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Mike Brand

@miketheidealist.bsky.social
51 followers 70 following 61 posts

Human rights, mass atrocities prevention, pragmatic idealist.

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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
There is zero reason for a mayor to travel this much internationally. It is borderline criminal for a lame duck mayor to travel this much in their finally weeks in office. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/n...
nytimes.com
Eric Adams, Still the Mayor, Is Increasingly Out of Office
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Senator Chris Van Hollen @vanhollen.senate.gov · 21/11/2025
The Trump Admin will fire you for having a Pride flag on your desk but downplays & normalizes swastikas & nooses? Over 400,000 Americans died fighting Nazism. Hundreds of thousands died fighting slavery & Jim Crow. This is a slap in the face to every American who died to defeat bigoted ideologies.
washingtonpost.com
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
The president of the United States just called for the execution of Democrats in Congress. youtu.be/ievd2PO33fI?...
youtu.be
Trump Calls for the Execution of Democrats in Congress
YouTube video by miketheidealist
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Public statements do nothing for the Sudanese lying in mass graves, suffering from horrific sexual violence and torture, or fleeing their homes and languishing in displacement camps. The Sudanese people need action now! #Sudan #Darfur #elfasher humansecurityproject.org/the-sudanese...
humansecurityproject.org
The Sudanese People Need More Than Empty Words; They Need Action | Human Security Project
The UAE, a key US ally, could end this suffering. Yet, the US government continues to fail to take any meaningful action to pressure the UAE to get its RSF proxy to stop its genocidal rampage.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
So much of human progress was pushed forward by progressive ideas, by idealists who refused to accept the world as it was and fought to make it better. We need more of that now! youtu.be/yaLAcifFDEQ?...
youtu.be
Stop Saying Progressive Ideas Are Unrealistic!
YouTube video by miketheidealist
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
"The LA Rams and LA Clippers have the power to make a moral choice, to suspend their partnership until Rwanda ends its support for M23 and engages in transparent peace efforts. Such a gesture would not be anti-Rwanda; it would be pro-humanity." humansecurityproject.org/every-logo-h...
humansecurityproject.org
Every Logo Has a Shadow: How
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Virality matters in today's politics. It's not the only reason @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social won, but it plays a big role. His ability to constantly deliver a clear, impassioned message, coupled with soundbites perfect for viral clips on social media, had an impact. youtu.be/G3d711gu7WA?...
youtu.be
Politics Has Gone Viral - Zohran Mamdani and Viral Clips
YouTube video by miketheidealist
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
While these Senators highlight the UAE's direct complicity in the mass atrocities perpetrated by the RSF in El Fasher, none of them support the bill (S.935) introduced by @vanhollen.senate.gov to restrict arms sales to the UAE until they stop arming the RSF. www.foreign.senate.gov/press/rep/re...
foreign.senate.gov
Risch, Colleagues on Violence in Sudan | United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations...
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
The Biden admin, Trump admin, bipartisan members of the House & Senate. Have all said the RSF has committed genocide in Darfur. None exerted pressure on the UAE while they continue to arm the RSF. Statements are meaningless to the people being slaughtered in #Sudan right now.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
Trump says he's going to just keep killing people. youtu.be/T_cq9GYE2eo?...
youtu.be
SHOCKING: Trump Says We're Just Going to Kill Them
YouTube video by miketheidealist
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Check out this episode of the Pragmatic Idealist where we discuss the fracturing in the Atrocity Prevention and genocide studies field with the ongoing mass atrocities in Gaza. youtu.be/leYo7niRqFM?...
youtu.be
Gaza, the State of Atrocities Prevention, & What's Next After USAID | The Pragmatic Idealist
YouTube video by miketheidealist
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
The head of @jstreetdotorg says what Israel is doing in Gaza is genocide. It's not a question. If people took their blinders off, everyone would agree. But for too long, Israel has been treated differently. www.timesofisrael.com/j-street-hea...
timesofisrael.com
J Street head says he’s now convinced Israel committing genocide in Gaza
Jeremy Ben-Ami explains he has been 'persuaded rationally' by legal and scholarly arguments, stresses that though he won't use term himself, he won't argue against it either
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
Vast supplies of U.S. aid remain stranded, despite State Department promises www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
washingtonpost.com
Vast supplies of U.S. aid remain stranded, despite State Department promises
More than 60,000 metric tons of food have languished in warehouses in the United States and around the world — with expiration dates nearing on some items.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/b...
nytimes.com
Corporation for Public Broadcasting Will Shut Down
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
Can a new crimes against humanity convention fix the false hierarchy of atrocity crimes? Can we finally move away from analysis paralysis and actually do something? Can we break down the silos and move toward holistic prevention approaches? humansecurityproject.org/one-conventi...
humansecurityproject.org
One Convention to Rule Them All? Why a Crimes Against Humanity Treaty Could Transform Mass Atrocity Prevention and Improve Accountability | Human Security Project
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/b...
nytimes.com
Corporation for Public Broadcasting Will Shut Down
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Israeli human rights organization @btselem has a new report and video out, "Our Genocide," detailing the ongoing genocide in Gaza perpetrated by Israel. www.btselem.org/publications...
btselem.org
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Human Security Project @humansecurityproj.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
"As the conditions facing the Rohingya continue to worsen, addressing this situation requires more than reactive measures. It demands structural reform, sustained international pressure, and a rethinking of regional and global responsibilities." humansecurityproject.org/the-plight-o...
humansecurityproject.org
The Plight of the Rohingya in a World of Shrinking Aid | Human Security Project
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Human Security Project @humansecurityproj.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
@miketheidealist.bsky.social argues a new convention on crimes against humanity would close a nearly 80-year gap in international law and potentially improve mass atrocity prevention, response, and accountability, thereby saving lives and combating impunity. humansecurityproject.org/one-conventi...
humansecurityproject.org
One Convention to Rule Them All? Why a Crimes Against Humanity Treaty Could Transform Mass Atrocity Prevention and Improve Accountability | Human Security Project
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
It's frustrating that the media is not talking nearly enough about the mass atrocities israel continues to commit in Gaza. It's also frustrating that seemingly no one is reporting on how insane it is that the Trump Administration has sanctioned @FranceskAlbs for doing her job!
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/w...
nytimes.com
A British Surgeon on What She Saw in Gaza’s Hospitals
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
Republicans are weaponizing citizenship for political purpose. These are dangerous times.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Imagine calling for Cuomo to step down only to then endorse him for Mayor.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
The State Department will stop reporting on several human rights violations because the US is routinely violating international law. Namely it "won't condemn retaining political prisoners without due process or restrictions on "free and fair elections." www.npr.org/2025/04/18/n...
npr.org
The State Department is changing its mind about what it calls human rights
The agency's annual human rights reports are being purged of references to prison conditions, political corruption and other abuses.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Sudani and friends of Sudan have been meeting with Congressional offices this week urging more action on Sudan. More humanitarian support is desperately needed but really what's needed is a political solution to end the war. More can be done to make this happen. #Sudan #Darfur
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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
1/4. On the White House’s theory, if they abduct you, get you on a helicopter, get to international waters, shoot you in the head, and drop your corpse into the ocean, that is legal, because it is the conduct of foreign affairs.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
A good sign of an authoritarian regime is the policing of free speech, thought, and expression. This is where we are in the US. And don't think it will stop with non-citizens. www.cnn.com/2025/04/10/u...
cnn.com
Newly-released memo from Rubio details government’s only evidence in effort to deport Mahmoud Khalil | CNN
The federal government outlined evidence to support Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation order in a newly-released, two-page memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy @timep.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
"Civil society actors, especially in the diaspora, have a role to play. We must firmly stand against the war and impunity. This including condemning violence against civilians committed by both parties." @mohanedelnour.bsky.social adds importance of supporting those documenting on the ground.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
ICYMI, check out the full conversation on @timep.bsky.social's YouTube page.
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The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy @timep.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Even if reach a resolution to the war in Sudan, @dalliasd.bsky.social explains: "The fallout will continue to reverberate for a long time. So how do we as Sudanese society and civil society and political actors work to combat this? We need to be prepared for what happens next." #TIMEPEvents
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The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy @timep.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
"Sudan has been called the worst displacement, humanitarian, education, and hunger crisis in the world. There are multiple issues happening at the same time, all of which need support," explains @miketheidealist.bsky.social on the extent of the war's impact on civilians. #TIMEPEvents
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The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy @timep.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
Following US foreign assistance cuts, @miketheidealist.bsky.social explains that we've seen "many organizations on the ground -- international organizations, Sudanese-led orgs, and Emergency Response Rooms -- having to pull back, not being able to provide as much food, as much medical care."
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The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy @timep.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
"There is pressure the United States can exert over the external actors that are providing arms to both actors to end the war. The US has strong defense partnerships with the UAE, Egypt, and others" says @miketheidealist.bsky.social. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXlP... #TIMEPEvents
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
South Sudan is about to explode risking a county-wide civil war putting civilians under threat and the secretary of state wants to send people back there and prevent others from coming to the US. 🤦🏼‍♂️😭
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The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy @timep.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
🔔 This month, Sudan’s war marks its second year. Join TIMEP on April 10 at 10 am EST for “The War in Sudan: Two Years On,” a virtual event featuring @dalliasd.bsky.social, @mohanedelnour.bsky.social, and @miketheidealist.bsky.social, moderated by Magdi Amin. Register here: timep.org/2025/04/03/t...
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
The rule of law is hanging on by the thinnest of threads.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
The US government spends nearly a trillion dollars on the military. The United States Institute of Peace's budget is $55 million. Not $55 billion. $55 million. It's like a rounding error in our federal budget. Yet, DOGE broke into the building and has taken it over. www.cnn.com/2025/03/17/p...
cnn.com
DOGE gains access to US Institute of Peace after Trump administration overhauls board | CNN Politics
Personnel from the Department of Government Efficiency, accompanied by DC police officers, gained access to the US Institute of Peace Monday after being turned away last week.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
Absolute insanity. The Trump administration tried to get Sudan to take in Palestinians from Gaza. This should serve as a baseline for the Trump admin's understanding of the situation in Sudan. #Sudan #Gaza #Palestine #Trump www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
theguardian.com
Sudan rejects US request to discuss taking in Palestinians under Trump’s Gaza plan
US and Israel reportedly contacted officials in Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland
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Akela Lacy @akelalacy.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
NEW: The Trump administration admitted that it detained Mahmoud Khalil with no allegation that he broke the law. Democrats' response? They expect Trump to follow the law. Just 14 of 100 CPC members signed onto Rep. Rashida Tlaib's letter calling for Khalil's release. theintercept.com/2025/03/11/m...
theintercept.com
Dems for Some Reason Expect Trump to Follow the Law on Detention of Mahmoud Khalil
“I expect the Department of Justice to work within the confines of the law,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who counts Khalil as one of his constituents.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Just to recap the president of the united states, a billionaire, just hosted a commercial for the richest man in the world in front of the White House while cutting lifesaving food and Healthcare to the world's poorest and cutting benefits for Americans. Wow.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 09/03/2025
The thing about the United States is we have an incredibly corrupt system but no one ever talks about it or does anything about it. Yet we'll criticize other states for their corruption. 🤦🏼‍♂️😢
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Trump stops aid and Intelligence sharing to Ukraine, immediately Putin ups the bombings. 😢
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
"Without immediate assistance, thousands of desperate families in Zamzam could starve in the coming weeks," said Laurent Bukera, the regional director for the World Food Program (WFP). #Sudan www.dw.com/en/sudan-un-...
dw.com
Sudan: UN food agency pauses aid in famine-hit refugee camp – DW – 02/26/2025
The World Food Program has halted aid distribution in the Zamzam camp in North Darfur. WFP officials said intensified fighting between the military and RSF paramilitary forced them to stop providing t...
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 20/02/2025
Abdel Aziz al-Hilu's alignment with Hemedti and the RSF is a wild turn for Sudan. #Sudan #Darfur www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/w...
nytimes.com
RSF Announces Plans for Breakaway Government in Sudan
Amid reports of new atrocities by their troops in Sudan, leaders of the Rapid Support Forces were cheered at an elaborate political event in Kenya.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
Let's be clear, any "savings" DOGE creates by firing people and closing agencies will be completely undone by the $3+ trillion in tax breaks to the richest Americans. It won't lower the price of goods, it won't lower inflation, and you aren't getting money back.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
3,000 dead in Eastern DRC in just a few weeks as M23 captured Goma. If they continue to Bukavu many more will be killed. Absolutely awful. www.cnn.com/2025/02/06/a...
cnn.com
Nearly 3,000 people killed after rebels seize key African city, UN says | CNN
Nearly three thousand people have been killed in the city of Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the United Nations, after the provincial capital was captured by rebels foll...
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
I love how people who have quite literally never heard of USAID, have no idea what USAID does, have maybe never been outside the country, have never seen USAID programs in action are somehow now experts on USAID.
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Marco Rubio had long supported the work of USAID, often speaking about the importance of US foreign aid as a part of our foreign policy. What happened? www.cnn.com/2025/02/05/p...
cnn.com
Rubio’s years of strong support for USAID stand in contrast to his sudden criticism of the aid agency | CNN Politics
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, newly in charge of the besieged US Agency for International Development, was for years a staunch supporter of its mission while in the US Senate, reversing his views on...
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Russian propaganda fueling USAID disinformation. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
False video claims celebrities were 'paid' by USAID to visit Ukraine
The video claiming that USAID paid Hollywood celebrities millions of dollars to visit Ukraine is not real and has hallmarks of a Russian disinformation operation that the BBC has previously investigat...
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Mike Brand @miketheidealist.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
A gift to human rights abusers. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/u...
nytimes.com
State Dept. Fires About 60 Contractors Working on Democracy and Human Rights
The contractors helped enact programs that focus on building up civil society and democratic practices in authoritarian states such as China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela and Cuba.
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