Mark Hertling
@markhertling.bsky.social
Former soldier. Student of leadership & national security; Professor, author (“If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal”), speaker. Always looking for civility & new adventures.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hertling-dba-57987066
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hertling-dba-57987066
Several people have asked me “how did you know to write this article right before the attack?”
I’ll never tell (it was luck).
I’ll never tell (it was luck).
Anyone advocating regime change in Venezuela is implicitly advocating for a long, bloody, expensive commitment—whether they acknowledge it or not. ICYMI @markhertling.bsky.social:
What ‘Regime Change’ in Venezuela Would Really Mean
It’s not clear the administration has settled on a goal, much less considered the consequences.
lnk.thebulwark.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Several people have asked me “how did you know to write this article right before the attack?”
I’ll never tell (it was luck).
I’ll never tell (it was luck).
Reposted by Mark Hertling
Anyone advocating regime change in Venezuela is implicitly advocating for a long, bloody, expensive commitment—whether they acknowledge it or not. ICYMI @markhertling.bsky.social:
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-regim...
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-regim...
What ‘Regime Change’ in Venezuela Would Really Mean
It’s not clear the administration has settled on a goal, much less considered the consequences.
www.thebulwark.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Anyone advocating regime change in Venezuela is implicitly advocating for a long, bloody, expensive commitment—whether they acknowledge it or not. ICYMI @markhertling.bsky.social:
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-regim...
www.thebulwark.com/p/what-regim...
Reposted by Mark Hertling
LIVE: We're reacting now with @samsteindc.bsky.social, @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social, @cheetah.bsky.social, @markhertling.bsky.social and Ben Parker to Trump saying that the U.S. is going to be running Venezuela: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aeaw...
Trump Addresses Nation on Venezuela Regime Change Operation
YouTube video by The Bulwark
www.youtube.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:39 PM
LIVE: We're reacting now with @samsteindc.bsky.social, @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social, @cheetah.bsky.social, @markhertling.bsky.social and Ben Parker to Trump saying that the U.S. is going to be running Venezuela: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aeaw...
Reposted by Mark Hertling
Regime change is complicated, as we should have learned in 2002-03. @markhertling.bsky.social's cautionary essay at @thebulwark.com was published just hours before Trump & Co. showed they were not, it seems safe to say, students of history, law or chess. #Venezuela www.thebulwark.com/p/what-regim...
What ‘Regime Change’ in Venezuela Would Really Mean
It’s not clear the administration has settled on a goal, much less considered the consequences.
www.thebulwark.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Regime change is complicated, as we should have learned in 2002-03. @markhertling.bsky.social's cautionary essay at @thebulwark.com was published just hours before Trump & Co. showed they were not, it seems safe to say, students of history, law or chess. #Venezuela www.thebulwark.com/p/what-regim...
Reposted by Mark Hertling
"When the United States treats regime change as a discrete military option rather than a whole-of-government, generational commitment, it repeats mistakes we have made very recently."
New from @markhertling.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4beO4pi
New from @markhertling.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4beO4pi
What ‘Regime Change’ in Venezuela Would Really Mean
It’s not clear the administration has settled on a goal, much less considered the consequences.
lnk.thebulwark.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:28 PM
"When the United States treats regime change as a discrete military option rather than a whole-of-government, generational commitment, it repeats mistakes we have made very recently."
New from @markhertling.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4beO4pi
New from @markhertling.bsky.social: lnk.thebulwark.com/4beO4pi
It’s a lot harder than it sounds…my latest in @thebulwark.com
What ‘Regime Change’ in Venezuela Would Really Mean
It’s not clear the administration has settled on a goal, much less considered the consequences.
www.thebulwark.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:33 PM
It’s a lot harder than it sounds…my latest in @thebulwark.com
Cream and crimson vs Crimson Tide. Go Hoosiers!
January 1, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Cream and crimson vs Crimson Tide. Go Hoosiers!
Epstein files growing
Jack Smith testimony
“Russia spits in America’s eye”
Looks like early 2026 is gonna be interesting.
Jack Smith testimony
“Russia spits in America’s eye”
Looks like early 2026 is gonna be interesting.
January 1, 2026 at 1:47 AM
Epstein files growing
Jack Smith testimony
“Russia spits in America’s eye”
Looks like early 2026 is gonna be interesting.
Jack Smith testimony
“Russia spits in America’s eye”
Looks like early 2026 is gonna be interesting.
Reposted by Mark Hertling
"The dismissal or sidelining of senior military leaders by the secretary—often without clear explanation—began from the start of this year, and it sent a troubling signal throughout the force that professional disagreement may carry extreme personal risk. That perception alone is corrosive."
It Was a Bad Year for the American Military
No one should be surprised.
www.thebulwark.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:55 AM
"The dismissal or sidelining of senior military leaders by the secretary—often without clear explanation—began from the start of this year, and it sent a troubling signal throughout the force that professional disagreement may carry extreme personal risk. That perception alone is corrosive."
Thank you, @nicollewallace.bsky.social for having me, and thank you @jeffstorobinsky.bsky.social for posting.
December 29, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Thank you, @nicollewallace.bsky.social for having me, and thank you @jeffstorobinsky.bsky.social for posting.
Reposted by Mark Hertling
Gen. Mark Hertling talks about the brave Americans who fought and died in Ukraine whose sacrifice Trump diminished yesterday. Gen. Hertling: “These Americans went out of profound respect for a nation that is fighting for its liberty and its territory.”
@markhertling.bsky.social
@markhertling.bsky.social
December 29, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Gen. Mark Hertling talks about the brave Americans who fought and died in Ukraine whose sacrifice Trump diminished yesterday. Gen. Hertling: “These Americans went out of profound respect for a nation that is fighting for its liberty and its territory.”
@markhertling.bsky.social
@markhertling.bsky.social
Joining @nicollewallace.bsky.social and @clairecmc.bsky.social on @msnownews.bsky.social at 4:30 ET. Plenty of things to discuss.
December 29, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Joining @nicollewallace.bsky.social and @clairecmc.bsky.social on @msnownews.bsky.social at 4:30 ET. Plenty of things to discuss.
“Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed.”
This and Zelensky’s facial expression and body language tells us everything we need to know about where this is.
This and Zelensky’s facial expression and body language tells us everything we need to know about where this is.
December 28, 2025 at 10:13 PM
“Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed.”
This and Zelensky’s facial expression and body language tells us everything we need to know about where this is.
This and Zelensky’s facial expression and body language tells us everything we need to know about where this is.
A wonderful, crazy morning with a few of our grandkids. May all of you experience the same joy and delight found in the faces of small ones who believe.
December 25, 2025 at 1:33 PM
A wonderful, crazy morning with a few of our grandkids. May all of you experience the same joy and delight found in the faces of small ones who believe.
Reposted by Mark Hertling
TONIGHT: The DOJ releases its biggest trove of Epstein-related documents and several mention Donald Trump. Plus, new data shows the economy is booming, yet consumer confidence remains low.
@glennthrush.bsky.social
@davidmdrucker.bsky.social
@justinwolfers.bsky.social
@markhertling.bsky.social
@glennthrush.bsky.social
@davidmdrucker.bsky.social
@justinwolfers.bsky.social
@markhertling.bsky.social
December 24, 2025 at 12:51 AM
TONIGHT: The DOJ releases its biggest trove of Epstein-related documents and several mention Donald Trump. Plus, new data shows the economy is booming, yet consumer confidence remains low.
@glennthrush.bsky.social
@davidmdrucker.bsky.social
@justinwolfers.bsky.social
@markhertling.bsky.social
@glennthrush.bsky.social
@davidmdrucker.bsky.social
@justinwolfers.bsky.social
@markhertling.bsky.social
A pretty good deal by @thebulwark.com
If we want an independent media that isn’t the plaything of oligarchs, we’re going to have to build it together.
That's why were offering 30 days free right now for Bulwark+. Get it here: lnk.thebulwark.com/48QbKyS?utm_...
That's why were offering 30 days free right now for Bulwark+. Get it here: lnk.thebulwark.com/48QbKyS?utm_...
December 23, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A pretty good deal by @thebulwark.com
The misinformation about Chaplains needs correction. My latest in @thebulwark.com
Pete Hegseth Said Military Chaplains Are ‘Degraded.’ He’s Wrong.
Military chaplains exist to help service members, not indoctrinate them.
www.thebulwark.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The misinformation about Chaplains needs correction. My latest in @thebulwark.com
The coverage of the Epstein file relief by @nicollewallace.bsky.social was empathetic, caring and pointed, supportive of the victims and aghast at the approach DOJ is taking. Well done.
December 19, 2025 at 11:27 PM
The coverage of the Epstein file relief by @nicollewallace.bsky.social was empathetic, caring and pointed, supportive of the victims and aghast at the approach DOJ is taking. Well done.
Just received word from my publisher ballastbooks.com that #IfIDontReturn is getting ready to ship from the printer. Pretty excited about all this!
December 19, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Just received word from my publisher ballastbooks.com that #IfIDontReturn is getting ready to ship from the printer. Pretty excited about all this!
Help me understand. The government that is demanding Venezuela give back “oil and land” to the US warning the EU to not use seize Russian funds to rebuild a society the Russians attempted to destroy?
This is treason. You can’t have an American President openly supporting Putin who’s attacking a US ally. The US taxpayer and congress has approved arms and funding for Ukraine.
It’s the end of Trump. Congress isn’t going to support him. @aoc.bsky.social @markhertling.bsky.social
It’s the end of Trump. Congress isn’t going to support him. @aoc.bsky.social @markhertling.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Help me understand. The government that is demanding Venezuela give back “oil and land” to the US warning the EU to not use seize Russian funds to rebuild a society the Russians attempted to destroy?
Coming up on the @11thhourmsnow.bsky.social at 11:30 ET to discuss Venezuela.
December 17, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Coming up on the @11thhourmsnow.bsky.social at 11:30 ET to discuss Venezuela.
Reposted by Mark Hertling
Two very good essays.
The first RE Trump's Reiner post: "No human adult outside a psych ward expresses such thoughts. To have them at all is evidence of a twisted soul."
Gen. Hertling's RE Russia vs Ukraine: "One side is attacking the war-fighting capacity. The other is attacking society."
The first RE Trump's Reiner post: "No human adult outside a psych ward expresses such thoughts. To have them at all is evidence of a twisted soul."
Gen. Hertling's RE Russia vs Ukraine: "One side is attacking the war-fighting capacity. The other is attacking society."
My first article for the @thebulwark.com "Morning Shots" is Ukraine Still Fighting to Win. Check it out. open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
The Psych-Ward Presidency
The president has no moral core. And, according to his own chief of staff, he’s surrounded by amateurs, opportunists, and drug users.
open.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Two very good essays.
The first RE Trump's Reiner post: "No human adult outside a psych ward expresses such thoughts. To have them at all is evidence of a twisted soul."
Gen. Hertling's RE Russia vs Ukraine: "One side is attacking the war-fighting capacity. The other is attacking society."
The first RE Trump's Reiner post: "No human adult outside a psych ward expresses such thoughts. To have them at all is evidence of a twisted soul."
Gen. Hertling's RE Russia vs Ukraine: "One side is attacking the war-fighting capacity. The other is attacking society."
My first article for the @thebulwark.com "Morning Shots" is Ukraine Still Fighting to Win. Check it out. open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
The Psych-Ward Presidency
The president has no moral core. And, according to his own chief of staff, he’s surrounded by amateurs, opportunists, and drug users.
open.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:58 PM
My first article for the @thebulwark.com "Morning Shots" is Ukraine Still Fighting to Win. Check it out. open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
Reposted by Mark Hertling
"I'm trying now to give new advice to a new generation."
Ret. Lt. Gen. @MarkHertling.bsky.social discusses his upcoming book, "If I Don't Return," which is based on journals he wrote for his sons while serving in Iraq in the 1990s.
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4rVIuxU
Ret. Lt. Gen. @MarkHertling.bsky.social discusses his upcoming book, "If I Don't Return," which is based on journals he wrote for his sons while serving in Iraq in the 1990s.
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4rVIuxU
December 15, 2025 at 7:59 PM
"I'm trying now to give new advice to a new generation."
Ret. Lt. Gen. @MarkHertling.bsky.social discusses his upcoming book, "If I Don't Return," which is based on journals he wrote for his sons while serving in Iraq in the 1990s.
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4rVIuxU
Ret. Lt. Gen. @MarkHertling.bsky.social discusses his upcoming book, "If I Don't Return," which is based on journals he wrote for his sons while serving in Iraq in the 1990s.
Follow on Apple: bit.ly/4rVIuxU
Interesting comments during my first Focus Group with @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social. Thanks for having me.
New Focus Group Pod with @markhertling.bsky.social on civilian-military relations.
We heard from Biden-to-Trump voters & MAGA Republicans on illegal orders, domestic deployments, and boat strikes — plus the new Code Pink Republican Party. @thebulwark.com. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
We heard from Biden-to-Trump voters & MAGA Republicans on illegal orders, domestic deployments, and boat strikes — plus the new Code Pink Republican Party. @thebulwark.com. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Civilian-Military Relationship (with Mark Hertling)
Podcast Episode · The Focus Group Podcast · 12/13/2025 · 59m
podcasts.apple.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Interesting comments during my first Focus Group with @sarahlongwell25.bsky.social. Thanks for having me.