Reposted by Marie
"Donald Trump calls himself the “Peace President.” But this week, as he outlined his plans to capture Greenland and hijack Venezuelan oil, his real agenda became obvious. It’s not peace. It’s extortion, conquest, and theft."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
The Politics of Plunder
His domestic and foreign policies have one consistent theme.
open.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
"Donald Trump calls himself the “Peace President.” But this week, as he outlined his plans to capture Greenland and hijack Venezuelan oil, his real agenda became obvious. It’s not peace. It’s extortion, conquest, and theft."
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...
“Lesson Learned: It is far more sensible to have no hope that Trump will ever do anything to harm Putin. I should not have had to learn that lesson but I did. Trump is with Putin, wants to help Russia get the best deal possible, and does not give a fig for Ukraine.”
Hi All, Its the annual column of ritual humiliation, where I dissect, with quotes, the biggest mistakes I made in the past year. There are some great ones where I was wrong. This year, to make the column more helpful, I have even included a lessons learned analysis. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Annual Review 2025: What I Got Wrong
Complete with quotes!
open.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:49 AM
“Lesson Learned: It is far more sensible to have no hope that Trump will ever do anything to harm Putin. I should not have had to learn that lesson but I did. Trump is with Putin, wants to help Russia get the best deal possible, and does not give a fig for Ukraine.”
Reposted by Marie
Carol of the Bells wasn't just a song — it was Ukraine's wildest bet against Russia.
In 1919, Russian forces were closing in on Kyiv. Ukraine's dying government sent its best choir to Europe with $20 million from its last funds. Win Western hearts. Survive.
The choir fled on the last train out.
In 1919, Russian forces were closing in on Kyiv. Ukraine's dying government sent its best choir to Europe with $20 million from its last funds. Win Western hearts. Survive.
The choir fled on the last train out.
December 25, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Carol of the Bells wasn't just a song — it was Ukraine's wildest bet against Russia.
In 1919, Russian forces were closing in on Kyiv. Ukraine's dying government sent its best choir to Europe with $20 million from its last funds. Win Western hearts. Survive.
The choir fled on the last train out.
In 1919, Russian forces were closing in on Kyiv. Ukraine's dying government sent its best choir to Europe with $20 million from its last funds. Win Western hearts. Survive.
The choir fled on the last train out.
Reposted by Marie
Russian milbloggers tied to the Kremlin say Ukraine made major gains in Kupiansk — and accuse the military command of lying to Putin and faking battlefield success. Even they admit Russia’s reports no longer match reality.
euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/25/i...
euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/25/i...
ISW: Russian milbloggers finally Ukraine’s gains in Kupiansk and accuse Moscow of misleading top leadership (MAPS)
Commanders are said to tailor reports to satisfy superiors, creating a self-destructive feedback loop.
euromaidanpress.com
December 25, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Russian milbloggers tied to the Kremlin say Ukraine made major gains in Kupiansk — and accuse the military command of lying to Putin and faking battlefield success. Even they admit Russia’s reports no longer match reality.
euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/25/i...
euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/25/i...
Reposted by Marie
Carol of the Bells ("Shchedryk") from Ukrainian Defenders at Sofiivska Square, in the heart of Kyiv.
Merry Christmas, friends!
📹: miarodriges / Threads
Merry Christmas, friends!
📹: miarodriges / Threads
December 24, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Carol of the Bells ("Shchedryk") from Ukrainian Defenders at Sofiivska Square, in the heart of Kyiv.
Merry Christmas, friends!
📹: miarodriges / Threads
Merry Christmas, friends!
📹: miarodriges / Threads
Reposted by Marie
Yesterday, December 23, 2025, will go down in the history of the Russia-Ukraine war.
On December 23, Russia launched 35 missiles at Ukraine, 34 of which were destroyed by Ukraine. This represents a 97 percent success rate - an exceptionally high result for a massive missile attack.
On December 23, Russia launched 35 missiles at Ukraine, 34 of which were destroyed by Ukraine. This represents a 97 percent success rate - an exceptionally high result for a massive missile attack.
December 24, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Yesterday, December 23, 2025, will go down in the history of the Russia-Ukraine war.
On December 23, Russia launched 35 missiles at Ukraine, 34 of which were destroyed by Ukraine. This represents a 97 percent success rate - an exceptionally high result for a massive missile attack.
On December 23, Russia launched 35 missiles at Ukraine, 34 of which were destroyed by Ukraine. This represents a 97 percent success rate - an exceptionally high result for a massive missile attack.
Reposted by Marie
“I’m 84 years old. Threats against my life expectancy are kind of hollow. I don’t have much time anyway. I’m more concerned that our democracy is at risk because of the trends against the rule of law.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...
Judges who ruled against Trump say harassment and threats have changed their lives
More than 100 pizzas were delivered to the homes of judges and their families this year, some with signs of foreign involvement. Judges say the message is clear: We know where you live.
www.nbcnews.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
“I’m 84 years old. Threats against my life expectancy are kind of hollow. I don’t have much time anyway. I’m more concerned that our democracy is at risk because of the trends against the rule of law.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Marie
American social media platforms are banned in Russia. Have you noticed Donald isn't sanctioning anyone over that?
December 24, 2025 at 10:46 AM
American social media platforms are banned in Russia. Have you noticed Donald isn't sanctioning anyone over that?
Reposted by Marie
All of these bootlegged copies of the 60 Minutes segment flooding my feed (saying, ‘Watch it quick! Before it disappears!’) makes me feel like I’m in the Soviet Union and just got some black market foreign newspaper I need to hide under a floorboard in my house.
This is where America is now
This is where America is now
December 23, 2025 at 1:58 AM
All of these bootlegged copies of the 60 Minutes segment flooding my feed (saying, ‘Watch it quick! Before it disappears!’) makes me feel like I’m in the Soviet Union and just got some black market foreign newspaper I need to hide under a floorboard in my house.
This is where America is now
This is where America is now
Reposted by Marie
⚡️ Philanthropist Howard Buffett travels to Kupiansk suburb in Kharkiv Oblast to help evacuate civilians.
Buffett received a state award from President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2024, naming him a "National Legend of Ukraine."
Buffett received a state award from President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2024, naming him a "National Legend of Ukraine."
Philanthropist Howard Buffett travels to Kupiansk suburb in Kharkiv Oblast to help evacuate civilians
Buffett received a state award from President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2024, naming him a "National Legend of Ukraine."
kyivindependent.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:26 PM
⚡️ Philanthropist Howard Buffett travels to Kupiansk suburb in Kharkiv Oblast to help evacuate civilians.
Buffett received a state award from President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2024, naming him a "National Legend of Ukraine."
Buffett received a state award from President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2024, naming him a "National Legend of Ukraine."
Reposted by Marie
This struck me too. As Anne Applebaum doesn’t mention, she wrote a classic history of the Gulag.
The CBS investigation portrays a modern concentration camp, similar to the Soviet GULAG (like CECOT, an acronym): sadistic guards, 24 hour lighting, isolation cells.
Americans once opposed this inhumane system.
The Trump administration sent innocent people there to suffer.
Americans once opposed this inhumane system.
The Trump administration sent innocent people there to suffer.
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
December 23, 2025 at 5:57 PM
This struck me too. As Anne Applebaum doesn’t mention, she wrote a classic history of the Gulag.
Reposted by Marie
U.S. President and FIFA Peace Prize Laureate threatens to invade territory of close ally Denmark.
To the people of America:
Are you prepared to invade Greenland?
Are you prepared to take it by force?
Will you be ready to attack Canada after that?
Are you prepared to be colonizing imperialists waging war on peaceful democratic nations, including your closest neighbour?
Is this who you wish to be?
Are you prepared to invade Greenland?
Are you prepared to take it by force?
Will you be ready to attack Canada after that?
Are you prepared to be colonizing imperialists waging war on peaceful democratic nations, including your closest neighbour?
Is this who you wish to be?
December 23, 2025 at 8:48 AM
U.S. President and FIFA Peace Prize Laureate threatens to invade territory of close ally Denmark.
So Trump’s tariffs are causing job cuts in the US.
Jim Beam said the decision to pause bourbon making at its Clermont location in 2026 will give the company time to invest in improvements at the distillery.
globalnews.ca/news/1158815...
globalnews.ca/news/1158815...
Jim Beam halting some bourbon production as exports fall amid U.S. tariffs - National | Globalnews.ca
Bourbon maker Jim Beam is halting production at one of its distilleries in Kentucky for at least a year as the whiskey industry navigates tariffs from the Trump administration.
globalnews.ca
December 22, 2025 at 9:24 PM
So Trump’s tariffs are causing job cuts in the US.
Reposted by Marie
Ukraine has had 5 presidents since 2000. Russia and Belarus: one each
Now Trump echoes Kremlin talking points about Zelenskyy's "illegitimacy" while demanding wartime elections most Ukrainians oppose. ⤵️
🔗 euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/22/u...
Now Trump echoes Kremlin talking points about Zelenskyy's "illegitimacy" while demanding wartime elections most Ukrainians oppose. ⤵️
🔗 euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/22/u...
December 22, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Ukraine has had 5 presidents since 2000. Russia and Belarus: one each
Now Trump echoes Kremlin talking points about Zelenskyy's "illegitimacy" while demanding wartime elections most Ukrainians oppose. ⤵️
🔗 euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/22/u...
Now Trump echoes Kremlin talking points about Zelenskyy's "illegitimacy" while demanding wartime elections most Ukrainians oppose. ⤵️
🔗 euromaidanpress.com/2025/12/22/u...
Reposted by Marie
Trump’s new envoy admits his goal is to steal territory from a NATO ally.
December 22, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Trump’s new envoy admits his goal is to steal territory from a NATO ally.
Reposted by Marie
Hours before airtime on Sunday, CBS News' "60 Minutes" held a planned story on President Donald Trump's deportation policy at the order of the network's new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss.
"60 Minutes" holds off on airing critical piece on Trump deportation policy
Hours before airtime on Sunday, CBS News' “60 Minutes” held a planned story on President Donald Trump's deportation policy at the order of the network's new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss.
bit.ly
December 22, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Hours before airtime on Sunday, CBS News' "60 Minutes" held a planned story on President Donald Trump's deportation policy at the order of the network's new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss.
“Carol of the Bells” from a damaged Ukrainian power plant. youtube.com/shorts/HrCUw...
“Carol of the Bells" performed at one of DTEK’s thermal power plants destroyed by Russian strikes
YouTube video by Kyiv Independent
youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 4:13 PM
“Carol of the Bells” from a damaged Ukrainian power plant. youtube.com/shorts/HrCUw...
Reposted by Marie
My free weekend update is out. This week confirmed the basic truth that Ukraine is winning the war at sea. Offensively the Ukrainians took the war into a vital Russian naval base and attacked a Russian tanker at sea. Russia is far more vulnerable than many admit. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Weekend Update #164: Ukraine Is Winning The War At Sea
Europe: Glass Half Empty or Half Full?; Is The Trump Administration Quietly Unwinding Sanctions On Russia?
open.substack.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:50 AM
My free weekend update is out. This week confirmed the basic truth that Ukraine is winning the war at sea. Offensively the Ukrainians took the war into a vital Russian naval base and attacked a Russian tanker at sea. Russia is far more vulnerable than many admit. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Marie
Redacted Black can be substituted in a pinch.
December 20, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Redacted Black can be substituted in a pinch.
Reposted by Marie
British military intelligence reports that a strike using the Sub Sea Baby drone likely inflicted serious damage on a Russian submarine, possibly disabling its ability to operate or conduct missions. The sub is a Kalibr missile platform previously used to strike targets in Ukraine.
December 20, 2025 at 3:56 PM
British military intelligence reports that a strike using the Sub Sea Baby drone likely inflicted serious damage on a Russian submarine, possibly disabling its ability to operate or conduct missions. The sub is a Kalibr missile platform previously used to strike targets in Ukraine.
Reposted by Marie
US intelligence believes Putin’s goal remains unchanged: full conquest of Ukraine and reclaiming parts of Europe once under Soviet control. Despite claims from Trump’s peace team that the war could soon end, intel paints a total different picture aligned with European assessments.
December 20, 2025 at 9:44 AM
US intelligence believes Putin’s goal remains unchanged: full conquest of Ukraine and reclaiming parts of Europe once under Soviet control. Despite claims from Trump’s peace team that the war could soon end, intel paints a total different picture aligned with European assessments.
Great podcast by two of the top experts on the Russo-Ukraine War.
Hi All, Timothy Snyder and I held
a Substack Live a little while ago, and ranged widely on the Russo-Ukraine war. It ended up being divided into two parts. Here is part one where we talk about views of Russia, Ukraine and war in 2022. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
a Substack Live a little while ago, and ranged widely on the Russo-Ukraine war. It ended up being divided into two parts. Here is part one where we talk about views of Russia, Ukraine and war in 2022. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
On the Russo-Ukrainian War with Phillips OBrien
A recording from Phillips P. OBrien and Timothy Snyder's live video
open.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Great podcast by two of the top experts on the Russo-Ukraine War.
Reposted by Marie
This is not the first time RFK Jr or his fellow anti-vax travelers conducted a study they knew would harm or kill children in low-income countries. It is a dehumanizing, colonialist model of manufacturing evidence: sacrificing foreign kids for political pseudoscience.
www.notus.org/health-scien...
www.notus.org/health-scien...
CDC to Fund Controversial Study in West Africa on Infant Hepatitis B Vaccines
The study prompted swift outcry from scientists in the U.S. who say it’s “unethical.”
www.notus.org
December 19, 2025 at 5:46 PM
This is not the first time RFK Jr or his fellow anti-vax travelers conducted a study they knew would harm or kill children in low-income countries. It is a dehumanizing, colonialist model of manufacturing evidence: sacrificing foreign kids for political pseudoscience.
www.notus.org/health-scien...
www.notus.org/health-scien...
Reposted by Marie
Europe muddled through. It hammered out a compromise solution-- 90bln (instead of 300), which will keep Ukraine's defense going, but Ru's intimidation tactics worked and the assets are only frozen, not used. This is slow (too slow?) progress towards grasping the true gravity of the Ru threat.
If Europe doesn't manage to achieve consensus on taking Ru's frozen assets and giving them to Ukraine, then its strategic, moral, and self-preservation instincts are weaker than I thought. I'm a big believer in the European project, but failure here will be a bad sign for its future.
December 19, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Europe muddled through. It hammered out a compromise solution-- 90bln (instead of 300), which will keep Ukraine's defense going, but Ru's intimidation tactics worked and the assets are only frozen, not used. This is slow (too slow?) progress towards grasping the true gravity of the Ru threat.
Reposted by Marie
Putin doth protest much too much about Zelenskyy’s Kupyansk selfie video. The Russian dictator pretends not to care but made a point of attacking the video in detail today. He’s clearly furious and embarrassed that Zelenskyy exposed his repeated lies about the capture of the city
December 19, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Putin doth protest much too much about Zelenskyy’s Kupyansk selfie video. The Russian dictator pretends not to care but made a point of attacking the video in detail today. He’s clearly furious and embarrassed that Zelenskyy exposed his repeated lies about the capture of the city