iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

NOTE TO READERS: My Nat Sec posts are never based on classified info. I never solicit input from active duty military leaders. My 32 years of military service and 5 years as a Cabinet Officer are the base of hours of weekly investigation to keep an objective grasp of these issues.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The Warning Lights Are Blinking Again www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/o... A brilliant analysis by Jen Easterly of th looming threat of loss of control for the exploding power of AI.

nytimes.com

Opinion | We Know the Risks of A.I. We Need to Act.

A.I. could turn one of our country’s worst habits into a national security crisis.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Mr Trump winds down joint military training with South Korea to punish them for not joining the Iran War. Madness. KJU a monster. A nuclear threat to the region. The ROK a democracy. Economic powerhouse. This action lowers deterrence of war from N Korea.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Trump sends Cabinet and staff as target decoy on Air Force 1. If he had flown secretly to UK and then revealed himself on tv news …the threat would have disappeared to the poorly protected Qatari plane. Stupid. Cowardly action.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

US becoming a nation of extremists. Bitter primaries. Trump MAGA Cult vs the rising DSA on the left. Defund Police and Pentagon. Abolish Supreme Court and Senate. Nationalize most Corporations. A ship of fools.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Iran's leaders think they have Trump cornered, but their strategy carries great risks apnews.com/article/iran... Iran strategy to control Persian Gulf transit a perilous option. Their economy choking. Trump not running for election. US could conduct continued massive attacks on economic targets.

apnews.com

Iran's leaders think they have Trump cornered, but their strategy carries great risks

Iran's leaders believe that sooner or later the United States will have to accede to their control over the Strait of Hormuz.

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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 24/07/2026

⚡️Update: Major fire reported in St. Petersburg as Ukraine strikes second Wildberries logistics hub in city. Massive plumes of thick black smoke were seen billowing over parts of St. Petersburg on July 24 amid reports that a second Wildberries logistics hub had been struck in the city.

kyivindependent.com

Major fire reported in St. Petersburg as Ukraine strikes Wildberries logistics hubs for fifth time in past week

Logistics centers belonging to Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, came under fire in the Russian cities of St. Petersburg, and Tver, as well as in the Russian-occupied Crimea overnight on ...

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Mr Trump has the US stuck in a quagmire. No way to force the Straits without significant US ground forces. 200,000 IRGC…600,000 Army. Doable. Stiff battle. A year. To what end? Iran is going nuclear within 5 years. No allies. No voter support. No strategy.

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tomwellborn3rd @wellborn.net · 10/07/2026

Pete Hegseth toured a naval vessel, got upset that sailors had beard exemptions, and launched a Pentagon-wide crackdown. Iran hostilities just resumed with no end in sight. The Secretary of War's top priority is facial hair on Black men with a documented skin condition.

rawstory.com

Pete Hegseth sends heads rolling after noticing his no-beard policy is going unenforced

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth noticed too many people were getting exemptions from his strict "no beards" crackdown while visiting a naval ship last month, CNN reported — and heads rolled over it....

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Mr Trump skillfully and publicly sets up his diplomatic approach to ending our failed war with Iran. Says Iranians are “scum.” “Sick people.” “Cuckoo.“ “Just a waste of time dealing with them.” Straits remain closed. Iran nuke program? Asks Congress for $70 billion first payment.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

US Army Gen CD Donahue the most extraordinary combat leader in a generation. Brilliant. Fearless. Integrity. Inspirational leader. Fired by Sec Def Hegseth. Supported Ukraine defense against Putin criminal invasion.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

x.com/nytimes/stat... The Iranians are now going to stick garbage in Trump’s face. The US is in a very dangerous position. After 21,000 air sorties …. hard to imagine again using air campaign. Iran now owns the Straits. They now believe they must have nuclear weapons.

x.com

The New York Times (@nytimes) on X

Breaking News: Iran’s forces said they shut the Strait of Hormuz, citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon as a breach of the U.S. deal to end fighting on all fronts. Follow live updates. https://t.co/B1FZjV...

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Trump end of Iran War a strategic disaster. Good the combat will stop. Good the oil will flow out of the Gulf. Good the Iranian conventional forces severely degraded. No serious constraints on nuke program. Iran has a future grip on the Strait. No constraint on Hezbollah. Our allies appalled.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Canada's Carney says middle-power countries shouldn't compete for favor with the US apnews.com/article/carn... Trump doing grave economic and security damage to our most trusted partners in Europe and Canada. They view the US acting as a predator nation. Congress watches in total apathy.

apnews.com

Canada's Carney says middle-power countries shouldn't compete for favor with the US

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney continued his efforts to align with Europe and pivot away from its longstanding ally, the United States, meeting with leader of Ireland and saying middle power coun...

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Source: CNN Seizing 10 tons of Iranian fissile material a complex, high risk US op. On the ground with 15,000 US troops for a month. Iranian 600,000 troops will respond. Significant US casualties. Foolhardy. Probably doable.

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The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · 03/06/2026

More than 1,100 University of California math and science professors are urging UC regents to reinstate college-entrance exams, saying that unprepared students are lowering academic standards and draining teaching resources. on.wsj.com/4u7Op2T

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

apnews.com/live/trump-a... says ‘Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up’ The President of the United States to a Gulf State threatened by Iran. Comply with my latest spasm of orders or we’ll “blow you up.”

apnews.com

Live updates: Trump meets with his Cabinet as talks to end war in Iran remain in flux

President Donald Trump meets with his Cabinet on Wednesday after yesterday's primary election and at a precarious moment for talks to end the war with Iran.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

In the 80’s spent most of a day in discussions with Fidel and Raul Castro. Proud dictatorship. Communism doesn’t work. Cuba is a disaster. No food. No freedom. Indictment of Raul for 30 year old murders won’t help. Engage diplomacy.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

Trump effusively to Pres Xi. Supplicant. He got nothing. Weakened Taiwan deterrence. Alarming to Japan. S Korea. Australia. Still mired in Iran War.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

Trump hostility, instability, tariffs a gift to China. People now aligned with Regime. Autonomous lead in Science.. AI, EV, robotics, defense manufacturing, ship building. They seek new trade pacts. Welcome international bodies. Portray US as lawless and volatile.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

www.ms.now/ana-cabrera-... Trump test to force the Straits with US Naval power was a contested operation. Two courageous US Navy destroyers knocked out incoming missiles and Iran fast boats. This will not work for 2000 stuck ships.

ms.now

Trump: 'The bombing starts' if Iran won't agree to terms

As negotiations in the Middle East inch forward, there is volatility near the Strait of Hormuz with a cargo vessel struck and the U.S. disabling a ship sailing towards Iran. MS NOW Contributor Inzamam...

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

It’s extremely concerning to witness the bizarre, erratic, lawless behavior of Mr Trump. Wild narcissism. Inventing new realities. Threatening and violent language. Two more years. Our national security in great danger.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Violent incident at the White House Correspondents dinner. The President is safe. Shameful new reality of threats to public servants and their families. We must protect those who serve democracy.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Iran tactically devastated. They hold the upper hand with choke hold on the Gulf. They will never give up their nuclear program nor end their aim to destroy Israel. Trump politically desperate. Dangerous. Massive escalation or he throws in the towel.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

In the past 6 months the Ukrainians have turned a corner. They are now destroying the Russian Army at a pace that will shatter Moscow quickly. Incredible drone technology. New stunning battlefield tactics. Huge European support. Trump seen as an agent of Putin.

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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 18/04/2026

Kash Patel’s colleagues are alarmed by what they say is erratic behavior and excessive drinking, Sarah Fitzpatrick reports. More than two dozen people she spoke with described his management failures and conduct that could harm national security.

bit.ly

Kash Patel’s Erratic Behavior Could Cost Him His Job

The FBI director has alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences.

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Justin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Here’s the thing—especially on April 15: cutting the IRS isn't some abstract budget trim. It's a tax cut delivered through weaker enforcement. And it mostly goes to people with the most scope to hide income.

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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

“He cheated on the golf course. He cheated on his taxes. He cheated on his wives. He cheated the business contractors he stiffed. He tried to cheat in the 2020 election. And now he’s trying to cheat on the 2026 midterms - because he knows he can’t win.”

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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

So Christ-like. www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

The truce expires 22 April. Trump counter blockade is escalatory. ROE can lead to all out war at sea. Vital Chinese energy interests at stake. Both US and Iranian interests ill served by renewed naval combat.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Now apparently only Iranian ports. What’s next?

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Trump will blockade all shipping thru Straits. Disaster for our Gulf allies. Will skyrocket global price of oil. LNG. Fertilizer. Stop cargo imports to Gulf States. Absorb huge US military resources. Trump believes this is very clever.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Talks with the Iranians fail in Islamabad and the US Delegation goes home. Two courageous destroyer crews enter the Straits on de-mining mission. Both US and Iran need an extended ceasefire.

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Jack Blackburn @hackblackburn.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Marco Rubio realising he has to move to Avignon and be the Antipope

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

This Trump language to permanently end Iran as a civilization seems to be code words for the employment of nuclear weapons. Congress and the Supreme Court need to carefully watch this. We are standing on the edge of a cliff.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Trump has repeatedly delayed deadlines for Iran, but suggests Tuesday's is final apnews.com/article/trum... Both Iran and US vital interests harmed by continued combat. Trump has gone mental on this war. Both sides desperate for a cease fire.

apnews.com

Trump has repeatedly delayed deadlines for Iran, but suggests Tuesday's is final

President Donald Trump has extended a deadline for Iran to cut a deal or open the Strait of Hormuz from Monday to Tuesday. This is the latest in several deadline delays.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

Hegseth’s firing of a top general is the latest sign of Pentagon turmoil NOTE

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George Conway ⚖️🇺🇸 @gtconway.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

I was in the courtroom at 100 Centre that day when Todd Blanche asked Michael Cohen that question, and Blanche looked every bit as stupid then when he asked that as he does now on paper! 🤣

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Tom Nichols @radiofreetom.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Someone needs to tell the American people what's going on in the Pentagon, and it obviously won't be Pete Hegseth, who is at war with America's senior military officers. My latest: www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...

theatlantic.com

Hegseth’s War on America’s Military

Someone needs to explain the Pentagon purges to the American people.

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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 03/04/2026

"Dumping the Army Chief of Staff in the middle of a war is a reckless move even by Hegseth’s standards," @radiofreetom.bsky.social argues:

bit.ly

Hegseth’s War on America’s Military

Someone needs to explain the Pentagon purges to the American people.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Hegseth just fired the Army Chief Gen Randy George. Immediately. Gen George the most competent and experienced combat leaders I have ever encountered. Courage. Integrity. Takes care of soldiers. A government of gangsters.

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Barry McCaffrey @brma64.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

The most successful US air and naval campaign in history. Now in a strategic box. Fortified Kargh Island 400 miles from the Straits. Bad Navy/Marine option. Air/sea attacks on ships with seconds to react. No sea room to maneuver in Persian Gulf. Trump team does not know what it’s doing.

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Frank Figliuzzi @frankfigliuzzi.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

A significant breach of air defenses: 12 U.S. Troops Injured in Attack on Saudi Base, Officials Say www.nytimes.com/live/2026/03...

nytimes.com

Iran War Live Updates: 12 U.S. Troops Injured in Attack on Saudi Base, Officials Say

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Eric Schmitt @erschm.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

Hegseth assailed for removing four officers -- two Black men and two women -- from a promotion list to be generals, raising questions about racial and gender bias www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/u...

nytimes.com

Hegseth Criticized for Removing Four Officers From Promotion List

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