#US Diplomacy

[agentfascinateur]

Blinken's "Dead Cat Diplomacy"

Blinken is currently engaged in what one of his predecessors, James Baker, called “dead cat diplomacy”. Baker’s pupil, Aaron David Miller, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “The objective is not to reach a deal but to ensure if it fails, the dead cat is on other’s doorstep.”

[tomorrowusa]

Sec. of State Antony Blinken says that after the war, Israel and Gaza can't go back to the old status quo.

This is a hint that the US might be looking to a viable long term agreement for Palestine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken: I think we know two things.  We can’t go back to the status quo.  They can’t go back to the status quo with Hamas being in a position, in terms of its governance of Gaza, to repeat what it did.  At the same time, what I’ve heard from the Israelis is absolutely no intent, no desire, to be running Gaza themselves.  They moved out of Gaza unilaterally, unconditionally, a couple of decades ago. Kristen Welker of NBC's Meet the Press: Yeah. Secretary of State Antony Blinken: But they can’t be in a position where they’re constantly at the threat of the most horrific terrorist attacks coming from Gaza. So something needs to be found that ensures that Hamas can’t do this again, but that also doesn’t revert to Israeli governance of Gaza, which they do not want and do not intend to do. There are different – there are different ideas out there about what could follow, but all of that, I think needs, to be worked. And it’s something that needs to be worked even as Israel is dealing with the current threat.

From a Department of State transcript of Blinken's interview on Sunday at Meet the Press.

Those last two sentences are revelatory – coming from a diplomat. Working out a deal which guarantees both Israeli security and a Palestinian state may be something the Biden administration wishes to examine. The last concerted American attempt was in 2000 under Bill Clinton.

It's a major project which has not succeeded in the past; though that doesn't mean it can't succeed in the future. There are numerous stumbling blocks such as the existence of terrorist groups like Hamas. But just after a nasty war may be the best time to look at a permanent peace with justice.

Things do look dreadful right now. But everybody needs to be ready if a brief window of opportunity opens when the dust settles.

[creativemedianews]

China releases US pastor David Lin, who was jailed for life in 2006

China releases US pastor David Lin, who was jailed for life in 2006 #ChinadetainsUScitizens #contractfraud

[duubsite]

Antony Blinken: Revolutionizing US Diplomacy for the Modern Era

Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, is not your typical diplomat. With an understanding that today’s global challenges demand more than traditional diplomacy, Blinken has led a transformative wave within the State Department. From fortifying cybersecurity efforts to emphasizing climate change, Blinken’s modern outlook and innovative strategies have undeniably dragged US diplomacy into the…

[originalleftist]

Donald Trump is calling Netanyahu up and telling him to prevent a ceasefire because it will help Kamala Harris.

Why is he doing that? Because Harris and Biden are trying to negotiate a ceasefire, and he doesn't want them to get credit for doing it.

I do not want to hear one more Goddamn word about how helping Trump win is the "pro-Palestinian" or "anti-genocide" position.

[originalartblog]

the origin story

[aroaceleovaldez]

non-exhaustive list of canon powers Nico di Angelo either has shown or is heavily implied to have:

Shadow-travel

Manipulation of shadows/darkness (also possibly use of shadows as a pocket-dimension a la Magicians using the Duat in The Kane Chronicles)

Becoming intangible/shadows

Complete control over skeletons/bones (dead or alive, including summoning, reanimation, and/or changing shape of them) and being able to sense their presence

Summoning, reanimating, commanding, and dispelling the dead/undead (Skeletons, zombies, ghosts, etc & varieties) and being able to sense their presence

Ability to understand/communicate with the dead/undead and potentially other beings of the Underworld

Inherent complete comprehension of Latin

Ability to perceive the usually unperceivable/possibly look upon a deity’s true form without repercussion (at least moreso than the average demigod, though possibly is restricted to chthonic beings) (ex: Tartarus, potentially also interacting with his parents, etc)

Interacting tangibly with ghosts (implied to be a Ghost King thing rather than a Hades/Pluto thing)

Partial or complete immunity to different effects of the Underworld/things within (can consume food/drink of or in the Underworld without repercussions, effects from the Lethe wear off over time instead of being permanent like usual for mortals, etc)

Astral projection/”Walking in dreams”

Dream manipulation and projection (Sending dreams to others, etc.) (presumably includes sharing/projecting dreams with others) alongside inflicting sleep upon others even from a distance.

Illusions

Manipulation of emotions/aura that inflicts specific emotions on others (ex.: radiating fear/death onto enemies)

Projection of emotions and memories onto others (can be so forceful it causes physical damage like a shockwave)

Geokinesis (all forms but also specifically generating black marble) (presumably also specialized control over precious gemstones & non-paper currency)

Temperature manipulation (seemingly only lowering temperature)/creating frost)

Control/manipulation of souls, including living beings (ex: ripping out Bryce Lawrence’s soul)

Perceiving/reading/judging of souls (most likely also a Ghost King thing over Hades/Pluto thing, but possibly both)

Converting living into dead/undead, aka instakill (ex: disintegrating monsters to bone with one touch)

Lowering or manipulation of own vitals (breathing, heart rate, etc)

Death Trance/pseudo-hibernation (possibly also general control over states of consciousness at least for self, in combo with control over vitals & dreams)

Sensing death (impending or when it occurs, sometimes receiving dreams/visions of it occurring)

Able to sense other children of Hades/Pluto (potentially also other chthonic beings in general/able to identify based on sense alone) and also just living beings in general, such as mortals (possibly via souls).

Improved navigation underground/in the Underworld and ability to traverse restricted or normally unnavigable parts of the Underworld

Enhanced strength/abilities when in the Underworld

Inherently unnaturally quiet (possibly able to silence sound on a designated target)

Hiding/shielding self from being perceived (seemingly related to shadows/silence)

[lulublack90]

Prompt 27 - Diplomacy

@jegulus-microfic April 27, Word count 760

Previous part First part

He couldn’t believe Regulus was just going along with it. The boy’s hands were in his hair, nails scraping against his scalp. He’d never felt anything like it. James needed him to be closer, needed to feel him. So, without warning, James put his hands under his skinny thighs, and lifted him into the air, using the wall to take some of the pressure off his arms, he held Regulus. 

Regulus let out a small gasp as his feet left the floor. James had fully expected to be punched, but Regulus reacted positively. He wrapped his legs around James’s waist and deepened their kiss with his newfound height. 

James felt his whole body melting. He wanted to stay in this moment forever. Nothing mattered, only the boy in front of him. 

They broke apart, panting, hearts racing, gulping down air into their oxygen-starved lungs.

“Hi,” James smiled at him, tilting his head, so he could look into those sparking eyes. 

“Hi,” Regulus murmured back, the hint of a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. James let his head thump forward into Regulus's chest and Regulus tangled his fingers still further into the short unruly curls. He angled his head and pressed open-mouthed kisses into Regulus’s neck.   

“What the bloody hell are you doing?” They froze as Sirius’s voice broke the silence of their corridor. “Get your hands off my brother!” James and Regulus looked at each other this was not going to go well. James tried to convince himself that all they needed was a little diplomacy, but with Sirius’s hot temper and Regulus’s sharp tongue, it would be a challenge to keep them quiet enough not to get caught out of bounds after curfew. 

Slowly, he lowered Regulus to the floor, and together they turned and raised their hands to Sirius.

“Why are you raising your hands?” He asked Regulus, confused. 

“I wasn’t sure which brother he was referring to, so I thought I’d better be safe.” He shrugged. James let out an almighty snort and had to bury his face in his arm to quell the laughter.

“Put your hands down you idiots.” Sirius rolled his eyes at the pair. “I came looking for you when I noticed you weren’t in bed. This,” He waved his hands at them. “Was not what I expected to find.” He looked wild like he was about to explode at any provocation. 

“It’s none of your business what we do, Sirius.” Regulus drawled. “I don’t know why you think you can make a fuss.” All mirth left James as he quickly started damage control to hopefully stop Sirius from seeing red. 

“Sirius go back up to the dorm, I’ll meet you there,” He cut Sirius off before he could complain. “I’m going to take Reg back to the Slytherin Common room first.” 

“I don’t need an escort, Potter.” Regulus griped. But James ignored him and began to pull out the invisibility cloak. Sirius stormed forward, shoved his hand into James’s pocket and stole the Marauder’s Map. 

“Best hurry, Prongs. I’ll be watching.” And with that, Sirius turned on his heel and disappeared into darkness. 

James sighed and covered himself and Regulus with the cloak. 

“You don’t need to do this, I am quite capable of getting back on my own.” Regulus clearly wasn’t happy. James grinned at him and, making sure Sirius was well and truly gone, pushed Regulus back against the wall and kissed him again. All the fight went out of the other boy. 

“We’ve got a couple of minutes before we need to move. Sirius will think we’re bickering still.” James said, pulling away for a moment before pressing his lips against Regulus’s again. 

Regulus turned his head slightly, breaking the kiss.

“What does this mean?” Regulus asked, his eyes overly bright as though he was nervous. James shrugged.

“I don’t know, but I like it so far.” He grinned, wriggling his eyebrows. Regulus rolled his eyes in a strange imitation of his brother. He pushed James away from the wall, but grabbed his hand and started pulling him down the corridor towards the dungeons.  

“What was that bit of parchment?” Regulus asked as they walked.

“Oh,” James paused, he didn’t know if he could trust Regulus with that information. “Just a useful tool for Mischief makers.” He gave Regulus a final kiss before watching him enter the Slytherin’s secret entrance and headed back to Gryffindor Tower where his best friend waited for him. Maybe he’d go sleep in moaning Myrtle's bathroom, he’d probably get more rest.   

Next part

[moonilit]

Chapter 63 alternative ending once upon an eclipse by @leeryder

[agentfascinateur]

Always baiting hostilities

Hochstein is a very well-known figure in Israel, where he was born and served in the military as a tank crewman in the 1990s. As a businessman, he was also involved as the get-go between Israel and the US, particularly in regard to the energy sector. Last week, the Israeli military veteran was in Lebanon, where he should not have stepped foot under normal circumstances due to Beirut’s visa regulations on permanent or temporary Israeli residents except with special permissions. Hochstein did not face deportation from Lebanon thanks to his top American diplomatic status...

You're just asking for it all the time. Why him particularly if not to antagonize and not a nice, neutral career diplomat with a successful track record for once? Punks. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[booasaur]

Today in Gaza (May 11, 2024), a small fraction of the many reports tonight:

(Blurring mine:)

[gorillaxyz]

hamburger ☺️🤤

[tlgtw]

Man that DLC's final boss has got me feeling kinda fucked. I'm kinda depressed about it now that I'm done. Everything else is, was, so good. But I do not like that plot development. I honestly think it is bad. Why did they choose not to foreshadow this in literally any way? Why did Miquella attempt to resurrect Godwyn at all in the first place, then? Practice? Was this really what was originally planned? There's no actual evidence to the contrary so you gotta assume it must've been.

So yeowch...

[zeb-z]

idk it’s like. yeah Bad, you should be talking about the cursed team. yeah Tubbo, you’ve got an excellent theory crafted here, a super solid argument that your team is cursed. but it’s no surprise that red will not hear you out, because blue’s relationship with red is just in such shambles. Bad has burned bridges and destroyed any sort of love, any sort of trust, any sort of anything. Pierre has spat on the flames. The fact they managed to have a genuine talk about the enchant agreement is a miracle (and only because it was half OOC in my opinion, and because Phil is the only one on red who will extend a bit of trust because he just doesn’t want to fight), but still hasn’t done much for blue’s favor.

everything that red has suffered when they have tried to talk, everything Bad has done to them specifically with ruthlessness in the name of victory, has now shown to have consequences. so yeah, blue could so be the cursed team, and Tubbo could be right to a terrifying degree and have it all figured out - it’s not gonna stop red from fighting because they can’t hear him out. how can they trust a thing he says? why would they talk to Bad now at the final hour? why would they sit there and show mercy when so often none has been shown to them?

it’s the name of the game. to tear them all apart and see just how far they’ll go. the eye wants them to burn bridges and turn on eachother in the name of victory, and Bad played very well. it’s a shame he represents more than himself, but an entire team. it’s a shame those bridges he burned might have been the ones they needed now that red is in the lead and has a chance of winning. yeah man, blue might be cursed, but red has found evidence in their own favor - and why on gods green earth would they take blue’s word when Bad has proven time and time again he will abandon honor for victory?