Former U.S. Ambassador, retired career Foreign Service officer, still writing that long-delayed biography of Tudor humanist Mildred Cooke Cecil. Not as diplomatic as I once was.
My forever candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize: World Central Kitchen.
World Central KitchenThree weeks ago, WCK partner María Elena and the Vanis food truck team were serving meals in southern Spain during wildfires in Almería. Now, they’re doing the same for families and first responders in Ávila in response to the historic fires in central Spain. (1/2)
“Washington is losing credibility both militarily and diplomatically, analysts said. Its conduct in the war underscores the impression that the United States is an unpredictable instrument of global disorder..” All that winning?
In Iran, the U.S. Appears Headed for a Strategic Defeat, Allies Fear (Gift Article)With none of President Trump’s aims accomplished and the Strait of Hormuz closed, U.S. allies see dysfunction and vulnerability from the war.www.nytimes.comDestroying the land.
Arizona Right WatchNPS and the Department of Interior released a notice to the public that roads to Quitobaquito Springs / A’al Vaipia are closed from until further notice, shutting out the Tohono O'odham people from the site as the Trump regime continues to force through a second border wall.
I’ve been reminded I’ve spelled Ceuta wrong. Point taken.
Ambassador (ret.) Janet SandersonI’d say get the boy a map and show him exactly where Cueta is, but this administration is not doing too well with its maps right now, so…
I’d say get the boy a map and show him exactly where Cueta is, but this administration is not doing too well with its maps right now, so…
Aaron RuparTrump: "If we're not in office our country will be invaded at levels that make Spain look small time. That's gonna be a talking point for the midterms."
One of my happy places. Missing it this summer.
British LibraryFriday afternoons look rather lovely from here ☀️ However you're spending the weekend, we hope you find time for something that sparks your curiosity
Yes.
James FallowsLet me tell you, having chronicled Pentagon-style war game on attacking Iran nearly 25 yr ago, every single "surprise," "darkening turn," "narrowing option," spreading warfare," "rising casualties," "no easy exit," etc that comes drip-by-drip is EXACTLY why GHWB WJC GWB OBAMA BiDEN did NOT do this
What the hell are they doing over on C Street these days? Once upon a time, if the Department produced this crap, heads would roll.
Rima I Anabtawi“They all look alike.” US government map of Africa mislabels every country at global conference - www.reuters.com/world/africa...
Life in occupied Washington, DC.
The Steady State"Freedom of movement, freedom of speech, and freedom to call your city your own are all being attacked in Washington DC, as residents coexist with the armed reminders that there is a would-be authoritarian in the White House." Read Annie's powerful essay below: zurl.co/HmaxJ
All that winning.
Rima I Anabtawi“Hundreds of Jordanian political, legal and other figures signed an open letter last week calling for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Jordan in a rare public challenge to the government, which has long cracked down on free speech and dissent.” www.nytimes.com/2026/07/29/w...
Proving yet again he didn’t know what the fuck he was doing. And didn’t care. And still doesn’t.
Dan SilvermanI think most Americans understand by now that “Trump did a bad Iran thing” but I’m not sure they get that it’s much broader than that and he actually set the entire Middle East on fire
I wonder how Governor Mike Dewine will respond. He was once very proud of his close association with Haiti. I still have pictures of him in Port-au-Prince’s gang-ridden Cité Soleil neighborhood, talking about a better life for the kids he was visiting. I hope he remembers.
David DeWittMedia reports have indicated that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is planning for aggressive enforcement of Haitian immigrants who lose their legal status this week, starting with the large population in Springfield, Ohio ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/07/28/r...
And people died. Not that this administration cares, of course.
Alt CDC (they/them)Two years ago, we were on track to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. A historic global achievement within reach. [Trump: want your damn Nobel Prize? Start there] Instead, we walked away from that progress. USAID dismantled, lifesaving programs gutted & we’re now at risk of an HIV/AIDS resurgence.
There are still heroes among us. No matter how the Republicans try to rewrite history.
The Editorial BoardDr. Fauci is a hero. He really is. He helped guide America thru a mass death event. Millions more could have died but they did not, thanks to him. Everyone over 70 owes him a debt. It is disgusting that we live in a country that not only dishonors him but actively smears his good name.
“It will take years to undo the damage he has done to America’s stature and influence.” Years indeed.
Jen Rubinopen.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Oh, give me an effing break. Perhaps the only truthful thing Trump ever said in his life was today at the funeral when he announced that Graham never met a war he didn’t like. 
The Daily BeastLindsey Graham was skeptical of Trump’s handling of the Iran war in the weeks before he died. https://www.thedailybeast.com/lindsey-grahams-last-words-on-donald-trump-are-raising-eyebrows/?utm_source=bsky_owned_snd&utm_medium=bsky&utm_campaign=owned_social
I doubt he speaks any more cogently than he writes. Another Bari poodle
The New York TimesBreaking News: Ross Douthat, The New York Times opinion columnist, is joining CBS News’s “60 Minutes” in one of the first major hires since Bari Weiss’s takeover.