Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
@jastucaz.bsky.social
Former U.S. Ambassador, retired career Foreign Service officer, still writing that long-delayed biography of Tudor humanist Mildred Cooke Cecil, helped by the cat. Not as diplomatic as I once was.
This.
If U.S. leaders want to behave like autocrats, they should expect the consequences: loss of trust, loss of consent, and loss of the alliance architecture that has underpinned American power since 1945. #holdfast
January 6, 2026 at 5:49 PM
This.
Written by a former foreign policy advisor to 2016 Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign.
No further comment necessary.
No further comment necessary.
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“The raid against Mr. Maduro may be one of the top three most important foreign policy victories of Mr. Trump’s second term in office,” writes Matthew Kroenig.
“The raid against Mr. Maduro may be one of the top three most important foreign policy victories of Mr. Trump’s second term in office,” writes Matthew Kroenig.
Opinion | Donald Trump Was Right to Oust Maduro
President Trump made a bold decision, and it was a stunning success.
nyti.ms
January 6, 2026 at 6:12 AM
Written by a former foreign policy advisor to 2016 Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign.
No further comment necessary.
No further comment necessary.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Note @markhertling.bsky.social’s astute comment on regime change which “magnifies every leadership failure. It requires synchronized diplomatic messaging, economic pressure, intelligence operations, security forces, and post-conflict governance planning.”
Then watch the clown show underway in DC.
Then watch the clown show underway in DC.
If we permit Trump to go down his chosen path—if we permit him to lead us down this path—the legacy will be one not just of policy failure but of national dishonor.
The Danger and Foolishness of Trump’s Foreign Policy
There are no grand designs, just vanity and vindictiveness.
lnk.thebulwark.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:16 AM
Note @markhertling.bsky.social’s astute comment on regime change which “magnifies every leadership failure. It requires synchronized diplomatic messaging, economic pressure, intelligence operations, security forces, and post-conflict governance planning.”
Then watch the clown show underway in DC.
Then watch the clown show underway in DC.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
The best way for the U.S. to fight the Mexican cartels is by working through our security partnerships with the Mexican government.
Trump's threats of unilateral military action jeopardizes our security and trade relationship with Mexico.
Trump's threats of unilateral military action jeopardizes our security and trade relationship with Mexico.
January 6, 2026 at 3:27 AM
The best way for the U.S. to fight the Mexican cartels is by working through our security partnerships with the Mexican government.
Trump's threats of unilateral military action jeopardizes our security and trade relationship with Mexico.
Trump's threats of unilateral military action jeopardizes our security and trade relationship with Mexico.
@charlotteclymer.bsky.social aptly-and rightly-sums up the dedicated career of Senator Mark Kelly who
“has spent his entire life in service to our country and in defense of our Constitution and in stewardship of the many service members and public servants under his leadership.”
“has spent his entire life in service to our country and in defense of our Constitution and in stewardship of the many service members and public servants under his leadership.”
"I doubt Senator Kelly will see this blog, and if he does see it, I imagine he will not be pleased with it. He’ll probably find it embarrassing. His humility likely makes him bristle at stuff like this. Well, that’s just too damn bad, Senator."
The Extraordinary Military Career of Mark Kelly
Good lord, has this man done a lot.
charlotteclymer.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:24 AM
@charlotteclymer.bsky.social aptly-and rightly-sums up the dedicated career of Senator Mark Kelly who
“has spent his entire life in service to our country and in defense of our Constitution and in stewardship of the many service members and public servants under his leadership.”
“has spent his entire life in service to our country and in defense of our Constitution and in stewardship of the many service members and public servants under his leadership.”
Molly is not sure she’s going to come out of her cage until that crazy man in the (once) big white house has left.
She may have a point.
She may have a point.
January 6, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Molly is not sure she’s going to come out of her cage until that crazy man in the (once) big white house has left.
She may have a point.
She may have a point.
The Guardian’s Ben Jennings gets it.
Too bad too many US voters didn’t.
Too bad too many US voters didn’t.
January 5, 2026 at 11:22 PM
The Guardian’s Ben Jennings gets it.
Too bad too many US voters didn’t.
Too bad too many US voters didn’t.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Trump’s real base of support — billionaires, Big Oil, Big Tech, crypto, defense contractors, & Wall Street — know that the midterms may limit what they and Trump can get away with moving forward.
2026 could be the last year they can cash in and loot the country.
Be warned.
2026 could be the last year they can cash in and loot the country.
Be warned.
January 5, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Trump’s real base of support — billionaires, Big Oil, Big Tech, crypto, defense contractors, & Wall Street — know that the midterms may limit what they and Trump can get away with moving forward.
2026 could be the last year they can cash in and loot the country.
Be warned.
2026 could be the last year they can cash in and loot the country.
Be warned.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
It’s Meningitis Monday! Meningitis for all!
Do you see a pale house? And his name that sat on him was Death.
Robert F Kennedy Jr has just decided that our children should not be immunized against several diseases, among them meningitis.
Meningitis spreads FAST and kills 1 in 6.
Do you see a pale house? And his name that sat on him was Death.
Robert F Kennedy Jr has just decided that our children should not be immunized against several diseases, among them meningitis.
Meningitis spreads FAST and kills 1 in 6.
www.hhs.gov
January 5, 2026 at 8:42 PM
It’s Meningitis Monday! Meningitis for all!
Do you see a pale house? And his name that sat on him was Death.
Robert F Kennedy Jr has just decided that our children should not be immunized against several diseases, among them meningitis.
Meningitis spreads FAST and kills 1 in 6.
Do you see a pale house? And his name that sat on him was Death.
Robert F Kennedy Jr has just decided that our children should not be immunized against several diseases, among them meningitis.
Meningitis spreads FAST and kills 1 in 6.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
This Jan. 6 plaque was made to honor law enforcement. It’s nowhere to be found at the Capitol trib.al/zATCfn6
This Jan. 6 plaque was made to honor law enforcement. It’s nowhere to be found at the Capitol
Approaching the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, the official plaque honoring the police who defended democracy is nowhere to be found.
trib.al
January 5, 2026 at 3:56 PM
This Jan. 6 plaque was made to honor law enforcement. It’s nowhere to be found at the Capitol trib.al/zATCfn6
Damn.
Well this is bad & sad news: Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Shut Down After 58 Years Due to Trump Eliminating Funding variety.com/2026/tv/news...
Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Shut Down After 58 Years Due to Trump Eliminating Funding
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting's board voted to close the organization after 58 years after the Trump Administration ended funding.
variety.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Damn.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Four generations of my family have served our country. Service is in my blood. The President wouldn’t know anything about that.
January 5, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Four generations of my family have served our country. Service is in my blood. The President wouldn’t know anything about that.
“Don’t kid yourself, this is not just about Venezuela. This is about what amounts to a near-final step in carving a new role for our country, redefining it as a shrunken version of its former self, setting up Washington DC as little more than the local capo for the Western Hemisphere.”
U.S. National Security and Globalism Take a Hit open.substack.com/pub/steadyst... "The U.S. has carved out its own neighborhood, leaving Russia and China to carve out theirs, free of unhelpful western influences and able to license their authoritarian satraps to act in the narrowest of interests."
U.S. National Security and Globalism Take a Hit
The Steady State | by Bill Piekney
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:31 PM
“Don’t kid yourself, this is not just about Venezuela. This is about what amounts to a near-final step in carving a new role for our country, redefining it as a shrunken version of its former self, setting up Washington DC as little more than the local capo for the Western Hemisphere.”
Should’ve been an easy call.
Hell, I back the Danish PM on this.
Hell, I back the Danish PM on this.
Starmer backs Danish PM after she demands US stop threats to take over Greenland
Starmer backs Danish PM after she demands US stop threats to take over Greenland
British prime minister says Donald Trump should stop raising idea of US annexation he claims necessary for security
*
UK politics live – latest updates
Keir Starmer has publicly backed the Danish prime minister over Donald Trump after she demanded that the US stop its threats to forcibly take over Greenland.
Speaking after Mike Tapp, the migration minister, repeatedly dodged questions about threats by Trump and his allies to seize Greenland, Starmer told broadcasters that he supported Mette Frederiksen after she criticised US rhetoric. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Should’ve been an easy call.
Hell, I back the Danish PM on this.
Hell, I back the Danish PM on this.
Another effort to make Pete Hegseth feel like a big man.
Hands off our Senator, boy.
Hands off our Senator, boy.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced he will demote retired naval officer and sitting Senator Mark Kelly for 'reckless misconduct' after the senator and other Democratic lawmakers urged troops to refuse any illegal orders reut.rs/49Fd5c0
January 5, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Another effort to make Pete Hegseth feel like a big man.
Hands off our Senator, boy.
Hands off our Senator, boy.
This.
Trump has burned our alliances. If America needs our allies again, I would be surprised if any answered the call since Trump has made it very clear that he no longer supports them or feels bound by our long-standing treaties.
We are immeasurably weaker alone.
We are immeasurably weaker alone.
January 5, 2026 at 12:43 AM
This.
Molly says sometimes a nap is all you can do.
January 5, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Molly says sometimes a nap is all you can do.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
After 9/11, the US invoked Article 5 of the NATO treaty and every NATO member helped to combat terrorism.
Some of our closest allies, like Denmark, went even further, voluntarily sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of US-led wars there.
Today, Trump is threatening to attack Denmark.
Some of our closest allies, like Denmark, went even further, voluntarily sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of US-led wars there.
Today, Trump is threatening to attack Denmark.
January 4, 2026 at 10:46 PM
After 9/11, the US invoked Article 5 of the NATO treaty and every NATO member helped to combat terrorism.
Some of our closest allies, like Denmark, went even further, voluntarily sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of US-led wars there.
Today, Trump is threatening to attack Denmark.
Some of our closest allies, like Denmark, went even further, voluntarily sending troops to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of US-led wars there.
Today, Trump is threatening to attack Denmark.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
The Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen to the United States:
“The Kingdom of Denmark, and thus Greenland, is a member of NATO and is therefore covered by the Alliance’s collective security guarantee.” I “strongly urge the United States to cease its threats.”
“The Kingdom of Denmark, and thus Greenland, is a member of NATO and is therefore covered by the Alliance’s collective security guarantee.” I “strongly urge the United States to cease its threats.”
January 4, 2026 at 10:29 PM
The Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen to the United States:
“The Kingdom of Denmark, and thus Greenland, is a member of NATO and is therefore covered by the Alliance’s collective security guarantee.” I “strongly urge the United States to cease its threats.”
“The Kingdom of Denmark, and thus Greenland, is a member of NATO and is therefore covered by the Alliance’s collective security guarantee.” I “strongly urge the United States to cease its threats.”
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Every day that the pushback by Congress is muted, the more we can be sure Trump will take it asa green light to invade another country.
January 4, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Every day that the pushback by Congress is muted, the more we can be sure Trump will take it asa green light to invade another country.
Sadly, yes.
The Guardian view on the US seizure of Maduro: Trump has turned the world’s superpower into a rogue state | Editorial
Editorial: The illegal abduction of Venezuela’s president, and threat to ‘run’ his country, is a dangerous act. Its repercussions will be felt far beyond the region
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Sadly, yes.
“Nuanced take”?
Bullshit.
Bullshit.
How do you “press policy changes” if you don’t have a functioning government with clear and legitimate enforcement mechanisms?
January 4, 2026 at 10:25 PM
“Nuanced take”?
Bullshit.
Bullshit.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Sad. Those who think this operation was about the illegal capture of Maduro rather than a massive armed robbery by the US of Ven oil are either not paying attention or consciously regurgitating admin spin. The reality: Giving him a pass on this only invites more disasters.
Some Democrats hate that their party is largely positioning itself in opposition to the operation that resulted in Maduro's capture.
"Everything Trump touches must be bad according to the base," one House Dem told @axios.com
Said another: "It looks weak." www.axios.com/2026/01/04/m...
"Everything Trump touches must be bad according to the base," one House Dem told @axios.com
Said another: "It looks weak." www.axios.com/2026/01/04/m...
"It looks weak": Some Democrats want their party to shut up and clap for Maduro's capture
"Everything Trump touches must be bad according to the base," fumed one House Democrat.
www.axios.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Sad. Those who think this operation was about the illegal capture of Maduro rather than a massive armed robbery by the US of Ven oil are either not paying attention or consciously regurgitating admin spin. The reality: Giving him a pass on this only invites more disasters.
All that winning…
Or, how to destroy world class institutions in a year. Bravo, boys.
Or, how to destroy world class institutions in a year. Bravo, boys.
Canadian officials say US health institutions no longer dependable for accurate information
Misinformation from the Trump administration is cited as fuelling Canadians’ concerns over childhood vaccinations
www.theguardian.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:52 PM
All that winning…
Or, how to destroy world class institutions in a year. Bravo, boys.
Or, how to destroy world class institutions in a year. Bravo, boys.