Casey Michel
@cjcmichel.bsky.social
Dictators are a cowardly and superstitious lot. | Head of Combating Kleptocracy Program at Human Rights Foundation | Author of AMERICAN KLEPTOCRACY and FOREIGN AGENTS | Posts in personal capacity
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Now that my beloved Mariners have been bounced from the baseball playoffs, it's time for some good news: my new book cover!
Can't believe there aren't more movements on the U.S. mainland to support the elimination of America's colonies.
Statehood, independence, free association—whatever those colonized populations want.
www.wsj.com/world/guam-u...
Statehood, independence, free association—whatever those colonized populations want.
www.wsj.com/world/guam-u...
A Campaign to Make Guam the 51st State Is Gaining Traction
A U.S. military buildup stokes efforts to change the political status of the island in China’s crosshairs.
www.wsj.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Can't believe there aren't more movements on the U.S. mainland to support the elimination of America's colonies.
Statehood, independence, free association—whatever those colonized populations want.
www.wsj.com/world/guam-u...
Statehood, independence, free association—whatever those colonized populations want.
www.wsj.com/world/guam-u...
"In the first half of this year, the Trump Organization’s income soared 17-fold to $864 million from $51 million a year earlier... Of the first-half total, $802 million – more than 90% – came from Trump crypto ventures, including sales of World Liberty tokens." www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Inside the Trump family’s global crypto cash machine
The U.S. president’s family raked in more than $800 million from sales of crypto assets in the first half of 2025 alone, a Reuters examination found, on top of potentially billions more in unrealized “on paper” gains. Much of that cash came from foreign sources as Donald Trump's sons touted their business on an international investor roadshow.
www.reuters.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:43 PM
"In the first half of this year, the Trump Organization’s income soared 17-fold to $864 million from $51 million a year earlier... Of the first-half total, $802 million – more than 90% – came from Trump crypto ventures, including sales of World Liberty tokens." www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Would be great if American officials stopped taking trips to foreign dictatorships that were paid for by those same foreign dictatorships.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
Justice Dept. Is Said to Be Investigating D.C. Mayor Over Foreign Trip
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Would be great if American officials stopped taking trips to foreign dictatorships that were paid for by those same foreign dictatorships.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/u...
No idea why there isn't more analysis of this—Chinese claims on Russian territory, which Russia first thieved from China in the 19th century—in English-language media.
www.wsj.com/opinion/xi-a...
www.wsj.com/opinion/xi-a...
Opinion | Xi Adopts the ‘Putin Doctrine,’ at Russia’s Peril
China seeks to undo the ‘Century of Humiliation’ in which it ceded great territory to Moscow.
www.wsj.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:55 PM
No idea why there isn't more analysis of this—Chinese claims on Russian territory, which Russia first thieved from China in the 19th century—in English-language media.
www.wsj.com/opinion/xi-a...
www.wsj.com/opinion/xi-a...
Wild that the NBA is today tipping off a tournament sponsored by a regime currently inflaming a genocide(!) in Sudan... and that no one is even batting an eye.
October 31, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Wild that the NBA is today tipping off a tournament sponsored by a regime currently inflaming a genocide(!) in Sudan... and that no one is even batting an eye.
Reason #1,000 why it was so myopic to call Trump an "isolationist" (not that any political figure in American history was ever an "isolationist," anyway).
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
U.S. poised to strike military targets in Venezuela in escalation against Maduro regime
The Trump Administration has made the decision to attack military installations inside Venezuela and the strikes could come at any moment, sources with knowledge of the situation told the Miami Herald...
www.miamiherald.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Reason #1,000 why it was so myopic to call Trump an "isolationist" (not that any political figure in American history was ever an "isolationist," anyway).
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
"A number of Sims creators have announced they are stepping away from the game, and it all has to do with video game company EA announcing its planned $55 billion acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners." www.teenvogue.com/story/the-si...
The Sims Backlash Explained: Why EA’s Sale News Is Sparking Criticism
We’re here to break it all down for you.
www.teenvogue.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:24 PM
"A number of Sims creators have announced they are stepping away from the game, and it all has to do with video game company EA announcing its planned $55 billion acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners." www.teenvogue.com/story/the-si...
Putin couldn't do anything when Azerbaijan tore into Karabakh. He couldn't do anything when Assad fell. And now he can't do anything with Maduro suddenly at risk.
Disastrous presidency overseeing a declining regional power.
Disastrous presidency overseeing a declining regional power.
October 30, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Putin couldn't do anything when Azerbaijan tore into Karabakh. He couldn't do anything when Assad fell. And now he can't do anything with Maduro suddenly at risk.
Disastrous presidency overseeing a declining regional power.
Disastrous presidency overseeing a declining regional power.
Of course Paul Manafort has also been working with Dodik's allies in Republika Srpska: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Inside Paul Manafort’s Comeback
The pardoned political consultant is helping foreign clients — by giving them a MAGA makeover
www.politico.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Of course Paul Manafort has also been working with Dodik's allies in Republika Srpska: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
'Should Beijing attack, 67.8% of the 1,214 people surveyed said they would be "very willing or somewhat willing" to fight in defense of Taiwan' www.dw.com/en/most-taiw...
Most Taiwanese would defend island against China, poll finds – DW – 10/09/2024
More than two-thirds of Taiwanese people would be willing to fight off a Chinese invasion of their island, a new survey found. Just over half of respondents believe that the United States would send i...
www.dw.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
'Should Beijing attack, 67.8% of the 1,214 people surveyed said they would be "very willing or somewhat willing" to fight in defense of Taiwan' www.dw.com/en/most-taiw...
Reposted by Casey Michel
As expected, US has lifted sanctions vs. Russian backed Bosnian Serb secessionist Dodik, his entire regime, & their vast commercial holdings. Dodik has spent tens of millions lobbying the US to this effect since 2017. A categorical mistake for US interests in the region but money talks.
October 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
As expected, US has lifted sanctions vs. Russian backed Bosnian Serb secessionist Dodik, his entire regime, & their vast commercial holdings. Dodik has spent tens of millions lobbying the US to this effect since 2017. A categorical mistake for US interests in the region but money talks.
"U.S. intelligence agencies say the United Arab Emirates sent increasing supplies of weapons including sophisticated Chinese drones to a major Sudanese militia this year, bolstering a group that has been accused of genocide" www.wsj.com/world/how-u-...
Exclusive | How U.A.E. Arms Bolstered a Sudanese Militia Accused of Genocide
Reports by U.S. intelligence agencies show an increase in the flow of materiel from the U.A.E. to the rebel Rapid Support Forces since the spring, according to U.S. officials.
www.wsj.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:47 PM
"U.S. intelligence agencies say the United Arab Emirates sent increasing supplies of weapons including sophisticated Chinese drones to a major Sudanese militia this year, bolstering a group that has been accused of genocide" www.wsj.com/world/how-u-...
What bizarre framing. *Of course* American efforts to seize Greenland—like Russian efforts to seize Ukraine, Israeli efforts to seize Palestine, etc etc—are imperialism.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
October 28, 2025 at 4:41 PM
What bizarre framing. *Of course* American efforts to seize Greenland—like Russian efforts to seize Ukraine, Israeli efforts to seize Palestine, etc etc—are imperialism.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/o...
I'm not sure why anyone ever expected private sector executives to be some kind of symbol of resistance to Trumpism (i.e., Harris thinking they would be "guardrails of democracy").
Complete misunderstanding of relationship between corporate power and politics, both historic and contemporary.
Complete misunderstanding of relationship between corporate power and politics, both historic and contemporary.
Ed Luce watching democracy die in the United States of America
October 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I'm not sure why anyone ever expected private sector executives to be some kind of symbol of resistance to Trumpism (i.e., Harris thinking they would be "guardrails of democracy").
Complete misunderstanding of relationship between corporate power and politics, both historic and contemporary.
Complete misunderstanding of relationship between corporate power and politics, both historic and contemporary.
Sneaking suspicion "oligarchy" is going to be even more relevant next year than it is now...
October 24, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Sneaking suspicion "oligarchy" is going to be even more relevant next year than it is now...
Honestly, I'm surprised there's anyone who thinks we can still convince Putin that he's not going to win the war in Ukraine.
Absolutely zero evidence Putin will ever think that. He's so far down the rabbit hole of conspiracy and historic illiteracy, there's no coming back.
Absolutely zero evidence Putin will ever think that. He's so far down the rabbit hole of conspiracy and historic illiteracy, there's no coming back.
October 22, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Honestly, I'm surprised there's anyone who thinks we can still convince Putin that he's not going to win the war in Ukraine.
Absolutely zero evidence Putin will ever think that. He's so far down the rabbit hole of conspiracy and historic illiteracy, there's no coming back.
Absolutely zero evidence Putin will ever think that. He's so far down the rabbit hole of conspiracy and historic illiteracy, there's no coming back.
"White House officials said Kushner is the driving force behind the split-reconstruction plan" www.wsj.com/world/middle...
A U.S. Plan Splits Gaza in Two—One Zone Controlled by Israel, One by Hamas
The U.S. and Israel are considering a plan that would divide Gaza into separate zones controlled by Israel and Hamas, with reconstruction only taking place on the Israeli side.
www.wsj.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:19 PM
"White House officials said Kushner is the driving force behind the split-reconstruction plan" www.wsj.com/world/middle...
"The treatment of the Inuit populations in Alaska is a warning for the Inuit population of Greenland." www.politico.eu/article/gree...
Greenland could become biggest car crash in transatlantic relations
The Danes are right: If the U.S. president presses ahead in the autonomous territory, others can and will follow elsewhere.
www.politico.eu
October 22, 2025 at 8:44 PM
"The treatment of the Inuit populations in Alaska is a warning for the Inuit population of Greenland." www.politico.eu/article/gree...
Now that my beloved Mariners have been bounced from the baseball playoffs, it's time for some good news: my new book cover!
October 21, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Now that my beloved Mariners have been bounced from the baseball playoffs, it's time for some good news: my new book cover!
Extremely excited to see this new Price of Power pub, not just because of the minutiae on offshore and tax avoidance schemes—but also because of how it highlights how offshore is all around us (including the NBA!): thepriceofpower.substack.com/p/the-politi...
The Political Economy of Kawhi Leonard
Observations of an offshore scholar on the corruption saga rocking the NBA
thepriceofpower.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Extremely excited to see this new Price of Power pub, not just because of the minutiae on offshore and tax avoidance schemes—but also because of how it highlights how offshore is all around us (including the NBA!): thepriceofpower.substack.com/p/the-politi...
Signing a new partnership with Rwanda. Rushing head-long into new business with Gulf autocrats. Re-entering China, and promising that this time they won't criticize Beijing.
Is there a single dictatorship that the NBA *won't* partner with?
Is there a single dictatorship that the NBA *won't* partner with?
October 17, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Signing a new partnership with Rwanda. Rushing head-long into new business with Gulf autocrats. Re-entering China, and promising that this time they won't criticize Beijing.
Is there a single dictatorship that the NBA *won't* partner with?
Is there a single dictatorship that the NBA *won't* partner with?
Reposted by Casey Michel
Good the @nytimes.com sheds light on efforts of Kremlin-backed Serb secessionist regime in Bosnia to hijack US policy in region via $30+ million Dodik has spent lobbying in DC over past decade. In sum, for US to enable Dodik is to invite new conflict in Bosnia. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
Trump Allies Push to Bolster Putin-Backed Balkans Leader
www.nytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Good the @nytimes.com sheds light on efforts of Kremlin-backed Serb secessionist regime in Bosnia to hijack US policy in region via $30+ million Dodik has spent lobbying in DC over past decade. In sum, for US to enable Dodik is to invite new conflict in Bosnia. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...
"The colonists sought not just territory, but unchallenged dominion. To achieve this, they needed to erase the legitimacy of Native governance and justify violent dispossession." www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
How Native Nations Shaped the Revolution
The Founders were inspired—and threatened—by the independence and self-governance of nations like the Iroquois Confederacy.
www.theatlantic.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:41 PM
"The colonists sought not just territory, but unchallenged dominion. To achieve this, they needed to erase the legitimacy of Native governance and justify violent dispossession." www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
"Xinyue Lou is accused of funneling foreign campaign donations to President Trump’s campaign." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/n...
As Trump’s Justice Dept. Pursues His Enemies, an Ally Goes on Trial
www.nytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:31 PM
"Xinyue Lou is accused of funneling foreign campaign donations to President Trump’s campaign." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/n...