Yoshiko Herrera
@yoshikoherrera.bsky.social
Professor, Political Science Univ of Wisconsin-Madison. Comparative politics, social identities, nationalism, xenophobia, teaching on the Russian war on Ukraine
https://yoshikoherrera.com
https://yoshikoherrera.com
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
Hegseth has radicalized Richard Leon, the most conservative partisanly Republican judge not appointed by Trump I've ever met.
BREAKING: Judge blocks Hegseth effort to punish Sen. Kelly.
"This Court has all it needs to conclude that Defendants have trampled on Senator Kelly's First Amendment freedoms and threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees."
Background: www.lawdork.com/p/breaking-k...
"This Court has all it needs to conclude that Defendants have trampled on Senator Kelly's First Amendment freedoms and threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees."
Background: www.lawdork.com/p/breaking-k...
![UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
MARK KELLY,
Plaintiff,
Civil Case No. 26-81 (RJL)
V.
PETE HEGSETH, et al.,
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
February 12, 2026 [Dkt. #2]
United States Senator Mark Kelly, a retired naval officer, has been censured by
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for voicing certain opinions on military actions and
policy. In addition, he has been subjected to proceedings to possibly reduce his retirement
rank and pay and threatened with criminal prosecution if he continues to speak out on these
issues.
Secretary Hegseth relies on the well-established doctrine that military
servicemembers enjoy less vigorous First Amendment protections given the fundamental
obligation for obedience and discipline in the armed forces. Unfortunately for Secretary
Hegseth, no court has ever extended those principles to retired servicemembers, much less a retired servicemember serving in Congress and exercising oversight responsibility over
the military. This Court will not be the first to do so!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiclbgaenrhgnor6zvmnfql4d3olwzqp7zikm3maum5ylc4m6epys4@jpeg)
February 12, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Hegseth has radicalized Richard Leon, the most conservative partisanly Republican judge not appointed by Trump I've ever met.
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
A dresser inside a museum in New York City has been discovered as a secret stop on the Underground Railroad β the first of its kind discovered in Manhattan in over 100 years
February 11, 2026 at 3:43 AM
A dresser inside a museum in New York City has been discovered as a secret stop on the Underground Railroad β the first of its kind discovered in Manhattan in over 100 years
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
Same faces. Different lives.
Ukrainian defenders are sharing βbefore and afterβ photosβwho they were before russiaβs invasion, and who they had to become to protect home. Behind every uniform is a job left behind, a family, a normal life put on pause.
This is what resilience looks like.
Ukrainian defenders are sharing βbefore and afterβ photosβwho they were before russiaβs invasion, and who they had to become to protect home. Behind every uniform is a job left behind, a family, a normal life put on pause.
This is what resilience looks like.
February 10, 2026 at 4:19 AM
Same faces. Different lives.
Ukrainian defenders are sharing βbefore and afterβ photosβwho they were before russiaβs invasion, and who they had to become to protect home. Behind every uniform is a job left behind, a family, a normal life put on pause.
This is what resilience looks like.
Ukrainian defenders are sharing βbefore and afterβ photosβwho they were before russiaβs invasion, and who they had to become to protect home. Behind every uniform is a job left behind, a family, a normal life put on pause.
This is what resilience looks like.
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
βΌοΈπͺπΊ EU plans to impose sanctions against third-country ports serving Russia's "shadow fleet" for the first time β Sky News
The 20th package of EU sanctions includes the ports of Kulevi in ββGeorgia and Karimun in Indonesia. There are also proposals to add banks from Laos, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The 20th package of EU sanctions includes the ports of Kulevi in ββGeorgia and Karimun in Indonesia. There are also proposals to add banks from Laos, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
February 9, 2026 at 7:20 PM
βΌοΈπͺπΊ EU plans to impose sanctions against third-country ports serving Russia's "shadow fleet" for the first time β Sky News
The 20th package of EU sanctions includes the ports of Kulevi in ββGeorgia and Karimun in Indonesia. There are also proposals to add banks from Laos, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The 20th package of EU sanctions includes the ports of Kulevi in ββGeorgia and Karimun in Indonesia. There are also proposals to add banks from Laos, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
What this ad doesnβt show: Ring also rolled out facial recognition for humans. I wrote to them months ago about this. Their answer? They wonβt ask for your consent.
This definitely isnβt about dogsβitβs about mass surveillance.
x.com/Phil_Lewis_/...
This definitely isnβt about dogsβitβs about mass surveillance.
x.com/Phil_Lewis_/...
x.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:42 PM
What this ad doesnβt show: Ring also rolled out facial recognition for humans. I wrote to them months ago about this. Their answer? They wonβt ask for your consent.
This definitely isnβt about dogsβitβs about mass surveillance.
x.com/Phil_Lewis_/...
This definitely isnβt about dogsβitβs about mass surveillance.
x.com/Phil_Lewis_/...
Wow - turns out that Bad Bunny worked with @uwmadison.bsky.social Prof. MelΓ©ndez-Badillo @jmelendezbadillo.bsky.social on aspects of Puerto Rican history for his show!
Not at all surprised to learn that Bad Bunny has a historical adviser. His halftime show was a reminder that our history and culture are deeply intertwined with the rest of the western hemisphere. We should think of his performance as part of #America250. #SuperBowl
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
Pop star Bad Bunny needed a Puerto Rican history scholar. UWβMadison had just the one.
Bad Bunny collaborated with UWβMadison history professor Jorell MelΓ©ndez-Badillo on Puerto Rican narratives that accompany the new album βDeBΓ TiRAR MΓ‘S FOToS.β
news.wisc.edu
February 9, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Wow - turns out that Bad Bunny worked with @uwmadison.bsky.social Prof. MelΓ©ndez-Badillo @jmelendezbadillo.bsky.social on aspects of Puerto Rican history for his show!
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
Not at all surprised to learn that Bad Bunny has a historical adviser. His halftime show was a reminder that our history and culture are deeply intertwined with the rest of the western hemisphere. We should think of his performance as part of #America250. #SuperBowl
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
Pop star Bad Bunny needed a Puerto Rican history scholar. UWβMadison had just the one.
Bad Bunny collaborated with UWβMadison history professor Jorell MelΓ©ndez-Badillo on Puerto Rican narratives that accompany the new album βDeBΓ TiRAR MΓ‘S FOToS.β
news.wisc.edu
February 9, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Not at all surprised to learn that Bad Bunny has a historical adviser. His halftime show was a reminder that our history and culture are deeply intertwined with the rest of the western hemisphere. We should think of his performance as part of #America250. #SuperBowl
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
Russia's hybrid warfare is a real threat:
I wrote on Russia's cyber-attack against Poland's energy system in December, why it suggests a more aggressive Russian approach to disrupting critical infrastructure in Europe, and why the involvement of the FSB, Russia's security service, is bad news. www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
Russiaβs sabotage campaign is becoming bolder
Hacks against Polish energy plants suggest the FSB is involved
www.economist.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Russia's hybrid warfare is a real threat:
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
Every day, an unprecedented corruption scandal that would immediately end any chief executive's tenure in any actual democracy, let alone any presidency since Truman.
New: Binance holds 87% of the Trump family's stablecoinβ$4.7 billionβa higher concentration than any other major stablecoin has at any single exchange.
Its U.S. affiliate holds $1,119.
me, for @forbes.com
Its U.S. affiliate holds $1,119.
me, for @forbes.com
Trump's Stablecoin USD1: Binance Holds 87% After Founder's Pardon
World Liberty Financial's founding document describes the company as "pioneering a new era of Decentralized Finance." Its flagship stablecoin is anything but.
www.forbes.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Every day, an unprecedented corruption scandal that would immediately end any chief executive's tenure in any actual democracy, let alone any presidency since Truman.
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
Again, we just cut all of the federal funding for area & foreign language studies at universities across the country to "save" $86 million. What an unbelievably unserious administration.
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
Not only did they bring a small private army, but among the waste of taxpayer money was BRINGING A FULL PLANE OF FOOD.
To *Italy*.
To *Italy*.
February 8, 2026 at 4:47 AM
Again, we just cut all of the federal funding for area & foreign language studies at universities across the country to "save" $86 million. What an unbelievably unserious administration.
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
bsky.app/profile/mcop...
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
βLate Friday night, the Fifth Circuit adopted the extreme minority viewβthat the government can indefinitely detain without bond millions of non-citizens who have been here for generations; who have never committed a crime; and who pose neither a risk of flight nor any threat to public safety.β
208. The Fifth Circuit Jumps the Immigration Detention Shark
Late Friday, two of the nation's most right-wing circuit judges adopted an odious legal claim that district court judges from across the country (and ideological spectrum) have overwhelmingly rejected
www.stevevladeck.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:34 PM
βLate Friday night, the Fifth Circuit adopted the extreme minority viewβthat the government can indefinitely detain without bond millions of non-citizens who have been here for generations; who have never committed a crime; and who pose neither a risk of flight nor any threat to public safety.β
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
Yup. Witkoff and Kushner are using cheap Russian humiliation tactics. But let it be known that the whole "peace process" is as much of a useless joke as these two clowns.
What Europe's talking about this morning: at the UAE "summit," the Ukrainians were represented by professional diplomats attired in suits, where as the Trump White House was represented by mob-connected real estate executives dressed like they got lost on the way to the gym.
February 7, 2026 at 5:37 AM
Yup. Witkoff and Kushner are using cheap Russian humiliation tactics. But let it be known that the whole "peace process" is as much of a useless joke as these two clowns.
Political ire directed towards Hilary Clinton knows no end
James Comer is bringing Hillary Clinton before his committee to testify about Epstein despite having zero contact with him, but not Epsteinβs neighbor Howard Lutnick who lied about his connections to Epstein over many years which is proven in the files.
February 4, 2026 at 4:59 AM
Political ire directed towards Hilary Clinton knows no end
Ok, but in Wausau, Wisconsin we have corgi races on ice: youtu.be/tAnz6iUQg-4?...
2026 Wausau Cyclones Championship Corgi Races
YouTube video by Wausau Cyclones Hockey
youtu.be
February 3, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Ok, but in Wausau, Wisconsin we have corgi races on ice: youtu.be/tAnz6iUQg-4?...
Congratulations to you @waitmanwbeorn.com! Rachel Brenner was a wonderful professor and colleague here at @uwmadison.bsky.social Madison, so it's also nice to see this book prized named after her.
February 3, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Congratulations to you @waitmanwbeorn.com! Rachel Brenner was a wonderful professor and colleague here at @uwmadison.bsky.social Madison, so it's also nice to see this book prized named after her.
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
Itβs not about whether to talk to Ru or not, itβs about what to say. If reopening diplomacy means trying to find compromise w Pu, Merz is right thatβs useless. But if Europe warns Pu that the longer he wages war, the worse Ruβs defeat would be, maybe itβs worth it. Ofc, such talk should be backed up
Germany opposes reopening diplomatic channels with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, citing Vladimir Putin's "maximalist demands" and lack of "genuine willingess" to negotiate peace.
Another Franco-German disagreement.
Another Franco-German disagreement.
Germany opposes direct talks with Putin due to 'maximalist demands'
As Paris and Rome push for reopening diplomatic channels with Moscow, Berlin is taking the opposite position. #EuropeNews
www.euronews.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Itβs not about whether to talk to Ru or not, itβs about what to say. If reopening diplomacy means trying to find compromise w Pu, Merz is right thatβs useless. But if Europe warns Pu that the longer he wages war, the worse Ruβs defeat would be, maybe itβs worth it. Ofc, such talk should be backed up
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
A UAE investor secretly gave Trump $187 million and his top Middle East envoy $31 million. And then Trump gave that investor access to sensitive defense technology that broke decades of national security precedent.
Brazen, open corruption. And we shouldn't pretend it's normal.
Brazen, open corruption. And we shouldn't pretend it's normal.
February 3, 2026 at 4:26 PM
A UAE investor secretly gave Trump $187 million and his top Middle East envoy $31 million. And then Trump gave that investor access to sensitive defense technology that broke decades of national security precedent.
Brazen, open corruption. And we shouldn't pretend it's normal.
Brazen, open corruption. And we shouldn't pretend it's normal.
Given the logistical hurdles of actual deportation of thousands out of the country, concentration camps w/o due process & poor living conditions are the most likely endpoint.
But, the more people are arrested, the more communities are affected, and more resistance there will be, even in red states
But, the more people are arrested, the more communities are affected, and more resistance there will be, even in red states
Massive deportation was always going to lead to massive imprisonment without due process a k a concentration camps.
The number of people currently in ICE custody is now over 73,000, the most in history.
February 3, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Given the logistical hurdles of actual deportation of thousands out of the country, concentration camps w/o due process & poor living conditions are the most likely endpoint.
But, the more people are arrested, the more communities are affected, and more resistance there will be, even in red states
But, the more people are arrested, the more communities are affected, and more resistance there will be, even in red states
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
We have a Boston Review Forum out today on the Democratic Party in a time of authoritarianism
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
February 3, 2026 at 3:50 PM
We have a Boston Review Forum out today on the Democratic Party in a time of authoritarianism
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
Judge Fred Biery: "Observing human behavior confirms that for some among us, the perfidious lust for unbridled
power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds and are bereft of human decency."
Kudos to Judge Biery π Not everyone is a coward. Read the whole order.
power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds and are bereft of human decency."
Kudos to Judge Biery π Not everyone is a coward. Read the whole order.
I know you've heard that a federal judge ordered the release of 5 year old Liam Conejo Arias and his father, and that they're now home.
But did you look at the judge's order?
It's less than 2.5 pages and well worth a minute. "Jesus wept."
Link to pdf: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
But did you look at the judge's order?
It's less than 2.5 pages and well worth a minute. "Jesus wept."
Link to pdf: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 3, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Judge Fred Biery: "Observing human behavior confirms that for some among us, the perfidious lust for unbridled
power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds and are bereft of human decency."
Kudos to Judge Biery π Not everyone is a coward. Read the whole order.
power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds and are bereft of human decency."
Kudos to Judge Biery π Not everyone is a coward. Read the whole order.
Reposted by Yoshiko Herrera
We are now accepting Summer 2026 Internship Applications! Join a community of young professionals interested in national security and intelligence. We are looking for critical thinkers ready to challenge themselves and solve new problems. Students and recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
February 2, 2026 at 11:00 PM
We are now accepting Summer 2026 Internship Applications! Join a community of young professionals interested in national security and intelligence. We are looking for critical thinkers ready to challenge themselves and solve new problems. Students and recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
Has anyone considered the theory that Leigh Wambsganss is just too close to Tom Wambsgans for Texas voters?
Breaking: Democrat Taylor Rehmet wins solidly red Texas Senate seat in stunning special election upset.
Democrat wins special election for red Texas Senate seat
With ballots tallied from all but a handful of voting centers, Rehmet had 57% of the vote, besting the 43% for his GOP opponent, Leigh Wambsganss, who had a massive spending advantage.
www.texastribune.org
February 2, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Has anyone considered the theory that Leigh Wambsganss is just too close to Tom Wambsgans for Texas voters?