Justin Ling
@justinling.ca
Uh-oh!!!!!!! Columnist/journalist @thestar.com, sometimes @wired.com, @foreignpolicy.com
Newsletter: www.bugeyedandshameless.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustinLing
Signal: JustinLing.42
Newsletter: www.bugeyedandshameless.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustinLing
Signal: JustinLing.42
Pinned
Donald Trump's New Foreign Policy: A Return To American Empire
YouTube video by Soft Power with Justin Ling
youtu.be
Hey! The third episode of my YouTube series Soft Power is out. It would be really cool if you watched and/or liked and/or shared it.
youtu.be/XM8LJv6hDfI?...
youtu.be/XM8LJv6hDfI?...
More Russian terrorism. Even though it's terror happening on Hungary's border, Viktor Orbán continues siding with the terrorist.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Russian drone strike on Ukrainian passenger train kills five
Volodomyr Zelenskyy describes attack as act of ‘terrorism’ undermining ‘efforts to end the war’
www.theguardian.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:25 PM
More Russian terrorism. Even though it's terror happening on Hungary's border, Viktor Orbán continues siding with the terrorist.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Reposted by Justin Ling
This far-right philosopher dreams of terror. In Minnesota, Trump is making it reality #Opinion
Justin Ling: This far-right philosopher dreams of terror. In Minnesota, Trump is making it reality
If Trump is ever to abolish democracy — which Curtis Yarvin desperately wants — piecemeal repression isn't going to cut it, writes Justin Ling.
www.thestar.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:36 PM
This far-right philosopher dreams of terror. In Minnesota, Trump is making it reality #Opinion
Three months ago, Curtis Yarvin whined that Trump was moving too slow to punish his enemies.
It seems the state is heeding his advice.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
It seems the state is heeding his advice.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Justin Ling: This far-right philosopher dreams of terror. In Minnesota, Trump is making it reality
If Trump is ever to abolish democracy — which Curtis Yarvin desperately wants — piecemeal repression isn't going to cut it, writes Justin Ling.
www.thestar.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Three months ago, Curtis Yarvin whined that Trump was moving too slow to punish his enemies.
It seems the state is heeding his advice.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
It seems the state is heeding his advice.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Reposted by Justin Ling
@bellingcat.com analysis of the Alex Pretti killing, including all of the video evidence that our team was able to find.
Contrary to statements from DHS and other US gov't officials, Pretti was disarmed when he was shot and did not threaten agents with his gun.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
Contrary to statements from DHS and other US gov't officials, Pretti was disarmed when he was shot and did not threaten agents with his gun.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
Alex Pretti: Analysing Footage of Minneapolis CBP Shooting - bellingcat
Bellingcat has analysed video of the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The footage appears to contradict statements made by the Department of Homeland Security.
www.bellingcat.com
January 25, 2026 at 8:03 PM
@bellingcat.com analysis of the Alex Pretti killing, including all of the video evidence that our team was able to find.
Contrary to statements from DHS and other US gov't officials, Pretti was disarmed when he was shot and did not threaten agents with his gun.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
Contrary to statements from DHS and other US gov't officials, Pretti was disarmed when he was shot and did not threaten agents with his gun.
www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/01...
McArdle writes:
"You can point to Trump’s efforts to co-opt the justice system, muzzle unfriendly media outlets and undermine the integrity of our election system, while trying to convince some Americans that these things are one short step from going Full Franco."
This makes me insane...
"You can point to Trump’s efforts to co-opt the justice system, muzzle unfriendly media outlets and undermine the integrity of our election system, while trying to convince some Americans that these things are one short step from going Full Franco."
This makes me insane...
Don’t worry tho it’s still the Post we‘ve come to expect
January 25, 2026 at 4:19 PM
McArdle writes:
"You can point to Trump’s efforts to co-opt the justice system, muzzle unfriendly media outlets and undermine the integrity of our election system, while trying to convince some Americans that these things are one short step from going Full Franco."
This makes me insane...
"You can point to Trump’s efforts to co-opt the justice system, muzzle unfriendly media outlets and undermine the integrity of our election system, while trying to convince some Americans that these things are one short step from going Full Franco."
This makes me insane...
Reposted by Justin Ling
The gun taken by the agent appears to match the general appearance of the firearm shared online by DHS, and which they said was Pretti’s. This agent’s back is turned from the scene with the gun in his hand when the first shot occurs.
January 24, 2026 at 10:29 PM
The gun taken by the agent appears to match the general appearance of the firearm shared online by DHS, and which they said was Pretti’s. This agent’s back is turned from the scene with the gun in his hand when the first shot occurs.
I'm going live on CBC's Just Asking right now. Tune in (and ask me questions!) www.cbc.ca/radio/justas...
Your questions about Canada's position in a new world order | CBC Radio
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is ready to embrace a new world order. What questions do you have about Canada’s position in this new geo-political system?
And in our second hour, our experts ...
www.cbc.ca
January 24, 2026 at 9:08 PM
I'm going live on CBC's Just Asking right now. Tune in (and ask me questions!) www.cbc.ca/radio/justas...
This is going around Twitter, starting to see it here: It's nonsense.
If you click through those links, there is no evidence that this image was posted before today. They are Reddit/Twitter conversations that started days ago which continued today with news of the shooting.
If you click through those links, there is no evidence that this image was posted before today. They are Reddit/Twitter conversations that started days ago which continued today with news of the shooting.
January 24, 2026 at 8:57 PM
This is going around Twitter, starting to see it here: It's nonsense.
If you click through those links, there is no evidence that this image was posted before today. They are Reddit/Twitter conversations that started days ago which continued today with news of the shooting.
If you click through those links, there is no evidence that this image was posted before today. They are Reddit/Twitter conversations that started days ago which continued today with news of the shooting.
Reposted by Justin Ling
I'm on site where a federal agent shot a Minneapolis man this morning. It's bad.
Dozens of federal agents are facing off with hundreds of outraged residents. People being tear gassed, helicopters above, I keep hearing pops, and lots of loud BANGS.
This smoke is from tear gas:
Dozens of federal agents are facing off with hundreds of outraged residents. People being tear gassed, helicopters above, I keep hearing pops, and lots of loud BANGS.
This smoke is from tear gas:
January 24, 2026 at 5:14 PM
I'm on site where a federal agent shot a Minneapolis man this morning. It's bad.
Dozens of federal agents are facing off with hundreds of outraged residents. People being tear gassed, helicopters above, I keep hearing pops, and lots of loud BANGS.
This smoke is from tear gas:
Dozens of federal agents are facing off with hundreds of outraged residents. People being tear gassed, helicopters above, I keep hearing pops, and lots of loud BANGS.
This smoke is from tear gas:
Reposted by Justin Ling
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
January 24, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Alex Pretti was a colleague at the VA. We hired him to recruit for our trial. He became an ICU nurse- I lover working with him. He was a good kind person who lived to help and these fuckers executed him.
White. Hot. Rage.
White. Hot. Rage.
I recommend not watching the videos, which are chaotic and gut-wrenching, and instead going through Bellingcat's analysis.
This man appeared to be zero threat, while the officers were overly-aggressive, agitated, and clearly primed to used lethal force.
This man appeared to be zero threat, while the officers were overly-aggressive, agitated, and clearly primed to used lethal force.
Multiple federal agents can later be seen struggling with the man who is shot. One federal agent is seen approaching with empty hands, before reaching around the man’s waist.
January 24, 2026 at 7:10 PM
I recommend not watching the videos, which are chaotic and gut-wrenching, and instead going through Bellingcat's analysis.
This man appeared to be zero threat, while the officers were overly-aggressive, agitated, and clearly primed to used lethal force.
This man appeared to be zero threat, while the officers were overly-aggressive, agitated, and clearly primed to used lethal force.
Reposted by Justin Ling
Witnesses say a man was shot by a federal agent in south Minneapolis this morning. The Minnesota Star Tribune is on the scene:
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Live: Man shot by federal agent in south Minneapolis this morning, witnesses say
More than a hundred protesters and observers have gathered near E. 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue.
www.startribune.com
January 24, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Witnesses say a man was shot by a federal agent in south Minneapolis this morning. The Minnesota Star Tribune is on the scene:
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Reposted by Justin Ling
“Exercise commanders had to ask Finnish reservists, the most formidable Arctic warriors, who were playing the role of invaders in the war games, to go easy on the Americans,” the source said. “The Finns had to be told to stop beating the Americans as it was embarrassing and demoralising for them.”
U.S. military falters during Arctic exercise
NATO defense officials have confirmed that European allies, led by the United Kingdom and Scandinavian countries, currently carry the primary responsibility for Arctic military operations, as the Unit...
defence-blog.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:23 PM
“Exercise commanders had to ask Finnish reservists, the most formidable Arctic warriors, who were playing the role of invaders in the war games, to go easy on the Americans,” the source said. “The Finns had to be told to stop beating the Americans as it was embarrassing and demoralising for them.”
David McGuinty, Canada's Minister of National Defence, has responded to Donald Trump's claim that America has "never really asked anything" of NATO, that the alliance sent only "some troops" to Afghanistan and that "they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines."
It's pretty blunt.
It's pretty blunt.
January 23, 2026 at 10:57 PM
David McGuinty, Canada's Minister of National Defence, has responded to Donald Trump's claim that America has "never really asked anything" of NATO, that the alliance sent only "some troops" to Afghanistan and that "they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines."
It's pretty blunt.
It's pretty blunt.
New York has proved congestion pricing works. Why the hell isn't everyone else doing it? www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Justin Ling: If Toronto can’t find a mayor to fix all its problems, at least it should find a mayor to fix this one
Although the city is facing complex issues, council has failed to take even the most basic measures to address them.
www.thestar.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:37 PM
New York has proved congestion pricing works. Why the hell isn't everyone else doing it? www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
I'm going to resist the urge to comment about the temperature and just say: This rocks.
It is -9 degrees without windchill. I have retreated to the Skyway. But the streets are full and they keep coming. There have been larger protests but I can’t think of that’s been more hazardous to bare skin.
January 23, 2026 at 9:28 PM
I'm going to resist the urge to comment about the temperature and just say: This rocks.
I'm looking forward to this!
For those who may be interested, I'll be on CBC Radio's "Just Asking" program Saturday afternoon (16:00-17:00), together with @justinling.ca, to answer audience questions about @mark-carney.bsky.social Davos speech and Canada's role and prospects in a new world order.
January 23, 2026 at 6:16 PM
I'm looking forward to this!
Hey! The third episode of my YouTube series Soft Power is out. It would be really cool if you watched and/or liked and/or shared it.
youtu.be/XM8LJv6hDfI?...
youtu.be/XM8LJv6hDfI?...
Donald Trump's New Foreign Policy: A Return To American Empire
YouTube video by Soft Power with Justin Ling
youtu.be
January 23, 2026 at 4:27 PM
Hey! The third episode of my YouTube series Soft Power is out. It would be really cool if you watched and/or liked and/or shared it.
youtu.be/XM8LJv6hDfI?...
youtu.be/XM8LJv6hDfI?...
There's always criticism levied at newspapers for meek headlines, passive voice, and both-sidesism. It's often valid.
But the fact is: if you pick up an physical newspaper and actually read the thing, especially right now, you're going to come away with a pretty stark look at the state of America.
But the fact is: if you pick up an physical newspaper and actually read the thing, especially right now, you're going to come away with a pretty stark look at the state of America.
Tomorrow’s front page of the Minnesota Star Tribune: Jan. 23, 2026
January 23, 2026 at 12:26 AM
There's always criticism levied at newspapers for meek headlines, passive voice, and both-sidesism. It's often valid.
But the fact is: if you pick up an physical newspaper and actually read the thing, especially right now, you're going to come away with a pretty stark look at the state of America.
But the fact is: if you pick up an physical newspaper and actually read the thing, especially right now, you're going to come away with a pretty stark look at the state of America.
Reposted by Justin Ling
The White House posted an edited photo of the activist involved in the Minneapolis church protest, made to look like she was crying.
January 22, 2026 at 6:14 PM
The White House posted an edited photo of the activist involved in the Minneapolis church protest, made to look like she was crying.
Reposted by Justin Ling
We set out to determine how many images of women and girls Grok created during its nudifying spree. What we found was “industrial-scale abuse,” experts said. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/t...
Musk’s Chatbot Flooded X With Millions of Sexualized Images in Days, New Estimates Show
www.nytimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:56 PM
We set out to determine how many images of women and girls Grok created during its nudifying spree. What we found was “industrial-scale abuse,” experts said. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/t...
Carney quoted Greek historian Thucydides, cited Czech democratic hero Václav Havel and outlined how the old systems of the liberal order were over.
Trump said NATO “called me daddy.”
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Trump said NATO “called me daddy.”
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Justin Ling: In Davos, Trump and Carney gave us two radically different ways to see the world
Making Trump pay for his rhetoric is the only way forward.
www.thestar.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Carney quoted Greek historian Thucydides, cited Czech democratic hero Václav Havel and outlined how the old systems of the liberal order were over.
Trump said NATO “called me daddy.”
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Trump said NATO “called me daddy.”
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Justin Ling
Canadians you are not prepared for the temperature he tells you he is experiencing here.
January 21, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Canadians you are not prepared for the temperature he tells you he is experiencing here.