America is a damaged brand. I spent the week in India 🇮🇳 (if you missed my posts on four other platforms) at the Raisina Dialogue
hearing angry US allies and partner leaders, public and private, describe how they can endure, withstand, and thrive together amid Trump’s protectionist attacks.
⏰ 100 days until #FIFAWorldCup!
FIFA President Gianni Infantino: “The Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Tournament Poster captures the energy, diversity and shared passion that will define the most inclusive edition of the tournament in history."
Diversity. Inclusion.
Those aren’t accidental words.
Today’s fake Pentagon press conference with fake reporters was sad, disheartening and dangerous.
War deserves the utmost scrutiny from America’s experienced and principled defense journalists who have done so for decades.
The US officials who wage war deserve the utmost scrutiny.
Watch my Sunday morning chat on the Grounded podcast with my friend Maritsa Georgiou and former Sen. Jon Tester, on Iran, the Pentagon, predictions, and coverage. This could go any which way.
open.substack.com/pub/grounded...
During day 1 of the war on Iran, at the Pentagon:
- No secretary of defense
- No Joint Chiefs chairman
- Joint Staff director fired two days ago
- No journalists (banned)
The Olympics are inherently an antidote to isolationism, nationalism, racism, and xenophobia. The Olympics are a global competition that helps us win the global competition that matters most. The Olympics matter.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/rejoic...
Which America are we to the world? The one of joyful inclusion or violent exclusion? Both are on display. It’s time we think about the strategic importance of this moment.
open.substack.com/pub/defenseb...
“Work it harder, make it
Do it faster, makes us
More than ever, hour after hour
Work is never over”
Catch me in this segment on Trump, Venezuela, Greenland, Congress and the destabilizing moment he has caused.
Defense industry leaders are trying to build a new security architecture that we need. We want Europeans to be much stronger, and we want them to buy American kit along with their own. We should be standing shoulder-to-shoulder, not nose-to -nose.
Meanwhile, in the last two months, Trump’s Pentagon leaders have outlined promises to upgrade and modernize defense industry with automation, AI, drones, and advanced tech. That gold rush and its R&D will and should continue. Predicting the usual business of govt becomes harder.
I don’t know when or if Congress will do anything that actually makes a difference against the White House. Nothing may change unless American voters do. Trump believes he has their mandate and says he knows another impeachment could come. It’s a race against time.
The U.S. military — our troops — are being used for extraordinary imperialist ambitions and as a political cudgel against their own allies and partners. Hard to believe what we are seeing.
Venezuela … in think tanks and classrooms, we could talk about how the international order allows dictators-for-life to rule. In the real world, it’s complicated, but instability creates insecurity. And V’s regime has turned even more toward Russia and China. How does this end?
Let’s recap: Trump threatened military attack on a NATO ally and is demanding their territory. If that’s not an impeachable breach of the oath of office, I don’t know what is.
Trump has destabilized our hemisphere and Europe’s, creating a two-front crisis.
We need NATO.
We need stability.
...and don't forget to have some fun while doing it. Feel this life. Love hard. Have a good year, everyone.
#worklife #worktolive
Culture can move ideas, resources, and people. Food that's healthy and comes from a sustainable system. Fashion that's the same. Artists who perform with purpose. Technology worth sharing that makes it possible. This is what stirs me now, where my head and heart is most. Ya dig?
In 2026, I intend to speak, host, and write about even wider topics impacting us, especially global trends in #technology advances, international cooperation, #sustainability and #inclusive human values thriving in global #sports like #TheOlympics, #FIFAWorldCup, #F1, and more.
In 2025, I did more news media hits than I had anticipated I would. From global security events to Trump-DC politics and the Pentagon press corps. And I turned down quite a lot. (There’s only so many times you can say the same things about Hegseth.) Thankful for them all.
Roll Tide.
My heart today is with the Chabad of #Bondi, who many years ago welcomed me in for a special Passover Seder with their Russian immigrant community that I’ll never forget. May these #Chanukkah candles bring light to this world.
Y'all, MATT GAETZ was one of the fake reporters at today's fake Pentagon press briefing.
The 2nd question at the fake press conference went to the disgraced and alleged child sex trafficker former congressman who allegedly paid for sex with a homeless 17-year old.
So, there.
🏎️ F1 and the US defense industry. And, I’m sorry, Max is not my favorite driver.
As the #LasVegasGP continues to unfold (or for after the 🏁) hear or see more with @defensebaron.bsky.social on @indyamericans.bsky.social:
What I wanted to add on air before we changed topics: Congress has a say in arms sales. But this Congress rarely bucks Trump. So, BLUF: We want the Saudi military closer to us than China. Is this deal gonna make a difference among all the other economic & cultural ties and deals? A little.
"China could get a hold of that plane or some of that technology on board and use it for themselves."
National security analyst @defensebaron.bsky.social joins @stephruhle.bsky.social to talk about the national security concerns over Trump's plan to sell F-35s fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
@stephruhle.bsky.social
@peterbakernyt.bsky.social
@davidmdrucker.bsky.social
@dougjones.bsky.social
@defensebaron.bsky.social
@lbarronlopez.bsky.social
⚡️Manosphere Monday @indyamericans.bsky.social
EP 375. @defensebaron.bsky.social Countdown to Conflict in Venezuela. Marines in Shootout in Haiti. Fearless Fathering. Teaching Kids Chaos is the New Normal. Ivy Football Stunner, Landman & F1’s Surprising Finale.
Watch: youtu.be/nBAc2bYEL1Q?...
Can AI defeat fascists? For #VeteransDay, here's a story of a veteran-owned company paying it forward. Code 19 Racing is a purpose-driven #AI, #autonomy and #robotics company, advancing global competitiveness from the classroom to the race track to the front lines.
youtu.be/9EkpDDZ9Rtw?...
New: Episode 2 🎥 : Elevation Live! with Kevin Baron - Inside Autonomous Racing: When Will #AI Beat a Formula 1 Driver?
(And why is the Army interested?)
"We want to showcase this to the world, and showcase what #autonomy can really do, at its limits."
Meet Code19 Racing: youtu.be/9EkpDDZ9Rtw?...
DEI isn’t dead. Climate change isn’t a hoax. And global corporate sponsors and investors aren’t backing down. Not by a long shot. Not in this high-tech, purpose-driven global sports league where social impact is part of of the prize. Watch…
youtu.be/jcEYcXFys60?...
