Mark Goodman
@markwgoodman.bsky.social
Retired (but not retiring) public servant, scientist, diplomat, lifelong wonk.
Reposted by Mark Goodman
Culture and Courage
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Critical guardrails against tyranny: Personal and professional ethics and courage.
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Critical guardrails against tyranny: Personal and professional ethics and courage.
Culture and Courage
The Steady State | by The Honorable John Roth
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Culture and Courage
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Critical guardrails against tyranny: Personal and professional ethics and courage.
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Critical guardrails against tyranny: Personal and professional ethics and courage.
Useful fact-based reporting from a purported war zone.
NEW: We reviewed federal prosecutions, local arrests, internal protest summaries by the Portland Police Bureau and more than 700 video clips posted to social media before Trump said he wanted to send the National Guard to the city.
Here’s what we found.
Here’s what we found.
What Really Happened in Portland Before Trump Deployed the National Guard
In the two months before Trump’s decision, criminal charges were announced against only three people. On nights when physical conflict did erupt, it often came from police firing on, shoving, pepper-spraying and tackling protesters.
www.propublica.org
November 5, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Useful fact-based reporting from a purported war zone.
Reposted by Mark Goodman
The Steady State’s Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline, Autocratic Indicators
November 4, 2025 at 2:52 AM
The Steady State’s Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline, Autocratic Indicators
Reposted by Mark Goodman
President Trump’s directive to test nuclear weapons “on an equal basis” caused widespread alarm. But is the U.S. actually about to start testing nuclear weapons again?
The reality of the situation is a bit murkier than it may seem. @jamiekwong.bsky.social explains.
The reality of the situation is a bit murkier than it may seem. @jamiekwong.bsky.social explains.
October 31, 2025 at 3:51 PM
President Trump’s directive to test nuclear weapons “on an equal basis” caused widespread alarm. But is the U.S. actually about to start testing nuclear weapons again?
The reality of the situation is a bit murkier than it may seem. @jamiekwong.bsky.social explains.
The reality of the situation is a bit murkier than it may seem. @jamiekwong.bsky.social explains.
Reposted by Mark Goodman
A checklist: "The Times editorial board has compiled a list of 12 markers of democratic erosion, with help from scholars who have studied this phenomenon."
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
An authoritarian...
stifles dissent/speech
persecutes opponents
bypasses legislature
uses military domestically
defies courts
declares false emergencies
vilifies groups
controls info/media
controls universities
creates cult of personality
uses power for profit
manipulates law to stay in power
stifles dissent/speech
persecutes opponents
bypasses legislature
uses military domestically
defies courts
declares false emergencies
vilifies groups
controls info/media
controls universities
creates cult of personality
uses power for profit
manipulates law to stay in power
Opinion | In Trump’s America, Are We Losing Our Democracy? (Gift Article)
Donald Trump has wielded power as no previous president has.
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:14 PM
A checklist: "The Times editorial board has compiled a list of 12 markers of democratic erosion, with help from scholars who have studied this phenomenon."
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Gift link: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Mark Goodman
Read alongside. open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
October 31, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Read alongside. open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Reposted by Mark Goodman
Plutonium Giveaway; Another Rash Step on Nuclear Energy open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Holding on to large stocks of plutonium in hopes that… new concepts will prove technically feasible and economically competitive is wishful thinking...Countries with advanced nuclear ambitions are watching.”
Holding on to large stocks of plutonium in hopes that… new concepts will prove technically feasible and economically competitive is wishful thinking...Countries with advanced nuclear ambitions are watching.”
Plutonium Giveaway; Another Rash Step on Nuclear Energy
The Steady State | by Mark Goodman
open.substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Plutonium Giveaway; Another Rash Step on Nuclear Energy open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Holding on to large stocks of plutonium in hopes that… new concepts will prove technically feasible and economically competitive is wishful thinking...Countries with advanced nuclear ambitions are watching.”
Holding on to large stocks of plutonium in hopes that… new concepts will prove technically feasible and economically competitive is wishful thinking...Countries with advanced nuclear ambitions are watching.”
Somehow they managed a way to justify diverting funds appropriated for a different use to pay troops, but couldn't justify spending contingency funds appropriated for that purpose to feed needy people.
October 29, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Somehow they managed a way to justify diverting funds appropriated for a different use to pay troops, but couldn't justify spending contingency funds appropriated for that purpose to feed needy people.
Reposted by Mark Goodman
"The only real way to protect this country — and the world — from nuclear war is through fearless diplomacy."
—Former California Gov. Jerry Brown, executive chair of the Bulletin's Governing Board, and Alexandra Bell, Bulletin president and CEO, for the Los Angeles Times.
—Former California Gov. Jerry Brown, executive chair of the Bulletin's Governing Board, and Alexandra Bell, Bulletin president and CEO, for the Los Angeles Times.
Contributor: The threat of nuclear war never went away
A new thriller from director Kathryn Bigelow raises key questions about presidential authority, global security and nuclear deterrence as we sit on the brink of another world war.
www.latimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:47 PM
"The only real way to protect this country — and the world — from nuclear war is through fearless diplomacy."
—Former California Gov. Jerry Brown, executive chair of the Bulletin's Governing Board, and Alexandra Bell, Bulletin president and CEO, for the Los Angeles Times.
—Former California Gov. Jerry Brown, executive chair of the Bulletin's Governing Board, and Alexandra Bell, Bulletin president and CEO, for the Los Angeles Times.
I'm honored to be in such good company. My ow analysis takes it a step or two further. thebulletin.org/2025/10/what...
October 25, 2025 at 4:17 PM
I'm honored to be in such good company. My ow analysis takes it a step or two further. thebulletin.org/2025/10/what...
Reposted by Mark Goodman
Here are a couple of short clips from a podcast episode I did yesterday with Steven Cash. Steven is the Executive Director of The Steady State, a nonprofit composed of former senior national- and homeland-security officials. @steadystatevets.bsky.social
Watch for the full version next week.
Watch for the full version next week.
October 24, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Here are a couple of short clips from a podcast episode I did yesterday with Steven Cash. Steven is the Executive Director of The Steady State, a nonprofit composed of former senior national- and homeland-security officials. @steadystatevets.bsky.social
Watch for the full version next week.
Watch for the full version next week.
Reposted by Mark Goodman
🚨 JUST IN: Kathryn Bigelow's latest film, A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE, is a welcome and useful reminder that the dangers of nuclear weapons never went away—and an invitation to discuss how to deal with them, Mark Goodman writes in @thebulletin.org.
#kathrynbigelow #ahouseofdynamite #nuclearweapons #nukesky
#kathrynbigelow #ahouseofdynamite #nuclearweapons #nukesky
What we should be talking about after watching Bigelow's 'A House of Dynamite' nuclear thriller
Kathryn Bigelow's latest film, A House of Dynamite, is a welcome and useful reminder that the dangers of nuclear weapons never went away—and an invitation to discuss how to deal with them.
thebulletin.org
October 25, 2025 at 11:31 AM
🚨 JUST IN: Kathryn Bigelow's latest film, A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE, is a welcome and useful reminder that the dangers of nuclear weapons never went away—and an invitation to discuss how to deal with them, Mark Goodman writes in @thebulletin.org.
#kathrynbigelow #ahouseofdynamite #nuclearweapons #nukesky
#kathrynbigelow #ahouseofdynamite #nuclearweapons #nukesky
Reposted by Mark Goodman
Have you seen A House of Dynamite? Did you leave with more questions than answers?
Unpack the movie with us - what was real, what was exaggerated, and what would happen next in an "Experts React" virtual event on November 6th at 11:30 am CT
Unpack the movie with us - what was real, what was exaggerated, and what would happen next in an "Experts React" virtual event on November 6th at 11:30 am CT
Experts React: Netflix's A House of Dynamite
On November 6, join the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists for an expert discussion on Netflix's A House of Dynamite movie, including US capacity to defend against a direct nuclear strike, arms…
pages.thebulletin.org
October 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Have you seen A House of Dynamite? Did you leave with more questions than answers?
Unpack the movie with us - what was real, what was exaggerated, and what would happen next in an "Experts React" virtual event on November 6th at 11:30 am CT
Unpack the movie with us - what was real, what was exaggerated, and what would happen next in an "Experts React" virtual event on November 6th at 11:30 am CT
My analysis of A House of Dynamite in @thebulletin.org, trying to get at some of the causes of today's growing nuclear dangers. thebulletin.org/2025/10/what...
What we should be talking about after watching Bigelow's 'A House of Dynamite' nuclear thriller
Kathryn Bigelow's latest film, A House of Dynamite, is a welcome and useful reminder that the dangers of nuclear weapons never went away—and an invitation to discuss how to deal with them.
thebulletin.org
October 25, 2025 at 4:01 PM
My analysis of A House of Dynamite in @thebulletin.org, trying to get at some of the causes of today's growing nuclear dangers. thebulletin.org/2025/10/what...
Reposted by Mark Goodman
Sen. Merkley’s statements and our Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics Assessment are in alignment. Democracy’s collapse is occurring not through a violent coup but through the erosion of institutional checks and balances and the consolidation of executive power.
Merkley: "What we've seen is that democracies no longer die bc men w/guns go in and take it over. Instead, it's electeds who erode the separation of power. If you have a rubber-stamp Congress & courts that deliver more power to the executive, suddenly you have an authoritarian state. It's here now."
October 23, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Sen. Merkley’s statements and our Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics Assessment are in alignment. Democracy’s collapse is occurring not through a violent coup but through the erosion of institutional checks and balances and the consolidation of executive power.
Reposted by Mark Goodman
@stevelevitsky.bsky.social said "... he agrees with the assessment’s conclusions... he warned... that 'U.S. democracy will likely break down during the second Trump administration, ... it will cease to meet standard criteria for liberal democracy...'”
theiceman.substack.com/p/autocracy-...
theiceman.substack.com/p/autocracy-...
Autocracy Drift
Former intelligence analysts warn the U.S. is sliding toward “competitive authoritarianism.” Others say the system may still be strong enough to stop it.
theiceman.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM
@stevelevitsky.bsky.social said "... he agrees with the assessment’s conclusions... he warned... that 'U.S. democracy will likely break down during the second Trump administration, ... it will cease to meet standard criteria for liberal democracy...'”
theiceman.substack.com/p/autocracy-...
theiceman.substack.com/p/autocracy-...
Nice graphic summary of an important new report in democratic decline.
The Steady State: Autocratic Indicators
(Derived from Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline, The Steady State, Oct 16 2025)
(Derived from Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline, The Steady State, Oct 16 2025)
October 22, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Nice graphic summary of an important new report in democratic decline.
Reposted by Mark Goodman
The Steady State’s Executive Director, Steven Cash, joins Scott Harris on Counterpoint to discuss our recent report, “Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline.” See interview at 48.50 at btlonline.org/counterpoint...
wpkn.org/program/coun...
wpkn.org/program/coun...
This Week On Counterpoint
BTL
btlonline.org
October 21, 2025 at 11:16 AM
The Steady State’s Executive Director, Steven Cash, joins Scott Harris on Counterpoint to discuss our recent report, “Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline.” See interview at 48.50 at btlonline.org/counterpoint...
wpkn.org/program/coun...
wpkn.org/program/coun...
Reposted by Mark Goodman
Bulletin nuclear affairs editor François Diaz-Maurin @francoisdm.bsky.social spoke to Sébastien Philippe @sebphilippe.bsky.social on winning the MacArthur 'genius' grant, nuclear war, and academic freedom. ⬇️
Sébastien Philippe on winning the MacArthur 'genius' grant, nuclear war and academic freedom
Nuclear security specialist Sébastien Philippe, one of the 22 recipients of this year's MacArthur fellowship, explains the importance of bridging science, engineering, policy analysis,…
thebulletin.org
October 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Bulletin nuclear affairs editor François Diaz-Maurin @francoisdm.bsky.social spoke to Sébastien Philippe @sebphilippe.bsky.social on winning the MacArthur 'genius' grant, nuclear war, and academic freedom. ⬇️
Reposted by Mark Goodman
The Steady State has asked Congress to investigate reports of an “Interagency Weaponization Working Group” — a group allegedly using the IC and law enforcement to target political opponents. If true, it marks a slide toward a domestic surveillance or retribution mechanism—an American KGB.
October 21, 2025 at 10:05 PM
The Steady State has asked Congress to investigate reports of an “Interagency Weaponization Working Group” — a group allegedly using the IC and law enforcement to target political opponents. If true, it marks a slide toward a domestic surveillance or retribution mechanism—an American KGB.
I’d much rather have my tax dollars go to foreign aid that saves lives than to pay our grifter in chief.
October 21, 2025 at 9:49 PM
I’d much rather have my tax dollars go to foreign aid that saves lives than to pay our grifter in chief.
Reposted by Mark Goodman
Steady State Letter to Congress -- Reports of “Interagency Weaponization Working Group” and Implications for Oversight of the Intelligence Community
"...transformation of our intelligence and law-enforcement institutions into a domestic surveillance or retribution mechanism—an American KGB..."
"...transformation of our intelligence and law-enforcement institutions into a domestic surveillance or retribution mechanism—an American KGB..."
Steady State Letter to Congress -- Reports of “Interagency Weaponization Working Group” and Implications for Oversight of the Intelligence Community
The Steady State | October 21, 2025
open.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Steady State Letter to Congress -- Reports of “Interagency Weaponization Working Group” and Implications for Oversight of the Intelligence Community
"...transformation of our intelligence and law-enforcement institutions into a domestic surveillance or retribution mechanism—an American KGB..."
"...transformation of our intelligence and law-enforcement institutions into a domestic surveillance or retribution mechanism—an American KGB..."
Reposted by Mark Goodman
Share our Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline with your Senators & Representatives!
October 17, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Share our Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline with your Senators & Representatives!
The Steady State report "Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline" is cited in this article. I'm a proud member of the organization but didn't contribute to the report, which was written by former U.S. intelligence professionals.
New: In a backsliding democracy, ‘public mobilization is the guardrail’
open.substack.com/pub/diplomat...
open.substack.com/pub/diplomat...
In backsliding democracy, ‘public mobilization is the guardrail’
Some excerpts as we head into the weekend.
open.substack.com
October 18, 2025 at 2:44 AM
The Steady State report "Accelerating Authoritarian Dynamics: Assessment of Democratic Decline" is cited in this article. I'm a proud member of the organization but didn't contribute to the report, which was written by former U.S. intelligence professionals.