Jonah Blank
@jonahblank.bsky.social
Anthropologist, author, dad. Order purely alphabetical
Pinned
Jonah Blank
@jonahblank.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Arrow of the Blue-Skinned God: Retracing the Ramayana T…
The three-thousand-year-old epic Ramayana chronicles Lo…
goodreads.com
Who am I? What am I doing here?
Intro thread with links to some of my work.
My first book was "Arrow of the Blue-Skinned God: Retracing the Ramayana Through India"
goodreads.com/book/show/17...
[🧵 of publications]
Reposted by Jonah Blank
Woman drinking wine with her dog, Persia, 17th century
January 17, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Woman drinking wine with her dog, Persia, 17th century
The PM of Sweden called it "blackmail."
Which it is.
And everyone should say so.
Which it is.
And everyone should say so.
Keir Starmer says Trump’s threat to impose tariffs over Greenland ‘completely wrong’
Keir Starmer says Trump’s threat to impose tariffs over Greenland ‘completely wrong’
Prime minister and opposition politicians condemn threat to impose 10% tariff unless deal reached to buy the Arctic island
Keir Starmer has said Donald Trump’s decision to impose 10% tariffs on the UK and seven other European countries over Greenland was “completely wrong”.
The US president said the levies would apply from 1 February to Nato members – including the UK, France and Germany – who have deployed troops to the territory in response to growing uncertainty over its future. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:19 AM
The PM of Sweden called it "blackmail."
Which it is.
And everyone should say so.
Which it is.
And everyone should say so.
1. Does that include Israel? If so, does that mean the fee will be paid by the US?
2. Why on earth should ANY nation want to be on his #Gaza "peace board"? To donate vast sums of money, just to fund an occupation administration serving Netanyahu's interests? And pay Trump an initiation fee for it?
2. Why on earth should ANY nation want to be on his #Gaza "peace board"? To donate vast sums of money, just to fund an occupation administration serving Netanyahu's interests? And pay Trump an initiation fee for it?
Trump wants nations to pay $1 billion to stay on his peace board, report says reut.rs/49N4dA7
Trump wants nations to pay $1 billion to stay on his peace board, report says
The Trump administration wants nations to pay $1 billion to stay on his peace board, Bloomberg News reported on Saturday, citing a draft charter.
reut.rs
January 18, 2026 at 12:18 AM
1. Does that include Israel? If so, does that mean the fee will be paid by the US?
2. Why on earth should ANY nation want to be on his #Gaza "peace board"? To donate vast sums of money, just to fund an occupation administration serving Netanyahu's interests? And pay Trump an initiation fee for it?
2. Why on earth should ANY nation want to be on his #Gaza "peace board"? To donate vast sums of money, just to fund an occupation administration serving Netanyahu's interests? And pay Trump an initiation fee for it?
We've had plenty of sightings.
But their faces have always been masked.
But their faces have always been masked.
January 17, 2026 at 11:17 PM
We've had plenty of sightings.
But their faces have always been masked.
But their faces have always been masked.
Which interview is the White House bullying CBS into running unedited?
♦️The one so fawning it ended with a literal kiss:
♦️The one so fawning it ended with a literal kiss:
January 17, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Which interview is the White House bullying CBS into running unedited?
♦️The one so fawning it ended with a literal kiss:
♦️The one so fawning it ended with a literal kiss:
Note to all of the Surrender In Advance crew:
♦️No news outlet has been more obsequious than CBS. They sacrificed every scrap of their journalistic integrity, and accept the status of state-run media.
...And they're STILL getting bullied:
♦️No news outlet has been more obsequious than CBS. They sacrificed every scrap of their journalistic integrity, and accept the status of state-run media.
...And they're STILL getting bullied:
The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CBS News on Tuesday that President Trump would sue the news outlet if it did not air an interview with him in full.
White House Warns CBS: Air Trump Interview in Full, or ‘We’ll Sue’
In previously unreported remarks, the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CBS News that Mr. Trump would “sue” the news outlet if it did not air an interview unedited.
nyti.ms
January 17, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Note to all of the Surrender In Advance crew:
♦️No news outlet has been more obsequious than CBS. They sacrificed every scrap of their journalistic integrity, and accept the status of state-run media.
...And they're STILL getting bullied:
♦️No news outlet has been more obsequious than CBS. They sacrificed every scrap of their journalistic integrity, and accept the status of state-run media.
...And they're STILL getting bullied:
Exactly the right response.
Note to the leaders of every other nation bullied by a lawless US president:
♦️If you can't respond with the force and clarity of the PM of #Sweden, Trump will roll right over you.
Note to the leaders of every other nation bullied by a lawless US president:
♦️If you can't respond with the force and clarity of the PM of #Sweden, Trump will roll right over you.
Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson responds to Trump's tariffs:
"We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors."
"We will not let ourselves be blackmailed. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. I will always stand up for my country, and for our allied neighbors."
January 17, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Exactly the right response.
Note to the leaders of every other nation bullied by a lawless US president:
♦️If you can't respond with the force and clarity of the PM of #Sweden, Trump will roll right over you.
Note to the leaders of every other nation bullied by a lawless US president:
♦️If you can't respond with the force and clarity of the PM of #Sweden, Trump will roll right over you.
Remind me, Simon:
-While the people of #Minneapolis have been out on the streets combatting ICE lawlessness, what exactly has the Democratic Party of Minnesota been doing?
And how would that effort (whatever it may have been-- it's been completely invisible) be helped by giving them more money?
-While the people of #Minneapolis have been out on the streets combatting ICE lawlessness, what exactly has the Democratic Party of Minnesota been doing?
And how would that effort (whatever it may have been-- it's been completely invisible) be helped by giving them more money?
So friends, I launched a campaign to raise money for the Democratic Party of Minnesota (@dfl.org) to help them combat ICE's lawless assault. MN Dem Party Chair Richard Carlbom joined me for the kickoff. Learn more, donate, and let's rally for the courageous people of Minnesota, together! 👇
We launched a new campaign to help the courageous people of Minnesota. Learn more and join us 👇
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/a-new-camp...
www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/a-new-camp...
January 17, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Remind me, Simon:
-While the people of #Minneapolis have been out on the streets combatting ICE lawlessness, what exactly has the Democratic Party of Minnesota been doing?
And how would that effort (whatever it may have been-- it's been completely invisible) be helped by giving them more money?
-While the people of #Minneapolis have been out on the streets combatting ICE lawlessness, what exactly has the Democratic Party of Minnesota been doing?
And how would that effort (whatever it may have been-- it's been completely invisible) be helped by giving them more money?
♦️It was never, "Don't tread on me."
♦️It was always, "Don't tread on ME."
♦️It was always, "Don't tread on ME."
Scanning faces. Building databases. Fascism is here. 🇺🇸
And all the “tyranny” “don’t tread on me folks” are silent. Turns out they meant “tread on them” 🤷🏼
And all the “tyranny” “don’t tread on me folks” are silent. Turns out they meant “tread on them” 🤷🏼
January 17, 2026 at 7:40 PM
♦️It was never, "Don't tread on me."
♦️It was always, "Don't tread on ME."
♦️It was always, "Don't tread on ME."
Israel objects to...Jared Kushner and Marc Rowan?
Hard to see who would carry more water for Israel, and have less concern for #Palestinian interests.
Other than, say, Bibi himself?
Hard to see who would carry more water for Israel, and have less concern for #Palestinian interests.
Other than, say, Bibi himself?
January 17, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Israel objects to...Jared Kushner and Marc Rowan?
Hard to see who would carry more water for Israel, and have less concern for #Palestinian interests.
Other than, say, Bibi himself?
Hard to see who would carry more water for Israel, and have less concern for #Palestinian interests.
Other than, say, Bibi himself?
Reposted by Jonah Blank
As a Minneapolis resident, I’ll explain it this way: they already outnumber all PDs in the metro area, and we’re still not backing down. They have assault rifles and Kevlar vs our phones and whistles, and we’re still not backing down. Their morale is already shit, and we’re just getting started.
January 17, 2026 at 5:09 PM
As a Minneapolis resident, I’ll explain it this way: they already outnumber all PDs in the metro area, and we’re still not backing down. They have assault rifles and Kevlar vs our phones and whistles, and we’re still not backing down. Their morale is already shit, and we’re just getting started.
US Amb to UN, restated:
♦️Yes, we've sworn to defend our NATO allies. But let's get real: You can't trust us to keep our promises. So just give us your territory, because if we don't steal it then somebody else might.
♦️Yes, we've sworn to defend our NATO allies. But let's get real: You can't trust us to keep our promises. So just give us your territory, because if we don't steal it then somebody else might.
UN Ambassador Mike Waltz on Greenland: "Denmark just doesn't have the resources or capacity to do what needs to be done in the northern region. And to the Democrats who say 'they're giving you full access,' everybody knows if you're renting a place you treat it differently than if you own it."
January 17, 2026 at 6:57 PM
US Amb to UN, restated:
♦️Yes, we've sworn to defend our NATO allies. But let's get real: You can't trust us to keep our promises. So just give us your territory, because if we don't steal it then somebody else might.
♦️Yes, we've sworn to defend our NATO allies. But let's get real: You can't trust us to keep our promises. So just give us your territory, because if we don't steal it then somebody else might.
@alexhh.bsky.social raises a key point:
Trump would be delighted to withdraw US troops from Europe. And the Pentagon would (reluctantly) salute and execute.
♦️But if the UK kicked US out of Diego Garcia- a key logistics node for IndoPacific- the Pentagon would express its displeasure quite strongly.
Trump would be delighted to withdraw US troops from Europe. And the Pentagon would (reluctantly) salute and execute.
♦️But if the UK kicked US out of Diego Garcia- a key logistics node for IndoPacific- the Pentagon would express its displeasure quite strongly.
We may be weak individually, but collectively we’re stronger than we think and have tools we can leverage- military based, bond markets, overflight rights, Diego Garcia, trade deals, sanctions. Trump is a corrupt, authoritarian leader - we’d have long ago sanctioned his type in other countries.
January 17, 2026 at 6:15 PM
@alexhh.bsky.social raises a key point:
Trump would be delighted to withdraw US troops from Europe. And the Pentagon would (reluctantly) salute and execute.
♦️But if the UK kicked US out of Diego Garcia- a key logistics node for IndoPacific- the Pentagon would express its displeasure quite strongly.
Trump would be delighted to withdraw US troops from Europe. And the Pentagon would (reluctantly) salute and execute.
♦️But if the UK kicked US out of Diego Garcia- a key logistics node for IndoPacific- the Pentagon would express its displeasure quite strongly.
Reposted by Jonah Blank
I’ve been stalwart backer of transatlantic alliance all my life. I understand why Europeans have so far trod softly/tried to keep Trump onside. But, there comes a time when you have to face reality. The US is no longer our ally. Its defense guarantee is worthless. Time to kick ass back🧵
January 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
I’ve been stalwart backer of transatlantic alliance all my life. I understand why Europeans have so far trod softly/tried to keep Trump onside. But, there comes a time when you have to face reality. The US is no longer our ally. Its defense guarantee is worthless. Time to kick ass back🧵
Brilliant.
Can non-Californians get in on the deal?
Can non-Californians get in on the deal?
More than 200,000 Danish citizens have signed a petition to buy California as a response to Trump’s attempt to take Greenland.
They say they will provide Californians with “rule of law, universal health care, fact-based politics, and a lifetime supply of Danish pastries.”
They say they will provide Californians with “rule of law, universal health care, fact-based politics, and a lifetime supply of Danish pastries.”
January 17, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Brilliant.
Can non-Californians get in on the deal?
Can non-Californians get in on the deal?
They don't.
Because Trump would be absolutely delighted to withdraw all US troops from Europe.
And so would Putin.
Because Trump would be absolutely delighted to withdraw all US troops from Europe.
And so would Putin.
At what point do European countries pull the trigger on closing American bases?
January 17, 2026 at 6:08 PM
They don't.
Because Trump would be absolutely delighted to withdraw all US troops from Europe.
And so would Putin.
Because Trump would be absolutely delighted to withdraw all US troops from Europe.
And so would Putin.
Reposted by Jonah Blank
This map exposes the Greenland lie.
The US used to have a massive military footprint here.
Today, they operate just ONE base.
If Trump were actually worried about Russian vessels, he would simply open more bases, which Denmark allows
The US used to have a massive military footprint here.
Today, they operate just ONE base.
If Trump were actually worried about Russian vessels, he would simply open more bases, which Denmark allows
January 17, 2026 at 2:27 PM
This map exposes the Greenland lie.
The US used to have a massive military footprint here.
Today, they operate just ONE base.
If Trump were actually worried about Russian vessels, he would simply open more bases, which Denmark allows
The US used to have a massive military footprint here.
Today, they operate just ONE base.
If Trump were actually worried about Russian vessels, he would simply open more bases, which Denmark allows
Suggestion for the president:
♦️Pair your 10% tariff on all nations that sent troops to #Greenland with a 100% tariff reduction for all nations that sent troops to #Afghanistan.
This operation-- in support of the US-- is the only time in history when NATO's mutual-defense clause has been activated.
♦️Pair your 10% tariff on all nations that sent troops to #Greenland with a 100% tariff reduction for all nations that sent troops to #Afghanistan.
This operation-- in support of the US-- is the only time in history when NATO's mutual-defense clause has been activated.
Trump says he’s adding a 10% tariff to all the countries that sent troops to defend Greenland against an American invasion, increasing to 25% in June if he’s not allowed to buy Greenland.
“This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.”
“This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet.”
January 17, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Suggestion for the president:
♦️Pair your 10% tariff on all nations that sent troops to #Greenland with a 100% tariff reduction for all nations that sent troops to #Afghanistan.
This operation-- in support of the US-- is the only time in history when NATO's mutual-defense clause has been activated.
♦️Pair your 10% tariff on all nations that sent troops to #Greenland with a 100% tariff reduction for all nations that sent troops to #Afghanistan.
This operation-- in support of the US-- is the only time in history when NATO's mutual-defense clause has been activated.
Reposted by Jonah Blank
About the ICE agent who fatally shot a man on New Year’s Eve while off-duty:
A court document "says the ICE agent allegedly whipped his sons with a belt, made homophobic slurs and racist remarks about Black and Latino people and brought a gun to a youth sports game."
A court document "says the ICE agent allegedly whipped his sons with a belt, made homophobic slurs and racist remarks about Black and Latino people and brought a gun to a youth sports game."
ICE agent believed responsible for L.A. killing accused of child abuse, racism in court filings
A court filing made public this week claims that a federal immigration agent thought to have shot and killed a Los Angeles man on New Year's Eve was previously accused of child abuse and making racist...
www.latimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:53 PM
About the ICE agent who fatally shot a man on New Year’s Eve while off-duty:
A court document "says the ICE agent allegedly whipped his sons with a belt, made homophobic slurs and racist remarks about Black and Latino people and brought a gun to a youth sports game."
A court document "says the ICE agent allegedly whipped his sons with a belt, made homophobic slurs and racist remarks about Black and Latino people and brought a gun to a youth sports game."
Instead of just talking about these crimes on TV, Ellison should demand action from his state's Attorney-General.
Ellison: "This was a family taking their kids from an athletic event and they ended up getting caught in the middle of the ICE behavior & protesters, & then, inexplicably, they shot tear gas too close to the car & that caused the infant to have some respiratory problems. CPR had to be administered."
January 17, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Instead of just talking about these crimes on TV, Ellison should demand action from his state's Attorney-General.
The "Ocean's Eleven" version of this heist will feature Steven Seagal, Billy Baldwin, and Rob Schneider.
Three men burst into a Lower Manhattan shop on Wednesday and stole at least $110,000 worth of Pokémon cards, store managers said. The robbery was the latest in a string of thefts of high-value Pokémon trading cards.
At Least $110,000 Worth of Pokémon Cards Stolen From New York Store
The robbery at the Poké Court on Wednesday was the latest in a string of thefts of high-value Pokémon trading cards.
nyti.ms
January 17, 2026 at 3:48 PM
The "Ocean's Eleven" version of this heist will feature Steven Seagal, Billy Baldwin, and Rob Schneider.
Poor Kevin Hassert.
You've seen him on TV. He's the doughy-faced lickspittle who can't stop grinning while kissing his boss's ass.
He overshot the mark:
♦️The goal is to kiss up well enough to win Trump's favor-- but not SO well that he wants you with him 24/7.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
You've seen him on TV. He's the doughy-faced lickspittle who can't stop grinning while kissing his boss's ass.
He overshot the mark:
♦️The goal is to kiss up well enough to win Trump's favor-- but not SO well that he wants you with him 24/7.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Trump signals Hassett may stay at White House, reshaping Fed chair race
President Donald Trump suggested he may keep Kevin Hassett in his current role as a top White House economic adviser.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Poor Kevin Hassert.
You've seen him on TV. He's the doughy-faced lickspittle who can't stop grinning while kissing his boss's ass.
He overshot the mark:
♦️The goal is to kiss up well enough to win Trump's favor-- but not SO well that he wants you with him 24/7.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
You've seen him on TV. He's the doughy-faced lickspittle who can't stop grinning while kissing his boss's ass.
He overshot the mark:
♦️The goal is to kiss up well enough to win Trump's favor-- but not SO well that he wants you with him 24/7.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Very good development.
No chance ICE will abide by this order. And it will take weeks (months?) before it works its way through the judiciary system. But it's important for lower courts to make the lawlessness of the Administration clear to all.
No chance ICE will abide by this order. And it will take weeks (months?) before it works its way through the judiciary system. But it's important for lower courts to make the lawlessness of the Administration clear to all.
BREAKING: Judge enters TRO blocking feds from interfering with or arresting peaceful protesters in Minnesota. Judge Kate Menendez, Biden appointee. Order: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
January 17, 2026 at 2:29 AM
Very good development.
No chance ICE will abide by this order. And it will take weeks (months?) before it works its way through the judiciary system. But it's important for lower courts to make the lawlessness of the Administration clear to all.
No chance ICE will abide by this order. And it will take weeks (months?) before it works its way through the judiciary system. But it's important for lower courts to make the lawlessness of the Administration clear to all.
Prediction:
♦️The breaking point will be when a governor deploys the National Guard to protect his or her people from ICE. And then Trump federalizes it.
Will the Supremes side with Trump? Of course.
Will Guard commanders? Very likely.
But short of that scenario, it's hard to see how he is stopped.
♦️The breaking point will be when a governor deploys the National Guard to protect his or her people from ICE. And then Trump federalizes it.
Will the Supremes side with Trump? Of course.
Will Guard commanders? Very likely.
But short of that scenario, it's hard to see how he is stopped.
January 17, 2026 at 2:21 AM
Prediction:
♦️The breaking point will be when a governor deploys the National Guard to protect his or her people from ICE. And then Trump federalizes it.
Will the Supremes side with Trump? Of course.
Will Guard commanders? Very likely.
But short of that scenario, it's hard to see how he is stopped.
♦️The breaking point will be when a governor deploys the National Guard to protect his or her people from ICE. And then Trump federalizes it.
Will the Supremes side with Trump? Of course.
Will Guard commanders? Very likely.
But short of that scenario, it's hard to see how he is stopped.
Out of curiosity, I let Gemini summarize the last email I received.
It took 28 words to summarize an email of 2 words.
#EffOffAI
It took 28 words to summarize an email of 2 words.
#EffOffAI
Great. Now Gmail has started shoving #AI down my throat.
♦️Asks me whether I want it to summarize each email (I don't. Ever).
♦️Offers to write my damn emails for me (No. Stop it. Just stop it).
I know Google doesn't care what its customers want.
But remember how EVERYONE on the planet HATED Clippy?
♦️Asks me whether I want it to summarize each email (I don't. Ever).
♦️Offers to write my damn emails for me (No. Stop it. Just stop it).
I know Google doesn't care what its customers want.
But remember how EVERYONE on the planet HATED Clippy?
January 17, 2026 at 1:47 AM
Out of curiosity, I let Gemini summarize the last email I received.
It took 28 words to summarize an email of 2 words.
#EffOffAI
It took 28 words to summarize an email of 2 words.
#EffOffAI