Valerie Morkevičius
@vmorkevicius.bsky.social
Assoc Prof Political Science @ColgateUniv. Author of Realist Ethics: https://bit.ly/RealistEthics Ramblings here from a just war perspective on #security & #infowar. Personal views only.
Reposted by Valerie Morkevičius
Here is my read of the "peace plan" and how Kirill Dmitriev played the American media to force this thing into being -- with an incompetent White House scrambling to make it seem like this was somehow coordinated and well-planned. open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
“He Must Have Got This From K.”
How a Russian operative used the American media to force a risible “peace deal” into existence
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Here is my read of the "peace plan" and how Kirill Dmitriev played the American media to force this thing into being -- with an incompetent White House scrambling to make it seem like this was somehow coordinated and well-planned. open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
Reposted by Valerie Morkevičius
detailed WashPost account of how Trump and Stephen Miller sidelined serious lawyers so they could fabricate a justification for committing murder
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats
The Trump administration sidestepped skeptical lawyers across national security agencies as it pursued a military campaign against alleged narcotraffickers, officials say.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:23 PM
detailed WashPost account of how Trump and Stephen Miller sidelined serious lawyers so they could fabricate a justification for committing murder
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Valerie Morkevičius
"To win all of Ukraine back in its original form," — as Trump put it — is not a maximalist aim but the prerequisite for peace.
kyivindependent.com/why-russia-c...
kyivindependent.com/why-russia-c...
Why Russia cannot help but invade
The planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest has been shelved. The White House says there's no point meeting unless "we're going to make a deal." Some view this as a setback for diplomacy, but it may we...
kyivindependent.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:43 PM
"To win all of Ukraine back in its original form," — as Trump put it — is not a maximalist aim but the prerequisite for peace.
kyivindependent.com/why-russia-c...
kyivindependent.com/why-russia-c...
Chicago peeps:
Rally for Ukraine tomorrow Sunday 2PM, 410 N. Michigan, Chicago
Ukraine is not for sale
Occupation is not peace
Ukraine is not for sale
Occupation is not peace
November 22, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Chicago peeps:
Today the First Deputy Chairman of the Duma Defense Committee says only a military victory would definitively end the war; yesterday Putin said he was "satisfied with the current dynamics” of the war.
Something tells me the Kremlin isn't committed to peace.
united24media.com/latest-news/...
Something tells me the Kremlin isn't committed to peace.
united24media.com/latest-news/...
November 22, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Today the First Deputy Chairman of the Duma Defense Committee says only a military victory would definitively end the war; yesterday Putin said he was "satisfied with the current dynamics” of the war.
Something tells me the Kremlin isn't committed to peace.
united24media.com/latest-news/...
Something tells me the Kremlin isn't committed to peace.
united24media.com/latest-news/...
Reposted by Valerie Morkevičius
This young man has it exactly right.
November 21, 2025 at 11:30 PM
This young man has it exactly right.
Reposted by Valerie Morkevičius
Make a pause
and spend 40 seconds in Kyiv.
and spend 40 seconds in Kyiv.
November 21, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Make a pause
and spend 40 seconds in Kyiv.
and spend 40 seconds in Kyiv.
The choice Trump's plan forces on Ukraine: "Either the loss of our dignity or the risk of losing a key partner. Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely hard winter –the hardest yet– and the dangers that follow. A life without freedom, without dignity, without justice."
youtu.be/n0e4FnnIX7s
youtu.be/n0e4FnnIX7s
Звернення Володимира Зеленського до українського народу
YouTube video by Офіс Президента України
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 9:41 PM
The choice Trump's plan forces on Ukraine: "Either the loss of our dignity or the risk of losing a key partner. Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely hard winter –the hardest yet– and the dangers that follow. A life without freedom, without dignity, without justice."
youtu.be/n0e4FnnIX7s
youtu.be/n0e4FnnIX7s
Reposted by Valerie Morkevičius
Zelenskyy has posted a deeply difficult, ten‑minute national address. It is honestly heartbreaking to watch. I’m sure translations are already circulating and you’ll find it online, but the first point you need to hear is this:
"Right now is one of the most difficult moments in our history. ,
"Right now is one of the most difficult moments in our history. ,
November 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Zelenskyy has posted a deeply difficult, ten‑minute national address. It is honestly heartbreaking to watch. I’m sure translations are already circulating and you’ll find it online, but the first point you need to hear is this:
"Right now is one of the most difficult moments in our history. ,
"Right now is one of the most difficult moments in our history. ,
Reposted by Valerie Morkevičius
Russia has started selling off its gold reserves for the first time to pay for the war.
The Bank of Russia has, for the first time, started real sales of physical gold from its reserves as part of the Finance Ministry’s operations to fund the state budget.
The Bank of Russia has, for the first time, started real sales of physical gold from its reserves as part of the Finance Ministry’s operations to fund the state budget.
November 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Russia has started selling off its gold reserves for the first time to pay for the war.
The Bank of Russia has, for the first time, started real sales of physical gold from its reserves as part of the Finance Ministry’s operations to fund the state budget.
The Bank of Russia has, for the first time, started real sales of physical gold from its reserves as part of the Finance Ministry’s operations to fund the state budget.
Snow in Vilnius.
November 20, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Snow in Vilnius.
Reposted by Valerie Morkevičius
The would put Germany in command of U.S. forces, including nuclear weapons, deployed in Europe. Which probably indicates the Trump Administration envisions there being none.
🇺🇸🇩🇪 The US would like Germany to take over the command of Nato forces in Europe, Whitaker said, - The Times
In remarks that elicited shock from a German Nato general seated next to him, Whitaker said it was US long-term “aspirational goal” that Berlin should appoint supreme allied commander Europe.
In remarks that elicited shock from a German Nato general seated next to him, Whitaker said it was US long-term “aspirational goal” that Berlin should appoint supreme allied commander Europe.
November 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
The would put Germany in command of U.S. forces, including nuclear weapons, deployed in Europe. Which probably indicates the Trump Administration envisions there being none.
Reposted by Valerie Morkevičius
Russia is dismantling Ukraine's energy grid node by node - Shaheds for substations, Iskanders for power plants, all timed before winter
Texty analysis shows three months of strikes targeting the exact infrastructure that lets Ukraine's grid adapt to damage
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/20/r...
Texty analysis shows three months of strikes targeting the exact infrastructure that lets Ukraine's grid adapt to damage
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/20/r...
Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid follow systematic pattern, analysis shows: Shaheds for substations, Iskanders for power plants
Texty analysis reveals coordinated strikes on substations, power plants, and gas facilities over three months.
euromaidanpress.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Russia is dismantling Ukraine's energy grid node by node - Shaheds for substations, Iskanders for power plants, all timed before winter
Texty analysis shows three months of strikes targeting the exact infrastructure that lets Ukraine's grid adapt to damage
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/20/r...
Texty analysis shows three months of strikes targeting the exact infrastructure that lets Ukraine's grid adapt to damage
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/20/r...
I couldn't say it better, and I don't normally curse.
November 20, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I couldn't say it better, and I don't normally curse.
Two things:
1) Disobeying a manifestly unlawful order, including those that violate the US Constitution or the Geneva Conventions, is a duty.
2) Threatening political opponents with jail or death is an authoritarian tactic,& an encouragement to spark political violence.
1) Disobeying a manifestly unlawful order, including those that violate the US Constitution or the Geneva Conventions, is a duty.
2) Threatening political opponents with jail or death is an authoritarian tactic,& an encouragement to spark political violence.
November 20, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Two things:
1) Disobeying a manifestly unlawful order, including those that violate the US Constitution or the Geneva Conventions, is a duty.
2) Threatening political opponents with jail or death is an authoritarian tactic,& an encouragement to spark political violence.
1) Disobeying a manifestly unlawful order, including those that violate the US Constitution or the Geneva Conventions, is a duty.
2) Threatening political opponents with jail or death is an authoritarian tactic,& an encouragement to spark political violence.
Reposted by Valerie Morkevičius
Far too much credibility is being given to the new ‘Trump peace plan’ that would be tantamount to Ukraine’s capitulation. Here I explain why this new plan is far less than it seems and is unlikely to lead to anything. (£/free trial), open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/y...?
Yet another peace plan?
What's going on with leaked proposals for a new US/Russia deal
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Far too much credibility is being given to the new ‘Trump peace plan’ that would be tantamount to Ukraine’s capitulation. Here I explain why this new plan is far less than it seems and is unlikely to lead to anything. (£/free trial), open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/y...?
Important dissention on the legality of strikes
Top military lawyer raised legal concerns about boat strikes
The lawyer at U.S. Southern Command, which oversees the operations against alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela, disagreed that the strikes are legal and was overruled, according to six sources...
www.nbcnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:25 AM
If the news from Ukraine has you feeling anxious tonight, there's something very concrete you can do to help:
Friends,
Winter will come to Ukraine very soon. After the Russian attacks,we spend hours without electricity.Sometimes there's no heating and/or water,as well.Several schools&a hospital from Kyiv region have asked me to help them with generators.
Power Up Ukraine are true friends of Ukraine⤵️
Winter will come to Ukraine very soon. After the Russian attacks,we spend hours without electricity.Sometimes there's no heating and/or water,as well.Several schools&a hospital from Kyiv region have asked me to help them with generators.
Power Up Ukraine are true friends of Ukraine⤵️
November 19, 2025 at 7:29 PM
If the news from Ukraine has you feeling anxious tonight, there's something very concrete you can do to help:
Seems to be what TASS is saying too...
As if the Kremlin has been taken by surprise by Witkoff's "deal."
Very odd. /1
As if the Kremlin has been taken by surprise by Witkoff's "deal."
Very odd. /1
November 19, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Seems to be what TASS is saying too...
As if the Kremlin has been taken by surprise by Witkoff's "deal."
Very odd. /1
As if the Kremlin has been taken by surprise by Witkoff's "deal."
Very odd. /1
Smells like 1938.
But worse really, because then at least the UK brought France along.
It's quite something to hold secret talks with the aggressor, leaving out your closest allies -- not to mention Ukraine.
www.axios.com/2025/11/19/u...
But worse really, because then at least the UK brought France along.
It's quite something to hold secret talks with the aggressor, leaving out your closest allies -- not to mention Ukraine.
www.axios.com/2025/11/19/u...
Scoop: U.S. secretly drafting new plan to end Ukraine war
"We feel the Russian position is really being heard," Russia's envoy told Axios.
www.axios.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Smells like 1938.
But worse really, because then at least the UK brought France along.
It's quite something to hold secret talks with the aggressor, leaving out your closest allies -- not to mention Ukraine.
www.axios.com/2025/11/19/u...
But worse really, because then at least the UK brought France along.
It's quite something to hold secret talks with the aggressor, leaving out your closest allies -- not to mention Ukraine.
www.axios.com/2025/11/19/u...
Look, don't get me wrong -- I'm glad that most Americans think all human beings have basic rights.
But I'm deeply, deeply troubled (tho' not surprised) that over a quarter of Americans think the government can decide that some people have no rights.
But I'm deeply, deeply troubled (tho' not surprised) that over a quarter of Americans think the government can decide that some people have no rights.
According to new Reuters poll, only 29% of Americans support using the U.S. military to kill suspected drug traffickers without a judge or court being involved. 51% oppose. www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
www.reuters.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Look, don't get me wrong -- I'm glad that most Americans think all human beings have basic rights.
But I'm deeply, deeply troubled (tho' not surprised) that over a quarter of Americans think the government can decide that some people have no rights.
But I'm deeply, deeply troubled (tho' not surprised) that over a quarter of Americans think the government can decide that some people have no rights.
Reposted by Valerie Morkevičius
If you can't trust the JAGs or the chain of command, who you gonna call? www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
And, yes, this counts as a crisis in civil-military relations.
What counts as a crisis? All kinds of things, but when members of the military think they may be asked to do illegal things? Yeah.
And, yes, this counts as a crisis in civil-military relations.
What counts as a crisis? All kinds of things, but when members of the military think they may be asked to do illegal things? Yeah.
November 15, 2025 at 7:32 PM
If you can't trust the JAGs or the chain of command, who you gonna call? www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
And, yes, this counts as a crisis in civil-military relations.
What counts as a crisis? All kinds of things, but when members of the military think they may be asked to do illegal things? Yeah.
And, yes, this counts as a crisis in civil-military relations.
What counts as a crisis? All kinds of things, but when members of the military think they may be asked to do illegal things? Yeah.
A very important detail all posters should keep in mind for the next few months.
I love Wag the Dog, it’s one of my favorite movies, not least because it was made as a Clinton joke and works even better as a Bush joke. The “We are the World” dig holds up, as does Dustin Hoffman’s Robert Evans impression.
But it’s about faking a war as a distraction, not a real diversionary war.
But it’s about faking a war as a distraction, not a real diversionary war.
November 14, 2025 at 3:40 PM
A very important detail all posters should keep in mind for the next few months.
Reposted by Valerie Morkevičius
Nostalgia is a vast opportunity for political predation.
"What is certain, and felt instinctively by almost everybody, is that things cannot go on in their present way" – The Times, May 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
November 14, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Nostalgia is a vast opportunity for political predation.
I am trying to write today and this is not helping.
Delighted to announce I have found my first published academic article clearly written by ChatGPT. Full of non-existent references. What are we even doing anymore?
November 14, 2025 at 10:50 AM
I am trying to write today and this is not helping.