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Kathleen J. McInnis

@kjmcinnis1.bsky.social
3.3K followers 596 following 170 posts

Senior Fellow, Defense & Security Department & Director, SWSP @CSIS. Priors: Capitol Hill, Pentagon, Chatham House, Kings College London. PhD War Studies. Author. Mom. Herder of cats. NATO nerd.

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Reposted by Kathleen J. McInnis
The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 13/06/2025
⚡️ Zelensky appoints new head of Ukraine's mission to NATO. President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 13 appointed Aliona Hetmanchuk as the head of Ukraine's mission to NATO, replacing Nataliia Halibarenko.
kyivindependent.com
'At a critical time' — Zelensky appoints new head of Ukraine's mission to NATO
The appointment came "at a critical time for the future of Ukraine, for the future of NATO itself, and, of course, for Ukraine's future in NATO. I realize the responsibility," Aliona Hetmanchuk said o...
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Reposted by Kathleen J. McInnis
News Eye @newseye.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
Possibly the news photo of the decade.
A photo posted by Zelensky’s Presidential office shows Zelensky and Trump alone on the floor of St Peter’s Basillica in the Vatican. They are sat on two red chairs, face to face, inches apart. Zelensky is making a point, fist out. The marble floor and intricate decorations are visible all around.
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Cocomelon: MTV for two year olds
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
I’ve been called a national security “Swiss army knife several times in my career. This piece on fixing a visa loophole in the Northern Marianas is one reason why. www.csis.org/analysis/sea...
csis.org
Sealing the Interagency Cracks: The United States in Oceania
The United States has a major vulnerability it needs to address: China is exploiting an immigration loophole in the U.S. territory of Saipan, posing a security and counterintelligence threat to U.S. b...
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 06/03/2025
U.S. Foreign military sales are a proxy indicator of international support for U.S. global leadership.
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Putting this out there again - my piece in @lawfare.bsky.social from last summer www.lawfaremedia.org/article/trum...
lawfaremedia.org
Trump Can’t Withdraw From NATO, but He Could “Quiet Quit”
Not participating in NATO would undermine the alliance—and U.S. foreign policy
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Reposted by Kathleen J. McInnis
Molly McKew @mollymckew.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
All — many Americans have asked how YOU can help Ukraine right now I’ll do another fundraiser soon — but 🇺🇦 has a great resource page. Donate directly into general funds for defense, humanitarian aid, reconstruction, or choose a legit 🇺🇦 charity that fits how you want to help war.ukraine.ua/donate/
war.ukraine.ua
Donate to Ukraine’s defenders
The National Bank of Ukraine has decided to open a special fundraising account to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
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Reposted by Kathleen J. McInnis
Tony Stark @tonystark.bsky.social · 01/03/2025
Why would China stop the flow of fentanyl through Mexico when they can watch us step on endless rakes and get bogged down in Mexico instead of fighting in the Pacific?
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Great Man Theory is going to kill us all
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 22/02/2025
Thank you for your service, GEN Brown. You will be missed.
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Reposted by Kathleen J. McInnis
Alexander Clarkson @aphclarkson.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
The move against Franchetti and her team who were just beginning to get a grip on structural problems fueling the US Navy's growing crisis is an act of strategic self-sabotage
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François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
45-50K is also the figure I used in my Monday BBC TV interview, meaning ~9 combat brigades (3x3). Same order of magnitude as in post-Dayton Bosnia (IFOR) and in Kosovo(KFOR) Western forces. Of course these were much smaller places but 🇺🇦 has a very large battle-hardened army providing smart mass...
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Unlike the deal with the Taliban, Ukraine and Europe get a vote. Washington will eventually figure this out.
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Reposted by Kathleen J. McInnis
Richard Branson @richardbranson.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Europe can’t rely on the strength of the transatlantic relationship to help contain Russia’s threat – it must lead from the front and be the true force of support that Ukraine needs. Not just for Ukraine’s sake, but for a free and sovereign Europe.
virgin.com
On Ukraine, Europe must step into the void | Virgin
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CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 15/02/2025
How has the Women, Peace, and Security Act (WPS) evolved within the Department of Defense? How can WPS contribute to accomplishing U.S. strategic objectives? CSIS Smart Women, Smart Power expert @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social explains:
cs.is
Why the Women, Peace, and Security Act Strengthens U.S. Defense Strategy
The Women, Peace, and Security Act programs implemented by the Department of Defense already comport with Trump administration policy. Put simply, WPS provides the DOD with a toolkit to make the…
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Reposted by Kathleen J. McInnis
Evika Siliņa @evikasilina.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
🖇️Joint statement of the NB8 countries: www.mk.gov.lv/en/article/n...
mk.gov.lv
NB8 countries issue joint statement on support for Ukraine
Latvia, together with the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8), stand fully and firmly behind Ukraine. Ukraine must be able to prevail against Russia’s war of…
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
We talk about values because it’s *why* we shoot.
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 13/02/2025
A reminder: Vladimir Putin could end the war in Ukraine right now, just by ordering his soldiers to go home. No need for treaties or negotiations.
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
One of the reasons the U.S. had / has presence in Europe was to prevent European allies from acquiring their own nuclear weapons. Wonder if that EUR calculation will be reconsidered.
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Reposted by Kathleen J. McInnis
CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 12/02/2025
Enacted by President Trump during his first administration, the Women, Peace, and Security Act helps to advance strategic, operational, and tactical security objectives. Learn more from CSIS's @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social about how the WPS Act strengthens U.S. security:
csis.org
Why the Women, Peace, and Security Act Strengthens U.S. Defense Strategy
The Women, Peace, and Security Act programs implemented by the Department of Defense already comport with Trump administration policy. Put simply, WPS provides the DOD with a toolkit to make the…
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Boy howdy I hope this comes with big salary increases because doing four people’s jobs without additional pay won’t work out very well.
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Yep.
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Also rabies is a baaaaad way to kick the bucket
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Serious question: if death threats are causing vote intimidation in our legislative branch, why can’t Congress establish its own secret service? Like another legislative branch organization alongside CBO, GAO, CRS?
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
What contemporary realpolitik folks don’t seem to appreciate is that hegemony isn’t created through fear; it is created by others choosing to support a leader because it’s in their interest to do so.
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Grim morning thought - The thing I’m wondering: if we are no longer united & animated by the ideas enshrined in the constitution (a big if, perhaps)… what holds us together? Can anything hold us together? Do we Balkanize?
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Mark Hertling @markhertling.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
During my time in the military serving in peace and war around the world, I came to the singular conclusion that trust - not transaction - is the true coin of the realm in international relations.
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Patrick Chovanec @prchovanec.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
This has always been one of his few core beliefs. Everything else is negotiable, but this is core.
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
One can be perturbed about TikTok (It’s pro-Beijing algo may have contributed to this situation BTW) and these moves at the same time.
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Reposted by Kathleen J. McInnis
Stephanie LaTour @stephanielatour.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
TODAY Sunday at 3:00: Protest TODAY (Sunday) outside the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) bldg., where Musk & his cyber-thugs have seized control of the computers. 1900 E Street NW (corner of E and 19th Sts.), Wash. DC. Please spread the word to folks in DC.
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Andreas Umland @umland.eurosky.social · 01/02/2025
The global economy is growing more and more dependent on critical minerals. There are vast reserves of these minerals in Ukraine. Margus @tsahkna.bsky.social in @TheNatlInterest @CFTNI
nationalinterest.org
Ukraine’s Victory Will Ensure Critical Mineral Security
If Western support falters, Ukraine’s reserves of rare earth minerals will be left at the mercy of Russia and China. The global economy is growing more and more dependent on critical minerals—resource...
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 02/02/2025
FWIW tariffs are violating Article 2 of the Washington Treaty (the one that establishes NATO).
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Mark Zaid, Esq @markzaidesq.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
For all federal employees: Before you are locked out of your systems, ensure you have copies of unclassified performance appraisals, awards & other relevant personnel docs. If you have access to your office, grab your more important personal items sooner rather than later.
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Reposted by Kathleen J. McInnis
Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
🚨 BREAKING: OMB has just issued a memo *rescinding* the previous memo freezing all federal financial assistance programs. Full text, per government source:
January 29, 2025
M-25-14
MEMORANDUM FOR HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
FROM: Matthew J. Vaeth, Acting Director, Office of Management and Budget Me
SUBJECT: Rescission of M-25-13
OMB Memorandum M-25-13 is rescinded. If you have questions about implementing the
President's Executive Orders, please contact your agency General Counsel.
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Reposted by Kathleen J. McInnis
Tony Stark @tonystark.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
The Navy will find some way to be mad at me for this but I really do think when we downsize the Army (significantly) we should offer cash bonuses to transfer and reclass to the Navy. You have a bunch of people that want to serve with a lot of skill sets and leadership experience that transfer.
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
Actually thinking about it I am pretty excited about this administration’s focus on meritocracy for defense. Lots of work to do to make sure young men don’t water down current standards (seriously). www.military.com/daily-news/2...
military.com
Surge of Female Enlistments Helped Drive Army Success in Reaching 2024 Recruiting Goal
Nearly 10,000 women signed up for active duty in 2024, an 18% jump from the previous year, while male recruitment increased by just 8%, the data shows.
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Reposted by Kathleen J. McInnis
Doug Saunders @dougsaunders.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
Important article. If you've spent time with deployed US military in the last few decades, you realize stuff described as "woke" or "DEI" was not foisted on them, but is an organic expression of their culture from front lines to generals --because it's more effective www.nytimes.com/2025/01/25/u...
nytimes.com
Hegseth’s Views May Clash With Reality at Defense Department
The new defense secretary’s goals run counter to the military’s apolitical tradition and efforts to build a force that mirrors America.
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
Fascinating. This is how we lose today’s and tomorrow’s wars.
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
Then-Secretary Gates tried to do this. He called it “brass creep.”
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Molly McKew @mollymckew.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
The world all of us Americans have lived in is one where—despite our griping & not awesome moments & political narratives—the United States has been an engine of innovation, prosperity, security, human progress But if you take out enough screws, it will lurch to a halt & not be easy to resurrect /1
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Dr. Ian Garner @irgarner.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
My new article on how deranged Russian nationalists were engaging in memory warfare online before the state got involved is out today! Here’s how grassroots myth-making around WWII shaped narratives that appear in Putin's propaganda now. 🧵 sciendo.com/article/10.2...
sciendo.com
Fighting the Online War: Online Russian Nationalists and...
Memory of the Battle of Stalingrad, a pivotal moment in Second World War, is a cornerstone of Vladimir Putin’s nationalist mythology. This study...
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
Anyone else getting bored by BABYGIRL commentary? I kind of wanted to see it before but now I’m meh
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
The thing is, might doesn’t make right. To be a hegemon - or a leader - others have to agree that you should be in charge. Peace through strength always required allies and partners who agree with our notion of peace
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The Ukrainian Review @theukrainianreview.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
💯 "Putin will definitely return with an army 10 times larger than now, for the complete occupation of all countries of the former USSR," - Zelensky 🛡️ "If there are weak security guarantees, then Europe will only get words from Russia. And they will return again with war."
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
We already have problems with readiness & our arctic warfare capabilities are “low density” - meaning there’s not a lot of the stuff needed to pull off this kind of operation. So not sure I agree with this “dominant predator” thing
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Jacob Ware @jacobware.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
"Gender roles and identity are a center of gravity in the information environment for autocrats seeking to limit free expression and exchange in their societies." - @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social, Benjamin Jensen, and Jaron Wharton in @warontherocks.bsky.social. warontherocks.com/2022/11/why-...
warontherocks.com
Why Dictators are Afraid of Girls: Rethinking Gender and National Security - War on the Rocks
In 1987, Argentinian mothers gathered to protest the disappearance of their sons and husbands at the hands of the authoritarian military junta. The
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Welcome to BACK TO THE FUTURE, 19th century edition
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Jeff Stein @jeffstein.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Trump: The U.S. will be a nation that "expands our territory" and pursues Manifest Destiny
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Kathleen J. McInnis @kjmcinnis1.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
Looking forward to actually being able to use TikTok when it’s sold in the next 48 hours. (I also really hope @mcuban.bsky.social ‘s idea of doing a Bluesky version of TikTok takes off!)
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