Carl Worker
@carlworker.bsky.social
Auckland small business owner. Retired NZ diplomat. Former Ambassador to China, CT Amb, Amb to Argentina, C-G in Hong Kong, and Chargé in Washington DC.
Reposted by Carl Worker
"From Washington's perspective, there is only one deal on the table: the Witkoff framework... as far as the US is concerned, that's the offer, nothing more to discuss. If Hamas wants in, it's welcome. If not, Israel is free to proceed as it sees fit." www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
With hostage deal stuck, U.S. won't budge – and is waiting for Hamas to crack
***
www.haaretz.com
March 31, 2025 at 7:04 AM
"From Washington's perspective, there is only one deal on the table: the Witkoff framework... as far as the US is concerned, that's the offer, nothing more to discuss. If Hamas wants in, it's welcome. If not, Israel is free to proceed as it sees fit." www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Reposted by Carl Worker
‘NBC News asked about a possible scenario in which VP JD Vance would run for office and then pass the role to Trump. Trump responded that “that’s one” method. “But there are others, too,” Trump added. Asked to share another method, Trump simply responded “no.”’ www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
Trump won’t rule out seeking a third term in the White House, tells NBC News ‘there are methods’ for doing so
President Donald Trump said in a Sunday-morning phone call that he was “not joking” about a third term, adding that “it is far too early to think about it.”
www.nbcnews.com
March 31, 2025 at 7:14 AM
‘NBC News asked about a possible scenario in which VP JD Vance would run for office and then pass the role to Trump. Trump responded that “that’s one” method. “But there are others, too,” Trump added. Asked to share another method, Trump simply responded “no.”’ www.nbcnews.com/politics/don...
Reposted by Carl Worker
Former Spanish foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez tells my colleague Dewey Sim:
“Europe has to soothe ties with China because China is, today, a systemic partner.”
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
“Europe has to soothe ties with China because China is, today, a systemic partner.”
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
China should do ‘right thing’ to build trust with Europe, ex-top diplomat says
Beijing needs to address EU concerns including over Ukraine war for ‘functional relationship’, according to ex-Spanish foreign minister.
www.scmp.com
March 31, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Former Spanish foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez tells my colleague Dewey Sim:
“Europe has to soothe ties with China because China is, today, a systemic partner.”
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
“Europe has to soothe ties with China because China is, today, a systemic partner.”
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
Reposted by Carl Worker
Better late than never? EU finally has readouts of Sefcovic's China meets
"Discussions included longstanding systemic issues, the need to level the playing field for EU companies on the Chinese market, a number of key market access issues, as well as investments in electric vehicles supply chain"
"Discussions included longstanding systemic issues, the need to level the playing field for EU companies on the Chinese market, a number of key market access issues, as well as investments in electric vehicles supply chain"
March 31, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Better late than never? EU finally has readouts of Sefcovic's China meets
"Discussions included longstanding systemic issues, the need to level the playing field for EU companies on the Chinese market, a number of key market access issues, as well as investments in electric vehicles supply chain"
"Discussions included longstanding systemic issues, the need to level the playing field for EU companies on the Chinese market, a number of key market access issues, as well as investments in electric vehicles supply chain"
Reposted by Carl Worker
Ladies and gentlemen, the Deputy Director of the FBI:
This is the guy that every single Republican in the Senate is going to act like is unacceptable ad Deputy FBI Director and then vote for after pussing out again. Dan Bongino is a fascist monster.
February 24, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Ladies and gentlemen, the Deputy Director of the FBI:
Reposted by Carl Worker
Apart from the many disqualifying features of Patel & Bongino, there is no indication either has any ability to run the FBI. Neither has *any* leadership experience at *any* level of *anything*, much less leadership experience relevant to the largest law enforcement agency in the U.S.
Trump just announced Fox host Dan Bongino as his pick for deputy FBI director.
Yes. Dan Bongino.
Yes. Dan Bongino.
February 24, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Apart from the many disqualifying features of Patel & Bongino, there is no indication either has any ability to run the FBI. Neither has *any* leadership experience at *any* level of *anything*, much less leadership experience relevant to the largest law enforcement agency in the U.S.
Reposted by Carl Worker
I’m sure the fact that Brett McGurk was a driving force behind the Biden administration’s Israel-Saudi normalization gambit—which included offering Saudi Arabia a U.S. defense guarantee—was just a coincidence.
The architect of Biden's shitshow of a Middle East policy didn't waste any time cashing in
February 24, 2025 at 4:43 AM
I’m sure the fact that Brett McGurk was a driving force behind the Biden administration’s Israel-Saudi normalization gambit—which included offering Saudi Arabia a U.S. defense guarantee—was just a coincidence.
Reposted by Carl Worker
The Israeli army has deployed tanks in the occupied West Bank for the first time in two decades, and the defense minister has told troops to "prepare for a long stay over the coming year" in camps from which 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/w...
Expanding West Bank Campaign, Israel Sends Tanks for First Time in Decades
Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said that 40,000 Palestinian residents displaced from militant hotbeds would not be allowed to return to their homes.
www.nytimes.com
February 24, 2025 at 8:13 AM
The Israeli army has deployed tanks in the occupied West Bank for the first time in two decades, and the defense minister has told troops to "prepare for a long stay over the coming year" in camps from which 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/w...
Reposted by Carl Worker
I have rarely seen such coordinated diplomacy by Macron, who once tended towards pesky unilateralism. Before his Trump meeting today in Washington, he has met or spoken to 30 European leaders (from Starmer to Orban) and allies (Trudeau), and has spoken to Zelensky four time in the past week alone
February 24, 2025 at 7:48 AM
I have rarely seen such coordinated diplomacy by Macron, who once tended towards pesky unilateralism. Before his Trump meeting today in Washington, he has met or spoken to 30 European leaders (from Starmer to Orban) and allies (Trudeau), and has spoken to Zelensky four time in the past week alone
Reposted by Carl Worker
"India and the UK will restart free trade talks on Monday, nearly a year after negotiations were paused ahead of general elections in both countries. Jonathan Reynolds, the UK's business & trade sec'y, is in Delhi, where he will meet his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal" www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
India-UK: Jonathan Reynolds in Delhi to relaunch trade talks
British trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds is in Delhi to kick-start two days of discussions on the deal.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 24, 2025 at 10:48 AM
"India and the UK will restart free trade talks on Monday, nearly a year after negotiations were paused ahead of general elections in both countries. Jonathan Reynolds, the UK's business & trade sec'y, is in Delhi, where he will meet his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal" www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Carl Worker
Hypothesis: we're still seeing a split in Europe between 'radicals', e.g. Merz warning NATO might vanish by June, and 'engagers', like UK, who think priority is to engage Trump to shape Ukraine diplomacy & keep the US engaged, even if at a lower level of presence and/or commitment. Discuss.
February 24, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Hypothesis: we're still seeing a split in Europe between 'radicals', e.g. Merz warning NATO might vanish by June, and 'engagers', like UK, who think priority is to engage Trump to shape Ukraine diplomacy & keep the US engaged, even if at a lower level of presence and/or commitment. Discuss.
Reposted by Carl Worker
This kind of personal vindictiveness is exactly what bureaucracy is designed to avoid.
www.axios.com/2025/02/24/m...
www.axios.com/2025/02/24/m...
"Look for a new job": Musk hits Pentagon official who slammed email threats
"Anyone with the attitude of that Pentagon official needs to look for a new job," Musk said.
www.axios.com
February 24, 2025 at 11:57 AM
This kind of personal vindictiveness is exactly what bureaucracy is designed to avoid.
www.axios.com/2025/02/24/m...
www.axios.com/2025/02/24/m...
Reposted by Carl Worker
Today a group of Very Serious senators will go on TV and pretend that this is a normal & healthy appointment. "Dan Bongino, a former...police officer & Secret Service agent turned right-wing pundit & podcaster, will be the next deputy director of the FBI" www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/u...
Dan Bongino, a Right-Wing Commentator, Is Named FBI Deputy Director
The choice of Dan Bongino is a radical departure from the bureau’s history of having a veteran agent serve in the key role that oversees operations.
www.nytimes.com
February 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Today a group of Very Serious senators will go on TV and pretend that this is a normal & healthy appointment. "Dan Bongino, a former...police officer & Secret Service agent turned right-wing pundit & podcaster, will be the next deputy director of the FBI" www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/u...
Reposted by Carl Worker
The President of the United States is selling guns.
January 23, 2025 at 2:40 AM
The President of the United States is selling guns.
Reposted by Carl Worker
where the world stands on the paris climate agreement, as of today:
January 22, 2025 at 9:42 PM
where the world stands on the paris climate agreement, as of today:
Reposted by Carl Worker
I can’t believe I used to work with Bob. He has gone so hard MAGA—part of a cadre who blend hawk maximalism with political opportunism and screw everyone who’s not on board
The Heritage Foundation’s Bob Peters now recommends that if the US cannot develop the ability to conduct an underground nuclear test in Nevada within 3-6 months of an order to do so, it consider withdrawing from the 1962 Limited Test Ban Treaty and resuming open-air testing in Nevada or the Pacific.
January 22, 2025 at 9:47 PM
I can’t believe I used to work with Bob. He has gone so hard MAGA—part of a cadre who blend hawk maximalism with political opportunism and screw everyone who’s not on board
Reposted by Carl Worker
“The central premise of the Abraham Accords—that regional peace and stability could be achieved while sidelining Palestinians—has been totally upended by Hamas’s October 7 assault on Israel, and everything that has happened since.”
— @elgindy.bsky.social:
www.foreignaffairs.com/israel/falla...
— @elgindy.bsky.social:
www.foreignaffairs.com/israel/falla...
The Fallacy of the Abraham Accords
Why normalization without Palestinians won’t bring stability to the Middle East.
www.foreignaffairs.com
January 22, 2025 at 9:57 PM
“The central premise of the Abraham Accords—that regional peace and stability could be achieved while sidelining Palestinians—has been totally upended by Hamas’s October 7 assault on Israel, and everything that has happened since.”
— @elgindy.bsky.social:
www.foreignaffairs.com/israel/falla...
— @elgindy.bsky.social:
www.foreignaffairs.com/israel/falla...
Reposted by Carl Worker
I mean, this is just an absolutely comical opening paragraph to the Quad FM statement that absolutely nobody that matters in the current U.S. administration believes.
January 23, 2025 at 1:53 AM
I mean, this is just an absolutely comical opening paragraph to the Quad FM statement that absolutely nobody that matters in the current U.S. administration believes.
Reposted by Carl Worker
Two thoughts on the Gaza ceasefire:
- I'm glad there is a ceasefire
- Its easy to agree to a ceasefire when there isn't much left to fire upon.
- I'm glad there is a ceasefire
- Its easy to agree to a ceasefire when there isn't much left to fire upon.
January 15, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Two thoughts on the Gaza ceasefire:
- I'm glad there is a ceasefire
- Its easy to agree to a ceasefire when there isn't much left to fire upon.
- I'm glad there is a ceasefire
- Its easy to agree to a ceasefire when there isn't much left to fire upon.
Reposted by Carl Worker
A few thoughts. Will the ceasefire get past the first phase? There will be right-wing pressure on Netanyahu to resume the war in six weeks. He promised total victory over Hamas (whatever that means) and didn't deliver. But pressure will work both ways. 🧵
January 15, 2025 at 8:40 PM
A few thoughts. Will the ceasefire get past the first phase? There will be right-wing pressure on Netanyahu to resume the war in six weeks. He promised total victory over Hamas (whatever that means) and didn't deliver. But pressure will work both ways. 🧵
Reposted by Carl Worker
WaPo Scoop: Trump considers an executive order to 'save TikTok' from a ban in U.S. law.
by @drewharwell.com and Lizza Dwoskin
wapo.st/3WkL4Q4
by @drewharwell.com and Lizza Dwoskin
wapo.st/3WkL4Q4
Trump considers executive order hoping to ‘save TikTok’ from ban in U.S. law
Trump is exploring unconventional ways to rescue TikTok from a nationwide ban, arguing it will help him reach an adoring audience throughout his second term.
wapo.st
January 15, 2025 at 9:47 PM
WaPo Scoop: Trump considers an executive order to 'save TikTok' from a ban in U.S. law.
by @drewharwell.com and Lizza Dwoskin
wapo.st/3WkL4Q4
by @drewharwell.com and Lizza Dwoskin
wapo.st/3WkL4Q4
Reposted by Carl Worker
Marco Rubio, Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, said on Jan 15 that a “dangerous” #China cheated its way to superpower status as he vowed to ramp up support to deter an invasion of #Taiwan.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
Trump State Dept pick Rubio vows to confront ‘dangerous’ China, deter Taiwan invasion
China cheated its way to superpower status, says Marco Rubio, at his Senate confirmation hearing. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
January 16, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Marco Rubio, Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, said on Jan 15 that a “dangerous” #China cheated its way to superpower status as he vowed to ramp up support to deter an invasion of #Taiwan.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
Reposted by Carl Worker
Unfortunately, just as I expected: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Rubio Signals Trump Is Likely to Return Cuba to Terrorism List
Donald Trump’s nominee to be the top US diplomat signaled that the president-elect is likely to reverse President Joe Biden’s decision Tuesday to remove Cuba from a list of state sponsors of terrorism...
www.bloomberg.com
January 16, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Unfortunately, just as I expected: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Carl Worker
Turner is one of the most pro-Ukraine, anti-Putin Republicans and as intelligence chair has access to the gritty details of what our adversaries are up to.
This is an intra-party purge in the service of opponents of our democracy — and a preview of what’s coming when Trump takes power in five days.
This is an intra-party purge in the service of opponents of our democracy — and a preview of what’s coming when Trump takes power in five days.
January 16, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Turner is one of the most pro-Ukraine, anti-Putin Republicans and as intelligence chair has access to the gritty details of what our adversaries are up to.
This is an intra-party purge in the service of opponents of our democracy — and a preview of what’s coming when Trump takes power in five days.
This is an intra-party purge in the service of opponents of our democracy — and a preview of what’s coming when Trump takes power in five days.
Reposted by Carl Worker
This is a little misleading. The ability to penetrate - and potentially exploit - foreign computer networks has always been a critical element of defending against cyber threats as they take shape. We just don’t talk about it openly, for good reasons.
#CIA director nominee John Ratcliffe said during testimony on Capitol Hill that if confirmed, he hopes to develop offensive #cyber #tools and supports the creation of a cyber-specific deterrence strategy. via @timstarks.bsky.social cyberscoop.com/cia-nominee-...
CIA nominee tells Senate he, too, wants to go on cyber offense
John Ratcliffe said he wants to develop cyber offense tools and supports a cyber-focused deterrence strategy.
cyberscoop.com
January 16, 2025 at 3:07 AM
This is a little misleading. The ability to penetrate - and potentially exploit - foreign computer networks has always been a critical element of defending against cyber threats as they take shape. We just don’t talk about it openly, for good reasons.