# ![@PhilGordonDC Avatar](https://lunarcrush.com/gi/w:26/cr:twitter::1879241577660583936.png) @PhilGordonDC Phil Gordon

Phil Gordon posts on X about ukraine, russia, israel, iran the most. They currently have [-----] followers and [---] posts still getting attention that total [------] engagements in the last [--] hours.

### Engagements: [------] [#](/creator/twitter::1879241577660583936/interactions)
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- [--] Month [---------] +281%
- [--] Months [---------] +126%

### Mentions: [--] [#](/creator/twitter::1879241577660583936/posts_active)
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- [--] Week [--] -74%
- [--] Month [--] +73%
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### Followers: [-----] [#](/creator/twitter::1879241577660583936/followers)
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- [--] Week [-----] +2%
- [--] Month [-----] +29%
- [--] Months [-----] +98%

### CreatorRank: [-------] [#](/creator/twitter::1879241577660583936/influencer_rank)
![CreatorRank Line Chart](https://lunarcrush.com/gi/w:600/cr:twitter::1879241577660583936/c:line/m:influencer_rank.svg)

### Social Influence

**Social category influence**
[countries](/list/countries)  70.19% [finance](/list/finance)  16.35% [travel destinations](/list/travel-destinations)  6.73% [technology brands](/list/technology-brands)  1.92% [fashion brands](/list/fashion-brands)  1.92% [social networks](/list/social-networks)  0.96% [currencies](/list/currencies)  0.96% [luxury brands](/list/luxury-brands)  0.96%

**Social topic influence**
[ukraine](/topic/ukraine) #575, [russia](/topic/russia) #762, [israel](/topic/israel) 15.38%, [iran](/topic/iran) 11.54%, [tariffs](/topic/tariffs) 8.65%, [china](/topic/china) 8.65%, [in the](/topic/in-the) 8.65%, [hamas](/topic/hamas) 8.65%, [gaza](/topic/gaza) 7.69%, [for the](/topic/for-the) 6.73%

**Top accounts mentioned or mentioned by**
[@axios](/creator/undefined) [@gideonrachman](/creator/undefined) [@nytimes](/creator/undefined) [@ft](/creator/undefined) [@tanvimadan](/creator/undefined) [@thomaswright08](/creator/undefined) [@novussubsole](/creator/undefined) [@potus](/creator/undefined) [@usambpoland](/creator/undefined) [@xiaofeixu](/creator/undefined) [@antoniocosta](/creator/undefined) [@vonderleyen](/creator/undefined) [@vladimirputin](/creator/undefined) [@donaldtrump](/creator/undefined) [@antoniolscosta](/creator/undefined) [@ewong](/creator/undefined) [@lizfriden](/creator/undefined) [@araghchi](/creator/undefined) [@carnegienpp](/creator/undefined) [@marcorubio](/creator/undefined)
### Top Social Posts
Top posts by engagements in the last [--] hours

"Can't really disagree Henrietta but Trump should have thought of that before he raised across-the-board tariffs on Europe denigrated our closest allies and threatened to take part of a NATO country by force. Hedging the inevitable result. It is literally not possible to hedge this hard on China - whose support allows Russia to continue the war in Ukraine - while claiming to be serious about backing Kyiv. Trump is forcing allies to make hard choices but they should be honest about the choices theyre making. It is literally not possible to hedge this hard on China - whose support allows Russia"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/2017707161355276720)  2026-01-31T21:10Z [----] followers, 12.6K engagements


"Important question so happy to respond directly: *Of course I believe presidents must follow the law. *In this specific case that is not as clear cut as you imply because it depends on judgments that are subjective (like the definition of restricting aid or proportionate use of force) and U.S. government lawyers never reached the conclusion that the law required the suspension of arms transfers. *So my point wasnt that Biden did not follow the law but that Israeli critiques that he embargoed weapons are not just wrong but absurd when in fact he resisted serious and legitimate pressure to do"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/2018414817313169849)  2026-02-02T20:02Z [----] followers, 113.1K engagements


"If ambassadors from other countries cut off all contacts with us over perceived insults we wouldn't have many contacts left. This only a week after Trump denigrated Polish soldiers' service in Afghanistan. New survey just this week showed a majority of Poles "no longer regard the US as a reliable ally" and that only 35% of Poles had "confidence in the US president to do the right thing regarding world affairs down from 75% a year earlier." Hard to undermine an alliance as solid as US-Poland but this ambassador seems determined to try. Effective immediately we will have no further dealings"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/2019505157097001153)  2026-02-05T20:15Z [----] followers, 171.1K engagements


"The previous tweet by @USAmbPoland (right before he flipped out over a Polish official's lse-majest for suggesting Trump didn't deserve Nobel Prize) was to honor Tadeusz Kociuszko for helping US in the fight against royal tyranny. Have to appreciate the irony. Happy 280th Birthday Tadeusz Kociuszko Polish by birth American by choice universal by principle. For Poles Kociuszko is a symbol of national honor and the fight for independence. For Americans he is a brilliant military engineer of the Revolutionary War who believed https://t.co/ndRQ7xT56k Happy 280th Birthday Tadeusz Kociuszko Polish"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/2019762364350869548)  2026-02-06T13:17Z [----] followers, 15.9K engagements


"Behind its booming economy Sanchez' Spain is charting course other EU countries may follow: de-risking from US; standing up to Trump; regulating digital space; advocating strategic autonomy; promoting social programs; backing Palestine; regulating migration. Worth watching. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is set to visit China later this year his fourth visit to Beijing in four years @xiaofeixu reports https://t.co/A0JBSfcBFF Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is set to visit China later this year his fourth visit to Beijing in four years @xiaofeixu reports https://t.co/A0JBSfcBFF"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/2019018033537442217)  2026-02-04T11:59Z [----] followers, 218.2K engagements


"Hard to overstate the damage to US-Israel relations done by the sense of entitlement and ingratitude reflected in comments like these and Netanyahu's own recent statements. Baseless misdirection to suggest that Israeli soldiers' deaths in Gaza were caused by some phantom US "embargo" (when in fact Biden resisted enormous pressure to condition aid as required by U.S. law even as Israel rebuffed calls to facilitate more humanitarian assistance and reduce civilian casualties) and insulting to suggest that U.S. concern for people of Gaza was driven by "Michigan" as if no other possible basis for"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/2017601696013136270)  2026-01-31T14:11Z [----] followers, 847K engagements


"Rubio skipping Ukraine meeting with key allies but going to Budapest while Trump trashes Zelensky as a dictator and presses him to hurry up to do a deal with Russia tells you all you need to know about admins Europe policy. https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/65d3c557-ea86-4cf5-8ae1-139914ad7c9d https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/65d3c557-ea86-4cf5-8ae1-139914ad7c9d"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/2022581090242756677)  2026-02-14T07:58Z [----] followers, 147.9K engagements


"A strategy designed to bully Ukraine into painful concessions has the inevitable consequence of giving Putinwho launched the war four years ago and continues to attack Ukrainian cities and infrastructurelittle reason to accept a deal or to fear consequences if he does not. Rubio skipping Ukraine meeting with key allies but going to Budapest while Trump trashes Zelensky as a dictator and presses him to hurry up to do a deal with Russia tells you all you need to know about admins Europe policy. https://t.co/PgFFm28SPX Rubio skipping Ukraine meeting with key allies but going to Budapest while"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/2022585799221682542)  2026-02-14T08:16Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Carney in Davos obviously right that rules-based order was partially false but baffling why administration pushing for a world with no rules at all. Misguided both in terms of morals and interests. Rubio the diplomatic face of the Trump admin defines the rules based order not simply over but foolish. he speaks of the West but does so in civilizational terms based on culture religion language heritage certainly not liberal values #MSC2026 Rubio the diplomatic face of the Trump admin defines the rules based order not simply over but foolish. he speaks of the West but does so in civilizational"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/2022588448344015265)  2026-02-14T08:27Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Bar so low that US officials now get credit for basic politeness and not threatening NATO territory but underlying message is indeed the samediverging values diminishing solidarity and military support solidarity with far-right and explicit effort to divide and weaken EU. Having sat through Trumps rambling mess at Davos and Vances rant at Munich last year have to say Rubio is a vastly improved performance. Message is much more conciliatory. Not sure underlying content is that different Having sat through Trumps rambling mess at Davos and Vances rant at Munich last year have to say Rubio is a"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/2022591061311525202)  2026-02-14T08:37Z [----] followers, 44.6K engagements


"Trump and Vance have consistently painted darker picture for Ukraines prospects on battlefield than merited to reinforce their case that it should make more concessions to Russia. Just one of many problems with having crippled and politicized intelligence community. Starkly contrasting message from Rubio on Ukraine much closer to European assessments than some Trump admin ones while his colleagues are busy attempting to force Ukraine to hand over that 20%. Starkly contrasting message from Rubio on Ukraine much closer to European assessments than some Trump admin ones while his colleagues are"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/2022627064290160746)  2026-02-14T11:00Z [----] followers, 14.7K engagements


".@gideonrachman is right: "Europeans should also take heart from the thought that this dark period in the US will not last forever. Liberal forces in the US are in retreat but they have not disappeared. The recklessness and hubris of the Trump administration make it entirely possible that the Maga movement will blow up quite quickly." Great by @gideonrachman: Trump wants a world safe for autocracy. ". there is a network of advanced liberal democracies around the world that will want to work with Europe and the UK including Japan South Korea Australia and Canada."💪 https://t.co/ZVVX82GYJO"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1894002529131757865)  2025-02-24T12:32Z [----] followers, 30.3K engagements


"Yes thanks in large part to @antoniocosta (and @vonderleyen) but mostly thanks to @vladimirputin and @donaldtrump. The current combination of Russian threat + US unreliability is also unprecedented and raises prospect of intra-EU co-ordination at levels not seen for decades. The level of intra-EU co-ordination we are seeing in response to Trump [---] is exceptional and unprecedented Thanks in large part to @antoniolscosta So much for the (tired) view that political fragmentation is always more likely than unity The level of intra-EU co-ordination we are seeing in response to Trump [---] is"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1894710951045152904)  2025-02-26T11:27Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"The European arguments against doing so are not compelling. It won't deter countries from holding euros in future any more than seizing assets indefinitely (which they're already doing) would. The euro won't be more at risk than the dollar (just because most of the frozen assets are in Europe) since US support for principle of seizing assets clear. The legal basis for seizure is sound so long as in context of countermeasures against Russia's clearly wrongful international act (and Russia would get assets back if ever peace deal after reparations). The risk of Pandora's box of WW2 reparations"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1895613584459133049)  2025-02-28T23:14Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Case for Europe transferring frozen Russian assets to Ukraine was always strong. As Trump abandons Ukraine it has become far stronger. My new FT piece with Daleep Singh. https://on.ft.com/43pCYdq https://on.ft.com/43pCYdq"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1897304620516696371)  2025-03-05T15:14Z [----] followers, 17.1K engagements


"Of course negotiated settlements require painful compromise but that is different from blaming Ukraine for the war undermining its leader cutting off defense and intel support refusing security guarantees and doing all that publicly and in advance of the negotiation. We need to stop obsessing about Trump every five seconds (which too many commentators do) and start looking at the big picture: any negotiated agreement will require Ukraine to cede some territory. Distasteful yes. But the facts on the ground dont care about your feelings. We need to stop obsessing about Trump every five seconds"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1898768863921143990)  2025-03-09T16:12Z [----] followers, 75.2K engagements


"Poland is staunch ally highly pro-American spends 4%+ GDP on defense major purchaser of US defense and energy equipment rising economic player on front lines with adversary. Really hard to see the logic of diplomacy by insult"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1898808482494832805)  2025-03-09T18:49Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Excellent by @gideonrachman. Between costly trade wars careless deregulation a reckless foreign policy and the purging of experts from the government under unqualified sycophants a high profile disaster is sadly all too likely in coming years. When it happens Trump will blame others (Biden foreigners his own appointees) and then do everything in his power to avoid the political consequences.The recent precedents of authoritarians losing power in Poland and Brazil (and Guatemala) and opposition signs of life in Hungary and Turkey are indeed signs all is not lost. But as in those cases"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1901696858860519685)  2025-03-17T18:07Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Also does not seem to know that majorities in all those regions voted for independence from Russia in [----] that Russia tried to conquer the whole country in [----] and that what is really at stake here is the principle of not taking even contested territory by force. The depth of ignorance is something. Not only Steve Witkoff cannot name the five Ukrainian regions hes ready to sign away to Russia he also thinks they had been handed over to Ukraine by Khrushchev. (Crimea is the only one of the five that was transferred in [----] to Ukraine https://t.co/3HKOPPfhRS The depth of ignorance is"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1903772019457482942)  2025-03-23T11:33Z [----] followers, 33.6K engagements


"Important point. Issue with Houthis never whether they are Iran-backed terrorist group that threatens US interests or whether freedom of navigation in Red Sea important. Question is whether more aggressive military action actually will open up Red Sea and whether costs and risks of doing so are worth it. Global shipping and insurance companies will want to see enduring calm before resuming operations and Houthis (who absorbed [--] years of Saudi bombing and relish role as leaders of "Axis of Resistance" to US and Israel) unlikely to back down so long as Gaza war ongoing. Meanwhile costs of"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1904223704386568461)  2025-03-24T17:28Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Remarkable how little attention this is getting. Meanwhile Trump and Vance focused like a laser on Greenland. All entry points into Gaza are closed. At the border food is rotting. Medicine is expiring. Vital medical equipment is stuck. If the basic principles of humanitarian law still count the international community must act to uphold them. https://t.co/mQkyexZYvi All entry points into Gaza are closed. At the border food is rotting. Medicine is expiring. Vital medical equipment is stuck. If the basic principles of humanitarian law still count the international community must act to uphold"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1905734595381010549)  2025-03-28T21:31Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Agree with this whole thread. Trump already failing badly and policy course unsustainable. *Ukraine pivot to Russia failing to bring peace looks weak and most Americans still anti-Putin. *Tariff policy chaotic and unpopular even before higher prices kick in. *Stock markets crashing and new numbers on consumer confidence and inflation expectations alarming. *National security team hurting Trump from Witkoff naivte on Putin and Hamas to Signalgate incompetence and preposterous spin that's not working. *Measles outbreaks in TX OH KS. With cutoff of USAID global efforts on Ebola Malaria M-pox"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1905963143248941490)  2025-03-29T12:39Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"And 100% of Americans are consumers. Now facing higher prices for no good reason. 61% of American adults own stocks or mutual funds. Exposure to the stock market is one of the most common financial characteristics in the electorate more common than having a mortgage or receiving Social Security. And the tariffs economic damage isnt limited to stock prices. 61% of American adults own stocks or mutual funds. Exposure to the stock market is one of the most common financial characteristics in the electorate more common than having a mortgage or receiving Social Security. And the tariffs economic"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1908595573726261676)  2025-04-05T19:00Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"First worked with Bridget [--] years ago. She is one of most skilled and dedicated foreign service officers of her generation who did heroic work in Ukraine under the most difficult circumstances. Wish her all the best for next steps. Grateful to Amb. Bridget Brink for three remarkable years leading our embassy in Ukraine. Her courage and commitment to Ukraines freedom show our foreign and civil service at their best as does our incredible team at Embassy Kyiv. My enduring gratitude to her and them. https://t.co/W1QcFgmtb4 Grateful to Amb. Bridget Brink for three remarkable years leading our"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1910788414783312259)  2025-04-11T20:13Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"I think its more a question of Witkoffs loose command of facts and language but if he is really prepared to let Iran have unlimited enrichment as long as its not weaponized Trump will have to defend an Iran deal that is worse than Obamas. Also Witkoff's comments to WSJ help clarify the apparent discrepancy between his (and Trump's) suggestion of a verification scheme and stated US policy including the reported contents of Trump's letter. It's the US negotiation strategy. Also Witkoff's comments to WSJ help clarify the apparent discrepancy between his (and Trump's) suggestion of a verification"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1910993202431000975)  2025-04-12T09:47Z [----] followers, 107.7K engagements


"Only four days ago Witkoff said dismantlement was only our position today and that redline was weaponization. Yesterday he said Iran could enrich to 3.67%. Now Iran must stop and eliminate its enrichment. This is as incoherent as tariff policy with likely similar results. The WH's position has shifted entirely over the course of [--] hours and after the first negotiation with Iran. Some will claim this is a win for the "Iran hawks." In truth it's another win for Iran; it just shows how unserious and unprepared this team is. https://t.co/ANKcpGnyxQ The WH's position has shifted entirely over the"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1912217052817027297)  2025-04-15T18:50Z [----] followers, 43.3K engagements


"We dont know what may have been conveyed to Moscow in private but all indications are that the message is now you have days to make this work and if you dont well blame Ukraine and walk away. Pressure on Ukraine has been consistent; on Moscow nonexistent. Clearly this is absurd but to call it quits without even trying to put pressure on Russia or use leverage in any way against Moscow is quite something. Clearly this is absurd but to call it quits without even trying to put pressure on Russia or use leverage in any way against Moscow is quite something"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1913259795756306498)  2025-04-18T15:54Z [----] followers, 20K engagements


"The entire State Dept budget is around 0.6% of federal spending. Yet in name of savings this plan would gut US influence replace experts with loyalists abandon entire continent of Africa and end work on climate refugees and human rights. Trump looking to eliminate Africa operations at State Dept - scoop by @ewong https://t.co/y2a3UQaaN5 via @NYTimes Trump looking to eliminate Africa operations at State Dept - scoop by @ewong https://t.co/y2a3UQaaN5 via @NYTimes"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1913894143455080882)  2025-04-20T09:54Z [----] followers, 13.5K engagements


"A month ago the White House declared the Houthi campaign to be a "massive success" and dismissed Signalgate as effort to distract. Now turns out it's costing $250m/week and undermining readiness while Red Sea still closed and Houthis firing missiles. With DOD in disarray. Sixth MQ-9 Reaper drone shot down by Houthis since March 3rd; each drone costs about $30 million reports @Liz_Friden The U.S.MQ-9Reaper drone was shot down by the Houthis in Yemen earlier today sources tell Fox News. This is the sixth MQ-9Reaper drone shot down by the Sixth MQ-9 Reaper drone shot down by Houthis since March"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1914290616260850033)  2025-04-21T12:10Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Text of @araghchi speech looks crafted to get Trump attention. No new JCPOA (previous Iran demand was return to deal) commitment to no nuclear weapon (Trump's redline) robust verification and "trillion-$ opportunity" for US firms (unlike JCPOA.) Trying to steer Trump to yes. When I agreed to present a keynote address before @carnegienpp Iran and the U.S. had not yet set dates for the next round of talks which begin at the expert level on Wednesday and at the principals' level on Saturday. As I underscore in my prepared remarks Iran has no https://t.co/OW2KCswseN When I agreed to present a"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1914682812143124704)  2025-04-22T14:08Z [----] followers, 23.2K engagements


"Rubio didn't so much clarify as contradict Witkoff who spoke about Iran enriching to 3.67% not importing to that level. But if new standard is actually "no domestic enrichment" he'll need to explain how to achieve it without military force since Iran very unlikely to agree. 1/4 So @marcorubio finally sets out background behind the @SteveWitkoff enrichment U-turn and delivers the news almost certainly already signalled to Iranians in Rome that Washingtons big new idea is supplying them with fuel from outside Iram for a civilian nuke program. As-1- So @marcorubio finally sets out background"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1915364835199533078)  2025-04-24T11:18Z [----] followers, 13.9K engagements


"Witkoff has little experience with the issues he's negotiating but has the confidence to negotiate for hours with Putin and two senior aides apparently without any US staff present. Setting aside the fawning the risk of misunderstanding/miscalculation/getting played is obvious. Yet again Witkoff meets with Putin with no other senior US officials. While Putin has two of his closest aides. This is the 4th Witkoff-Putin meeting this year and Witkoff doesn't appear to have taken a senior diplomat/intel/expert with him to any of them. Yet again Witkoff meets with Putin with no other senior US"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1915819088493875698)  2025-04-25T17:23Z [----] followers, 10.2K engagements


"With no outside security force for Gaza on the horizon and West Bank violence rising we should be looking to increase training of Palestinians willing to provide security and fight terrorism not cutting it. Maybe Rubio has another plan in mind but if not this makes no sense. Scoop: Secretary of State Rubio is considering eliminating the U.S. security coordinator role for the West Bank and Gaza Strip as part of a broader staffing overhaul according to five U.S. Palestinian Arab and Israeli sources. My story on @axios https://t.co/BlIif3SSNI Scoop: Secretary of State Rubio is considering"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1917307424366616626)  2025-04-29T19:58Z [----] followers, 11.6K engagements


"This came out much better than the initial US attempt at extortion (the protection racket without the protection.) It still doesn't provide protection but nor does it require Ukraine to hand over natural resources for past US assistance. If it paves way for future US diplomatic and military support net positive for Ukraine. Ukraine's government has now published the minerals deal agreed with the US yesterday. Here are the first [--] pages. Our @FT story on the deal here: https://t.co/AQXv2niX9w https://t.co/KtHQozaovl Ukraine's government has now published the minerals deal agreed with the US"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1917928259788083512)  2025-05-01T13:05Z [----] followers, 20K engagements


"I wouldn't say Trump statement "settles an internal debate within the administration" because -contentious issue isn't *goal* of negotiations but *redline*; -a moment later Trump said he'd be "open to hearing" about civil nuclear energy option; -he said he "didn't say anything contradictory" to Rubio who has expressed openness to that option; -Trump is so far removed from details of the issue he said this idea was "pretty new in the dialogue"; -he also repeated "the only thing is they can't have a nuclear weapon." This is basically restatement of Witkoff Wall Street Journal interview a month"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1919352144538321327)  2025-05-05T11:23Z [----] followers, 38.4K engagements


"Trump wants a "better" Iran nuclear deal than Obama but also doesn't want to go to war. My thoughts for @nytopinion on a possibly way forward: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/opinion/international-world/how-trump-can-close-a-nuclear-deal-with-iran.html https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/10/opinion/international-world/how-trump-can-close-a-nuclear-deal-with-iran.html"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1921164566211317991)  2025-05-10T11:25Z [----] followers, 36.2K engagements


"Very discouraging interview with Witkoff who still seems to think that key to peace is just getting sides in a room and threatening to walk if they don't agree. "They don't like each other.we have to change that." No hint of pressure on Russia. https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/12/how-trump-can-reset-his-failed-ukraine-policy/ "Witkoff noted that President Trump has "issued an ultimatum" to the two parties that they need to make progress on a lasting peace otherwise the U.S. is walking away." Not exactly a threat for Putin."  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1922231430559527143)  2025-05-13T10:04Z [----] followers, 29.8K engagements


"For all the talk of Trump breaking with Netanyahu (on Houthis Iran Qatar hostage talks etc.) he has yet to do anything meaningful to get Israel to lift ongoing blockade of Gaza. Senators right to call on him to do so urgently. It's been over two months since the Israeli government has allowed food and medicine into Gaza. That's why I've introduced a resolution with my colleagues urging the Trump Administration to use every tool at their disposal to stop the blockade and allow aid to enter Gaza. https://t.co/5rpoj6iHu9 It's been over two months since the Israeli government has allowed food and"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1923069917680505079)  2025-05-15T17:36Z [----] followers, 43.2K engagements


"Much to hate about Trump foreign policy but Democrats could learn from the willingness to challenge established orthodoxies and ignore feared political costs. My thoughts on this in @FT. https://www.ft.com/content/38c70d15-62f4-49b4-840d-154ba415f97a https://www.ft.com/content/38c70d15-62f4-49b4-840d-154ba415f97a"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1923429897269125519)  2025-05-16T17:26Z [----] followers, 125.9K engagements


"Terrific review of new @EdwardGLuce book by Teddy Bunzel (who used to work for Brzezinski). Zbig (who taught and mentored me years ago) was brilliant original fearless and impossible to pigeon-hole. Kissinger right that world "emptier place" without him. https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/16/zbigniew-brzezinski-zbig-review-edward-luce/ https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/16/zbigniew-brzezinski-zbig-review-edward-luce/"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1923708787954786439)  2025-05-17T11:54Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"After weeks of Trump and team showing signs frustration with Putin and hinting at possible harder line increasingly clear that response to Putin snubs will be to just throw in the towel--as Moscow hoped. Trump (again) caught bluffing and Putin freer hand for maximalist goals. Two people briefedon the call with the European leaders and Zelensky said Trump was clear he'd pull the US back from engaging with the war and leave Ukraine and Russia to directly negotiate. He also made no promise of future US sanctions against Russia. https://t.co/c6dpCJHxKI Two people briefedon the call with the"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1924599811358986524)  2025-05-19T22:55Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Plan seems to be to have one staffer take responsibility for entire regions and issues--an impossible task. On other hand if president is just going to decide and announce things like 50% Europe tariffs without study or coordination then it really doesn't matter. Fair debate to be had about best size of NSC but this will mean less expertise coordination and vigilance and even more chaotic foreign policy. This is a plan to implement whims/desires from top not to assess risks present options and coordinate govt. https://t.co/u6uEEuoYuf Fair debate to be had about best size of NSC but this will"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1926343683298746532)  2025-05-24T18:24Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Not only virtually entire world but majority of Israelis support deal to end war and free hostages yet Netanyahu govt continues to pursue costly illusion of "total victory." Reports of Trump "frustration" but no sign of meaningful opposition to blockade invasion and occupation. Netanyahu had unprecedented international legitimacy to fight back against Hamas after the Oct. [--] terror attacks. But a gradual decline in support as the war dragged on has now turned into a diplomatic tsunami. My story on @axios https://t.co/fUjWbv78RR Netanyahu had unprecedented international legitimacy to fight back"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1926708132345966963)  2025-05-25T18:33Z [----] followers, 15K engagements


"State Dept now officially disseminating calls for civilizational allies in Europe based on common culture faith familial ties and cultural heritage. Defends AfD Marine Le Pen and Christian nations like Hungary and questions very basis of EU. https://open.substack.com/pub/statedept/p/the-need-for-civilizational-allies-in-europer=amf99&utm_medium=ios https://open.substack.com/pub/statedept/p/the-need-for-civilizational-allies-in-europer=amf99&utm_medium=ios"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1927466772153729082)  2025-05-27T20:47Z [----] followers, 469.5K engagements


"Insightful @gideonrachman column (h/t @JyShapiro) gets to problem at heart of Trump foreign policy--nobody believes his wild threats. And even where he could be serious (Iran) he invites miscalculation by making them so often. https://www.ft.com/content/714c1096-eb17-40b0-a570-8a051406bc75 https://www.ft.com/content/714c1096-eb17-40b0-a570-8a051406bc75"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1929520535056126155)  2025-06-02T12:48Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"We should focus our outrage on the many genuinely outrageous aspects of Trump's foreign policy and if he happens to get a nuclear deal that is in our interest we should support it. Schumer was wrong to try and kill Obamas Iran deal. Hed be wrong to try and kill Trumps. Schumer was wrong to try and kill Obamas Iran deal. Hed be wrong to try and kill Trumps"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1929920166122377357)  2025-06-03T15:16Z [----] followers, 53.6K engagements


"The State Department also recently dismissed some of our most senior diplomats in the region (we currently have no ambassadors in Jordan Iraq Saudi Arabia etc.) is deliberately downsizing and hemorrhaging personnel and replaced its top Middle East hand with a political appointee with no diplomatic experience. We have needlessly shed the very people we would need to save American lives should a mass evacuation of Americans become necessary. NEW: The State Department established a new Middle East task force on Thursday designed to be instrumental in the event of a potential mass evacuation of"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1933317666246115340)  2025-06-13T00:17Z [----] followers, 11.8K engagements


"The two hypotheses are not mutually exclusive. Trump could not prevent it so he gave it a green light. Had it gone badly he would have said the US had nothing to do with it (like Rubio did the night of the attack.) Because it seemed to go well he took credit. There are different working hypotheses now about Trump and Israel's attack on Iran. One is that he was greenlighting it the other is that he could not prevent it. There are different working hypotheses now about Trump and Israel's attack on Iran. One is that he was greenlighting it the other is that he could not prevent it"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1934283643800715605)  2025-06-15T16:15Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Trumps intel assessment now seems a function of his policy rather than the other way around. (I dont care what my own DNI said). Reminiscent of Downing Street Memo the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy. @BrewerEricM Is it possible he doesnt really care about the intel of how close they were or whether the decision had not been made; he was reluctant to go to war relented when he felt he could not hold Israel off anymore then saw it go seemingly well now trying to position himself @BrewerEricM Is it possible he doesnt really care about the intel of how close they were"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1935331835673985491)  2025-06-18T13:40Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"This missing stockpile of HEU would not even exist had Trump not withdrawn from JCPOA which banned it til [----]. Yet by June [----] Irans stockpile of 60% HEU (400kg) was bigger than the amount of allowable 3.67% LEU (300kg) under the deal. via @NYTimes https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/us/politics/iran-nuclear-program-uranium.htmlsmid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/us/politics/iran-nuclear-program-uranium.htmlsmid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1938400559704187306)  2025-06-27T00:54Z [----] followers, 63.7K engagements


"Those wondering whether Rutte's sycophancy and the headlines created at the NATO summit would have a lasting impact on Trump's approach to European security have their answer. BREAKING: White House confirms it has halted weapons that Ukraine was scheduled to receive including PAC3 Patriots 155mm artillery rounds GMLRS Stinger AIM-7 and Hellfire missiles. @AnnaKelly47 tells me: This decision was made to put Americas interests first following a BREAKING: White House confirms it has halted weapons that Ukraine was scheduled to receive including PAC3 Patriots 155mm artillery rounds GMLRS Stinger"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1940361403950575824)  2025-07-02T10:46Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Which was entirely predictable. Trump admin and Israel will now demand access to determine what happened to Iran's HEU and LEU stockpiles residual enrichment capacity and uranium metal work and Iran will likely refuse leading to period of new threats or use of military force. After decades of robust IAEA access to Irans nuclear program were now entering a new and more dangerous phase. The task of understanding whats happening at Irans nuclear sites new and old will fall entirely on intelligence organizations. After decades of robust IAEA access to Irans nuclear program were now entering a new"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1940366213693255756)  2025-07-02T11:05Z [----] followers, 21K engagements


"This is an admission that the US-Israeli premise for months--that intensified military action and growing civilian suffering will help free the hostages--has been tragically misguided. There is no defensible rationale for a policy that is causing so much human suffering and failing to achieve even its own stated goals. We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. While the mediators have made a great effort Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good We"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1948474950727143475)  2025-07-24T20:06Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Even if this leads to meaningful change--still obviously TBD--the Israeli government's decision in March to break the ceasefire blockade Gaza and escalate militarily will prove to have been catastrophic. It made no real difference against Hamas led to immeasurable additional suffering in Gaza failed to free any hostages further divided Israeli society and took a huge and undoubtedly lasting toll on Israel's reputation. 🚨🚨🚨The IDF is going to implement humanitarian pauses in the fighting in several population centers in Gaza starting Sunday morning and until Sunday evening to allow the UN"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1949227327306743857)  2025-07-26T21:56Z [----] followers, 161.1K engagements


"Many Israelis especially in current government have dismissed warnings about "losing" US moderates and Dems for years but hard to avoid wake-up call of moderate Senator advocating "end to any US support whatsover" unless Israeli policy changes. NEW from @SenAngusKing: I cannot defend the indefensibleI am through supporting the actions of the current Israeli government and will advocateand votefor an end to any United States support whatsoever until there is a demonstrable change in the direction of Israeli policy https://t.co/i26xIVDWSQ NEW from @SenAngusKing: I cannot defend the"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1949926709333020676)  2025-07-28T20:15Z [----] followers, 64.9K engagements


"In past [--] hrs Trump insults and punishes India; cancels Taiwan president transit; calls into question Australia nuclear sub deal and hits EU with 15% unilateral tariffs. It takes years to build allies' trust and confidence but little time to destroy it (which China must love.) This threat to India just a day after Trump extends a trade truce with China and thanks them for selling us rare earth magnets. The Trump doctrine is to be tougher on allies and partners than on adversaries. https://t.co/ly9tdaCVpG This threat to India just a day after Trump extends a trade truce with China and thanks"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1950649586323980439)  2025-07-30T20:07Z [----] followers, 66.6K engagements


"Days after Israeli settler whose sanctions by Biden were lifted by Trump kills a Palestinian activist the State Dept sanctionsthe PA. Trump and others seem more exercised by calls to recognize Palestinian state than by West Bank violence and Gaza. https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/07/sanctioning-officials-of-the-palestinian-authority-and-members-of-the-palestine-liberation-organization/ https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/07/sanctioning-officials-of-the-palestinian-authority-and-members-of-the-palestine-liberation-organization/"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1950923227762504032)  2025-07-31T14:15Z [----] followers, 14.1K engagements


"The likely costs of an Israeli full occupation or annexation of Gaza so vastly exceed the benefits that the only possible explanation is Netanyahus desire to preserve his coalition. That would also explain why government pursues it even as so many former IDF and Mossad leaders and majority of Israeli public favor end of war and hostage deal. Incremental further damage to already decimated Hamas not worth thousands more starving and dead Palestinian civilians; enduring pain or death of Israeli hostages; risk of insurgency; additional IDF casualties; growing reservist burdens and suicides;"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1952723352449081789)  2025-08-05T13:28Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Trump is managing to halt Indias divorce from Russia and [--] years of deepening ties with US. Modi is also going to China next month for first time in [--] years after period of deep freeze in relationship w Beijing. Big price to pay for tariffs and trash talk. Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend President Putin. I thanked him for sharing the latest developments on Ukraine. We also reviewed the progress in our bilateral agenda and reaffirmed our commitment to further deepen the India-Russia Special and Privileged Had a very good and detailed conversation with my friend"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1954052350278349285)  2025-08-09T05:29Z [----] followers, 34.6K engagements


"I spoke to @yarotrof for this excellent deep-dive on Russian oil trade. To have meaningful impact on efforts to end Ukraine war by cutting Russian oil revenues Trump will have to do more than India tariffs. Tools are availableand oil market will tolerateif Trump willing to use. How much damage can Trump inflict on the Russian oil trade and could it compel Putin to end the war in Ukraine Out deep dive with @tggrove https://t.co/z0NlVYwsyU How much damage can Trump inflict on the Russian oil trade and could it compel Putin to end the war in Ukraine Out deep dive with @tggrove"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1954059658949538209)  2025-08-09T05:58Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Recall that in his interview with Tucker Carlson Witkoff couldnt name the five regions of Ukraine Russia had taken didnt know that all of them voted for independence from Russia in [----] and thought Khrushchev had given them all to Ukraine. Details dont seem to be his forte. "He misinterpreted Russia's demand for a "peaceful withdrawal" of Ukrainians from Kherson and Zaporizhia as an offer of a "peaceful withdrawal" by the Russians from these regions." https://t.co/Vex1IqlsP3 "He misinterpreted Russia's demand for a "peaceful withdrawal" of Ukrainians from Kherson and Zaporizhia as an offer of"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1954481977371091111)  2025-08-10T09:56Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Sensible thoughts on Finland model for Ukraine by @gideonrachman (and @alexstubb). Another model is West Germany after [----]. It accepted but did not recognize de facto loss of eastern territory (and agreed not to try to re-take it by force) in exchange for recognition sovereignty right to build up defense forces security guarantees and the right to integrate into Western institutions. Then became prosperous stable democracy that eventually got eastern lands back admittedly decades later. Not a perfect model or outcome but achievable with US and European supportand better than indefinite war"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1954783405612363887)  2025-08-11T05:54Z [----] followers, 14.3K engagements


"Superb piece on why Trump cozying up to Pakistan at expense of US relations with India. Modis (accurate) public denial that Trump helped defuse recent conflict (in contrast to Pakistan nominating him for Nobel Prize) a big factor. Decisions driven not by interests but by pique. How Pakistan wooed Trump and rattled India https://t.co/y1FEv4WhWT How Pakistan wooed Trump and rattled India https://t.co/y1FEv4WhWT"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1954952407911371120)  2025-08-11T17:05Z [----] followers, 28.6K engagements


"My new piece in @ForeignPolicy written after spending the week in Israel and the West Bank. Trump should but likely wont stop Israel from implementing its catastrophic plan to occupy all of Gaza. https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/14/trump-save-israel-netanyahu-gaza/tpcc=recirc_latest062921 https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/14/trump-save-israel-netanyahu-gaza/tpcc=recirc_latest062921"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1955983567668044171)  2025-08-14T13:23Z [----] followers, 18.4K engagements


"Tanvi right that this is win-win for Russia and thus hardly effective leverage. But Bessent knows he has a boss who is unwilling to confront Putin and wants a summit and trade deal with China so all he can propose is to hit India instead. + beyond not caring Putin would benefit if Trump hits India instead and that weakens India-US ties strengthens calls in India to do more with Russia and makes India more willing to make up with China. + beyond not caring Putin would benefit if Trump hits India instead and that weakens India-US ties strengthens calls in India to do more with Russia and makes"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1956370107808235909)  2025-08-15T14:59Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Wouldnt hold my breath for the constructive details of agreement to be revealed. Trump couldnt agree to what Putin demanded but also couldnt admit summit was a failure so agreed to pretend progress was made. And now all he has to offer is advice that Ukraine make a deal. Since a deal to end the war was never going to have been finalized today by definition the lack of a deal doesnt make this meeting a failure. Whether it was a success is impossible to say until we know the details. And the leaders revealed none today-clearly by mutual agreement Since a deal to end the war was never going to"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1956540556706017709)  2025-08-16T02:16Z [----] followers, 62.1K engagements


"It would have been better to have the European leaders join Trump's meeting with Putin and give Zelensky the red carpet summit than the other way around"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1957058572220567802)  2025-08-17T12:34Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Trump's main ask of the Europeans tomorrow should be to transfer the more than $200 bn in frozen Russian assets they hold to Ukraine. It would cost the US nothing it could be used to buy US arms and it would increase the leverage needed to end the war on terms they can accept"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1957215136055218520)  2025-08-17T22:57Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Win-win for Russia it is. Navarro doubling down on additional sanctions on India to "hit it where it hurts" while administration declines to sanction either China or Russia itself. @tanvi_madan https://www.ft.com/content/286160e0-c0e6-4899-ad5c-3aa6dce85e82 Tanvi right that this is win-win for Russia and thus hardly effective leverage. But Bessent knows he has a boss who is unwilling to confront Putin and wants a summit and trade deal with China so all he can propose is to hit India instead. https://www.ft.com/content/286160e0-c0e6-4899-ad5c-3aa6dce85e82 Tanvi right that this is win-win for"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1957329865884987836)  2025-08-18T06:33Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Based on Witkoff's track record of confusing and oversold statements and Trump's unwillingness to defend Ukraine it seems doubtful that US will commit to any of these things and that whatever guarantees US offers will not be very much "like" Article [--] at all. 2/3"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1957432348481294642)  2025-08-18T13:20Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Europeans with Trump today would do well to understand this from @thomaswright08: "The only credible guarantee for Ukraine in current circumstances is a national one: that the West would help Ukraine build a force capable of defending the country and deterring a future attack." After Fridays summit the Trump team touted progress on the Russian view of security guarantees but they were almost certainly misreading Putin. My latest in @TheAtlantic https://t.co/wz8UCt2ZIm After Fridays summit the Trump team touted progress on the Russian view of security guarantees but they were almost certainly"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1957476603514282453)  2025-08-18T16:16Z [----] followers, 13.3K engagements


"After early signs Trump might create selective "daylight" with Netanyahu he has now lined up fully behind him--on expanding the war in Gaza moving the population West Bank settlement expansion and impunity for settler violence--even as Israeli policy has gotten more extreme. 🚨🚨🚨Trump on Truth Social: "We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed The sooner this takes place the better the chances of success will be. Play to WIN or dont play at all Thank you for your attention to this matter" 🚨🚨🚨Trump on Truth Social: "We will only see the"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1957560731953459409)  2025-08-18T21:50Z [----] followers, 34.5K engagements


"The types of "security guarantees" Trump and allies are discussing may be worst of all worlds. Enough of a European presence on the ground to put them at risk but not enough of a US commitment to deter Russia. Far better to focus on enhancing Ukraine's own credible deterrent. Europeans with Trump today would do well to understand this from @thomaswright08: "The only credible guarantee for Ukraine in current circumstances is a national one: that the West would help Ukraine build a force capable of defending the country and deterring a future attack." Europeans with Trump today would do well to"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1957765395789513096)  2025-08-19T11:23Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Honestly can't see how this meeting was a "triumph" for Ukraine or Europe (even if baseline was the Feb. [--] disaster.) Trump didn't agree to meaningful US security guarantees his position on "land swaps" is totally unacceptable to Ukraine Putin hasn't agreed to terms for a future meeting and US sanctions on Russia are off the table. Perhaps it was a triumph for Trump who got all the Europeans to show up and praise him despite his having broken with them and accepted Russian positions in Alaska only a few days before. The @WhiteHouse summit was a triumph for @ZelenskyyUa & his European"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1957784416958152733)  2025-08-19T12:39Z [----] followers, 37.2K engagements


"I don't begrudge European leaders doing whatever they can to try to influence powerful US but I also don't think this seating plan is trivial. It says a lot about how he sees allies and their place and when they accept it Trump will expect similar respect for his authority in trade talks security negotiations etc. Ultimate test will be whether Europeans actually get anything from Trump--on ceasefire security guarantees sanctions on Russia intelligence sharing or support for Ukraine--and jury still very much out on all of that"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1958832147092971769)  2025-08-22T10:02Z [----] followers, 20.5K engagements


"Important warning by Jon Finer. Most of world's attention understandably on Gaza but meanwhile on West Bank settlements expanding settler violence going unpunished Palestinian governance being purposefully undermined and Trump Administration looking away or worse. With the worlds attention focused on Gaza the situation in the West Bank is sliding toward another crisis Jon Finer writes: https://t.co/3xTglTVLMU With the worlds attention focused on Gaza the situation in the West Bank is sliding toward another crisis Jon Finer writes: https://t.co/3xTglTVLMU"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1958915752997670979)  2025-08-22T15:34Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Since this post last Sunday Russia has refuted the US claim that it agreed to security guarantees for Ukraine thrown cold water on proposed trilateral summit fired over [---] drones and missiles at Ukraine struck a US-owned factory reiterated its demands to keep all of the eastern Donbas and questioned Zelensky's legitimacy -- and Trump has responded by saying Putin has been very respectful of me and of our country musing about Putin attending the World Cup and signing a photo for Putin in the Oval Office. BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA. STAY TUNED - President Donald J. Trump https://t.co/LhOyYHKWxC"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1959582082079826371)  2025-08-24T11:42Z [----] followers, 24.1K engagements


"This tactic applies not just to Gaza today but has been his approach to a Palestinian peace agreement and a nuclear deal with Iran for decades--setting unattainable conditions to justify rejecting all deals but ostensibly supporting negotiations to deflect outside pressure. "Netanyahu is fully aware that Hamas will never accept his conditions for ending the war and that is precisely his point." "Netanyahu is fully aware that Hamas will never accept his conditions for ending the war and that is precisely his point.""  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1959939113890590931)  2025-08-25T11:21Z [----] followers, 14.9K engagements


"This makes Witkoff's "only one" wish that Trump win the Nobel Prize all the more insulting. Since Trump embraced Putin's positions in Alaska Russia has only stepped up its attacks secure in the conviction there will be no consequences and confident that time is on its side. Less than two weeks after Trump rolled out the red carpet for Vladimir Putin on US soil the Russian leader targeted central Kyiv a European city of [--] million residents with [--] missiles and [---] attack drones. This security camera footage shows [--] missiles striking Zhylianska https://t.co/jMUgFTkekA Less than two weeks after"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1961028381492785175)  2025-08-28T11:29Z [----] followers, 21.8K engagements


"US and Israel doing everything possible to weaken and de-legitimize PA--even as it maintains commitment to nonviolence and security cooperation with Israel--and then use lack of Palestinian alternative to Hamas in Gaza as argument for continued war. U.S. denies Palestinian officials visas to attend UN General Assembly. My report on @axios https://t.co/2pqa2jG5kt U.S. denies Palestinian officials visas to attend UN General Assembly. My report on @axios https://t.co/2pqa2jG5kt"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1961519687134843370)  2025-08-29T20:01Z [----] followers, 97.8K engagements


"Trump plan to remove Gaza population Israel considering West Bank annexation US ban of PA from UN Trump call for Israel to finish the job in Gaza and US endorsement of West Bank settlements. Greater Israel agenda advancing rapidly with Trumps growing and overt support"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1962207919681810537)  2025-08-31T17:36Z [----] followers, 11.8K engagements


"Collecting $300bn in tariffs does not "add" 1% to GDP. It just transfers it from US consumers and businesses to the government while making goods more expensive hurting exporters and creating an exemptions process ripe for corruption. And the worst thing is Bessent knows that. Tariffs are delivering historic results for the American people. Even the mainstream media is starting to admit it. Ive said total tariff revenue could reach $300B this year but it could be much higher. Every $300B adds 1% to GDP. With tariffs alone growth could hit 5%. https://t.co/lR9E1K9e2d Tariffs are delivering"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1962960452998062510)  2025-09-02T19:26Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


""Huckabee warns of West Bank Collapse" is quite the headline after Trump lifts sanctions on violent settlers bans the PA from UNGA allows Israel to withhold Palestinian tax revenues--and Huckabee himself says Israeli settlements like E1 are up to the Israeli govt. 🚨"Desperate people do desperate things": U.S. ambassador to IsraelMike Huckabeetold me he's concerned there will be an economic collapse in the West Bank that could lead to violent escalation. My story on @axios https://t.co/Iwr3CVHzWB 🚨"Desperate people do desperate things": U.S. ambassador to IsraelMike Huckabeetold me he's"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1963018123906273402)  2025-09-02T23:16Z [----] followers, 25.7K engagements


"Since Trump rolled out red carpet for Putin at Alaska summit (to which Lavrov wore a CCCP sweatshirt) Putin has not budged on core demands (territory ceasefire "root causes" security guarantees NATO) rejected Trump's proposed trilateral summit escalated drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians targeted Ukrainian and foreign government buildings in Kyiv and launched drones into Poland and Romanian airspace--and Trump's response is to stand down on the "severe consequences" he threatened and instead blame Zelensky (but not Putin) for the war and NATO allies (but not himself)"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1967189559487193508)  2025-09-14T11:31Z [----] followers, 12.3K engagements


"Gaza is not the only conflict on Israel's borders where Trump is giving Bibi a green light to pursue an extreme-right agenda -- my latest for @nytimes on Israel's takeover of the West Bank. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/opinion/israel-gaza-city-west-bank-trump.html https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/opinion/israel-gaza-city-west-bank-trump.html"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1968620124098662894)  2025-09-18T10:16Z [----] followers, 57.8K engagements


"Trump ideologues hate the EU not because it's actually a "foe" but because its existence threatens their vision of sovereign nation-states based on a dominant "culture" and "traditional values." So they work with far-right allies to undermine it and pretend that Brexit worked. Some Europeans Fear Trump Aides Want a Far-Right Takeover. My take. @StevenErlanger https://t.co/SJGP4K1LYM via @NYTimes Some Europeans Fear Trump Aides Want a Far-Right Takeover. My take. @StevenErlanger https://t.co/SJGP4K1LYM via @NYTimes"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1969721645737677177)  2025-09-21T11:13Z [----] followers, 12.8K engagements


"Thoughtful by @tanvi_madan: "If Washington does not reciprocate and instead persists in pressuring India New Delhi over time will find a different balance in its foreign policy and that new balance will invariably be less favorable to the United States." https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/india-doesnt-want-need-china https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/india-doesnt-want-need-china"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1970840804353806362)  2025-09-24T13:20Z [----] followers, 13.7K engagements


""There was a rationale for standing unequivocally behind Israel after the horrific Oct [--] attacks. But the argument that the US should not use its.leverage to bring the war in Gaza to an end hasn't been tenable for some time." W/ Jon Finer in @politico. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/09/25/israel-weapons-aid-gaza-00575895 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/09/25/israel-weapons-aid-gaza-00575895"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1971157338510983349)  2025-09-25T10:18Z [----] followers, 25.2K engagements


"Major step forward as Germany has for years been main obstacle to using frozen assets. Biggest single thing Europe could do to change balance on ground and more necessary than ever as US checks out. We must massively raise the costs of Russias aggression. Europe needs to consider how the Russian central banks assets frozen in Europe can be confiscated and made available for the defence of Ukraine. I propose this in an article in the Financial Times. 1/8 We must massively raise the costs of Russias aggression. Europe needs to consider how the Russian central banks assets frozen in Europe can"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1971550994615185772)  2025-09-26T12:22Z [----] followers, 18.1K engagements


"Plenty of reasons to believe Trump would make this concession to secure China trade deal. And also plenty of reasons to expect him to squeeze Taiwan--on defense spending investments in US and trade deal--to get him not to. Turbulent few months ahead. https://www.wsj.com/world/china/trump-xi-talks-china-taiwan-8ed82d1bmod=hp_lead_pos1 https://www.wsj.com/world/china/trump-xi-talks-china-taiwan-8ed82d1bmod=hp_lead_pos1"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1972295207594098895)  2025-09-28T13:39Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"French and Belgian opposition to loan leaves EU dependent on US and is harmful to Ukraine. With Russian offensive stalled casualties mounting and US authorizing long-range strikes infusion of 140bn could affect Putin calculus more than any single step since start of the war. EU leaders failed to make progress on a proposed 140bn loan to Ukraine based on immobilised Russian assets at yesterdays summit as Belgium refused to lift its opposition and France and Luxembourg voiced their concerns over the legal implications. https://t.co/NbVh4XMPKB EU leaders failed to make progress on a proposed"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1973698507912647109)  2025-10-02T10:36Z [----] followers, 10K engagements


"Such contempt for listeners (and farmers) in trying to blame Biden. US soybean exports to China are down 80% this year and are now (along w/ wheat corn and sorghum) at [--] thanks to Trump tariffs. Bessent on China: "At the meeting in Geneva when I asked them 'Why didn't you continue buying soybeans and the other products' then had one word and guess what it was Biden." https://t.co/IdwciFp2LR Bessent on China: "At the meeting in Geneva when I asked them 'Why didn't you continue buying soybeans and the other products' then had one word and guess what it was Biden." https://t.co/IdwciFp2LR"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1973888993260654873)  2025-10-02T23:13Z [----] followers, 42.6K engagements


"Netanyahu will always want more. That's his MO and what he's done to US presidents on multiple issues for [--] years--and what he did to Biden on ceasefire/hostage deal. Trump's obsession with besting his predecessors could be virtue here. 🚨Scoop: Trump to Netanyahu on Gaza talks: "Why are you always so fucking negative". @MarcACaputo and me report for @axios https://t.co/b05NnkF8Tk 🚨Scoop: Trump to Netanyahu on Gaza talks: "Why are you always so fucking negative". @MarcACaputo and me report for @axios https://t.co/b05NnkF8Tk"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1974827277125910943)  2025-10-05T13:21Z [----] followers, 25.8K engagements


"This point is overlooked in all the Trump talk. He applied no pressure for [--] months even during blockade that led to mass starvation and then gave Bibi virtually all he wanted in deal. Give Trump credit for taking Hamas yes for answer but his pressure nowhere near only factor. Also Trump applied no pressure to Bibi when he broke the cease fire in March and gave him a better deal now than he had then Also Trump applied no pressure to Bibi when he broke the cease fire in March and gave him a better deal now than he had then"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1977103062629269848)  2025-10-11T20:04Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"Trump admin has allowed Israel to expand settlements lifted sanctions on violent settlers helped Israel undermine PA refused to distinguish West Bank/Israel products and said settlement policy up to Israel. So interesting comment but without policy changes only performative. 🚨VP Vance says the Knesset vote on the annexation of the West Bank was "a stupid political stunt" and stresses that he was offended by it. "We are not gonna allow Israel to annex the West Bank" he says 🚨VP Vance says the Knesset vote on the annexation of the West Bank was "a stupid political stunt" and stresses that he"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1981339242962772166)  2025-10-23T12:37Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"The Soviet war in Afghanistan lasted 9+ years of course. But new US policy including supplying Stingers in [----] changed military balance and within [--] years Soviets had left (after taking fraction of casualties as in Ukraine). Many obvious differences but point is tides can turn. By January next year Russias full-scale war against Ukraine will have lasted longer than the Soviet Unions war against Nazi Germany. It is an important psychological marker considering that Putins propaganda has sold the war to the Russian public as a replay of that conflict. By January next year Russias full-scale"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1982065204684079597)  2025-10-25T12:42Z [----] followers, 16.8K engagements


"Perhaps because Israel is not and should not want to be judged by the standard of a Sudanese militia. It's going to be difficult to repair Israel's relationship with the world including with so many in the US if assumption there is that the damage was caused by bias alone. On the campus of Columbia University hundreds of students set up an encampment to protest the genocide and famine in Darfur that has already displaced [--] million people and claimed [------] lives. Thousands of artists signed a petition condemning the massacre of [---] patients and On the campus of Columbia University hundreds"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1984959275832156199)  2025-11-02T12:22Z [----] followers, 34.6K engagements


"Positive step to seek UN endorsement of force which would help provide political cover for participants. Plenty of reasons to doubt force will ever deploy since no one prepared forcibly disarm Hamas and ceasefire may not hold but admin deserves credit for trying. 🚨🚨🚨Scoop: The U.S. sent UN Security Council members a draft resolution on Monday for the establishment of an international force in Gaza for a duration of at least two years according to a copy of the draft. My story on @axios https://t.co/YlA2KnDCTX 🚨🚨🚨Scoop: The U.S. sent UN Security Council members a draft resolution on"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1986053876747731284)  2025-11-05T12:51Z [----] followers, 21.5K engagements


"Striking how far Israel will go to avoid doing the one thing that would actually unlock normalizationcommitting to pathway to Palestinian state. Supporting F-35 sales unlikely to suffice as alternative. Scoop: Israel does not oppose the U.S. selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia but wants it be conditioned on the kingdom normalizing its relations with the Jewish state two Israeli officials told me. My story on @axios https://t.co/ToqukmYieD Scoop: Israel does not oppose the U.S. selling F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia but wants it be conditioned on the kingdom normalizing its relations"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1989787583455678587)  2025-11-15T20:08Z [----] followers, 49.4K engagements


"Excellent thread. We are now past the time when Saudi Arabia's only path to deeper strategic partnership with US required normalization with Israel. Riyadh knows that Trump will not subordinate all he wants from KSA to its forging ties with Israel the price for which has risen"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1990038762160521325)  2025-11-16T12:46Z [----] followers, 45.4K engagements


"For months economists have debated whether objective of Trump tariffs was 1)raising revenue; 2)leverage for trade deals; or 3)bringing jobs back to US. Turns out there was a fourth option. To negotiate a trade deal with the President of the United States the represetnatives of the government of Switzerland arrived with a "special Rolex desktop clock" and "a 1-kilogram personalized gold bar" https://t.co/MUMZ9239tK To negotiate a trade deal with the President of the United States the represetnatives of the government of Switzerland arrived with a "special Rolex desktop clock" and "a 1-kilogram"  
[X Link](https://x.com/anyuser/status/1990086188091224417)  2025-11-16T15:54Z [----] followers, [----] engagements


"US now can't even bring itself to oppose "forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza" and believes that "massive development" of settlements such as E1 "is a decision for the Israeli government to make." Trump now gives green light to all Israeli policy no matter how extreme. NEW: State Department fires top press officer for Israeli-Palestinian affairs after internal disputes over Israel policy including whether to express condolences about journalists killed by Israel in Gaza and publicly oppose forced displacement of Palestinians per documents 🧵 https://t.co/jWFeN3amRn NEW: State"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1958497150985257336)  2025-08-21T11:51Z [----] followers, 19.2K engagements


"China would happily spend billions to turn the populations of India and South Korea against the United States and Trump is doing that for them for free. I think Asian allies of the US increasingly believe they are dealing with a fundamentally racist administration. Can't imagine how they got that impression. But I've heard similar from Indians I think Asian allies of the US increasingly believe they are dealing with a fundamentally racist administration. Can't imagine how they got that impression. But I've heard similar from Indians"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1965082173167563249)  2025-09-08T15:57Z [----] followers, 71.8K engagements


"Trump now portraying Iran strikes as him not chickening out but opposite seems to be the case. He desperately wanted a deal with Iran and publicly and privately told Israel not to strike. A confident Netanyahu called his bluff told him Israel needed to act and Trump felt no choice but to go along. He now has to act as if this was his call but in so doing finds himself having to defend Israel in a war he did not want but could not prevent. Trump tells #Iran that next phase of Israeli attacks will be even more brutal if Tehran does not do a nuclear deal with the US. https://t.co/e6asRz2xLd"  
[X Link](https://x.com/PhilGordonDC/status/1933482746258526348)  2025-06-13T11:13Z [----] followers, 251.2K engagements

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