dmvogelmeer.bsky.social
Former Sr. FSO/diplomat. New Jersey Native. #PorkRoll and Greasy Tony’s bona fides.
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Reports are that there has been some sell-off of U.S. treasuries. Do you see the EU using U.S. debt as a lever to remove tariffs?
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Yes but might give him the excuse to nuke Iran so "win-win" for the antiwar president....
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That's part of it. But don't overlook "Trump as tool" by the Bessant/Miranda folks.
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It would seem your lauding of Harvard's CMES actions and noting issues with DEI runs counter to the need to "stick together." Certainly there are ways to ensure balanced views on the Middle East which can include criticism of Israel and other regional powers without the chilling effect of dismissals
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Why was he naked? /s
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TSA says liquid. "You're coming with us, Gabriel."
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I would like an itemized list of the things that Trump says “nobody has ever seen before."
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Well, how else are you supposed to get through that speech?
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Not just Trump unfortunately though when he does it it's particularly irksome. It oozes self satisfaction that is so unwarranted.
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Uh, I’m not sure about that. I’d say the same for London. Unless they’re leaving or supplanting NATO with a Euro-focused defense strategy. That’s been the purview of NATO. And right now I’d say that’s in flux.
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Speaking in general terms and not of you personally. I don't do ad hominem even veiled as such especially to nice people like you no sarcasm there.
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Systemically thinking leaves open the possibility of unknown unknowns. It's not linear thinking to accept that academic reasoning isn't going to provide all the answers in an International System still run by humans and their foibles, Kenneth Waltz not withstanding
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I like that because it fits in well with the law of unintended consequences.
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Will see what happens with sanctions. On the economy, Putin (because unlike Trump he's left it largely to the technocrats) he's played a bad hand extremely well. It's been awhile since I've been more plugged in to that issue, but as recently as last summer predictions of a crash remain unfulfilled
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And Trump is simply a tool (domestically, too), so I don't credit him with anything remotely strategic. You underestimate his recklessness.
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Has he been stupid? He made a bet in 2015. Certainly looks like in terms of U.S.-Russia, he's been spot on. His biggest miscalculation was February 2022. He underestimated UKR capabilities and what our IC added to the fight. But then again he really doesn't care about the lives he's losing.
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I'd weigh that against the U.S. being out (bye bye extended deterrence) and still bet it's worth it to Vlad. After all, defining "united" Europe right now includes Orban's Hungary and a surge in support for right wing parties.
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Like Lindsey... sigh. I saw his reaction thinking I was going to get some sanity. He surpassed the HUD video toe sucking in obsequiousness.
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And *why* is there increasing “vaccine hesitancy”? Seems that’s a question with a pretty obvious answer that your reporting chooses to elide.
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Exactly. Because he isn't stupid. He knows better. And has made a decision saying "Fuck it, being SecState is awesome!"
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I'm still gobsmacked at Trump's claim UKR "started it." Will be amusing/horrifying though watching Rubio, Walz, etc., do the "What he meant was" two-step.
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More or less corresponds with the strategic ambiguity that has characterized US foreign policy for decades. So I'm less concerned with that than I am with Trump's statements basically picking a trade fight with Taiwan based on as usual a faulty and incomplete understanding of international trade
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Pete Marocco is a loathsome human being. I speak from experience.