Joel Rubin
@joelmrubin.bsky.social
Foreign Policy Expert | Democratic Strategist | Jewish Activist | Fmr. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Legislative Affairs, Obama Admin | Fmr. Congressional Candidate | @centerclipaudio | Author of “The Briefing Book” at https://joelrubin.substack.com
Putin’s perplexing hypnotic quality over Trump is at play once again! He’s gotten what he wants and undermined any pressure on himself.
Let’s call Trump’s “productive” talks with Russia what they really are …
@alivitali.bsky.social @msnbcreports.msnbc.com @msnbc.com
Let’s call Trump’s “productive” talks with Russia what they really are …
@alivitali.bsky.social @msnbcreports.msnbc.com @msnbc.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Putin’s perplexing hypnotic quality over Trump is at play once again! He’s gotten what he wants and undermined any pressure on himself.
Let’s call Trump’s “productive” talks with Russia what they really are …
@alivitali.bsky.social @msnbcreports.msnbc.com @msnbc.com
Let’s call Trump’s “productive” talks with Russia what they really are …
@alivitali.bsky.social @msnbcreports.msnbc.com @msnbc.com
Trump finally recognizing regional allies are critical to peace. But let's be clear: Hamas's first targets after the ceasefire are the Palestinian people. This is horrifying. Those who called for ceasefire must demand Hamas exit. Qatar, Egypt, Turkey - keep the pressure on. @msnbc.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Trump finally recognizing regional allies are critical to peace. But let's be clear: Hamas's first targets after the ceasefire are the Palestinian people. This is horrifying. Those who called for ceasefire must demand Hamas exit. Qatar, Egypt, Turkey - keep the pressure on. @msnbc.com
Fmr. NSC Sr. Director Juan Gonzalez explains why migration isn't just a border issue- it's a foreign policy failure with domestic consequences.
Essential insights on current U.S.-Latin America relations on Making Sense of the World:
thesirennetwork.com/p/lets-talk-about-trump-and-latin-america
Essential insights on current U.S.-Latin America relations on Making Sense of the World:
thesirennetwork.com/p/lets-talk-about-trump-and-latin-america
October 8, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Fmr. NSC Sr. Director Juan Gonzalez explains why migration isn't just a border issue- it's a foreign policy failure with domestic consequences.
Essential insights on current U.S.-Latin America relations on Making Sense of the World:
thesirennetwork.com/p/lets-talk-about-trump-and-latin-america
Essential insights on current U.S.-Latin America relations on Making Sense of the World:
thesirennetwork.com/p/lets-talk-about-trump-and-latin-america
Two years after Oct. 7th, Israel is fighting for more than security- it's fighting for its soul.
My analysis on how that day shattered Israel's sense of invulnerability, what fragile ceasefire negotiations mean & why Jewish safety spans from Gaza to American neighborhoods.
joelrubin.substack.com
My analysis on how that day shattered Israel's sense of invulnerability, what fragile ceasefire negotiations mean & why Jewish safety spans from Gaza to American neighborhoods.
joelrubin.substack.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Two years after Oct. 7th, Israel is fighting for more than security- it's fighting for its soul.
My analysis on how that day shattered Israel's sense of invulnerability, what fragile ceasefire negotiations mean & why Jewish safety spans from Gaza to American neighborhoods.
joelrubin.substack.com
My analysis on how that day shattered Israel's sense of invulnerability, what fragile ceasefire negotiations mean & why Jewish safety spans from Gaza to American neighborhoods.
joelrubin.substack.com
Fmr. chief American nuclear weapons negotiator & NATO Deputy Secretary General breaks down Putin's latest nuclear proposal, China's nuclear buildup, and why the U.S. must defend forward.
Timely insights on Making Sense of the World:
thesirennetwork.com/p/nuclear-negotiator-rose-gottemoeller
Timely insights on Making Sense of the World:
thesirennetwork.com/p/nuclear-negotiator-rose-gottemoeller
October 1, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Fmr. chief American nuclear weapons negotiator & NATO Deputy Secretary General breaks down Putin's latest nuclear proposal, China's nuclear buildup, and why the U.S. must defend forward.
Timely insights on Making Sense of the World:
thesirennetwork.com/p/nuclear-negotiator-rose-gottemoeller
Timely insights on Making Sense of the World:
thesirennetwork.com/p/nuclear-negotiator-rose-gottemoeller
Fmr. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies Anne Neuberger delivers sobering insights on cyber threats from China & how democratic openness has become a cybersecurity weakness.
The latest on Making Sense of the World:
thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
The latest on Making Sense of the World:
thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
September 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Fmr. Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies Anne Neuberger delivers sobering insights on cyber threats from China & how democratic openness has become a cybersecurity weakness.
The latest on Making Sense of the World:
thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
The latest on Making Sense of the World:
thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
American global leadership is on fire - and not in a good way. Our allies don’t trust us, our adversaries don’t fear us. American diplomacy is being shattered on a daily basis.
Some thoughts on Rubio’s visit to Israel & the current state of play in the Middle East w/Alex Witt on @msnbc.com
Some thoughts on Rubio’s visit to Israel & the current state of play in the Middle East w/Alex Witt on @msnbc.com
September 15, 2025 at 3:48 PM
American global leadership is on fire - and not in a good way. Our allies don’t trust us, our adversaries don’t fear us. American diplomacy is being shattered on a daily basis.
Some thoughts on Rubio’s visit to Israel & the current state of play in the Middle East w/Alex Witt on @msnbc.com
Some thoughts on Rubio’s visit to Israel & the current state of play in the Middle East w/Alex Witt on @msnbc.com
Interested in a masters class on how economic statecraft has become the new battlefield for global leadership & what the US is getting wrong?
Check out the latest episode on Making Sense of the World w/ foreign policy icon Bob Hormats.
thesirennetwork.com/p/american-diplomacy-is-on-the-precipice
Check out the latest episode on Making Sense of the World w/ foreign policy icon Bob Hormats.
thesirennetwork.com/p/american-diplomacy-is-on-the-precipice
September 14, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Interested in a masters class on how economic statecraft has become the new battlefield for global leadership & what the US is getting wrong?
Check out the latest episode on Making Sense of the World w/ foreign policy icon Bob Hormats.
thesirennetwork.com/p/american-diplomacy-is-on-the-precipice
Check out the latest episode on Making Sense of the World w/ foreign policy icon Bob Hormats.
thesirennetwork.com/p/american-diplomacy-is-on-the-precipice
It’s never a good day when two core American allies get into a fight. And yet, that’s where we find ourselves now…
My take on the Israeli strike on Hamas in Qatar on The Briefing Book:
joelrubin.substack.com/p/israels-strike-in-qatar
My take on the Israeli strike on Hamas in Qatar on The Briefing Book:
joelrubin.substack.com/p/israels-strike-in-qatar
September 11, 2025 at 8:29 PM
It’s never a good day when two core American allies get into a fight. And yet, that’s where we find ourselves now…
My take on the Israeli strike on Hamas in Qatar on The Briefing Book:
joelrubin.substack.com/p/israels-strike-in-qatar
My take on the Israeli strike on Hamas in Qatar on The Briefing Book:
joelrubin.substack.com/p/israels-strike-in-qatar
Israel’s decision to strike Hamas leaders in Qatar- a U.S. ally that’s been integral in ceasefire talks- creates complicated challenges. The question now is whether diplomacy is still on the table or if the White House will continue to stand by while the region disintegrates further.
@msnbc.com
@msnbc.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Israel’s decision to strike Hamas leaders in Qatar- a U.S. ally that’s been integral in ceasefire talks- creates complicated challenges. The question now is whether diplomacy is still on the table or if the White House will continue to stand by while the region disintegrates further.
@msnbc.com
@msnbc.com
What drives someone to risk everything for truth?
Lt. Col. @avindman.bsky.social shares his story on the personal cost of principled leadership & the present dangers facing American democracy. A gripping conversation on Making Sense of the World.
thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
Lt. Col. @avindman.bsky.social shares his story on the personal cost of principled leadership & the present dangers facing American democracy. A gripping conversation on Making Sense of the World.
thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
September 5, 2025 at 4:25 PM
What drives someone to risk everything for truth?
Lt. Col. @avindman.bsky.social shares his story on the personal cost of principled leadership & the present dangers facing American democracy. A gripping conversation on Making Sense of the World.
thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
Lt. Col. @avindman.bsky.social shares his story on the personal cost of principled leadership & the present dangers facing American democracy. A gripping conversation on Making Sense of the World.
thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
We can’t afford to lose India.
Trump's foreign policy is backfiring spectacularly. His Alaska summit ended Putin's diplomatic containment while 50% tariffs pushed India towards China. Now Modi, Xi and Putin toast in Beijing as they plot to redraw the global order without us.
joelrubin.substack.com
Trump's foreign policy is backfiring spectacularly. His Alaska summit ended Putin's diplomatic containment while 50% tariffs pushed India towards China. Now Modi, Xi and Putin toast in Beijing as they plot to redraw the global order without us.
joelrubin.substack.com
September 4, 2025 at 4:05 PM
We can’t afford to lose India.
Trump's foreign policy is backfiring spectacularly. His Alaska summit ended Putin's diplomatic containment while 50% tariffs pushed India towards China. Now Modi, Xi and Putin toast in Beijing as they plot to redraw the global order without us.
joelrubin.substack.com
Trump's foreign policy is backfiring spectacularly. His Alaska summit ended Putin's diplomatic containment while 50% tariffs pushed India towards China. Now Modi, Xi and Putin toast in Beijing as they plot to redraw the global order without us.
joelrubin.substack.com
Radical Pragmatism may be the only way to ensure Israelis & Palestinians can finally live without war.
Enough with the grand visions, summits, and resolutions. It’s time to get real- ceasefire, hostage release, aid, regional leadership…
joelrubin.substack.com/p/gaza-war-a-thoughtful-tv-debate-for
Enough with the grand visions, summits, and resolutions. It’s time to get real- ceasefire, hostage release, aid, regional leadership…
joelrubin.substack.com/p/gaza-war-a-thoughtful-tv-debate-for
August 28, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Radical Pragmatism may be the only way to ensure Israelis & Palestinians can finally live without war.
Enough with the grand visions, summits, and resolutions. It’s time to get real- ceasefire, hostage release, aid, regional leadership…
joelrubin.substack.com/p/gaza-war-a-thoughtful-tv-debate-for
Enough with the grand visions, summits, and resolutions. It’s time to get real- ceasefire, hostage release, aid, regional leadership…
joelrubin.substack.com/p/gaza-war-a-thoughtful-tv-debate-for
Why is the Second Amendment more important than the lives of children praying at mass? It's not. 90% of Americans support stronger gun safety - we just don't do it. We need to try harder and do better.
My heart goes out to Minneapolis.
@bbcbreaking-bot.bsky.social
My heart goes out to Minneapolis.
@bbcbreaking-bot.bsky.social
August 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Why is the Second Amendment more important than the lives of children praying at mass? It's not. 90% of Americans support stronger gun safety - we just don't do it. We need to try harder and do better.
My heart goes out to Minneapolis.
@bbcbreaking-bot.bsky.social
My heart goes out to Minneapolis.
@bbcbreaking-bot.bsky.social
ICYMI: Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, William Taylor, and I agree - Putin bombing an American factory in Ukraine was a major slap in the face to Trump.
The president needs to restore leverage and play his cards, not just post empty threats online.
@newsnation.bsky.social
The president needs to restore leverage and play his cards, not just post empty threats online.
@newsnation.bsky.social
August 25, 2025 at 6:36 PM
ICYMI: Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, William Taylor, and I agree - Putin bombing an American factory in Ukraine was a major slap in the face to Trump.
The president needs to restore leverage and play his cards, not just post empty threats online.
@newsnation.bsky.social
The president needs to restore leverage and play his cards, not just post empty threats online.
@newsnation.bsky.social
This week on MSOTW, NatSec Expert @nolahaynes1.substack.com and I dug into foreign policy and electoral success; messaging for diverse audiences in new media spaces; and why Black leadership in national security matters. Check it out 👇
thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
August 22, 2025 at 7:07 PM
This week on MSOTW, NatSec Expert @nolahaynes1.substack.com and I dug into foreign policy and electoral success; messaging for diverse audiences in new media spaces; and why Black leadership in national security matters. Check it out 👇
thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
Instead of ending the Ukraine War on day one, so far Trump has advantaged Putin, weakened Ukraine, and undercut our allies. Russia continues to consolidate gains, while America second guesses itself.
Real peace requires a coherent strategy, not improv diplomacy.
joelrubin.substack.com
Real peace requires a coherent strategy, not improv diplomacy.
joelrubin.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Instead of ending the Ukraine War on day one, so far Trump has advantaged Putin, weakened Ukraine, and undercut our allies. Russia continues to consolidate gains, while America second guesses itself.
Real peace requires a coherent strategy, not improv diplomacy.
joelrubin.substack.com
Real peace requires a coherent strategy, not improv diplomacy.
joelrubin.substack.com
Of course Putin is in no rush for a bilateral meeting w/ Zelenskyy - why would he be? Trump already handed him a win when he broke years of political isolation and rolled out the red carpet on American soil. Giving away leverage for a photo-op. Classic Trump 👌
@audiecornish.bsky.social @cnn.com
@audiecornish.bsky.social @cnn.com
August 20, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Of course Putin is in no rush for a bilateral meeting w/ Zelenskyy - why would he be? Trump already handed him a win when he broke years of political isolation and rolled out the red carpet on American soil. Giving away leverage for a photo-op. Classic Trump 👌
@audiecornish.bsky.social @cnn.com
@audiecornish.bsky.social @cnn.com
Flip-flop diplomacy & photo-ops won’t end the Russia - Ukraine War.
Trump claims he wants a ceasefire, then doesn’t. 90 senators support Russia sanctions but he won’t use that pressure. Rather than utilize NATO, he dances around other mechanisms, strengthening Putin’s negotiating hand. @msnbc.com
Trump claims he wants a ceasefire, then doesn’t. 90 senators support Russia sanctions but he won’t use that pressure. Rather than utilize NATO, he dances around other mechanisms, strengthening Putin’s negotiating hand. @msnbc.com
August 19, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Flip-flop diplomacy & photo-ops won’t end the Russia - Ukraine War.
Trump claims he wants a ceasefire, then doesn’t. 90 senators support Russia sanctions but he won’t use that pressure. Rather than utilize NATO, he dances around other mechanisms, strengthening Putin’s negotiating hand. @msnbc.com
Trump claims he wants a ceasefire, then doesn’t. 90 senators support Russia sanctions but he won’t use that pressure. Rather than utilize NATO, he dances around other mechanisms, strengthening Putin’s negotiating hand. @msnbc.com
Excited to announce my new weekly podcast "Making Sense of the World" on @thesirennetwork.bsky.social
Ep.1 features @afalkhatib.bsky.social a Gazan-American with bold views leading the charge for a changed perspective on Palestine.
www.thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
Ep.1 features @afalkhatib.bsky.social a Gazan-American with bold views leading the charge for a changed perspective on Palestine.
www.thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
August 7, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Excited to announce my new weekly podcast "Making Sense of the World" on @thesirennetwork.bsky.social
Ep.1 features @afalkhatib.bsky.social a Gazan-American with bold views leading the charge for a changed perspective on Palestine.
www.thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
Ep.1 features @afalkhatib.bsky.social a Gazan-American with bold views leading the charge for a changed perspective on Palestine.
www.thesirennetwork.com/s/making-sense-of-the-world
We need practical solutions in Gaza. Hamas needs to surrender and depart. Trump team must get serious on negotiations. And the UN needs to move the aid that’s already in Gaza, approved by Israel and wasting away.
@msnbcreports.msnbc.com
@msnbcreports.msnbc.com
July 29, 2025 at 10:39 PM
We need practical solutions in Gaza. Hamas needs to surrender and depart. Trump team must get serious on negotiations. And the UN needs to move the aid that’s already in Gaza, approved by Israel and wasting away.
@msnbcreports.msnbc.com
@msnbcreports.msnbc.com
Democrats need moral courage right now in confronting antisemitism.
We’re in a moment of reckoning - if leadership fails to meet it with with clarity & courage, we may not just lose the Jewish vote, but the soul of our party as well.
More on The Briefing Book.
joelrubin.substack.com
We’re in a moment of reckoning - if leadership fails to meet it with with clarity & courage, we may not just lose the Jewish vote, but the soul of our party as well.
More on The Briefing Book.
joelrubin.substack.com
July 25, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Democrats need moral courage right now in confronting antisemitism.
We’re in a moment of reckoning - if leadership fails to meet it with with clarity & courage, we may not just lose the Jewish vote, but the soul of our party as well.
More on The Briefing Book.
joelrubin.substack.com
We’re in a moment of reckoning - if leadership fails to meet it with with clarity & courage, we may not just lose the Jewish vote, but the soul of our party as well.
More on The Briefing Book.
joelrubin.substack.com
A devastating one-two punch to American power: State Dept. fired 1,300 diplomats while Congress slashed billions in foreign aid. This isn't reform - it's self-sabotage. Our credibility is shot, allies are nervous, adversaries are cheering.
joelrubin.substack.com/p/a-dark-week-for-american-power
joelrubin.substack.com/p/a-dark-week-for-american-power
July 17, 2025 at 10:52 PM
A devastating one-two punch to American power: State Dept. fired 1,300 diplomats while Congress slashed billions in foreign aid. This isn't reform - it's self-sabotage. Our credibility is shot, allies are nervous, adversaries are cheering.
joelrubin.substack.com/p/a-dark-week-for-american-power
joelrubin.substack.com/p/a-dark-week-for-american-power
Trump's new Ukraine policy sure looks a lot like Biden's old playbook - sustained military support, economic pressure, diplomatic engagement.
A welcome shift, but leadership delayed is leadership denied. Follow through is everything now.
More in my NatSec Journal OpEd, shared on TheBriefingBook.
A welcome shift, but leadership delayed is leadership denied. Follow through is everything now.
More in my NatSec Journal OpEd, shared on TheBriefingBook.
July 15, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Trump's new Ukraine policy sure looks a lot like Biden's old playbook - sustained military support, economic pressure, diplomatic engagement.
A welcome shift, but leadership delayed is leadership denied. Follow through is everything now.
More in my NatSec Journal OpEd, shared on TheBriefingBook.
A welcome shift, but leadership delayed is leadership denied. Follow through is everything now.
More in my NatSec Journal OpEd, shared on TheBriefingBook.
Yesterday’s bloodletting of State Dept. employees was a dark day for American diplomacy.
"Streamlining" DOS by cutting 15% of staff is laughable.
You don't make an organization more effective by gutting deep subject matter experts in energy, climate, human rights, democracy.
@cnn.com
"Streamlining" DOS by cutting 15% of staff is laughable.
You don't make an organization more effective by gutting deep subject matter experts in energy, climate, human rights, democracy.
@cnn.com
July 13, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Yesterday’s bloodletting of State Dept. employees was a dark day for American diplomacy.
"Streamlining" DOS by cutting 15% of staff is laughable.
You don't make an organization more effective by gutting deep subject matter experts in energy, climate, human rights, democracy.
@cnn.com
"Streamlining" DOS by cutting 15% of staff is laughable.
You don't make an organization more effective by gutting deep subject matter experts in energy, climate, human rights, democracy.
@cnn.com