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Steven Saum

@swamiriver.bsky.social
72 followers 29 following 19 posts

Writer, editor, wearer of hats including RPCV 🇺🇦 | Consular Officer, 🇨🇿 Czech Honorary Consulate Gen. in SF

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Reposted by Steven Saum
The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 23/09/2026
⚡️'Ukrainians did not choose this war. We choose not to die,' Zelensky says to UN General Assembly as he calls for peace.
kyivindependent.com
'Ukrainians did not choose this war. We choose not to die,' Zelensky says to UN General Assembly
President Volodymyr Zelensky, on Sept. 23, addressed the U.N. General Assembly, calling for continued support for Ukraine, stressing the importance of negotiations, and warning that Ukrainians will co...
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Steven Saum @swamiriver.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
“We hold these truths to be self-evident…” Join me in San Francisco or online for a conversation with @walteri.bsky.social at @cwclub.bsky.social on Tuesday at noon Pacific. We'll talk ideas and ideals that have shaped the nation. And bring your questions! www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2026-...
commonwealthclub.org
Walter Isaacson: The Greatest Sentence Ever Written
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, bestselling biographer Walter Isaacson has taken a fascinating deep dive into the creation of one of history’s most powerful sentences: “We hold these tr...
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Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 09/09/2026
FT Exclusive: CIA director John Ratcliffe will play a larger role in shuttle diplomacy between Moscow and Kyiv while maintaining contact with intelligence officers. ft.trib.al/pYYwLWn
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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 05/09/2026
⚡️Russian attacks kill 3, injure over 20 across Ukraine as Putin meets US envoys in Moscow. Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said the strike killed nearly an entire family: a 19-year-old woman, an 11-year-old boy, and a 45-year-old man.
kyivindependent.com
Russian attacks kill 3, injure over 20 across Ukraine as Putin meets US envoys in Moscow
Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said the strike killed nearly an entire family: a 19-year-old woman, an 11-year-old boy, and a 45-year-old man.
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KQED Forum @kqedforum.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
🎙️ON AIR: The Trump administration is reportedly considering giving a private developer control of land in Yosemite. We’ll discuss what’s at stake and efforts to stop it with @annackramer.bsky.social. ❓What does Yosemite mean to you? 📻Listen:
buff.ly
Trump Administration Allow Private Development in Yosemite? | KQED
We’ll talk about the consequences of privatizing a cherished landmark and the efforts to stop it.
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 03/09/2026
Dutch central bank moves 86 tonnes of gold to UK from US and Canada, citing ‘geopolitical unrest’
theguardian.com
Dutch central bank moves 86 tonnes of gold to UK from US and Canada, citing ‘geopolitical unrest’
Bank says gold reserves held in London could be traded more easily and the move will allow it to respond more rapidly in a ‘crisis situation’ The Dutch central bank says it has moved 86 tonnes of its gold reserves out of the US and Canada to London, citing “increasing geopolitical unrest”. De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) said gold reserves held in London could be traded more easily than those held in New York and Ottawa. Continue reading...
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NOELREPORTS @noelreports.com · 29/08/2026
A Russian journalist told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that Moscow now effectively has only two allies, North Korea and Iran, and asked: "How did we get to this point, how did we end up in such company?" Lavrov responded: "What's wrong with such company?" #Russia
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Christopher Miller @christopherjm.ft.com · 22/08/2026
A Russian "double-tap" drone attack on a busy Ukrainian shopping mall on Friday evening killed at least 16 people and injured more than 130 others, including 23 children. Nine people in the mall during the attack were still unaccounted for on Saturday morning, including two children.
ft.com
Russian ‘double-tap’ attack on Ukrainian shopping mall kills at least 16
Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls on allies to pile ‘real pressure’ on Moscow to end the war
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Christopher Miller @christopherjm.ft.com · 20/08/2026
Another horrific night for Kyiv with waves of Russian missiles and jet-powered drones striking in the early hours of Thursday, killing at least 13 people in an attack that came as Ukraine struggles with a severe shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles. www.ft.com/content/7364...
ft.com
Russian missile attack kills at least 13 in Kyiv
Strikes come as Ukraine struggles with a shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles
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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 09/08/2026
⚡️Russia destroys World Health Organization warehouse in Dnipro. "Even wars have rules. One of those is that health must be protected," World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
kyivindependent.com
Russia destroys World Health Organization warehouse in Dnipro
"Even wars have rules. One of those is that health must be protected," World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 01/08/2026
Russia commits war crimes every single day
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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 25/07/2026
⚡️Russia preparing to receive additional North Korean troops, Zelensky says. "Russia wants to bring in another 30,000 North Korean troops," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address on July 25.
kyivindependent.com
Russia preparing to receive additional North Korean troops, Zelensky says
"Russia wants to bring in another 30,000 North Korean troops," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address on July 25.
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Steven Saum @swamiriver.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
This is fabulous. And the live shows are epic.
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Christopher Miller @christopherjm.ft.com · 06/07/2026
I caught up with President Zelenskyy today at his office. He told me that one of Ukraine's goals with its long-range drone strikes is to terrify Putin and drive him out of Moscow. “The farther Putin is from Moscow, the closer the end of the war will be,” he said. www.ft.com/content/6ca8...
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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 06/07/2026
⚡️Update: 10 killed, 56 injured in Kyiv, surrounding region following massive Russian attack on apartment buildings. The casualty count has risen to include 10 deceased and a further 56 injured victims in the overnight Russian attack on Ukraine's capital region.
kyivindependent.com
Massive Russia attack hits apartment buildings in Kyiv, killing 10, injuring 56
Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones toward Kyiv overnight on July 6, hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of yet another large-scale attack targeting the capital.
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 22/06/2026
In 2023, Jeffrey Goldberg and I wrote, among other things, about Ukrainian plans to liberate Crimea in @theatlantic.com. With road and ferry connections to the peninsula now cut off, they seem suddenly more plausible www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 21/06/2026
Crimean authorities have stopped selling fuel to individuals and businesses as shortages become acute. Ukrainian strikes are slowly cutting access to the peninsula, hitting fuel trucks and ferries. www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukr...
rferl.org
Russian Authorities Halt Fuel Sales In Occupied Crimea
Russian-installed authorities in occupied Crimea have suspended fuel sales to private individuals and businesses amid a severe fuel shortage and a weak tourist season, as Ukrainian drone strikes conti...
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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Again and again, Russia kills the people and destroys the cultural sites it says it went to war to protect. These crimes will end when the US supplies missile defense to Ukraine and enforces sanctions on Russian energy. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
theguardian.com
Kyiv monastery set on fire in night of Russian attacks across Ukraine
Dormition Cathedral at Unesco world heritage site struck along with residential buildings across capital
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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 15/06/2026
⚡️Update: At least 6 injured in Kyiv as Russia strikes residential buildings, historic Pechersk Lavra. At least six people have been injured in Kyiv amid a large-scale Russian attack, as a fire continues to burn at the historic Dormition Cathedral in the Pechersk Lavra.
kyivindependent.com
Kyiv's historic Pechersk Lavra burns as Russian rains ballistic missiles on capital
"We ask for prayers for the salvation of the shrine from destruction. Another Russian crime against humanity, against history, against Christianity," Metropolitan Epiphanies, head of the Orthodox Chur...
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Kate from Kharkiv @kateinkharkiv.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Rubio congratulated Russians on Russia Day 💩 He is wishing a “more prosperous future for Russian people” at the very moment when they are slaughtering thousands of Ukrainians under occupation, across the front line, and behind it with missiles and drones. What a disgrace!
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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
You can help to keep Ukrainians safe. By contributing, you are allowing people to survive and helping people to persevere. You are also letting them know that they are not alone, and that you can see a better future, and want to part of it. Please help if you can. snyder.substack.com/p/sky-defens...
snyder.substack.com
Sky Defense: Bringing it Home
We are saving lives and neighborhoods in Ukraine
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 07/06/2026
Ukraine is not losing. And for Russia, that's a major defeat. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
theatlantic.com
Ukraine Is Not Losing. Russia Is Not Winning.
A momentum shift that changes everything
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 30/05/2026
The Justice Department removed information about the January 6 insurrectionists from its website. @lawfaremedia.org has preserved and posted it www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
lawfaremedia.org
The Justice Department Erases History; Lawfare Restores It
Last week, the Justice Department deleted thousands of press releases related to the Jan. 6 insurrection and other matters. Here they are.
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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
If we give the Ukrainians Patriots and sanction Russian energy the war is over. In other words, US policy at present is to keep the war going. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...
theguardian.com
Ukraine war briefing: Eliminate Putin’s ‘last major advantage,’ Zelenskyy urges Washington
Patriots would neutralise ballistic missiles and force Russia to negotiate, says Ukrainian president; half a million Russian dead – GCHQ boss. What we know on day 1,555
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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 25/05/2026
In one of the most devastating attacks on Kyiv since the start of the full-scale war, Russia’s missiles and drones targeted some of the city’s most treasured cultural landmarks.
kyivindependent.com
Russia's latest assault on Kyiv turns Ukraine's cultural heritage into another front line
In one of the most devastating attacks on Kyiv since the start of the full-scale war, Russia’s missiles and drones targeted some of the city’s most treasured cultural landmarks. The National Art Muse...
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Andrew Weinstein @andrewjweinstein.com · 18/05/2026
When a federal agency tasked with protecting all Americans decides to mandate a specific religious worldview, it ceases to protect democracy and begins to threaten it.
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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 13/05/2026
⚡️Ukraine Support Act wins enough signatures to force vote in US House. "Recent Ukrainian gains have created an opportunity for peace, but the collapse of the recent ceasefire shows that leverage is needed for diplomacy to succeed," said Rep. Kevin Kiley, who gave the crucial final signature.
kyivindependent.com
Ukraine Support Act wins enough signatures to force vote in US House
"Recent Ukrainian gains have created an opportunity for peace, but the collapse of the recent ceasefire shows that leverage is needed for diplomacy to succeed," said Independent Rep. Kevin Kiley, who ...
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 09/05/2026
In my book Twilight of Democracy, I wrote about how authoritarian populism had divided friends, including in Hungary. After Prime Minister Magyar was sworn in today, he said he hoped "Family, friends and communities will be able to speak to each other again." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...
theguardian.com
Péter Magyar sworn in as Hungary’s prime minister to end 16-year Orbán era
Jubilation in Budapest as Péter Magyar becomes leader and invites people to ‘step through gate of regime change’
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 28/04/2026
Remember, this was the party of "patriots"
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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Sky Defense integrates Ukraine’s innovative air defense systems and protects civilian life. We are halfway in this campaign! Please donate if you can. u24.gov.ua/news/timothy...
u24.gov.ua
Timothy Snyder Joins Sky Defense to Help Protect Ukrainian Cities
The goal is $500,000, which will be used to procure interceptor drones and other air defense equipment.
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 13/04/2026
Illiberalism is not Inevitable www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
theatlantic.com
Illiberalism Is Not Inevitable
If Viktor Orbán can lose, then his Russian and American admirers can lose too.
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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Phillips is completely right here. It is absurd to repeat an obviously false framing. And it is harmful, because once stated in the NYT it becomes credible.
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Christopher Miller @christopherjm.ft.com · 15/03/2026
The US-led peace process in Ukraine is fizzling out because Donald Trump is losing interest in the talks and his war against Iran is easing pressure on Russia, officials say. @financialtimes.com www.ft.com/content/c4fa...
ft.com
Ukraine peace talks fizzle out as Trump’s focus shifts to Iran
US president no longer focused on pressuring Vladimir Putin, European officials say
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Christopher Miller @christopherjm.ft.com · 13/03/2026
Donald Trump said the US does not need Ukraine’s help with anti-drone defence in the Middle East, but Kyiv’s experts are already in the region at the request of the Pentagon, say people familiar with the matter. www.ft.com/content/d213...
ft.com
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 14/03/2026
To combat bird flu spread, other countries have authorized poultry vaccines. The U.S. hasn’t, amid political and economic pushback. Without a vaccine, experts say the virus poses an escalating threat: “The minute it transmits to humans, it’s done.” (Published Nov. 2025)
propublica.org
What the U.S. Government Is Dismissing That Could Seed a Bird Flu Pandemic
Egg producers suspect bird flu is traveling through the air. After a disastrous Midwestern outbreak early this year, we tested that theory and found that where the wind blew, the virus followed. Vacci...
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Jay Rosen @jayrosen.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.” — Pete Hegseth, war minister, speaking of CNN today. In public. Orbánization of the media is having a moment because of Hegseth's performance. Read Greg Sargent's interpretation. bsky.app/profile/greg...
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Christopher Miller @christopherjm.ft.com · 12/03/2026
“Russia is the big winner of this conflict.”
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 11/03/2026
Russia enters Viktor Orban's election campaign, providing consultants who will flood social media with messages designed, ironically, to frame Orbán, a Russia puppet, as "the only candidate who can keep Hungary sovereign" From @financialtimes.com giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
Kremlin backs covert campaign to keep Viktor Orbán in power
Vladimir Putin endorses plan drawn up by Russian consultancy that is under western sanctions
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 09/03/2026
Russians are providing military technology to Iranian proxies
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 08/03/2026
Tech oligarchs reshape humanity while billionaires of old seem quaint
theguardian.com
Tech oligarchs reshape humanity while billionaires of old seem quaint
From Gates to Musk and Altman, today’s ultra-rich steer AI and tech, raising questions about who decides the future
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Christopher Miller @christopherjm.ft.com · 07/03/2026
Ukraine’s General Staff says American and Franco-British missiles have hit a Russian base in occupied Donetsk that was storing Iranian Shahed drones — like the ones the US and Gulf countries are struggling to combat in the Middle East and so have requested Kyiv’s assistance in taking down.
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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 06/03/2026
⚡️ Russia reportedly provides Iran intelligence used to target US forces in Middle East. One unnamed U.S. official described the support as "comprehensive," the Washington Post reported.
kyivindependent.com
Russia reportedly provides Iran intelligence used to target US forces in Middle East
One unnamed U.S. official described the support as "comprehensive," the Washington Post reported.
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 24/02/2026
Four years have passed since Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia was supposed to win in three days. Instead, Ukraine reinvented modern warfare, built a drone industry, and can destroy a thousand Russian soldiers in a day. Ukraine can win.
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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Tomorrow everyone will be asking: when will the Russo-Ukrainian war end? The right question is: what can we do to make the Russian invasion fail?
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 14/02/2026
Once again, a reminder that the "free speech" crusaders were always cynics operating in bad faith
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The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 11/02/2026
⚡Russian losses in Ukraine ‘astonishing,’ former MI6 chief says. “The losses are terrible, and even the Russians will struggle to replace that level of losses,” Sir Richard Moore said
kyivindependent.com
Russian losses in Ukraine 'astonishing,' former MI6 chief says
Former MI6 chief Richard Moore said about 30,000 Russian troops were killed in December, roughly twice the Soviet Afghan war death toll.
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Jay Rosen @jayrosen.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Today's @status.news has this about the Washington Post: The Post's chief executive Will Lewis, who was entirely MIA during the layoffs Wednesday and has not said a word about them, turned up at the NFL Honors red carpet in San Francisco on Thursday.
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Bruce Springsteen @brucespringsteen.net · 28/01/2026
I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free
youtu.be
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
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Jay Rosen @jayrosen.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
If you have not yet read @adamserwer.bsky.social on Minnesotans' heroics, you are going to feel way better when you do. He went there. He talked to the people doing the work. Then he thought about it and produced something rare. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0... [gift link]
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Steven Saum @swamiriver.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
I'll host @shadihamid.bsky.social in conversation 1/28 at @cwclub.bsky.social in #SanFrancisco to talk his new book, THE CASE FOR AMERICAN POWER. What does he make of the turmoil the White House has brought to the US and globally? Join us in person/online & bring your questions. bit.ly/45ovtUg
commonwealthclub.org
Shadi Hamid: The Case for American Power
Is the United States still the “indispensable nation,” former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s term to describe America’s leading role in the world? Or is the world better off as the country tu...
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