C-Note
@c-note-balz.bsky.social
American centrist independent, PhD biochemist, secular Buddhist, history, geopolitics, economics enthusiast, anti-authoritarian, anti-isolationist, pro-Ukraine 🇺🇦, pro-Taiwan 🇹🇼, pro-independent Hong Kong, Tibet, and East Turkestan, pro-EU 🇪🇺, pro-NATO
We're back at it again! #NoKings protest in Temecula, CA. The turnout was every bit as high as in June! We won't stop until rule of law is restored and fascism is banished from government. #ResistTrump #ResistFascism
October 18, 2025 at 7:33 PM
We're back at it again! #NoKings protest in Temecula, CA. The turnout was every bit as high as in June! We won't stop until rule of law is restored and fascism is banished from government. #ResistTrump #ResistFascism
The Russian military is making changes based on lessons learned in Ukraine. The West needs to pay closer attention and accelerate its own learning from the war. This is @massdara.bsky.social 's message in her latest Foreign Affairs piece and interview youtu.be/gu65pZ5tXcE?...
How Russia Recovered
What the Kremlin is learning from the war in Ukraine.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 12, 2025 at 4:31 AM
The Russian military is making changes based on lessons learned in Ukraine. The West needs to pay closer attention and accelerate its own learning from the war. This is @massdara.bsky.social 's message in her latest Foreign Affairs piece and interview youtu.be/gu65pZ5tXcE?...
Ukraine rolls out the "red carpet" for Russian orcs.
August 18, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Ukraine rolls out the "red carpet" for Russian orcs.
The AFU has cut off most of the Russians' "rabbit's ears" salient north of Pokrovsk.
From Majakovsk73 Telegram channel:
From Majakovsk73 Telegram channel:
August 15, 2025 at 9:56 PM
The AFU has cut off most of the Russians' "rabbit's ears" salient north of Pokrovsk.
From Majakovsk73 Telegram channel:
From Majakovsk73 Telegram channel:
Russia's increased focus on drone and missile strikes indicates that Russia sees diminishing returns from front-line offensives. This is a positive development for Ukraine. If Ukraine stands resolute and keeps innovating, Russia's capacity to inflict damage on Ukraine will continue to diminish.
July 17, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Russia's increased focus on drone and missile strikes indicates that Russia sees diminishing returns from front-line offensives. This is a positive development for Ukraine. If Ukraine stands resolute and keeps innovating, Russia's capacity to inflict damage on Ukraine will continue to diminish.
I just did some analysis of Russian territorial gains and casualties in the Russo-Ukrainian War (2022-present) using open source data to project future costs and gains.
Results:
1) From 4/24-6/25, Russia gained an average of 325 km2 per month at an average cost of 150 casualties per km2.
1/
Results:
1) From 4/24-6/25, Russia gained an average of 325 km2 per month at an average cost of 150 casualties per km2.
1/
June 29, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I just did some analysis of Russian territorial gains and casualties in the Russo-Ukrainian War (2022-present) using open source data to project future costs and gains.
Results:
1) From 4/24-6/25, Russia gained an average of 325 km2 per month at an average cost of 150 casualties per km2.
1/
Results:
1) From 4/24-6/25, Russia gained an average of 325 km2 per month at an average cost of 150 casualties per km2.
1/
Ukraine has completed development and testing (on a Russian target) of its own short-to-medium range ballistic missile, the Sapsan, with a range of at least 300 km and a 480 kg warhead. It's now going into mass production, but the scale is unknown.
Tired of military aid delays, Ukraine has designed its own ballistic missile — and it’s already in mass-production
Ukraine announced on June 13 that its short-range Sapsan ballistic missile would go into mass production, a major development in Kyiv's ongoing efforts to domestically produce the weapons it needs to ...
kyivindependent.com
June 18, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Ukraine has completed development and testing (on a Russian target) of its own short-to-medium range ballistic missile, the Sapsan, with a range of at least 300 km and a 480 kg warhead. It's now going into mass production, but the scale is unknown.
We has an unprecedented turnout at today's #NoKings protest in Temecula, CA! The mayor's office estimates 3500-4000 and says it may have been the largest gathering at this location in the city's history! We were proud to be a part of it! 1/
June 15, 2025 at 2:46 AM
We has an unprecedented turnout at today's #NoKings protest in Temecula, CA! The mayor's office estimates 3500-4000 and says it may have been the largest gathering at this location in the city's history! We were proud to be a part of it! 1/
@vladvexler.bsky.social absolutely nails everything that is wrong with Tulsi Gabbard's conspiratorial take on nuclear war. What DNI would ever message like this!? This woman is a Kremlin shill to the core!
June 11, 2025 at 10:14 PM
@vladvexler.bsky.social absolutely nails everything that is wrong with Tulsi Gabbard's conspiratorial take on nuclear war. What DNI would ever message like this!? This woman is a Kremlin shill to the core!
DISSENT IS OUR DUTY!
Join fellow patriots this Sat. June 14 for #NoKingsDay protests nationwide! REJECT AUTHORITARIANISM! REJECT THE 🍊 GUY!
Join fellow patriots this Sat. June 14 for #NoKingsDay protests nationwide! REJECT AUTHORITARIANISM! REJECT THE 🍊 GUY!
No Kings June 14 · No Kings on Mobilize
Find events, petitions, volunteer opportunities, fundraisers and more with No Kings.
www.mobilize.us
June 11, 2025 at 4:56 AM
DISSENT IS OUR DUTY!
Join fellow patriots this Sat. June 14 for #NoKingsDay protests nationwide! REJECT AUTHORITARIANISM! REJECT THE 🍊 GUY!
Join fellow patriots this Sat. June 14 for #NoKingsDay protests nationwide! REJECT AUTHORITARIANISM! REJECT THE 🍊 GUY!
Russia needs to clearly understand and fully internalize that its war aims are unrealistic and far exceed its capabilities to achieve them.
June 2, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Russia needs to clearly understand and fully internalize that its war aims are unrealistic and far exceed its capabilities to achieve them.
bro, you invaded a sovereign nation, killed and maimed hundreds of thousandsof your own and your neighbor's people, destroyed hundreds of billions of dollars of your neighbor's property, kidnapped thousands of your neighbor's children, caused millions to flee your neighbor's country,... 1/
Putin’s Latest Peace Terms: NATO Freeze – Sanctions Lifted – Ukrainian Neutrality
Putin has reportedly said he’s ready to consider peace in Ukraine – on his terms – which includes a written guarantee that NATO won’t expand, sanctions will be lifted, and Ukraine will remain neutral.
www.kyivpost.com
May 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
bro, you invaded a sovereign nation, killed and maimed hundreds of thousandsof your own and your neighbor's people, destroyed hundreds of billions of dollars of your neighbor's property, kidnapped thousands of your neighbor's children, caused millions to flee your neighbor's country,... 1/
A very well-written and well-researched article sharing personal accounts from men in Ukrainian drone units operating at the front.
American weapons are important, but Ukrainian drones have changed everything
From Natalya Gumenyuk
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
From Natalya Gumenyuk
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Ukraine’s New Way of War
American weapons are important, but Ukrainian drones have changed everything.
www.theatlantic.com
May 27, 2025 at 10:39 PM
A very well-written and well-researched article sharing personal accounts from men in Ukrainian drone units operating at the front.
Russia loves to say that it wants to solve "the root causes of the conflict."
The root causes of the conflict are Russian imperialism and disregard for international law.
Russia, solve those NOW! Reform YOURSELF!
The root causes of the conflict are Russian imperialism and disregard for international law.
Russia, solve those NOW! Reform YOURSELF!
May 11, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Russia loves to say that it wants to solve "the root causes of the conflict."
The root causes of the conflict are Russian imperialism and disregard for international law.
Russia, solve those NOW! Reform YOURSELF!
The root causes of the conflict are Russian imperialism and disregard for international law.
Russia, solve those NOW! Reform YOURSELF!
Happy VE Day! May 8 has been VE Day for 80 years. Sept. 2 has been VJ Day for 80 years. It's pointless and ahistorical for Trump to declare May 8 "Victory Day for WWII."
May 8, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Happy VE Day! May 8 has been VE Day for 80 years. Sept. 2 has been VJ Day for 80 years. It's pointless and ahistorical for Trump to declare May 8 "Victory Day for WWII."
The Bulwark's Will Saletan beautifully describes and illustrates Trump's yearslong infatuation with Putin. Trump is heartbroken that he and Putin can't be bros 😢
Trump’s Creepy Putin Fetish Explained in 14 Minutes and 55 Seconds
YouTube video by The Bulwark
youtu.be
May 6, 2025 at 5:44 AM
The Bulwark's Will Saletan beautifully describes and illustrates Trump's yearslong infatuation with Putin. Trump is heartbroken that he and Putin can't be bros 😢
We're doing it again today here in Temecula, CA! Not stopping! Good turnout, good vibe, good community! #handsoff #fiftyfiftyone
May 3, 2025 at 9:10 PM
We're doing it again today here in Temecula, CA! Not stopping! Good turnout, good vibe, good community! #handsoff #fiftyfiftyone
Today ~1000 patriots, including me and my wife turned out for the protest against the Trump administration here in Temecula, CA. It was great to stand in unity with like-minded people. We got many honks and few fingers. I think people are waking up here in the US. #handsoff
April 20, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Today ~1000 patriots, including me and my wife turned out for the protest against the Trump administration here in Temecula, CA. It was great to stand in unity with like-minded people. We got many honks and few fingers. I think people are waking up here in the US. #handsoff
Thank you, Europe!
European universities luring US scientists with funds and freedom - The World from PRX
With massive budget cuts in scientific research in the US, a lot of American scientists are looking overseas to continue their investigations. Europe is on their radar, because universities and govern...
theworld.org
April 8, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Thank you, Europe!
This wasn't a great interview by Robinson. He should have done more thorough background research so he could delve deeper. His questions were superficial, and he talked over Dikötter repeatedly. 1/
Empire of Illusion: Frank Dikötter on Why China Isn’t a Superpower | Uncommon Knowledge
YouTube video by Hoover Institution
youtu.be
April 3, 2025 at 8:50 AM
This wasn't a great interview by Robinson. He should have done more thorough background research so he could delve deeper. His questions were superficial, and he talked over Dikötter repeatedly. 1/
Hard times create strong men.
Strong men create good times.
Good times create weak men.
And, weak men create hard times.
- G. Michael Hopf
Strong men create good times.
Good times create weak men.
And, weak men create hard times.
- G. Michael Hopf
March 28, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Hard times create strong men.
Strong men create good times.
Good times create weak men.
And, weak men create hard times.
- G. Michael Hopf
Strong men create good times.
Good times create weak men.
And, weak men create hard times.
- G. Michael Hopf
Contrary to what Steve Witkoff, who is surprisingly ignorant about Ukraine, says, just because a Ukrainian grew up speaking Russian, or still speaks Russian, does not mean that that person is pro-Russian, or wants to be a Russian citizen. Plenty of patriotic Ukrainian citizens still speak Russian.
Explainer: Some Ukrainians speak Russian language — it doesn’t make them Russian
Born in Crimea and raised in Kherson, journalist Yevheniia Virlych grew up speaking both Ukrainian and Russian in her daily life. It wasn’t until 2022, when she and her family lived through the Russia...
kyivindependent.com
March 26, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Contrary to what Steve Witkoff, who is surprisingly ignorant about Ukraine, says, just because a Ukrainian grew up speaking Russian, or still speaks Russian, does not mean that that person is pro-Russian, or wants to be a Russian citizen. Plenty of patriotic Ukrainian citizens still speak Russian.
Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social, Georgetown law Prof. and specialist in federal courts, constitutional law, and NatSec law gives an excellent analysis of the Trump admin's unprecedented executive excesses and the resulting legal challenges. The Judicial branch has been working very hard!
Steve Vladeck: “We’ve never seen such a wholesale attempt on the part of a president [to] hollow out the executive branch [and] install loyalists in all of the relevant positions of government.”
Watch or listen to the whole thing:
conversationswithbillkristol.org/conversation...
Watch or listen to the whole thing:
conversationswithbillkristol.org/conversation...
Steve Vladeck: The Trump Admin, the Courts, & the Rule of Law
The Trump administration, the courts, and the rule of law
conversationswithbillkristol.org
March 15, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social, Georgetown law Prof. and specialist in federal courts, constitutional law, and NatSec law gives an excellent analysis of the Trump admin's unprecedented executive excesses and the resulting legal challenges. The Judicial branch has been working very hard!