Tag Archives: news

Trump continues to poke the bear, antagonize the dragon, and aggravate Muslim nations. His desire to become a new military leader like Washington or Eisenhower becomes evident.

15 Thursday Jan 2026

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The United States is Deliberately Sabotaging its Image Abroad by Gutting USAGM

The United States is Deliberately Sabotaging its Image Abroad by Gutting USAGM

Posted By Matthew Wallin on Mar 21, 2025 – ASP – American Security Project

In his second inaugural address, President Donald J. Trump proclaimed, “America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world.” While this may be the president’s stated intent, the actions thus far undertaken in pursuit of this goal are completely counterproductive.

Last Friday, the Trump administration issued a new executive order effectively gutting the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), dismantling America’s long-standing international broadcasters like Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio Free Asia. These institutions, which championed American principles, provided hope and aspiration to people in countries full of despair, and have been fundamental in supporting efforts to strengthen democracy and understanding of America all around the world. They have been key elements in generating the global respect for the United States that Trump champions. By informing the world about America, and providing quality journalism for people in countries without strong or independent media, these entities were essential to the United States’ victory in the Cold War and promoted the establishment of functioning democracies and allies for our country.

There are countless stories and data documenting people who received or still get their news from America’s government-funded broadcasters, and who can personally attest to their importance and influence. Charged with providing accurate news and information to people who otherwise might not have it, these catalysts of American influence have left an indelible impression on people yearning for real news and information. With USAGM audiences numbering greater than 400 million worldwide, the reach was enormous. But apparently, the Trump administration does not consider this worthwhile, even as China spends “at least $3 billion per year on international media” compared to the relatively meager $950 million budget request by USAGM for FY2025. Without USAGM, the U.S. is effectively ceding the information space to the oppressive regimes of Russia, China, and Iran.

This is, of course, just the latest in a deliberate effort to disarm America’s soft power capabilities and sabotage its image abroad. Russia, China, and Iran are engaged in a massive international effort to make the world safe for autocracy, and the United States just decided to disband its most effective forces against this endeavor. With the destruction of USAID, and the Congress’ refusal to stand up for the budget that it previously approved to support its vital mission, it’s as if China had succeeded in convincing the U.S. government to surrender all its best tools for commanding respect, goodwill, and influence abroad. Meanwhile, China continues to seed and cultivate its own influence through the Belt and Road, all while America looks the other way.

America’s soft power is what makes it different from its adversaries. Rather than coercing, cajoling, and corrupting countries around the world, American foreign policy should be based on attracting, asking, and advising. The United States should attract because there is inherent good and value in our system and working with the United States is preferable to falling prey to authoritarian interests. Asking (not telling) signals respect to those our country wishes to influence—by listening and demonstrating that the U.S. genuinely values them as partners, we create lower-risk environments that build life-long trade and security relationships. By advising, we offer our own expertise to improving quality of life and governance abroad, instilling American values to create partnerships that ultimately make the world a safer and more secure place. The alternative is infinitely more expensive and deadly—just ask Russia.

Trumps works to destabilize the government; may seek to go President for Life

08 Thursday Jan 2026

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Review of the various things Trump has done to destabilize the American economy and gain the upper hand for himself and his cronies. It has been suggested that he resign. Likely that he will not go without a fight.

Below is an overview of the main ways Donald Trump has been criticized for destabilizing the economy and breaking or violating laws.

I. Ways Trump Has Destabilized the Economy

1. Trade Wars and Tariffs

  • Imposed sweeping tariffs on China, the EU, Canada, and others.
  • Resulted in:
    • Higher prices for U.S. consumers and manufacturers
    • Retaliatory tariffs that hurt U.S. farmers and exporters
    • Billions in government farm bailouts to offset losses
  • Economists widely agree the trade war reduced GDP growth and increased inflationary pressure.

2. Undermining Confidence in Institutions

  • Repeatedly attacked:
    • The Federal Reserve
    • Federal agencies
    • Courts and regulators
  • Public pressure on the Fed to manipulate interest rates weakened perceptions of U.S. monetary independence—something markets rely on for stability.

3. Government Shutdowns

  • Triggered the longest government shutdown in U.S. history (2018–2019) over border wall funding.
  • Shutdown consequences:
    • Hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed or unpaid
    • Billions lost in economic output
    • Reduced investor confidence in U.S. governance

4. Massive Increase in National Debt

  • Signed large tax cuts (2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) without offsetting spending cuts.
  • Even before COVID, deficits rose sharply.
  • National debt increased by ~$8 trillion during his presidency.
  • Undermined claims of fiscal responsibility and increased long-term economic risk.

5. COVID-19 Economic Mismanagement

  • Downplayed the pandemic early, creating uncertainty and delayed response.
  • Mixed messaging undermined consumer and business confidence.
  • Result:
    • Sharp market volatility
    • Historic job losses in 2020
    • Slower and more chaotic initial economic recovery than peer nations

II. Laws Trump Has Broken or Been Found Liable For

1. Criminal Conviction (2024)

  • Convicted on 34 felony counts in New York for falsifying business records to conceal hush-money payments during the 2016 election.
  • This is a criminal conviction, not an allegation.

2. Civil Fraud Judgment (New York)

  • Found liable for business fraud for inflating asset values to obtain favorable loans and insurance.
  • Ordered to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties and interest.
  • Court found a persistent pattern of deception, not a one-time mistake.

3. Campaign Finance Violations (Related Conduct)

  • Hush-money scheme involved illegal campaign contributions (payments intended to influence the election).
  • Trump was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in earlier filings.
  • His lawyer, Michael Cohen, went to prison for the same scheme.

4. Obstruction and Abuse of Power (Impeachments)

Trump was impeached twice by the U.S. House:

First impeachment (2019):

  • Abuse of power and obstruction of Congress
  • Pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival

Second impeachment (2021):

  • Incitement of insurrection related to January 6

While the Senate did not convict, impeachment itself confirms serious constitutional violations were formally charged.

5. Election Subversion Efforts

  • Pressured state officials to “find votes”
  • Promoted false claims of election fraud
  • Encouraged alternate elector schemes
  • These actions directly undermined democratic norms and market confidence in political stability

(Some related criminal cases were pending, dismissed, or appealed depending on jurisdiction as of 2025.)

III. Why This Matters Economically

Markets depend on:

  • Rule of law
  • Predictable governance
  • Institutional trust

Trump’s actions—legal violations, norm-breaking, and economic unpredictability—increase risk premiums, discourage investment, and weaken long-term economic stability.

None of this addresses his repeated attempts to hush the opposition and to silence his most active critics. The latest invastion of Venezuela shows his disregard of Congress and their important role in okaying military force against other nations. Trump will not resign and will oppose any measures to get him out of office. The American people need to get clear on the real threat he poses to the American democracy and our way of life. cew

Maybe Trump is a good thing; Showing us we need to limit Presidental power and the role of the Feds.

20 Thursday Nov 2025

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A Solution to Abuse of Executive Power

Both parties have misused presidential power. Congress must act to end it.

September 23, 2025

You’re read­ing The Brief­ing, Michael Wald­­­­­man’s weekly news­­­­­­­­­let­ter. Click here to receive it in your inbox.

The presidency has seen its fair share of political retribution and self-dealing. John Adams prosecuted political dissenters. Richard Nixon had an enemies list. Joe Biden pardoned his son.

All that may pale in comparison to what we’ve seen over the past few days.

There was President Trump’s public demand that the attorney general prosecute New York Attorney General Letitia James, former FBI Director James Comey, and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA). When a top federal prosecutor did not bring charges against James and Comey, Trump pushed him out.

Meanwhile, there was the MSNBC story of Tom Homan, now the immigration “tsar,” videotaped accepting $50,000 from undercover FBI agents last year in a bag from the fast-casual chain Cava. (I’ll have a bowl of greens, please.) Trump officials shut down the investigation. Homan, yesterday, did not deny the handoff but insisted, “I did nothing criminal.”

Not to mention the New York Times report about a White House deal with the United Arab Emirates and a $2 billion investment in the Trump family crypto firm. And a new Brennan Center analysis exposing how donors have received pardons and special favors in recent months.

Some 50 years ago, Watergate featured bags of cash and the firing of a prosecutor. That took two years to unfold, not a week.

Often, but not inevitably, reform follows scandal. After Watergate, Congress passed legislation to curb abuse and constrain the imperial presidency. They ranged from special prosecutor laws to new budget powers for Congress. Nixon’s Republican successor Gerald Ford established a tradition that the Justice Department should have considerable independence in order to avoid a repeat of political prosecutions.

A half-century eroded those constraints. The Supreme Court gutted the campaign finance laws and narrowed the definition of bribery. During Trump’s first term, it became clear that the guardrails were flimsy. In this term, they might as well not exist.

Will these newest transgressions become a major issue? Endless cacophony can distract from scandal. Who can even keep track? But voters do seem to understand the link between self-dealing, abuse of power, and rights violated. In just a few months, corruption has quickly emerged as a hot issue again.

Yet it won’t be enough for politicians to merely orate about restoring the rule of law. Leary voters think, “Everyone does it.” The only way to overcome that skepticism is with action.

That’s why it is encouraging that some lawmakers have begun to stir.

Last week, Schiff reintroduced the Protecting Our Democracy Act. Passed by the House in 2021, the bill would limit contacts between the White House and the Justice Department. It would bring transparency to the pardon process. It would create clear standards for enforcing the Constitution’s emoluments clauses — the provisions, so important to the founders, that prevent presidents from receiving bribes from foreign governments. It would restore Congress’s role as a check against the kind of presidential abuse of emergency powers that has become a hallmark of this administration. And it would bolster Congress’s oversight role and reinforce its power over the purse. It was a strong measure to curb abuse of power.

The bill draws on key recommendations from a 2017 Brennan Center nonpartisan task force — led by former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara and former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman — and from Brennan Center recommendations for reforming the National Emergencies Act.

This reintroduced bill is a promising start. But reforms should keep evolving, growing stronger to address the magnitude of today’s new Gilded Age. One example: Tighter rules should be put in place to prevent the weaponization of the Justice Department against political enemies. It is illegal for presidents to order a tax audit of an individual, so they should not be able to order a criminal prosecution either. Perhaps individuals could be given standing to sue if they have been selectively prosecuted for political reasons.

As a reform era takes shape, we must all now grapple with a new and disturbing factor: a Supreme Court that previously constrained executive branch action through the “major questions” doctrine but now seems ever more eager to expand presidential power. After all, this administration’s impunity follows last year’s ruling giving presidents vast immunity from prosecution. Now we see the consequences of a judicially created lawless zone.

It might be tempting for those who are appalled by today’s abuses to quietly growl, but refuse to act, on the theory that they don’t want to limit their own power once they’re in. “After all, Trump did it, so why shouldn’t his successor?” That cynical take sounds savvy but is misguided.

The Protecting Our Democracy Act failed to pass even when the White House and Congress were in unified Democratic hands. Biden White House officials made it clear that they were not wild about a bill that would tie their hands even a bit. Count that as one more failure to harden the system against future abuse.

Wise constitutional constraints are not some self-defeating noblesse oblige. They are a key part of what makes our republic strong. Done right, enforced strongly, they constrain potential abuse not just now but into the future.

When (if!) this era of abuse ends, leaders from both parties will be called upon to enact new reforms to ensure this cannot happen again. Upon taking office, President Ford said that the end of the Watergate crisis was proof that “Our Constitution works” and “our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men.” We must make sure the same is true today.

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As the Feds continue to cut dollars to state programs; it is time to start demanding lower Fed taxes.

18 Tuesday Nov 2025

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  • This shutdown feels different.’ States might not get repaid when government reopens.

Going without federal reimbursement for shutdown costs could force states to cut their own budget priorities.

By:Kevin Hardy-October 9, 20255:00 am – https://stateline.org

A man closes the entrance to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine on Oct. 3 in Baltimore because of the federal government shutdown.

 A man closes the entrance to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine on Oct. 3 in Baltimore because of the federal government shutdown. States are currently covering costs of some federal programs, but it’s unclear whether they will be repaid once the government reopens. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

States are doing what they generally do during a federal government shutdown: continuing to operate programs serving some of the neediest people.

That means schools are still serving federally subsidized meals and states are distributing funding for the federal food stamp program. For now.

If the shutdown drags on and federal dollars run out, states can only keep programs going for so long. States may choose to pay for some services themselves so residents keep their benefits.

But this time, state leaders have new worries about getting reimbursed for federal costs once the federal spending impasse is resolved. That’s traditionally been the practice following a shutdown, but the Trump administration’s record of pulling funding and targeting Democratic-led states has some officials worried about what comes after the shutdown.

Many states already struggled to balance their own budgets this year. And some fear going without federal reimbursement for shutdown costs could force states to make painful cuts to their own budget priorities.

https://stateline.org/2025/09/16/trump-has-crushed-offshore-wind-plans-but-states-havent-quite-given-up-hope/embed/#?secret=vDEq8ZSYcA#?secret=xQRnyCS1Td

Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine, a Democrat, said the administration has not made good on its word to states in recent months — freezing some congressionally approved funding and cutting already awarded grants. So it’s likewise unclear whether the federal government will follow previous practice and reimburse states for covering shutdown costs of crucial federal programs such as food assistance.

“I think everything is a risk with this administration. … We in the states are kind of left holding the bag yet again as the federal government tries to sort out what it wants to be when it grows up,” he told Stateline.

Nevada entered the shutdown with more than $1.2 billion in reserves. Last week, Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office said in a statement that state funds would be adequate to cover “a short period of time with minimal disruption to services.”

But the governor’s office said a shutdown of more than 30 days would cause more significant challenges for the state.

Lombardo’s office did not respond to Stateline’s questions. But last week, it released a three-page document on the shutdown, saying it expected the federal government to reimburse states once the budget stalemate is resolved.

Trump the Let Them eat Cake President

27 Monday Oct 2025

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While Donald Trump is waltzing around touting plans for an eloborate ballroom to match Versailles palace; thousands of Americans are on the brink of financial ruin and starvation.

USA Today – retrieved Internet 10/27/25: It’s now the second longest shutdown in history, and risks becoming the longest if it lasts until Election Day on Nov. 4. The longest shutdown ever lasted 35 days, from December 2018 to January 2019, during Trump’s first term.

More than 700,000 federal workers have been furloughed, while nearly as many workers are working without pay. Employees deemed essential to public safety, including military personnel, law enforcement officers, border patrol and air traffic controllers, are required to work regardless.

Will I still receive my Social Security check?

Yes, Social Security payments, including Supplemental Security Income and benefits for retirement, disability and survivors, continue during a government shutdown.

Because Social Security benefit programs are considered mandatory spending by law, they are not impacted by the lapse in funding appropriations. Payments are still distributed on a regular schedule during the shutdown.

Social Security offices are still open during the shutdown, but only some services are available.

States issue warning about heating concerns

Winter is certainly coming, but there’s no clear path yet to ending the government shutdown. In the meantime, states are sending out an SOS to keep millions of Americans from freezing soon.

Get the latest story from Susan Page right in your inbox.

The National Energy Assistance Directors Association, representing state directors of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, said last week it’s urging electric and gas utilities nationwide to immediately suspend service disconnections for nonpayment until federal LIHEAP funds are released and households regain access to financial assistance.

The shutdown, which began Oct. 1 and is on pace to become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, has delayed the release of energy aid, leaving some of the nation’s poorest families without the support they rely on to heat their homes as colder weather approaches, NEADA said. At the same time, electricity and natural gas prices have risen sharply, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/27/governm

Bring back Steven Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel!

20 Saturday Sep 2025

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Quotes from Ronal Reagan, former US President

“American working men and women have much of which to be proud. Our democracy is based on their good sense and commitment to liberty. It was the hard work and skill of working people that turned a vast American wilderness into the world’s most powerful economy.”

“The great safeguard of our liberty is the totality of the constitutional system, with no one part getting the upper hand.”

“Indeed, I believe that the world of the future can be just that — a world of liberty, a world in which human rights are respected in the political and economic spheres alike.”

Strong leaders don’t fear criticism, but weak ones do.

Support free speech before we start looking like our communist neighbors!!!!!!

China’s growing Influence in Africa

08 Monday Sep 2025

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China’s Influence in Africa

China’s rise in the world market led the Chinese diaspora in Africa to make contact with relatives in their homeland. Renewed relations created a portal through which African demand for low-price consumers goods could flow.[18] Chinese businessmen in Africa, with contacts in China, brought in skilled industrial engineers and technicians such as mechanics, electricians, carpenters, to build African industry from the ground up.[19]

The 1995 official Go Global declaration and the 2001 Chinese entry into the WTO paved the way for private citizens in China to increasingly connect with, import from, and export to the budding Sino-African markets.

Expansion of military presence (1990 to the present)

Africa does not stand at the center of China’s security strategies, yet the continent has been and remains a major source for China’s commodity stocks. Africa was also seen as an important bid for international legitimacy against the eastern and western blocks. In the 1960s, China contributed to Africa’s military power by assisting and training liberation groups, such as Mugabe‘s ZANU.

The Chinese military presence in Africa has increased since 1990 when China agreed to join in UN peace-keeping responsibilities.[21] In January 2005, 598 Chinese peace keepers were sent to Liberia. Others were sent to Western Sahara as part of Operation MINURSO,[22] Sierra Leone, the Ivory Coast and the DRC.[21] This was a carefully handled and largely symbolic move, as China did not want to appear as a new colonialist power overly interfering in internal affairs.

China currently has military alliances with 6 African states, 4 of which are major oil suppliers: Sudan, Algeria, Nigeria and Egypt.[21] On the whole, however, China’s influence remains limited,[23] especially when compared with Western powers such as France, whose military involvement in the 2004 Ivory Coast conflict and the 2006 Chad conflict was significant. China is particularly unable to compete with the ex-colonial powers in providing military training and educational programs, given the latter’s continuing ties via military academies like Sandhurst in the UK and Saint Cyr in France.[23]

In 2015, despite growing economic interests in Africa, China has not yet settled any military base on the continent. However, with a naval logistics center is planned to be built in Djibouti raises questions about China’s need to set military bases in Africa. China’s increasing reliance on Africa’s resources warrants it to hold a stronger military position.[24]

Effects of the global economic downturn (2007 to the present)

Since 2009, a switch has been noticed in China’s approach to Africa. The new tack has been to underline long-term stability in light of the worldwide economic crisis.[25]

Some major projects get stopped, such as in Angola, where 2/3 of a US$4 billion CIF fund disappeared, it is unclear where this money went.[26][27] Following this, a major Chinese-backed oil refinery project was scrapped by Angolan officials, with unclear reasons, causing problems for Sino-Angolan relations.[27]

At the dawn of the 21st century, while Africa suffered from China’s withdrawal, it is less dependent of external powers to build a self-reliable economy.[28]

The China Africa Research Initiative estimated that there were over 88,371 Chinese workers in Africa in 2022, down from a high of 263,696 in 2015.[29]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa%E2%80%93China_economic_relations retrieved from the Internet 9/25

Chinese diaspora[17]
CountryChinese
Angola30.000
South Africa200.000
Sudan20–50.000
Congo-Brazzaville7.000
Equatorial Guinea8.000
Gabon6.000
Nigeria50.000
Algeria20.000
Morocco/
Chadhundreds
Egyptthousands
Ethiopia5–7.000
RDC10.000
Zambia40.000
Zimbabwe10.000
Mozambique1.500
Niger1.000
Cameroon7.000
Gabon6.000
Total+500.000

Arizona Reps that voted to cut Medicaid:

26 Monday May 2025

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Based on recent reports, several Republican representatives from Arizona voted in favor of a budget resolution that included cuts to Medicaid:

  • Juan Ciscomani: Representative Ciscomani, representing Tucson, voted for the legislation despite concerns and even co-signing a letter asking for no cuts to Medicaid. He has stated that the bill strengthens and protects Medicaid by tackling waste and fraud, implementing work requirements and stronger eligibility verification.
  • David Schweikert: Representative Schweikert, whose district includes Scottsdale, voted for the bill despite pressure from constituents to oppose it.
  • Eli Crane: Representative Crane, representing the Navajo Nation, voted for the cuts, which could leave a significant portion of his constituents at risk of losing coverage. 

These votes have drawn criticism, particularly due to the potential impact on vulnerable populations and rural hospitals that rely on Medicaid funding. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has identified these districts as potentially vulnerable in upcoming elections. 

It’s important to note that the term “Trump’s anti-Medicaid bill” is a characterization used by opponents of the legislation. Supporters argue that the bill includes measures to strengthen and protect Medicaid by tackling waste, fraud, and abuse. 

Mark Zuckerberg buys out Instragram and Whatsapp and works with Chinese government to silence Chinese disadent.

15 Tuesday Apr 2025

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Meta whistleblower alleges company worked with China on censorship

Lily Jamali

North America Technology Correspondent

Reporting fromSan Francisco

Reuters A file photo from 2015 shows Mark Zuckerberg with Chinese President Xi Jinping

A Meta whistleblower told US senators on Wednesday that the company undermined national security in order to build a $18 billion business in China.

At a congressional hearing, Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former global public policy director at Facebook, said she watched as executives decided to provide the Chinese Communist Party‬ with access to the data of Meta users, including that of Americans.

Meta has disputed Ms Wynn-Williams’s statements.

“Sarah Wynn-Williams’ testimony is divorced from reality and riddled with false claims,” said Meta spokesman Ryan Daniels.

https://c522e2f09e82a85bbc11077f31cf1441.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-41/html/container.html

Mr Daniels said CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been public about the company’s interest in offering its services in China, but added. “[T]he fact is this: we do not operate our services in China today.”

Meta does, however, generate advertising revenue from advertisers based in China.

During her testimony before a Senate judiciary subcommittee, Ms Wynn-Williams also alleged the parent company of Facebook and Instagram worked “hand in glove” with Beijing to build censorship tools aimed at silencing critics of the Chinese Community Party.

Specifically, she said Meta capitulated to China’s demands that it delete the Facebook account of Guo Wengui, a Chinese dissident living in the US.

Meta maintains it unpublished Mr Guo’s page and suspended his profile because it violated the company’s Community Standards.

“One thing the Chinese Communist Party and Mark Zuckerberg share is that they want to silence their critics. I can say that from personal experience,” Ms Wynn-Williams said during her testimony.

In March, Ms Wynn-Williams released a memoir called “Careless People” about her experience at the company, which was then called Facebook.

Meta won an emergency ruling in the US that temporarily blocked her from promoting her book, which included several critical claims about her time at the company.

“[T]he false and defamatory book should never have been published,” Meta said at the time.

Wednesday’s hearing before members of the US Senate was led by Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri.

Sen Hawley opened the hearing by saying Meta had “stopped at absolutely nothing to prevent” Wednesday’s testimony by Ms Wynn-Williams, who joins Frances Haugen and Arturo Béjar as former employees who have spoken out against the social media giant.

“Why is it that Facebook is so desperate to prevent this witness from telling what she knows?” Hawley said.

At a fiery January 2024 congressional hearing at which Mr Zuckerberg also testified, Sen Hawley demanded that the CEO apologise to families who said their children had been harmed by social media.

Behind Mr Zuckerberg at the 2024 hearing sat a row of families who said their children had self-harmed or killed themselves as a result of social media content.

Mr Zuckerberg turned and told families in the audience that “no one should go through” what they had.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Sen Hawley said Meta had suggested Ms Wynn-Williams could face financial penalties for speaking out.

“They have threatened her with $50,000 in punitive damages every time she mentions Facebook in public, even if the statements that she is making are true,” Sen Hawley alleged. “Even as we sit here today, Facebook is attempting her total and complete financial ruin.”

On Wednesday, the company told the BBC the $50,000 in damages is for each material violation of the separation agreement that she signed when she departed the company in 2017.

Ms Wynn-Williams says Meta told her that creating exceptions to the non-disparagement agreement would “eat the rule,” which Meta later clarified to the BBC was the comment of an arbitrator, not the company.

The company added that she was not restricted from testifying before Congress.

But Meta declined to directly respond to a BBC inquiry about whether Ms Wynn-Williams may indeed face financial penalties initiated by the company or its lawyers for statements she made on Wednesday in front of Congress.

Ms Wynn-Williams told lawmakers that all of this had taken a personal toll on her.

“The last four weeks have been very difficult,” she told members of the Senate committee. “Even the choice to come and speak to Congress is incredibly difficult.”

US Army for Hire

20 Thursday Mar 2025

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US Army for Hire

As Trump pushes to remove the US from the armed conflict in the Ukraine, the European nations under the banner of ‘Coalition of the Willing’ scramble to find men, material and resources to fill the gap if and when the US withdraws.

The arguments for the US this are many and mostly center around the enormous cost of continuing a war that looks to have no end in sight.

Should Americans be forced to foot the bill for a war on the other side of the world, regardless of our sympathies for the Ukrainian people?

The answer may be yes and no.

Most European nations have a lack of trained military personnel and weapons. They have been largely depending on the US military to supply that. While it is true that we have probably the best trained, supplied and weaponized army in the world; should we give all this away for free?

It may be time to put out the US Army for hire. This would not be a ‘security force’ or ‘security company’ but the actual US Army hired out to individual nations to continue their peace keeping efforts. Places like Germany, Sweden, the UK and France might have more in the way of money than actual military resources. Under the joint command of European/US command, the army can be ‘on loan’ for a fee. The conditions of what they either do or do not do can be ironed out in advance. A win-win situation; the American people, the president and Congress can all be happy that we are recouping some of our losses (unlikely to be a profit maker) and the other countries involved get the additional resources they desperately need and quickly too. All of this requires some real thinking outside the box, but it is probably time and maybe over-time to consider.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of militaries that recruit foreign applicants. This includes any individuals who are aliens of the polity whose armed forces they are being recruited to join by professional recruiters. The foreigners do not need to be legal residents of that nation, but may gain legal residence status by joining the armed forces. More than 90 states have implemented such recruitment policies between 1815 and 2020.[1]

A

[edit]

  • Australia
    • Permanent residents who can prove they have applied for citizenship. Or permanent residents who are ineligible to apply for Australian citizenship as long as they are prepared to apply for citizenship within 3 months of commencing service (or 6 months if in the ADF Reserve). If permanent residents refuse citizenship or fail in their application, their ADF service will be terminated. On July 5, 2024, New Zealanders, followed by other foreigners who have legal residency status for one year and has no record for working in a foreign military for two years (previously) can join the ADF and be awarded Australian nationality.[2]

[edit]

C

[edit]

  • Canada
    • Canadian Armed Forces – On November 11, 2022, the CAF announced that Canadian permanent residents are eligible to join.[11] Prior to this, PRs were allowed to be recruited through the Skilled Military Foreign Applicant (SMFA) program.[12]
  • Croatia
    • Croatian Armed Forces – Any ethnic Croat or a person of partial Croat ancestry has the right to obtain Croatian citizenship, thus becoming eligible to join the Croatian Armed Forces. This practice has been commonplace for ethnic Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, upon enlistment, potential personnel are required to renounce their dual citizenship with Bosnia & Herzegovina, in case they hold one.[citation needed]
  • Cyprus

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  • Denmark
    • Danish Defence – Foreign nationals already living in Denmark or in another EU country may apply to join the Danish armed forces. Rumors have circulated[clarification needed] that it’s required that they have lived one year in Denmark if applying within or six years if applying within an EU country. However, they must be fluent in Danish and must be able to write it as well.[14]

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  • Greece
    • Hellenic Armed Forces – Ethnic Greeks accepted to the military academies for officers or non-commissioned officers of the Greek armed forces (according to the special law governing each school) or who enlist in the armed forces as volunteers (according to the law governing each branch) acquire Greek nationality automatically from the time they enter the academies or are enlisted. Knowledge of Greek language at fluent level is required.
  • India
    • Indian Army – Recruits Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens, and refugees from Tibet who intend to permanently settle in India.[17] Recruits of Indian origin who have migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Thailand, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India may also join.[17]
  • Ireland
  • Israel

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  • New Zealand
    • Overseas: A serving member of another military can join the New Zealand Defence Force. The requirements are to be a current or recently serving (within 6–12 months) member of the UK, Australian, US or Canadian Armed Forces, have been a citizen of either the UK, Australia, US, or Canada for a minimum period of 10 years, or have been living in NZ for a minimum period of 5 years, be eligible for release from current service within 18 months of applying, and meet current vacancy criteria at the time of application.[24]
  • Norway

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  • Russia
    • The Russian Armed Forces accepts foreigners of any country to their ranks. Under a plan, posted on the ministry’s web site in 2010, foreigners without dual citizenship are able to sign up for five-year contracts – and are eligible for Russian citizenship after serving three years. According to the amended law, a citizen of any foreign country aged 18–30 with a good command of Russian and a clean record can sign an initial five-year contract to join the Army.[26][27]

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