iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Scott R. Anderson

Steve Herman @newsguy.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

WaPo - More than a year after the Trump administration attempted to dismantle Voice of America, it is paying an estimated $1.6 million a week to keep 420 of its staffers on administrative leave. wapo.st/4j1UpbF

wapo.st

Trump administration is paying $1.6 million a week to keep Voice of America staff on leave

Hundreds of VOA staffers have been on paid leave since the agency sidelined them in March 2025.

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Reposted by Scott R. Anderson

Joshua Keating @joshuakeating.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Thrilled to join @sranderson.bsky.social on today's episode of the excellent @lawfaremedia.org podcast to discuss my nuclear/AI reporting www.lawfaremedia.org/article/lawf...

lawfaremedia.org

Lawfare Daily: Nuclear Weapons in the Age of AI, with Joshua Keating

Will AI change how we engage with nuclear weapons?

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Reposted by Scott R. Anderson

Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 10/06/2026

On Lawfare Daily, @nkorpett.bsky.social spoke with @sranderson.bsky.social about what Congress can do to direct the president to end the war in Iran, his recent article explaining why a likely presidential veto of a War Powers Resolution is not the end of the story, and more.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

If you won't take my word on the important work we do here at @lawfaremedia.org, hear it from Judge Luttig. But we can't do it without your help. To learn how you can support us, just visit www.lawfaremedia.org/support/.

lawfaremedia.org

Support Lawfare

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Reposted by Scott R. Anderson

Judge Luttig @judgeluttig.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

I begin every day by reading Lawfare in these troubled times when the Constitution and Rule of Law are under vicious attack by our own Government. So, I am honored to continue supporting Lawfare, as anyone concerned for the Rule of Law would be.

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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 11/05/2026

"[T]he War Powers Resolution may yet serve as a limited constraint on the executive branch’s use of military force, in manners that may complicate the Trump administration’s attempts to close out the war on terms of its own choosing," writes @sranderson.bsky.social.

lawfaremedia.org

Law and the Iran War, After the First 60 Days

The War Powers Resolution hasn’t been rendered irrelevant. Its relevance is just beginning.

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Reposted by Scott R. Anderson

Oona Hathaway @oonahathaway.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Great conversation with @sranderson.bsky.social and Missy Ryan on @npr.org's 1A today about President Trump's threats to target electricity-generating stations and other civilian infrastructure--and why carrying out those threats would be a war crime. the1a.org/segments/if-...

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Reposted by Scott R. Anderson

Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 27/03/2026

On Lawfare Daily, 2 intelligence community veterans, @chipusher.bsky.social and Aaron Faust, joined @sranderson.bsky.social to discuss the national security threats that Iran presents and where the Trump administration—and Iran—may take the conflict from here. youtu.be/nJy9dZhxBpU

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

I haven’t but have heard good things! Will put it on my list…

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Reposted by Scott R. Anderson

Tyler McBrien @tylermcbrien.com · 17/03/2026

The first two episodes of "Who Blew Up the Guidestones?" — our six-part audio investigation into the strange Georgia monument — are out TODAY. It's a wild ride, with a fair share twists and revelations along the way. So grab your tin foil hat and join me by subscribing below 👇🎧🪦🍑

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Otherwise, standbys 600T, Sidedoor, and All Souls Bar always good!

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

Alegria at Bryant Street market (a food hall) is an excellent but unconventional choice. Service Bar on U Street is very good, especially for Tiki. The Golden Age also very good for pre-prohibition classics. Daru and Tapori on U Street are great Indian riffs on drinks (and food).

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

John, sorry for the slow reply (and apologies if I missed your window)! My favorite place is Morris Bar, but it’s closed for renovations. …

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Reposted by Scott R. Anderson

Benjamin Wittes @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org · 06/02/2026

The Washington Post—for which I wrote editorials for nearly a decade—has closed its Kyiv bureau. @lawfaremedia.org has not—and we will not. We now employ more people in Kyiv than the Washington Post. Let me tell you about what we have done in Ukraine over the past year and why we are not leaving

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Now up on @lawfaremedia.org: my extraordinarily deep dive with @alexzerden.bsky.social into how the Trump administration is handling Venezuela's oil revenue. Long story short, the scheme they've set-up—and the short-term fix they pursued through Qatar—both make more sense than they might seem.

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Reposted by Scott R. Anderson

Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 02/02/2026

After removing dictator Nicolas Maduro from power, President Trump issued an executive order setting up a mechanism for managing Venezuelan oil revenue. @sranderson.bsky.social and @alexzerden.bsky.social explore why the administration is channeling the revenue from the first oil deal through Qatar.

lawfaremedia.org

Unpacking the Trump Administration’s Plans for Venezuela’s Oil Revenue

There’s more logic to it than meets the eye.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

A classic! Braulio also makes for a great shakerato, with a pinch of salt and/or a lemon twist. And if you do it gently, you can fold the shakerato into the Palpable Apathy, which makes it a bit sweeter and lighter.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Article explaining this forthcoming shortly! Less sketchy than it seems at first blush.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

It would be abdicating one of the few tools senators have left to force the Senate to weigh in on major matters of war and peace over the objections of leadership. It’s a mistake for Hawley to be open to it. Hopefully Young, Collins, Paul, and Murkowski know better.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Rs in Senate can just vote not to move forward on this resolution if they oppose it. This proposal is trying to remove the mechanism that allows senators opposed to military action to bring it in the first place, both in regard to Venezuela and other contexts.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

This could also make it impossible for the Senate to resurrect this resolution later if the Trump administration’s assurances prove false, until after the admin initiates a “second wave” of military action.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Re: Venezuela resolution, this could set a precedent that would generally limit the availability of WPR expedited procedures outside ongoing hostilities. Resolutions like those Congress passed in 2019-2020 re: Yemen and Iran could no longer be eligible. www.politico.com/live-updates...

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Hah! I've been considering inviting the other Scott Anderson on a podcast to have a Scott Anderson off. Maybe it's time...

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

As for why the self-defense arguments are themselves problematic, see these earlier pieces: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/did-... www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

I also had a longer piece on this ready to go for @lawfaremedia.org post-holidays, which will now need to be a bit…retooled.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Here’s a brief excerpt on the Panama precedent I recently wrote on the topic as part of a broader symposium on recognition for @ajil.bsky.social. Note the quote from the then-legal adviser on why consent wouldn’t have been sufficient absent effective control. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

This is why I suspect the Trump admin will keep relying on its (very problematic) drug-related self-defense arguments from its maritime strikes, even as it also claims to have consent from the opposition. But if they emphasize the latter, that would be a departure from past U.S. practice.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

In the Panama context, this is why the U.S. didn’t actually rely on consent from the recognized government-in-exile as international legal justification for deposing Noriega (though it cited it as a source of political legitimacy). Other cases I’m aware of took a similar approach.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

But as the National Assembly isn’t in effective control of Venezuela at all, it’s not the regime that would have that status under international law (i.e., the de facto government). And relying on it for consent to take actions that would otherwise violate international law raises big questions.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

It’s true that the U.S. (like many other countries) has more or less recognized the 2015 National Assembly as Venezuela’s de jure government since 2019. This lets it exercise various state functions contingent on the U.S. domestic legal system, like control of Venezuelan state assets.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

A note on today’s announcement on Maduro’s capture: insofar as the Trump admin is relying on the consent of Venezuela’s opposition (and U.S.-recognized gov’t) as an international legal justification, that would be new — not even clearly supported by the Panama precedent.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Lots to discuss this week, to say the least!

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

Yes! I have a different edition that came in a box set, but that’s the right one.

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Reposted by Scott R. Anderson

Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 24/12/2025

In a recent Lawfare Research Report, @sranderson.bsky.social outlines a strategy—called the “de facto authorities rule”—for addressing scenarios where sanctioned terrorist groups take control of government social media accounts and act as local de facto authorities.

lawfaremedia.org

Platforms, Sanctions, and Unrecognized Regimes

A novel strategy for social media platforms dealing with local de facto authorities like the Taliban.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Last chance to get these in (as I'm assembling the list for tomorrow's recording)! Get them in ASAP to rationalsecurity@lawfaremedia.org (or just DM me)!

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Rubio is correct that that was his position when he was in the Senate! But it was wrong then too... From a piece I wrote for @washingtonpost.com in 2020: www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/five...

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

... and then a two-piece true deep dive, of the sort that only @lawfaremedia.org can deliver. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/how-... www.lawfaremedia.org/article/how-...

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

If you want an explanation as to why the 2002 Iraq AUMF in particular was a problem, here are some pieces I've written on the topic over the years... Most recently, for @foreignpolicy.com ... foreignpolicy.com/2023/09/28/i...

foreignpolicy.com

Why the Iraq War AUMF Is Still Dangerous

Legislation authorizing the 2003 war is still on the books—and alarmingly open-ended.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

This is an immensely important step in removing a statutory authorization that had long outlived its original intended purpose, and was primed to be used in unexpected and potentially problematic ways. Great to see bipartisan leadership from Sens. Kaine and Young yield results like this.

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Reposted by Scott R. Anderson

Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 08/12/2025

@sranderson.bsky.social and @nkorpett.bsky.social analyze the legality of the Trump admin's airstrikes and find that, even if you accept its flawed in'l legal justification for the broader campaign, Pete Hegseth's alleged order to "kill them all" and the resulting second strike are unlawful.

lawfaremedia.org

The Troubling Defense of the Second Strike

Even absent an order to “kill everybody,” the Trump administration’s actions—like its broader military campaign—raise serious legal concerns that demand further scrutiny.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

My alternate title that did not make the cut: It's fucked up turtles all the way down.

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Scott R. Anderson @sranderson.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Now up on @lawfaremedia.org: @nkorpett.bsky.social and I on the lingering legal problems still surrounding the second strike on alleged drug smugglers that killed 2 survivors, and how it reflects legal problems with the broader military campaign. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...

lawfaremedia.org

The Troubling Defense of the Second Strike

Even absent an order to “kill everybody,” the Trump administration’s actions—like its broader military campaign—raise serious legal concerns that demand further scrutiny.

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