Click on name, click on their website, usually scroll down to office locations. If DC doesn't take messages then try state offices. You don't have to give your info. Just a brief message. For all who have some time, please make it part of your daily exercise in democracy routine. They notice and are hoping we'll fade away. Let's move forward. Especially with Budget and debt ceiling negotiations coming up - tell Democrats to unite and use every congressional tool which allows the minority to block the majority.
This week congress is in recess. They are supposed to be in their districts hearing from constituents.
Ask when/where their town hall is scheduled. If none, shame on them (looking at you Jack Bergman). Ask for a personal meeting. Ask when they’ll be in their local offices. Show up.
Monday, February 17 is a day for protests at most state capitols. Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin (huge Snyder fans) of Indivisible in their most recent call emphasize the importance of big showings early/now. When asked when the massive protests will be called, they said this can only happen after there is proof that people will turn out in force.
Check for local details to participate in a protest. Please encourage friends and family to participate.
Link below takes you to a transcript of the Indivisible call. They happen weekly and it is good to register even if you cannot attend in real time. This will get you on their mailing list for written resources on actions. They coordinate up and down with local chapters.
Before you make any suggestions to your American family, think about the implications. You are asking that they jump into the battle without any understanding of the results.
Please don’t make impulsive comments under Professor Snyder’s umbrella. Panic is not a strategy, it’s both dangerous and useless. It shows a lack of concern.
I’m sorry you’re level of anxiety has resulted in this unfortunate outburst.
If you want to take to the streets, protests all over the world are being organised, by the Ukrainian World Congress, next weekend. Join in your closest city with your loved loves: https://uaworldmap.ukrainianworldcongress.org
Resistors should plan their peaceful street demonstrations with unadvertised, secured organising & mobilizing because a violent far-right segment is ready to take America back to 1920s Germany, when paramilitary Nazi stormtroopers were created to create public chaos by attacking non-Nazi meetings & street demonstrations. And our side mustn't contribute to public spectacles of violence, as police would only bring more violence and not against the Nazi-types who start trouble.
Ill-prepared indeed, for the coming "negotiations" in Saudi Arabia - it appears that the US has sent a questionnaire - a questionnaire! - to European governments, asking what they can commit to the future security of Ukraine. I would love to see your version of this questionnaire, Professor Snyder. Time for another 50-word essay, I think.
I hope that "Europe" is just taking a moment to get over the sickening shock of Munich before facing the new reality. Let us see what happens in Paris, and in the imminent German elections. That may give some clues.
It's a new thought to me, that Trump is happy with a position of weakness. Though clearly he enjoys fantasies of strength, drawing lines on maps with his sharpie, declaring peace to have happened on his say-so, deciding the future of Gaza without consulting Gazans, of Greenland without consulting Greenlanders or Denmark, of Ukraine without .... and so on.
Here is an extract from the Declaration of Arbroath, written in 1320 as Scotland's response to the threat of subjugation by England.
"For as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions consent to be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."
The triumvirate of Trump, Musk and Vance would surely say, "Suckers".
You would think that Trump would understand that even Russia isn’t winning the war with Ukraine. Seriously, it’s been three years, and Ukraine doesn’t even have an Air Force or Navy to speak of.
And now he thinks he can just walk all over Canada, Mexico, and Europe, without them even putting up a fight. Wasn’t he the guy who wanted us out of the Forever Wars? Did his CULT even sign up for this?
He does understand it's about dismantling everything. At first we thought it was 'only' our government. But it appears to be they/he want to destroy the world. They are evil. I know it sounds simplistic, but I fear that is the goal. and in their stupid way they are moving with intention.
It’s not simplistic, or wrong! Trump and Putin want to divide the West in two spheres of influence and power; thus, the tariffs.
Europe is already in a recession, Trump wants to make it worse economically, and then Russia can finish them off using useful idiots, assets, social media influencers, politicians, as well as misinformation and disinformation campaigns. Why do you think Vance is there preaching about “free speech”?
Trump wants Russia to do to them, what losing the guardrails on social media did to us: poison the blood of our youth with BS and indoctrination into MAGA. Then governments will fall, and he will install his puppets in Ukraine, and elsewhere.
Additionally, China will take Taiwan, and authoritarians will rule the world with Putin, XI and Trump at the head of the table! Really only Xi and Putin, but Trump will learn the hard way.
And there you have it The New World Order, in the World According to Trump! Or something to this effect…:)
I think the moves by Canada and Mexico are indicative of the alienation of this US policy in the West and in other regions. Maybe a new extra-geographic view of "EU" replacing NATO is now in order, thereby strengthening Europe against Russia, maybe even the Indo-Pacific against China and Russia. Maybe also look to South America and African nations around the Med and Middle East to include them in a new, stronger Alliance. Call it OTAN-D (yes I know) to stand for Oppositional Territories And Nations for Democracy. Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and yes even India will all need to stand against China and Russia in the Pacific. India is maybe less democratic than some might want, but so are both Hungary and Turkiye current members of NATO. Let them join the Russian Hegemony if their people will let them. We are being kicked in the Ass and need to think about the World differently. A new alliance of States who support Democracy and oppose the Oligarchies, including Ukraine who would be a very very strong member. Include them tomorrow. We need a change up! They are beating us on the field. Slava Ukraini!.
No you don’t Robert, look at how deranged he is, no one in their right mind would choose to join him. If whatever he’s taking has made him this way I would want no part of it. 🙏
He has never been interested in the U.S. being a world power. He is aligned with Russia and not for ideological reasons- for personal gain. He doesn’t want to have to rise to any occasion. His one and only motivation is to line his pockets and have people kiss his ass.
For Trump, everything is a transaction. I get this, you get that. It's usually lop-sided, but it's a transaction. This works with empty farmland in Florida, less well when people's lives are at stake.
Fortunately President Zelensky has realised in time that his attempted transaction with Trump, concerning Ukraine's valuable natural resources in return for security guarantees, was a serious mistake. Trump simply said thank you, he would help himself to 50% of those resources ($500 billions worth!) for free - or as he put it, as payment for military aid already given. Lopsided indeed! Ukraine is dealing not with one rapacious mobster, but with two.
Incidentally I would love to hear Trump try to explain what a "rare earth" is.
At worst, this is Europe’s wake up call, although, I imagine they were putting together a Plan B the moment it appeared Trump could be re-elected. They also experienced Trump’s first term…:)
And as far as this questionnaire goes, What’s up with that? Seriously, first the FBI and DOJ, and now our allies? I wonder how much it’s costing us in paper; probably more than ridding ourselves of the penny! Just saying!…:)
What makes you think they were coming up with plan B the moment it appeared as though trump would be elected, not even our Democrats at home had a plan B. Still dont. I see this entire situation as one informed by greed. Unfettered capitalism.
Fair enough, but Trump was talking tariffs on them before the election, and like I said, they’ve been down this road with him before.
The real challenge, is that the EU is not unified. There is still a lot of uncertainty and bickering in regard to Ukraine, and its future. That’s the major vulnerability for them.
As well as their military’s was built around US economic and military superiority; so the question remains whether they are up to the challenge with Putin, without US support?
And I agree, it’s possible they aren’t prepared, I’m not sure anyone could have been prepared for this onslaught so quickly; unless they’ve been browsing substack over the last year, since pretty much all of us have been shouting from the top of our lungs, that it would go this way.
However, as the wise man once said, “we shall see!”..:)
Yes, I would like Prof Snyder to address this question of EU unity. They are not united now, Hungary under Orban being the most illiberal democracy in the EU.
Let’s hope you’re wrong. Plus, they’ve wouldn’t announce it. It would be hatched in secret, using people outside of government as surrogates.
They wouldn’t risk it leaking and Trump knowing of their possible future plans. One thing about Trump, he never forgets a sleight, and he always will seek revenge, even its it’s it the last thing he does. He’s sick to the core!
I received a note this morning to renew my membership with the DNC. Their headline reads “We’re ready to get to work and we hope you’ll join us.” Needless to say I wrote a response ?GETTING READY??????!! So Plan B. They are still working on a concept of an idea.
Excellent newsletter! Sadly, Trump and almost his entire cabinet have become either “useful idiots,” or actual assets to Russia. Maybe we’re on our way to becoming a satellite state, just like Europe! It’s hard to tell who’s giving the orders to whom, in this macabre relationship between Musk, Putin, and Trump; I’m getting whiplash just talking about it.
Additionally, Trump’s first trip to Russia was in 1988, in the accompany of his wife Ivanna, and a KGB colonel. Since then, Russia has been the biggest investor in his golf resorts, at a time, when most banks wouldn’t lend him a dime; since the 1990 real estate collapse, when he became billions in debt, and had a negative net worth. Trump would later make deals with Russian Mobsters: Trump Soho, for one; it became a money laundering scheme!
And in 2006, Trump would purchase the most expensive mansion in Florida for $47 million; only to sell it for $95 million (sight unseen), to Dmitry Rybolovlev, a close ally of Putin, when the housing market was disintegrating into thin air; most luxury real estate in the US, and especially Florida, was down nearly 50%. Coincidence?
Bottom line: Putin owns Trump. It doesn’t matter if the Steele Dossier is true, partially true, or entirely false. Trump is compromised, and always has been.
He, and his minions parrot Russian talking points all day long, and the Russian’s have penetrated every aspect of the Republican Party. From social media influencers, cable know-nothing bobble heads, to the NRA, republicans politicians, and C-PAC.
This is why none of his cabinet picks could get security clearances in his first administration; including his kids. Yet, Trump overrode our security system to award his “useful idiots” access to top secret documents and information. Even Flynn’s compromised, and working behind the scenes to implement the military and domestic takeover by MAGA Inc.
What should also be scary is the J6th pardons. We just gave these people a license to commit crimes on Trump’s behalf. And they will not go gently into the Good night! They are planning to be Trump’s domestic, private army of stormtroopers; and these militia include former military, and active police and military.
Moreover, for years the FBI has been trying to study how compromised and infiltrated their organization was; as well as the military and local and state police departments. Ironically, the Republican’s always refused to go along; because they support these white nationalists wholeheartedly.
Furthermore, I don’t know you, but these militias, like the Oath Keepers, were getting pretty cozy with local law enforcement during the BLM protests. Coincidence?
Bottom line: this coup is not only against our allies; it’s against us. And remember the word of Kevin Roberts, Heritages President who wrote Project 2025, which actually is a carbon copy of Orban’s playbook, and the blueprint for the takeover of Hungary: “This revolution will be bloodless, if the radical left, allows it to be!”
Let’s not make it easy, and we don’t need to resort to violence, but we desperately need to start to outsmart them, because even when they screw things up, they aren’t losing support by the low information voters, and regular republicans. And if the police are in their pocket, then this just may be an exercise in futility. iMHO!
True! Russia has been embedded in conservative circles for many years. Russia is 75% of how trump slithered into office. The other 25% is our fellow citizens who chose a willfull ignorance of his character solely because he embraced their racism.
Ironic that this capitulation and voices of appeasement should happen in Munich: this time it is the trump regime appeasing Russia. I believe it was Winston Churchill who said: “the only thing worse than fighting with your allies, is fighting without them.” And the other great statesman of the 20th century, FDR, said: “We have learned that we cannot live alone in peace, that our own wellbeing is dependent on the wellbeing of other nations far away…We have learned to be citizens of the world. We have learned…’the only way to have a friend is to be one.” (FDR, January 20, 1945
At the most basic level, we find ourselves at this unenviable crossroads because neither trump nor musk has ever had / will ever have a (true, real) friend; neither has ever known / will ever know how to be a friend. They are total mirrors of one another in the realm of never knowing genuine love or friendship, their world is 100% transactional.
Their spouses, children, “friends” are attracted by proximity to power, there is no genuine love in any of their relationships. Theirs is a sad, lonely, desperate world and they’re trying to drag the rest of us into it with them. There is no redemption for either of them, the world would be better off without them.
They are also the worst reflection in the mirror of capitalism and having as much money as one can no matter what. They have been willing to be soulless to a greater extent than most but they couldnt have gotten where they are if a large swath of America hadnt been a little too greedy for a long time now. Rents are high not because people can pay the rates but because property owners are greedy. The cost makes it impossible to save and impossible to have even a small vacation. Its crazy.
Who's a better errand boy for evil than shape-shifting JD Vance? Judging from his mien in Europe, he has found his comfort zone. Doing the bidding of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Elon Musk in one fell swoop has a darkly historic ring to it, and what more cynical place on earth to do so than Munich?
What we have just witnessed, and will continue to witness in the weeks, months and years ahead, is appalling, almost beyond belief. As the free world shudders, we're left with the knowledge – learned the hard way – that if Trump, Putin and Musk share an essential trait, it's that they always double down.
I look forward to hearing the coward Vance give his Munich speech in Moscow, or Riyadh - you know, all that about respecting free speech and not being afraid of your voters, and not trying to suppress opposition parties.
The 20th century had its Nazis and its Axis, and now we, in the 21st, have this – not unlike a virulent cancer that goes into remission, relatively speaking, but comes roaring back with a vengeance. Only this time, America is on the side of the bad guys and, in fact, *is* a bad guy.
Prof. Snyder, I don't know if you read these comments but I hope so. I am a U.S. citizen resident in France. Do you know Raphael Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament from France? He is speaking out so strongly for European unity, support of Ukraine, and defiance of the Trump/Musk regime. If you are not in contact with him I think you should be -- beyond being mutually beneficial it would benefit all of us. Thank you.
Zelensky has unquestionably proven himself as a great leader and his competency on the world stage is already established. I hope China does somehow step in a help save this incredible burgeoning democracy from what has become of us. They do appear to be pushing for a lasting, binding peace.
I mean, the U.S. having fairly long been allied with Ukraine, and longer with many other European (and several non-European) democracies).
Can we think in personal terms, as in, say, personal friendships?
When friends meet, or keep friendships, don't they treasure details? I mean, in really subjective ways of enjoying food, linens, bath waters, well-set tables, stories, anecdotes, room furnishings, more stories, long-owed personal debts, inside and outside aromas, progeny born, progeny growing up, and their stories, more stories.
In a healthy land, as Solon tried to tell the Persian emperor, respect, savoring, appreciation for these personal nuances far, far -- totally -- outweigh the units, quantities, and numbers which restrict the abstracted, labeled categorized imaginations of all vulgar. (Hello to you, again, too, standardized testing.)
I love many whom have passed from my life. Any strength or decency I have derives from them. And from my capacity, such as it may be, to recall, glow in, extend from their memory. Please note: I quote them, many, often.
We all owe Zelensky and his fellow Ukrainians. In inverse proportion to how we loathe (or ought to) the mass murderer Putin and his aspiring, loathsome fellow oligarchs around the world, who only sow hatreds, bitterness, atavistic, out-of-control vengeance scenarios?
What is it about these latter -- except that they cannot love? Lust, yes. Rape, yes, as repeatedly has the U.S.'s convicted, fat, orange felon. And many in his most-loathsome cabinet. Cannot have alliances based on the precepts that birthed and fed democracies, as many of us have personally felt and cherished our best debts?
I am just stunned at the ignorance and arrogance of this regime. I’m also frightened for the future. Thank you for this essay’s clarity and view of the situation.
Always so brilliant and so wise! While Trump & co are fracturing alliances, China is building them. BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) is becoming a geopolitical bloc that rivals the G7. It has four new members (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE) and thirteen partner states, one of which is a NATO member (Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam). The bloc comprises now more than half of the world's population. China is also increasing its influence in Africa as the US suspends its foreign aid programs there. America First means America Weaker.
I am in a word, at 82, heartsick. I have seen the best of America and now I am seeing the most vile of predators gnawing at its remains. My mother was Ukrainian and her mother remembered only too well Russian sadism.
Right now our Democratic leaders, completely distracted and overwhelmed are either mounting a weak defense at Musk/Trump or cowering, excepting for a few, they have little bandwidth for Ukraine let alone the sad remains of Gaza.
When the legislators are overwhelmed, keeping Ukraine on their radar screens is valuable. They might give Ukraine (or Gaza) more bandwidth if they hear from constituents about these issues. Phone calls are great, but more can be done. In a purple district that just turned blue, a group of Ukraine supporters had an on-line meeting last week with the newly-elected Democrat. We had a 15 or 20 minute meeting but it was a good one and it will provide additional opportunities for follow-up about specific actions in support of Ukraine. Small steps are important.
By my rough calculations, Europe (EU plus Norway and UK) could replace the lost American military aid to Ukraine for 0.25% of GDP. Add in non-military aid, and you are still under 0.5%. There are no significant military threats other than Russia, so there is no need for any other increase. https://johnquigginblog.substack.com/p/dispensing-with-the-us/comment/93862347
Reading HCR today is worthwhile, as it always is. For those not familiar, give it a try. Always a great perspective on where we are and how we got here:
Being a citizen of a non-NATO EU country (Austria to be precise) I hope for the best but I have a certain tendency to despair when I look at current politics in Europe. :-(
Especially Austria which has given up in Advance. Joa seids Ihr deppert, die FPÖ an der Regierung ? Die rechten Nazis san bei uns niemals richtig aufg'räumt worden soag I. I bin in Braunau g'boren aber in einem Ami MASH. So'ne Leut braucht kaner mehr!
Eyeliner-clad Vance an embarrassment to America. He’s a rude, condescending, over-confident, under-qualified imposter. This shocking sewer-clown show of evil cartoon characters just devastating for America. We’ve become both a danger and a joke on the world stage.
Randomly focusing on other nations and which are accepting freedom-loving American migrants…
I enjoyed your great description of Vance and completely agree. I would be looking for the exits out of this country too if more able bodied. This entire administration and its actions are so stupid and self destructive, there does not seem any single plausible rationale for them. Being personally on the dole from Putin, as well as personally comfortable with another empathically impaired crime boss is as close as I can come. Europe, honest Americans hand the baton of leadership to you. Ukraine must be saved and Russia kicked out of Europe. Russia, go play with your “friends”, the Chinese. I guarantee you aren’t going to like.
Agreeing with you. I’m enraged more for the next generations , not myself at this point.
What a stunning turn of events, though I’ve been seeing the crawl towards authoritarianism since 2005. The corruption inside GOP, trading power for wealth, dysfunctional non-legislating Congress and general move to this corrupt oligarchical kleptocracy invited Trumpler 1.0 in.
Joe not leaving became the final straw. He should have elegantly stepped back with an announcement inviting in a vigorous primary with our deep bench of Dem talent — by end of 2022. What effin idiots.
The insane part is, post 1.6.21 insurrection, our idiot American voter base actually brought the sociopathic criminal back in. Just like 1930’s Germany, when another former insurrectionist climbed back into power. What could go wrong?
When you properly analyse what happened- the blame should be largely on the neocons of Bush- Cheney who disregarded the 2007 Munich Security Conference- Putin’s speech outlying Russian concern about NATO enlargement on its frontiers. (Cuba crisis comes to mind) The neocons saw the Russian economic crisis and previous default as a good moment for regime change and went ahead with Georgia, Romania, Ukraine for provisional application for NATO membership. Prof Adam Tooze now of Columbia, and previously of Yale and a compatriot of Prof Snyder has an excellent analysis of this scenario and its consequences in his substack.
Ukraine became a pawn in that game.
Later in 2022, the US Defence Secretary was reported to have remarked that this was a "good war" for the USA, as it was managing to degrade Russian military without putting US boots on the ground! No war is a "good" war. This sort of cynicism makes me angry.
I don’t think that’s what the general had in mind, when he said it. The Defense Secretary views it from the perspective of degrading the Russian military, without American loss of life: It achieves our objectives, of protecting our allies without a direct confrontation between nuclear armed adversaries.
That said, I get your point, but our military exists to protect our interests, and that of our allies; it’s the meaning of their very existence: good or bad!
Yes, we did with the Budapest Memorandum (1994); Ukrainian sovereignty, in exchange for all its 20,000 nuclear weapons. It didn’t specify boots on the ground, but we did guarantee military support. As part of the deal, Ukraine couldn’t be granted NATO membership. So technically, it’s a Catch—22!…:)
Since everyone who signed this Memorandum has broken their promises, Ukraine could be restocked with nuclear weapons. And NATO could accept Ukraine as a member although the United States would have to leave NATO.
Trump kept threatening to do this. Promises, promises!
To my American family and friends: TAKE TO THE STREETS NOW - PLEASE! JD Vance: SHAME ON YOU! Thank you again Prof Snyder!
And please take to your phones.
Find members of Congress below.
Click on name, click on their website, usually scroll down to office locations. If DC doesn't take messages then try state offices. You don't have to give your info. Just a brief message. For all who have some time, please make it part of your daily exercise in democracy routine. They notice and are hoping we'll fade away. Let's move forward. Especially with Budget and debt ceiling negotiations coming up - tell Democrats to unite and use every congressional tool which allows the minority to block the majority.
ThankYou.
Senate Democratic Caucus
.https://www.democrats.senate.gov/about-senate-dems/our-caucus.
House Democratic Caucus
.https://www.dems.gov/.
Senate Republican Conference
.https://www.republican.senate.gov/.
House Republican Conference
.https://www.gop.gov/about/members.htm.
Chop Wood Carry Water | Substack
Good source for activism
https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com/
Yes, and calling them is better than writing according to Indivisible.
I have been calling and calling, if I can’t get them at their D.C. offices I find their state phone numbers and I plan on continuing this process.
Tying up their phone lines is exactly what we have been doing. Be relentless!!
This week congress is in recess. They are supposed to be in their districts hearing from constituents.
Ask when/where their town hall is scheduled. If none, shame on them (looking at you Jack Bergman). Ask for a personal meeting. Ask when they’ll be in their local offices. Show up.
Showing up is the very best. Thank you, Sarah.
Ditto John McGuire (VA-5) A no-show, but we're going after him.
My Congressman, Mark DeSaulnier is having a town hall and by gawwwd, it better last longer than an hour!!
Also, write your State Attorney General. They need emails and/or letters voicing our concerns.
I have done that also and I get updates from him all of the time. AG Bonta from CA.
Monday, February 17 is a day for protests at most state capitols. Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin (huge Snyder fans) of Indivisible in their most recent call emphasize the importance of big showings early/now. When asked when the massive protests will be called, they said this can only happen after there is proof that people will turn out in force.
Check for local details to participate in a protest. Please encourage friends and family to participate.
Link below takes you to a transcript of the Indivisible call. They happen weekly and it is good to register even if you cannot attend in real time. This will get you on their mailing list for written resources on actions. They coordinate up and down with local chapters.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=indivisible+plan+youtube+2%2F13&type=E210US105G0#id=1&vid=d36741c1a4540245068be093043b9309&action=click
Please, all readers, learn about ways to TAKE ACTION! there are more and more:
- Show up tomorrow at the NOT MY PRESIDENT event near you! Numbers matter! Get loud!!
- Join INDIVISIBLE !!! https://indivisible.org/
- The 50501 Revolution
- https://generalstrikeus.com/ — sign a strike card!
- The People’s Union- economic blackouts https://jointhepeoplesunion.com/
Laine, yes and thank you.
https://events.pol-rev.com/ - link to protests nationwide
streets - yes.
"good trouble" -yes.
But there are voices, Steve Schmidt "the warning", that ask for "fight".
That's exactly what that "weak" autocracy needs, waits for, anticipated during the campaign.
That would allow them to align other weak people and forces behind them against these "enemies from within" - and gain strength.
More power.
They only wait for that - to rule by martial law and cancel elections.
Americans should have the esteem to develop innovative new ways of protecting their country.
The shake up of institutions,
the dysfunctionality of government,
the lack of intellectual basis and cohesion,
all provides nodes of interference more than ever anywhere before.
Before you make any suggestions to your American family, think about the implications. You are asking that they jump into the battle without any understanding of the results.
Please don’t make impulsive comments under Professor Snyder’s umbrella. Panic is not a strategy, it’s both dangerous and useless. It shows a lack of concern.
I’m sorry you’re level of anxiety has resulted in this unfortunate outburst.
We know nothing about you and your motivations.
Dear all,
If you want to take to the streets, protests all over the world are being organised, by the Ukrainian World Congress, next weekend. Join in your closest city with your loved loves: https://uaworldmap.ukrainianworldcongress.org
Resistors should plan their peaceful street demonstrations with unadvertised, secured organising & mobilizing because a violent far-right segment is ready to take America back to 1920s Germany, when paramilitary Nazi stormtroopers were created to create public chaos by attacking non-Nazi meetings & street demonstrations. And our side mustn't contribute to public spectacles of violence, as police would only bring more violence and not against the Nazi-types who start trouble.
Ill-prepared indeed, for the coming "negotiations" in Saudi Arabia - it appears that the US has sent a questionnaire - a questionnaire! - to European governments, asking what they can commit to the future security of Ukraine. I would love to see your version of this questionnaire, Professor Snyder. Time for another 50-word essay, I think.
I hope that "Europe" is just taking a moment to get over the sickening shock of Munich before facing the new reality. Let us see what happens in Paris, and in the imminent German elections. That may give some clues.
It's a new thought to me, that Trump is happy with a position of weakness. Though clearly he enjoys fantasies of strength, drawing lines on maps with his sharpie, declaring peace to have happened on his say-so, deciding the future of Gaza without consulting Gazans, of Greenland without consulting Greenlanders or Denmark, of Ukraine without .... and so on.
Here is an extract from the Declaration of Arbroath, written in 1320 as Scotland's response to the threat of subjugation by England.
"For as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions consent to be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."
The triumvirate of Trump, Musk and Vance would surely say, "Suckers".
You would think that Trump would understand that even Russia isn’t winning the war with Ukraine. Seriously, it’s been three years, and Ukraine doesn’t even have an Air Force or Navy to speak of.
And now he thinks he can just walk all over Canada, Mexico, and Europe, without them even putting up a fight. Wasn’t he the guy who wanted us out of the Forever Wars? Did his CULT even sign up for this?
Whatever drugs this guy is taking, I want some…:)
"You would think that Trump would understand."
No.
He does understand it's about dismantling everything. At first we thought it was 'only' our government. But it appears to be they/he want to destroy the world. They are evil. I know it sounds simplistic, but I fear that is the goal. and in their stupid way they are moving with intention.
It’s not simplistic, or wrong! Trump and Putin want to divide the West in two spheres of influence and power; thus, the tariffs.
Europe is already in a recession, Trump wants to make it worse economically, and then Russia can finish them off using useful idiots, assets, social media influencers, politicians, as well as misinformation and disinformation campaigns. Why do you think Vance is there preaching about “free speech”?
Trump wants Russia to do to them, what losing the guardrails on social media did to us: poison the blood of our youth with BS and indoctrination into MAGA. Then governments will fall, and he will install his puppets in Ukraine, and elsewhere.
Additionally, China will take Taiwan, and authoritarians will rule the world with Putin, XI and Trump at the head of the table! Really only Xi and Putin, but Trump will learn the hard way.
And there you have it The New World Order, in the World According to Trump! Or something to this effect…:)
I think the moves by Canada and Mexico are indicative of the alienation of this US policy in the West and in other regions. Maybe a new extra-geographic view of "EU" replacing NATO is now in order, thereby strengthening Europe against Russia, maybe even the Indo-Pacific against China and Russia. Maybe also look to South America and African nations around the Med and Middle East to include them in a new, stronger Alliance. Call it OTAN-D (yes I know) to stand for Oppositional Territories And Nations for Democracy. Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and yes even India will all need to stand against China and Russia in the Pacific. India is maybe less democratic than some might want, but so are both Hungary and Turkiye current members of NATO. Let them join the Russian Hegemony if their people will let them. We are being kicked in the Ass and need to think about the World differently. A new alliance of States who support Democracy and oppose the Oligarchies, including Ukraine who would be a very very strong member. Include them tomorrow. We need a change up! They are beating us on the field. Slava Ukraini!.
No you don’t Robert, look at how deranged he is, no one in their right mind would choose to join him. If whatever he’s taking has made him this way I would want no part of it. 🙏
Touché!….:)
Musk, Trump, and Charles Koch et al through Leonard Leo (major funders of Project 2025)
He has never been interested in the U.S. being a world power. He is aligned with Russia and not for ideological reasons- for personal gain. He doesn’t want to have to rise to any occasion. His one and only motivation is to line his pockets and have people kiss his ass.
For Trump, everything is a transaction. I get this, you get that. It's usually lop-sided, but it's a transaction. This works with empty farmland in Florida, less well when people's lives are at stake.
Fortunately President Zelensky has realised in time that his attempted transaction with Trump, concerning Ukraine's valuable natural resources in return for security guarantees, was a serious mistake. Trump simply said thank you, he would help himself to 50% of those resources ($500 billions worth!) for free - or as he put it, as payment for military aid already given. Lopsided indeed! Ukraine is dealing not with one rapacious mobster, but with two.
Incidentally I would love to hear Trump try to explain what a "rare earth" is.
Our appeasement of Russia, within the first 30 days of the 47th presidency, will have the smell of 3 day old fish for all eternity.
Agreed…:)
At worst, this is Europe’s wake up call, although, I imagine they were putting together a Plan B the moment it appeared Trump could be re-elected. They also experienced Trump’s first term…:)
And as far as this questionnaire goes, What’s up with that? Seriously, first the FBI and DOJ, and now our allies? I wonder how much it’s costing us in paper; probably more than ridding ourselves of the penny! Just saying!…:)
It's like when the car salesman asks how high a monthly payment you can afford.
Yes, but think of all the paper you are saving by not making paper straws.
I shall forever think of Trump as the man of paper straws.
And windmills…:)
and farts!
What makes you think they were coming up with plan B the moment it appeared as though trump would be elected, not even our Democrats at home had a plan B. Still dont. I see this entire situation as one informed by greed. Unfettered capitalism.
Fair enough, but Trump was talking tariffs on them before the election, and like I said, they’ve been down this road with him before.
The real challenge, is that the EU is not unified. There is still a lot of uncertainty and bickering in regard to Ukraine, and its future. That’s the major vulnerability for them.
As well as their military’s was built around US economic and military superiority; so the question remains whether they are up to the challenge with Putin, without US support?
And I agree, it’s possible they aren’t prepared, I’m not sure anyone could have been prepared for this onslaught so quickly; unless they’ve been browsing substack over the last year, since pretty much all of us have been shouting from the top of our lungs, that it would go this way.
However, as the wise man once said, “we shall see!”..:)
Yes, I would like Prof Snyder to address this question of EU unity. They are not united now, Hungary under Orban being the most illiberal democracy in the EU.
I wish I thought they had a plan B a year ago! Sadly I see no sign of one. Now the wolf is at our door we should have been prepared.
Let’s hope you’re wrong. Plus, they’ve wouldn’t announce it. It would be hatched in secret, using people outside of government as surrogates.
They wouldn’t risk it leaking and Trump knowing of their possible future plans. One thing about Trump, he never forgets a sleight, and he always will seek revenge, even its it’s it the last thing he does. He’s sick to the core!
My worry is that they think they can sit this out and wait for something better to come along. It is way too late for such wishful thinking.
I received a note this morning to renew my membership with the DNC. Their headline reads “We’re ready to get to work and we hope you’ll join us.” Needless to say I wrote a response ?GETTING READY??????!! So Plan B. They are still working on a concept of an idea.
We were actually talking about the readiness of Europe and the UK. But the DNC are head in the sand still, or acting like headless chickens, I agree.
Thanks posted after shoveling outside. I wasn’t following closely
Excellent newsletter! Sadly, Trump and almost his entire cabinet have become either “useful idiots,” or actual assets to Russia. Maybe we’re on our way to becoming a satellite state, just like Europe! It’s hard to tell who’s giving the orders to whom, in this macabre relationship between Musk, Putin, and Trump; I’m getting whiplash just talking about it.
Additionally, Trump’s first trip to Russia was in 1988, in the accompany of his wife Ivanna, and a KGB colonel. Since then, Russia has been the biggest investor in his golf resorts, at a time, when most banks wouldn’t lend him a dime; since the 1990 real estate collapse, when he became billions in debt, and had a negative net worth. Trump would later make deals with Russian Mobsters: Trump Soho, for one; it became a money laundering scheme!
And in 2006, Trump would purchase the most expensive mansion in Florida for $47 million; only to sell it for $95 million (sight unseen), to Dmitry Rybolovlev, a close ally of Putin, when the housing market was disintegrating into thin air; most luxury real estate in the US, and especially Florida, was down nearly 50%. Coincidence?
Bottom line: Putin owns Trump. It doesn’t matter if the Steele Dossier is true, partially true, or entirely false. Trump is compromised, and always has been.
He, and his minions parrot Russian talking points all day long, and the Russian’s have penetrated every aspect of the Republican Party. From social media influencers, cable know-nothing bobble heads, to the NRA, republicans politicians, and C-PAC.
This is why none of his cabinet picks could get security clearances in his first administration; including his kids. Yet, Trump overrode our security system to award his “useful idiots” access to top secret documents and information. Even Flynn’s compromised, and working behind the scenes to implement the military and domestic takeover by MAGA Inc.
What should also be scary is the J6th pardons. We just gave these people a license to commit crimes on Trump’s behalf. And they will not go gently into the Good night! They are planning to be Trump’s domestic, private army of stormtroopers; and these militia include former military, and active police and military.
Moreover, for years the FBI has been trying to study how compromised and infiltrated their organization was; as well as the military and local and state police departments. Ironically, the Republican’s always refused to go along; because they support these white nationalists wholeheartedly.
Furthermore, I don’t know you, but these militias, like the Oath Keepers, were getting pretty cozy with local law enforcement during the BLM protests. Coincidence?
Bottom line: this coup is not only against our allies; it’s against us. And remember the word of Kevin Roberts, Heritages President who wrote Project 2025, which actually is a carbon copy of Orban’s playbook, and the blueprint for the takeover of Hungary: “This revolution will be bloodless, if the radical left, allows it to be!”
Let’s not make it easy, and we don’t need to resort to violence, but we desperately need to start to outsmart them, because even when they screw things up, they aren’t losing support by the low information voters, and regular republicans. And if the police are in their pocket, then this just may be an exercise in futility. iMHO!
True! Russia has been embedded in conservative circles for many years. Russia is 75% of how trump slithered into office. The other 25% is our fellow citizens who chose a willfull ignorance of his character solely because he embraced their racism.
Thank you for this excellent comment. We are living in Orban and Putin’s world now.
Trumps first wife was Ivanna, though at first I thought you were being sarcastic when you wrote Ivanka, Trump's daughter!
It was a Freudian slip. He did always want to marry his daughter, so…….:)
Ivana (Joan or Jane) was his first wife, and Ivanka (Joanie or Janie) is his eldest daughter.
Ironic that this capitulation and voices of appeasement should happen in Munich: this time it is the trump regime appeasing Russia. I believe it was Winston Churchill who said: “the only thing worse than fighting with your allies, is fighting without them.” And the other great statesman of the 20th century, FDR, said: “We have learned that we cannot live alone in peace, that our own wellbeing is dependent on the wellbeing of other nations far away…We have learned to be citizens of the world. We have learned…’the only way to have a friend is to be one.” (FDR, January 20, 1945
However, with trump-musk there is no WE. They believe only in ME, ME, ME.
Words of wisdom and truth from Churchill and FDR.
At the most basic level, we find ourselves at this unenviable crossroads because neither trump nor musk has ever had / will ever have a (true, real) friend; neither has ever known / will ever know how to be a friend. They are total mirrors of one another in the realm of never knowing genuine love or friendship, their world is 100% transactional.
Their spouses, children, “friends” are attracted by proximity to power, there is no genuine love in any of their relationships. Theirs is a sad, lonely, desperate world and they’re trying to drag the rest of us into it with them. There is no redemption for either of them, the world would be better off without them.
They are also the worst reflection in the mirror of capitalism and having as much money as one can no matter what. They have been willing to be soulless to a greater extent than most but they couldnt have gotten where they are if a large swath of America hadnt been a little too greedy for a long time now. Rents are high not because people can pay the rates but because property owners are greedy. The cost makes it impossible to save and impossible to have even a small vacation. Its crazy.
Who's a better errand boy for evil than shape-shifting JD Vance? Judging from his mien in Europe, he has found his comfort zone. Doing the bidding of Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Elon Musk in one fell swoop has a darkly historic ring to it, and what more cynical place on earth to do so than Munich?
What we have just witnessed, and will continue to witness in the weeks, months and years ahead, is appalling, almost beyond belief. As the free world shudders, we're left with the knowledge – learned the hard way – that if Trump, Putin and Musk share an essential trait, it's that they always double down.
I look forward to hearing the coward Vance give his Munich speech in Moscow, or Riyadh - you know, all that about respecting free speech and not being afraid of your voters, and not trying to suppress opposition parties.
The 20th century had its Nazis and its Axis, and now we, in the 21st, have this – not unlike a virulent cancer that goes into remission, relatively speaking, but comes roaring back with a vengeance. Only this time, America is on the side of the bad guys and, in fact, *is* a bad guy.
Prof. Snyder, I don't know if you read these comments but I hope so. I am a U.S. citizen resident in France. Do you know Raphael Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament from France? He is speaking out so strongly for European unity, support of Ukraine, and defiance of the Trump/Musk regime. If you are not in contact with him I think you should be -- beyond being mutually beneficial it would benefit all of us. Thank you.
Zelensky has unquestionably proven himself as a great leader and his competency on the world stage is already established. I hope China does somehow step in a help save this incredible burgeoning democracy from what has become of us. They do appear to be pushing for a lasting, binding peace.
What is it, Mike, about "alliances"?
I mean, the U.S. having fairly long been allied with Ukraine, and longer with many other European (and several non-European) democracies).
Can we think in personal terms, as in, say, personal friendships?
When friends meet, or keep friendships, don't they treasure details? I mean, in really subjective ways of enjoying food, linens, bath waters, well-set tables, stories, anecdotes, room furnishings, more stories, long-owed personal debts, inside and outside aromas, progeny born, progeny growing up, and their stories, more stories.
In a healthy land, as Solon tried to tell the Persian emperor, respect, savoring, appreciation for these personal nuances far, far -- totally -- outweigh the units, quantities, and numbers which restrict the abstracted, labeled categorized imaginations of all vulgar. (Hello to you, again, too, standardized testing.)
I love many whom have passed from my life. Any strength or decency I have derives from them. And from my capacity, such as it may be, to recall, glow in, extend from their memory. Please note: I quote them, many, often.
We all owe Zelensky and his fellow Ukrainians. In inverse proportion to how we loathe (or ought to) the mass murderer Putin and his aspiring, loathsome fellow oligarchs around the world, who only sow hatreds, bitterness, atavistic, out-of-control vengeance scenarios?
What is it about these latter -- except that they cannot love? Lust, yes. Rape, yes, as repeatedly has the U.S.'s convicted, fat, orange felon. And many in his most-loathsome cabinet. Cannot have alliances based on the precepts that birthed and fed democracies, as many of us have personally felt and cherished our best debts?
thank you Phil, you expressed what I am feeling
I am just stunned at the ignorance and arrogance of this regime. I’m also frightened for the future. Thank you for this essay’s clarity and view of the situation.
Always so brilliant and so wise! While Trump & co are fracturing alliances, China is building them. BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) is becoming a geopolitical bloc that rivals the G7. It has four new members (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE) and thirteen partner states, one of which is a NATO member (Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam). The bloc comprises now more than half of the world's population. China is also increasing its influence in Africa as the US suspends its foreign aid programs there. America First means America Weaker.
I am in a word, at 82, heartsick. I have seen the best of America and now I am seeing the most vile of predators gnawing at its remains. My mother was Ukrainian and her mother remembered only too well Russian sadism.
Right now our Democratic leaders, completely distracted and overwhelmed are either mounting a weak defense at Musk/Trump or cowering, excepting for a few, they have little bandwidth for Ukraine let alone the sad remains of Gaza.
What is the best way to help Ukraine, now.
When the legislators are overwhelmed, keeping Ukraine on their radar screens is valuable. They might give Ukraine (or Gaza) more bandwidth if they hear from constituents about these issues. Phone calls are great, but more can be done. In a purple district that just turned blue, a group of Ukraine supporters had an on-line meeting last week with the newly-elected Democrat. We had a 15 or 20 minute meeting but it was a good one and it will provide additional opportunities for follow-up about specific actions in support of Ukraine. Small steps are important.
I too am 82 and heartbroken at the world our grandchildren have to live in. They are not even aware that facts no longer matter.
I was wondering the same— how to best support Ukraine now? I live in a blue state/ district …
By my rough calculations, Europe (EU plus Norway and UK) could replace the lost American military aid to Ukraine for 0.25% of GDP. Add in non-military aid, and you are still under 0.5%. There are no significant military threats other than Russia, so there is no need for any other increase. https://johnquigginblog.substack.com/p/dispensing-with-the-us/comment/93862347
Brazilians managed to oust Bolsonaro, which wasn't part of The Plan. We should be taking a hard look at how they did it.
Reading HCR today is worthwhile, as it always is. For those not familiar, give it a try. Always a great perspective on where we are and how we got here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/february-15-2025?r=f38fk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Thank you for these insights!
Being a citizen of a non-NATO EU country (Austria to be precise) I hope for the best but I have a certain tendency to despair when I look at current politics in Europe. :-(
Especially Austria which has given up in Advance. Joa seids Ihr deppert, die FPÖ an der Regierung ? Die rechten Nazis san bei uns niemals richtig aufg'räumt worden soag I. I bin in Braunau g'boren aber in einem Ami MASH. So'ne Leut braucht kaner mehr!
Eyeliner-clad Vance an embarrassment to America. He’s a rude, condescending, over-confident, under-qualified imposter. This shocking sewer-clown show of evil cartoon characters just devastating for America. We’ve become both a danger and a joke on the world stage.
Randomly focusing on other nations and which are accepting freedom-loving American migrants…
Thank you for saying this, so that I don't have to!
Seriously, Timothy Snyder and these comments are keeping this European afloat this weekend.
I enjoyed your great description of Vance and completely agree. I would be looking for the exits out of this country too if more able bodied. This entire administration and its actions are so stupid and self destructive, there does not seem any single plausible rationale for them. Being personally on the dole from Putin, as well as personally comfortable with another empathically impaired crime boss is as close as I can come. Europe, honest Americans hand the baton of leadership to you. Ukraine must be saved and Russia kicked out of Europe. Russia, go play with your “friends”, the Chinese. I guarantee you aren’t going to like.
Agreeing with you. I’m enraged more for the next generations , not myself at this point.
What a stunning turn of events, though I’ve been seeing the crawl towards authoritarianism since 2005. The corruption inside GOP, trading power for wealth, dysfunctional non-legislating Congress and general move to this corrupt oligarchical kleptocracy invited Trumpler 1.0 in.
Joe not leaving became the final straw. He should have elegantly stepped back with an announcement inviting in a vigorous primary with our deep bench of Dem talent — by end of 2022. What effin idiots.
The insane part is, post 1.6.21 insurrection, our idiot American voter base actually brought the sociopathic criminal back in. Just like 1930’s Germany, when another former insurrectionist climbed back into power. What could go wrong?
When you properly analyse what happened- the blame should be largely on the neocons of Bush- Cheney who disregarded the 2007 Munich Security Conference- Putin’s speech outlying Russian concern about NATO enlargement on its frontiers. (Cuba crisis comes to mind) The neocons saw the Russian economic crisis and previous default as a good moment for regime change and went ahead with Georgia, Romania, Ukraine for provisional application for NATO membership. Prof Adam Tooze now of Columbia, and previously of Yale and a compatriot of Prof Snyder has an excellent analysis of this scenario and its consequences in his substack.
Ukraine became a pawn in that game.
Later in 2022, the US Defence Secretary was reported to have remarked that this was a "good war" for the USA, as it was managing to degrade Russian military without putting US boots on the ground! No war is a "good" war. This sort of cynicism makes me angry.
You’d think we would have learned that from Vietnam but it seems that every generation we forget our history, intentionally or not.
I don’t think that’s what the general had in mind, when he said it. The Defense Secretary views it from the perspective of degrading the Russian military, without American loss of life: It achieves our objectives, of protecting our allies without a direct confrontation between nuclear armed adversaries.
That said, I get your point, but our military exists to protect our interests, and that of our allies; it’s the meaning of their very existence: good or bad!
But Ukraine is an ally, or was we made security promises after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Yes, we did with the Budapest Memorandum (1994); Ukrainian sovereignty, in exchange for all its 20,000 nuclear weapons. It didn’t specify boots on the ground, but we did guarantee military support. As part of the deal, Ukraine couldn’t be granted NATO membership. So technically, it’s a Catch—22!…:)
Since everyone who signed this Memorandum has broken their promises, Ukraine could be restocked with nuclear weapons. And NATO could accept Ukraine as a member although the United States would have to leave NATO.
Trump kept threatening to do this. Promises, promises!