Security Dilemmas
@securitydilemmas.bsky.social
I'm Richard Purcell, Louisiana native, proud UNC alum, former Capitol Hill staffer, SAIS grad, and (hopefully) keen observer of foreign policy and national security. Nukes are my specialty.
Pinned
Nuclear Damage Limitation in an Era of Great Power Competition
Editor’s note: This is the second piece in a two-part series examining the role of damage limitation strategy in U.S. nuclear war planning. Read part one here. With the apparent reemergence …
globalsecurityreview.com
This is the second part of my article in Global Security Review about damage limitation in the modern world:
Reposted by Security Dilemmas
I know this country’s promise firsthand. I came to America fleeing Soviet Ukraine at age 3.
I served this country in our Army for 25 years.
Only in America can you go from refugee to representative in just one lifetime.
That is the power of our democracy. I will always be proud of that.
I served this country in our Army for 25 years.
Only in America can you go from refugee to representative in just one lifetime.
That is the power of our democracy. I will always be proud of that.
November 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
I know this country’s promise firsthand. I came to America fleeing Soviet Ukraine at age 3.
I served this country in our Army for 25 years.
Only in America can you go from refugee to representative in just one lifetime.
That is the power of our democracy. I will always be proud of that.
I served this country in our Army for 25 years.
Only in America can you go from refugee to representative in just one lifetime.
That is the power of our democracy. I will always be proud of that.
I saw six Air Force fighters fly over Columbia Heights a couple of hours ago while I was running errands. Now I know why.
Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing
The de facto Saudi ruler was branded a pariah in 2018 after the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Now, U.S.-Saudi relations are approaching a high point.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:12 PM
I saw six Air Force fighters fly over Columbia Heights a couple of hours ago while I was running errands. Now I know why.
One lesson I've learned over time is that if you see something valuable on the internet, download it whenever possible. It may not always be there. UVa's Miller Center used to have the transcripts of the ExComm deliberations during the Cuban Missile Crisis on its website, but they were removed.
Analysis | State Department deleted records about risk of inadvertent nuclear war
Key historical records about the incident during the Reagan administration, known as the Able Archer 83 War Scare, were removed without explanation.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:44 PM
One lesson I've learned over time is that if you see something valuable on the internet, download it whenever possible. It may not always be there. UVa's Miller Center used to have the transcripts of the ExComm deliberations during the Cuban Missile Crisis on its website, but they were removed.
I doubt Trump could locate Africa on a map. When he complains about Christians being persecuted in Nigeria, he's probably assuming they're white like Afrikaners.
November 2, 2025 at 1:07 AM
I doubt Trump could locate Africa on a map. When he complains about Christians being persecuted in Nigeria, he's probably assuming they're white like Afrikaners.
I started to write a comment about this, but honestly words fail me.
November 2, 2025 at 12:51 AM
I started to write a comment about this, but honestly words fail me.
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Sure, it will undermine global security and push our adversaries to test their own nuclear weapons - but great news! It will also send “a shockwave of government funding to companies in test site construction and engineering support”
October 30, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Sure, it will undermine global security and push our adversaries to test their own nuclear weapons - but great news! It will also send “a shockwave of government funding to companies in test site construction and engineering support”
Oh, good. I feel safer now.
Trump directs Pentagon to test nuclear weapons for first time since 1992
The president said he wanted testing to occur “on an equal basis” with Russia and China. The Kremlin condemned the move, and there was no indication on when tests might take place.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Oh, good. I feel safer now.
Reposted by Security Dilemmas
Had an uncomfortable conversation about despair this afternoon.
To my mind, despair is the enemy. No matter how bad things are, this country has seen worse, people around the world have seen worse, and things got better because they kept fighting.
To my mind, despair is the enemy. No matter how bad things are, this country has seen worse, people around the world have seen worse, and things got better because they kept fighting.
October 25, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Had an uncomfortable conversation about despair this afternoon.
To my mind, despair is the enemy. No matter how bad things are, this country has seen worse, people around the world have seen worse, and things got better because they kept fighting.
To my mind, despair is the enemy. No matter how bad things are, this country has seen worse, people around the world have seen worse, and things got better because they kept fighting.
It is 2025. The transcript of every Congressional hearing ever held in U.S. history should be available online for free. How is this not the case?
October 6, 2025 at 10:31 PM
It is 2025. The transcript of every Congressional hearing ever held in U.S. history should be available online for free. How is this not the case?
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Hegseth: The military is for killing people and breaking things. No more rules of engagement.
Trump: I’ll be sending the military into U.S. cities.
Trump: I’ll be sending the military into U.S. cities.
Hegseth: "A few months ago I was at the White House when President Trump announced his liberation day for America's trade policy. It was a landmark day. Well, today is another liberation day. The liberation of America's warriors ... you kill people and break things for a living."
September 30, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Hegseth: The military is for killing people and breaking things. No more rules of engagement.
Trump: I’ll be sending the military into U.S. cities.
Trump: I’ll be sending the military into U.S. cities.
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In light of today’s absolutely fucking deranged “I’m in a war movie” speeches by Trump and Hegseth, I give you the plaque at West Point.
September 30, 2025 at 4:28 PM
In light of today’s absolutely fucking deranged “I’m in a war movie” speeches by Trump and Hegseth, I give you the plaque at West Point.
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George Hardy flew 21 combat missions in World War II, then went on to fight in the Korean and Vietnam wars. trib.al/pimPxQu
One of the last original Tuskegee Airmen dies at 100
George Hardy flew 21 combat missions in World War II, then went on to fight in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
trib.al
September 30, 2025 at 10:26 PM
George Hardy flew 21 combat missions in World War II, then went on to fight in the Korean and Vietnam wars. trib.al/pimPxQu
Trump said he wants to bring back battleships, even though no nation has built one since the 1940s. It's only a matter of time before he says he wants the F-47 to be a biplane.
September 30, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Trump said he wants to bring back battleships, even though no nation has built one since the 1940s. It's only a matter of time before he says he wants the F-47 to be a biplane.
NYT: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who summoned the generals and admirals, is expected to speak about grooming and fitness requirements, and other aspects of what he calls a shift toward a 'warrior ethos' at the Pentagon."
September 28, 2025 at 5:37 PM
NYT: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who summoned the generals and admirals, is expected to speak about grooming and fitness requirements, and other aspects of what he calls a shift toward a 'warrior ethos' at the Pentagon."
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cc All U.S. flag officers. Don’t forget your duty and oath.
The South Korean Ministry of Defense has awarded medals of merit to 11 officers for disobeying direct orders of superiors during the martial law fiasco, orders that they deemed to be contrary to the constitution and endangerment to democracy.
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
www.chosun.com/english/nati...
National Defense Ministry Honors 11 Soldiers for Refusing Illegal Orders
National Defense Ministry Honors 11 Soldiers for Refusing Illegal Orders Honored for rejecting illegal orders during martial law, Marine death probe
www.chosun.com
September 27, 2025 at 9:46 PM
cc All U.S. flag officers. Don’t forget your duty and oath.
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Today in 1983 in Moscow, just past midnight, 44 year-old Lt. Col. Stanislav Petrov’s calm decision that a satellite warning of the launch of 5 US Minuteman ICBMs was a false alarm—based on “a funny feeling in my gut”—may have averted a catastrophic nuclear war. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl...
September 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Today in 1983 in Moscow, just past midnight, 44 year-old Lt. Col. Stanislav Petrov’s calm decision that a satellite warning of the launch of 5 US Minuteman ICBMs was a false alarm—based on “a funny feeling in my gut”—may have averted a catastrophic nuclear war. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl...
WP: "None of the people who spoke with The Post could recall a defense secretary ever ordering so many of the military’s generals and admirals to assemble like this."
Hegseth orders rare, urgent meeting of hundreds of generals, admirals
The Pentagon has summoned military officials from around the world for a gathering in Virginia. Top generals and their staffs don’t know the reason for the meeting.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:37 PM
WP: "None of the people who spoke with The Post could recall a defense secretary ever ordering so many of the military’s generals and admirals to assemble like this."
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"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
― Theodore Roosevelt
September 21, 2025 at 8:11 PM
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
― Theodore Roosevelt
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Dear American citizens, whatever you wish more German citizens would have done in 1933, do that now.
September 20, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Dear American citizens, whatever you wish more German citizens would have done in 1933, do that now.
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Trump says Afghanistan must give "Bagram Airbase back to those that built it." Interesting, considering who built it.
![In the 1950s, Bagram airfield was originally built by the Soviet Union[11] during the early period of the Cold War, at a time when the United States and the neighboring Soviet Union were spreading political influence in Afghanistan. While the United States was focusing on Afghanistan, the Soviets were strengthening ties with Fidel Castro's regime in Cuba. In 1959, a year after Afghan Prime Minister Daud Khan toured the United States, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower landed at Bagram Airfield where he was greeted by King Zahir Shah and Daud Khan among other Afghan officials.[12][13]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:eppsmw5nfmdzhfeymtzd3xbe/bafkreigjap3srww3duqfrgbt2ixx3gnvaceh7gr3sburif3lt3pltjeymi@jpeg)
September 20, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Trump says Afghanistan must give "Bagram Airbase back to those that built it." Interesting, considering who built it.
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I’m nostalgic for the days when Americans lectured other countries about violations of civil liberties.
“ABC and CBS are making a serious miscalculation. Their servility to Trump will not earn them peace, only greater pressure.”
That’s the German professional association of journalists, @djv.de, calling on major US media to support their journalists instead of preemptively silencing them.
That’s the German professional association of journalists, @djv.de, calling on major US media to support their journalists instead of preemptively silencing them.
Nicht vor MAGA-Kult einknicken
Der Deutsche Journalisten-Verband ruft die Verantwortlichen der großen US-Medien dazu auf, ihren Journalistinnen und Journalisten den Rücken zu stärken, statt…
www.djv.de
September 18, 2025 at 11:36 AM
I’m nostalgic for the days when Americans lectured other countries about violations of civil liberties.
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It can be disorienting how little people know or care about nukes now, even military personnel outside specific communities.
September 14, 2025 at 8:36 PM
It can be disorienting how little people know or care about nukes now, even military personnel outside specific communities.
Good Lord. Iran-Contra was forty years ago.
Oliver North weds Fawn Hall, his secretary during Iran-contra scandal
Oliver North and Fawn Hall, two figures in the 1980s controversy, tied the knot last month, according to a Virginia marriage license.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 9, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Good Lord. Iran-Contra was forty years ago.
Everyone knows that ChatGPT and other AI tools sometimes produce hallucinations, but what do you do when they're flatly disobedient? ChatGPT keeps citing Wikipedia as an information source even though I have specifically told it not to. What the hell?
September 4, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Everyone knows that ChatGPT and other AI tools sometimes produce hallucinations, but what do you do when they're flatly disobedient? ChatGPT keeps citing Wikipedia as an information source even though I have specifically told it not to. What the hell?