Stilicho

The Kremlin's preferred candidate for Armenian prime minister (elections are on June 7th) has "IC 1706 FSB" listed as his workplace in Russian passport records — designation typically used for informants and foreigners operating under FSB supervision

The book this is from is one of my favorites on tactical level modern warfare, with many lessons that are still valid, so I'm going to do a full thread for it.

New details emerging on the difficulties in U.S.–Iran negotiations: As of now, Iran is only willing to commit to not developing nuclear weapons, while the U.S. is pushing for concrete steps to reduce enriched uranium—either by selling it, transferring it abroad, or diluting it. A major sticking point is the Strait of Hormuz: Iran wants it under its management, while the U.S. insists on full freedom of navigation. There’s also no agreement on financial relief. Qatar has stepped in with a proposal to provide Iran a $12B humanitarian loan. Notably, Lebanon is now part of the broader framework under discussion.

China literally has trees in Xi Jinping’s garden that are older than the United States! 🤣

It's probably the most basic human experience since we started building houses. In great Roman cities the Insulae, their apartments didn't have kitchen due to the fire risk. Instead there was a restaurant on the first floor where everyone grabbed their food.

Consider the contrast: many European governments that routinely invoke human rights principles when criticizing Israel have no hesitation in cultivating ever closer relations with Erdoğan’s Turkey, despite its increasingly authoritarian trajectory. In recent years, Erdoğan’s government has intensified pressure on the opposition through criminal investigations, arrests of politicians and activists, restrictions on independent media, and legal measures against elected opposition officials. The crackdown reached a new peak with moves against leading figures of the main opposition party, widely criticized by observers as an attempt to weaken political competition and consolidate presidential power. Yet far from discussing sanctions or boycotts, European leaders continue competing to strengthen political, economic, and strategic ties with Ankara.

Putin was presented with a painting in China. First of all, Xi Jinping is depicted as almost twice the size of Putin. Secondly, Xi is walking ahead, while Putin follows behind him. Thirdly, Xi is looking forward, while Putin is looking at him. Fourth, Xi appears calm and confident, while Putin looks like he’s trying to catch up — more of a companion than an equal. And overall, it makes it pretty clear who the “big brother” is and who the “little brother” is. A very strong piece of trolling.

The history of the world is none other than the progress of the consciousness of freedom.

One implication of Clavicular’s worldview is that an ugly person with real power must have gotten there by sheer, undeniable competence

Some phrases in Solombala English, a 19th c. English-Russian trade pidgin written in Cyrillic

The great universities will surely survive, but they may return to their former role as a place were already secure elites receive culture, read literature, etc. Their pivot towards being technical/career training schools is quite recent and this role may shift elsewhere.

Running has to be the worst sport out of all: > not fun at all > destroys joints > no meaningful goal > extremely stressful > makes you low T > ages you fast > gives you skinny fat physique > inefficent to lose weight