Stathios Ballas
@stathiosb.bsky.social
Citizen
• Worker Rights, Workplace Safety & Fair Pay
• Principles of Democratic Governance
• the Common Weal
• Unabashed globalist
* εὐδαιμονία
* Stop Cruelty to Animals *
Transnational Issues & Perspectives
🇬🇷🇺🇸🇨🇦
• Worker Rights, Workplace Safety & Fair Pay
• Principles of Democratic Governance
• the Common Weal
• Unabashed globalist
* εὐδαιμονία
* Stop Cruelty to Animals *
Transnational Issues & Perspectives
🇬🇷🇺🇸🇨🇦
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Only MAGA bootlickers whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron are defending this photo
January 25, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Only MAGA bootlickers whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron are defending this photo
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
“A worldview in which sovereignty is negotiable, alliances are conditional, and territory can be claimed by a personal assertion, notwithstanding any law.”
We're going to end up learning the hard way all of the lessons that our alliances were built over.
When a Text Message Shatters International Trust
A message sent to the Norwegian prime minister on Sunday could threaten decades of progress in building up the NATO alliance.
lnk.thebulwark.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:47 PM
“A worldview in which sovereignty is negotiable, alliances are conditional, and territory can be claimed by a personal assertion, notwithstanding any law.”
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Countries that are imperialist and aggressive in their foreign policy do not remain liberal democracies in their domestic policy.
This Is the End
Putinism abroad always morphs into Putinism at home. And we chose this path. Why? Because something-something the price of eggs.
lnk.thebulwark.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Countries that are imperialist and aggressive in their foreign policy do not remain liberal democracies in their domestic policy.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.
January 24, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Bondi's letter—essentially offering to stop attacking and murdering citizens in Minnesota in exchange for the state's voter rolls—shows what Trump, Miller et al. are really after:
They want to fuck with the nation's elections so that they never have to cede power or answer for their crimes.
They want to fuck with the nation's elections so that they never have to cede power or answer for their crimes.
In the wake of another fatal shooting in Minneapolis.
AG Pam Bondi sends Gov. Walz a letter today making several asks including:
"Allow DOJ Civil Rights division access to state voter rolls"
AG Pam Bondi sends Gov. Walz a letter today making several asks including:
"Allow DOJ Civil Rights division access to state voter rolls"
January 25, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Bondi's letter—essentially offering to stop attacking and murdering citizens in Minnesota in exchange for the state's voter rolls—shows what Trump, Miller et al. are really after:
They want to fuck with the nation's elections so that they never have to cede power or answer for their crimes.
They want to fuck with the nation's elections so that they never have to cede power or answer for their crimes.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
🧵 @jburnmurdoch.ft.com is spot on about the conditions in his FT piece. Liberal democracy held it together thanks to growth, good demographics, and the promise of a better future. Those days are gone, and that’s the "why" behind the erosion. However...
Democratic politicians have, though, pursued growth in GDP at the expense of other values. One response to @jburnmurdoch.ft.com pessimistic scenario is refocus on those values, combined with egalitarianism, sufficiency and quality of life. Not "it's the economy, stupid" but "it's the the society"
Is liberal democracy in terminal decline?
The old system worked under a set of conditions that are no longer present
www.ft.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:07 AM
🧵 @jburnmurdoch.ft.com is spot on about the conditions in his FT piece. Liberal democracy held it together thanks to growth, good demographics, and the promise of a better future. Those days are gone, and that’s the "why" behind the erosion. However...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Western countries are hitting refugees twice: they are making it harder to claim asylum *and* they are cutting aid to troubled regions.
I went to Sudan, the world's worst humanitarian situation, where the UN refugee agency has had to cut half its staff. Please have a read: as.ft.com/r/df593f1e-e...
I went to Sudan, the world's worst humanitarian situation, where the UN refugee agency has had to cut half its staff. Please have a read: as.ft.com/r/df593f1e-e...
Adapt, shrink or die: the global crisis in humanitarian aid
[FREE TO READ] On the road in Sudan with the UN’s outgoing High Commissioner for Refugees
as.ft.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Western countries are hitting refugees twice: they are making it harder to claim asylum *and* they are cutting aid to troubled regions.
I went to Sudan, the world's worst humanitarian situation, where the UN refugee agency has had to cut half its staff. Please have a read: as.ft.com/r/df593f1e-e...
I went to Sudan, the world's worst humanitarian situation, where the UN refugee agency has had to cut half its staff. Please have a read: as.ft.com/r/df593f1e-e...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Don’t know what to trust on your feed? How did we get here? Next Thursday, @eliothiggins.bsky.social and @cward1e.bsky.social unpack the rise, backlash and future of counter-disinformation. Join us for a live Q&A on Discord. 11am EST / 5pm CET discord.gg/ApEnkSK6?eve...
January 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Don’t know what to trust on your feed? How did we get here? Next Thursday, @eliothiggins.bsky.social and @cward1e.bsky.social unpack the rise, backlash and future of counter-disinformation. Join us for a live Q&A on Discord. 11am EST / 5pm CET discord.gg/ApEnkSK6?eve...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Tim Cook and Andy Jassy—and the rest—are accommodating an authoritarian who is presiding over a secret police force killing American citizens. The blood of Renee Good and Alex Pretti is on the hands of those who enable Trump. Hope they like the movie.
On tonight’s White House agenda:
Trump and guests will get a private screening of MELANIA, the documentary about the First Lady, @thr.com reports.
Attendees include Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Mike Tyson, per the article.
Trump and guests will get a private screening of MELANIA, the documentary about the First Lady, @thr.com reports.
Attendees include Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Mike Tyson, per the article.
January 25, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Tim Cook and Andy Jassy—and the rest—are accommodating an authoritarian who is presiding over a secret police force killing American citizens. The blood of Renee Good and Alex Pretti is on the hands of those who enable Trump. Hope they like the movie.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 AM
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
The fact that more Democrats are coming out against DHS funding is a testament to the value of people calling their offices. www.huffpost.com/entry/minnea...
Democrats Consider Partial Government Shutdown To Curb ICE After Minneapolis Shooting
Democratic opposition to additional DHS funding is rapidly building ahead of a Jan. 30 deadline following another fatal shooting in Minnesota.
www.huffpost.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:17 AM
The fact that more Democrats are coming out against DHS funding is a testament to the value of people calling their offices. www.huffpost.com/entry/minnea...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
We stand with @mnaflcio.org
ICE OUT NOW. This is our brother and caretaker of the community. Every worker must prepare to follow the lead of Minnesota. mnaflcio.org/news/stateme...
ICE OUT NOW. This is our brother and caretaker of the community. Every worker must prepare to follow the lead of Minnesota. mnaflcio.org/news/stateme...
Statement on ICE’s killing of AFGE member Alex Jeffrey Pretti
Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on ICE’s killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti this morning in Minneapolis:“For the second time in less than three weeks, a Minnesotan ...
mnaflcio.org
January 25, 2026 at 1:37 AM
We stand with @mnaflcio.org
ICE OUT NOW. This is our brother and caretaker of the community. Every worker must prepare to follow the lead of Minnesota. mnaflcio.org/news/stateme...
ICE OUT NOW. This is our brother and caretaker of the community. Every worker must prepare to follow the lead of Minnesota. mnaflcio.org/news/stateme...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Im Konflikt zwischen der syrischen Regierung und kurdischen Gruppen sollen die Waffen zwei weitere Wochen lang ruhen. In der Zeit sollen IS-Gefangene in den Irak verlegt werden, darunter auch Deutsche.
Syrien verlängert Waffenruhe mit Kurden-Milizen
Im Konflikt zwischen der syrischen Regierung und kurdischen Gruppen sollen die Waffen zwei weitere Wochen lang ruhen. In der Zeit sollen IS-Gefangene in den Irak verlegt werden, darunter auch Deutsche.
www.spiegel.de
January 24, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Im Konflikt zwischen der syrischen Regierung und kurdischen Gruppen sollen die Waffen zwei weitere Wochen lang ruhen. In der Zeit sollen IS-Gefangene in den Irak verlegt werden, darunter auch Deutsche.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
"One agent then allegedly broke the glass window of the father’s car while the girl was inside."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
US immigration agents detain two-year-old Minnesota girl: ‘depravity beyond words’
DHS detain a toddler and her father on Thursday and fly them to Texas before returning child on judge’s order
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:04 PM
"One agent then allegedly broke the glass window of the father’s car while the girl was inside."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Footage taken moments before a struggle shows that the man was filming, holding a phone in his right hand, backing up. His left hand is up, visible, palm facing out, as he backs away from the area. An agent uses his right hand, on the torso of the victim, pushing him back, while the man complies.
January 24, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Footage taken moments before a struggle shows that the man was filming, holding a phone in his right hand, backing up. His left hand is up, visible, palm facing out, as he backs away from the area. An agent uses his right hand, on the torso of the victim, pushing him back, while the man complies.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
ANOTHER ANGLE: the original video was deleted but I screen capped it. Here it is.
January 24, 2026 at 8:39 PM
ANOTHER ANGLE: the original video was deleted but I screen capped it. Here it is.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Authoritarian regimes ALWAYS lie
That is why it is so important and necessary to record and document everything.
That is why it is so important and necessary to record and document everything.
January 24, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Authoritarian regimes ALWAYS lie
That is why it is so important and necessary to record and document everything.
That is why it is so important and necessary to record and document everything.
Far too many people still engaging in spectacularly bad takes on Trump & the U.S.
If you have a large following here or Substack (or both) and you keep telling your followers that “We’re winning!” or “We’re starting to take things back!”, shame on you.
If you have a large following here or Substack (or both) and you keep telling your followers that “We’re winning!” or “We’re starting to take things back!”, shame on you.
January 24, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Far too many people still engaging in spectacularly bad takes on Trump & the U.S.
If you have a large following here or Substack (or both) and you keep telling your followers that “We’re winning!” or “We’re starting to take things back!”, shame on you.
If you have a large following here or Substack (or both) and you keep telling your followers that “We’re winning!” or “We’re starting to take things back!”, shame on you.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Federal law enforcement agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Jan. 24 according to local police officials. DHS told Fox News that the man was “armed with a gun”. A video of the shooting appears to show that a gun was taken from the man before the first shot was fired. x.com/BillMelugin_...
January 24, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Federal law enforcement agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Jan. 24 according to local police officials. DHS told Fox News that the man was “armed with a gun”. A video of the shooting appears to show that a gun was taken from the man before the first shot was fired. x.com/BillMelugin_...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Thousands protest against US immigration crackdown, child's detention
Thousands protest against US immigration crackdown, child's detention
Thousands of people on Friday protested against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis amid anger over the detention of a five-year-old migrant boy. Images of pre-schooler Liam Conejo Ramos, being held by immigration officers have rekindled public outrage at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
f24.my
January 24, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Thousands protest against US immigration crackdown, child's detention
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the territorial dispute was a central issue for the tripartite talks.
Russia and Ukraine sit for tense talks on thorny territorial issue
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the territorial dispute was a central issue for the tripartite talks.
cnb.cx
January 24, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the territorial dispute was a central issue for the tripartite talks.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Canada sent so many dedicated young people into the hellfire of Kandahar to help the United States.
Now they ridicule us.
JD Vance says he is tired of our "sob stories".
Trump says they never needed us.
Never again, America, Never again.
Now they ridicule us.
JD Vance says he is tired of our "sob stories".
Trump says they never needed us.
Never again, America, Never again.
January 23, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Canada sent so many dedicated young people into the hellfire of Kandahar to help the United States.
Now they ridicule us.
JD Vance says he is tired of our "sob stories".
Trump says they never needed us.
Never again, America, Never again.
Now they ridicule us.
JD Vance says he is tired of our "sob stories".
Trump says they never needed us.
Never again, America, Never again.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
The abrupt threat of US tariffs on Europe triggered one of the most synchronized market selloffs this week since the pandemic — and had traders second-guessing once-reliable hedges
In Trump Markets, Sudden Volatility Is Price of Doing Business
The abrupt threat of US tariffs on Europe triggered one of the most synchronized market selloffs this week since the pandemic — and had traders second-guessing once-reliable hedges.
bloom.bg
January 24, 2026 at 1:30 AM
The abrupt threat of US tariffs on Europe triggered one of the most synchronized market selloffs this week since the pandemic — and had traders second-guessing once-reliable hedges
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
“We’re rallying in solidarity with the people in Minnesota, because we don’t know who’s next,” Badger-Aguilar, a public employee and chapter president for Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, told HuffPost. “It’s really all of us that are at risk here." #ICEOUT
Read more: seiu.co/3M5bZxj
Read more: seiu.co/3M5bZxj
Why Friday’s 'ICE Out' Shutdown In Minnesota May Be A Turning Point Nationwide
Experts on boycott tactics explain what sets Minnesota’s “ICE Out” movement apart — and practical steps to show support.
seiu.co
January 24, 2026 at 1:32 AM
“We’re rallying in solidarity with the people in Minnesota, because we don’t know who’s next,” Badger-Aguilar, a public employee and chapter president for Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, told HuffPost. “It’s really all of us that are at risk here." #ICEOUT
Read more: seiu.co/3M5bZxj
Read more: seiu.co/3M5bZxj