Viola Gienger
violagienger.bsky.social
Viola Gienger
@violagienger.bsky.social
Writer, editor, professional questioner in foreign affairs/natsec. Washington Sr. Editor @justsecurity.bsky.social. Posts=HedsUp. Like=notable
Pinned
More than 500 examples of virulent anti-Ukraine rhetoric by Russian leaders and associates, documented by Clara Apt at @justsecurity.org. Such a privilege to pair up with her for this updated look at the patterns and what experts say: apparent evidence of genocidal intent.
Persistent anti-Ukraine rhetoric by Russian leaders & their associates since – & even before – Russia’s 2022 invasion may contribute to evidence of genocidal intent.

Clara Apt & @violagienger.bsky.social outline the patterns of rhetoric and the findings of legal & policy analysts & historians:
Russia's Eliminationist Rhetoric Against Ukraine: A Collection
Updated: Key words, phrases, and themes appear to express intent to eliminate Ukraine or Ukrainians as a nation-state, people, or culture.
www.justsecurity.org
Reposted by Viola Gienger
1/ Trump's War Powers Report to Congress on the #Venezuela strikes and seizure of #Maduro is in.

I've read/coded every WPR report and used to work on them in the White House. (See this searchable database & graphics warpowers.lawandsecurity.org/%F0%9F%91%87)

Here's what stands out about this one🧵:
January 6, 2026 at 5:52 AM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
(1/4) Catch up on our recent analysis:

• U.S. strikes / Venezuela
• Book recommendations
• Ethiopia
• Trump executive actions
• Supreme Court
• Economic diplomacy
• Civil society
• Emerging technologies

www.justsecurity.org/125922/diges...
Digest of Recent Articles on Just Security (Dec. 1-5, 2025)
U.S. strikes / Venezuela • Book recommendations • Ethiopia • Trump executive actions • Supreme Court • Economic diplomacy • Civil society • Emerging technologies
www.justsecurity.org
December 6, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
I believe folks know the important work we're doing at @justsecurity.org, especially in these challenging times.

But we made this short video as a reminder!

We really need your support this #GivingTuesday.

For tax-deductible gifts: justsecurity.org/donate/
December 2, 2025 at 1:43 PM
"Vladimir Putin Won’t Win on the Battlefield"

"Since January, the Russian military’s territorial gains total nearly 1,900 square miles—or 0.8% of Ukraine, writes Mick Ryan."

www.wsj.com/opinion/vlad...
Opinion | Vladimir Putin Won’t Win on the Battlefield
Since January, the Russian military’s territorial gains total nearly 1,900 square miles—or 0.8% of Ukraine, writes Mick Ryan.
www.wsj.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:10 AM
ICYMI, since this US-Russia proposal for #Ukraine still seems to be under discussion, regardless of the provenance, check out the smart analysis from @ambdanfried.bsky.social 👇
The draft US-Russia “peace plan” for #Ukraine is a “hot mess,” writes @ambdanfried.bsky.social.

But Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy is right to try to work with it rather than reject it outright, Fried says, offering some possible negotiating pointers:

www.justsecurity.org/125365/ukrai...
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Has Options in Response to Latest U.S.-Russian 'Peace Plan'
The plan is a mess, but Ukrainians are right to try to work with the draft rather than reject it out of hand.
www.justsecurity.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
As the US masses forces in the Caribbean and threatens #Venezuela’s #Maduro, what happens if Maduro flees, is overthrown, or otherwise loses power?

Peter J. Quaranto and Tyler Jess Thompson outline key questions for scenario planning:

www.justsecurity.org/125552/trump...
Trump Presses for Post-Maduro Venezuela
As the U.S. positions for possible military strikes, it should prepare for looming governance and stability challenges in Venezuela.
www.justsecurity.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
Trump is investing in the #SouthCaucasus and #CentralAsia, building new trade routes to counter #China and #Russia.

Will it pay off?

Nino Lezhava on the players in a shifting region:

www.justsecurity.org/125271/us-co...
U.S. Counters China, Russia in the South Caucasus, Central Asia
How the U.S.-brokered Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal and the TRIPP trade route are reshaping Eurasia’s economic and security alliances.
www.justsecurity.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Smart take on #Bosnia from @kurtbassuener.bsky.social at @justsecurity.org. Check it out. 👇
The U.N. Security Council recently extended the EU’s peacekeeping mission in #Bosnia for another year, even as the U.S. position may be shifting to support Russia-backed hardliners.

Kurt Bassuener writes the EU must act fast to stem further backsliding:

www.justsecurity.org/123981/un-ex...
U.N. Extension of Troops in Bosnia Obscures Debate
The EU should firm up its policy on supporting Bosnia toward EU membership with democratic governance to assure long-term stability.
www.justsecurity.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:37 PM
In advance of U.N. Security Council meeting Friday, putting the pieces together on this U.S. #sanctions removal for Bosnian separatist leader and #Putin ally Milorad #Dodik.

#Bosnia #UNSecurityCouncil
The Trump administration’s decision to lift #sanctions on a Putin-backed Bosnian Serb separatist leader follows a range of lobbying and advocacy and comes in advance of a Russia-led #UNSecurityCouncil meeting on Bosnia.

@kurtbassuener.bsky.social puts the pieces together:
U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Putin-Backed Bosnian Serb Leader
The Trump administration's sanctions removal for Bosnian Serb separatist Milorad Dodik precedes a Russia-Led U.N. Security Council meeting.
www.justsecurity.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Take a brief break with this tribute to an inspiring dynamo.
Misty Copeland, the first Black woman to be named a principal at American Ballet Theater and one of the art form’s biggest crossover stars, is retiring after 25 years with the company. Here's a look at her career, in photos.
Misty Copeland’s Career in Photos
The famed ballerina retires from her career with the American Ballet Theater after one final performance on Wednesday night.
nyti.ms
October 22, 2025 at 11:37 PM
More than 500 examples of virulent anti-Ukraine rhetoric by Russian leaders and associates, documented by Clara Apt at @justsecurity.org. Such a privilege to pair up with her for this updated look at the patterns and what experts say: apparent evidence of genocidal intent.
Persistent anti-Ukraine rhetoric by Russian leaders & their associates since – & even before – Russia’s 2022 invasion may contribute to evidence of genocidal intent.

Clara Apt & @violagienger.bsky.social outline the patterns of rhetoric and the findings of legal & policy analysts & historians:
Russia's Eliminationist Rhetoric Against Ukraine: A Collection
Updated: Key words, phrases, and themes appear to express intent to eliminate Ukraine or Ukrainians as a nation-state, people, or culture.
www.justsecurity.org
October 20, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
I'm grateful to @60minutes.bsky.social featuring our study published @justsecurity.org.

Link to the study (on the 'presumption of regularity'): www.justsecurity.org/120547/presu...
October 20, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Always so cool to read about the MacArthur Foundation's "genius grants" -- 22 of them this year. And kudos to @npr.org and affiliate stations and programs that they had spotlighted at least 10 of these prodigious talents long before.

Check it out and be inspired.
www.npr.org/2025/10/08/n...
Thinkers, dreamers, doers: Here's who made the 2025 MacArthur Fellow list
A cartographer, a composer, a neurobiologist, and a novelist are among the recipients of this year's "Genius Grants." Each Fellow will receive a no-strings attached award of $800,000.
www.npr.org
October 9, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
The unfamiliar feeling of good news. The people of Moldova defends its pro EU path against unprecedented levels of attempted Russian election interference.

www.bbc.com/news/article...
Pro-EU party in Moldova wins election mired in claims of Russian interference
The vote was seen as critical for Moldova's EU path, and President Maia Sandu warned the country's future was in danger.
www.bbc.com
September 29, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
Legally Available Options in Response to Russia’s Penetrations of NATO Airspace

By leading legal expert @mikeschmitt.bsky.social

#NATO #RussiaUkraineWar

www.justsecurity.org/121527/russi...
Legally Available Options in Response to Russia's Penetrations of NATO Airspace
Top legal expert analyzes options for NATO member States to use force in response to Russian intrusions in airspace.
www.justsecurity.org
September 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
Moldova defeated foreign influence campaigns and chose Europe #democracy

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
Moldova’s pro-European party on course to retain majority in key election
PAS leads with 46% of vote in ballot that will decide whether country steers closer to EU or Russia
www.theguardian.com
September 29, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
@milleridriss.bsky.social talks to @tomjoscelyn.bsky.social about her new book, Man Up, and the role misogyny plays in violent extremism on the @justsecurity.org podcast
Misogyny’s Role in Violent Extremism
Podcast Episode · The Just Security Podcast · 09/18/2025 · 46m
apple.co
September 28, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
In today’s #ReadingRussia I look at what the Russian newspapers are saying about ‘victory’…and the country’s economic problems.
The Russian press and the concept of 'victory'
YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg
youtu.be
September 26, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
#BREAKING: Over the dissents of Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson, #SCOTUS grants (yet another) stay to President Trump—this one allowing him to cease obligating $4 billion in foreign aid funding appropriated by Congress.

I’ll post the link when it’s up.
September 26, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
We condemn the Egyptian authorities' arrest of writer and journalist Ismail Alexandrani for his online expression, and call for his immediate and unconditional release.

Alexandrani was questioned about Facebook posts on his account and detained without evidence. bsky.app/profile/peni...
September 26, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
Amid President Trump’s retreat from global institutions, U.S. governors and mayors can serve their communities’ interests by pushing for responsible reform and cushioning the blow of the administration’s policy.

From Ayse Kaya and Jon Temin:
www.justsecurity.org/120345/trump...
Washington’s Multilateral Retreat Creates an Opening for State and Local Leaders
U.S. state and local leaders can fill voids left as the Trump administration cuts and even exits multilateral organizations.
www.justsecurity.org
September 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
Israel’s Sept. 9 strike on Hamas leaders in #Qatar was carried out with only last-minute notice to Washington.

The Doha strike raises questions about US credibility with Gulf partners, writes Jesse Marks.

www.justsecurity.org/120470/israe...
Israel’s Strike on Doha: A Crisis for U.S. Credibility?
Israel's Doha strikes could heighten regional instability, intensify Arab unity against Israel, and chill normalization efforts.
www.justsecurity.org
September 17, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
Analyzing the legal and moral stakes of the Caribbean strikes – and how Congress could respond.

From Annie Shiel, @jwrchappell.bsky.social, Priyanka Motaparthy, Wells Dixon and Daphne Eviatar:

www.justsecurity.org/120794/legal...
Murder by Drone: The Legal and Moral Stakes of the Caribbean Strikes
If allowed to go unchecked, the Caribbean strikes could encourage additional unlawful executions by the United States and other leaders.
www.justsecurity.org
September 17, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Reposted by Viola Gienger
We join PEN centers in welcoming the release of writers jailed in Belarus. At the same time, we condemn their forced exile and call for their rights to be upheld.

Writers still in prison—including Ales Bialiatski, Maksim Znak, and Kaciaryna Andrejeva—must be released. bsky.app/profile/peni...
September 17, 2025 at 9:32 PM