Don Van Atta
@oldsovetlog.bsky.social
I study (agrarian) politics in the former Soviet states.
Long-term policy advisor in Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Tajikistan. Resident director of 5 USAID-funded projects.
Democratic institutions are hard to build and keep.
Berkeley PolSci PhD eons ago.
Long-term policy advisor in Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Tajikistan. Resident director of 5 USAID-funded projects.
Democratic institutions are hard to build and keep.
Berkeley PolSci PhD eons ago.
Reposted by Don Van Atta
We now learn that Fifa had a very specific "ask" in exchange for its "Peace Award" to Trump, with loads of gold trinkets, and that was dismissal of a criminal corruption case against senior Fifa officials. And Trump granted it. Another corrupt bargain, barely noticed (and ignored by US media).
December 11, 2025 at 12:59 AM
We now learn that Fifa had a very specific "ask" in exchange for its "Peace Award" to Trump, with loads of gold trinkets, and that was dismissal of a criminal corruption case against senior Fifa officials. And Trump granted it. Another corrupt bargain, barely noticed (and ignored by US media).
Reposted by Don Van Atta
IIRC, the US is not a party to the ICC courtesy Bush Jr. Trump threatening the ICC seems to show both a bad conscience and fear that he will be brought to book.
The threats by Trump against the International Criminal Court in The Hague is a clear indication that he KNOWS he and members of his administration are violating international law, committing war crimes, and vulnerable to prosecution.
Commit crimes? Threaten judges.
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
Commit crimes? Threaten judges.
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
Exclusive: US threatens new ICC sanctions unless court pledges not to prosecute Trump
President Donald Trump's administration wants the International Criminal Court to amend its founding document to ensure it does not investigate the Republican president and his top officials, a Trump ...
www.reuters.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:14 AM
IIRC, the US is not a party to the ICC courtesy Bush Jr. Trump threatening the ICC seems to show both a bad conscience and fear that he will be brought to book.
That is, no tankers carrying Russian oil — they use flags of convenience, not the Russian one.
We’ve moved from murder to hijacking by the US military.
We’ve moved from murder to hijacking by the US military.
The US seizes a Venezuelan oil tanker. But doesn't seize any Russian oil tankers.
Everything you need to know.
Everything you need to know.
December 11, 2025 at 12:06 AM
That is, no tankers carrying Russian oil — they use flags of convenience, not the Russian one.
We’ve moved from murder to hijacking by the US military.
We’ve moved from murder to hijacking by the US military.
Reposted by Don Van Atta
Anyone who sends Mike Johnson an email is now required to include in the subject line: ICYMI
December 10, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Anyone who sends Mike Johnson an email is now required to include in the subject line: ICYMI
Reposted by Don Van Atta
Given the name change to `war department' wouldn't it be consistent to rename the EPA the EDA? Environmental Destruction Agency.
December 10, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Given the name change to `war department' wouldn't it be consistent to rename the EPA the EDA? Environmental Destruction Agency.
So we now have a European-Ukrainian-US peace proposal and Russian-US one.
Every day that Trump doesn’t shut off aid to Ukraine entirely and deploy US assets for Putin is sort of a win, which is why Ze is wasting time with this theater of Trump’s ego. Better than Vance.
Every day that Trump doesn’t shut off aid to Ukraine entirely and deploy US assets for Putin is sort of a win, which is why Ze is wasting time with this theater of Trump’s ego. Better than Vance.
Jfc. Read the whole thread. 🧵 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
The United States, Ukraine, and European partners are negotiating a comprehensive 20‑point peace plan.
The proposal is divided into three core documents:
- A peace framework,
- Long‑term security guarantees,
- A post‑war economic recovery strategy.
The proposal is divided into three core documents:
- A peace framework,
- Long‑term security guarantees,
- A post‑war economic recovery strategy.
December 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
So we now have a European-Ukrainian-US peace proposal and Russian-US one.
Every day that Trump doesn’t shut off aid to Ukraine entirely and deploy US assets for Putin is sort of a win, which is why Ze is wasting time with this theater of Trump’s ego. Better than Vance.
Every day that Trump doesn’t shut off aid to Ukraine entirely and deploy US assets for Putin is sort of a win, which is why Ze is wasting time with this theater of Trump’s ego. Better than Vance.
Reposted by Don Van Atta
The decline of democracy in the US means you can’t visit the US if you commented on the decline of democracy in the US
December 10, 2025 at 1:53 AM
The decline of democracy in the US means you can’t visit the US if you commented on the decline of democracy in the US
Reposted by Don Van Atta
It’s 6 am in Kyiv and I just got woken up by an air raid siren because of ballistic missiles threat.
Yeah I know I said I want to get up earlier today but this is not what I meant Russia please do fck off.
Yeah I know I said I want to get up earlier today but this is not what I meant Russia please do fck off.
December 10, 2025 at 4:16 AM
It’s 6 am in Kyiv and I just got woken up by an air raid siren because of ballistic missiles threat.
Yeah I know I said I want to get up earlier today but this is not what I meant Russia please do fck off.
Yeah I know I said I want to get up earlier today but this is not what I meant Russia please do fck off.
Apparently this is real.
Fifty different problems in the world just locked into one big uniform piece like a Rubik's cube in my head.
December 10, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Apparently this is real.
Reposted by Don Van Atta
Our new @piie.com Working Paper on Russia’s war-induced regional convergence with @eribakova.bsky.social & @ygorodnichenko.bsky.social now out! @bofit.suomenpankki.fi @suomenpankki.fi
Many poorer regions saw their incomes rise faster 2022-24 as public spending rose🇷🇺
www.piie.com/publications...
Many poorer regions saw their incomes rise faster 2022-24 as public spending rose🇷🇺
www.piie.com/publications...
War-induced economic convergence in Russian regions
This paper examines the impact of Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Russia’s economy at a subnational, or “regional,” level. The analysis focuses on the regional disparities and converge...
www.piie.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Our new @piie.com Working Paper on Russia’s war-induced regional convergence with @eribakova.bsky.social & @ygorodnichenko.bsky.social now out! @bofit.suomenpankki.fi @suomenpankki.fi
Many poorer regions saw their incomes rise faster 2022-24 as public spending rose🇷🇺
www.piie.com/publications...
Many poorer regions saw their incomes rise faster 2022-24 as public spending rose🇷🇺
www.piie.com/publications...
Reposted by Don Van Atta
I know there’s a lot going on but are we ever circling back to the Epstein Files?
The president’s involvement with his best friend’s scheme of sex trafficking minors seems a little important
The president’s involvement with his best friend’s scheme of sex trafficking minors seems a little important
December 9, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I know there’s a lot going on but are we ever circling back to the Epstein Files?
The president’s involvement with his best friend’s scheme of sex trafficking minors seems a little important
The president’s involvement with his best friend’s scheme of sex trafficking minors seems a little important
Reposted by Don Van Atta
"Julio" is harvesting mandarins in the Fresno CA area. "We're paid $55 per 900lb bin - the same amount as the past few years. This is wrong. The cost of living has gone up. Why haven't our wages? We work hard and deserve to earn enough to feed our families." #WeFeedYou
December 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"Julio" is harvesting mandarins in the Fresno CA area. "We're paid $55 per 900lb bin - the same amount as the past few years. This is wrong. The cost of living has gone up. Why haven't our wages? We work hard and deserve to earn enough to feed our families." #WeFeedYou
He’s also still acting head of NASA, is he not?
I just think it’s funny they told this reality TV bimbo he was secretary of transportation and his little pea brain immediately thought he was supposed to come up with travel advice
it’s pretty funny that Duffy is simultaneously
1. scolding passengers for not wearing fancy clothes while flying
2. supporting airport gyms so passengers can be sweaty and gross while flying
both of these proposals are idiotic but the direct contradiction is next level
1. scolding passengers for not wearing fancy clothes while flying
2. supporting airport gyms so passengers can be sweaty and gross while flying
both of these proposals are idiotic but the direct contradiction is next level
December 9, 2025 at 2:44 PM
He’s also still acting head of NASA, is he not?
Reposted by Don Van Atta
Just want to highlight this point as it won't be well known - key advisers (sherpas) to European / allied countries will be in regular touch and trying to agree how to handle every Trumpian madness. The result isn't pretty, but arguably it could be a lot worse.
NB I think the only European leader I've seen push back on the US national security strategy is one who doesn't have to negotiate with Trump. Maybe we're all doomed, but I rather think that leaders collectively have decided that's not the path they can take (and sherpas will have discussed).
December 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Just want to highlight this point as it won't be well known - key advisers (sherpas) to European / allied countries will be in regular touch and trying to agree how to handle every Trumpian madness. The result isn't pretty, but arguably it could be a lot worse.
Reposted by Don Van Atta
More than any president before him, Trump has embraced an expanded meaning of the “commander in chief” that extends far beyond its narrow military meaning to cover all kinds of authoritarian nonsense, but as soon as there’s an actual military scandal, he’s running away from it as fast as he can.
POLITICO: Do you believe the second strike was necessary?
TRUMP: Uhhhh. Well it looked like they were trying to turn back over the boat. But I don't get involved in that. That's up to them.
TRUMP: Uhhhh. Well it looked like they were trying to turn back over the boat. But I don't get involved in that. That's up to them.
December 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
More than any president before him, Trump has embraced an expanded meaning of the “commander in chief” that extends far beyond its narrow military meaning to cover all kinds of authoritarian nonsense, but as soon as there’s an actual military scandal, he’s running away from it as fast as he can.
Congress hs the power of the purse. Nah.
December 9, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Congress hs the power of the purse. Nah.
Reposted by Don Van Atta
Sitting Bull was a Teton Dakota Indian chief under whom the Sioux tribes united in their struggle for survival on the North American Great Plains.
What a Real Native American looks like.
What a Real Native American looks like.
December 8, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Sitting Bull was a Teton Dakota Indian chief under whom the Sioux tribes united in their struggle for survival on the North American Great Plains.
What a Real Native American looks like.
What a Real Native American looks like.
Reposted by Don Van Atta
ICE agents followed a Burnsville family home from the store, failed to present a warrant and entered their home with guns drawn. They detained 4 legal citizens who presented documentation, leaving a 7 year-old without parents.
A seven-year-old. Let that sink in. Trump’s ICE is out of control.
A seven-year-old. Let that sink in. Trump’s ICE is out of control.
ICE agents detained four people from a Burnsville home, according to family members, including a 7-year-old's parents and the husband of a pregnant woman.
Ring camera captures Burnsville ICE raid that leaves 7-year-old without parents, according to family
ICE agents detained four people from a Burnsville home, according to family members, including a 7-year-old's parents and the husband of a pregnant woman.
www.kare11.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:51 PM
ICE agents followed a Burnsville family home from the store, failed to present a warrant and entered their home with guns drawn. They detained 4 legal citizens who presented documentation, leaving a 7 year-old without parents.
A seven-year-old. Let that sink in. Trump’s ICE is out of control.
A seven-year-old. Let that sink in. Trump’s ICE is out of control.
Reposted by Don Van Atta
Hey folks 👋 I'm the reporter who revealed immigration agents detained 170+ citizens this year
My fellowship w/ProPublica has been incredible, but it wraps January. I'm looking for my next gig. Please reach out to share leads & opportunities! [email protected]
www.propublica.org/people/nicol...
My fellowship w/ProPublica has been incredible, but it wraps January. I'm looking for my next gig. Please reach out to share leads & opportunities! [email protected]
www.propublica.org/people/nicol...
Nicole Foy
ProPublica is an independent, non-profit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.
www.propublica.org
December 8, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Hey folks 👋 I'm the reporter who revealed immigration agents detained 170+ citizens this year
My fellowship w/ProPublica has been incredible, but it wraps January. I'm looking for my next gig. Please reach out to share leads & opportunities! [email protected]
www.propublica.org/people/nicol...
My fellowship w/ProPublica has been incredible, but it wraps January. I'm looking for my next gig. Please reach out to share leads & opportunities! [email protected]
www.propublica.org/people/nicol...
Reposted by Don Van Atta
To date, the Trump administration has acknowledged at least 22 strikes against boats suspected of transporting narcotics, killing at least 87 people. https://to.pbs.org/4hCqmoj
All the U.S. military strikes against alleged drug boats
The U.S. military has killed dozens of people in targeted strikes on small vessels in waters off South America since early September.
www.pbs.org
December 8, 2025 at 11:34 PM
This is what, six months out of her life? Not to mention the mental, physical and financial costs.
US universities have led the world since 1945. They had lots of problems. World leadership is not one of their concerns any more.
Thanks, Mr. Trump, for my happy childhood.
US universities have led the world since 1945. They had lots of problems. World leadership is not one of their concerns any more.
Thanks, Mr. Trump, for my happy childhood.
This is the Tufts PhD student who seized by masked agents on the street and jailed for two months because she wrote an op-ed calling for the school to divest from Israel.
December 8, 2025 at 11:45 PM
This is what, six months out of her life? Not to mention the mental, physical and financial costs.
US universities have led the world since 1945. They had lots of problems. World leadership is not one of their concerns any more.
Thanks, Mr. Trump, for my happy childhood.
US universities have led the world since 1945. They had lots of problems. World leadership is not one of their concerns any more.
Thanks, Mr. Trump, for my happy childhood.
Reposted by Don Van Atta
And you think he would defend Taiwan?
December 8, 2025 at 11:28 PM
And you think he would defend Taiwan?
Reposted by Don Van Atta
The news media aren't going to remind you, but I will:
7 million people showed up on a single day in October to denounce Trump's fascism and defend liberty.
The resistance is strong. We can win. Join us.
7 million people showed up on a single day in October to denounce Trump's fascism and defend liberty.
The resistance is strong. We can win. Join us.
December 8, 2025 at 10:44 PM
The news media aren't going to remind you, but I will:
7 million people showed up on a single day in October to denounce Trump's fascism and defend liberty.
The resistance is strong. We can win. Join us.
7 million people showed up on a single day in October to denounce Trump's fascism and defend liberty.
The resistance is strong. We can win. Join us.
Reposted by Don Van Atta
After 9 days trapped under rubble, a Kyiv family's pet cat has been found alive.
The bedroom where the furry one was sleeping, was destroyed by a Russian drone strike. She was lost, feared dead. But a Christmas miracle, the cat was found with burned whiskers and dehydration.
The bedroom where the furry one was sleeping, was destroyed by a Russian drone strike. She was lost, feared dead. But a Christmas miracle, the cat was found with burned whiskers and dehydration.
December 8, 2025 at 1:54 PM
After 9 days trapped under rubble, a Kyiv family's pet cat has been found alive.
The bedroom where the furry one was sleeping, was destroyed by a Russian drone strike. She was lost, feared dead. But a Christmas miracle, the cat was found with burned whiskers and dehydration.
The bedroom where the furry one was sleeping, was destroyed by a Russian drone strike. She was lost, feared dead. But a Christmas miracle, the cat was found with burned whiskers and dehydration.