Richard Nephew
@richardmnephew.bsky.social
Senior Research Scholar at Columbia U. Former Anti-Corruption Coordinator at Dept of State (among other things), White House and Dept of Energy. Personal acct.
Pinned
Reposted by Richard Nephew
👇 Unless Congress affirmatively voted to authorize Trump admin strikes against suspected drug cartel affiliates (which are already illegal under domestic and international law), another law kicks in on Monday that requires the President to withdraw the U.S. military:
No way around this: On Monday, November 3, the Trump administration's lethal military operations against suspected drug cartels will be prohibited by Congress.
Recommended reading:
This new Expert Backgrounder which discusses the history and scope of the War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock.
Recommended reading:
This new Expert Backgrounder which discusses the history and scope of the War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock.
Expert Backgrounder on War Powers Resolution 60-Day Clock for Boat Strikes Expiring Monday
Expert backgrounder on how War Powers Resolution works in application to U.S. military operations against suspected drug cartels.
www.justsecurity.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:41 PM
👇 Unless Congress affirmatively voted to authorize Trump admin strikes against suspected drug cartel affiliates (which are already illegal under domestic and international law), another law kicks in on Monday that requires the President to withdraw the U.S. military:
In my job as US anti-corruption coordinator, I spent a lot of time talking to partners about the importance of accountability. A lot of people couldn't hold their leaders accountable; they asked us to do what we could via sanctions. Thinking of those people right now, amid another betrayal.
The Trump admin lifts sanctions on Putin ally and Serbian leader Milorad Dodik.
The move comes after pressure from Laura Loomer, Rudy Giuliani and Michael Flynn.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
The move comes after pressure from Laura Loomer, Rudy Giuliani and Michael Flynn.
www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
US lifts sanctions on Putin ally ‘Bosnian Bear’
The sanctions on Milorad Dodik, an ultranationalist Serbian politician, had attracted criticism from MAGA firebrands.
www.politico.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:24 PM
In my job as US anti-corruption coordinator, I spent a lot of time talking to partners about the importance of accountability. A lot of people couldn't hold their leaders accountable; they asked us to do what we could via sanctions. Thinking of those people right now, amid another betrayal.
Try reading this without your jaw dropping.
Yes, even now, my jaw dropped.
Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Cases www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
Yes, even now, my jaw dropped.
Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Cases www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Cases
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Try reading this without your jaw dropping.
Yes, even now, my jaw dropped.
Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Cases www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
Yes, even now, my jaw dropped.
Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Cases www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
Reposted by Richard Nephew
Protest is patriotic.
October 18, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Protest is patriotic.
This is interesting but my main thought in reading is: yeah, maybe? I don't know, the reality is that inertia is real, as the US has found with its financial sanctions, OPEC found with oil, etc, etc. Cheap/accessible will always find clients. www.reuters.com/markets/comm...
China can only fire the big gun of refined metals restrictions once
China is once again rolling out the big cannon of curbs on metals and minerals vital to the global energy transition, as well as key components in weapons and electronics.
www.reuters.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:33 PM
This is interesting but my main thought in reading is: yeah, maybe? I don't know, the reality is that inertia is real, as the US has found with its financial sanctions, OPEC found with oil, etc, etc. Cheap/accessible will always find clients. www.reuters.com/markets/comm...
Reposted by Richard Nephew
New from @richardmnephew.bsky.social: "The United States and its partners should look carefully at the UN Security Council resolutions and identify similar ways to harness their measures toward preventing Iran from reconstituting its nuclear and missile programs."
Four Keys for Iran Snapback Implementation
Inevitable attempts by Tehran to rebuild its nuclear and missile programs will require a U.S.-led campaign to track the regime’s proliferation activities and block transfers of related materials.
www.washingtoninstitute.org
October 8, 2025 at 9:55 PM
New from @richardmnephew.bsky.social: "The United States and its partners should look carefully at the UN Security Council resolutions and identify similar ways to harness their measures toward preventing Iran from reconstituting its nuclear and missile programs."
Reposted by Richard Nephew
The elimination of USAID is a moral atrocity and all involved made a choice to enable, and then lie about, ending the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
October 8, 2025 at 2:09 PM
The elimination of USAID is a moral atrocity and all involved made a choice to enable, and then lie about, ending the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
Treasury removed sanctions on former president of Paraguay Cartes yesterday without an explanation.
I guess I can say that I'm not surprised, just disappointed.
Cartes was corrupt and is a corrupting influence in Paraguay. Removal of these sanctions doesn't change that.
I guess I can say that I'm not surprised, just disappointed.
Cartes was corrupt and is a corrupting influence in Paraguay. Removal of these sanctions doesn't change that.
October 7, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Treasury removed sanctions on former president of Paraguay Cartes yesterday without an explanation.
I guess I can say that I'm not surprised, just disappointed.
Cartes was corrupt and is a corrupting influence in Paraguay. Removal of these sanctions doesn't change that.
I guess I can say that I'm not surprised, just disappointed.
Cartes was corrupt and is a corrupting influence in Paraguay. Removal of these sanctions doesn't change that.
Worth noting: the modality may be a little baroque, but the sanctionability of all of this is absolutely clear under US law and has been for over a decade.
Important story: U.S. sanctions make it nearly impossible to pay Iran for its oil. China has figured out how to do it anyway, in an arrangement that has largely been secret.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Exclusive | How China Secretly Pays Iran for Oil and Avoids U.S. Sanctions
A hidden funding conduit has deepened economic ties between the two U.S. rivals in defiance of Washington’s efforts to isolate Tehran.
www.wsj.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Worth noting: the modality may be a little baroque, but the sanctionability of all of this is absolutely clear under US law and has been for over a decade.
Important story: U.S. sanctions make it nearly impossible to pay Iran for its oil. China has figured out how to do it anyway, in an arrangement that has largely been secret.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Exclusive | How China Secretly Pays Iran for Oil and Avoids U.S. Sanctions
A hidden funding conduit has deepened economic ties between the two U.S. rivals in defiance of Washington’s efforts to isolate Tehran.
www.wsj.com
October 6, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Important story: U.S. sanctions make it nearly impossible to pay Iran for its oil. China has figured out how to do it anyway, in an arrangement that has largely been secret.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
A very interesting experience. Thanks for folks who participated. Hope you found it interesting too.
It's a vital moment for the challenge presented by Iran's nuclear program -- so I'm trying something new. Swing by and ask me anything on @Reddit today at 3:30PM ET. Thanks to the @Reddit team & moderators at r/IAmA for helping to organize. www.reddit.com/r/AMA/commen...
I’m a nuclear nonproliferation expert and diplomat who helped design and negotiate the Iran Nuclear Deal. AMA.
www.reddit.com
October 1, 2025 at 8:37 PM
A very interesting experience. Thanks for folks who participated. Hope you found it interesting too.
It's a vital moment for the challenge presented by Iran's nuclear program -- so I'm trying something new. Swing by and ask me anything on @Reddit today at 3:30PM ET. Thanks to the @Reddit team & moderators at r/IAmA for helping to organize. www.reddit.com/r/AMA/commen...
I’m a nuclear nonproliferation expert and diplomat who helped design and negotiate the Iran Nuclear Deal. AMA.
www.reddit.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:03 PM
It's a vital moment for the challenge presented by Iran's nuclear program -- so I'm trying something new. Swing by and ask me anything on @Reddit today at 3:30PM ET. Thanks to the @Reddit team & moderators at r/IAmA for helping to organize. www.reddit.com/r/AMA/commen...
Don't sleep on the issues of corruption...corruption is an enabler of crime that debilitates government and poisons society. And people HATE corruption so it may also have some potency in public messaging.
September 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Don't sleep on the issues of corruption...corruption is an enabler of crime that debilitates government and poisons society. And people HATE corruption so it may also have some potency in public messaging.
Re-upping this too: www.wsj.com/opinion/snap...
Opinion | Snapback Sanctions Hit Iran
Actually enforcing them will require hard work by Western politicians, diplomats and experts.
www.wsj.com
September 26, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Re-upping this too: www.wsj.com/opinion/snap...
Reposted by Richard Nephew
Vote on UNSCR 2231 extension:
4 in favor
9 against
2 abstentions
Snapback is happening. All pre-JCPOA UN sanctions on Iran will be reinstated at 00:00 GMT tomorrow.
4 in favor
9 against
2 abstentions
Snapback is happening. All pre-JCPOA UN sanctions on Iran will be reinstated at 00:00 GMT tomorrow.
September 26, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Vote on UNSCR 2231 extension:
4 in favor
9 against
2 abstentions
Snapback is happening. All pre-JCPOA UN sanctions on Iran will be reinstated at 00:00 GMT tomorrow.
4 in favor
9 against
2 abstentions
Snapback is happening. All pre-JCPOA UN sanctions on Iran will be reinstated at 00:00 GMT tomorrow.
Reposted by Richard Nephew
I know a little something about military spending. I'd be shocked if this stunt didn't cost the taxpayer millions of dollars.
So much for "government efficiency."
So much for "government efficiency."
WAPO SCOOP: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered hundreds of generals to travel on short notice from around the world to hear him make a speech on military standards and the “warrior ethos,” multiple people familiar with the event told The Washington Post.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
New details emerge on Hegseth’s unusual mass gathering of top brass
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has summoned hundreds of generals for what is expected to be a short lecture on the “warrior ethos.” But top brass is bracing for possible firings or demotions.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 26, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I know a little something about military spending. I'd be shocked if this stunt didn't cost the taxpayer millions of dollars.
So much for "government efficiency."
So much for "government efficiency."
No deal. First of all, this isn't the only access required. Second, the CSA attaches to all safeguarded material, not just Natanz. Third, accepting the conditioning of CSA obligations generally is a mistake. Iran signed the safeguards agreement. It should fulfill it.
amwaj.media/en/article/i...
amwaj.media/en/article/i...
Scoop: Iran offers 'immediate' IAEA access to bombed Natanz nuclear site if Europe backs Russian 'snapback' extension
In a major climbdown geared to avert the reimposition of UN sanctions, Iran has offered to immediately open the Natanz uranium enrichment to foreign inspectors, Amwaj.media has learned. The undergroun...
amwaj.media
September 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
No deal. First of all, this isn't the only access required. Second, the CSA attaches to all safeguarded material, not just Natanz. Third, accepting the conditioning of CSA obligations generally is a mistake. Iran signed the safeguards agreement. It should fulfill it.
amwaj.media/en/article/i...
amwaj.media/en/article/i...
Fellow American citizens and public workers, pursuing a "noble calling" -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3by... -- treated like this. Despicable and unforgivable.
September 25, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Fellow American citizens and public workers, pursuing a "noble calling" -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3by... -- treated like this. Despicable and unforgivable.
These are all good questions but I'll add two more:
1) If he's convinced Ukraine can win (as I am), then will he put his back into supporting Ukraine? This sounds like not.
2) Is he aware that we are part of NATO?
1) If he's convinced Ukraine can win (as I am), then will he put his back into supporting Ukraine? This sounds like not.
2) Is he aware that we are part of NATO?
So many questions, e.g.: Did he reverse the reported halt last week of US sales to NATO (Denmark iirc)? Does he have a plan for informing Russians in all those Great Cities, Towns, and Districts that Putin is doing something not in their interest? Is he suggesting Ukr take & keep Russian territory?
President Trump:
After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military&Economic situation and, after seeing the Economic trouble it is causing Russia,❗️I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union,is in a position to fight& WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.
After getting to know and fully understand the Ukraine/Russia Military&Economic situation and, after seeing the Economic trouble it is causing Russia,❗️I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union,is in a position to fight& WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.
September 23, 2025 at 8:31 PM
These are all good questions but I'll add two more:
1) If he's convinced Ukraine can win (as I am), then will he put his back into supporting Ukraine? This sounds like not.
2) Is he aware that we are part of NATO?
1) If he's convinced Ukraine can win (as I am), then will he put his back into supporting Ukraine? This sounds like not.
2) Is he aware that we are part of NATO?
Reposted by Richard Nephew
