James Halls
@topsey.bsky.social
Jack of all trades, master of none. Knows just enough to be dangerous. Usually to himself. Lives in the north half of North America.
It doesnt matter why the Republican dominated senate of Indiana rejected gerrymandering, what matters is that they did. And the vote wasn't even close. www.npr.org/2025/12/11/n...
In a setback for Trump, Indiana lawmakers defeat redistricting plan
Indiana Republicans resisted the call by President Trump for redistricting. He and the state's Republican governor threatened to back primary challenges against senators who wouldn't get on board.
www.npr.org
December 12, 2025 at 12:54 AM
It doesnt matter why the Republican dominated senate of Indiana rejected gerrymandering, what matters is that they did. And the vote wasn't even close. www.npr.org/2025/12/11/n...
Americans are talking fonts, when they should really be talking about the possibility of 25%+ tariffs on Canadian potash (read crop fertilizer) that they import over 5 million tons of annually. AND IT'S IMPACT ON FOOD PRICES! Focus people! You can't eat a font! globalnews.ca/news/1156988...
If Trump tariffs fertilizer, U.S. lacks reserves ‘to meet domestic demand’ | Globalnews.ca
In a statement, Fertilizer Canada said increasing fertilizer production 'cannot happen overnight and can take 10 to 15 years to increase.'
globalnews.ca
December 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Americans are talking fonts, when they should really be talking about the possibility of 25%+ tariffs on Canadian potash (read crop fertilizer) that they import over 5 million tons of annually. AND IT'S IMPACT ON FOOD PRICES! Focus people! You can't eat a font! globalnews.ca/news/1156988...
Reposted by James Halls
My new book, THE MOST AWFUL RESPONSIBILITY goes on sale TODAY! It is a NEW argument about TRUMAN AND THE ATOMIC BOMB, from Hiroshima through the Korean War, from HarperCollins. alexwellerstein.com/writing/book...
The Most Awful Responsibility – Alex Wellerstein
alexwellerstein.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:04 PM
My new book, THE MOST AWFUL RESPONSIBILITY goes on sale TODAY! It is a NEW argument about TRUMAN AND THE ATOMIC BOMB, from Hiroshima through the Korean War, from HarperCollins. alexwellerstein.com/writing/book...
So a European view to go along with an American and Australian view of the US NSS. All three takes are complementary and worth looking at. I'd try and find a Russian or Chinese perspective, but Peskov has already said Russia approves, and I don't know of any good PRC based analysts. 1/3
When I started making YouTube videos, I did not imagine that I would one day make one with this title. Watch here for my breakdown of the new U.S. National Security Strategy.
New U.S. security strategy calls for regime change in Europe
YouTube video by Anders Puck Nielsen
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:36 PM
So a European view to go along with an American and Australian view of the US NSS. All three takes are complementary and worth looking at. I'd try and find a Russian or Chinese perspective, but Peskov has already said Russia approves, and I don't know of any good PRC based analysts. 1/3
It seems that neither Shurkin (the American) nor Ryan (the Australian) think it's the best National Security Strategy, but that it does have some strong points. They are complementary pieces worth a watch/read mickryan.substack.com/p/shell-be-r...
December 9, 2025 at 3:29 AM
It seems that neither Shurkin (the American) nor Ryan (the Australian) think it's the best National Security Strategy, but that it does have some strong points. They are complementary pieces worth a watch/read mickryan.substack.com/p/shell-be-r...
I think this blog is worth reading. Articles by various political watchers on what the 2026 US Midterms could bring, with the most recent posting being on Nov 21st. Hosted by the London School of Economics blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/ca...
The 2026 Midterms | USAPP
blogs.lse.ac.uk
December 8, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I think this blog is worth reading. Articles by various political watchers on what the 2026 US Midterms could bring, with the most recent posting being on Nov 21st. Hosted by the London School of Economics blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/ca...
We always forget the edge cases, even if they're really important.
The artificer nodded. "I can build this wheeled chair, but why? You have an enchanted hover seat."
"Yes," the wizard fumed, "but the palace have erected magic-cancelling wards."
"Why?"
"Don't know. But they didn't think of people who need mobility aids. So I need wheels to go shout at the king."
"Yes," the wizard fumed, "but the palace have erected magic-cancelling wards."
"Why?"
"Don't know. But they didn't think of people who need mobility aids. So I need wheels to go shout at the king."
December 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
We always forget the edge cases, even if they're really important.
Depending on the results of the midterms (and the extentof gerrymandering), the violence could come much sooner than the next US presidential election.
5/ I am not convinced the United States will navigate its political crisis without some form of violent outcome during the next presidential election, as one side has clear incentives not to relinquish power even if it loses, something that has already been attempted once.
December 7, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Depending on the results of the midterms (and the extentof gerrymandering), the violence could come much sooner than the next US presidential election.
Given the behavior of both the current and previous Trump regimes, this seems reasonable to me
I think I would probably care a lot more about the National Security Strategy if we had an administration that actually cared about acting in line with their own stated policies
December 6, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Given the behavior of both the current and previous Trump regimes, this seems reasonable to me
If you're interested in the early history of the atomic bomb, this is for you
I am going to be holding a talk and discussion of my NEW BOOK about Truman and the atomic bomb on December 16, 2025 at 12-2pm ET. The event will be in Paris (free to anyone who is local — 18:00-20:00 CET), but also streamed on Zoom.
Here is the event description: www.sciencespo.fr/ceri/fr/even...
Here is the event description: www.sciencespo.fr/ceri/fr/even...
The Most Awful Responsibility: Truman's struggle for control of the atomic age
Alex Wellerstein’s new book argues that, contrary to current understandings, Truman was perhaps the most anti-nuclear president of the 20th century. In a key period, he did more than any leader since ...
www.sciencespo.fr
December 5, 2025 at 2:42 AM
If you're interested in the early history of the atomic bomb, this is for you
The Senator is the same vehicle Canada sends to Ukraine. Americans should ask why ICE so desperate to have this type of vehicle by the end of 2025 that they'll use a sole source contract to buy 20 of them from a Canadian company. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
ICE ordering fleet of 20 armoured vehicles from Canadian firm | CBC News
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement earmarked millions of dollars for a bulk order for 20 armoured vehicles from Canadian defence manufacturer Roshel that are built to resist bullets and bomb bla...
www.cbc.ca
December 3, 2025 at 10:11 AM
The Senator is the same vehicle Canada sends to Ukraine. Americans should ask why ICE so desperate to have this type of vehicle by the end of 2025 that they'll use a sole source contract to buy 20 of them from a Canadian company. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by James Halls
This is why you should act like everything a potential leader says is sincere. If they sincerely believe war crimes are good, that's disqualifying.
If they say it insincerely, their lying is disqualifying.
If they say it insincerely, their lying is disqualifying.
December 2, 2025 at 6:56 PM
This is why you should act like everything a potential leader says is sincere. If they sincerely believe war crimes are good, that's disqualifying.
If they say it insincerely, their lying is disqualifying.
If they say it insincerely, their lying is disqualifying.
Reposted by James Halls
It’s important to note from a military perspective that if a subordinate is about to give an unlawful order & his senior knows about it, it’s also a requirement for the senior official to stop him from executing it. And then counsel/discipline him.
So there’s that, too.
So there’s that, too.
December 2, 2025 at 1:58 AM
It’s important to note from a military perspective that if a subordinate is about to give an unlawful order & his senior knows about it, it’s also a requirement for the senior official to stop him from executing it. And then counsel/discipline him.
So there’s that, too.
So there’s that, too.
As noted by former JAGs, if true Hegseth is in the company of war criminal Rear Admiral Takero Kouta who in WW2 ordered Allied survivors of Japanese submarine attacks to be killed. Which raises the question of if Trump knew (I can see him agreeing with this kind of order), or if Hegseth was rogue?
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
November 29, 2025 at 11:36 PM
As noted by former JAGs, if true Hegseth is in the company of war criminal Rear Admiral Takero Kouta who in WW2 ordered Allied survivors of Japanese submarine attacks to be killed. Which raises the question of if Trump knew (I can see him agreeing with this kind of order), or if Hegseth was rogue?
"intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls." This event was entirely preventable. It is why aircraft design companies should be consulting with experts in solar and (Earth) atmospheric physics. It's why we have experts. www.npr.org/2025/11/28/n...
Airbus calls for 'immediate' software upgrade to A320 aircraft
A320 planes are flown by a number of domestic and international airlines, and the required software update could lead to "operational disruptions to passengers and customers," according to Airbus.
www.npr.org
November 29, 2025 at 2:32 PM
"intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls." This event was entirely preventable. It is why aircraft design companies should be consulting with experts in solar and (Earth) atmospheric physics. It's why we have experts. www.npr.org/2025/11/28/n...
At best Trump is being a blowhard and this will only cause massive inconvenience to airlines and passengers in the Caribbean. At worst the bombs could already be on the way www.reuters.com/world/americ...
Trump says airspace above and surrounding Venezuela to be closed in its entirety
The FAA recently warned major airlines of a "potentially hazardous situation" when flying over Venezuela.
www.reuters.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:22 PM
At best Trump is being a blowhard and this will only cause massive inconvenience to airlines and passengers in the Caribbean. At worst the bombs could already be on the way www.reuters.com/world/americ...
If you wondered why Mark Kelly was part of the video telling US military personnel that they should disobey illegal orders... www.bbc.com/news/article...
November 29, 2025 at 8:16 AM
If you wondered why Mark Kelly was part of the video telling US military personnel that they should disobey illegal orders... www.bbc.com/news/article...
When reality becomes fiction. Or is that the other way around? It's so hard to tell with Trump's cronies that even Time got confused. 🤔🤔 www.cbc.ca/news/world/b...
'Made-up quote' in Canadian satire site The Beaverton fools Time Magazine | CBC News
In a recent article about the United States' strained relationships with other countries, Time Magazine included a made-up quote from Canadian satire site The Beaverton — seemingly as fact.
www.cbc.ca
November 29, 2025 at 8:07 AM
When reality becomes fiction. Or is that the other way around? It's so hard to tell with Trump's cronies that even Time got confused. 🤔🤔 www.cbc.ca/news/world/b...
I have been waffling between Trump being a Russian asset or just stupid. Then I realized (admittedly belatedly) it's not a dichotomy. He doesn't need to be one or the other, he can be both stupid and an asset. Once the dust has settled from him being President I'll be interested to see the answer.
November 27, 2025 at 7:34 PM
I have been waffling between Trump being a Russian asset or just stupid. Then I realized (admittedly belatedly) it's not a dichotomy. He doesn't need to be one or the other, he can be both stupid and an asset. Once the dust has settled from him being President I'll be interested to see the answer.
Republicans, this is how the professionals deal with Presidents who attempt to overthrow the results of a legal election. You should take notes. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Brazil: Bolsonaro ordered to start serving 27-year prison sentence for coup plot
The Supreme Court says the former leader has exhausted his appeals and will start his prison term at a police station in Brasilia.
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Republicans, this is how the professionals deal with Presidents who attempt to overthrow the results of a legal election. You should take notes. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by James Halls
New guide to Ukraine’s interceptor drones -> www.hisutton.com/Ukrainian-In...
November 24, 2025 at 6:53 AM
New guide to Ukraine’s interceptor drones -> www.hisutton.com/Ukrainian-In...
Yup. I can totally see that. It's not worth his while if he doesn't get a finders fee
November 21, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Yup. I can totally see that. It's not worth his while if he doesn't get a finders fee
I had doubted that Trump was Russian asset based on how stupid Trump is. But first the "peace" proposal, and now this? Putin must have something or the threat to cut intelligence and weapons wouldn't happen. www.reuters.com/world/europe...
www.reuters.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I had doubted that Trump was Russian asset based on how stupid Trump is. But first the "peace" proposal, and now this? Putin must have something or the threat to cut intelligence and weapons wouldn't happen. www.reuters.com/world/europe...
At most Putin has until the US midterms next November. After that he won't get anything even if by some miracle Trump is still President.
Trump‘s decisive defeat in reference to the Epstein case will force Putin‘s hand to extract from Trump possible concessions as soon and fast as possible. Putin and his circle will most certainly fear that Trump‘s time could come to an end faster than thought. Expect this.
November 19, 2025 at 11:18 PM
At most Putin has until the US midterms next November. After that he won't get anything even if by some miracle Trump is still President.