Pete Monks
@petemonks.bsky.social
Boring Australian suburban dad. Recipient of participation awards for Kosovo, East Timor, Afghanistan and a few other things and places.
Mark 8:36
Going by @Pete_Monks back at the old place.
Mark 8:36
Going by @Pete_Monks back at the old place.
Reposted by Pete Monks
The Wordle Company is not a reliable curator of news or opinion, and should no longer be thought of that way.
February 16, 2026 at 8:44 PM
The Wordle Company is not a reliable curator of news or opinion, and should no longer be thought of that way.
IIRC, the *warriors* and *operators* were convinced they were on top of it all in Afghanistan.
“Just one more HVI capture/kill CONOPS, bro, I promise, bro, just one more”
“Just one more HVI capture/kill CONOPS, bro, I promise, bro, just one more”
February 16, 2026 at 9:03 PM
IIRC, the *warriors* and *operators* were convinced they were on top of it all in Afghanistan.
“Just one more HVI capture/kill CONOPS, bro, I promise, bro, just one more”
“Just one more HVI capture/kill CONOPS, bro, I promise, bro, just one more”
When decent Americans take their country back, there needs to be real consequences for this sort of cruelty.
Not “let’s draw a line under this and return to normalcy”, this people doing and enabling this deserve jail time, financial ruin and social ostracism.
Not “let’s draw a line under this and return to normalcy”, this people doing and enabling this deserve jail time, financial ruin and social ostracism.
On Thanksgiving, the immigrant children held at the Dilley detention center gathered in the gym for what they thought was a holiday feast.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
The kids salivated over a spread of turkey, sandwiches, pastries and pies, a family told me.
But the food wasn’t for detainees — it was for the staff.
February 14, 2026 at 3:06 AM
When decent Americans take their country back, there needs to be real consequences for this sort of cruelty.
Not “let’s draw a line under this and return to normalcy”, this people doing and enabling this deserve jail time, financial ruin and social ostracism.
Not “let’s draw a line under this and return to normalcy”, this people doing and enabling this deserve jail time, financial ruin and social ostracism.
For this weeks #histbookchat, #photofriday and #booksky. “The Team” by Ian McNeill is an excellent account of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, combining the attributes of an impartial official history with the personal touch and anecdotes of a regimental association’s account 1/2
February 13, 2026 at 8:13 AM
For this weeks #histbookchat, #photofriday and #booksky. “The Team” by Ian McNeill is an excellent account of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, combining the attributes of an impartial official history with the personal touch and anecdotes of a regimental association’s account 1/2
Reposted by Pete Monks
Honestly it doesn't surprise me that Greg has never tried beaver.
February 12, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Honestly it doesn't surprise me that Greg has never tried beaver.
Checks out, I guess?
February 9, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Checks out, I guess?
Art.
Just one more dumpster bro, all those government thugs in tactical gear will see that we really mean business if we set just one more fire. We're just one fire away from The Revolution, I swear to you.
Anyway, read theory.
Anyway, read theory.
February 4, 2026 at 12:52 AM
Art.
This is good, with a lacerating, scalpel-like precision in expressing contempt for those who deserve it in spades.
"His business was working on wounds. The new wounds that find us all in daily life, the old wounds of hard use, the scars of combat; these were his purview. When our country grew tired of the broken people it called heroes, they went to Alex Pretti at the VA." www.liberalcurrents.com/he-served-th...
He Served Those Who Served: Portrait of a Man Named Pretti
It’s better to not know heroes exist than to find out they did only after they’re gone.
www.liberalcurrents.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:40 AM
This is good, with a lacerating, scalpel-like precision in expressing contempt for those who deserve it in spades.
Some poor intern or work experience kid somewhere in the media world being told they HAVE to go and review it.
“You want to work with us? Got to suck it up and pay your dues like we had to, kid”
“You want to work with us? Got to suck it up and pay your dues like we had to, kid”
I need an interview with this person immediately
what is it like to be the one and only Londoner to go see the Melania movie? and why?
what is it like to be the one and only Londoner to go see the Melania movie? and why?
I CANAE BREATHE!!!
January 27, 2026 at 5:19 AM
Some poor intern or work experience kid somewhere in the media world being told they HAVE to go and review it.
“You want to work with us? Got to suck it up and pay your dues like we had to, kid”
“You want to work with us? Got to suck it up and pay your dues like we had to, kid”
Pretend tough guys who love the idea of violence against the defenceless but don’t understand actual courage in the slightest.
bsky.app/profile/pete...
bsky.app/profile/pete...
January 26, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Pretend tough guys who love the idea of violence against the defenceless but don’t understand actual courage in the slightest.
bsky.app/profile/pete...
bsky.app/profile/pete...
Reposted by Pete Monks
“This guy thinks he’s better than us, just like that b**** the other week. We’ll show him who’s boss”
"...he’s disarmed and lying helpless on the ground before they start spraying bullets into his body. They could have just arrested him, even though he hadn’t done a single illegal thing—but ICE killed him because they felt like it."
Heartbreaking from @lebassett.bsky.social
Heartbreaking from @lebassett.bsky.social
ICE executes ICU nurse in broad daylight
"Boo hoo," one agent said after he and a gang of colleagues murdered 37-year-old Alex Pretti, who died trying to help a woman who was being assaulted.
open.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:23 PM
“This guy thinks he’s better than us, just like that b**** the other week. We’ll show him who’s boss”
Even more than Renee Good’s murder, this is absolutely, 100%, “you think you’re better than me, you c***? Think you don’t have to be frightened of me? I’ll f****** show you!”
this one's even less defensible than Good's murder man. they've stepped in it and they have no idea.
January 24, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Even more than Renee Good’s murder, this is absolutely, 100%, “you think you’re better than me, you c***? Think you don’t have to be frightened of me? I’ll f****** show you!”
It’s all pretend tough guy stuff at pretend enemies who they think can’t hit back.
It’s the magic SOF fantasy of the GWOT that was all night raids with cool soundtracks on unsuspecting targets and no IEDs, dead and maimed kids, or dealing every day with a fearful and enraged populace.
It’s the magic SOF fantasy of the GWOT that was all night raids with cool soundtracks on unsuspecting targets and no IEDs, dead and maimed kids, or dealing every day with a fearful and enraged populace.
January 24, 2026 at 9:14 PM
It’s all pretend tough guy stuff at pretend enemies who they think can’t hit back.
It’s the magic SOF fantasy of the GWOT that was all night raids with cool soundtracks on unsuspecting targets and no IEDs, dead and maimed kids, or dealing every day with a fearful and enraged populace.
It’s the magic SOF fantasy of the GWOT that was all night raids with cool soundtracks on unsuspecting targets and no IEDs, dead and maimed kids, or dealing every day with a fearful and enraged populace.
More reinforcement for my view that the US is not going to fight the PRC in defence of Taiwan or anyone else unless the PRC kicks off with sinking a CVN or LHA, killing a lot of dependents at Kadena or Guam, or striking the mainland US and the US public is completely enraged 1/5
Our first writethrough on the NDS. If you're South Korea and Europe you're probably not happy right now.
breakingdefense.com/2026/01/nati...
breakingdefense.com/2026/01/nati...
Pentagon releases National Defense Strategy, with homeland defense as top priority - Breaking Defense
Pete Hegseth's first National Defense Strategy lays out how the Pentagon will execute guidance from the White House.
breakingdefense.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:30 AM
More reinforcement for my view that the US is not going to fight the PRC in defence of Taiwan or anyone else unless the PRC kicks off with sinking a CVN or LHA, killing a lot of dependents at Kadena or Guam, or striking the mainland US and the US public is completely enraged 1/5
As an example of the venal cruelty inherent in ICE, this is competing strongly with:
1. Shoot a suburban mum in the face and deny her first aid
2. Kidnap a 5YO child to use as bait for his parent
3. Have a meal at a restaurant, then detain the people who served you…
1. Shoot a suburban mum in the face and deny her first aid
2. Kidnap a 5YO child to use as bait for his parent
3. Have a meal at a restaurant, then detain the people who served you…
Two women trained as first responders were abducted by three ICE agents. One of the agents starts seizing. The other two don’t know what to do. The women jump into action and save the agent’s life, only to be re-handcuffed and processed.
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
www.startribune.com/detained-by-...
Detained by ICE, two women became first responders during agent’s seizure
The women say they guided agents through the emergency, later raising concerns about medical protocols, weapons safety and accountability.
www.startribune.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:26 AM
As an example of the venal cruelty inherent in ICE, this is competing strongly with:
1. Shoot a suburban mum in the face and deny her first aid
2. Kidnap a 5YO child to use as bait for his parent
3. Have a meal at a restaurant, then detain the people who served you…
1. Shoot a suburban mum in the face and deny her first aid
2. Kidnap a 5YO child to use as bait for his parent
3. Have a meal at a restaurant, then detain the people who served you…
Reposted by Pete Monks
For some reason, these days I find myself thinking a lot about how SimCity players would eventually get bored and start triggering disasters.
January 23, 2026 at 11:09 PM
For some reason, these days I find myself thinking a lot about how SimCity players would eventually get bored and start triggering disasters.
Such a clear and concise example of the median Trump/MAGA/far right low-information voter.
“Oh, awesome, he’s going to hurt someone else I casually hate (in this case, LBGTQ) even though they have no actual negative effect on my life. He will always look out for ME and my interests, though.”
“Oh, awesome, he’s going to hurt someone else I casually hate (in this case, LBGTQ) even though they have no actual negative effect on my life. He will always look out for ME and my interests, though.”
Incredible quote here from a Somali small business owner in Minneapolis who voted for Trump. minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/19/a...
January 20, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Such a clear and concise example of the median Trump/MAGA/far right low-information voter.
“Oh, awesome, he’s going to hurt someone else I casually hate (in this case, LBGTQ) even though they have no actual negative effect on my life. He will always look out for ME and my interests, though.”
“Oh, awesome, he’s going to hurt someone else I casually hate (in this case, LBGTQ) even though they have no actual negative effect on my life. He will always look out for ME and my interests, though.”
Many years ago, I wrote a couple of papers for my MA (Defence Studies) comparing Canadian and Danish post-WW2 defence policy and how they balanced European NATO commitments, UN/out of area ops, and Arctic sovereignty.
My professor told me it was quixotically niche, but my time has finally come.
My professor told me it was quixotically niche, but my time has finally come.
January 19, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Many years ago, I wrote a couple of papers for my MA (Defence Studies) comparing Canadian and Danish post-WW2 defence policy and how they balanced European NATO commitments, UN/out of area ops, and Arctic sovereignty.
My professor told me it was quixotically niche, but my time has finally come.
My professor told me it was quixotically niche, but my time has finally come.
I always thought Bernie would be worthless as a US President because he was oblivious to anything outside of his domestic policy fixations (however worthy they may be).
Whatever Hilary’s failings, she at least knew the rest of the world wasn’t just NPCs depriving Americans of jobs and healthcare.
Whatever Hilary’s failings, she at least knew the rest of the world wasn’t just NPCs depriving Americans of jobs and healthcare.
i feel like Americans don't get the level of eye-rolling this is getting from Europe
January 19, 2026 at 6:31 AM
I always thought Bernie would be worthless as a US President because he was oblivious to anything outside of his domestic policy fixations (however worthy they may be).
Whatever Hilary’s failings, she at least knew the rest of the world wasn’t just NPCs depriving Americans of jobs and healthcare.
Whatever Hilary’s failings, she at least knew the rest of the world wasn’t just NPCs depriving Americans of jobs and healthcare.
A personal connection to this weeks #histbookchat, #photofriday and #booksky entry. David Wilson’s “Alfresco Flight” is a decent history of RAAF operations in support of Australian exploration and scientific activities in Antarctica to about 1990. 1/2
January 16, 2026 at 8:09 AM
A personal connection to this weeks #histbookchat, #photofriday and #booksky entry. David Wilson’s “Alfresco Flight” is a decent history of RAAF operations in support of Australian exploration and scientific activities in Antarctica to about 1990. 1/2
Short interlude at Queenstown, NZ
January 15, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Short interlude at Queenstown, NZ
Reposted by Pete Monks
The thing about the Trump admin is that you can ask historians "who was the most crooked person to ever run [pick any federal dept/agency/office]" and nobody even has to debate it anymore, it's almost always the Trump pick. A whole genre of historic trivia Qs wiped out just like that.
There were resignations at CRD under Nixon and Reagan but over far less egregious actions.
Dhillon is by far the worst AAG ever to run that office. No contest.
Dhillon is by far the worst AAG ever to run that office. No contest.
NEW: Top DOJ officials quit after their division refused to probe Minnesota ICE shooting - At least four leaders of the Civil Rights Division resigned because the section's head, Harmeet Dhillon, decided not to investigate shooting of Renee Good.
www.ms.now/news/doj-civ...
www.ms.now/news/doj-civ...
January 13, 2026 at 8:03 PM
The thing about the Trump admin is that you can ask historians "who was the most crooked person to ever run [pick any federal dept/agency/office]" and nobody even has to debate it anymore, it's almost always the Trump pick. A whole genre of historic trivia Qs wiped out just like that.
An articulate and measured critique of ICE profile and conduct by someone who has done some real soldiering, not cosplaying as an unaccountable tough guy amongst his own citizens.
I don’t know if he was regular or reserve, but he reminds me of great Minnesota NG guys I served with in Afghanistan.
I don’t know if he was regular or reserve, but he reminds me of great Minnesota NG guys I served with in Afghanistan.
🇺🇸 MINNEAPOLIS VETERAN: "They are terrorizing the population, in Afghanistan we never wore masks.” (From @statuscoupnews.bsky.social )
January 10, 2026 at 10:48 PM
An articulate and measured critique of ICE profile and conduct by someone who has done some real soldiering, not cosplaying as an unaccountable tough guy amongst his own citizens.
I don’t know if he was regular or reserve, but he reminds me of great Minnesota NG guys I served with in Afghanistan.
I don’t know if he was regular or reserve, but he reminds me of great Minnesota NG guys I served with in Afghanistan.
Reposted by Pete Monks
Rep. @AOC: I understand that Vance believes shooting a young mother of three in the face three times is an acceptable America that he wants to live in, and I do not. That is a fundamental difference between Vance and I. I do not believe that the American people should be assassinated in the street.
January 9, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Rep. @AOC: I understand that Vance believes shooting a young mother of three in the face three times is an acceptable America that he wants to live in, and I do not. That is a fundamental difference between Vance and I. I do not believe that the American people should be assassinated in the street.