Joe Cirincione
@joecirin.bsky.social
I've been working on national security in Washington for over 40 years. Government, think tanks and philanthropy. Now retired, I still write, lecture and do media interviews. And I'm still learning. On Substack at: joecirincione.substack.com
Pinned
Joe Cirincione
@joecirin.bsky.social
· Nov 19
Joseph Cirincione - Foreign Policy for America
www.fp4america.org
After 13 years and more than 53K followers, I am moving from the wreck of Twitter over to BlueSky. I feel better already.
Nice to begin anew. I do nuclear policy and national security. Here’s a bit about me from one of the great groups I work with in DC. #NukeSky www.fp4america.org/joseph-cirin...
Nice to begin anew. I do nuclear policy and national security. Here’s a bit about me from one of the great groups I work with in DC. #NukeSky www.fp4america.org/joseph-cirin...
“As Trump’s second term progresses, he is acquiring a taste for more imperial-style operations,” writes @edwardluce.bsky.social. He’s attacked Venezuela, Nigeria and Iran. He talks fondly of taking or attacking Greenland, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Cuba and Columbia.
January 4, 2026 at 8:50 PM
“As Trump’s second term progresses, he is acquiring a taste for more imperial-style operations,” writes @edwardluce.bsky.social. He’s attacked Venezuela, Nigeria and Iran. He talks fondly of taking or attacking Greenland, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Cuba and Columbia.
The animating impulse of the Trump regime.
"Trump’s new world order is now very much a reality. It has no obvious rules, no real allies, celebrates the jungle and is almost always about money. There is a lot of wealth under Venezuela’s soil. Trump is now committed to extracting it." My column. Free to read. as.ft.com/r/08b22b7a-4...
Trump now owns Venezuela
[FREE TO READ] The US president has a growing appetite for military adventure
as.ft.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:05 PM
The animating impulse of the Trump regime.
One month ago, I warned that there was no rational case for invading Venezuela. But I also said that just because something is really stupid doesn’t mean a country won’t do it. We are deep in stupidity now. open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
Looking for Wars in All the Wrong Places
Ukraine, Venezuela and Gaza, Oh My!
open.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:01 PM
One month ago, I warned that there was no rational case for invading Venezuela. But I also said that just because something is really stupid doesn’t mean a country won’t do it. We are deep in stupidity now. open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
This is insane. There is no plan for what comes next.
“It’s not clear there’s been a specific plan beyond the principal decision that in a post-Maduro, Trump-compliant regime that the U.S. companies — energy and others — will be at the top of the list” www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
“It’s not clear there’s been a specific plan beyond the principal decision that in a post-Maduro, Trump-compliant regime that the U.S. companies — energy and others — will be at the top of the list” www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Trump admin sends tough private message to oil companies on Venezuela
The White House has told companies they must rebuild Venezuela's crude-pumping infrastructure if they want compensation for assets seized by Caracas.
www.politico.com
January 4, 2026 at 4:16 AM
This is insane. There is no plan for what comes next.
“It’s not clear there’s been a specific plan beyond the principal decision that in a post-Maduro, Trump-compliant regime that the U.S. companies — energy and others — will be at the top of the list” www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
“It’s not clear there’s been a specific plan beyond the principal decision that in a post-Maduro, Trump-compliant regime that the U.S. companies — energy and others — will be at the top of the list” www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Joe Cirincione
Also this:
“Despite what interveners hope, regime change implemented by outsiders is not a force for stability. More than 40 percent of states that experience foreign-imposed regime change have a civil war within the next ten years.”
www.bostonreview.net/forum/downes...
“Despite what interveners hope, regime change implemented by outsiders is not a force for stability. More than 40 percent of states that experience foreign-imposed regime change have a civil war within the next ten years.”
www.bostonreview.net/forum/downes...
Regime Change Doesn't Work
History shows that forcing rulers from power rarely works. Even apparently successful regime changes often leads to bitter civil war.
www.bostonreview.net
January 3, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Also this:
“Despite what interveners hope, regime change implemented by outsiders is not a force for stability. More than 40 percent of states that experience foreign-imposed regime change have a civil war within the next ten years.”
www.bostonreview.net/forum/downes...
“Despite what interveners hope, regime change implemented by outsiders is not a force for stability. More than 40 percent of states that experience foreign-imposed regime change have a civil war within the next ten years.”
www.bostonreview.net/forum/downes...
Excellent breaking news analysis of Trump’s imperial invasion of Venezuela. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
Special Ep: Trump, Kidnapping Maduro, and Venezuela's Oil
Podcast Episode · History As It Happens · 01/03/2026 · 23m
podcasts.apple.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Excellent breaking news analysis of Trump’s imperial invasion of Venezuela. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/h...
I have been to and watched a lot of inaugurations. I have never seen one as moving, as substantive and as hopeful as that of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. I have never been prouder to have been born a New Yorker. Or to be a second generation immigrant.
Mamdani: "The cost of childcare will no longer discourage young adults from starting a family, because we will deliver universal childcare for the many by taxing the wealthiest few"
January 1, 2026 at 8:36 PM
I have been to and watched a lot of inaugurations. I have never seen one as moving, as substantive and as hopeful as that of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. I have never been prouder to have been born a New Yorker. Or to be a second generation immigrant.
Reposted by Joe Cirincione
This is a brilliant line that should make a lot of folks…in both parties…very uncomfortable. Yes.
Good.
Good.
Mamdani: For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty
January 1, 2026 at 8:18 PM
This is a brilliant line that should make a lot of folks…in both parties…very uncomfortable. Yes.
Good.
Good.
Reposted by Joe Cirincione
That's a falcon, not a bald eagle.
The windmill is in Israel.
The photo is from 2017. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2...
The windmill is in Israel.
The photo is from 2017. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2...
December 31, 2025 at 11:20 PM
That's a falcon, not a bald eagle.
The windmill is in Israel.
The photo is from 2017. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2...
The windmill is in Israel.
The photo is from 2017. www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2...
How did DPRK go from an impoverished nation in 2000 lacking both nuclear weapons and missiles that could travel much beyond its borders, to a country with dozens of nuclear warheads & an arsenal of long-range ballistic missiles that can hit any part of the US? thebulletin.org/2025/12/four...
Four US presidents failed to stop North Korea's nuclear buildup. Trump still has a shot
A new book tracks four decades of failed US policy toward North Korea, making a strong case that solutions existed—and still exist.
thebulletin.org
December 18, 2025 at 6:35 PM
How did DPRK go from an impoverished nation in 2000 lacking both nuclear weapons and missiles that could travel much beyond its borders, to a country with dozens of nuclear warheads & an arsenal of long-range ballistic missiles that can hit any part of the US? thebulletin.org/2025/12/four...
Policy leaves a track record. We can examine what officials promised compared to the outcome of their decisions. When we do, we see the only policy that has ever worked to restrain North Korea’s nuclear program has been engagement & diplomacy, not pressure & threats. thebulletin.org/2025/12/four...
Four US presidents failed to stop North Korea's nuclear buildup. Trump still has a shot
A new book tracks four decades of failed US policy toward North Korea, making a strong case that solutions existed—and still exist.
thebulletin.org
December 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Policy leaves a track record. We can examine what officials promised compared to the outcome of their decisions. When we do, we see the only policy that has ever worked to restrain North Korea’s nuclear program has been engagement & diplomacy, not pressure & threats. thebulletin.org/2025/12/four...
Reposted by Joe Cirincione
🚨 JUST IN: A new book explains how four US administrations had multiple opportunities to stop North Korea from getting nuclear weapons but failed, @joecirin.bsky.social writes in @thebulletin.org.
#nuclearweapons #NorthKorea #Trump #nukesky
#nuclearweapons #NorthKorea #Trump #nukesky
Four US presidents failed to stop North Korea's nuclear buildup. Trump still has a shot
A new book tracks four decades of failed US policy toward North Korea, making a strong case that solutions existed—and still exist.
thebulletin.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:16 PM
🚨 JUST IN: A new book explains how four US administrations had multiple opportunities to stop North Korea from getting nuclear weapons but failed, @joecirin.bsky.social writes in @thebulletin.org.
#nuclearweapons #NorthKorea #Trump #nukesky
#nuclearweapons #NorthKorea #Trump #nukesky
Reposted by Joe Cirincione
A retired general argued that the fool's Golden Dome is feasible using an image stating the US system would defend an area 16 times larger than Iron Dome does for Israel. As the map shows, the US is in fact over 450 times larger. Expect more of this type of analysis from Golden Dome supporters.
December 11, 2025 at 7:12 PM
A retired general argued that the fool's Golden Dome is feasible using an image stating the US system would defend an area 16 times larger than Iron Dome does for Israel. As the map shows, the US is in fact over 450 times larger. Expect more of this type of analysis from Golden Dome supporters.
Reposted by Joe Cirincione
“Venezuela does not represent a national security threat to the United States. The drugs that are coming from Venezuela are not the opioids that are streaming into the US from other countries…There’s not a rational case for doing this.” My talk w/ Bill Press.
open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
Looking for Wars in All the Wrong Places
Ukraine, Venezuela and Gaza, Oh My!
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:50 PM
“Venezuela does not represent a national security threat to the United States. The drugs that are coming from Venezuela are not the opioids that are streaming into the US from other countries…There’s not a rational case for doing this.” My talk w/ Bill Press.
open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
John Pike demolishes Trump’s new white nationalist “National Security Strategy” unveiled yesterday. It is, as he says, “a geopolitical revolution in American foreign policy toward Russia, Ukraine and Europe.” It is a betrayal of American values.
www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops...
www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops...
Trump Doctrine
www.globalsecurity.org
December 6, 2025 at 6:48 PM
John Pike demolishes Trump’s new white nationalist “National Security Strategy” unveiled yesterday. It is, as he says, “a geopolitical revolution in American foreign policy toward Russia, Ukraine and Europe.” It is a betrayal of American values.
www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops...
www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops...
“Venezuela does not represent a national security threat to the United States. The drugs that are coming from Venezuela are not the opioids that are streaming into the US from other countries…There’s not a rational case for doing this.” My talk w/ Bill Press.
open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
Looking for Wars in All the Wrong Places
Ukraine, Venezuela and Gaza, Oh My!
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:50 PM
“Venezuela does not represent a national security threat to the United States. The drugs that are coming from Venezuela are not the opioids that are streaming into the US from other countries…There’s not a rational case for doing this.” My talk w/ Bill Press.
open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
“We now have US military implementing these illegal orders in the Caribbean. And the fear is that if he gets away with this, well, his next step is to do this in US cities. And that’s why people such as those six Democrats are sounding the alarm bells.” open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
Looking for Wars in All the Wrong Places
Ukraine, Venezuela and Gaza, Oh My!
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:46 PM
“We now have US military implementing these illegal orders in the Caribbean. And the fear is that if he gets away with this, well, his next step is to do this in US cities. And that’s why people such as those six Democrats are sounding the alarm bells.” open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
“The US military does not have the authority, does not have the right, does not have the standing to use military force against drug smugglers. It simply doesn’t. These are extra judicial killings. These are murders.” My talk with @billpress.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
Looking for Wars in All the Wrong Places
Ukraine, Venezuela and Gaza, Oh My!
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:38 PM
“The US military does not have the authority, does not have the right, does not have the standing to use military force against drug smugglers. It simply doesn’t. These are extra judicial killings. These are murders.” My talk with @billpress.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
Reposted by Joe Cirincione
Trump drops 11 points - 11 points! - in the past month in Gallup. Just a staggering decline. 1/
Gallup poll | 11/3-11/25
President Trump approval
Disapprove 60% (+6)
Approve 36% (-5)
news.gallup.com/poll/699221/...
President Trump approval
Disapprove 60% (+6)
Approve 36% (-5)
news.gallup.com/poll/699221/...
November 28, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Trump drops 11 points - 11 points! - in the past month in Gallup. Just a staggering decline. 1/
Reposted by Joe Cirincione
I'm pretty sure most of you were upset about Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, in the "Golden" Oval Office. The man Donald Trump's own CIA determined ordered the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
@joecirin.bsky.social was, too.
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
YouTu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
@joecirin.bsky.social was, too.
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
YouTu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
November 25, 2025 at 7:30 PM
I'm pretty sure most of you were upset about Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, in the "Golden" Oval Office. The man Donald Trump's own CIA determined ordered the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
@joecirin.bsky.social was, too.
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
YouTu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
@joecirin.bsky.social was, too.
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
YouTu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
Reposted by Joe Cirincione
With so much going on with Donald Trump's domestic disasters, it's hard to keep track of Trump's foreign disasters. But today we tackle Ukraine, Venezuela, Gaza and Saudi Arabia.
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
YouTu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
YouTu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
November 25, 2025 at 2:47 PM
With so much going on with Donald Trump's domestic disasters, it's hard to keep track of Trump's foreign disasters. But today we tackle Ukraine, Venezuela, Gaza and Saudi Arabia.
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
YouTu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
YouTu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
Reposted by Joe Cirincione
When you are drawing up war plans and starting to implement them, it can be hard to stop the march to war. There's historical precedent for this. @joecirin.bsky.social with the history and the flashing red lights today.
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
youtu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
youtu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
When you are drawing up war plans and starting to implement them, it can be hard to stop the march to war. There's historical precedent for this. @joecirin.bsky.social with the history and the flashing red lights today.
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
youtu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
youtu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
The Washington consensus is that Trump will attack soon. Military forces are surging into the region. But will Trump really launch an unnecessary, unpopular new war when his popularity is at an all-time low and his party splintering? My analysis:
open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
Will Trump Attack Venezuela?
Trump may launch an unnecessary war to distract from his domestic woes. Or not.
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 6:57 PM
The Washington consensus is that Trump will attack soon. Military forces are surging into the region. But will Trump really launch an unnecessary, unpopular new war when his popularity is at an all-time low and his party splintering? My analysis:
open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
open.substack.com/pub/joecirin...
Reposted by Joe Cirincione
What happens in the Caribbean stays in the Caribbean? Not so fast. If Donald Trump can get the military to follow his illegal orders there, his next step could be in US cities. @joecirin.bsky.social makes the connection.
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
YouTu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
YouTu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
November 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
What happens in the Caribbean stays in the Caribbean? Not so fast. If Donald Trump can get the military to follow his illegal orders there, his next step could be in US cities. @joecirin.bsky.social makes the connection.
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
YouTu.be/ipLOofMZPwY
bit.ly/Click-2-Listen
YouTu.be/ipLOofMZPwY