Thomas la Cour
@thomaslacour.bsky.social
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Hi all, just sent out this free post to explain what matters (and what does not) in the Ukrainian campaign against Russian oil refineries. It discusses why the campaign now seems more successful, but also what else needs to happen to have a greater strategic effect. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Attacking An Oil Production System
Some Of The Nuts And Bolts--Starting With Refineries
open.substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Hi all, just sent out this free post to explain what matters (and what does not) in the Ukrainian campaign against Russian oil refineries. It discusses why the campaign now seems more successful, but also what else needs to happen to have a greater strategic effect. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Right-wing YouTuber Tim Pool has made it to the White House pool — someone from his “Timcast” channel will be part of today’s pool duty covering the president.
Last year, DOJ revealed Pool was receiving millions of dollars from the Russian gov. Pool says he didn’t know where it was coming from.
Last year, DOJ revealed Pool was receiving millions of dollars from the Russian gov. Pool says he didn’t know where it was coming from.
March 28, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Right-wing YouTuber Tim Pool has made it to the White House pool — someone from his “Timcast” channel will be part of today’s pool duty covering the president.
Last year, DOJ revealed Pool was receiving millions of dollars from the Russian gov. Pool says he didn’t know where it was coming from.
Last year, DOJ revealed Pool was receiving millions of dollars from the Russian gov. Pool says he didn’t know where it was coming from.
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Russia is the aggressor and war criminal.
#Ukraine is the victim of the aggression.
Russia started the war.
Ukraine is defending.
I think we need the magic of multiple repetitions of the facts.
#Ukraine is the victim of the aggression.
Russia started the war.
Ukraine is defending.
I think we need the magic of multiple repetitions of the facts.
March 8, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Russia is the aggressor and war criminal.
#Ukraine is the victim of the aggression.
Russia started the war.
Ukraine is defending.
I think we need the magic of multiple repetitions of the facts.
#Ukraine is the victim of the aggression.
Russia started the war.
Ukraine is defending.
I think we need the magic of multiple repetitions of the facts.
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Look, the USA is de facto no longer in NATO, and it would be better for Europe if this became legalized. The USA is a stalking horse for Putin in European security.
The future is:
NATO-US out, Europe and Canada in.
The future is:
NATO-US out, Europe and Canada in.
The US plans to pull out of future NATO training excercises in Europe - Expressen
In an effort to reduce military spending in Europe, the US will minimize its participation in NATO training excercises on the continent.
In an effort to reduce military spending in Europe, the US will minimize its participation in NATO training excercises on the continent.
March 8, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Look, the USA is de facto no longer in NATO, and it would be better for Europe if this became legalized. The USA is a stalking horse for Putin in European security.
The future is:
NATO-US out, Europe and Canada in.
The future is:
NATO-US out, Europe and Canada in.
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Always remember--this is not a case of Trump appeasing Putin--its actually him joining Putin. Its not Munich 1938, its the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939.
March 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Always remember--this is not a case of Trump appeasing Putin--its actually him joining Putin. Its not Munich 1938, its the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939.
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
A Ukrainian soldier evacuates a little girl to a safe place.
This girl, and millions of Ukrainian children, are the reason why we fight. For their sake, we want a just and lasting peace.
#StandWithUkraine
This girl, and millions of Ukrainian children, are the reason why we fight. For their sake, we want a just and lasting peace.
#StandWithUkraine
March 2, 2025 at 12:03 PM
A Ukrainian soldier evacuates a little girl to a safe place.
This girl, and millions of Ukrainian children, are the reason why we fight. For their sake, we want a just and lasting peace.
#StandWithUkraine
This girl, and millions of Ukrainian children, are the reason why we fight. For their sake, we want a just and lasting peace.
#StandWithUkraine
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
1/ Russian prosecutors have sued hundreds of schools across the country for spending money on textbooks and classrooms rather than on replica weapons, dummy grenades and realistic wound simulators to prepare children to fight Russia's next war. ⬇️
March 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
1/ Russian prosecutors have sued hundreds of schools across the country for spending money on textbooks and classrooms rather than on replica weapons, dummy grenades and realistic wound simulators to prepare children to fight Russia's next war. ⬇️
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
"NATO is not the thing that Russia is afraid of. Russia is afraid of democracy expanding to Russia. Why are we in NATO? Its because we are afraid of Russia. And the only thing that really works – the only security guarantee that works – is NATO's umbrella," Kaja Kallas said in an interview with AFP
February 28, 2025 at 8:13 AM
"NATO is not the thing that Russia is afraid of. Russia is afraid of democracy expanding to Russia. Why are we in NATO? Its because we are afraid of Russia. And the only thing that really works – the only security guarantee that works – is NATO's umbrella," Kaja Kallas said in an interview with AFP
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Madness. Just reckless insanity.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Elon Musk Says DOGE 'Accidentally Canceled' Ebola Prevention
Elon Musk made alarming comments about Ebola prevention measures during President Donald Trump's first Cabinet meeting.
www.rollingstone.com
February 26, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Madness. Just reckless insanity.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Lavrov said Russia hadn't agreed to peacekeeping forces in Ukraine and there would be no ceasefire along the current combat line.
Can this be called Russia wanting peace and being ready to negotiate?
And can constant concessions to Russia be called negotiations?
Can this be called Russia wanting peace and being ready to negotiate?
And can constant concessions to Russia be called negotiations?
February 26, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Lavrov said Russia hadn't agreed to peacekeeping forces in Ukraine and there would be no ceasefire along the current combat line.
Can this be called Russia wanting peace and being ready to negotiate?
And can constant concessions to Russia be called negotiations?
Can this be called Russia wanting peace and being ready to negotiate?
And can constant concessions to Russia be called negotiations?
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
New York Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi:
"If we reward Putin now, what do you think the people in Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Estonia, Poland are gonna say? If he [Putin] goes through Ukraine, he's going straight into Poland.
"If we reward Putin now, what do you think the people in Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Estonia, Poland are gonna say? If he [Putin] goes through Ukraine, he's going straight into Poland.
February 26, 2025 at 11:11 AM
New York Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi:
"If we reward Putin now, what do you think the people in Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Estonia, Poland are gonna say? If he [Putin] goes through Ukraine, he's going straight into Poland.
"If we reward Putin now, what do you think the people in Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Estonia, Poland are gonna say? If he [Putin] goes through Ukraine, he's going straight into Poland.
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
US joins the group of rogue nations and basket cases that usually vote against UN resolutions in support of democratic Ukraine. Even authoritarian China abstained. Amazing how far the US has fallen under just a couple of months of Trump 2.0.
February 24, 2025 at 5:56 PM
US joins the group of rogue nations and basket cases that usually vote against UN resolutions in support of democratic Ukraine. Even authoritarian China abstained. Amazing how far the US has fallen under just a couple of months of Trump 2.0.
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
⚡️ Retired US Army General Ben Hodges criticized Europe's stance on Ukraine: "Lift your butt and do something!" He pointed out Europe's combined military strength isn't the issue, but the lack of will. "Stop complaining about relying on the US—act now!"
wydarzenia.interia.pl/ukraina-rosj...
wydarzenia.interia.pl/ukraina-rosj...
Amerykański generał gani Europę. "Ruszcie tyłki i coś zróbcie!"
Kliknij i zobacz więcej.
wydarzenia.interia.pl
February 24, 2025 at 6:24 PM
⚡️ Retired US Army General Ben Hodges criticized Europe's stance on Ukraine: "Lift your butt and do something!" He pointed out Europe's combined military strength isn't the issue, but the lack of will. "Stop complaining about relying on the US—act now!"
wydarzenia.interia.pl/ukraina-rosj...
wydarzenia.interia.pl/ukraina-rosj...
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
🇺🇦🇺🇸Trump’s lies and despicable statements about Ukraine aren’t just embarrassing—they’re isolating him and the U.S. on the world stage.
While he pushes Kremlin propaganda, Europe is moving on without Washington.
The U.S. is now weaker and more irrelevant than ever.
A thread 🧵:
While he pushes Kremlin propaganda, Europe is moving on without Washington.
The U.S. is now weaker and more irrelevant than ever.
A thread 🧵:
February 20, 2025 at 8:39 PM
🇺🇦🇺🇸Trump’s lies and despicable statements about Ukraine aren’t just embarrassing—they’re isolating him and the U.S. on the world stage.
While he pushes Kremlin propaganda, Europe is moving on without Washington.
The U.S. is now weaker and more irrelevant than ever.
A thread 🧵:
While he pushes Kremlin propaganda, Europe is moving on without Washington.
The U.S. is now weaker and more irrelevant than ever.
A thread 🧵:
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Former Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine, Matsuda Kuninori, warned at a press conference yesterday that "if a fair and lasting peace is not achieved [...] another country could start a war of aggression in Eastern Asia" & stressed that Japan must be involved in discussions on ending the war in Ukraine
February 22, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Former Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine, Matsuda Kuninori, warned at a press conference yesterday that "if a fair and lasting peace is not achieved [...] another country could start a war of aggression in Eastern Asia" & stressed that Japan must be involved in discussions on ending the war in Ukraine
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
NEW: Russian state media and Kremlin officials appear to be leveraging select statements from US officials alongside long-standing Russian narratives to create tension between the United States and Ukraine and undermine faith in America's commitment to Ukraine. isw.pub/UkrWar022125
February 22, 2025 at 1:45 AM
NEW: Russian state media and Kremlin officials appear to be leveraging select statements from US officials alongside long-standing Russian narratives to create tension between the United States and Ukraine and undermine faith in America's commitment to Ukraine. isw.pub/UkrWar022125
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Blackmailing a country that was invaded and ravaged by three years of war is pure evil
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
Exclusive: US could cut Ukraine's access to Starlink internet services over minerals, say sources
Ukraine's access to SpaceX-owned Starlink was brought up in talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials after Ukrainian President Zelenskiy turned down an initial proposal from U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent.
www.reuters.com
February 22, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Blackmailing a country that was invaded and ravaged by three years of war is pure evil
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
The main focus for Europe:
◾️Strategic autonomy;
◾️Own security;
◾️Reviving European military potential and military production;
◾️Ukraine is not an instrument but a partner: Ukraine has the knowledge and experience in defense and military production.
◾️Strategic autonomy;
◾️Own security;
◾️Reviving European military potential and military production;
◾️Ukraine is not an instrument but a partner: Ukraine has the knowledge and experience in defense and military production.
We are experiencing the old global order coming to an end, old rules, agreements and values being reviewed.
Or, rather, this is not the end. These are changes and transformations, as well as the beginning of something new. There will be new alliances, rules and agreements.
Or, rather, this is not the end. These are changes and transformations, as well as the beginning of something new. There will be new alliances, rules and agreements.
February 21, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The main focus for Europe:
◾️Strategic autonomy;
◾️Own security;
◾️Reviving European military potential and military production;
◾️Ukraine is not an instrument but a partner: Ukraine has the knowledge and experience in defense and military production.
◾️Strategic autonomy;
◾️Own security;
◾️Reviving European military potential and military production;
◾️Ukraine is not an instrument but a partner: Ukraine has the knowledge and experience in defense and military production.
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Ukraine Fact Sheet - February 21, 2025: isw.pub/UkraineFacts...
February 21, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Ukraine Fact Sheet - February 21, 2025: isw.pub/UkraineFacts...
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Germany selling out to Russia over Nordstream was self-sabotage but it had a logic: Russia had cheap gas that Germany could use. The US turning towards Russia is mad. The US is the world’s biggest oil and gas producer. What does Russia have that America needs?
Americans should know that Trump just abandoned allies with a combined GDP equivalent to US GDP, in exchange for Russia which has a GDP only 6% the size of US GDP.
And Trump convinced MAGA that they were all going to be rich.
And Trump convinced MAGA that they were all going to be rich.
February 22, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Germany selling out to Russia over Nordstream was self-sabotage but it had a logic: Russia had cheap gas that Germany could use. The US turning towards Russia is mad. The US is the world’s biggest oil and gas producer. What does Russia have that America needs?
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
If true then the US is now a genuine Russia-style mafia state.
Russia extorts with energy-, the US with tech-dependence.
I trust the conclusions we draw from this will also turn into a semblance of policy.
Russia extorts with energy-, the US with tech-dependence.
I trust the conclusions we draw from this will also turn into a semblance of policy.
"During the meeting, Ukraine was told it faced imminent shutoff of the Starlink service if it did not reach a deal on critical minerals, said the source, who requested anonymity to discuss closed negotiations."
Astonishing betrayal of an ally.
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
Astonishing betrayal of an ally.
www.reuters.com/business/us-...
Exclusive: US could cut Ukraine's access to Starlink internet services over minerals, say sources
U.S. negotiators pressing Kyiv for access to Ukraine's critical minerals have raised the possibility of cutting the country's access to Elon Musk's vital Starlink satellite internet system, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
www.reuters.com
February 22, 2025 at 6:42 AM
If true then the US is now a genuine Russia-style mafia state.
Russia extorts with energy-, the US with tech-dependence.
I trust the conclusions we draw from this will also turn into a semblance of policy.
Russia extorts with energy-, the US with tech-dependence.
I trust the conclusions we draw from this will also turn into a semblance of policy.
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
"But I'm happy that at least in Europe we stopped whining and started acting, getting our act together," - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
February 21, 2025 at 4:28 PM
"But I'm happy that at least in Europe we stopped whining and started acting, getting our act together," - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Timothy Snyder is an expert of modern authoritarianism.
February 19, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Timothy Snyder is an expert of modern authoritarianism.
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
❗️Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (EFIS) reports that Russia is expanding its armed forces in a way that not only supports Russia’s war effort in Ukraine but also prepares for a potential future war with NATO.
February 18, 2025 at 8:52 PM
❗️Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (EFIS) reports that Russia is expanding its armed forces in a way that not only supports Russia’s war effort in Ukraine but also prepares for a potential future war with NATO.
Reposted by Thomas la Cour
Expeditionary warfare, with small professional troops and equipment to fit the crisis management tasks, was NATO’s post-Cold War doctrine. Led and implemented by the US.
Europeans should have done more since 2014 but complaining about the small size of European militaries is a bad faith argument.
Europeans should have done more since 2014 but complaining about the small size of European militaries is a bad faith argument.
I am really quite exhausted by the idea that the US has extended its security umbrella to Europe since ww2 out of the goodness of their hearts. Yes, Europe should have done more, especially over the last two decades, but let‘s not pretend that US foreign policy was always motivated by altruism.
February 19, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Expeditionary warfare, with small professional troops and equipment to fit the crisis management tasks, was NATO’s post-Cold War doctrine. Led and implemented by the US.
Europeans should have done more since 2014 but complaining about the small size of European militaries is a bad faith argument.
Europeans should have done more since 2014 but complaining about the small size of European militaries is a bad faith argument.