Frank
@frank2095.bsky.social
Pinned
He links to a stubstack by @radchenko.bsky.social which is an excellent read, but which seems a bit short on the following points:
A good free assessment of the #47-Muscovite "peace plan" and some of my thoughts on it:
Reposted by Frank
Frank Bruni: Those claims insist on a symmetry that doesn’t exist. They’re equivalences not merely false but fantastical. They ignore the severity, the prevalence, the consequences of the misconduct in question. Imagine defending a suitor who’s a
Opinion | The Outrageous False Equivalences That Prop Up President Trump
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Frank Bruni: Those claims insist on a symmetry that doesn’t exist. They’re equivalences not merely false but fantastical. They ignore the severity, the prevalence, the consequences of the misconduct in question. Imagine defending a suitor who’s a
In light of its brevity an excellent overview of the pensions drama threatening the German coalition and thus German and European political stability:
www.economist.com/europe/2025/...
www.economist.com/europe/2025/...
Young MPs are fed up with Germany’s pension burdens
Rebel Christian Democrats threaten Friedrich Merz’s coalition
www.economist.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:07 PM
In light of its brevity an excellent overview of the pensions drama threatening the German coalition and thus German and European political stability:
www.economist.com/europe/2025/...
www.economist.com/europe/2025/...
Ein sehr wichtiger Artikel, der in ver-"mainstreamter" Form in die allgemeine Presse und die weitere politische Diskussion gehört:
Unsere Bedenkenträger brauchen lange, um so etwas zu verarbeiten. Man denke nur an Mützenichs Drohnen-Verrenkungen.
Unsere Bedenkenträger brauchen lange, um so etwas zu verarbeiten. Man denke nur an Mützenichs Drohnen-Verrenkungen.
Der Krieg in der Ukraine zeigt, dass die rapide Weiterentwicklung der Kriegsführung und der damit verbundenen Waffensysteme nur mittels integrierter bzw. in der breiten Truppe eingebundenen Ingenieurfähigkeiten in den Griff zu bekommen ist.
www.hartpunkt.de/erkenntnis-a...
www.hartpunkt.de/erkenntnis-a...
Erkenntnis aus dem Ukraine-Krieg – Notwendigkeit der Verzahnung von Hersteller und Nutzer
Das Internet ist voll von Berichten über den Ukraine-Krieg, die die Erkenntnisse der dortigen Kriegsführung analysieren und Ableitungen für die Organisation oder Ausstattung der Streitkräfte der NATO ...
www.hartpunkt.de
November 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Ein sehr wichtiger Artikel, der in ver-"mainstreamter" Form in die allgemeine Presse und die weitere politische Diskussion gehört:
Unsere Bedenkenträger brauchen lange, um so etwas zu verarbeiten. Man denke nur an Mützenichs Drohnen-Verrenkungen.
Unsere Bedenkenträger brauchen lange, um so etwas zu verarbeiten. Man denke nur an Mützenichs Drohnen-Verrenkungen.
Reposted by Frank
These schmucks are approaching what I like to call a "reverse Afghanistan" sexuality here:
November 24, 2025 at 11:22 AM
These schmucks are approaching what I like to call a "reverse Afghanistan" sexuality here:
Reposted by Frank
Ukraine’s governance crisis has a name: the dependency trap.
Our latest analysis looks at why Zelenskyy keeps Andriy Yermak and Oleh Tatarov in power even as corruption scandals intensify. The Mindich tapes, the July crackdown, and EU pressure all point to a system struggling to reform itself.
Our latest analysis looks at why Zelenskyy keeps Andriy Yermak and Oleh Tatarov in power even as corruption scandals intensify. The Mindich tapes, the July crackdown, and EU pressure all point to a system struggling to reform itself.
Zelenskyy’s irreplaceables: too corrupt to keep, too entrenched to remove
Everyone wants Yermak and Tatarov to go. But would removing them collapse Zelenskyy’s ability to govern?
euromaidanpress.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Ukraine’s governance crisis has a name: the dependency trap.
Our latest analysis looks at why Zelenskyy keeps Andriy Yermak and Oleh Tatarov in power even as corruption scandals intensify. The Mindich tapes, the July crackdown, and EU pressure all point to a system struggling to reform itself.
Our latest analysis looks at why Zelenskyy keeps Andriy Yermak and Oleh Tatarov in power even as corruption scandals intensify. The Mindich tapes, the July crackdown, and EU pressure all point to a system struggling to reform itself.
Reposted by Frank
Ternopil, 19 Nov 2025
Nazar El Akhdar, 1.5 years
Kamila El Akhdar, 6 years, killed with her mother
David Dolyniak, 4years, killed with his father
Artem Maliuta, 17 years, college student
Amelia Gzesko (Polish citizen), 7 years, killed with her mother
Ruslan Bobyk, 17 years, college student
RIP
Nazar El Akhdar, 1.5 years
Kamila El Akhdar, 6 years, killed with her mother
David Dolyniak, 4years, killed with his father
Artem Maliuta, 17 years, college student
Amelia Gzesko (Polish citizen), 7 years, killed with her mother
Ruslan Bobyk, 17 years, college student
RIP
November 24, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Ternopil, 19 Nov 2025
Nazar El Akhdar, 1.5 years
Kamila El Akhdar, 6 years, killed with her mother
David Dolyniak, 4years, killed with his father
Artem Maliuta, 17 years, college student
Amelia Gzesko (Polish citizen), 7 years, killed with her mother
Ruslan Bobyk, 17 years, college student
RIP
Nazar El Akhdar, 1.5 years
Kamila El Akhdar, 6 years, killed with her mother
David Dolyniak, 4years, killed with his father
Artem Maliuta, 17 years, college student
Amelia Gzesko (Polish citizen), 7 years, killed with her mother
Ruslan Bobyk, 17 years, college student
RIP
Reposted by Frank
Das Europa, das seit 1945 für Frieden, Freiheit und auch wachsenden Wohlstand steht, droht in diesen Tagen unterzugehen. Gut 35 Jahre nach dem Fall der Mauer und dem Zusammenbruch der Sowjetunion kommt es zum Wiederaufstieg Russlands als Hegemeon.
November 24, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Das Europa, das seit 1945 für Frieden, Freiheit und auch wachsenden Wohlstand steht, droht in diesen Tagen unterzugehen. Gut 35 Jahre nach dem Fall der Mauer und dem Zusammenbruch der Sowjetunion kommt es zum Wiederaufstieg Russlands als Hegemeon.
Reposted by Frank
Prof. @CarloMasala (BW-Uni München) bezeichnet den US-Friedensplan für die #Ukraine als „Kapitulationsplan“ und warnt davor, dass der 28-Punkte-Plan der #USA massive Fluchtwellen nach #Deutschland auslösen und Sicherheitslage für #EUropa drastisch verschlechtern würde.
www.welt.de/videos/video...
www.welt.de/videos/video...
Scharfe Kritik an US-Plan: „Ein Kapitulationsplan“ – Sicherheitsexperte Masala kritisiert US-Friedensvorschlag - Video - WELT
Sicherheitsexperte Carlo Masala bezeichnet den US-Friedensplan für die Ukraine als reinen „Kapitulationsplan“. Er warnt, dass die Pläne massive Fluchtwellen nach Deutschland auslösten und die Sicherhe...
www.welt.de
November 20, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Prof. @CarloMasala (BW-Uni München) bezeichnet den US-Friedensplan für die #Ukraine als „Kapitulationsplan“ und warnt davor, dass der 28-Punkte-Plan der #USA massive Fluchtwellen nach #Deutschland auslösen und Sicherheitslage für #EUropa drastisch verschlechtern würde.
www.welt.de/videos/video...
www.welt.de/videos/video...
Reposted by Frank
A 17-year-old high school senior from McMinnville, OR was detained by ICE during his lunch break — even after telling officers he was a citizen. An agent shattered his window and said, “I don’t care.” www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
High school senior, a U.S. citizen, detained by ICE in Oregon
The 17-year-old was held more than five hours Friday in an ICE facility, his brother said.
www.oregonlive.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:01 AM
A 17-year-old high school senior from McMinnville, OR was detained by ICE during his lunch break — even after telling officers he was a citizen. An agent shattered his window and said, “I don’t care.” www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Reposted by Frank
OTD in 2004 German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder called me a "flawless democrat"
A statement that has stood the test of both time & special military operation.
A statement that has stood the test of both time & special military operation.
November 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
OTD in 2004 German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder called me a "flawless democrat"
A statement that has stood the test of both time & special military operation.
A statement that has stood the test of both time & special military operation.
Reposted by Frank
Every accusation…
Amazing story, state legislator and Turning Points USA leader who crusaded against bogus voter fraud claims pleads guilty to attempted election fraud. azmirror.com/briefs/turni...
Turning Point leader, former GOP Rep pleads guilty to attempted election fraud | Arizona Mirror
Austin Smith election fraud guilty plea: Former GOP Rep admits forging 100+ signatures on ballot petitions in Arizona
azmirror.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Every accusation…
Sounds about right.
Man, it's hard to see the former adults in the room behave like toddlers. And even harder to properly re-frame your sub-conscious perspective of the world.
The Chinese are right: "May you live in interesting times" is a curse.
Man, it's hard to see the former adults in the room behave like toddlers. And even harder to properly re-frame your sub-conscious perspective of the world.
The Chinese are right: "May you live in interesting times" is a curse.
Bloomberg unfolds the history of the Vance-Dmitriev initiative... Dmitriev put it to Witkoff and Vance in a meeting in Miami, Axios published it, Trump and Rubio knew nothing of it. But then Trump decided to simply bless Dmitriev's draft after the fact. A perfect biopsy of "diplomacy" under Trump.
Secret US-Russia Talks Led to Peace Plan That Blindsided Ukraine
The controversial 28-point plan dropped suddenly by the Trump administration to Ukraine as a take-it-or-leave it proposition mere days ago was mostly the result of several weeks of negotiations behind...
www.bloomberg.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Sounds about right.
Man, it's hard to see the former adults in the room behave like toddlers. And even harder to properly re-frame your sub-conscious perspective of the world.
The Chinese are right: "May you live in interesting times" is a curse.
Man, it's hard to see the former adults in the room behave like toddlers. And even harder to properly re-frame your sub-conscious perspective of the world.
The Chinese are right: "May you live in interesting times" is a curse.
Reposted by Frank
OTD in 2006 Alexander Litvinenko died from complications of saying Vladimir Putin is a corrupt peadophile ☕️ 🍣
One of the witnesses at the inquest later 'committed suicide by stabbing himself several times'
One of the witnesses at the inquest later 'committed suicide by stabbing himself several times'
November 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
OTD in 2006 Alexander Litvinenko died from complications of saying Vladimir Putin is a corrupt peadophile ☕️ 🍣
One of the witnesses at the inquest later 'committed suicide by stabbing himself several times'
One of the witnesses at the inquest later 'committed suicide by stabbing himself several times'
Reposted by Frank
In the last three years, after Ukraine’s last truly successful counteroffensive in 2022, Russia has ruined its economy and demographics and suffered around a million casualties to achieve basically nothing
November 23, 2025 at 11:58 AM
In the last three years, after Ukraine’s last truly successful counteroffensive in 2022, Russia has ruined its economy and demographics and suffered around a million casualties to achieve basically nothing
Reposted by Frank
Der 28-Punkte-Plan verstößt gegen internationales Recht und bestehende Verträge, viele Punkte gehen gegen deutsche Interessen, sowohl sicherheitspolitisch als auch finanziell. Wer sofort "Hurra" ruft, scheint damit einverstanden, Deutschland schlechter zu stellen.
November 23, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Der 28-Punkte-Plan verstößt gegen internationales Recht und bestehende Verträge, viele Punkte gehen gegen deutsche Interessen, sowohl sicherheitspolitisch als auch finanziell. Wer sofort "Hurra" ruft, scheint damit einverstanden, Deutschland schlechter zu stellen.
Reposted by Frank
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
November 23, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Twitter pays people based on engagement (views, retweets, comments, etc). It appears that many MAGA accounts are based abroad and they use AI technology to generate low-effort rage bait.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
My guess is that this will get worse as AI tech improves. For instance, fake videos of minorities doing crime.
Reposted by Frank
The leaked US-RU 'peace plan', beside being absolutely amateurish in both language and content, is also incredibly stupid.
It also boils down basically to:
1) Russia gets the land,
2) US get the money,
3) Ukraine gets empty promises and toothless provisions, and
4) Europe gets the bill.
It also boils down basically to:
1) Russia gets the land,
2) US get the money,
3) Ukraine gets empty promises and toothless provisions, and
4) Europe gets the bill.
November 23, 2025 at 1:59 AM
The leaked US-RU 'peace plan', beside being absolutely amateurish in both language and content, is also incredibly stupid.
It also boils down basically to:
1) Russia gets the land,
2) US get the money,
3) Ukraine gets empty promises and toothless provisions, and
4) Europe gets the bill.
It also boils down basically to:
1) Russia gets the land,
2) US get the money,
3) Ukraine gets empty promises and toothless provisions, and
4) Europe gets the bill.
Reposted by Frank
Friday: "Sign this by Thanksgiving or it's all over for you."
Saturday: "This is nothing to do with us, some other boys wrote it."
Sunday: "By 'some other boys wrote it', of course I meant some other boys wrote the denial that we wrote it. Here's my lunch money."
Saturday: "This is nothing to do with us, some other boys wrote it."
Sunday: "By 'some other boys wrote it', of course I meant some other boys wrote the denial that we wrote it. Here's my lunch money."
November 23, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Friday: "Sign this by Thanksgiving or it's all over for you."
Saturday: "This is nothing to do with us, some other boys wrote it."
Sunday: "By 'some other boys wrote it', of course I meant some other boys wrote the denial that we wrote it. Here's my lunch money."
Saturday: "This is nothing to do with us, some other boys wrote it."
Sunday: "By 'some other boys wrote it', of course I meant some other boys wrote the denial that we wrote it. Here's my lunch money."
"The Europeans (collectively) have failed to seriously arm & support Ukraine; they have just done enough to make sure UA won’t be overrun by RU.
The most likely scenario therefore is: just more of the same. UA will get enough support to withstand RU pressure, but not enough to seriously push back."
The most likely scenario therefore is: just more of the same. UA will get enough support to withstand RU pressure, but not enough to seriously push back."
Why Trump fails to make peace in Ukraine -- my analysis. ulrichspeck.substack.com/p/why-trump-...
Why Trump fails to make peace in Ukraine
Geopolitical notes 11/2025
ulrichspeck.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:35 AM
"The Europeans (collectively) have failed to seriously arm & support Ukraine; they have just done enough to make sure UA won’t be overrun by RU.
The most likely scenario therefore is: just more of the same. UA will get enough support to withstand RU pressure, but not enough to seriously push back."
The most likely scenario therefore is: just more of the same. UA will get enough support to withstand RU pressure, but not enough to seriously push back."
Reposted by Frank
Am reminded of what one Ukrainian colleague wrote me after the Feb 28 white house debacle:
‘We used to so admire the Americans. They were our great role model. Now look what wimps they really are. So eager to surrender to Russia, but nobody’s even shooting at them. What have we to learn from them?’
‘We used to so admire the Americans. They were our great role model. Now look what wimps they really are. So eager to surrender to Russia, but nobody’s even shooting at them. What have we to learn from them?’
November 23, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Am reminded of what one Ukrainian colleague wrote me after the Feb 28 white house debacle:
‘We used to so admire the Americans. They were our great role model. Now look what wimps they really are. So eager to surrender to Russia, but nobody’s even shooting at them. What have we to learn from them?’
‘We used to so admire the Americans. They were our great role model. Now look what wimps they really are. So eager to surrender to Russia, but nobody’s even shooting at them. What have we to learn from them?’
Reposted by Frank
“Die zuständige Staatsanwaltschaft Ulm teilte der dpa mit, ein 18-jähriger Tatverdächtiger habe angegeben, die Attacken seien in Auftrag gegeben worden, um das Wahlverhalten von Bürgern zu beeinflussen. Ein Mittelsmann mit Verbindungen zu 🇷🇺 Russland habe für jedes Fahrzeug 100 Euro Prämie geboten.”
"Der Verdacht fiel zunächst auf Klimaaktivisten." ➡️ Demokratische #Resilienz und damit #IntegrierteSicherheit bedeutet auch, Spekulationen und Vorverurteilungen in Medienberichten sowie der öffentlichen Debatte zu vermeiden. (1/3)
www.deutschlandfunk.de/bauschaum-im...
www.deutschlandfunk.de/bauschaum-im...
Ermittler - Bauschaum im Auspuff - Sabotage-Serie gegen Autos sollte womöglich Bundestagswahl gegen Habeck und die Grünen beeinflussen
Ermittlern zufolge verdichten sich die Hinweise, dass durch die Beschädigung von fast 300 Fahrzeugen mit Bauschaum vor gut einem Jahr die Bundestagswahl beeinflusst werden sollte.
www.deutschlandfunk.de
November 23, 2025 at 10:21 AM
“Die zuständige Staatsanwaltschaft Ulm teilte der dpa mit, ein 18-jähriger Tatverdächtiger habe angegeben, die Attacken seien in Auftrag gegeben worden, um das Wahlverhalten von Bürgern zu beeinflussen. Ein Mittelsmann mit Verbindungen zu 🇷🇺 Russland habe für jedes Fahrzeug 100 Euro Prämie geboten.”
Reposted by Frank
Der 28 Punkte Plan wurde in 🇷🇺 geschrieben? Ui, wenn das stimmt, dann haben sich einige seit 2 Tagen mit ihren scharfen Pro Aussagen echt zum Horst gemacht.
Aber es gibt so viel hin und her in dieser Frage und Widersprüche, dass man mit einem schallenden Gelächter warten sollte.
Aber es gibt so viel hin und her in dieser Frage und Widersprüche, dass man mit einem schallenden Gelächter warten sollte.
November 23, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Der 28 Punkte Plan wurde in 🇷🇺 geschrieben? Ui, wenn das stimmt, dann haben sich einige seit 2 Tagen mit ihren scharfen Pro Aussagen echt zum Horst gemacht.
Aber es gibt so viel hin und her in dieser Frage und Widersprüche, dass man mit einem schallenden Gelächter warten sollte.
Aber es gibt so viel hin und her in dieser Frage und Widersprüche, dass man mit einem schallenden Gelächter warten sollte.
Reposted by Frank
I am sorry to say: even if it is not accepted. The mere fact that Trump & Vance put a deal on the table in which the US is conceived as a) benefiting financially from a deal akin to capitulation and b) the US is the neutral party mediating between Russia and Nato destroys us leadership.
Who will benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine? For a decade, Russia has been seeking to divide Europe and America, to undermine NATO and weaken the transatlantic alliance. This peace plan, if accepted, will achieve that goal. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Murky Plan That Ensures a Future War
Who will benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I am sorry to say: even if it is not accepted. The mere fact that Trump & Vance put a deal on the table in which the US is conceived as a) benefiting financially from a deal akin to capitulation and b) the US is the neutral party mediating between Russia and Nato destroys us leadership.
Reposted by Frank
FM of Lithuania makes a very good point that I’ve been repeating for over a year: it’s not only about Ukraine, Putin is set to dismantle NATO.
November 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
FM of Lithuania makes a very good point that I’ve been repeating for over a year: it’s not only about Ukraine, Putin is set to dismantle NATO.
Reposted by Frank
"For a decade, Russia has been seeking to divide Europe and America, to undermine NATO and weaken the transatlantic alliance. This peace plan, if accepted, will achieve that goal."
This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump Has a Recipe for War and Corruption, Not Peace
Who would benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:10 PM
"For a decade, Russia has been seeking to divide Europe and America, to undermine NATO and weaken the transatlantic alliance. This peace plan, if accepted, will achieve that goal."