Defenders of Democracy

Thinking Live on Iran with Janice Stein How we got here, and where we might be going

#USA #Iran #Israel #NATO #EU #Britain #MiddleEast #War #DoD
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...

"It started with that, with Trump's involvement, with the insult that he was ignored, and that even after he drew a red line, and that's when the preparations for this war started."

ICE Detention Is ‘Hell On Earth.’ Trump Has A Plan To Keep Even More People Locked Up. Immigration detention is not supposed to be punitive. But one man who spent 20 years in state prison told HuffPost the ICE detention facility he is currently in is worse.

#ICE #CBP #DHS #Law
www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...

The administration has insisted that it is prioritizing the arrest of “worst of the worst” criminal offenders who happen to be undocumented people. ...in reality, ICE is stopping people on the street based on their accents and skin color....

‘We were ready’: Democratic attorneys general lead fight to stop Trump As some elected leaders choose to play nice with the president, Democratic AGs have done the opposite – to impressive effect

#Law #Constitution #AttorneysGeneral #Democrats #democracy #tyranny
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

"Their lawsuits have a high success rate: about 80% have gotten a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, Arizona attorney general Kris Mayes estimated. "

U.S. Is Running Out of Missiles Thanks to Trump’s War in Iran The European defense commissioner warned the U.S. will not be able to provide missiles to its allies.

#USA #Ukraine #Iran #Israel #Russia #NATO #Britain #Eu
newrepublic.com/post/207477/...

... it became more urgent for us in Europe to ramp up production of air defense and anti-ballistic missiles,” Kubilius said in Warsaw. “Americans really will not be able to provide enough of those missiles....”

More Patriot missiles used in Middle East in 3 days than in Ukraine since 2022, Zelensky says President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine is ready to provide drone interceptors in exchange for missiles, though he did not specify which countries could be involved.

#USA #Ukraine #Iran #Israel #War #Russia
kyivindependent.com/over-800-pat...

"In just three days of fighting in the Middle East, more than 800 Patriot missiles were used — more than Ukraine has received throughout the entire Russian full-scale invasion...."

Iran war could save Vladimir Putin’s failing Ukraine invasion While Russia’s inability to assist Iran is undoubtedly embarrassing for the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin could still emerge as a key beneficiary of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, writes Peter ...

#USA #Ukraine #Israel #Iran #Russia #Tyranny #Constitution #DOD #LockheedMartin #RTX #WAR
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrain...

"...escalating hostilities in the Middle East may force Washington to limit the supply of weapons to Ukraine. "

Why the Torpedoed Iranian Warship Is a Political Problem for India

#USA #Iran #Israel #India #Law #War
www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/w...

"After facing hostility from the United States in the form of tariffs, and a public rift over President Trump’s role as peacemaker in India’s conflict with Pakistan last year, Mr. Modi appears to be holding ... room to maneuver."

Thinking Live with Ruth Ben-Ghiat on Iran, Strongmen, and more A recording from Timothy Snyder's live video with Ruth Ben Ghiat

#Fascism #Tyranny #democracy #Constitution #Iran #USA #Israel #War
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...

Video: Ukraine Is A Real Ally. Allies Matter As Americans are struck by shaheed drones, Ukraine is providing help.

#Ukraine #Iran #Russia #Allies #NATO #EU #Britain

open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...

“Ukraine is stepping in to help defend our troops…I certainly hope Trump returns the favor.”

Trump says Kristi Noem is stepping down as homeland security secretary The president said he would nominate Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace her.

#ICE #DHS #CBP #Immigration #Tyranny #Constitution #Law
www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...

bye

Trump wants Iranians to ‘take back their country’ from the regime. Can they? To succeed in overthrowing the Iranian regime, an uprising would likely require a unifying leader, an effective organization, and the support of whatever remains of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Cor...

#USA #Iran #Israel #Policy #Theocracy #Tyranny #UN #NATO #EU #law
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...

The Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan transatlantic policy organization that promotes cooperation between North America and Europe, particularly through NATO and shared security frameworks.

Federal Court Blocks Refugee Arrests in Minnesota: Landmark Ruling Reins In ICE and Protects Due Process Minnesota’s newest refugee ruling reads like a civics lesson the federal government hoped we’d skipped.

#Law #Judiciary #Constitution #ICE #CBP #DHS #Tyranny #democracy
substack.com/@ahumanright...

US strikes on Iran ‘outside international law,’ says Macron Macron joins Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez in calling the legality of the strikes into question.

#USA #NATO #IRAN #FRANCE #EU #UN #ISRAEL
www.politico.eu/article/us-s...

French President Emmanuel Macron said the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began Saturday and killed the country's supreme leader were conducted "outside of international law" and that Paris "cannot approve of them."

Trump Flirts With Armed Militias as He Enters Phase Two of Iran War Meanwhile, Israel has bombed the council while it was voting for Iran’s next supreme leader.

#USA #Iran #Israel #Kurds
newrepublic.com/post/207271/...

"On Tuesday, Israel bombed Iran’s Council of Experts while it was in the process of choosing a new supreme leader. That same day, it was reported that President Trump is open to supporting armed militias in the region. "

America’s enduring appetite for Trump's deportation cruelty Polls show that tens of millions of Americans still support ICE and the president's mass deportations

#USA #DHS #ICE #CBP #Tyranny #law
www.salon.com/2026/03/03/a...

Authoritarians and other bad actors depend on inertia among the public, and a type of collective decision rule where most default to accepting the daily horrors and wrongdoing. In this, they become complicit through tacit consent.

For NATO in 2027, European leadership will be key to deterrence against Russia NATO faces a growing threat from a resurgent Russia capable of hybrid and kinetic aggression across the Northeast Corridor.

#USA #NATO #EU #Europe #Russia
www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-res...

From The Atlantic Council, a NATO oriented think tank.

Iran Update Evening Special Report, March 2, 2026 The combined US-Israeli force continued to degrade Iranian air defenses to maintain air superiority over western Iran and Tehran.

#War #Iran #USA #Israel #NATO #EU #Ukraine #France #Britain #Germany
understandingwar.org/research/mid...

However much we'd prefer diplomacy, it's useful to know what's going on in the war. We've found this a useful factual source during Russia's war on Ukraine and now on Iran.

Lovely Arizona sunset last night. 6:38 PM

‘Our Resources Are Done’ Iran’s Islamic Republic may endure, but in a very different form.

#democracy #Republic #Iran #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...

It's vaguely possible that Iran could again become a country pleasant to live in, a Republic with democratically elected representatives.

Trump Is Attacking Climate Science. Scientists Are Fighting Back. It’s easy, looking at the past year, to see the damage the administration has done. But researchers are also stepping up, trying to fill the gaps.

#Science #democracy #Tyranny #Patriots #Freedom
newrepublic.com/article/2070...

"American science in general—requires that the community discard the myth of political neutrality, engage in a concerted defense of liberal democracy, and stand in solidarity with this administration’s other targets."

Trump says Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead after US-Israeli strikes Trump describes Khamenei as

#USA #Iran #Israel #War
www.bbc.com/news/live/cn...

Donald Trump says Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been killed by US-Israeli strikes on Tehran

Joe Biden warns that Donald Trump will try to ‘steal’ midterm elections In a rare public address, former president said US is experiencing ‘dark days’ and urged Americans to vote

#USA #Democrats #Elections #Tyranny #Fascism #Constitution #Law
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

“He’s trying to steal the election, because he knows he can’t win your vote, so he’s going to do everything he can to prevent you from wanting to vote.”

Why Attack Iran? Our Authoritarianism and Our Corruption

#Tyranny #War #Iran
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...

The relationship between foreign war and domestic authoritarianism ... 1) we must all rally because there is a war and everyone who oppose the war is a traitor; 2) we must hold elections under specific conditions favorable to the party in power.

How Trump will fill his immigrant gulags DHS is rewriting its detention rules to ignore the law—and entrap millions.

#DHS #CBP #Immigration #Constitution #Law #Detention #ConcentrationCamps #Immigrants #ICE
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

One moment they were law-abiding refugees, the next many were arrested, shackled, and interrogated. ... the new rule means some 100,000 refugees could be locked up...."

War With Iran Has Begun. Where Does It End? Trump has launched combat operations despite little public support and widespread fears among allies.

#War #USA #Israel #Iran #Military
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...

Gifted Read:

"U.S. military ordnance arrived by both air and sea, officials told us. They said the U.S. attack would be more extensive than the June strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities."

Elon Musk Moves Against the Russians in Ukraine Russian forces falter as the world’s richest man intervenes in the war once again.

#Ukraine #Russia #NATO #EU #Britain #USA
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...

Gifted Read

The entire article should be carefully read.

"Fedorov, the defense minister, has publicly expressed his gratitude to Musk for giving Ukraine that advantage, and Musk has pledged to continue his support."

“It Ends Today”: Judge Threatens to Haul in DOJ Officials Under Oath A federal judge is fed up with top officials ignoring court orders on immigration.

#DOJ #Judiciary #Immigration #Constitution #Law #DHS #ICE #CBP #DueProcess #Detention
newrepublic.com/post/207108/...

“the U.S. Attorney’s Office conceded to violating 72 orders issued in immigration habeas cases in this district alone.”

Going Deeper: It’s Settled -- Trump is a Fascist But Hold On: Help is on the Way

#USA #Tyranny #Fascism #Constitution #Law #democracy #democrats #Congress
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...

Kinzinger joins the growing number who recognize the pattern.

Cabinet Apocalypse A News Review in an Imagined Conversation

#USA #Tyranny #democracy #Cabinet
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...

humor/satire/reality?

excerpt: Kristi Noem, Homeland Security. "...I just wanted to add that a republic exists because people believe they belong to a single nation. So the most direct way to kill our republic is a civil war."

What Justice Gorsuch Fears His concurring opinion in the tariffs case may become the Roberts Court’s most influential statement on how to prevent the steady accretion of executive power.

#USA #SCOTUS #Constitution #Law #Congress #Executive #Tyranny #democracy #Founders
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

“Once this Court reads a doubtful statute as granting the executive branch a given power, that power may prove almost impossible for Congress to retrieve.”