s imperialism this morning.
He decided it was time to recreate the Roman Empire, which would boost prosperity.
Dunno why I’m thinking about Mussolini’s imperialism this morning.
January 5, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Mussolini knew Italians were increasingly disillusioned by his broken promises of improving the economy and their livelihoods, and invaded Ethiopia.
He decided it was time to recreate the Roman Empire, which would boost prosperity.
Dunno why I’m thinking about Mussolini’s imperialism this morning.
He decided it was time to recreate the Roman Empire, which would boost prosperity.
Dunno why I’m thinking about Mussolini’s imperialism this morning.
China projecting that kind of power in the vicinity of Greenland would be something…
Trump: We need Greenland. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships.
Reporter: What would the justification be for a claim to Greenland?
Trump: The EU needs us to have it.
Reporter: What would the justification be for a claim to Greenland?
Trump: The EU needs us to have it.
January 5, 2026 at 2:52 AM
China projecting that kind of power in the vicinity of Greenland would be something…
Do they really believe that Venezuelans will sit idly by as we steal their oil?
Reporter: Have you spoken with the oil companies about going into Venezuela?
Trump: I have… They want to go in so badly.
Trump: I have… They want to go in so badly.
January 5, 2026 at 2:46 AM
Do they really believe that Venezuelans will sit idly by as we steal their oil?
I left milk in my work fridge when I left for Christmas break. I dread what I might find in there tomorrow.
When I was a very junior CIA officer on the dreaded overnight stint supporting the PDB staff, I once came in to a horrific stench —a pint of forgotten milk had exploded. I can still smell it.
When I was a very junior CIA officer on the dreaded overnight stint supporting the PDB staff, I once came in to a horrific stench —a pint of forgotten milk had exploded. I can still smell it.
January 5, 2026 at 2:44 AM
I left milk in my work fridge when I left for Christmas break. I dread what I might find in there tomorrow.
When I was a very junior CIA officer on the dreaded overnight stint supporting the PDB staff, I once came in to a horrific stench —a pint of forgotten milk had exploded. I can still smell it.
When I was a very junior CIA officer on the dreaded overnight stint supporting the PDB staff, I once came in to a horrific stench —a pint of forgotten milk had exploded. I can still smell it.
I’m teaching intelligence ethics this spring and I am feeling tense just thinking about it, all things considered.
January 5, 2026 at 1:46 AM
I’m teaching intelligence ethics this spring and I am feeling tense just thinking about it, all things considered.
Another piece of evidence against the claim that Trump is willing to cede Europe to Russia and Asia to China.
US forces in South Korea to hold rapid response posture for a Taiwan contingency – Nikkei Asia
US forces in Korea to hold rapid response posture for a Taiwan contingency
Adding Indo-Pacific to its scope of operation will enhance deterrence against China
asia.nikkei.com
January 4, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Another piece of evidence against the claim that Trump is willing to cede Europe to Russia and Asia to China.
This right here ⬇️
I think there was an amazingly well-executed plan to capture Maduro.
I think Trump jumped the gun—maybe due to panic over his crumbling coalition—and pulled the trigger before the rest of the plan was even discussed. Now everyone is just saying whatever pops into their head.
I think there was an amazingly well-executed plan to capture Maduro.
I think Trump jumped the gun—maybe due to panic over his crumbling coalition—and pulled the trigger before the rest of the plan was even discussed. Now everyone is just saying whatever pops into their head.
my sense is this: not only are trump and rubio and hegseth lying to the public about the purposes, impact, planning, etc of the attack on venezuela. they are lying to each other. they have no idea what they're doing or where this ends.
January 4, 2026 at 6:13 PM
This right here ⬇️
I think there was an amazingly well-executed plan to capture Maduro.
I think Trump jumped the gun—maybe due to panic over his crumbling coalition—and pulled the trigger before the rest of the plan was even discussed. Now everyone is just saying whatever pops into their head.
I think there was an amazingly well-executed plan to capture Maduro.
I think Trump jumped the gun—maybe due to panic over his crumbling coalition—and pulled the trigger before the rest of the plan was even discussed. Now everyone is just saying whatever pops into their head.
Someone needs to tell JD that the oil companies were compensated when Venezuela nationalized its oil…
January 4, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Someone needs to tell JD that the oil companies were compensated when Venezuela nationalized its oil…
You don’t kill the suspect’s security team and a few dozen civilians in an arrest operation.
The military doesn’t provide cover in an arrest operation.
You don’t trot out the president to say “we run Venezuela now” when it’s an arrest operation.
An invasion, even if brief, is an act of war.
The military doesn’t provide cover in an arrest operation.
You don’t trot out the president to say “we run Venezuela now” when it’s an arrest operation.
An invasion, even if brief, is an act of war.
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 4:40 PM
You don’t kill the suspect’s security team and a few dozen civilians in an arrest operation.
The military doesn’t provide cover in an arrest operation.
You don’t trot out the president to say “we run Venezuela now” when it’s an arrest operation.
An invasion, even if brief, is an act of war.
The military doesn’t provide cover in an arrest operation.
You don’t trot out the president to say “we run Venezuela now” when it’s an arrest operation.
An invasion, even if brief, is an act of war.
The question probably does seem outrageous to Rubio, who no doubt understands what probably really went down: we made an agreement with the VP to help us grab Maduro, and we’d let him remain if he grants access to oil.
BRENNAN: You're describing the regime as still in place. I'm confused why the Trump admin only arrested Maduro. The chief thug who controls the police & has $25m price on his head is still in place
RUBIO: You're confused?
B: They are still in power
R: You're gonna go in & suck up 5 more people?
RUBIO: You're confused?
B: They are still in power
R: You're gonna go in & suck up 5 more people?
January 4, 2026 at 4:31 PM
The question probably does seem outrageous to Rubio, who no doubt understands what probably really went down: we made an agreement with the VP to help us grab Maduro, and we’d let him remain if he grants access to oil.
MTG is making sense…it hurts my head.
But seriously, I’m glad to see this side of her emerge, and it takes guts for her to make this shift in the face of the kind of threats she’s received.
But seriously, I’m glad to see this side of her emerge, and it takes guts for her to make this shift in the face of the kind of threats she’s received.
Marjorie Taylor Greene: "This is the same DC playbook that we are so sick & tired of that doesn't serve the American people, but actually serves the big corporations, the banks, and the oil executives... I want to see domestic policy be the priority... we don't consider Venezuela our neighborhood."
January 4, 2026 at 4:23 PM
MTG is making sense…it hurts my head.
But seriously, I’m glad to see this side of her emerge, and it takes guts for her to make this shift in the face of the kind of threats she’s received.
But seriously, I’m glad to see this side of her emerge, and it takes guts for her to make this shift in the face of the kind of threats she’s received.
So America has overthrown a leader to nationalize Venezuelan oil for…Venezuela?
These guys would take offense to the notion that we use America’s oil to benefit the American people.
These guys would take offense to the notion that we use America’s oil to benefit the American people.
WELKER: If the purpose of the operation was to capture Maduro and bring him to justice, why does the US need to take over the Venezuela oil industry?
RUBIO: Well, we don't *need* to. We have plenty of oil in the US. We want to see the oil proceeds of the country benefit the people of Venezuela.
RUBIO: Well, we don't *need* to. We have plenty of oil in the US. We want to see the oil proceeds of the country benefit the people of Venezuela.
January 4, 2026 at 3:29 PM
So America has overthrown a leader to nationalize Venezuelan oil for…Venezuela?
These guys would take offense to the notion that we use America’s oil to benefit the American people.
These guys would take offense to the notion that we use America’s oil to benefit the American people.
The Bay of Pigs was a massive fail and it wasn’t being discussed on Meet the Press in advance.
If they have designs on Cuba — and I hope they do not—they’ve just shot themselves in the foot with this announcement.
If they have designs on Cuba — and I hope they do not—they’ve just shot themselves in the foot with this announcement.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on NBC News' "Meet the Press" says the U.S. does not have "forces on the ground" in Venezuela, and that Cuba's government is in "a lot of trouble."
Live updates: Marco Rubio says the U.S. does not have 'forces on the ground' in Venezuela
Follow live updates as Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro arrives in the U.S. following his capture overnight.
nbcnews.to
January 4, 2026 at 3:28 PM
The Bay of Pigs was a massive fail and it wasn’t being discussed on Meet the Press in advance.
If they have designs on Cuba — and I hope they do not—they’ve just shot themselves in the foot with this announcement.
If they have designs on Cuba — and I hope they do not—they’ve just shot themselves in the foot with this announcement.
Well sure. If I’m Kim, I’m feeling really anxious right now.
Trump has destabilized the world.
Trump has destabilized the world.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement it detected several ballistic missile launches from North Korea’s capital region.
South Korea says North Korea has launched ballistic missiles toward the sea
www.stripes.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:28 AM
Well sure. If I’m Kim, I’m feeling really anxious right now.
Trump has destabilized the world.
Trump has destabilized the world.
I hope people watch prediction markets more closely….might be able to avoid another Venezuela.
January 4, 2026 at 1:42 AM
I hope people watch prediction markets more closely….might be able to avoid another Venezuela.
It’s Trump’s “mission accomplished” moment. But worse.
January 4, 2026 at 1:36 AM
It’s Trump’s “mission accomplished” moment. But worse.
China has been laying the foundation for doing what Trump did since 2005, w/ it’s Anti-Secession Law (and others since). I would not be shocked to wake up next month to the news that Taiwan’s leadership has been kidnapped and taken to Beijing to face trial.
Really hope they’ve stepped up security.
Really hope they’ve stepped up security.
The United States has now given Russia, China, and anyone else who wants to give it a try an even clearer road map for invading countries that displease them.
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Maybe Russia and China Should Sit This One Out
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping are just shocked—shocked!—by the American attack on Venezuela.
www.theatlantic.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:33 AM
China has been laying the foundation for doing what Trump did since 2005, w/ it’s Anti-Secession Law (and others since). I would not be shocked to wake up next month to the news that Taiwan’s leadership has been kidnapped and taken to Beijing to face trial.
Really hope they’ve stepped up security.
Really hope they’ve stepped up security.
Reposted by Gail Helt
If you can’t stay awake for your own war announcement, perhaps there really isn’t a threat in the first place.
January 3, 2026 at 8:36 PM
If you can’t stay awake for your own war announcement, perhaps there really isn’t a threat in the first place.
There needs to be much more discussion of the fact that American soldiers were reportedly injured during Trump’s illegal attack on Venezuela.
January 3, 2026 at 7:21 PM
There needs to be much more discussion of the fact that American soldiers were reportedly injured during Trump’s illegal attack on Venezuela.
Could we please not print stuff like this? For the safety of the source, and of everyone who will now be suspected of being the source?
Geez people are so desperate to make the news or have a sexy headline that they’ll risk people’s lives. Pathetic.
Geez people are so desperate to make the news or have a sexy headline that they’ll risk people’s lives. Pathetic.
A CIA source within the Venezuelan government monitored the location of Nicolás Maduro in both the days and moments before the leader’s capture by American special operation forces, according to people briefed on the operation.
C.I.A. Source Inside Venezuelan Government Helped Track Maduro
The spy agency also used stealth drones to monitor the whereabouts of the Venezuelan leader.
nyti.ms
January 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Could we please not print stuff like this? For the safety of the source, and of everyone who will now be suspected of being the source?
Geez people are so desperate to make the news or have a sexy headline that they’ll risk people’s lives. Pathetic.
Geez people are so desperate to make the news or have a sexy headline that they’ll risk people’s lives. Pathetic.