Greg Sanders
@gregorysanders.bsky.social
International relations Fellow CSIS ISP and DIIG Deputy Director. Separately Vice President of PurpleLineNow. Opinions are strictly my own.
Pinned
Greg Sanders
@gregorysanders.bsky.social
· Dec 10
Burden Sharing via Modular Open Systems Approaches: A Collaborative Path to Affordable Mass
Boosting defense production and sharing collective defense burdens with allies have bipartisan support but are challenging to implement. A new Air Force program offers a collaborative path to achievin...
www.csis.org
Audrey Aldisert & I have a new piece on the topic, that argues that the CCA provides a path to affordable mass by building the infrastructure of modular open systems and international cooperation. www.csis.org/analysis/bur...
Reposted by Greg Sanders
What will it take for Europe to defend itself with reduced American support?
@maxbergmann.bsky.social outlines key vulnerabilities that would be created from a withdrawal of US forces––and how Europe can work cohesively to guarantee its own security.
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhQj...
@maxbergmann.bsky.social outlines key vulnerabilities that would be created from a withdrawal of US forces––and how Europe can work cohesively to guarantee its own security.
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhQj...
How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:06 PM
What will it take for Europe to defend itself with reduced American support?
@maxbergmann.bsky.social outlines key vulnerabilities that would be created from a withdrawal of US forces––and how Europe can work cohesively to guarantee its own security.
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhQj...
@maxbergmann.bsky.social outlines key vulnerabilities that would be created from a withdrawal of US forces––and how Europe can work cohesively to guarantee its own security.
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhQj...
Reposted by Greg Sanders
FWIW, I love Parks and Rec because is a love letter to the people who, like Leslie Nope, show up every day to do the deeply unsexy work of making society function because they believe that their small contributions make the world a better place. In sufficient numbers, that’s exactly what they do.
November 5, 2025 at 11:35 PM
FWIW, I love Parks and Rec because is a love letter to the people who, like Leslie Nope, show up every day to do the deeply unsexy work of making society function because they believe that their small contributions make the world a better place. In sufficient numbers, that’s exactly what they do.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
For the lead graph.
wow.
wow.
once seen it cannot be unseen
November 1, 2025 at 7:06 PM
For the lead graph.
wow.
wow.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
Good morning!
Last night, Illinois’ legislature passed a law, SB2111, which will fund a major expansion of service for the Chicago region’s transit systems, thanks to new revenue sources.
The law also takes a major step forward in coordination between agencies.
Last night, Illinois’ legislature passed a law, SB2111, which will fund a major expansion of service for the Chicago region’s transit systems, thanks to new revenue sources.
The law also takes a major step forward in coordination between agencies.
Statement from the RTA: "The passage of SB2111 is a landmark moment for public transit in Illinois."
Read the full statement here or below. www.rtachicago.org/about-rta/pr...
Read the full statement here or below. www.rtachicago.org/about-rta/pr...
Regional Transportation Authority | RTA Statement on passage of Senate Bill 2111
This bill provides the stable funding and governance reforms needed to protect transit service for the millions who ride CTA, Metra, and Pace—and the…
www.rtachicago.org
October 31, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Good morning!
Last night, Illinois’ legislature passed a law, SB2111, which will fund a major expansion of service for the Chicago region’s transit systems, thanks to new revenue sources.
The law also takes a major step forward in coordination between agencies.
Last night, Illinois’ legislature passed a law, SB2111, which will fund a major expansion of service for the Chicago region’s transit systems, thanks to new revenue sources.
The law also takes a major step forward in coordination between agencies.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
“likely the largest single-day political demonstration since 1970” www.gelliottmorris.com/p/second-no-...
Second "No Kings Day" protests likely the largest single-day political demonstration since 1970, with 4.2-7.6 million participants
Here are the initial results from our crowdsourced crowd-counting estimates
www.gelliottmorris.com
October 19, 2025 at 3:39 AM
“likely the largest single-day political demonstration since 1970” www.gelliottmorris.com/p/second-no-...
Reposted by Greg Sanders
The president has one core job under the Constitution: to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” Not thwarted, diverted, blunted, revised or ignored. Faithfully executed.
October 18, 2025 at 10:50 PM
The president has one core job under the Constitution: to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” Not thwarted, diverted, blunted, revised or ignored. Faithfully executed.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
just go to the protests
take whatever precautions you personally feel comfortable with but these are massive, joyful events, go and have fun
take whatever precautions you personally feel comfortable with but these are massive, joyful events, go and have fun
October 17, 2025 at 7:06 PM
just go to the protests
take whatever precautions you personally feel comfortable with but these are massive, joyful events, go and have fun
take whatever precautions you personally feel comfortable with but these are massive, joyful events, go and have fun
Reposted by Greg Sanders
1/ Weaponized interdependence has proliferated and the US doesnt seem ready: “China has really begun to figure out how to take a leaf from the U.S. playbook and in a certain sense play that game better than the U.S. is currently playing it,” Mr. Farrell said.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...
China’s Rare Earth Restrictions Aim to Beat U.S. at Its Own Game
www.nytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:10 AM
1/ Weaponized interdependence has proliferated and the US doesnt seem ready: “China has really begun to figure out how to take a leaf from the U.S. playbook and in a certain sense play that game better than the U.S. is currently playing it,” Mr. Farrell said.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...
Reposted by Greg Sanders
Also, at no point should we lose sight of the face that this problem could easily be solved by calling the House back into session, pass a bill for military pay, send it to the Senate, etc
Mike Johnson won't do that bc he doesn't want to seat Rep Grijalva bc she will be the final Epstein files vote
Mike Johnson won't do that bc he doesn't want to seat Rep Grijalva bc she will be the final Epstein files vote
October 12, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Also, at no point should we lose sight of the face that this problem could easily be solved by calling the House back into session, pass a bill for military pay, send it to the Senate, etc
Mike Johnson won't do that bc he doesn't want to seat Rep Grijalva bc she will be the final Epstein files vote
Mike Johnson won't do that bc he doesn't want to seat Rep Grijalva bc she will be the final Epstein files vote
Reposted by Greg Sanders
I'm waiting to hear from the Senate appropriators who wouldn't let us determine on our own how to use money in the Army missiles procurement account to buy various Army missiles.
But sure lets use RDT&E - or reconciliation funds - for MILPERS.
But sure lets use RDT&E - or reconciliation funds - for MILPERS.
Unconstitutionally taking money that the law says must be spent on one purpose & using it for something else—when it's to establish personalist control over the FUCKING MILITARY—is about as dangerous a constitutional crisis/failure as you can imagine
Via: www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Via: www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
October 12, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I'm waiting to hear from the Senate appropriators who wouldn't let us determine on our own how to use money in the Army missiles procurement account to buy various Army missiles.
But sure lets use RDT&E - or reconciliation funds - for MILPERS.
But sure lets use RDT&E - or reconciliation funds - for MILPERS.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
Purple Line light rail vehicles are running to an actual station as part of testing! This testing runs from 9 pm to 5 am and started with New Carrollton.
The original testing was limited to the one one-milemile test track at the Glenridge Operations and Maintenance facility.
The original testing was limited to the one one-milemile test track at the Glenridge Operations and Maintenance facility.
October 7, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Purple Line light rail vehicles are running to an actual station as part of testing! This testing runs from 9 pm to 5 am and started with New Carrollton.
The original testing was limited to the one one-milemile test track at the Glenridge Operations and Maintenance facility.
The original testing was limited to the one one-milemile test track at the Glenridge Operations and Maintenance facility.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
Reposted by Greg Sanders
So, THIS is happening
"Rewild the Internet: How to Resist Big Tech" will be published by Simon & Schuster in NY and Bloomsbury in London.
Every bit of power we take from Big Tech takes it away from autocrats like Trump. Showing how is what I'm doing to meet this moment.
(tk u @robin.berjon.com)
"Rewild the Internet: How to Resist Big Tech" will be published by Simon & Schuster in NY and Bloomsbury in London.
Every bit of power we take from Big Tech takes it away from autocrats like Trump. Showing how is what I'm doing to meet this moment.
(tk u @robin.berjon.com)
September 19, 2025 at 4:32 PM
So, THIS is happening
"Rewild the Internet: How to Resist Big Tech" will be published by Simon & Schuster in NY and Bloomsbury in London.
Every bit of power we take from Big Tech takes it away from autocrats like Trump. Showing how is what I'm doing to meet this moment.
(tk u @robin.berjon.com)
"Rewild the Internet: How to Resist Big Tech" will be published by Simon & Schuster in NY and Bloomsbury in London.
Every bit of power we take from Big Tech takes it away from autocrats like Trump. Showing how is what I'm doing to meet this moment.
(tk u @robin.berjon.com)
New entrants are great, I think SpaceX is genuinely impressive and their willingness to tolerate failure is part of how they do it. But the U.S. commercial sector also needs to regaining process knowledge and cutbacks to NASA, basic science, and the university research sector are going to cost us.
NEW: U.S. Is Losing Race to Return to Moon, Critics Say, Pointing at SpaceX
The company’s Starship rocket, which has suffered a series of recent test explosions, is still years away from being ready for the mission, former NASA executives say.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/u...
The company’s Starship rocket, which has suffered a series of recent test explosions, is still years away from being ready for the mission, former NASA executives say.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/u...
U.S. Is Losing Race to Return to Moon, Critics Say, Pointing at SpaceX
www.nytimes.com
September 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
New entrants are great, I think SpaceX is genuinely impressive and their willingness to tolerate failure is part of how they do it. But the U.S. commercial sector also needs to regaining process knowledge and cutbacks to NASA, basic science, and the university research sector are going to cost us.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
As an aside, when I donated to @vanhollen.senate.gov a couple of weeks ago (acknowledging one of the few normie Democrats who has been plainspoken on Gaza), it was actually difficult to find how to do it (in contrast to most elected officials whose web presences are designed as dollar funnels)
"“We’ve become a party that too often trims its sails. Too cautious, too rudderless. Too attached to poll-washed, pundit-rinsed, and donor-dried messages,” he said. “What comes out of the wash is all bleached and blow-dried.”
Senator Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland, endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City on Saturday and called on his party’s leadership to do the same, criticizing them for a delay that he said allowed President Trump to exploit Democratic divisions.
September 13, 2025 at 11:55 PM
As an aside, when I donated to @vanhollen.senate.gov a couple of weeks ago (acknowledging one of the few normie Democrats who has been plainspoken on Gaza), it was actually difficult to find how to do it (in contrast to most elected officials whose web presences are designed as dollar funnels)
Reposted by Greg Sanders
Senator Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland, endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City on Saturday and called on his party’s leadership to do the same, criticizing them for a delay that he said allowed President Trump to exploit Democratic divisions.
Van Hollen Criticizes Democratic Leaders for Delay in Endorsing Mamdani
At an annual fund-raiser in Iowa, the Maryland Democrat said he supported Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City and said people were sick of “spineless politics.”
nyti.ms
September 13, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Senator Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland, endorsed Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City on Saturday and called on his party’s leadership to do the same, criticizing them for a delay that he said allowed President Trump to exploit Democratic divisions.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
One of the things I have come to appreciate is that a good deal of Rome's success came from the fact that, as rapacious and opportunistic and bellicose as they could be, they mostly avoided giving unnecessary insult to their allies.
A virtue rare in antiquity as today; we used to be good at it.
A virtue rare in antiquity as today; we used to be good at it.
South Korea denounces ‘shocking’ US treatment of detained workers www.ft.com/content/c71a...
South Korea denounces ‘shocking’ US treatment of detained workers
Labour minister’s comments reflect widespread outrage at raid by immigration agents on Hyundai-LG plant
www.ft.com
September 13, 2025 at 6:32 PM
One of the things I have come to appreciate is that a good deal of Rome's success came from the fact that, as rapacious and opportunistic and bellicose as they could be, they mostly avoided giving unnecessary insult to their allies.
A virtue rare in antiquity as today; we used to be good at it.
A virtue rare in antiquity as today; we used to be good at it.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
This is what democracy looks like! A people united will never be defeated. We want federal forces out of DC NOW! #WeAreAllDC #FreeDC
September 6, 2025 at 5:16 PM
This is what democracy looks like! A people united will never be defeated. We want federal forces out of DC NOW! #WeAreAllDC #FreeDC
Reposted by Greg Sanders
I'll say again: This matters.
For months NYT has been pushing "Harvard is about to cave" line. That line is 100% in MAGA's interest. Every other institution will think, "If not even Harvard can stand up, how could we."
Today, NYT: Oh, I guess it's a disagreement WITHIN THE TRUMP TEAM.
For months NYT has been pushing "Harvard is about to cave" line. That line is 100% in MAGA's interest. Every other institution will think, "If not even Harvard can stand up, how could we."
Today, NYT: Oh, I guess it's a disagreement WITHIN THE TRUMP TEAM.
Online this morning, NYT update from "Harvard is about to cave" team.
Today's update: Well, actually..... See headline below. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/06/u...
For context of this narrative, please see my piece yesterday fallows.substack.com/p/harvard-vs... (Full timeline before paywall.)
Today's update: Well, actually..... See headline below. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/06/u...
For context of this narrative, please see my piece yesterday fallows.substack.com/p/harvard-vs... (Full timeline before paywall.)
September 6, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I'll say again: This matters.
For months NYT has been pushing "Harvard is about to cave" line. That line is 100% in MAGA's interest. Every other institution will think, "If not even Harvard can stand up, how could we."
Today, NYT: Oh, I guess it's a disagreement WITHIN THE TRUMP TEAM.
For months NYT has been pushing "Harvard is about to cave" line. That line is 100% in MAGA's interest. Every other institution will think, "If not even Harvard can stand up, how could we."
Today, NYT: Oh, I guess it's a disagreement WITHIN THE TRUMP TEAM.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city.
This is not a joke. This is not normal.
Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.
This is not a joke. This is not normal.
Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.
September 6, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city.
This is not a joke. This is not normal.
Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.
This is not a joke. This is not normal.
Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
Made an appointment with a self-attested (real though invisible) high risk condition. We’ll see how this goes. I suspect that access will be highly mediated by the willingness of individual pharmacists to administer vaccines. Medical professionals sadly are not immune to vaccine denial.
We took the paywall down on this one. defector.com/how-the-fuck...
How Are You Supposed To Get The COVID Vaccine Now? An Explainer | Defector
As the muggy malaise of summer winds down, you might find yourself interested in taking advantage of one of several safe and proven vaccines to help protect you from the inevitable brumal surge of res...
defector.com
September 4, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Made an appointment with a self-attested (real though invisible) high risk condition. We’ll see how this goes. I suspect that access will be highly mediated by the willingness of individual pharmacists to administer vaccines. Medical professionals sadly are not immune to vaccine denial.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
Illinois Gov. Pritzker ahead of Trump National Guard deployment:
"To Chicagoans... Look out for your communities and your neighbours. Know your rights. Film things that you see happening... Authoritarians thrive on your silence. Be loud for America."
"To Chicagoans... Look out for your communities and your neighbours. Know your rights. Film things that you see happening... Authoritarians thrive on your silence. Be loud for America."
September 2, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Illinois Gov. Pritzker ahead of Trump National Guard deployment:
"To Chicagoans... Look out for your communities and your neighbours. Know your rights. Film things that you see happening... Authoritarians thrive on your silence. Be loud for America."
"To Chicagoans... Look out for your communities and your neighbours. Know your rights. Film things that you see happening... Authoritarians thrive on your silence. Be loud for America."
Reposted by Greg Sanders
On August 22, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) announced that famine is currently occurring in Gaza, marking only the fifth such classification since the IPC was formed in 2004 and the first in the Middle East.
Learn more from @foodwater.csis.org: www.csis.org/analysis/tra...
Learn more from @foodwater.csis.org: www.csis.org/analysis/tra...
August 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
On August 22, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) announced that famine is currently occurring in Gaza, marking only the fifth such classification since the IPC was formed in 2004 and the first in the Middle East.
Learn more from @foodwater.csis.org: www.csis.org/analysis/tra...
Learn more from @foodwater.csis.org: www.csis.org/analysis/tra...
Reposted by Greg Sanders
Something blue states will need to explore: how to create cross-state compacts dedicated to a functioning government as the Trump administration walks away from it's responsibilities.
This is good: With Trump/RFK destroying CDC, JB Pritzker's officials are exploring the possibility of buying Covid vaccines from manufacturers and distributing them in-state themselves, source tells me.
Dem govs must step up and fill the void.
New piece from me:
newrepublic.com/article/1998...
Dem govs must step up and fill the void.
New piece from me:
newrepublic.com/article/1998...
Trump’s Decapitation of CDC Takes Darker Turn—and Hands Dems a Weapon
Illinois’s J.B. Pritzker is leading a charge other Democratic governors should take up: In our America, we’ll make sure public health systems remain strong.
newrepublic.com
August 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Something blue states will need to explore: how to create cross-state compacts dedicated to a functioning government as the Trump administration walks away from it's responsibilities.
Reposted by Greg Sanders
Moore: "The thing that gets me most about this is how deeply disrespectful this is to members of the National Guard who signed up for this job as I did when I deployed overseas & led paratroopers in combat where we signed up w/the expectation the commander in chief was actually taking it seriously"
August 27, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Moore: "The thing that gets me most about this is how deeply disrespectful this is to members of the National Guard who signed up for this job as I did when I deployed overseas & led paratroopers in combat where we signed up w/the expectation the commander in chief was actually taking it seriously"