Some quick X threads from the last few days. This one is a little longer than normal because I am trying to clear out my bookmarks from my days away from writing. For the most part, these posts are about news in National Security. We do the scrolling so you don’t have to! This post also serves as an open thread. I welcome readers to post comments or additional links related to national security or history, even if they are not directly related to the links below.
Japan’s PM told the truth about why China’s threats to Taiwan are dangerous for the West.
Now, China is bullying them and asking us to help. America should stand with our allies. An emboldened China is dangerous for America.
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) December 3, 2025
This might be the first public comment I have seen of support for Japan from anyone in the current administration. This is very, very good to see.
CHINA VS THE RULES AT SEA
Under international law, the Philippines has both the right and duty to protect marine life in its EEZ—including Ayungin Shoal and the waters around Scarborough.
Yet independent research shows China’s island-building, giant clam dredging, and… pic.twitter.com/efvezfSn1u
— BRP Sierra Madre (@BRPSierraMadre) December 3, 2025
If you are new to the China-Philippines dispute in the South China West Philippine Sea, this is a good primer on UNCLOS and international law that governs the sea.
The fleets of Chinese Fishing Vessel operating illegally in South America can be spotted from the space!
Over the last two decades, China has built the world’s largest deep-water fishing fleet, by far, with nearly 3,000 ships.
The most destructive aspect of China’s illegal,… pic.twitter.com/4tF19vHwjs
— Isabella Anderson (@IsabellaAn67) December 4, 2025
Here is your daily reminder that China’s deep-water fishing fleet is destroying our oceans. A central part of Making the Americas Great Again will be working with our southern neighbors to make sure they can no longer exploit the international waters near our allies.
This is really commendable.
Argentina pushed back strongly against China’s unlawful fishing operations.
If Argentina can do it, so can any nation. pic.twitter.com/tf54dlGj5p
— Nguyen Ho (@NguyenHo1096438) December 3, 2025
This is the way.
NEW: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s theory of victory and negotiating tactics assume that Russia can outlast the West and Ukraine in a war of attrition. MORE⬇️🧵(1/3)
Russian officials continue to falsely frame recent… pic.twitter.com/RUfnIVAtor
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) December 4, 2025
An update on the war in Ukraine. It has been reported in other places that Russia has taken Pokrovsk. Don’t get me wrong, it is a good thing that Ukraine has put up a far better fight than anyone initially expected, and they are undoubtedly grinding Russia down, but at what cost?
European Net Zero approach:
1. Decimate industry and jobs with high energy costs
2. Manufacture the same products in Asia with higher emissions
3. Ship these products to Europe with even more emissions
Quite an achievement to damage both the economy and the climate. pic.twitter.com/rCNJK3MQpe
— Michael A. Arouet (@MichaelAArouet) December 3, 2025
This is such an important graph depicting the self-inflicted wound of de-industrializing and offshoring our manufacturing. It’s infuriating.
BREAKING: Hamas “won” the war, which is why Israel now controls about half of Gaza.
It turns out that when you celebrate “steadfastness,” the other side steadily takes your land.
And today, as reports show Israel controlling around 50% of Gaza (depending on the map, sometimes… pic.twitter.com/9OVZveZpsq— Ahmed Al-Khalidi (@khalidi79397) December 2, 2025
A great summary of the war between Israel and Hamas. The only way Hamas actually wins is by creating international pressure to make Israel stop. I have mixed feelings on the cease-fire and hope that it holds, but it may have created space for the rise of a different power in Palestine. Listen to the podcast below for a glimmer of hope as new independent militias rise.