Valerie Morkevičius
@vmorkevicius.bsky.social
Assoc Prof Political Science @ColgateUniv. Author of Realist Ethics: https://bit.ly/RealistEthics Ramblings here from a just war perspective on #security & #infowar. Personal views only.
Like TASS, RT and Pravda frame their stories in terms of an American peace plan -- and as "scoops" from American news sources.
The framing makes it seem as though Russia wasn't even involved (which, of course, it was). /2
The framing makes it seem as though Russia wasn't even involved (which, of course, it was). /2
November 19, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Like TASS, RT and Pravda frame their stories in terms of an American peace plan -- and as "scoops" from American news sources.
The framing makes it seem as though Russia wasn't even involved (which, of course, it was). /2
The framing makes it seem as though Russia wasn't even involved (which, of course, it was). /2
Seems to be what TASS is saying too...
As if the Kremlin has been taken by surprise by Witkoff's "deal."
Very odd. /1
As if the Kremlin has been taken by surprise by Witkoff's "deal."
Very odd. /1
November 19, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Seems to be what TASS is saying too...
As if the Kremlin has been taken by surprise by Witkoff's "deal."
Very odd. /1
As if the Kremlin has been taken by surprise by Witkoff's "deal."
Very odd. /1
Interestingly, on the other side of the street, Memorial organized a reading of the names of people exiled, imprisoned, or executed under the Soviet regime.
October 29, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Interestingly, on the other side of the street, Memorial organized a reading of the names of people exiled, imprisoned, or executed under the Soviet regime.
October 29, 2025 at 8:58 PM
This week’s news was depressing (as always nowadays).
But I spent some time in my forest, which was good.
But I spent some time in my forest, which was good.
October 18, 2025 at 5:58 PM
This week’s news was depressing (as always nowadays).
But I spent some time in my forest, which was good.
But I spent some time in my forest, which was good.
Guess what I’m having for dinner!
October 11, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Guess what I’m having for dinner!
As has been reported many times, there’s essentially no evidence that the attacks constitute legitimate defense. We’re just supposed to trust the Trump administration. /2
October 10, 2025 at 12:37 PM
As has been reported many times, there’s essentially no evidence that the attacks constitute legitimate defense. We’re just supposed to trust the Trump administration. /2
Friendly neighborhood just war theorist here.
None of these are just causes for the use of military force, and none of them are what the Christian just war tradition would describe as “right intent.” /1
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
None of these are just causes for the use of military force, and none of them are what the Christian just war tradition would describe as “right intent.” /1
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
October 10, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Friendly neighborhood just war theorist here.
None of these are just causes for the use of military force, and none of them are what the Christian just war tradition would describe as “right intent.” /1
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
None of these are just causes for the use of military force, and none of them are what the Christian just war tradition would describe as “right intent.” /1
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
When you're pondering slipping on a second sweater and suddenly discover the heat's been turned on earlier than you expected:
❤️ Vilnius
❤️ Vilnius
September 30, 2025 at 11:02 AM
When you're pondering slipping on a second sweater and suddenly discover the heat's been turned on earlier than you expected:
❤️ Vilnius
❤️ Vilnius
And another one, marked "Zasztowt i Wabiszczewicz," the name of a firm that very briefly did sewage works in Vilnius in 1930...
September 29, 2025 at 6:22 PM
And another one, marked "Zasztowt i Wabiszczewicz," the name of a firm that very briefly did sewage works in Vilnius in 1930...
History underfoot: one of my favorite accidental pastimes is finding these old utility covers, from the interwar period, when Vilnius was in Poland.
(The label reads "Magistrat m. Wilna")
(The label reads "Magistrat m. Wilna")
September 29, 2025 at 6:07 PM
History underfoot: one of my favorite accidental pastimes is finding these old utility covers, from the interwar period, when Vilnius was in Poland.
(The label reads "Magistrat m. Wilna")
(The label reads "Magistrat m. Wilna")
The world is still a mess, but the lake is beautiful and still not too cold and the sauna is toasty and the book I’m reading is lovely…
September 26, 2025 at 6:43 PM
The world is still a mess, but the lake is beautiful and still not too cold and the sauna is toasty and the book I’m reading is lovely…
September 24, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Apparently Trump met Brazil's President Lula in the hallway, and they had good chemistry.
This is probably the truest thing Trump has said all day: he only does business with people he likes (for at least 39 seconds).
This is probably the truest thing Trump has said all day: he only does business with people he likes (for at least 39 seconds).
September 23, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Apparently Trump met Brazil's President Lula in the hallway, and they had good chemistry.
This is probably the truest thing Trump has said all day: he only does business with people he likes (for at least 39 seconds).
This is probably the truest thing Trump has said all day: he only does business with people he likes (for at least 39 seconds).
In which Mr. Trump tries to joke about violating international law by using the US military against boats in the Caribbean, but it falls flat.
September 23, 2025 at 7:05 PM
In which Mr. Trump tries to joke about violating international law by using the US military against boats in the Caribbean, but it falls flat.
A few questions here:
1) Why not call on China and India to stop buying Russian oil?
2) Why not name names: Hungary and Slovakia, with whom Trump has some ideological ties, are two of the EU's largest consumers of Russian oil?
3) Why not mention Turkey too?
1) Why not call on China and India to stop buying Russian oil?
2) Why not name names: Hungary and Slovakia, with whom Trump has some ideological ties, are two of the EU's largest consumers of Russian oil?
3) Why not mention Turkey too?
September 23, 2025 at 6:09 PM
A few questions here:
1) Why not call on China and India to stop buying Russian oil?
2) Why not name names: Hungary and Slovakia, with whom Trump has some ideological ties, are two of the EU's largest consumers of Russian oil?
3) Why not mention Turkey too?
1) Why not call on China and India to stop buying Russian oil?
2) Why not name names: Hungary and Slovakia, with whom Trump has some ideological ties, are two of the EU's largest consumers of Russian oil?
3) Why not mention Turkey too?
False: Russia's war against Ukraine began in 2014 and was absolutely going on while Mr. Trump was President last time -- and he did nothing about it.
September 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
False: Russia's war against Ukraine began in 2014 and was absolutely going on while Mr. Trump was President last time -- and he did nothing about it.
This is perhaps the harshest thing Mr. Trump has ever said about Mr. Putin: his three day "special military operation" is now in year three, which makes Russia look bad.
September 23, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This is perhaps the harshest thing Mr. Trump has ever said about Mr. Putin: his three day "special military operation" is now in year three, which makes Russia look bad.
He almost sounds presidential here for a moment.
(For what it's worth, I agree that Hamas should release the hostages immediately; but I think Palestinian statehood is a moral imperative, 'tho Hamas needn't be allowed (and shouldn't be!) to play a role in a future Palestine.
(For what it's worth, I agree that Hamas should release the hostages immediately; but I think Palestinian statehood is a moral imperative, 'tho Hamas needn't be allowed (and shouldn't be!) to play a role in a future Palestine.
September 23, 2025 at 5:47 PM
He almost sounds presidential here for a moment.
(For what it's worth, I agree that Hamas should release the hostages immediately; but I think Palestinian statehood is a moral imperative, 'tho Hamas needn't be allowed (and shouldn't be!) to play a role in a future Palestine.
(For what it's worth, I agree that Hamas should release the hostages immediately; but I think Palestinian statehood is a moral imperative, 'tho Hamas needn't be allowed (and shouldn't be!) to play a role in a future Palestine.
What Trump leaves unsaid is that both Russia and the US have used their vetoes to prevent the UN from taking action.
September 23, 2025 at 5:31 PM
What Trump leaves unsaid is that both Russia and the US have used their vetoes to prevent the UN from taking action.