@safias.bsky.social
Politics professor, human rights, film, animals
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At home and abroad, President Trump has driven change at warp speed, upending policy and challenging democratic norms. Here are some of the most consequential moments from his first year back in the White House.
The Biggest Moments of Trump’s 2025: Mass Deportations, Tariffs and More
Here are some of the most consequential, illuminating or just plain remarkable moments from Donald Trump’s first year back in the White House.
nyti.ms
December 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
At home and abroad, President Trump has driven change at warp speed, upending policy and challenging democratic norms. Here are some of the most consequential moments from his first year back in the White House.
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Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
December 22, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:
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December 20, 2025 at 6:09 AM
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Denmark’s military intelligence service raised concerns for the first time about the U.S. in its annual threat assessment, saying in a report released Wednesday that shifts in American policy are generating new uncertainties for Denmark’s security.
Danish Intelligence Report Raises Concerns About Shifts in US Policy Under Trump
A new document cites Washington’s shifting strategic priorities and growing pressure on allies under President Trump as sources of uncertainty for Denmark.
nyti.ms
December 11, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Denmark’s military intelligence service raised concerns for the first time about the U.S. in its annual threat assessment, saying in a report released Wednesday that shifts in American policy are generating new uncertainties for Denmark’s security.
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They're using the confinement box, one of the most horrific methods of CIA torture in the post-9/11 black sites, against migrants now. This is the direct result of the lack of consequences for the architects of the torture program. Either there will be criminal penalties for this or it will expand.
Torture Techniques from CIA Black Sites Were Used at Alligator Alcatraz
Amnesty International, interviewing migrant detainees, identifies use of the confinement box. There can be no denying it is a torture prison
www.forever-wars.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:40 PM
They're using the confinement box, one of the most horrific methods of CIA torture in the post-9/11 black sites, against migrants now. This is the direct result of the lack of consequences for the architects of the torture program. Either there will be criminal penalties for this or it will expand.
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This is a great explainer about the legality of the boat strikes. Or illegality, as it were. www.justsecurity.org/126156/exper...
Expert Q&A on the U.S. Boat Strikes
An expert Q & A on the Trump administration's lethal strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats on the high seas.
www.justsecurity.org
December 7, 2025 at 6:22 PM
This is a great explainer about the legality of the boat strikes. Or illegality, as it were. www.justsecurity.org/126156/exper...
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Most discussions about “misinformation” treat the problem as if people simply don’t have good enough critical-thinking skills. It sounds intuitive, but it’s not entirely accurate. The problem isn’t just individual ignorance, it’s the structure of the information environment people are placed into.
Finland has emerged as a global leader in countering “fake news”. Here's how they've done it
Teaching when to trust
As fake news accelerates, we need to teach our children how to think critically. Finnish schools are leading the charge
newhumanist.org.uk
December 7, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Most discussions about “misinformation” treat the problem as if people simply don’t have good enough critical-thinking skills. It sounds intuitive, but it’s not entirely accurate. The problem isn’t just individual ignorance, it’s the structure of the information environment people are placed into.
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Even the legal justification for drone strikes on senior members of al Qaeda and associated forces (ostensibly covered under the 2001 AUMF) states that strikes are justified only “when capture is infeasible”
This is contemptible. Not only do we now have confirmation Hegseth has been lying from the jump, but it seems neither he nor his team understand that killing everyone on a target list *becomes* an illegal No Quarter Order if targets try to surrender or are neutralized. Their semantic games are vile.
Admiral told lawmakers everyone on alleged drug boat was on a list of military targets
Adm. Frank Bradley said U.S. intelligence had identified the 11 people on the boat and determined the military was authorized to kill them as part of Trump’s campaign against alleged drug-smuggling ve...
www.nbcnews.com
December 7, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Even the legal justification for drone strikes on senior members of al Qaeda and associated forces (ostensibly covered under the 2001 AUMF) states that strikes are justified only “when capture is infeasible”
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This seems incredible to read, as it could come straight out of an Orbán 2015-16 speech, but this has actually been a dominant position within the broader U.S. Right for decades. 🧵
Europeans are waking up this morning to find the new US National Security Strategy (quietly) released. And what it has to say on Europe could not be clearer. On the „stark prospect of civilizations erasure“ for example. 👇
December 5, 2025 at 12:08 PM
This seems incredible to read, as it could come straight out of an Orbán 2015-16 speech, but this has actually been a dominant position within the broader U.S. Right for decades. 🧵
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Things the Western Balkans knew years ago Case No. 7,364: “Anyone looking at Europe’s choices…can see a psychology of weakness…a continent lacking courage, unable to take decisive action even when it comes to its core interests.” www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe’s psychology of weakness
It’s time the EU ditched its failing strategy of “react, hope, repeat.”
www.politico.eu
December 2, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Things the Western Balkans knew years ago Case No. 7,364: “Anyone looking at Europe’s choices…can see a psychology of weakness…a continent lacking courage, unable to take decisive action even when it comes to its core interests.” www.politico.eu/article/euro...
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An issue we're seeing at all levels of university is that many students are simply refusing to do *anything*. They aren't reading the syllabus, aren't following assignment guidelines, aren't engaging with material, ignoring deadlines. And this might seem like old news, but it truly has ramped up.
November 28, 2025 at 10:15 PM
An issue we're seeing at all levels of university is that many students are simply refusing to do *anything*. They aren't reading the syllabus, aren't following assignment guidelines, aren't engaging with material, ignoring deadlines. And this might seem like old news, but it truly has ramped up.
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Hegseth's not the only war criminal here. "The [USSOCOM] commander overseeing the operation from Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Adm. Frank M. 'Mitch' Bradley, told people on the secure conference call that the survivors were still legitimate targets... He ordered the second strike."
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Hegseth's not the only war criminal here. "The [USSOCOM] commander overseeing the operation from Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Adm. Frank M. 'Mitch' Bradley, told people on the secure conference call that the survivors were still legitimate targets... He ordered the second strike."
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Cold blooded murder.
November 28, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Cold blooded murder.
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Imagine getting ready for your daughter to come home from her freshman year of college for Thanksgiving, and the day of departure she goes MIA, and then 48 nightmarish hours later she calls you to tell her that ICE goons kidnapped her and shipped her to Honduras www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/25/m...
November 29, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Imagine getting ready for your daughter to come home from her freshman year of college for Thanksgiving, and the day of departure she goes MIA, and then 48 nightmarish hours later she calls you to tell her that ICE goons kidnapped her and shipped her to Honduras www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/25/m...
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The week Europe realised it stands alone against Russian expansionism
The week Europe realised it stands alone against Russian expansionism
Washington’s Putin-appeasing plan for peace in Ukraine has failed, but many heard death knell sounded for European reliance on US protection
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:43 AM
The week Europe realised it stands alone against Russian expansionism
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Hate to be posting this on a holiday, but there's been renewed interest in the CIA-backed Zero Units in Afghanistan. Here's a good summary of @propublica.org's 2022 reporting on the units and just some of the civilian casualties they were responsible for:
What We Know About U.S.-Backed Zero Units in Afghanistan
Deadly night raids. Faulty U.S. intelligence. A “classified” war loophole. Reporter Lynzy Billing’s investigation offers an unprecedented insight into the civilian casualties of Afghanistan’s Zero Uni...
www.propublica.org
November 28, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Hate to be posting this on a holiday, but there's been renewed interest in the CIA-backed Zero Units in Afghanistan. Here's a good summary of @propublica.org's 2022 reporting on the units and just some of the civilian casualties they were responsible for:
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Important and constructive contribution on an often misdefined and underdeveloped issue by @tabouchadi.bsky.social & @bjoernbremer.bsky.social &
@siljahausermann.bsky.social
@siljahausermann.bsky.social
To halt the far right, Europe’s progressive parties must fix its housing crisis. Our research shows how | Tarik Abou-Chadi, Björn Bremer and Silja Häusermann
The mantra of ‘build, build, build’ misses something crucial: that few can afford these new homes, say Tarik Abou-Chadi, Silja Häusermann and Björn Bremer
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Important and constructive contribution on an often misdefined and underdeveloped issue by @tabouchadi.bsky.social & @bjoernbremer.bsky.social &
@siljahausermann.bsky.social
@siljahausermann.bsky.social
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This is an excellent point, which is often overlooked, i.e. the relationship between the (neoliberal) gutting of public spaces and the social media retreat (and loneliness) of youths.
The Tories cut 70% of youth services funding in less than a decade.
Now, many young people have retreated online, which is impacting their mental health and puts them at risk of radicalisation.
A wealth tax can help fund mass investment in the youth services we desperately need.
Now, many young people have retreated online, which is impacting their mental health and puts them at risk of radicalisation.
A wealth tax can help fund mass investment in the youth services we desperately need.
November 24, 2025 at 5:35 PM
This is an excellent point, which is often overlooked, i.e. the relationship between the (neoliberal) gutting of public spaces and the social media retreat (and loneliness) of youths.
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We found that 11 of Trump’s DOT appointees disclosed between $12 million and $52 million in stock holdings and other financial interests in airlines, railroads, oil and gas corporations, transportation technology firms and other related businesses.
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
How Trump’s Transportation Department Is Loosening Safety Rules Meant to Protect the Public
ProPublica has identified dozens of instances in which the Trump administration’s DOT has moved to cut, soften or delay safety regulations for cars, trucks, planes, trains and even oil pipelines. Expe...
www.propublica.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:00 AM
We found that 11 of Trump’s DOT appointees disclosed between $12 million and $52 million in stock holdings and other financial interests in airlines, railroads, oil and gas corporations, transportation technology firms and other related businesses.
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
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Illegal and shameful and just how police behave in authoritarian regimes. And also wildly unpopular and not the country Americans want.
"After federal immigration officers in Charlotte saw a man taking photos of them, they chased him nearly 2 miles down a main road and made plans to “smash” into him, video played in court Thursday showed. They broke his window, charged him with a federal felony and accused him of assaulting them."
ICE video shows officers planned to ‘smash’ into Charlotte man filming Border Patrol
Immigration agents had a 12-pack of Modelos in their car while making arrests, Miguel Angel Garcia Martinez told investigators.
www.charlotteobserver.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Illegal and shameful and just how police behave in authoritarian regimes. And also wildly unpopular and not the country Americans want.
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Immigration lawyers say those deported to Ukraine could be conscripted to fight in the war, contrary to international laws that prohibit deportations to places where people could face violence.
U.S. deports dozens of migrants to Ukraine amid war
Immigration lawyers say those deported to Ukraine could be conscripted to fight in the war, contrary to international laws that prohibit deportations to places where people could face violence.
n.pr
November 23, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Immigration lawyers say those deported to Ukraine could be conscripted to fight in the war, contrary to international laws that prohibit deportations to places where people could face violence.
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I’m a novice at this video podcasting thing but I really loved talking to @mollyjongfast.bsky.social about Epstein and the long arc of #MeToo. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/o...
Opinion | Epstein and the #MeToo of It All
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I’m a novice at this video podcasting thing but I really loved talking to @mollyjongfast.bsky.social about Epstein and the long arc of #MeToo. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/o...
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"In recent weeks, junior officers in the military, fearing potential legal exposure, asked military lawyers, judge advocates general, for written sign-off before taking part in strikes. It does not appear that such memos were furnished."
wapo.st/43FXQfO
wapo.st/43FXQfO
White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats
The Trump administration sidestepped skeptical lawyers across national security agencies as it pursued a military campaign against alleged narcotraffickers, officials say.
wapo.st
November 22, 2025 at 7:53 PM
"In recent weeks, junior officers in the military, fearing potential legal exposure, asked military lawyers, judge advocates general, for written sign-off before taking part in strikes. It does not appear that such memos were furnished."
wapo.st/43FXQfO
wapo.st/43FXQfO