Mandolin Dan
@pddan.bsky.social
Dan Sreebny is Public Diplomacy expert with professional experience in the Middle East, Europe, East Asia, and Washington, DC. In his spare time, he plays mandolin and guitar. He can be reached at publicdiplomacydan@gmail.com.
Another shameful action by the United States Government -- this is the opposite of effective American Public Diplomacy.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
UK campaigners among five denied US visas
The Trump administration bans five people who have called for tech regulation from entering the country.
www.bbc.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Another shameful action by the United States Government -- this is the opposite of effective American Public Diplomacy.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Another shameful abdication of responsible leadership by Secretary of State Rubio, in this so-called justification for excluding South Africa. Shameless groveling to the extreme views of President Trump.
open.substack.com/pub/statedep...
open.substack.com/pub/statedep...
America Welcomes a New G20
Author: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Another shameful abdication of responsible leadership by Secretary of State Rubio, in this so-called justification for excluding South Africa. Shameless groveling to the extreme views of President Trump.
open.substack.com/pub/statedep...
open.substack.com/pub/statedep...
Are the House Republican leaders so afraid of the Epstein files that they have shut down the House for weeks now? Come on and do your damn job, just as you make US Government employees do theirs.
If they can do their jobs, then so can Congress and the White House. A vast majority of Americans will happily support a deal that extends the current health insurance support for many American families, while reopening our government through a Continuing Resolution. 3/
We should also recognize the many dedicated American diplomats, civil servants, and military personnel who are providing critical support to this effort and President Trump's trip to the Middle East today. They continue to perform their duties, even though they are not being paid right now. 2/
October 13, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Are the House Republican leaders so afraid of the Epstein files that they have shut down the House for weeks now? Come on and do your damn job, just as you make US Government employees do theirs.
If they can do their jobs, then so can Congress and the White House. A vast majority of Americans will happily support a deal that extends the current health insurance support for many American families, while reopening our government through a Continuing Resolution. 3/
We should also recognize the many dedicated American diplomats, civil servants, and military personnel who are providing critical support to this effort and President Trump's trip to the Middle East today. They continue to perform their duties, even though they are not being paid right now. 2/
First of all, congratulations to President Trump and his team for the return of the surviving Israeli hostages, and for the current relative calm in Gaza. Much remains to be done, but we should recognize positive accomplishments. 1/
October 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM
If they can do their jobs, then so can Congress and the White House. A vast majority of Americans will happily support a deal that extends the current health insurance support for many American families, while reopening our government through a Continuing Resolution. 3/
We should also recognize the many dedicated American diplomats, civil servants, and military personnel who are providing critical support to this effort and President Trump's trip to the Middle East today. They continue to perform their duties, even though they are not being paid right now. 2/
First of all, congratulations to President Trump and his team for the return of the surviving Israeli hostages, and for the current relative calm in Gaza. Much remains to be done, but we should recognize positive accomplishments. 1/
October 13, 2025 at 3:35 PM
We should also recognize the many dedicated American diplomats, civil servants, and military personnel who are providing critical support to this effort and President Trump's trip to the Middle East today. They continue to perform their duties, even though they are not being paid right now. 2/
First of all, congratulations to President Trump and his team for the return of the surviving Israeli hostages, and for the current relative calm in Gaza. Much remains to be done, but we should recognize positive accomplishments. 1/
October 13, 2025 at 3:32 PM
First of all, congratulations to President Trump and his team for the return of the surviving Israeli hostages, and for the current relative calm in Gaza. Much remains to be done, but we should recognize positive accomplishments. 1/
The current Administration should let VOA carry out its important mission, and stop its efforts to destroy our valuable soft power capabilities.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/u...
Judge Reinstates Over 500 Voice of America Journalists and Staff
www.nytimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The current Administration should let VOA carry out its important mission, and stop its efforts to destroy our valuable soft power capabilities.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/u...
Might as well let the government shut down to fight for our democracy, since Trump does whatever he wants with Congressionally appropriated funds, abs the Supreme Court cravenly permits such unconstitutional actions.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/u...
Supreme Court Allows Trump to Slash Foreign Aid
www.nytimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Might as well let the government shut down to fight for our democracy, since Trump does whatever he wants with Congressionally appropriated funds, abs the Supreme Court cravenly permits such unconstitutional actions.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/u...
"... one tangible consequence of Trump’s presidency is child-size graves being dug around the world. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that the aid cuts haven’t killed anyone, he should look up from his talking points and learn the truth."
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/o...
Opinion | Trump’s Most Lethal Policy
www.nytimes.com
September 20, 2025 at 4:32 PM
"... one tangible consequence of Trump’s presidency is child-size graves being dug around the world. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that the aid cuts haven’t killed anyone, he should look up from his talking points and learn the truth."
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/o...
Another reckless move by Secretary of State Rubio and his minions, which needlessly weakens our ability to detect and counter foreign disinformation and misinformation efforts aimed at the United States.
thehill.com/homenews/adm...
thehill.com/homenews/adm...
thehill.com
September 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Another reckless move by Secretary of State Rubio and his minions, which needlessly weakens our ability to detect and counter foreign disinformation and misinformation efforts aimed at the United States.
thehill.com/homenews/adm...
thehill.com/homenews/adm...
Reposted by Mandolin Dan
We must stand resolutely against political assassination and political violence of all kinds, and just as resolutely against everyone who exploits acts of violence as the pretext or excuse for political repression of political opponents.
Very, very bad stuff coming from leading right-wingers
September 10, 2025 at 9:12 PM
We must stand resolutely against political assassination and political violence of all kinds, and just as resolutely against everyone who exploits acts of violence as the pretext or excuse for political repression of political opponents.
Reposted by Mandolin Dan
Gun violence is out of control. The victims of gun violence are Republicans, Democrats, independents, and kids, who have no political affiliation whatsoever.
We need to tone down the incendiary political rhetoric, for sure, but we also need to do something about guns.
The guns!
We need to tone down the incendiary political rhetoric, for sure, but we also need to do something about guns.
The guns!
September 10, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Gun violence is out of control. The victims of gun violence are Republicans, Democrats, independents, and kids, who have no political affiliation whatsoever.
We need to tone down the incendiary political rhetoric, for sure, but we also need to do something about guns.
The guns!
We need to tone down the incendiary political rhetoric, for sure, but we also need to do something about guns.
The guns!
Secretary of State Rubio has no integrity, no decency, and no excuse for the great harm he is doing to American national security and foreign policy.
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week celebrated giving up (his) administrator of U.S.A.I.D. (title) — to Russell T. Vought... “Russ is now at the helm to oversee the closeout of an agency that long ago went off the rails,” Mr. Rubio wrote. “Congrats, Russ.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
The Return of the ‘War Department’ Is More Than Nostalgia. It’s a Message.
www.nytimes.com
September 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Secretary of State Rubio has no integrity, no decency, and no excuse for the great harm he is doing to American national security and foreign policy.
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week celebrated giving up (his) administrator of U.S.A.I.D. (title) — to Russell T. Vought... “Russ is now at the helm to oversee the closeout of an agency that long ago went off the rails,” Mr. Rubio wrote. “Congrats, Russ.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
The Return of the ‘War Department’ Is More Than Nostalgia. It’s a Message.
www.nytimes.com
September 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week celebrated giving up (his) administrator of U.S.A.I.D. (title) — to Russell T. Vought... “Russ is now at the helm to oversee the closeout of an agency that long ago went off the rails,” Mr. Rubio wrote. “Congrats, Russ.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week celebrated giving up (his) administrator of U.S.A.I.D. (title) — to Russell T. Vought... “Russ is now at the helm to oversee the closeout of an agency that long ago went off the rails,” Mr. Rubio wrote. “Congrats, Russ.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
The Return of the ‘War Department’ Is More Than Nostalgia. It’s a Message.
www.nytimes.com
September 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
"Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week celebrated giving up (his) administrator of U.S.A.I.D. (title) — to Russell T. Vought... “Russ is now at the helm to oversee the closeout of an agency that long ago went off the rails,” Mr. Rubio wrote. “Congrats, Russ.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...
Reposted by Mandolin Dan
Kari Lake continues to capriciously do harm to women and men who communicated around the world on behalf of our nation. She acts with intentional malice and reckless aggression to destroy a valuable national security resource.
These VOA newscasters and reporters were given visas because there weren't experienced broadcast journalists in the US with native level skills in such languages as Bambara, Lao or Georgian. But since Kari Lake wiped out nearly all VOA's 48 language services there are indeed no jobs for them now.
August 3, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Kari Lake continues to capriciously do harm to women and men who communicated around the world on behalf of our nation. She acts with intentional malice and reckless aggression to destroy a valuable national security resource.
Kari Lake continues to capriciously do harm to women and men who communicated around the world on behalf of our nation. She acts with intentional malice and reckless aggression to destroy a valuable national security resource.
These VOA newscasters and reporters were given visas because there weren't experienced broadcast journalists in the US with native level skills in such languages as Bambara, Lao or Georgian. But since Kari Lake wiped out nearly all VOA's 48 language services there are indeed no jobs for them now.
August 3, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Kari Lake continues to capriciously do harm to women and men who communicated around the world on behalf of our nation. She acts with intentional malice and reckless aggression to destroy a valuable national security resource.
Reposted by Mandolin Dan
These VOA newscasters and reporters were given visas because there weren't experienced broadcast journalists in the US with native level skills in such languages as Bambara, Lao or Georgian. But since Kari Lake wiped out nearly all VOA's 48 language services there are indeed no jobs for them now.
August 3, 2025 at 2:03 AM
These VOA newscasters and reporters were given visas because there weren't experienced broadcast journalists in the US with native level skills in such languages as Bambara, Lao or Georgian. But since Kari Lake wiped out nearly all VOA's 48 language services there are indeed no jobs for them now.
Reposted by Mandolin Dan
Mom, You Taught Me to Say “Never Again.” Well, It’s Happening Again.
A letter to my Jewish American mother, who refuses to oppose Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.
A letter to my Jewish American mother, who refuses to oppose Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.
Mom, You Taught Me to Say “Never Again.” Well, It’s Happening Again.
A letter to my Jewish American mother, who refuses to oppose Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza
newrepublic.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Mom, You Taught Me to Say “Never Again.” Well, It’s Happening Again.
A letter to my Jewish American mother, who refuses to oppose Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.
A letter to my Jewish American mother, who refuses to oppose Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.
Reposted by Mandolin Dan
Breaking: Tom Lehrer, the Harvard-educated mathematician whose brief side gig as one of America’s favorite satirical composers captured in tune some of the anxieties and absurdities of the 1950s and 1960s, has died, according to the New York Times
Tom Lehrer, Harvard’s Satiric, Melodic Mathematician, Dies at 97
Tom Lehrer, the Harvard-educated mathematician whose brief side gig as one of America’s favorite satirical composers captured in tune some of the anxieties and absurdities of the 1950s and 1960s, has died, according to the New York Times. He was 97.
bloom.bg
July 27, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Breaking: Tom Lehrer, the Harvard-educated mathematician whose brief side gig as one of America’s favorite satirical composers captured in tune some of the anxieties and absurdities of the 1950s and 1960s, has died, according to the New York Times
President Trump's minion, Kari Lake, takes further despicable actions to destroy VOA and weaken our nation's international communication capabilities. Reckless and abhorrent
wapo.st/3H08PIE
wapo.st/3H08PIE
Kari Lake moves to consolidate her power to dismantle Voice of America
The Arizonan, an ally of President Trump, has managed to lock out her nominal boss and is trying to dispatch VOA’s director to North Carolina.
wapo.st
July 24, 2025 at 6:16 PM
President Trump's minion, Kari Lake, takes further despicable actions to destroy VOA and weaken our nation's international communication capabilities. Reckless and abhorrent
wapo.st/3H08PIE
wapo.st/3H08PIE
This is a pathetic and disgraceful action by Secretary of State Rubio and his team. They have needlessly weakened the Department of State and American national security by cavalierly firing many dedicated and patriotic public servants. Are they malevolent or incompetent (or both)?
wapo.st/3TO76Ju
wapo.st/3TO76Ju
State Dept. layoffs led by team of outsiders willing to ‘break stuff’
Interviews with more than 60 people detail a frenetic, arbitrary process underpinning the Trump administration’s far-reaching overhaul of the State Department.
wapo.st
July 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
This is a pathetic and disgraceful action by Secretary of State Rubio and his team. They have needlessly weakened the Department of State and American national security by cavalierly firing many dedicated and patriotic public servants. Are they malevolent or incompetent (or both)?
wapo.st/3TO76Ju
wapo.st/3TO76Ju
President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio deliberately damage our foreign policy and national security, with reckless malice and disregard for our global capabilities.
apnews.com/article/stat...
apnews.com/article/stat...
State Department layoffs affect key Trump priorities like intelligence, energy and China
The roles of some of the State Department employees fired last week overlap with priorities that President Donald Trump has laid out.
apnews.com
July 17, 2025 at 8:16 PM
President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio deliberately damage our foreign policy and national security, with reckless malice and disregard for our global capabilities.
apnews.com/article/stat...
apnews.com/article/stat...