Stephen Laslocky
@laz1963.bsky.social
Lifelong history student. Asia-based media executive.
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
A few thoughts about Thanksgiving in the military.
My latests in @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/how-the-us...
My latests in @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/how-the-us...
How the Military Celebrates Thanksgiving
Across the world, members of our armed forces come together, share a meal, and remember that they are not alone.
www.thebulwark.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:36 PM
A few thoughts about Thanksgiving in the military.
My latests in @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/how-the-us...
My latests in @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/how-the-us...
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
One thing I learned after running kinetic ops. Wait for BDA before u declare victory. Always. It actually really matters, vice chest thumping. Way too many takes that say the Iranian nuke program is gone. That is 💯 hope of course. All source intel collection re BDA is now key.
June 22, 2025 at 9:32 AM
One thing I learned after running kinetic ops. Wait for BDA before u declare victory. Always. It actually really matters, vice chest thumping. Way too many takes that say the Iranian nuke program is gone. That is 💯 hope of course. All source intel collection re BDA is now key.
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
The Army has historically been successful when it has postured itself for future growth and not doubled down on new tech to save it.
It has also been successful when it has been part of a holistic approach to national power, wherein diplomacy and defense shared equal roles
It has also been successful when it has been part of a holistic approach to national power, wherein diplomacy and defense shared equal roles
May 9, 2025 at 1:52 PM
The Army has historically been successful when it has postured itself for future growth and not doubled down on new tech to save it.
It has also been successful when it has been part of a holistic approach to national power, wherein diplomacy and defense shared equal roles
It has also been successful when it has been part of a holistic approach to national power, wherein diplomacy and defense shared equal roles
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
"To satisfy a political impulse, we have weakened not just our economy, but our overall national power."
@markhertling.bsky.social on tariffs:
@markhertling.bsky.social on tariffs:
Tariffs Weaken American National Power
The Trump administration drops the D.I.M.E.
www.thebulwark.com
April 8, 2025 at 1:01 PM
"To satisfy a political impulse, we have weakened not just our economy, but our overall national power."
@markhertling.bsky.social on tariffs:
@markhertling.bsky.social on tariffs:
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
Fact check: nearly 70 percent of US money for Ukraine actually went to US defense industry to replenish the stocks of OLD stuff that went to Ukraine to use.
Much of which we would have paid to destroy as their lifespan expired.
Much of which we would have paid to destroy as their lifespan expired.
February 16, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Fact check: nearly 70 percent of US money for Ukraine actually went to US defense industry to replenish the stocks of OLD stuff that went to Ukraine to use.
Much of which we would have paid to destroy as their lifespan expired.
Much of which we would have paid to destroy as their lifespan expired.
Now weigh this against the health benefits of sharing a drink or two with friends twice a week… www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/h...
Moderate Drinking Raises Cancer Risks While Offering Few Benefits
Even occasional heavy drinking offset a decline in stroke, according to an analysis intended to shape the upcoming U.S. Dietary Guidelines.
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Now weigh this against the health benefits of sharing a drink or two with friends twice a week… www.nytimes.com/2025/01/14/h...
Pete Hegseth’s culture war will weaken America’s armed forces
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
from The Economist
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
from The Economist
Pete Hegseth’s culture war will weaken America’s armed forces
Donald Trump’s nominee for defence risks driving away talent
www.economist.com
January 12, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Pete Hegseth’s culture war will weaken America’s armed forces
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
from The Economist
www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
from The Economist
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
"Western experts filling the op-ed pages with ideas for securing a post-settlement Ukraine have been negotiating with themselves. Putin has never agreed to the establishment of a demilitarized zone, foreign troops on Ukrainian soil, or a continuing Ukrainian military relationship with the West"
Bob Kagan is right: the Russians don't want to negotiate, they want to destroy Ukraine
"Trump must now choose between accepting a humiliating strategic defeat on the global stage and immediately redoubling American support for Ukraine while there’s still time"
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
"Trump must now choose between accepting a humiliating strategic defeat on the global stage and immediately redoubling American support for Ukraine while there’s still time"
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Trump Is Facing a Catastrophic Defeat in Ukraine
If Ukraine falls, it will be hard to spin as anything but a debacle for the United States, and for its president.
www.theatlantic.com
January 8, 2025 at 12:44 PM
"Western experts filling the op-ed pages with ideas for securing a post-settlement Ukraine have been negotiating with themselves. Putin has never agreed to the establishment of a demilitarized zone, foreign troops on Ukrainian soil, or a continuing Ukrainian military relationship with the West"
People bitch but Biden assembled the best foriegn policy/national security team since Bush Senior. They did far more good than harm. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/04/m...
‘The Interview’: Antony Blinken Insists He and Biden Made the Right Calls
At the end of a tenure marked by war and division, the outgoing secretary of state defends his legacy on Gaza and Ukraine and says he’s made America stronger.
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2025 at 4:21 AM
People bitch but Biden assembled the best foriegn policy/national security team since Bush Senior. They did far more good than harm. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/04/m...
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
January 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
A really fair but belated assessment www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
The Misunderstood Consequences of Jimmy Carter’s Presidency
In showing that an outsider can win the White House, he paved the way for Reagan and Trump.
www.wsj.com
December 31, 2024 at 10:30 AM
A really fair but belated assessment www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
Today is the 20th anniversary of the most devastating natural disasters in history: the great tsunami of 2004.
Let's please remember the hundreds of thousands lost and collectively resolve to do everything possible to mitigate such tragedies in future.
Let's please remember the hundreds of thousands lost and collectively resolve to do everything possible to mitigate such tragedies in future.
December 26, 2024 at 11:55 AM
Today is the 20th anniversary of the most devastating natural disasters in history: the great tsunami of 2004.
Let's please remember the hundreds of thousands lost and collectively resolve to do everything possible to mitigate such tragedies in future.
Let's please remember the hundreds of thousands lost and collectively resolve to do everything possible to mitigate such tragedies in future.
Netflix’ recommendation engine stinks. Just finished Black Doves, which was excellent, and it didn’t recommend Giri/Haji (also excellent) from the same creator, Joe Barton.
December 22, 2024 at 1:23 PM
Netflix’ recommendation engine stinks. Just finished Black Doves, which was excellent, and it didn’t recommend Giri/Haji (also excellent) from the same creator, Joe Barton.
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
Yes, it's bad. It's also terrifying. Mostly because it has not generated much outrage... from a now intimidated media. The AfD is a neo-nazi party. Is that ok? Why aren't Democrats howling loudly about this? Is every member of the GOP ok with this (or more than likely, is everyone just scared)?
Elon Musk and JD Vance publicly supporting the neo-Nazis of Germany's AfD, just as an AfD supporter/Elon Musk fan kills 5 and injures 100+ in a terrorist attack at a Christmas market in Germany. Vance's pro-AfD statement came *after* the attack.
It's bad. Not sure what else to say. Dark times ahead.
It's bad. Not sure what else to say. Dark times ahead.
December 21, 2024 at 6:48 PM
Yes, it's bad. It's also terrifying. Mostly because it has not generated much outrage... from a now intimidated media. The AfD is a neo-nazi party. Is that ok? Why aren't Democrats howling loudly about this? Is every member of the GOP ok with this (or more than likely, is everyone just scared)?
More from phillipspobrien
Weekend Update #112: Ukraine Strikes a Senior Russian Officer (Again).
Also: Pokrovsk and Kurakhove; Kursk and North Koreans
phillipspobrien.substack.com
December 22, 2024 at 12:04 PM
More from phillipspobrien
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
This is funny as fuck, but Trump’s hands are way too big.
December 21, 2024 at 3:31 AM
This is funny as fuck, but Trump’s hands are way too big.
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
All Soldiers have experienced government shutdowns…some long, some short, but all painful.
Usually caused by politicians who can’t get get priorities straight, this time the pain to those who wear uniforms & live paycheck-to-paycheck is mostly caused by the world’s richest man.
Unforgivable.
Usually caused by politicians who can’t get get priorities straight, this time the pain to those who wear uniforms & live paycheck-to-paycheck is mostly caused by the world’s richest man.
Unforgivable.
December 20, 2024 at 2:42 AM
All Soldiers have experienced government shutdowns…some long, some short, but all painful.
Usually caused by politicians who can’t get get priorities straight, this time the pain to those who wear uniforms & live paycheck-to-paycheck is mostly caused by the world’s richest man.
Unforgivable.
Usually caused by politicians who can’t get get priorities straight, this time the pain to those who wear uniforms & live paycheck-to-paycheck is mostly caused by the world’s richest man.
Unforgivable.
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
The penultimate paragraph…
December 20, 2024 at 12:18 AM
The penultimate paragraph…
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
I've spent most of the past year in misery. I've dreamed of quitting everything to drag out the rest of my life in some obscure place, knowing no one, doing nothing. Today I'm reminded of a line of Charles Dickens': "recalled to life." There's no furlough from this fight.
December 18, 2024 at 12:51 PM
I've spent most of the past year in misery. I've dreamed of quitting everything to drag out the rest of my life in some obscure place, knowing no one, doing nothing. Today I'm reminded of a line of Charles Dickens': "recalled to life." There's no furlough from this fight.
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
Probably worth asking the DNI nominee her thoughts on this during upcoming confirmation hearings…https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/14/aleppo-prisoners-syria-assad/
Files from Aleppo intelligence facility show extent of Assad repression
Branch 322 was one of hundreds of facilities that detained and interrogated civilians and military officers, and recruited locals to monitor their neighbors.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 15, 2024 at 1:32 PM
Probably worth asking the DNI nominee her thoughts on this during upcoming confirmation hearings…https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/14/aleppo-prisoners-syria-assad/
Reposted by Stephen Laslocky
Remember, Tulsi Gabbard claimed Assad didn’t use chemical weapons, it was “the rebels.”
Her confirmation hearing will be brutal, if she even makes it to there
Her confirmation hearing will be brutal, if she even makes it to there
December 8, 2024 at 2:19 AM
Remember, Tulsi Gabbard claimed Assad didn’t use chemical weapons, it was “the rebels.”
Her confirmation hearing will be brutal, if she even makes it to there
Her confirmation hearing will be brutal, if she even makes it to there