Christian Caryl
@ccaryl.bsky.social
Writing, insomnia, birds. Frequenter of diners. Ex-WaPo, ex-Newsweek. Own worst enemy. Book: Strange Rebels: 1979 and the Birth of the 21st Century
If you’re going to use a word like “sommelier” in a story, you might want to make sure you’re getting it right. More sad evidence of slipping standards at @washingtonpost.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
If you’re going to use a word like “sommelier” in a story, you might want to make sure you’re getting it right. More sad evidence of slipping standards at @washingtonpost.com
Reposted by Christian Caryl
This is not a plan for peace. It is a plan for Russian victory and Ukrainian capitulation, argues Christian Caryl.
Don’t Call This a ‘Peace Plan’
If the U.S.-Russia plan for Ukraine goes forward, Donald Trump will be remembered as the Neville Chamberlain of the 21st century.
foreignpolicy.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
This is not a plan for peace. It is a plan for Russian victory and Ukrainian capitulation, argues Christian Caryl.
Steve Witkoff should be fired
Witkoff advised the Russians on how to pitch their Ukraine plan to Trump www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Steve Witkoff should be fired
Reposted by Christian Caryl
I hope folks realize that between Trump, Kushner, Hegseth, Witkoff, Noem, RFK, Jr., Kash Patel, and Tulsi Gabbard, this country is almost entirely undefended.
Q: Have you heard this audio that Bloomberg has of Witkoff coaching the Russians on how to appeal to you?
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
TRUMP: That's a standard thing. He's gotta sell this to Ukraine, he's gonna sell Ukraine to Russia. That's what a dealmaker does. I haven't heard it but I heard it was standard negotiation.
November 26, 2025 at 1:28 AM
I hope folks realize that between Trump, Kushner, Hegseth, Witkoff, Noem, RFK, Jr., Kash Patel, and Tulsi Gabbard, this country is almost entirely undefended.
Reposted by Christian Caryl
This is so many layers of writing removed from something I also do not want to read
Just opened my copy of status and saw "Ryan Lizza will publish his latest entry into his ongoing Olivia Nuzzi series in the next 24 hours or so, Lachlan Cartwright reported in his newsletter Breaker."
November 26, 2025 at 3:02 AM
This is so many layers of writing removed from something I also do not want to read
Agreed
What folks need to realize about "peace talks" is that this is all theater for Washington. Ukraine knows that Russia has no intention of stopping the war, and the Russians know the Ukrainians know that. So this is just all a performance for Trump, hoping he blames the other for the lack of peace.
November 26, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Agreed
Reposted by Christian Caryl
Sen. Mark Kelly: “I’m not backing down. I’m not shutting up. If somebody in my situation was to do that, what is the message that sends to not only service members but government employees?How about to just U.S. citizens about what our First Amendment rights are?”
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
‘An Example MUST BE SET’
The pursuit of Mark Kelly in the military-justice system sends a clear message to service members and veterans.
www.theatlantic.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Sen. Mark Kelly: “I’m not backing down. I’m not shutting up. If somebody in my situation was to do that, what is the message that sends to not only service members but government employees?How about to just U.S. citizens about what our First Amendment rights are?”
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Christian Caryl
No matter how long I live after we get through this dark chapter, I will never get over the immorality, the amorality, the corruption, the criminality and the cruelty in service to one of the worst humans to ever walk the earth.
November 26, 2025 at 1:13 AM
No matter how long I live after we get through this dark chapter, I will never get over the immorality, the amorality, the corruption, the criminality and the cruelty in service to one of the worst humans to ever walk the earth.
“Can Russia still afford to fight a bloody war in Ukraine? Yes, for now — but with each passing month, the financial squeeze gets worse.” Good take from @jimgeraghty in WaPo:
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Trump chose just the wrong moment to play hardball with Ukraine
Russia is paying an enormous cost in men and resources.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:21 PM
“Can Russia still afford to fight a bloody war in Ukraine? Yes, for now — but with each passing month, the financial squeeze gets worse.” Good take from @jimgeraghty in WaPo:
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Christian Caryl
First Secretary of Defense you could defeat by painting a tunnel on the side of a boulder.
November 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
First Secretary of Defense you could defeat by painting a tunnel on the side of a boulder.
Reposted by Christian Caryl
ah yes, the people yearn for the dersh
"elevate charismatic figures such as Alan Dershowitz"
-____________-
-____________-
November 25, 2025 at 10:54 AM
ah yes, the people yearn for the dersh
Reposted by Christian Caryl
The administration stayed home from Halifax and forced the US military to do so as well. This isn’t an aberration: Also over the weekend, the administration boycotted the G20 in S Africa. How does the Trump team expect to win any diplomatic victories when it’s not even on the field? wapo.st/4oZH3wz
Opinion | America has become a rogue nation. U.S. allies are looking elsewhere.
Europeans and Canadians are talking about making their own security arrangements.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The administration stayed home from Halifax and forced the US military to do so as well. This isn’t an aberration: Also over the weekend, the administration boycotted the G20 in S Africa. How does the Trump team expect to win any diplomatic victories when it’s not even on the field? wapo.st/4oZH3wz
My latest: The 28-point plan is a blueprint for Russian victory and Ukrainian capitulation. Let’s hope it never comes to fruition
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
Don’t Call This a ‘Peace Plan’
If the U.S.-Russia draft for Ukraine goes forward, Donald Trump will be remembered as the Neville Chamberlain of the 21st century.
foreignpolicy.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:36 PM
My latest: The 28-point plan is a blueprint for Russian victory and Ukrainian capitulation. Let’s hope it never comes to fruition
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
Jared Kushner showed up as part of the American delegation. Hard to blame the Ukrainians for being surprised at that. Since when did Kushner become a government official?
on.ft.com/4p1nB2N
on.ft.com/4p1nB2N
US and Ukraine draft new 19-point peace plan but defer biggest decisions
The most politically sensitive elements are left for Trump and Zelenskyy to discuss
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Jared Kushner showed up as part of the American delegation. Hard to blame the Ukrainians for being surprised at that. Since when did Kushner become a government official?
on.ft.com/4p1nB2N
on.ft.com/4p1nB2N
In which I argue that Donald Trump is on his way to becoming the Neville Chamberlain of the 21st century
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
Don’t Call This a ‘Peace Plan’
If the U.S.-Russia plan for Ukraine goes forward, Donald Trump will be remembered as the Neville Chamberlain of the 21st century.
foreignpolicy.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:25 PM
In which I argue that Donald Trump is on his way to becoming the Neville Chamberlain of the 21st century
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/24/t...
Reposted by Christian Caryl
The growing threat from Putin’s despotic, expansionist regime calls for Churchillian resolution, unity and strength on the part of the transatlantic alliance. Instead, Neville Chamberlain-style irresolution and confusion reigns—particularly in Washington. wapo.st/3XcRot6
Opinion | Ukraine needs Russia’s frozen $200 billion immediately, Europe
With Trump seeking Kyiv’s capitulation to Russia, now is the moment for decisive European action.
wapo.st
November 22, 2025 at 9:40 PM
The growing threat from Putin’s despotic, expansionist regime calls for Churchillian resolution, unity and strength on the part of the transatlantic alliance. Instead, Neville Chamberlain-style irresolution and confusion reigns—particularly in Washington. wapo.st/3XcRot6
Yes: “American democracy today is in a dangerous place. The Epstein emails are a kind of prequel to the present.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
Opinion | How the Elite Behave When No One Is Watching: Inside the Epstein Emails
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Yes: “American democracy today is in a dangerous place. The Epstein emails are a kind of prequel to the present.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/o...
Reposted by Christian Caryl
The Biden Justice Department Attorney General Garland should have moved swiftly to investigate, charge and prosecute Donald Trump for his crimes against the nation, by March 2021 at the latest. The failure to do this would eventually lead to the rapid disintegration of the nation.
Trump is now seeming to endorse execution for his perceived enemies — retweeting a post that called for the hanging of Democrats who told servicemembers to refuse illegal orders.
He also claims the Dems are engaging in 'seditious behavior'.
He also claims the Dems are engaging in 'seditious behavior'.
November 20, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The Biden Justice Department Attorney General Garland should have moved swiftly to investigate, charge and prosecute Donald Trump for his crimes against the nation, by March 2021 at the latest. The failure to do this would eventually lead to the rapid disintegration of the nation.
My review of Jonathan Slaght's great new book on Amur Tigers. Can't recommend it highly enough.
books.substack.com/p/review-chr...
books.substack.com/p/review-chr...
Review: Christian Caryl Among the Amur Tigers
A new book on saving the tigers of Russia’s far east
books.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:35 PM
My review of Jonathan Slaght's great new book on Amur Tigers. Can't recommend it highly enough.
books.substack.com/p/review-chr...
books.substack.com/p/review-chr...
Good question! youtu.be/ITvbFCrix70?...
Rumours swirl as Putin's top lackey goes MIA | Superpowers
YouTube video by Times Radio
youtu.be
November 19, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Good question! youtu.be/ITvbFCrix70?...
“The newly released files showed two years of communications between Summers and Epstein on myriad topics, including Summers’s romantic interests. At one point, Epstein appears to have coached Summers through how to attract a woman.”
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
Larry Summers leaves OpenAI as Harvard opens inquiry into his Epstein ties
Documents released by Congress show the former Treasury secretary kept in contact with Epstein after he pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution in 2008.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:44 PM
“The newly released files showed two years of communications between Summers and Epstein on myriad topics, including Summers’s romantic interests. At one point, Epstein appears to have coached Summers through how to attract a woman.”
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
Lavrov missed another meeting. He's either really sick or taking a relaxing spa vacation at Putin's behest en.apa.az/cis-countrie...
Lavrov absent from Putin–Tokayev meeting, replaced by deputy Galuzin
A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has begun, APA’s Moscow bureau reports
en.apa.az
November 13, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Lavrov missed another meeting. He's either really sick or taking a relaxing spa vacation at Putin's behest en.apa.az/cis-countrie...
Kudos to @guardian for this smart piece. I am a big Nova Poshta fan, having used it on a number of occasions. Another great example of Ukraine’s can-do spirit www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Car bumpers, homemade pies … no weapons allowed: the unstoppable postal service keeping Ukraine going
Nova Poshta connects frontline cities to the capital, and to millions of refugees across Europe, delivering everything from home comforts to house moving boxes, even under fire
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Kudos to @guardian for this smart piece. I am a big Nova Poshta fan, having used it on a number of occasions. Another great example of Ukraine’s can-do spirit www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Christian Caryl
“I no longer can bear to be restrained by what judges can say publicly or do outside the courtroom,” Judge Mark L. Wolf writes on his decision to resign from the federal bench. “President Trump is using the law for partisan purposes”:
Why I Am Resigning
A federal judge explains his reasoning for leaving the bench.
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 4:45 PM
“I no longer can bear to be restrained by what judges can say publicly or do outside the courtroom,” Judge Mark L. Wolf writes on his decision to resign from the federal bench. “President Trump is using the law for partisan purposes”:
Reposted by Christian Caryl
Now that Dems have capitulated, at the very least they should now make every future extension of funding contingent on Trump following the law. Any lawbreaking must be met with: No more votes from us, period.
My exchange with @brianbeutler.bsky.social on that point:
newrepublic.com/article/2029...
My exchange with @brianbeutler.bsky.social on that point:
newrepublic.com/article/2029...
November 11, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Now that Dems have capitulated, at the very least they should now make every future extension of funding contingent on Trump following the law. Any lawbreaking must be met with: No more votes from us, period.
My exchange with @brianbeutler.bsky.social on that point:
newrepublic.com/article/2029...
My exchange with @brianbeutler.bsky.social on that point:
newrepublic.com/article/2029...