Jed Willard
@jedwillard.bsky.social
Interested in history, public diplomacy, "disinformation"/FIMI/FMI/FEP etc., transatlantic relations. Works at FDR Foundation at Adams House, Harvard. Banned from Russia for life.
"While the law passed by Congress in 2019 to authorize the FMIC stipulates that the center cannot be formally closed until 2028, ODNI’s decision to cripple it now means the United States has effectively ended any meaningful government role in addressing the foreign interference threat." 1/3
Dismantling the Foreign Malign Influence Center
Tulsi Gabbard is dismantling the last U.S. government organ dedicated to tracking State-sponsored efforts to interfere in U.S. institutions.
www.justsecurity.org
October 23, 2025 at 8:16 PM
"While the law passed by Congress in 2019 to authorize the FMIC stipulates that the center cannot be formally closed until 2028, ODNI’s decision to cripple it now means the United States has effectively ended any meaningful government role in addressing the foreign interference threat." 1/3
A hopeful, uplifting, important op-ed.
Also impressive that the author manages to not mention FDR once.
"America’s dangerous decade led not to fascism and the end of democracy but to the New Deal and the civil rights era... ushered in an era of working-class political empowerment and prosperity."
Also impressive that the author manages to not mention FDR once.
"America’s dangerous decade led not to fascism and the end of democracy but to the New Deal and the civil rights era... ushered in an era of working-class political empowerment and prosperity."
Opinion | How to Save the American Experiment
www.nytimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:13 PM
A hopeful, uplifting, important op-ed.
Also impressive that the author manages to not mention FDR once.
"America’s dangerous decade led not to fascism and the end of democracy but to the New Deal and the civil rights era... ushered in an era of working-class political empowerment and prosperity."
Also impressive that the author manages to not mention FDR once.
"America’s dangerous decade led not to fascism and the end of democracy but to the New Deal and the civil rights era... ushered in an era of working-class political empowerment and prosperity."
"Election monitoring organizations told The Globe and Mail ahead of the vote that Russia’s meddling campaign – which included alleged vote-buying schemes and a wide-scale disinformation campaign about the EU – was worth some US$200-million, or about 1 per cent of Moldova’s gross domestic product."
September 29, 2025 at 4:16 PM
"Election monitoring organizations told The Globe and Mail ahead of the vote that Russia’s meddling campaign – which included alleged vote-buying schemes and a wide-scale disinformation campaign about the EU – was worth some US$200-million, or about 1 per cent of Moldova’s gross domestic product."
"If anything is evident today, it is the need of all groups of Americans to cooperate in all those undertakings which are of common concern to them as citizens and which help make America the land of our dreams."
MRS. ROOSEVELT ASKS FOR INTERFAITH AMITY; Urges All 'Good Citizens' Back Christian-Jewish Campaign (Published 1939)
www.nytimes.com
September 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
"If anything is evident today, it is the need of all groups of Americans to cooperate in all those undertakings which are of common concern to them as citizens and which help make America the land of our dreams."
MAMMA! ("Make America's Military Macho Again")
September 26, 2025 at 10:35 PM
MAMMA! ("Make America's Military Macho Again")
Whoa!
"...the network was capable of sending 30 million text messages per minute, anonymously. The official said the agency had never before seen such an extensive operation...
Initial analysis of the data on some of the SIM cards has identified ties to at least one foreign nation..."
"...the network was capable of sending 30 million text messages per minute, anonymously. The official said the agency had never before seen such an extensive operation...
Initial analysis of the data on some of the SIM cards has identified ties to at least one foreign nation..."
Cache of Devices Capable of Crashing Cell Network Is Found Near U.N.
www.nytimes.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Whoa!
"...the network was capable of sending 30 million text messages per minute, anonymously. The official said the agency had never before seen such an extensive operation...
Initial analysis of the data on some of the SIM cards has identified ties to at least one foreign nation..."
"...the network was capable of sending 30 million text messages per minute, anonymously. The official said the agency had never before seen such an extensive operation...
Initial analysis of the data on some of the SIM cards has identified ties to at least one foreign nation..."
This counts as a "vow?"
"Asked whether he would help defend the EU members if Russia intensifies hostilities, Trump told reporters: 'Yeah, I would. I would.'"
"Asked whether he would help defend the EU members if Russia intensifies hostilities, Trump told reporters: 'Yeah, I would. I would.'"
Trump vows to defend Poland, Baltic states if Russia escalates
President Donald Trump on Sunday said he would defend Poland and the Baltic states in case of an escalation from Russia, following Moscow’s incursion into
english.alarabiya.net
September 22, 2025 at 4:39 PM
This counts as a "vow?"
"Asked whether he would help defend the EU members if Russia intensifies hostilities, Trump told reporters: 'Yeah, I would. I would.'"
"Asked whether he would help defend the EU members if Russia intensifies hostilities, Trump told reporters: 'Yeah, I would. I would.'"
"Then there is the growing sense within the US that dissidents aren't safe here... people like Russian antiwar activists. There's a real risk the US is going to be cooperating in TNR with other countries like Russia, if it isn't already."
Wait, what? Really?
thehundred.substack.com/p/how-dictat...
Wait, what? Really?
thehundred.substack.com/p/how-dictat...
How Dictators Hunt Enemies Abroad
#92: With Nate Schenkkan
thehundred.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:21 PM
"Then there is the growing sense within the US that dissidents aren't safe here... people like Russian antiwar activists. There's a real risk the US is going to be cooperating in TNR with other countries like Russia, if it isn't already."
Wait, what? Really?
thehundred.substack.com/p/how-dictat...
Wait, what? Really?
thehundred.substack.com/p/how-dictat...
Applicable worldwide:
"...bread-and-butter issues... get overshadowed by culture war battles...
"There's probably broad agreement on many of these economic challenges...
"But we can't have those conversations when we're busy trying to destroy each other's livelihoods over social media posts."
"...bread-and-butter issues... get overshadowed by culture war battles...
"There's probably broad agreement on many of these economic challenges...
"But we can't have those conversations when we're busy trying to destroy each other's livelihoods over social media posts."
What Happens When Cancel Culture Comes for Everyone
The aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder is an immediate test case for how we talk to each other. In Iowa, early signs are not good.
www.johannamaska.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Applicable worldwide:
"...bread-and-butter issues... get overshadowed by culture war battles...
"There's probably broad agreement on many of these economic challenges...
"But we can't have those conversations when we're busy trying to destroy each other's livelihoods over social media posts."
"...bread-and-butter issues... get overshadowed by culture war battles...
"There's probably broad agreement on many of these economic challenges...
"But we can't have those conversations when we're busy trying to destroy each other's livelihoods over social media posts."
"The past week has shown us, in newly lurid detail, how the online world we inhabit is pulling us deeper into its vortex of blood, rage, lies and loathing. We have all become, with varying degrees of willingness, participants in the grotesque freak show we have created for ourselves."
Opinion | Charlie Kirk’s Assassination Unleashes the Antisocial Media
Our newly democratized digital discourse seems on track to turn into a French Revolution-style terror.
www.wsj.com
September 16, 2025 at 3:25 PM
"The past week has shown us, in newly lurid detail, how the online world we inhabit is pulling us deeper into its vortex of blood, rage, lies and loathing. We have all become, with varying degrees of willingness, participants in the grotesque freak show we have created for ourselves."
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox [GOP]: “'Tremendous amount of disinformation... What we’re seeing is our adversaries want violence...
"'We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence'... urged the public to take a break from social media."
"'We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence'... urged the public to take a break from social media."
Widespread Disinformation Online About Kirk Shooting: Utah Governor
There’s a “tremendous amount of disinformation” being shared online about the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, some of it coming from overseas, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said. “What we’re seeing is our adv...
www.wsj.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox [GOP]: “'Tremendous amount of disinformation... What we’re seeing is our adversaries want violence...
"'We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence'... urged the public to take a break from social media."
"'We have bots from Russia, China, all over the world that are trying to instill disinformation and encourage violence'... urged the public to take a break from social media."
Is it just me or does the 21st-century US look like a reboot of 16th-century Europe only with better special effects?
September 11, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Is it just me or does the 21st-century US look like a reboot of 16th-century Europe only with better special effects?
I'm impressed Russia managed to wait a full 80 years before attacking Poland again
September 10, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I'm impressed Russia managed to wait a full 80 years before attacking Poland again
When are we going to get to "Yankee don't surf"
September 9, 2025 at 12:45 PM
When are we going to get to "Yankee don't surf"
What I'm wondering is do we also get back the Navy Department?
September 5, 2025 at 5:55 PM
What I'm wondering is do we also get back the Navy Department?
“There’s no upside for anyone to this decision,” [said] Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.... “The economy’s going to be hurt. Consumers are going to see prices go up. There’s massive economic waste in stalling this project that is so nearly concluded.”
Donald Trump vs. the Wind Power Industry
www.nytimes.com
September 5, 2025 at 1:17 PM
“There’s no upside for anyone to this decision,” [said] Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.... “The economy’s going to be hurt. Consumers are going to see prices go up. There’s massive economic waste in stalling this project that is so nearly concluded.”
Tidy NOLA response to Guard deployment notion: "[we] thank the federal government for their support... We have consistently worked with our federal partners... This collaborative approach has been instrumental in our ongoing success in reducing crime... [goes on with thanks, no Guard endorsement]
President Donald Trump considering sending troops to New Orleans. Here's why
President Trump said during a news conference Wednesday that his administration is considering sending troops to New Orleans in addition to Chicago.
www.wdsu.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Tidy NOLA response to Guard deployment notion: "[we] thank the federal government for their support... We have consistently worked with our federal partners... This collaborative approach has been instrumental in our ongoing success in reducing crime... [goes on with thanks, no Guard endorsement]
“'Any effort to rescind appropriated funds without congressional approval is a clear violation of the law,' Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine and the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, said in a statement on Friday."
Defying Congress, Trump Moves to Cut $4.9 Billion in Foreign Aid
www.nytimes.com
August 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM
“'Any effort to rescind appropriated funds without congressional approval is a clear violation of the law,' Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine and the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, said in a statement on Friday."
The 250th anniversary of American independence, ladies and gentlemen!
White House Will ‘Definitely’ Host a U.F.C. Fight on July 4, U.F.C. Head Says
www.nytimes.com
August 13, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The 250th anniversary of American independence, ladies and gentlemen!
They have?
"The Chinese government has long struggled to mount information operations targeting other countries, lacking the aggressiveness or effectiveness of Russian intelligence agencies."
"The Chinese government has long struggled to mount information operations targeting other countries, lacking the aggressiveness or effectiveness of Russian intelligence agencies."
China Turns to A.I. in Information Warfare
www.nytimes.com
August 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
They have?
"The Chinese government has long struggled to mount information operations targeting other countries, lacking the aggressiveness or effectiveness of Russian intelligence agencies."
"The Chinese government has long struggled to mount information operations targeting other countries, lacking the aggressiveness or effectiveness of Russian intelligence agencies."
“'The end game here,' [Democracy Forward... and former acting director of the Office of Personnel Management] Shriver said, 'is to get as many folks as possible out of the job who take an oath to the Constitution — and bring as many folks as possible into the job who are loyal to the President.'”
Trump’s ‘Schedule G’ broadens scope for agencies to hire political appointees
The White House said "Schedule G" will improve federal operations and efficiency. But critics are wary of the broader implications of Trump's executive order.
federalnewsnetwork.com
July 21, 2025 at 7:50 PM
“'The end game here,' [Democracy Forward... and former acting director of the Office of Personnel Management] Shriver said, 'is to get as many folks as possible out of the job who take an oath to the Constitution — and bring as many folks as possible into the job who are loyal to the President.'”
"This is a massive industry. You’ve got billions of dollars being pumped into misinformation... It’s a job for a lot of these people, and they’re very good at it. They spread this stuff very quickly. They know it doesn’t matter whether it’s real or not, their audience doesn’t care."
www.politico.com
July 8, 2025 at 9:47 AM
"This is a massive industry. You’ve got billions of dollars being pumped into misinformation... It’s a job for a lot of these people, and they’re very good at it. They spread this stuff very quickly. They know it doesn’t matter whether it’s real or not, their audience doesn’t care."
Reposted by Jed Willard
Outstanding clean energy messaging defending tax credits now under threat www.builtforamerica.us
June 20, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Outstanding clean energy messaging defending tax credits now under threat www.builtforamerica.us
Pithy summary, NBC!
"Moments after a notable death or a crime, social media influencers accuse political rivals of guilt or complicity with little to no evidence, and when their theories turn out to be unfounded or false, neither the influencers nor the social media companies are held accountable."
"Moments after a notable death or a crime, social media influencers accuse political rivals of guilt or complicity with little to no evidence, and when their theories turn out to be unfounded or false, neither the influencers nor the social media companies are held accountable."
How Minnesota shooting conspiracy theories took over social media feeds
Before a suspect was ever named in the shootings, conspiracy theorists and opportunists jumped at the chance to blame their political opponents.
www.nbcnews.com
June 17, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Pithy summary, NBC!
"Moments after a notable death or a crime, social media influencers accuse political rivals of guilt or complicity with little to no evidence, and when their theories turn out to be unfounded or false, neither the influencers nor the social media companies are held accountable."
"Moments after a notable death or a crime, social media influencers accuse political rivals of guilt or complicity with little to no evidence, and when their theories turn out to be unfounded or false, neither the influencers nor the social media companies are held accountable."