Sam Ratner
@samratner.bsky.social
Policy director at Win Without War, working to enact a more just and progressive US foreign policy. Formerly @ACLEDINFO and @ZitamarNews. He/him. Views my own.
Reposted by Sam Ratner
American culture was fascistic even back in the ‘90s. Nobody understood this as well as Paul Verhoeven, who made Starship Troopers to point that out to us. Unbelievably timely film to revisit on The Bang-Bang Podcast w/ @samratner.bsky.social @andrewfacini.com www.bangbangpod.com/p/starship-t...
Starship Troopers (1997) w/ Andrew Facini and Sam Ratner | Ep. 55
We’re joined by returning guests Sam Ratner (Win Without War) and Andrew Facini (Council on Strategic Risks) to revisit Paul Verhoeven’s Starship Troopers. So committed to its own satire that many cri...
www.bangbangpod.com
January 11, 2026 at 11:56 PM
American culture was fascistic even back in the ‘90s. Nobody understood this as well as Paul Verhoeven, who made Starship Troopers to point that out to us. Unbelievably timely film to revisit on The Bang-Bang Podcast w/ @samratner.bsky.social @andrewfacini.com www.bangbangpod.com/p/starship-t...
Reposted by Sam Ratner
I can't help but think of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner, and how Schwerner's last recorded words before being shot were reportedly, "Sir, I know just how you feel."
And Renee Good’s last words appear to be “We’re not mad at you.”
In the video that the shooter took, which I believe was leaked to be exculpatory, he appears to yell “fucking bitch” after he shoots Renee Good.
January 9, 2026 at 7:17 PM
I can't help but think of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner, and how Schwerner's last recorded words before being shot were reportedly, "Sir, I know just how you feel."
Reposted by Sam Ratner
China is so emotionally devastated by the attack on Venezuela that they are accurately describing the United States, says Biden’s ambassador to China
January 9, 2026 at 5:28 AM
China is so emotionally devastated by the attack on Venezuela that they are accurately describing the United States, says Biden’s ambassador to China
Once again tapping the sign: bombing drug cartels in Mexico is appalling and appallingly stupid.
www.winwithoutwaredfund.org/policy/simul...
www.winwithoutwaredfund.org/policy/simul...
January 9, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Once again tapping the sign: bombing drug cartels in Mexico is appalling and appallingly stupid.
www.winwithoutwaredfund.org/policy/simul...
www.winwithoutwaredfund.org/policy/simul...
Reposted by Sam Ratner
This is a silly op-ed in multiple ways, but the funniest is the implication that World Cup attendees need to be protected from foreign threats and not the Trump regime itself breakingdefense.com/2026/01/gold...
Golden Dome's first goal? Protecting the 2026 World Cup. - Breaking Defense
The World Cup involves sixteen cities and three countries. Creating a network to protect them could became a basis of Golden Dome's architecture, writes Army officer Peter Mitchell in this op-ed.
breakingdefense.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:11 PM
This is a silly op-ed in multiple ways, but the funniest is the implication that World Cup attendees need to be protected from foreign threats and not the Trump regime itself breakingdefense.com/2026/01/gold...
Reposted by Sam Ratner
For those just catching up, the administration today (falsely) declared that the paramilitary secret police have absolute immunity and that the War Powers Resolution is unconstitutional.
Disregarding legal constrains on the use of lethal force both at home and abroad.
Disregarding legal constrains on the use of lethal force both at home and abroad.
January 8, 2026 at 9:20 PM
For those just catching up, the administration today (falsely) declared that the paramilitary secret police have absolute immunity and that the War Powers Resolution is unconstitutional.
Disregarding legal constrains on the use of lethal force both at home and abroad.
Disregarding legal constrains on the use of lethal force both at home and abroad.
Shoutout to Sen. Kaine and to the massive public rejection of this moronic, illegal war that pushed this over the line.
NEWS: Senate votes 52-47 to advance a measure restricting Trump's power to use military force in Venezuela.
A rare warning shot from Congress to Trump as he dials up foreign rhetoric.
Voting YES: Democrats + Rand Paul, Collins, Murkowski, Young, Hawley.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
A rare warning shot from Congress to Trump as he dials up foreign rhetoric.
Voting YES: Democrats + Rand Paul, Collins, Murkowski, Young, Hawley.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Senate advances measure to restrict Trump's power to use military force in Venezuela
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who led the bipartisan resolution, said that Trump's actions in Venezuela are "clearly illegal" because he did not seek congressional approval.
www.nbcnews.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Shoutout to Sen. Kaine and to the massive public rejection of this moronic, illegal war that pushed this over the line.
Nah man, it was a good point! We’re all headed in the same direction. Hope you’re keeping your head up in this crazy time.
January 7, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Nah man, it was a good point! We’re all headed in the same direction. Hope you’re keeping your head up in this crazy time.
Absolutely — my (too flippant) point is just that it wouldn’t have been good to avoid abolishing the confederacy out of concern for Reconstruction. To your point, we should bring the hard won lessons of Reconstruction with us when we abolish ICE.
January 7, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Absolutely — my (too flippant) point is just that it wouldn’t have been good to avoid abolishing the confederacy out of concern for Reconstruction. To your point, we should bring the hard won lessons of Reconstruction with us when we abolish ICE.
We dealt with ~175,000 of them when we abolished the Confederate Army — we’ll figure it out for 20,000 when we abolish ICE.
January 7, 2026 at 10:27 PM
We dealt with ~175,000 of them when we abolished the Confederate Army — we’ll figure it out for 20,000 when we abolish ICE.
Reposted by Sam Ratner
really wish the “opposition” party had not spent years upon years trying to outdo the GOP in lavishing money arms and deference on state security forces
January 7, 2026 at 8:49 PM
really wish the “opposition” party had not spent years upon years trying to outdo the GOP in lavishing money arms and deference on state security forces
Reposted by Sam Ratner
"Avelo spokeswoman Courtney Goff confirmed Avelo will be withdrawing its participation in the DHS program with the planned closure of its base at Mesa Gateway Airport (code AZA) on Jan. 27." - Congratulations to the activists and organizers who made this happen.
www.theledger.com/story/news/2...
www.theledger.com/story/news/2...
Avelo Airlines will end DHS deportation flights by end of January
The budget carrier faced harsh criticism and widespread national protests over its participation in the deportation flights.
www.theledger.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:28 PM
"Avelo spokeswoman Courtney Goff confirmed Avelo will be withdrawing its participation in the DHS program with the planned closure of its base at Mesa Gateway Airport (code AZA) on Jan. 27." - Congratulations to the activists and organizers who made this happen.
www.theledger.com/story/news/2...
www.theledger.com/story/news/2...
I, personally, think that depositing another $500 billion of tax dollars that could be spent on literally anything else directly into the pockets Anduril et al sickos to enable lawless killings abroad would be Bad.
Trump: "I have determined that, for the Good of our Country, especially in these very troubled and dangerous times, our Military Budget for the year 2027 should not be $1 Trillion Dollars, but rather $1.5 Trillion. This will allow us to build the 'Dream Military' that we have long been entitled to."
January 7, 2026 at 9:33 PM
I, personally, think that depositing another $500 billion of tax dollars that could be spent on literally anything else directly into the pockets Anduril et al sickos to enable lawless killings abroad would be Bad.
Reposted by Sam Ratner
abolish ice is the moderate position to be honest. whichever candidate promises to nuremberg the ice agents has my vote at this point
January 7, 2026 at 8:39 PM
abolish ice is the moderate position to be honest. whichever candidate promises to nuremberg the ice agents has my vote at this point
Reposted by Sam Ratner
Update: As of January 7, The Trace has identified 28 incidents, including 14 shootings, in which federal agents shot someone or held them at gunpoint during an immigration enforcement action under Trump’s crackdown. At least four people have been killed and five others have been injured.
How Many People Have Been Shot in ICE Raids?
The Trace is tracking gun incidents connected to Trump’s immigration crackdown. Know of one? Please be in touch.
www.thetrace.org
January 7, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Update: As of January 7, The Trace has identified 28 incidents, including 14 shootings, in which federal agents shot someone or held them at gunpoint during an immigration enforcement action under Trump’s crackdown. At least four people have been killed and five others have been injured.
Reposted by Sam Ratner
Try to wrap your mind around this utterly disgusting statement coming out of DHS today. I cannot fathom the depths of moral degeneracy that would compel a human being to say this after what happened today.
January 7, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Try to wrap your mind around this utterly disgusting statement coming out of DHS today. I cannot fathom the depths of moral degeneracy that would compel a human being to say this after what happened today.
Reposted by Sam Ratner
In the spirit of not just newsposting all the time: My wife and I are hosting an impromptu Federico Fellini Film Festival at our apartment in Los Angeles this year, and if you're around and like film, you should come!
If you're interested, sign up here: forms.gle/u6bTNBSEASaN...
If you're interested, sign up here: forms.gle/u6bTNBSEASaN...
January 7, 2026 at 3:50 AM
In the spirit of not just newsposting all the time: My wife and I are hosting an impromptu Federico Fellini Film Festival at our apartment in Los Angeles this year, and if you're around and like film, you should come!
If you're interested, sign up here: forms.gle/u6bTNBSEASaN...
If you're interested, sign up here: forms.gle/u6bTNBSEASaN...
Reposted by Sam Ratner
Help us name a new show and book club for critical international relations! open.substack.com/pub/undiplom...
Help Us Name a Show About IR for Troubled Times
If universities were to disappear completely, what books from international relations and foreign policy would be worth saving?
open.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Help us name a new show and book club for critical international relations! open.substack.com/pub/undiplom...
In the spirit of not just newsposting all the time: My wife and I are hosting an impromptu Federico Fellini Film Festival at our apartment in Los Angeles this year, and if you're around and like film, you should come!
If you're interested, sign up here: forms.gle/u6bTNBSEASaN...
If you're interested, sign up here: forms.gle/u6bTNBSEASaN...
January 7, 2026 at 3:50 AM
In the spirit of not just newsposting all the time: My wife and I are hosting an impromptu Federico Fellini Film Festival at our apartment in Los Angeles this year, and if you're around and like film, you should come!
If you're interested, sign up here: forms.gle/u6bTNBSEASaN...
If you're interested, sign up here: forms.gle/u6bTNBSEASaN...
Reposted by Sam Ratner
Interesting: "Beijing’s total nuclear warhead arsenal likely remained in the low 600s, the report says, similar to last year’s figures, “reflecting a slower rate of production” — down from the estimated 100 additional warheads a year since 2020." www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Pentagon says China’s nuclear warhead growth slows, commits to stabilizing tensions
The Department of Defense’s new China Military Power Report notes China’s continued buildup, while taking a more conciliatory approach to tensions with Beijing.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Interesting: "Beijing’s total nuclear warhead arsenal likely remained in the low 600s, the report says, similar to last year’s figures, “reflecting a slower rate of production” — down from the estimated 100 additional warheads a year since 2020." www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Sam Ratner
OUT: Helping you pay for health care.
IN: Helping oil companies pay for their infrastructure in a foreign country.
IN: Helping oil companies pay for their infrastructure in a foreign country.
January 6, 2026 at 12:14 AM
OUT: Helping you pay for health care.
IN: Helping oil companies pay for their infrastructure in a foreign country.
IN: Helping oil companies pay for their infrastructure in a foreign country.
Reposted by Sam Ratner
If the DEA had killed 80 innocent Americans in the course of apprehending one drug dealer, there would be riots. But we are so ghoulishly indifferent to the lives and humanity of people abroad that it's barely even part of the conversation.
A reminder that the US killed 80 people in Venezuela, and it would be nice if the US media cared enough to think that the life of a grandmother in Caracas whose building is destroyed by a US bomb matters as much as the life of a person in the US.
January 5, 2026 at 8:57 PM
If the DEA had killed 80 innocent Americans in the course of apprehending one drug dealer, there would be riots. But we are so ghoulishly indifferent to the lives and humanity of people abroad that it's barely even part of the conversation.
Reposted by Sam Ratner
HOW DO U THINK MADURO GOT ON THE HELICOPTER, SENATOR? TELEPORTATION?
But Shaheen says the Trump admin WOULD need congressional approval to put boots on the ground to run Venezuela:
“Yes — and I think that’s a nonstarter.”
“Yes — and I think that’s a nonstarter.”
January 5, 2026 at 11:08 PM
HOW DO U THINK MADURO GOT ON THE HELICOPTER, SENATOR? TELEPORTATION?
Are you telling me none of the millennials on this website for millennials watched Girls?
The voice of my favorite form of revenue generation... or at least a voice of a form of revenue generation.
From the NYT review of congestion pricing:
From the NYT review of congestion pricing:
January 5, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Are you telling me none of the millennials on this website for millennials watched Girls?
Jokes aside, this piece is great and congestion pricing is amazing. Shoutout to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen, and feh to Kathy Hochul and everyone else who worked so hard to make it not happen.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Congestion pricing after one year: How life has changed.
How life has changed in the New York area, according to data on traffic, transit and the responses of 600 readers.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Jokes aside, this piece is great and congestion pricing is amazing. Shoutout to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen, and feh to Kathy Hochul and everyone else who worked so hard to make it not happen.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...