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
A prediction:
Given the administration officials who the President pointed to Saturday don’t seem to want to be “in charge” of Venezuela, soon POTUS will appoint a four-star general and an “envoy”to run the country.
They will have some major challenges.
Given the administration officials who the President pointed to Saturday don’t seem to want to be “in charge” of Venezuela, soon POTUS will appoint a four-star general and an “envoy”to run the country.
They will have some major challenges.
January 7, 2026 at 1:19 PM
A prediction:
Given the administration officials who the President pointed to Saturday don’t seem to want to be “in charge” of Venezuela, soon POTUS will appoint a four-star general and an “envoy”to run the country.
They will have some major challenges.
Given the administration officials who the President pointed to Saturday don’t seem to want to be “in charge” of Venezuela, soon POTUS will appoint a four-star general and an “envoy”to run the country.
They will have some major challenges.
My latest in @thebulwark.com
Why Mark Kelly’s Case Matters
The action against him is unwarranted and could chill legitimate—and invaluable—public speech by veterans.
www.thebulwark.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:41 PM
My latest in @thebulwark.com
Reposted by Mark Hertling
NEW: "Mark Kelly did not urge service members to defy lawful authority.…He articulated a general legal truth—one that every commissioned officer has been taught, and one that even Sec. Hegseth has publicly acknowledged in the past."
Read @markhertling.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-mark-k...
Read @markhertling.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-mark-k...
Why Mark Kelly’s Case Matters
The action against him is unwarranted and could chill legitimate—and invaluable—public speech by veterans.
www.thebulwark.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:24 AM
NEW: "Mark Kelly did not urge service members to defy lawful authority.…He articulated a general legal truth—one that every commissioned officer has been taught, and one that even Sec. Hegseth has publicly acknowledged in the past."
Read @markhertling.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-mark-k...
Read @markhertling.bsky.social
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-mark-k...
Reposted by Mark Hertling
From today's Morning Shots, featuring @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social, @markhertling.bsky.social, and @eggerdc.bsky.social. Read the whole thing: lnk.thebulwark.com/499kGiU
January 5, 2026 at 3:13 PM
From today's Morning Shots, featuring @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social, @markhertling.bsky.social, and @eggerdc.bsky.social. Read the whole thing: lnk.thebulwark.com/499kGiU
Reposted by Mark Hertling
Lt. Gen. @markhertling.bsky.social (ret.), ex-Commanding General of US Army, Europe on the lessons of regime change in Iraq & Afghanistan that the U.S. learned the hard way & why Trump doesn't appear to have considered any of them in removing Venezuela's leadership.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcmj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcmj...
Trump apparently oblivious to regime change lessons in recent U.S. past
YouTube video by MS NOW
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Lt. Gen. @markhertling.bsky.social (ret.), ex-Commanding General of US Army, Europe on the lessons of regime change in Iraq & Afghanistan that the U.S. learned the hard way & why Trump doesn't appear to have considered any of them in removing Venezuela's leadership.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcmj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcmj...
Reposted by Mark Hertling
"I've seen no indication that they know what they're going to do next," @markhertling.bsky.social says of the Venezuela operation. "There may be a plan, and he's just not giving it up to people...but on Saturday morning, he put America's sons and daughters in harm's way."
January 5, 2026 at 11:17 PM
"I've seen no indication that they know what they're going to do next," @markhertling.bsky.social says of the Venezuela operation. "There may be a plan, and he's just not giving it up to people...but on Saturday morning, he put America's sons and daughters in harm's way."
Reposted by Mark Hertling
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.): “Any good commander, military or governmental commander—chief of state—knows that you don’t open a second front on your own accord. I think Napoleon taught us that.”
@markhertling.bsky.social
@nicollewallace.bsky.social
@markhertling.bsky.social
@nicollewallace.bsky.social
January 6, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.): “Any good commander, military or governmental commander—chief of state—knows that you don’t open a second front on your own accord. I think Napoleon taught us that.”
@markhertling.bsky.social
@nicollewallace.bsky.social
@markhertling.bsky.social
@nicollewallace.bsky.social
The second article in the @BulwarkOnline “morning shots” is a piece I did on the “belly button rule.” Putting one person in charge, and making that person accountable.
From today's Morning Shots, featuring @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social, @markhertling.bsky.social, and @eggerdc.bsky.social. Read the whole thing: lnk.thebulwark.com/499kGiU
January 5, 2026 at 3:52 PM
The second article in the @BulwarkOnline “morning shots” is a piece I did on the “belly button rule.” Putting one person in charge, and making that person accountable.
The second part of the @BulwarkOnline “morning shots” is a piece I did on the “belly button rule.” Putting one person in charge, and making that person accountable.
The Danger and Foolishness of Trump’s Foreign Policy
There are no grand designs, just vanity and vindictiveness.
www.thebulwark.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:51 PM
The second part of the @BulwarkOnline “morning shots” is a piece I did on the “belly button rule.” Putting one person in charge, and making that person accountable.
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