Richard Nephew
@richardmnephew
Senior Research Scholar at Columbia U. Former Anti-Corruption Coordinator at Dept of State (among other things), White House and Dept of Energy. Personal acct. Author of "The Art of Sanctions" (2018)
"And Lucy picked up the note, which read 'sometimes, even things unambiguously good, like a detainee release, doesn't mean more good things are coming. Bigger issues may remain. But, a president who is looking for a way out might seize upon it nevertheless.'"
OK, but you explicitly acknowledged as "workable basis" the 10 point Iranian plan, Mr. President. That was you, in this format.
I wasn't inclined to share further an image of the Trump Iran statement on Easter, but I gather that some news agencies and commentators are avoiding doing so. That is actually their job, but if they won't do it, others should. This is what the man said. Don't look away.
If you're looking for a great, important read: "Indulging Kleptocracy," by @HeathershawJ, @tenaprelec, and Tom Mayne. Important review of the role of enablers in corruption AND -- consequently -- ideas about how to respond.
Interesting (and troubling) all round, but this bit screamed out at me. I'm sure he hasn't had someone tell him he missed something. This Admin fires anyone who dares question its brilliance (or are standing in the wrong place) and people do have mortgages to pay. www.politico.com/news/2025/08...
Just read this bit. I also made the concession that my neighbor doesn't have to hand over his car keys and let my kids sleep in his bed. I deserve to have half of his backyard as a chicken coop; he may have the rest and control of his tv remote. abcnews.go.com/Politics/van...
Unsurprisingly excellent. Oh, by the way, I was there and this bit is/was true. It was a true strength of those teams. I was unafraid to tell Bill what I thought and he insisted that we do so. I made the same demand, explicitly, of my teams subsequently.
Apropos of everything, this was the last para of the acknowledgment section of my 2017 book, The Art of Sanctions.
The company we choose to keep. This vote is sadly only a preview of many shameful acts to come as the Trump Administration changes sides. But it does not change the central fact: Russia's invasion of Ukraine was an unprovoked act of aggression.