iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

I don't see anything erratic here. For over a decade, Trump has prioritised "getting along with Russia"; since 20 January 2025, Trump administration policy has reflected that priority. It's perhaps the most consistent aspect of Trump foreign policy. 🧵on Trump and sanctions.

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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 02/09/2026

Angel S. Rampersad Michael Swinton Tyler J. Feehan Isabella Gonzales Gabriel Edwards John Klinner Ariana Savino Ashley Pruitt Seth Koval Curtis Angst Tyler Simmons Benjamin Pennington Jeffrey O’Brien Robert Marzan Nicole Amor Declan Coady Cody Khork Noah Tietjens Stop lying.

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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Amid all the political turmoil here over the last few years, the idea that what happens in Ukraine matters for the UK has remained consistently very high. It's great to see.

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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

The very important thing to understand about these threats from the Kremlin is that their purpose is to generate headlines like this. Unable to coerce the UK govt directly, they aim to do it through scare headlines that shift public opinion.

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Between 2016 and today, the US has spent almost $9 trillion on defense. It then ran dangerously low in many advanced munitions fighting a country with no air force and navy--after about two months of combat operations. This is an extraordinary scandal.

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

It’s mind boggling how little European states are talking about the possible deployment of a powerful offensive and ballistic missile capable North Korean force to attack Ukraine. Europe is failing if this is shrugged off. www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

reuters.com

Ukraine's Zelenskiy says up to 50,000 North Korean troops to be deployed in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said up to 50,000 North Korean soldiers will be deployed in Russia to fight for Pyongyang's ally, while calling on South Korea to provide support for its a...

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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 25/07/2026

Beyond words from this President’s own vanity. First Lt. Tyler Feehan, Sgt. Angel Rampersad, Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, and Sgt. Michael Swinton deserve to be recognized for their service.

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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

"Gentlemen, you can't report in here! This is the press office!"

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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

May 2026 has been a month of endless humiliations for Putin. This is what the Kremlin does to try to cover up for it: engage in terrorism. A 🧵about Putin's nightmare month. bsky.app/profile/savc...

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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 22/04/2026

What the American "drug war" looks like on the ground: Ecuadorian fishermen were attacked in a double drone strike, arrested at gupoint, taken to El Salvador and then finally released. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...

theguardian.com

‘We were terrified they were going to kill us’: fishers who survived US boat strike speak out

An Ecuadorian fishing crew describe their ordeal as victims of Trump’s purported war on ‘narcoterrorists’

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Just sent this out. Yesterday was an important and truthful day. The Ukrainians, including Zelensky and Budanov, came out and spoke truthfully about the US being with Russia (and therefore Trump being with Putin). open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

open.substack.com

Zelensky Speaks The Truth, And Trump Does Too, In A Way

Hi All,

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Just sent out this free midweek update. This was no ordinary Trump TACO, this was Trump accepting Iran's victory conditions as the basis of negotiations. It looks likely that Iran will emerge stronger from this war than before; a total US strategic failure. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

open.substack.com

Midweek Update #5; This Is No TACO: This Is Complete US Strategic Failure

Trump Agrees To Iran's Victory Conditions

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Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

🧵 Democracy feels like it's in a rough state at the moment across the globe, and we hear various explanations, like polarisation, extremism, disinformation, and loss of trust. But what if those explanations are mainly symptoms and we've been trying to treat them rather than the underlying causes?

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Tremendously important article by @johnsipher.bsky.social in The Bulwark. The damage that Trump is doing to the US IC is deeper and more profound than you might understand. He is changing its very structure. www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-is-d...

thebulwark.com

Trump Is Doing Structural Damage to American Intelligence

The issue isn’t just his disregard for facts. It’s that he’s reshaping the government in his image.

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Kaja Kallas @kajakallas.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

The EU is committed to ensuring that these crimes do not go unpunished, including by supporting the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, alongside the Claims Commission. Russia must be held accountable for what it has done to Ukraine. (2/2)

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Hi all, just sent out this piece. Ukraine has embarked on systems warfare against Russian oil sales, at exactly the right time. The US might have been paying attention. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

open.substack.com

Ukraine Is Starting To Wage Systems Warfare

The US Might Consider Paying Attention

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Hi all, just sent out this piece. The US bombing of Iran has revealed a great deal already, maybe most worryingly how far down the road to Putinizing the US Government Trump has already walked. We even have the humiliatingly comic shoes to prove it. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

open.substack.com

Trump and the Putinization of the US Government

The Iran Bombing As A Clarifying Moment

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Gabrielius Landsbergis @glandsbergis.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

The inability to rein in Hungary is damaging enough on its own. But actively pressing Ukraine to comply is simply disgraceful, even (especially) if you offer to pay for the compliance. We shouldn't be twisting the arms of Ukrainians while they’re fighting on Europe’s behalf.

landsbergis.com

Europe again embraces unforced errors that help the wrong side.

The pressure is not being put on the Hungarian government. It is being put on the Ukrainian government.

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Just sent out a free piece to expand on my article in @theatlantic.com yesterday. The signs of rot in US military and diplomatic capabilities are real and even more extensive than I could say in that article. Here are more-and a gift link to the original article. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

open.substack.com

The Rot Is Real And There Is More To It

The Atlantic Piece Just Scratched The Surface

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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 28/02/2026

I'm begging my fellow politicians, Illinoisans, and Americans to realize that right now, we aren't fighting over policy or political party. We're fighting over whether we're going to be a country rooted in empathy and kindness — or one rooted in cruelty and rage.

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Just sent out this piece, one of the most personal I have written. Its about what I think I have learned over the past 4 years. Much of it is not pretty. However while the lows are bleak, the positives are far greater than expected. There is some hope. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

open.substack.com

What I have Learned (Or At Least I Think So)

Overall It Is Not A Pretty Picture But The Good Parts Are Amazing

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

It is four years ago today that the Russians launched their full scale invasion of Ukraine. Many in the west wrote Ukraine off and prophesied a “shock and awe” Russian victory. Instead Ukraine defied its attacker and their fight for freedom became decisive for the future of European freedom.

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Notable message from President Zelensky. The USA is clearly putting pressure on Ukraine to hand over more of its land to dictatorial Russia. Good to see the Ukrainian pushback--but the USA should hang its head in shame.

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Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 16/02/2026

My message remains the same a year later. We don’t have kings in America, and I won’t bend the knee to one.

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Hi All, I sent out two pieces yesterday in another crazy day. The second, last night was how Trump has, once again, helped Putin kill and freeze Ukrainians. It’s free and I even had to update it this morning after Trump defended Putin's war crimes last night. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

open.substack.com

Trump Helps Putin Kill Ukrainians: A Case Study

Update: Since this piece appeared Donald Trump confirmed just how much he is in Putin’s pocket.

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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 24/01/2026

Everyone freezing on the East Coast or in the Midwest remember: Kyiv has the same weather, except that hundreds of thousands of people don't have electricity, heating or running water

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Zelensky is entirely justified in speaking bluntly like this to Europeans. Too many seem willing to see Ukrainians suffer to provide Europe greater time and security, without acknowledging that Ukraine’s fight is their own.

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Kaja Kallas @kajakallas.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

We also cannot let our dispute distract us from the our core task of helping to end Russia’s war against Ukraine. (2/2)

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Kaja Kallas @kajakallas.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies. If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. (1/2)

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Hello all, just sent out my free weekend update. A special one as it’s from Ukraine. It’s clear being here that we are all taking advantage of the Ukrainians. They are fighting for their lives, and we are safe and sound behind them. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

open.substack.com

Weekend Update #167: Lets Be Honest, We Are Taking Advantage Of The Ukrainians

The Graham-Blumenthal Tango Of No Meaning; The Ukrainian Strategic Air Campaign Is Making A Difference: But Probably Needs More

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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Lots of talk again about China, the US, and Russia dividing the world into spheres of influence. One problem with this idea is that after 30 years of trying, Russia's sphere is limited to Belarus, Georgia, and 20% of Ukraine. Another is that if China has a sphere, it includes Russia.

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Pete Buttigieg @petebuttigieg.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

"Iron laws of the world"? Some of America's most important national accomplishments are about leading humanity away from this kind of bullshit. If we let ideologues like Stephen Miller drag us back into a world where brute force is all that matters, all of us will be less safe.

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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

It's New Year, so time to look back and forward. These are 10 things I think we need to recognise in 2026. It’s a response to what I think are profoundly damaging mistaken assumptions I’ve heard and read from practitioners, journalists, and analysts in 2025. Warning: very long🧵

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

An important point that needs to be made on the AEI website. The best deal that the Trump administration is willing to offer Ukraine is still an abomination. Trump has so warped expectations that too many can’t admit this. @kschake.bsky.social www.aei.org/articles/tru...

aei.org

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Just sent out (mostly free). It builds on the discussion I had with General Havrylov about the transformed battlefield facing Ukrainian and Russian soldiers. It discusses why reducing the number of Ukrainian soldiers at the front is the best thing possible. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

open.substack.com

The Fewer Soldiers On The Front Line The Better

Comments on the interview with General Havrylov

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Just did a Substack Live with Ukrainian General Volodomyr Havrylov. He gave a fascinating overview of the changes in the war. For instance, now Ukraine is close to inflicting 50% of the casualties on the Russians using only 10% of the Ukr military. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

open.substack.com

Phillips O’Brien and Volodomyr Havrylov

A recording from Phillips P. OBrien's live video

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johnsweeneyroar @johnsweeneyroar.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

War Diary Day 1,391 Blaise Metreweli, the Chief of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, sticks it to the Killer in The Kremlin. And all his creepy helpers. I agree with every fucking word. VPDFO! www.gov.uk/government/s...

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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

Putin sits in Moscow claiming that his armies have taken a town that the Ukrainian president is personally visiting. There are cowardly tyrants and there are courageous elected leaders and it is good to know the difference.

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The Ukrainian Review @theukrainianreview.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

💔 A European Parliament interpreter could not hold back tears during the speech of 11-year-old Roman Oleksiv from Lviv. The boy survived a missile strike on Vinnytsia on July 14, 2022, which killed his mother - it was the last time he saw her alive.

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Adam Kinzinger @adamkinzinger.substack.com · 08/12/2025

Trump calls Somali immigrants “garbage.” His VP cheers him on. Meanwhile, families are being torn apart, asylum is being shut down, aid is being gutted, and the military is firing on survivors in the water. Cruelty is becoming national policy—silence is complicity. open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...

open.substack.com

Trump’s Dehumanization Campaign Is Becoming Normalized

A president who calls immigrants “garbage” is dangerous enough. A country that grows desensitized to it is even more frightening.

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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 05/12/2025

The new National Security Strategy is a propaganda document, designed to be widely read. It is also a performative suicide. Hard to think of another great power ever abdicating its influence so quickly and so publicly. It will be worth following the reactions around the world, not just in Europe.

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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

It's hard to over-state how important Trump admin subordination is to Putin, and not just because it hugely increases the pressure on Europe, above all on Ukraine. It's also because it gives Russia much more great power credibility, for which the Kremlin is absolutely desperate. 🧵

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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Ukraine should accept no limits on its sovereignty that have not been accepted by other European countries. If it’s forced to do that, it will be accepting second class citizenship in Europe and the principle that Russia can treat it as a state with inferior rights

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Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Although the scale of this is still to be assessed, this is the inevitable outcome of the monetization of the algorithm. Rage-bait becomes a personal revenue model. Nothing about this should be a surprise.

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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

I expect to be reposting this every three months or so until the end of the Trump administration.

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Ruth Deyermond @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

Some notable things in what's being called the "Trump peace plan" but which could not have been more clearly written in Moscow if it came with a 2 for 1 deal on tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet. 🧵

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