Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
@jastucaz.bsky.social
Former U.S. Ambassador, retired career Foreign Service officer, still writing that long-delayed biography of Tudor humanist Mildred Cooke Cecil, helped by the cat. Not as diplomatic as I once was.
Typically thoughtful comments from Adm (ret) Jim Stavridis. Worth your time.
December 4, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Typically thoughtful comments from Adm (ret) Jim Stavridis. Worth your time.
No words.
South Floridians from Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela expecting to become U.S. citizens this week learned instead that their naturalization ceremonies had been canceled after the Trump administration issued a sweeping directive aimed at halting immigration from so-called high-risk countries.
South Florida immigrants on cusp of citizenship told to wait as DHS changes policy
The cancellations, confirmed by multiple immigration attorneys, came after the Trump administration paused immigration from 19 nations and froze all asylum claims.
www.miamiherald.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:22 AM
No words.
Bastards.
It’s all wildly illegal.
It’s all wildly illegal.
State Dept. is moving forward laying off 250 Foreign Service officers on Dec. 5, despite a shutdown deal that banned RIFs through January. They are saying notices sent before the shutdown make the cuts “legal,” but unions call it unlawful and will sue. Other agencies, like GSA, are doing the same.
December 4, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Bastards.
It’s all wildly illegal.
It’s all wildly illegal.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Heartbreaking, and it will take at least a generation to repair the intentional destruction of our diplomatic corps.
U.S. Diplomats Report Broken Morale and Abandoned Careers.
A new survey found that 98 percent of Foreign Service officers felt lower morale. Only 1 percent reported an increased ability to carry out U.S. foreign policy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
A new survey found that 98 percent of Foreign Service officers felt lower morale. Only 1 percent reported an increased ability to carry out U.S. foreign policy.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
U.S. Diplomats Report Broken Morale and Abandoned Careers
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Heartbreaking, and it will take at least a generation to repair the intentional destruction of our diplomatic corps.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
#FollowTheMoney, it's the main reason Republicans do things
Assume this was one of Putin's asks of Witkoff-Kushner.
Breaking News: President Trump threw the weight of the federal government behind vehicles that burn gasoline rather than electric cars, gutting one of the country’s most significant efforts to address climate change.
December 3, 2025 at 11:18 PM
#FollowTheMoney, it's the main reason Republicans do things
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Gee. I wonder why.
JUST IN: Mike Johnson plans to swear in Rep.-elect Matt Van Epps on Thursday — less than two days after he won the TN-07 special election.
As a reminder, it took Johnson 50 days to swear in Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva.
As a reminder, it took Johnson 50 days to swear in Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva.
December 3, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Gee. I wonder why.
Here is @afsaorg.bsky.social’s report on parlous state of the Foreign Service. The survey data is telling, highlighting fears of intimidation, harassment, and politicization of diplomacy. A third of the Service has considered leaving. The impact on our interests and presence abroad is incalculable.
New Report Finds U.S. Foreign Service at a Breaking Point After Historic Loss of Capacity | American Foreign Service Association
For Immediate Release December 3, 2025 Press Contact: Communications & Outreach Director Nikki Gamer | [email protected] Washington, D.C. – A sweeping new report released today by the American Foreign Se...
afsa.org
December 3, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Here is @afsaorg.bsky.social’s report on parlous state of the Foreign Service. The survey data is telling, highlighting fears of intimidation, harassment, and politicization of diplomacy. A third of the Service has considered leaving. The impact on our interests and presence abroad is incalculable.
Reading @afsaorg.bsky.social report on the administration’s efforts to destroy our Foreign Service through intimidation, personal retaliation, and politicization. It’s enough to make me punch my fist thru the windows.
I won’t, but excuse me while I
go stick pins in Trump and Rubio dolls.
I won’t, but excuse me while I
go stick pins in Trump and Rubio dolls.
December 3, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Reading @afsaorg.bsky.social report on the administration’s efforts to destroy our Foreign Service through intimidation, personal retaliation, and politicization. It’s enough to make me punch my fist thru the windows.
I won’t, but excuse me while I
go stick pins in Trump and Rubio dolls.
I won’t, but excuse me while I
go stick pins in Trump and Rubio dolls.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
“Damage is being done to America’s diplomatic service that we will be paying for decades to come.” AFSA's John Dinkelman on the findings of our new survey: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
U.S. Diplomats Report Broken Morale and Abandoned Careers
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:48 PM
“Damage is being done to America’s diplomatic service that we will be paying for decades to come.” AFSA's John Dinkelman on the findings of our new survey: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
Holy shit.
Why is Donald Trump’s name now on the @usip.org building? Who put there? And when?
December 3, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Holy shit.
Many of the dual citizens I’ve met over the years were women and their children. That is probably still the case.
Republicans really hate women and children, don’t they?
Republicans really hate women and children, don’t they?
Ohio senator introduces measure to eliminate dual citizenship
thehill.com/policy/inter...
thehill.com/policy/inter...
thehill.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Many of the dual citizens I’ve met over the years were women and their children. That is probably still the case.
Republicans really hate women and children, don’t they?
Republicans really hate women and children, don’t they?
Politico’s London Playbook reports:
“…Hillary Clinton will address parliament next week — an honor twice denied to White House occupant Donald Trump…[She] will appear at an event in Speaker’s House…to celebrate the 180th anniversary of Queen’s University.”
Prepare for the midnight onslaught!
“…Hillary Clinton will address parliament next week — an honor twice denied to White House occupant Donald Trump…[She] will appear at an event in Speaker’s House…to celebrate the 180th anniversary of Queen’s University.”
Prepare for the midnight onslaught!
December 3, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Politico’s London Playbook reports:
“…Hillary Clinton will address parliament next week — an honor twice denied to White House occupant Donald Trump…[She] will appear at an event in Speaker’s House…to celebrate the 180th anniversary of Queen’s University.”
Prepare for the midnight onslaught!
“…Hillary Clinton will address parliament next week — an honor twice denied to White House occupant Donald Trump…[She] will appear at an event in Speaker’s House…to celebrate the 180th anniversary of Queen’s University.”
Prepare for the midnight onslaught!
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Funny how these detailed investigations never discover that things in Gaza weren’t as bad as we thought and were almost always far worse.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/m...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/m...
Bulldozed corpses and unmarked graves, CNN investigates the fate of Gaza’s missing aid seekers | CNN
Ammar Wadi knew he was risking his life when he set out to get a bag of flour for his family from an aid truck near the Zikim crossing into Gaza in June.
www.cnn.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Funny how these detailed investigations never discover that things in Gaza weren’t as bad as we thought and were almost always far worse.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/m...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/m...
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Trump’s AIDS-prevention cuts are devastating, stripping lifesaving support once led by USAID.
Trump’s Cuts to AIDS Prevention Are Devastating LGBTQ+ Communities Globally: Steven Thrasher
President Trump has gutted the U.S. government’s support for AIDS healthcare around the world while ordering an end to commemorations of World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1. Cuts to U.S. f...
www.democracynow.org
December 3, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Trump’s AIDS-prevention cuts are devastating, stripping lifesaving support once led by USAID.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
critical here is that 'fog of war' is just a phrase without *any* legal meaning. first, however, it's irrelevant b/c US was not acting in an armed conflict. it's just murder. this isn't a polemical exercise. it's just recognizing that it's not 'armed conflict' just b/c hegseth/trump/rubio say it is.
Hegseth does not understand Clausewitz's phrase. If you've listened to the quote, he's referring to a literal obscuration of literal vision.
Hegseth, citing ‘fog of war,’ says he learned of survivors hours after strike
The defense secretary’s remarks were the most extensive public accounting yet of his involvement in the military’s lethal attack on alleged drug smugglers on Sept. 2.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:38 PM
critical here is that 'fog of war' is just a phrase without *any* legal meaning. first, however, it's irrelevant b/c US was not acting in an armed conflict. it's just murder. this isn't a polemical exercise. it's just recognizing that it's not 'armed conflict' just b/c hegseth/trump/rubio say it is.
That’s ok.
He knows nothing about it and hasn’t seen it.
He knows nothing about it and hasn’t seen it.
Mike Johnson’s leadership is facing growing threats of rebellion as Republicans panic ahead of next year’s midterms.
Mike Johnson Faces GOP Rebellion After Red State Election Scare
The Tennessee special election result indicates a tough road ahead for the speaker.
trib.al
December 3, 2025 at 3:46 PM
That’s ok.
He knows nothing about it and hasn’t seen it.
He knows nothing about it and hasn’t seen it.
“Foreign assistance is not abstract policy, it is the lifeline for millions. When DOGE sidelined USAID, the consequences were immediate and severe. Cholera containment efforts in Haiti stalled. Malaria prevention programs across East Africa broke down.”
Musk and his boys must be so proud.
Musk and his boys must be so proud.
DOGE Is, Officially, Dead. What Did It Actually Accomplish?
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
"The real question isn’t what DOGE achieved. It’s what America lost –and may be continuing to lose– in the process."
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
"The real question isn’t what DOGE achieved. It’s what America lost –and may be continuing to lose– in the process."
DOGE Is, Officially, Dead. What Did It Actually Accomplish?
The Steady State | Bruce G. Berton
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:41 PM
“Foreign assistance is not abstract policy, it is the lifeline for millions. When DOGE sidelined USAID, the consequences were immediate and severe. Cholera containment efforts in Haiti stalled. Malaria prevention programs across East Africa broke down.”
Musk and his boys must be so proud.
Musk and his boys must be so proud.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
I do wonder how much of it is being reported. People who consume a pretty good level of news look at me like I have lost my mind when, for example, I describe easily verifiable events from yesterday.
What does it say about this country that that the kind of open, rank bigotry Trump administration officials regularly express towards black immigrants apparently has no social cost because of the number of Americans who quietly agree or don't care.
December 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I do wonder how much of it is being reported. People who consume a pretty good level of news look at me like I have lost my mind when, for example, I describe easily verifiable events from yesterday.
Nails it.
December 3, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Nails it.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Must read by @marknevitt.bsky.social on why killing survivors at sea is a moral & strategic disaster for all of us:
"If America chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice."
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
"If America chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice."
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
Killing Shipwrecked Survivors is Not Just Illegal—It Endangers U.S. Servicemembers
If the United States chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice.
www.justsecurity.org
December 2, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Must read by @marknevitt.bsky.social on why killing survivors at sea is a moral & strategic disaster for all of us:
"If America chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice."
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
"If America chooses a path where killing defenseless survivors becomes acceptable, American servicemembers will pay the price for that choice."
www.justsecurity.org/125998/boat-...
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Honduran President Hernandez Walks Free: "Politics, Corruption, Hypocrisy"
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Hard-Hitting Commentary on the Hernandez pardon and Trump administration actions in the southern hemisphere.
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Hard-Hitting Commentary on the Hernandez pardon and Trump administration actions in the southern hemisphere.
Honduran President Hernandez Walks Free: "Politics, Corruption, Hypocrisy"
The Steady State | Luis G. Moreno, Interview by the Australian Broadcasting Company
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Honduran President Hernandez Walks Free: "Politics, Corruption, Hypocrisy"
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Hard-Hitting Commentary on the Hernandez pardon and Trump administration actions in the southern hemisphere.
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Hard-Hitting Commentary on the Hernandez pardon and Trump administration actions in the southern hemisphere.
Reposted by Ambassador (ret.) Janet Sanderson
Look at this beautiful creature and realize that its nightly travels between Arizona and Mexico are being increasingly hampered by that goddamn wall on the border. I’m sure this brave administration is really proud of its war on jaguars.
Motion-activated trail cameras in southeastern Arizona captured pictures last month of a new, never-before-seen jaguar, according to the University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center.
Remote cameras catch another new jaguar in Arizona
Motion-activated trail cameras in southeastern Arizona captured pictures last month of a new, never-before-seen jaguar, according to the University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center.
tucson.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Look at this beautiful creature and realize that its nightly travels between Arizona and Mexico are being increasingly hampered by that goddamn wall on the border. I’m sure this brave administration is really proud of its war on jaguars.