Ed Franks
@edfranks.bsky.social
PhD: Econolytics/RAND
MS: Biochemistry/MIT
BS: Chemistry/UCSD
MA: Theology/Fuller Seminary
⬆︎Reagan/Hayek/Hume/Locke/Z⬆︎
⬆︎TULIP/Calvin/Cromwell/Owen⬆︎
⬇︎Putin/Marx/China/Quds/Hamas⬇︎
____________________________________
MS: Biochemistry/MIT
BS: Chemistry/UCSD
MA: Theology/Fuller Seminary
⬆︎Reagan/Hayek/Hume/Locke/Z⬆︎
⬆︎TULIP/Calvin/Cromwell/Owen⬆︎
⬇︎Putin/Marx/China/Quds/Hamas⬇︎
____________________________________
Pinned
Ed Franks
@edfranks.bsky.social
· Sep 8
How the Ukraine-Russia War Is Transforming the Tank
They’ve been a mainstay in battle since the early 20th century. But in just three years of war in Ukraine, tanks have evolved.
www.nytimes.com
This an absolutely brilliant article (IMHO) by NYT on the evolution of tank warfare on both sides of the LOC in the Ukraine War - the epitome of asymmetrical warfare actions & reactions! "Tanks Were Just Tanks, Until Drones Made Them Change" www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
This is glorious news for Ukraine, esp b/c it doesn't require them to put any Ukrainians troops or civilians at combat risk! Just sit tight while Russian logistics dry up completely along w/Russia's ability to project its forces deeper into Ukraine!?
kyivindependent.com/russias-dece...
kyivindependent.com/russias-dece...
Russia’s December oil and gas revenue set to drop to lowest level since 2020, Reuters reports
Russia’s oil and gas revenue in December is expected to be nearly half compared to the previous year, down to about 410 billion rubles ($5.17 billion), Reuters reported on Dec. 12.
kyivindependent.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:16 AM
This is glorious news for Ukraine, esp b/c it doesn't require them to put any Ukrainians troops or civilians at combat risk! Just sit tight while Russian logistics dry up completely along w/Russia's ability to project its forces deeper into Ukraine!?
kyivindependent.com/russias-dece...
kyivindependent.com/russias-dece...
No matter the war's outcome, this will become a great movie someday, as it is an incredible testament to the adage that "necessity is the mother of invention!" One of the more brilliant Special Forces schemes ever?! www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Inside Ukraine’s Daring ‘Operation Spiderweb’ Attack on Russia
Kyiv’s plan to smuggle more than 100 drones into enemy territory required meticulous planning, high-tech gadgets—and luck.
www.wsj.com
December 14, 2025 at 6:45 AM
No matter the war's outcome, this will become a great movie someday, as it is an incredible testament to the adage that "necessity is the mother of invention!" One of the more brilliant Special Forces schemes ever?! www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Sorry for the date error below. I should've said "summer of 2022," not 2023. Time flies. The counterattack of 2023 was a fiasco, for a variety of reasons, esp b/c it didn't surprise anyone, let alone the Russians, whereas the attack of 2022 surprised EVERYONE, even many in the Ukraine military! : )
Great news that UKR still has a hold on Kupiansk, a crucial hot spot that's been disputed since the amazing UKR counterattack in the late summer of 2023! This spot must be held to ensure the viability of UKR's defense of Kharkiv & Donetsk oblasts! Slava Ukrayini! kyivindependent.com/zelenskyy-vi...
‘Reality speaks for itself’ — From war-torn Kupiansk, Zelensky praises troops after reports of successful Ukrainian counterattack
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised troops in the Kupiansk direction and said battlefield gains strengthen Ukraine’s diplomatic position, as the National Guard’s 2nd Khartiia Corps reported a counte...
kyivindependent.com
December 13, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Sorry for the date error below. I should've said "summer of 2022," not 2023. Time flies. The counterattack of 2023 was a fiasco, for a variety of reasons, esp b/c it didn't surprise anyone, let alone the Russians, whereas the attack of 2022 surprised EVERYONE, even many in the Ukraine military! : )
There is a God! : )
🚨Russian Propaganda Cracks, Ukraine Pushes Back: Zelenskyy In Kupyansk! #Ukraine #Russia #War @u24.gov.ua @united24media.com @annafromukraine.bsky.social @dropkickmurphys.com @meidastouch.com youtube.com/watch?v=z2xC...
🚨Propaganda Cracks, Ukraine Pushes Back: Zelenskyy in Kupyansk
YouTube video by Boston Brian
youtube.com
December 13, 2025 at 10:11 PM
There is a God! : )
Sadly ISIS hasn't been neutralized?! Tramp need look no farther for blame than himself! Recall his own drawdown on the Syrian frontier in Oct 2019! Russians quickly moved into our northern bases & Tramp threw Kurds under the Turk bus! & NOW Tramp's gonna get ISIS? Idiot. www.cnn.com/2025/12/13/p...
Trump pledges retaliation after two US soldiers, one civilian interpreter killed in Syria | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump said Saturday that there will be “very serious retaliation” after two US soldiers and one civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush in Syria on Saturday.
www.cnn.com
December 13, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Sadly ISIS hasn't been neutralized?! Tramp need look no farther for blame than himself! Recall his own drawdown on the Syrian frontier in Oct 2019! Russians quickly moved into our northern bases & Tramp threw Kurds under the Turk bus! & NOW Tramp's gonna get ISIS? Idiot. www.cnn.com/2025/12/13/p...
In the words (almost) of the immortal Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), "The [recent] report of my death [Ukraine's collapsing military status] was an exaggeration.” The world's media needs to stop listening to Putin & Tramp, mainly b/c they both always lie; they don't often lie, they ALWAYS lie!
NEW: Ukrainian forces recently liberated territory including part of the city of Kupyansk in a tactical counterattack in the Kupyansk direction. 🧵(1/6)
Read the full update: isw.pub/UkrWar121225
Read the full update: isw.pub/UkrWar121225
December 13, 2025 at 2:22 AM
In the words (almost) of the immortal Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), "The [recent] report of my death [Ukraine's collapsing military status] was an exaggeration.” The world's media needs to stop listening to Putin & Tramp, mainly b/c they both always lie; they don't often lie, they ALWAYS lie!
This headline kinda misses the point: Ukraine REMAINS the world's deadliest conflict likely BECAUSE they are Tramp-brokered peace talks!? Tramp flips his position 180º from one wk to the next, so that no one, least of all UKR, should rely on ANYTHING Tramp says! kyivindependent.com/ukraine-worl...
Ukraine world’s deadliest conflict in 2025 despite US-brokered peace talks, analysis finds
Russia’s war in Ukraine was the world’s deadliest conflict in 2025, according to a new report that tracks conflicts globally, despite U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the nearly four-yea...
kyivindependent.com
December 13, 2025 at 2:06 AM
This headline kinda misses the point: Ukraine REMAINS the world's deadliest conflict likely BECAUSE they are Tramp-brokered peace talks!? Tramp flips his position 180º from one wk to the next, so that no one, least of all UKR, should rely on ANYTHING Tramp says! kyivindependent.com/ukraine-worl...
It's amazing how effective UKR has been with its own LR drone program, keeping Russia constantly on the back foot. Just imagine how well they'd be doing if the US was not a de facto ally of Russia. W/allies like Tramp, Pres Z can only rely on the EU! kyivindependent.com/ukraine-stri...
Ukraine strikes Russian oil facilities in Caspian Sea again, SBU source says
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) carried out a second drone strike this week on Russia's Vladimir Filanovsky oil production platform in the Caspian Sea, also hitting the nearby Korchagin platform, an ...
kyivindependent.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:54 AM
It's amazing how effective UKR has been with its own LR drone program, keeping Russia constantly on the back foot. Just imagine how well they'd be doing if the US was not a de facto ally of Russia. W/allies like Tramp, Pres Z can only rely on the EU! kyivindependent.com/ukraine-stri...
Great news that UKR still has a hold on Kupiansk, a crucial hot spot that's been disputed since the amazing UKR counterattack in the late summer of 2023! This spot must be held to ensure the viability of UKR's defense of Kharkiv & Donetsk oblasts! Slava Ukrayini! kyivindependent.com/zelenskyy-vi...
‘Reality speaks for itself’ — From war-torn Kupiansk, Zelensky praises troops after reports of successful Ukrainian counterattack
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised troops in the Kupiansk direction and said battlefield gains strengthen Ukraine’s diplomatic position, as the National Guard’s 2nd Khartiia Corps reported a counte...
kyivindependent.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Great news that UKR still has a hold on Kupiansk, a crucial hot spot that's been disputed since the amazing UKR counterattack in the late summer of 2023! This spot must be held to ensure the viability of UKR's defense of Kharkiv & Donetsk oblasts! Slava Ukrayini! kyivindependent.com/zelenskyy-vi...
Given Tramp's DEMENTEDLY shambolic war vs Vnz, the LAST thing that any MAGA ever wanted, & given that, as Commander-in-Chief, he DOES have de facto authority to do whatever he wants to do w/the military, it seems a certainty it's designed ONLY to divert from Epstein!? www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
Trump hints again at land strikes in Venezuela | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
US President Donald Trump has again threatened to launch ground operations in Venezuela. His administration is also imposing new sanctions targeting vessels and shipping companies linked to its oil se...
www3.nhk.or.jp
December 13, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Given Tramp's DEMENTEDLY shambolic war vs Vnz, the LAST thing that any MAGA ever wanted, & given that, as Commander-in-Chief, he DOES have de facto authority to do whatever he wants to do w/the military, it seems a certainty it's designed ONLY to divert from Epstein!? www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
Not likely that Europe's ability to help Ukraine is at the mercy of Orban &/or Tramp?! The only way Tweedledee & Tweedledum can prevent the EU from helping Ukraine is if the EU is already planning to bail on Ukraine!? kyivindependent.com/eu-ukraine-u...
Europe's drive to bolster Ukraine faces two obstacles — Trump and Orban
As the U.S. ramps up pressure on Ukraine to accept a swift and potentially painful peace deal with Moscow, European allies seek to reassure Kyiv it is not alone.
For the EU, Ukraine is not merely a s...
kyivindependent.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Not likely that Europe's ability to help Ukraine is at the mercy of Orban &/or Tramp?! The only way Tweedledee & Tweedledum can prevent the EU from helping Ukraine is if the EU is already planning to bail on Ukraine!? kyivindependent.com/eu-ukraine-u...
Tough! You'll get very little sympathy from Ukraine or any of Ukraine's allies. As many have said & will likely continue to say, "Payback is a bitch, eh?!" kyivindependent.com/drone-report...
Drone reportedly hits apartment building in Russia's Tver, officials say 7 injured
A drone explosion damaged the lower floors of a residential building in the Russian city of Tver on Dec. 12, injuring at least seven people, according to regional officials and local Telegram channels...
kyivindependent.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Tough! You'll get very little sympathy from Ukraine or any of Ukraine's allies. As many have said & will likely continue to say, "Payback is a bitch, eh?!" kyivindependent.com/drone-report...
Marvelous news, that 70% of oil/gas tanks at this major Russian facility have been destroyed as of the Dec 5 attack! Brilliant! kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-dr...
Ukrainian drones destroy 70% of fuel tanks at Russia's Temryuk Seaport, General Staff says
The Dec. 5 attack sparked a large fire at the Temryuk Seaport, a facility that handles various types of cargo, including liquefied natural gas used to supply the Russian military.
kyivindependent.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Marvelous news, that 70% of oil/gas tanks at this major Russian facility have been destroyed as of the Dec 5 attack! Brilliant! kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-dr...
Brilliant news, that mass drone attack on Moscow has shut down all 4 of its major regional airports! Bravo! kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-dr...
Ukraine targets Moscow with mass drone attack, mayor claims
At least 31 drones have been shot down over the Russian capital, according to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin. All four airports in the region have suspended operations.
kyivindependent.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Brilliant news, that mass drone attack on Moscow has shut down all 4 of its major regional airports! Bravo! kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-dr...
God bless these men, both in their 40s, doing jobs that'd normally be done by men ½ their age, enduring near death due to lack of food & water, at constant risk from FPVs, who held out for 165 days. Seems they'r not reading MSM reports of UKR's imminent collapse?! kyivindependent.com/how-2-soldie...
165 days trapped on Ukraine's front line
Just last year, the battlefield in Ukraine was most dangerous when the shooting started. Now it is often the moments before and after, when soldiers change positions under the eyes of prowling drones....
kyivindependent.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:55 PM
God bless these men, both in their 40s, doing jobs that'd normally be done by men ½ their age, enduring near death due to lack of food & water, at constant risk from FPVs, who held out for 165 days. Seems they'r not reading MSM reports of UKR's imminent collapse?! kyivindependent.com/how-2-soldie...
Incredible story of 2 Ukraine soldiers who held their position not for the normal 2wks but for 165 days, w/Russian FPVs threatening them &/or destroying much of the supplies that could only reach them by drone. This video is about 15' & the AI English is very clear! www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZwN...
One front-line position, two soldiers, 165 days
YouTube video by Kyiv Independent
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Incredible story of 2 Ukraine soldiers who held their position not for the normal 2wks but for 165 days, w/Russian FPVs threatening them &/or destroying much of the supplies that could only reach them by drone. This video is about 15' & the AI English is very clear! www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZwN...
I'd like to see Stephen Miller's test scores! As the top adviser to Tramp at only age 39 & no other experience, other than being a Neo-Nazi policy advocate for various GOP politicos since his graduation from Duke w/a BA in PoliSci (we think), he has been, it seems, the "brains" behind Tramp 2.0?!
The rank bigotry of today’s nativism is striking, but the utter stupidity of today’s nativism is almost as impressive.
Stephen Miller: "If you subtract immigration out of test scores, all of the sudden our test scores skyrocket"
December 10, 2025 at 1:38 AM
I'd like to see Stephen Miller's test scores! As the top adviser to Tramp at only age 39 & no other experience, other than being a Neo-Nazi policy advocate for various GOP politicos since his graduation from Duke w/a BA in PoliSci (we think), he has been, it seems, the "brains" behind Tramp 2.0?!
Yep
The Independent: An effigy of Trump's head was set on fire in Guatemala as part of the country’s annual “Burning of the Devil” ceremony for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which marks the beginning of Christmas season.
#ProudBlue #Pinks #TrumpIsUnfitForOffice
#ProudBlue #Pinks #TrumpIsUnfitForOffice
December 10, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Yep
Tramp seems to be obsessed w/playing, holding or giving cards!? We're not playing poker, you moron! Ukraine is only struggling b/c we've cut off aid to them AND ALSO eased sanx on Russia! As such, OF COURSE Ukraine is losing, b/c that is what YOU want! TRAMP IS A TRAITOR! www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Trump Pushes Ukraine to Accept Peace Deal, Saying It Is Losing
The president called European leaders weak and said Russia holds the cards in any negotiation.
www.wsj.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Tramp seems to be obsessed w/playing, holding or giving cards!? We're not playing poker, you moron! Ukraine is only struggling b/c we've cut off aid to them AND ALSO eased sanx on Russia! As such, OF COURSE Ukraine is losing, b/c that is what YOU want! TRAMP IS A TRAITOR! www.wsj.com/world/europe...
The EU is correct to see Tramp's position as a betrayal of both the EU and Ukraine! Drudge headline is legit: "TRUMP SIDES WITH RUSSIA IN UKRAINE WAR!" www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Trump’s team sees Europe’s ‘erasure.’ Europeans see a hostile U.S.
Relations between the U.S. and Europe hit a low point as President Donald Trump’s security strategy slams Europe but largely ignores threats from Russia and China.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:48 AM
The EU is correct to see Tramp's position as a betrayal of both the EU and Ukraine! Drudge headline is legit: "TRUMP SIDES WITH RUSSIA IN UKRAINE WAR!" www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Glad as well to see that a solid majority of Americans are unhappy with the Tramp Admin which suggests that many regret having voted for him and that the mid-term elections will swing even harder against the GOP. Please God, let it be so. We're hanging by a thread.
Glad to see that a majority of Americans understand that Tramp is betraying the Ukrainian people, and freedom lovers the world over. Tramp is just plain contemptible. kyivindependent.com/majority-of-...
Poll: Majority of Americans think Ukraine territorial concessions, troop cap would hand victory to Russia
The More in Common survey shows strong international objections to key parts of the latest peace proposals being put forward by the White House.
kyivindependent.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Glad as well to see that a solid majority of Americans are unhappy with the Tramp Admin which suggests that many regret having voted for him and that the mid-term elections will swing even harder against the GOP. Please God, let it be so. We're hanging by a thread.
Seems Tramp's the only one who still claims he ended this war?! He has a fail-safe scheme for ending wars - he simply declares the war over & moves on. If the facts contradict him, he simply calls it fake news, & his handpicked, spineless, WH press corps says, "Yes, Sir." www.wsj.com/world/asia/t...
Trump-Brokered Cease-Fire Crumbles on Thai-Cambodian Border
The Thai army said it launched airstrikes in response to earlier fire from the Cambodian side.
www.wsj.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Seems Tramp's the only one who still claims he ended this war?! He has a fail-safe scheme for ending wars - he simply declares the war over & moves on. If the facts contradict him, he simply calls it fake news, & his handpicked, spineless, WH press corps says, "Yes, Sir." www.wsj.com/world/asia/t...
"The Telegraph," a UK-based paper, says "Russia rapidly gaining territory in Ukraine ahead of Downing Street summit." This is BS!? It IS gaining territory at a faster rate than since 2022, but the rate is still very slow, just not as slow as it's been for most of the last 3 yrs! Damn The Telegraph.
December 8, 2025 at 9:36 PM
"The Telegraph," a UK-based paper, says "Russia rapidly gaining territory in Ukraine ahead of Downing Street summit." This is BS!? It IS gaining territory at a faster rate than since 2022, but the rate is still very slow, just not as slow as it's been for most of the last 3 yrs! Damn The Telegraph.
Thank God that Z is standing firm. He must understand that he may have more than Putin to worry about, i.e. that Tramp is no longer an ally, and he likely never was! www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Zelensky rules out ceding land to Russia, refusing to bow to Putin or Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country would not give up territory, not to hasten peace talks, not to satisfy Washington and not under pressure from Moscow.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Thank God that Z is standing firm. He must understand that he may have more than Putin to worry about, i.e. that Tramp is no longer an ally, and he likely never was! www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
This does seem like a better way to deal with those guilty of drug crimes - get the suspect directly from Mexican prisons! & that they may be able to try Rafael Caro Quintero, the man who slowly murdered DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985, 40 YRS AGO, is glorious! www.wsj.com/world/americ...
‘Welcome to America!’ Captured Drug Lords Choose: Snitch or Suffer
Under pressure from the Trump administration, Mexico turned over 55 cartel leaders in a pair of cloak-and-dagger missions.
www.wsj.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:14 AM
This does seem like a better way to deal with those guilty of drug crimes - get the suspect directly from Mexican prisons! & that they may be able to try Rafael Caro Quintero, the man who slowly murdered DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985, 40 YRS AGO, is glorious! www.wsj.com/world/americ...