“The lack of a sense of history is the damnation of the modern world.” — Robert Penn Warren (I can’t confirm independently that he said it, but it’s too good to pass up.)
Wise Man Points at Camera
ALT: Wise Man Points at Camera
static.klipy.com
David Priess
@davidpriess.bsky.social
Intelligence, geopolitics, and the Arctic | Vice President of Strategy, Emergent Risk International | Senior Fellow, Hayden Center | Former CIA & State Department | Duke poli sci PhD | Author, The President’s Book of Secrets
It’s after 8 PM and … (checks thermometer) 94 degrees. Ugh.
Fourteen years ago today—the derecho that hammered DC and its neighbors
Capital Weather@capitalweather.com · last mo.Around sunset June 29, 2012, DC was still broiling after a record high of 104. A wall of wind was inbound and would rock the region a few hours later. At least five killed, 1.3 million lost power, thousands of trees downed. Our historical account: www.capitalweather.com/weather-hist...
Seismographs worldwide going nuts from every single person in Paraguay jumping up and down at the same time
I’ve loved this description of history since I first came across it years ago— “History is a series of strands, increasing from beginnings as thin as fine hairs to form stout cords, inextricably interwoven so that beginnings and ends are concealed.” — Ernst Badian
Here's an interesting #YachtWatch: the yacht GRACEFUL, rumored to be one of Putin's personal yachts, is on the move! And it is accompanied by a Russian navy ship. Currently just north of Denmark and heading into the North Sea. 1/
I had a blast as a guest on the @tabletopgenesis.bsky.social podcast talking for hours about one of my favorite albums—the exceptional Spectral Mornings, by the exceptional @stevehacketthq.bsky.social—with my friends @zorknapp.bsky.social and @tomroche.bsky.social: open.spotify.com/episode/6rIl...
Tabletop Genesis Episode 84 – “Spectral Mornings” with Steve Hackett
Tabletop Genesis · Episode
open.spotify.com
It was my pleasure to be one of many @engelsbergideas.bsky.social authors to contribute to the Summer Reading special. My focus was on … classic science fiction (!) engelsbergideas.com/essays/a-sum...
A summer of reading
Contributors to Engelsberg Ideas share the books they’ve enjoyed in the summers of their lives.
engelsbergideas.com
Sunday fact: Russia has sustained at least 1.4 million casualties in the war with Ukraine. In fact, that’s 50 percent more than the US in all of WW2 on two fronts liberating and occupying the world. Russia now controls less land than they had one month into the invasion. Slava Ukrainii!
My latest for @justsecurity.org - the security implications of shutting down ocean observations (hint: not good).
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 2mo agoBy shutting off ocean observation, the United States is making itself less prepared for a climate-changed future at a time when China is doubling down on ocean monitoring, writes Erin Sikorsky.
What’s better than sitting down with a new book by @bradthor.bsky.social? Sitting down to hear Brad talk about a new book! Make it to an event with him this month, listed below—you won’t regret it.
Brad Thor@bradthor.bsky.social · 2mo agoThe CHOKE POINT tour starts next week. Where will I see you? bradthor.com/brad-thor/ap...
Quote with a fictional band that is not Spinal Tap
Mark Copelovitch@mcopelov.bsky.social · 3mo agoQuote with a fictional band that is not spinal tap
🇩🇰Danish PULS and 🇵🇱Polish HIMARS engaged in live firing exercises from Raghammer shooting grounds on the island of Bornholm, where Danish and Polish forces have trained deployment and defence of the island during this week (Forsvaret FB) #strongertogether
Hans Tino Hansen@hanstino.bsky.social · 3mo agoThe exercise Baltic Shield continues with 🇵🇱Polish and 🇩🇰Danish units on the island of Bornholm, which includes close coordination and cooperation of long-range fires between Danish PULS and Polish HIMARS rocket launchers. (Danish Defence FB)
💥🇷🇺 On May 4, Hungary quietly expelled Artur Sushkov, an SVR intelligence officer operating under diplomatic cover at the Russian Embassy in Budapest who infiltrated right-wing pro-Orbán think-tanks, VSquare.org has learned from multiple governmentt sources.
The Think-Tank Spy: Russian Diplomat Infiltrating Orbán's Right-Wing Elite Quietly Expelled - VSquare.org
A Russian spy who spent years infiltrating think-tanks and academic institutions close to the Orbán government was sent home from Budapest — but only after Viktor Orbán's electoral defeat removed the political obstacle that had shielded the operative for months.
vsquare.org
Why I love declassified government docs, reason #51
Hetan Shah@hetanshah.bsky.social · 3mo agoThis 1952 memo from the Pentagon UFO files is superb There is no point preparing for aliens ‘because no one of consequence is going to take this rubbish seriously unless it happens. At that point, our policy will be determined in the traditional manner of grand panic.’ 🤣 www.war.gov/medialink/uf...
Integrated Nordic Air power at work: Swedish and Finnish conscripts trained together, learning to service both 🇸🇪Gripens and 🇫🇮 F18s. This allows Nordic Air Forces to land at each other’s air bases and recieve service without their own personell on site.
Här övar svenska och finska flygvapnet i Kalmar
Flygplatsen i Kalmar var under onsdagen platsen för ett svensk-finskt samarbete när ett Jas 39 Gripen från Blekinge flygflottilj och en F/A-18 Hornet från Karelens flygflottilj landade för en gemensam...
svt.se
Sweden is now a space power 🚀 Today at 09:00 CET, Sweden launched its first military satellite, making the Armed Forces operational in the space domain. The military space program is ahead of schedule, with dozens of additional satellite launches planned in the coming years.
Försvarsmaktens första operativa satellit mot omloppsbana
Klockan 09.00 svensk tid sändes Försvarsmaktens första militära spanings- och övervakningssatellit upp i rymden. Satelliten innebär att det svenska försvaret nu är operativa i rymddomänen och får en e...
forsvarsmakten.se
Ship traffic is growing in the High Arctic, but very unevenly Within its Arctic boundary, the distance sailed by ships increased from 6.1 million nautical miles (nm) per year in 2013 to 12.1 million nm in 2022, equivalent to 8.7% average annual growth. www.thebarentsobserver.com/partner-cont...
Ship traffic is growing in the High Arctic, but very unevenly
Ship traffic in the High Arctic grew between 2013 and 2022. There are huge differences between different Arctic seas in terms of total activity, growth rates, seasonal variation and types of vessels.
thebarentsobserver.com
If Ukraine ceases firing, Ukraine ceases to exist. IF Russia ceases, the war ceases
What happens in the Strait of Hormuz doesn’t stay there. Oil. Markets. National security. Join us May 5 for Energy & the Real Cost of War with Iran—a deep dive into the economic and energy stakes behind the headlines. 📍 Arlington, VA | 🎥 Livestream Register: signup.e2ma.net/signup/20997...
“Ukraine’s participation in AURORA 26 will strengthen Sweden, our allies and the Joint Expeditionary Force,” stated Rear Admiral Wikström. “Their knowledge and skill will amplify our capabilities in drone warfare, help accelerate defensive tactics and enhance European security.”
Ukrainian Specialists Bring Drone Warfare Expertise to Swedish Aurora 26 Drills
Ukrainian drone operators will participate in live exercises and seminars during Aurora 26 in Sweden to enhance European security and defensive tactics.
united24media.com
Last night, I had the incredible privilege to interview @ronajohnson.bsky.social about his book, Entangled Alliances. It was the type of conversation that reminded me why I do this work and why it matters, and gifted me so much joy. If you have an audience, put Dr. Johnson in front of it.
Join us next week in Arlington, VA!
Hayden Center@haydencenter.bsky.social · 3mo agoBeyond the battlefield lies the real story: energy, economics, and decision-making under pressure. How do intelligence & diplomacy shape responses to a Gulf crisis? 🛢️ ENERGY & THE REAL COST OF WAR WITH IRAN 🗓️ May 5 | 7 PM EDT | Arlington VA + 👨💻 livestream Register: signup.e2ma.net/signup/20997...
A massive ocean hot spot is stretching across a 5,000-mile swath of the Pacific. It has the attention of climate scientists, who say it could boost temperatures, humidity and the threat for tropical storms in the West during the months ahead.
What a 5,000-mile long marine heat wave means for summer in the U.S.
It could boost temperatures, humidity and the threat for tropical storms in the West through summer.
washingtonpost.com
It's tomorrow!!! There's still time to register. Join us!
Hayden Center@haydencenter.bsky.social · 4mo agoInvisible attacks. Conflicting intelligence. Unanswered questions. On April 15, we’re taking on one of the most contested issues in national security: Havana Syndrome and Anomalous Health Incidents. 🧵 REGISTER FREE: signup.e2ma.net/signup/20989...
