Pinned
ericfarns
@natsecguy.bsky.social
· Jul 28
Venezuela’s Lost Year | Journal of Democracy
A year ago Nicolás Maduro stole Venezuela’s election and entrenched his power by jailing and killing those who opposed him. But the world’s democracies don’t need to sit on the sidelines.
www.journalofdemocracy.org
NEW: my latest, in the blue chip Journal of Democracy, on #Venezuela one year after the stolen elections. Please have a read and let me know you views!
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
Reposted by ericfarns
What a fantastic photo of Lucas Pinheiro, the first Brazilian ever to win a medal at the Winter Olympics.
📷Fabrice Coffrini/AFP
📷Fabrice Coffrini/AFP
February 14, 2026 at 4:15 PM
What a fantastic photo of Lucas Pinheiro, the first Brazilian ever to win a medal at the Winter Olympics.
📷Fabrice Coffrini/AFP
📷Fabrice Coffrini/AFP
Reposted by ericfarns
Since China is busy portraying itself as a friend of Europe at the Munich Security Conference, here's a quick reminder what China actually does. Its exports to Russia's satellite states have gone through the roof. These are transshipments going to Moscow...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/the-russia...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/the-russia...
February 14, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Since China is busy portraying itself as a friend of Europe at the Munich Security Conference, here's a quick reminder what China actually does. Its exports to Russia's satellite states have gone through the roof. These are transshipments going to Moscow...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/the-russia...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/the-russia...
Reposted by ericfarns
Just reviewed a Claude-generated meeting summary that was so detailed, I'll bet someone out there saw it, thought "I'm not reading all that" and did an AI:DR to get a summary of the summary.
February 12, 2026 at 6:27 PM
Just reviewed a Claude-generated meeting summary that was so detailed, I'll bet someone out there saw it, thought "I'm not reading all that" and did an AI:DR to get a summary of the summary.
Reposted by ericfarns
Nexperia’s Chinese owner loses court battle over control of Dutch chipmaker ft.trib.al/GqrEbaU
Nexperia’s Chinese owner loses court battle over control of Dutch chipmaker
Amsterdam court upholds decision to suspend Chinese CEO, hand power to EU-based directors and probe mismanagement allegations
ft.trib.al
February 11, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Nexperia’s Chinese owner loses court battle over control of Dutch chipmaker ft.trib.al/GqrEbaU
Yes. This is why nearshoring computer chips is so vital. Supply chain resiliency is the new watchword for the global economy.
The island at the center of the AI boom lies on geological and geopolitical fault lines. If war were to erupt, the shock to the global economy would be seismic.
The $10 Trillion Fight: Modeling a US-China War Over Taiwan
The island at the center of the artificial intelligence boom—and increasingly the global economy—lies on geological and geopolitical fault lines. Taiwan, the producer of most of the world’s advanced semiconductors, faces intensifying pressure from mainland China and growing uncertainty about US support. War doesn’t appear imminent. If it were to erupt, though, the shock to the global economy would be seismic.
bloom.bg
February 10, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Yes. This is why nearshoring computer chips is so vital. Supply chain resiliency is the new watchword for the global economy.
Not surprising, but hugely disappointing
BREAKING Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison
February 9, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Not surprising, but hugely disappointing
Awful result
Lindsey Vonn on Sunday will try to become the oldest Alpine Olympic medalist by six years at the Milan-Cortina Games. The 41-year-old American aims to complete a career comeback by racing in the women’s downhill, despite rupturing her left ACL a week ago. trib.al/Vg0yRRm
February 8, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Awful result
Reposted by ericfarns
The Chicago Cubs went into the offseason with a clear vision they largely executed. Aside from two major acquisitions, the Cubs return the majority of a team that reached the postseason, leaving only a couple of opening-day roster spots up for grabs.
3 Chicago Cubs storylines to watch in spring training, including how they will optimize their bench
With spring training on the horizon, how the Chicago Cubs build their bench is among their storylines to watch during camp.
trib.al
February 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The Chicago Cubs went into the offseason with a clear vision they largely executed. Aside from two major acquisitions, the Cubs return the majority of a team that reached the postseason, leaving only a couple of opening-day roster spots up for grabs.
Reposted by ericfarns
New US sanctions on Iranian energy networks following inconclusive talks today.
14 tankers designated plus many intermediaries including a few Chinese ones (first set of Chinese designations this year) plus some turkish entities, as well as usual emirati.
ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actio...
14 tankers designated plus many intermediaries including a few Chinese ones (first set of Chinese designations this year) plus some turkish entities, as well as usual emirati.
ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actio...
ofac.treasury.gov
February 6, 2026 at 4:15 PM
New US sanctions on Iranian energy networks following inconclusive talks today.
14 tankers designated plus many intermediaries including a few Chinese ones (first set of Chinese designations this year) plus some turkish entities, as well as usual emirati.
ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actio...
14 tankers designated plus many intermediaries including a few Chinese ones (first set of Chinese designations this year) plus some turkish entities, as well as usual emirati.
ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actio...
Reposted by ericfarns
Noam Chomsky isn’t just in the Epstein files, he’s in the Epstein files pontificating about “hysteria” over the abuse of women.
February 4, 2026 at 12:17 AM
Noam Chomsky isn’t just in the Epstein files, he’s in the Epstein files pontificating about “hysteria” over the abuse of women.
Reposted by ericfarns
In the 1950s a Brazilian company was the world’s largest miner of rare earths, extracting metals from monazite sands. Modern Brazil wants to reclaim this mantle
China’s rare-earth chokehold terrifies the West, but Brazil benefits
A quarter of all the world’s known deposits of rare earths are found in the country
econ.st
February 1, 2026 at 6:20 PM
In the 1950s a Brazilian company was the world’s largest miner of rare earths, extracting metals from monazite sands. Modern Brazil wants to reclaim this mantle
In an email exchange with Epstein, Noam Chomsky admitted Venezuela’s economic collapse was due to “corruption and incompetence.” That was in 2016, three years before any sectoral sanctions in 2019. 🤷♂️
February 1, 2026 at 5:39 PM
In an email exchange with Epstein, Noam Chomsky admitted Venezuela’s economic collapse was due to “corruption and incompetence.” That was in 2016, three years before any sectoral sanctions in 2019. 🤷♂️
Reposted by ericfarns
As the American political scene spun off its axis in recent years, Ben Sasse seemed like a man too sane for his time, Jim Geraghty writes.
Opinion | Ben Sasse is exiting the stage far too soon
The former Republican senator from Nebraska announced last week he has Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
wapo.st
January 27, 2026 at 8:51 PM
As the American political scene spun off its axis in recent years, Ben Sasse seemed like a man too sane for his time, Jim Geraghty writes.
Why does batman always get the credit
January 24, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Why does batman always get the credit
Reposted by ericfarns
Chicago Bears players head into the offseason proud of being part of a franchise turnaround. But the run to the divisional playoffs was “not far enough.”
Column: Chicago Bears restored the city’s faith this season. Their next challenge? Avoiding regression.
Chicago Bears players head into the offseason proud of being part of a franchise turnaround. But the run to the divisional playoffs was “not far enough.”
trib.al
January 20, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Chicago Bears players head into the offseason proud of being part of a franchise turnaround. But the run to the divisional playoffs was “not far enough.”
Spain was a long time, direct enabler of Chavez and Maduro in Venezuela
Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez:
I believe that in this moral rearmament Europe is undergoing,in standing as the standard-bearer of international law,Spain is playing a leading&pivotal role,because we’ve not accepted double standards when we talk about Gaza,Ukraine,Greenland,or Venezuela.
📹La Vanguardia
I believe that in this moral rearmament Europe is undergoing,in standing as the standard-bearer of international law,Spain is playing a leading&pivotal role,because we’ve not accepted double standards when we talk about Gaza,Ukraine,Greenland,or Venezuela.
📹La Vanguardia
January 18, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Spain was a long time, direct enabler of Chavez and Maduro in Venezuela
Most people take their prizes and put them on a shelf at home. Maria Corina Machado has used hers to advance the cause of democracy in Venezuela.
January 16, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Most people take their prizes and put them on a shelf at home. Maria Corina Machado has used hers to advance the cause of democracy in Venezuela.
Reposted by ericfarns
China Reveals New J-20 Fifth-gen Fighter Variant Can Strike Maritime Targets — USNI News
news.usni.org/2026/01/14/c...
news.usni.org/2026/01/14/c...
China Reveals New J-20 Fifth-gen Fighter Variant Can Strike Maritime Targets - USNI News
Beijing’s newest variant of its J-20 fifth-generation fighter aircraft has the ability to conduct precision strikes on maritime targets, according to Chinese state media. This new capability will be a...
news.usni.org
January 14, 2026 at 5:52 PM
China Reveals New J-20 Fifth-gen Fighter Variant Can Strike Maritime Targets — USNI News
news.usni.org/2026/01/14/c...
news.usni.org/2026/01/14/c...
Reposted by ericfarns
Pope Leo XIV met with Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado in a private audience at the Vatican on Monday.
Pope Leo XIV meets with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado in surprise audience
Pope Leo XIV met with Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado in a private audience at the Vatican.
trib.al
January 13, 2026 at 5:21 AM
Pope Leo XIV met with Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado in a private audience at the Vatican on Monday.
Reposted by ericfarns
If you think The Dead were Jerry Garcia’s band you don’t know them. From “The Other One” to “Sugar Magnolia,”“Jack Straw,” “Estimated Prophet” and “Cassidy” Bob Weir penned (often with Barlow’s lyrics) or took lead vocals on of much of the canon.
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
January 11, 2026 at 5:04 AM
If you think The Dead were Jerry Garcia’s band you don’t know them. From “The Other One” to “Sugar Magnolia,”“Jack Straw,” “Estimated Prophet” and “Cassidy” Bob Weir penned (often with Barlow’s lyrics) or took lead vocals on of much of the canon.
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Reposted by ericfarns
Russia and China have launched influence operations to quickly capitalize on controversy — this time surrounding the U.S. operation to seize the Venezuelan president — by spreading conspiracy theories and disingenuous content, researchers said.
How China and Russia are using Maduro’s capture to sway U.S. discourse
Chinese and Russian influence operations have sought to capitalize on the U.S. operation in Venezuela by spreading conspiracy theories, confusion and inflammatory claims, researchers say.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 11, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Russia and China have launched influence operations to quickly capitalize on controversy — this time surrounding the U.S. operation to seize the Venezuelan president — by spreading conspiracy theories and disingenuous content, researchers said.
Reposted by ericfarns
A medic at one Tehran hospital said there were "direct shots to the heads of the young people, to their hearts as well", while a doctor said an eye hospital in the capital had gone into crisis mode
Iran medics describe hospitals overwhelmed with dead and injured protesters
Hundreds of people are believed to have been killed and injured by the security forces, with more than 70 bodies brought to one hospital.
www.bbc.com
January 11, 2026 at 12:43 AM
A medic at one Tehran hospital said there were "direct shots to the heads of the young people, to their hearts as well", while a doctor said an eye hospital in the capital had gone into crisis mode
It is not inconceivable that 2026 is the year that tyrannies in Venezuela, Iran, and Cuba all fall.
January 10, 2026 at 5:28 PM
It is not inconceivable that 2026 is the year that tyrannies in Venezuela, Iran, and Cuba all fall.
Seems like there may be an inconsistency here
The fate of chavismo—and Venezuela’s regime—now rests, at least in part, with Delcy Rodríguez
Venezuela’s new dictator is a regime loyalist—and America’s hostage
Delcy Rodríguez called building a socialist state her “personal revenge”. Now Donald Trump wants to “run” her country
econ.st
January 10, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Seems like there may be an inconsistency here