Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 8h

Cold War was way fuzzier than is now commonly acknowledged. See British reticence in Africa, then.

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 8h

I am deeply saddened and shocked by the serious allegations of espionage against Dr. Ashley Tellis. I hope for his sake, for U.S. national security, and Indo-American relations that the whole truth is discovered expediently and actions taken forthwith. सत्यमेव जयते and John 8:32.

3

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 10h

There are so few folks working on interstate security in the developing world. There are folks doing insurgencies and terrorism, Latin America, South/Central/East Asia, and Sub-Saharan and North Africa. But I don't know anyone even in DC studying them as a whole, looking at interlinkages and at GPC.

1 1 3

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 11h

I try not to laugh at the Russians "modernizing" kit from long forgotten storage areas. If Taiwan gets hot, America will be going to the boneyards for every type of platform. I pretty much guarantee it!

4

Reposted by Vasabjit Banerjee

David Axe @davidaxe.bsky.social · 11h

Russia Is Desperate For Tanks. Is It Desperate Enough To Use T-64s?

642 of Russia’s last remaining 2,500 tanks are T-64s Russia can't easily use without massive investment.

open.substack.com

1 1 16

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 12h

The trend of China's growing military ties to Latin America is presented in this article. My addendum would be partnership with NATO members who are regional actors like UK, France, and Canada to defray costs and increase interoperability.

americasquarterly.org/article/beij...

Beijing’s Military Diplomacy Is Making Major Gains

To counter China’s deepening relations with Latin America’s militaries, the U.S. needs to rethink its approach.

americasquarterly.org

1

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 16h

There is no difference between the Venezuelan opposition led by Corina Machado and Maduro over Venezuelan claims to Guyana's Essequibo region. Their efforts at outbidding to garner popular and institutional (army) support during regime transition can lead to a war. Pace: Mansfield and Snyder (1995).

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

TIL that Texas exports are mostly oil, gas, and byproducts. No wonder its politics resembles that of a rentier state. Florida is dominated by agriculture, tourist resorts, port facilities, and real estate. So, its politics is like many Latin American countries. Huh!

1 4 20

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

I moved to buy fewer and better, but I still can't afford Made in USA clothes. It's not a U.S. thing: I was told in the UK, most (all?) off the shelf tweed jackets are now made abroad. IMHO, there's no way to return to Made in UK/USA sans a pre-consumerist 7-9 shirts, 3-5 suits and 2 shoes model.

derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 2d

This two-parter below is exactly why it's hard to make clothes in the United States.

Let's look at how much it costs to produce a button-up shirt in the US. 🧵

Someone on Twitter replies to me: "meh. buy american or stfu."

Two hours later, in a separate thread, the write: "$30 for a single button-up is ridiculous unless it is decent quality silk."

2

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

Recent troop movements indicate the Afghanistan-Pakistan border clashes will escalate. Afghanistan claims 58 Pak soldiers were KIA. Pak claims 23 Pak and 200+ Afghan soldiers were KIA.

These aren't small numbers. Pak's bet on Taliban has turned sour and, thus, U.S. bet on Pak to access Bagram.

1 4

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

This @nahaltoosi.bsky.social article on U.S.-Venezuela relations is great! I wish it covered US efforts to defend Guyana and the pressure on regional states from the influx of Venezuelan refugees and criminal networks. These are also pressuring the US to take action.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...

Trump Has a Different Plan to Oust Maduro This Time Around

Venezuela’s leader has survived the US president’s wrath before.

www.politico.com

1 4

Reposted by Vasabjit Banerjee

Avishay BSG (Ben-Sasson-Gordis) @avishaybsg.bsky.social · 2d

🧵 I'm excited to share that my article "Democratic Backsliding and the Limits of Civilian Control of the Military" has been accepted @thejop.bsky.social.

It answers the question "how ought militaries act when civilian leaders turn on democratic institutions?"

1/
#CivMilSky #PolTheory

20 200 740

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

It is important to note that from a total population of ~28.4 Venezuelans, the refugees are now ~8 million. That is ~28 percent, or more than a quarter, of the population have fled under the Maduro regime. Most are now in regional countries with socioeconomic problems and fragile democracies.

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

I think that many of us don't know the extent of the Venezuelan refugee crisis. It is destabilizing a bunch of regional countries. 1/n

The illustration is from this recent article.

www.migrationpolicy.org/article/lati...

2 8

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

One more in Peru:

www.bbc.com/mundo/notici...

1

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

In Colombia, there is more accommodation, but there are issues: 4/n

End

www.migrationpolicy.org/article/colo...

Why Colombians’ Unease about Venezuelan Immigration Has Not Led to New Restrictions

While most Colombians say the influx of migrants from Venezuela over the past decade harms their country, this opinion does not necessarily lead to support for more immigration restrictions. As this a...

www.migrationpolicy.org

1 1

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

Ecuador's response. Now worsened by the narco-wars. 3/n

www.refugeesinternational.org/reports-brie...

A Fragile Welcome: Ecuador’s Response to the Influx of Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants - Refugees International

Ecuador must do more to protect and provide opportunities for Venezuelans—and international donors must respond more generously.

www.refugeesinternational.org

1 1

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

Anti-refugee violence in Chile: 2/n

newlinesmag.com/reportage/ve...

Venezuelan Refugees Face Growing Hostility in Chile

Opinion in the country is hardening against the plight of undocumented migrants, providing a test for its new leftist president

newlinesmag.com

1 1

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

I think that many of us don't know the extent of the Venezuelan refugee crisis. It is destabilizing a bunch of regional countries. 1/n

The illustration is from this recent article.

www.migrationpolicy.org/article/lati...

1 2 6

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

Besides narcotics, the real issues are refugees and then annexation of Essequibo. Both are horribly destabilizing the region. The US may get better or same deals and more regional stability with Machado. Maduro doesn't get it.

2

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 2d

Clashes occured between Pakistan and Afghanistan forces at disputed border. 15+ Pak soldiers reported dead. Taliban accuse Pak of supporting ISIS in Afghanistan. The incident occurred after an official Taliban delegation visited Delhi.

This may affect US outreach to Pak for access to Bagram base.

1 6

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 3d

Jokes aside, I have no idea. I just don't see how this all ends.

1

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 3d

In response to queries: I have no idea about current U.S. objectives with Venezuela. Is it stopping drugs, but leaving Maduro in power? Is it removing him for running a narco-state, threatening to annex Guyana, and repression? Is it a unity government?

www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...

MSN

www.msn.com

2 1 5

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 3d

The army or a section of it has switched sides to join protestors in Madagascar.

www.theafricareport.com/394881/madag...

7

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 3d

hahaha! That's legendary level stuff.

2

Vasabjit Banerjee @vasabjit.bsky.social · 3d

If you know, you know. The Poli Sci code of omierda prohibits saying more.

P @pnumbers.bsky.social · 3d

Is that code for an old style mob boss?

1