Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
@bfry1981.bsky.social
Journalist, academic, consultant with over 2 decades of experience in conflict analysis, public policy, politics, international development, humanitarian aid, foreign policy/affairs, history. Anti-fascist, pro-democracy https://realcontextnews.com/#donate
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REAL CONTEXT NEWS (RCN)
TRANSCENDING DAILY HEADLINES AND SOCIAL MEDIA SNARK
Longform, big-picture, detailed analysis of world events, politics, policy, & more with depth & context you won't find anywhere else.
Transcend the ...
realcontextnews.com
Trying to make my comeback as a journalist after getting canned by Elon's DOGE. Your help is essential, am already working on a half-dozen projects coming out soonish but please donate what you can to keep the content coming, many thanks!! realcontextnews.com#donate/
What are the hasbara excuses for these monstrosities?
November 17, 2025 at 7:41 AM
What are the hasbara excuses for these monstrosities?
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
I have an announcement to make — I’m writing a book!
October 7, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I have an announcement to make — I’m writing a book!
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
“We have had lots of shutdowns… but never before have top officials tried to use their employees as human shields in the partisan battle.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/u...
Partisan Shutdown Messages Could Hurt Civil Service, Experts Warn
www.nytimes.com
October 6, 2025 at 9:19 PM
“We have had lots of shutdowns… but never before have top officials tried to use their employees as human shields in the partisan battle.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/u...
My complicated latest on how Israel's dangerous impunity in the West Bank resembles Trump's dangerous impunity playing fast and loose with troops on U.S. soil realcontextnews.com/trump-taking...
Trump, Taking Page from Netanyahu, Turns America Into His West Bank
How an American president is trying to imitate the way an Israeli prime minister applies “law” in illegally occupied Palestinian territory
(Traduce en español/translate to Spanish / Arabic الترجمة الع...
realcontextnews.com
October 6, 2025 at 9:20 PM
My complicated latest on how Israel's dangerous impunity in the West Bank resembles Trump's dangerous impunity playing fast and loose with troops on U.S. soil realcontextnews.com/trump-taking...
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
Trump is defunding the police where he can so he can fill the void with his masked Gestapo. He did it in DC, and he tried it in New York but balked. Additionally, Pam Bondi is investigating the Portland police bureau because they arrested a right wing agitator. Pay attention.
October 4, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Trump is defunding the police where he can so he can fill the void with his masked Gestapo. He did it in DC, and he tried it in New York but balked. Additionally, Pam Bondi is investigating the Portland police bureau because they arrested a right wing agitator. Pay attention.
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
The Kirishi refinery is almost 800 km (500 miles) from the Ukrainian border. It produces annually around 20 million tons in oil products. September 14, 2025, it was already struck and lost almost half of its production capacity when one of its primary processing units was hit.
October 4, 2025 at 4:49 AM
The Kirishi refinery is almost 800 km (500 miles) from the Ukrainian border. It produces annually around 20 million tons in oil products. September 14, 2025, it was already struck and lost almost half of its production capacity when one of its primary processing units was hit.
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
I mean, I guess I respect the diversity of the player base, but, that’s some weird shit right?
October 4, 2025 at 6:22 AM
I mean, I guess I respect the diversity of the player base, but, that’s some weird shit right?
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
So, I’ve been playing Warframe for a month and so far I have been randomly matched with “MrToxicWhiteGuy” “ChineseMan1” and “IBlackGuy.”
I played Destiny for over 1,000 hours and was never matched with a player named after their (alleged) race.
Am I missing a joke or something?
I played Destiny for over 1,000 hours and was never matched with a player named after their (alleged) race.
Am I missing a joke or something?
October 4, 2025 at 6:18 AM
So, I’ve been playing Warframe for a month and so far I have been randomly matched with “MrToxicWhiteGuy” “ChineseMan1” and “IBlackGuy.”
I played Destiny for over 1,000 hours and was never matched with a player named after their (alleged) race.
Am I missing a joke or something?
I played Destiny for over 1,000 hours and was never matched with a player named after their (alleged) race.
Am I missing a joke or something?
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
This is absolutely right on every point and everyone who sits on a governing board or serves as president or provost or similar should please make the time to read it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
Opinion | Trump’s ‘Compact’ With Universities Is Just Extortion
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
This is absolutely right on every point and everyone who sits on a governing board or serves as president or provost or similar should please make the time to read it.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
The Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art both receive federal funding, but both institutions have announced they are using their reserves to stay open, at least for a little while. Other museums are offering discounts to federal employees.
The Smithsonian says it will now stay open through Oct. 11, despite the shutdown
The Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art both receive federal funding, but both institutions have announced they are using their reserves to stay open, at least for a little while. Other museums are offering discounts to federal employees.
n.pr
October 3, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art both receive federal funding, but both institutions have announced they are using their reserves to stay open, at least for a little while. Other museums are offering discounts to federal employees.
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
Weeks before his death, you say?
Julius Caesar was the first Roman to put his own living face on coins, weeks before his death. It is one of the deepest cultural signifiers of something autocracies do and republics do not.
“Render unto Caesar.” A practice so notoriously arrogant Jesus himself dunked on it with snarky wordplay.
“Render unto Caesar.” A practice so notoriously arrogant Jesus himself dunked on it with snarky wordplay.
Treasury Department Has Plans To Mint Dollar Coin Featuring Donald Trump's Likeness | Defector
The United States Department of the Treasury has developed, to the brink of production, a dollar coin that features the face and likeness of President Donald Trump, according to a source within the Tr...
defector.com
October 3, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Weeks before his death, you say?
"I didn't see it" wow
MADELEINE DEAN: The president is unhinged. He's unwell
JOHNSON: A lot of folks on your side are too
D: Oh my god, please. That performance in front of the generals?
J: I didn't see it
D: It's so dangerous! Our allies are looking elsewhere. Our enemies are laughing. You have a POTUS who's unwell.
JOHNSON: A lot of folks on your side are too
D: Oh my god, please. That performance in front of the generals?
J: I didn't see it
D: It's so dangerous! Our allies are looking elsewhere. Our enemies are laughing. You have a POTUS who's unwell.
October 2, 2025 at 2:38 AM
"I didn't see it" wow
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
I so admire Dean for engaging in this earnest intervention, and doing it in a way that ensured it would be caught on video. America needs to see this sort of exchange as it happens.
We *also* must understand that there is exactly zero chance Mike Johnson will do anything to push back against Trump.
We *also* must understand that there is exactly zero chance Mike Johnson will do anything to push back against Trump.
MADELEINE DEAN: The president is unhinged. He's unwell
JOHNSON: A lot of folks on your side are too
D: Oh my god, please. That performance in front of the generals?
J: I didn't see it
D: It's so dangerous! Our allies are looking elsewhere. Our enemies are laughing. You have a POTUS who's unwell.
JOHNSON: A lot of folks on your side are too
D: Oh my god, please. That performance in front of the generals?
J: I didn't see it
D: It's so dangerous! Our allies are looking elsewhere. Our enemies are laughing. You have a POTUS who's unwell.
October 2, 2025 at 1:09 AM
I so admire Dean for engaging in this earnest intervention, and doing it in a way that ensured it would be caught on video. America needs to see this sort of exchange as it happens.
We *also* must understand that there is exactly zero chance Mike Johnson will do anything to push back against Trump.
We *also* must understand that there is exactly zero chance Mike Johnson will do anything to push back against Trump.
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
DHS lists three types of people who will be denied entry. 2 of the 3 are based on beliefs.
I doubt they can even define what a “globalist” is - but the term is often an antisemitic dog whistle.
This isn’t even the most offensive DHS propaganda in recent weeks - incredibly.
I doubt they can even define what a “globalist” is - but the term is often an antisemitic dog whistle.
This isn’t even the most offensive DHS propaganda in recent weeks - incredibly.
October 1, 2025 at 10:31 PM
DHS lists three types of people who will be denied entry. 2 of the 3 are based on beliefs.
I doubt they can even define what a “globalist” is - but the term is often an antisemitic dog whistle.
This isn’t even the most offensive DHS propaganda in recent weeks - incredibly.
I doubt they can even define what a “globalist” is - but the term is often an antisemitic dog whistle.
This isn’t even the most offensive DHS propaganda in recent weeks - incredibly.
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
I could not be prouder of the work my firm is doing to protect voting rights and voters from the current Department of Justice.
October 2, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I could not be prouder of the work my firm is doing to protect voting rights and voters from the current Department of Justice.
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
NEW
Immigration judge denies Kilmar Abrego García’s request to reopen case
The judge, who works for DOJ, found “insufficient evidence” that the Trump administration would send Abrego to Uganda.
DHS had said “He will be processed for removal to Uganda.”
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Immigration judge denies Kilmar Abrego García’s request to reopen case
The judge, who works for DOJ, found “insufficient evidence” that the Trump administration would send Abrego to Uganda.
DHS had said “He will be processed for removal to Uganda.”
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Immigration judge denies Kilmar Abrego García’s request to reopen case
The judge found “insufficient evidence” to show that the Trump administration would send Abrego to Uganda, according to a copy of the decision reviewed by The Washington Post.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 2, 2025 at 12:54 AM
NEW
Immigration judge denies Kilmar Abrego García’s request to reopen case
The judge, who works for DOJ, found “insufficient evidence” that the Trump administration would send Abrego to Uganda.
DHS had said “He will be processed for removal to Uganda.”
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Immigration judge denies Kilmar Abrego García’s request to reopen case
The judge, who works for DOJ, found “insufficient evidence” that the Trump administration would send Abrego to Uganda.
DHS had said “He will be processed for removal to Uganda.”
www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
"I was recording in a bike lane, and they body checked me, and slammed me to the ground."
"Then they released me with no charges... So they beat the hell out of me for absolutely nothing."
—Amanda Siebe in Portland, Oregon.
"Then they released me with no charges... So they beat the hell out of me for absolutely nothing."
—Amanda Siebe in Portland, Oregon.
October 1, 2025 at 4:35 PM
"I was recording in a bike lane, and they body checked me, and slammed me to the ground."
"Then they released me with no charges... So they beat the hell out of me for absolutely nothing."
—Amanda Siebe in Portland, Oregon.
"Then they released me with no charges... So they beat the hell out of me for absolutely nothing."
—Amanda Siebe in Portland, Oregon.
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
ICE targets Democratic congressional candidate—who fights for disabled rights and relies on a wheelchair.
"Agent didn't say anything, just came over and body checked me," she said.
"I was tackled and my face just smashed into the ground super hard."
Amanda Siebe in Portland, Oregon.
"Agent didn't say anything, just came over and body checked me," she said.
"I was tackled and my face just smashed into the ground super hard."
Amanda Siebe in Portland, Oregon.
October 1, 2025 at 4:26 PM
ICE targets Democratic congressional candidate—who fights for disabled rights and relies on a wheelchair.
"Agent didn't say anything, just came over and body checked me," she said.
"I was tackled and my face just smashed into the ground super hard."
Amanda Siebe in Portland, Oregon.
"Agent didn't say anything, just came over and body checked me," she said.
"I was tackled and my face just smashed into the ground super hard."
Amanda Siebe in Portland, Oregon.
YASSSSS
JUST IN: A U.S. citizen from Alabama who has been detained twice by ICE while working at a construction site, has filed a class action suit claiming ICE's broad warrantless arrest powers violate the constitution. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 1, 2025 at 3:49 PM
YASSSSS
Shots fired. Holy shots!
"'Someone who says I’m against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really pro-life ... Someone who says I’m against abortion but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I don’t know if that’s pro-life.'"
www.ncregister.com/cna/pope-leo...
www.ncregister.com/cna/pope-leo...
Pope Leo XIV Wades Into Durbin Debate
The number of bishops who have condemned Cardinal Cupich’s decision to honor Durbin with a 'lifetime achievement award' has risen to 10, including two bishops emeritus.
www.ncregister.com
October 1, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Shots fired. Holy shots!
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
oh my
October 1, 2025 at 1:55 AM
oh my
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
1/ DEVELOPING: A journalist was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Hospital following another incident with an ICE agent at 26 Federal Plaza, an immigration court in NYC. The last I heard, he was getting X-rays for his lower back.
September 30, 2025 at 6:37 PM
1/ DEVELOPING: A journalist was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Hospital following another incident with an ICE agent at 26 Federal Plaza, an immigration court in NYC. The last I heard, he was getting X-rays for his lower back.
We aren't powerless yet
Huh. I was pretty sure these counted as qualifications to serve in the current administration:
October 1, 2025 at 3:27 AM
We aren't powerless yet
Reposted by Brian Frydenborg, anti-fascist
Huh. I was pretty sure these counted as qualifications to serve in the current administration:
October 1, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Huh. I was pretty sure these counted as qualifications to serve in the current administration: