Ryan Grim

An additional very important point: AIPAC never mentions Israel in its attack ads (for obvious reason) and instead hits whatever negative thing polls best. In NJ11, AIPAC slammed Malinowski with $2M of ads for…VOTING TO FUND ICE IN 2019. And it worked! It destroyed his numbers. Pragmatic Dems will learn the lesson: if you vote to fund ICE or publicly defend ICE, your future opponent will destroy you with it. If anybody has the ad handy, please post below

Michael Lange @MichaelLangeNYC Rare national politics tweet, but this is WILD! New Jersey’s 11th District is: — Very wealthy (97th percentile) — Very educated (96th percentile) — Very Gen-X (97th percentile) — Very homeowner (72%) Welcome to the Democratic Tea Party! NYC equivalent: a socialist wins NY12.

An additional very important point: AIPAC never mentions Israel in its attack ads (for obvious reason) & instead hits whatever negative thing polls best.

In NJ11, AIPAC slammed Malinowski w/ $2M of ads for…VOTING TO FUND ICE IN 2019.

And it worked! It destroyed his numbers.

Pragmatic Dems will...

Faiz @fshakir You love to see it! Strong candidate, bold agenda, good volunteer operation, progressive team effort behind her in so many ways. I hope a lot of people are feeling inspired to run, serve, and change this country's failing political system

See new posts Conversation Steve Kornacki @SteveKornacki What is happening in NJ-11 tonight feels momentous. The state has long been dominated by a throwback political culture, particularly on the Democratic side, but there has been upheaval in the last few years as the party's increasingly activist/professional class base has been in revolt. In Essex County, the biggest part of the district, having the support of party leaders was for generations practically tantamount to victory in a primary. But tonight, the Essex organization-backed candidate is running 3rd in the county -- far behind an AOC-Sanders-backed progressive insurgent, Analilia Mejia, who is currently leading district-wide and has no support from any of its county organizations.

Mejia winning is a strong sign for Cori Bush in St Louis, Adam Hamawy in NJ, Graham Platner in Maine, and lots of others. If @analiliafornj.bsky.social can win in suburban NJ any Dem primary is up for grabs.

Josh Kraushaar @JoshKraushaar So fascinating: Pretty clear AIPAC's anti-ICE ads targeting Malinowski had a significant impact in bringing him down. That's a sign of clout. But the beneficiary is the hardest-left candidate. Did they not anticipate this at all -- or are they thinking a couple steps ahead? Read more @J_Insider : https://jewishinsider.com/2026/02/aipac-faces-test-in-nj-primary-as-group-battles-for-pro-israel-voice/

Steve Kornacki @SteveKornacki A shocker in NJ-11, where Analilia Mejia has now pulled ahead of former Rep. Tom Malinowski in the Democratic primary, powered by a massive margin over Malinowski in same-day votes.

I mean yes, $2M dropped in a tiny race moves the needle. I suppose you can call it “clout,” that’s also called having more money than everybody.

Adam Carlson @admcrlsn Stick a fork in it Analilia Mejia — backed by AOC/Bernie/Warren — will be the Democratic nominee (and overwhelming favorite) to replace Mikie Sherrill in NJ-11 She defeated a former congressman (Malinowski), the machine-backed candidate (Gill) & the AIPAC-backed candidate (Way)

Bernie world candidates often get knocked for too much emphasis on field and door knocking but in a low turnout election like this it makes all the difference.

Of course AIPAC shooting itself in the face and knocking down her biggest opponent helped too.

We’re doing some shit…

See new posts Conversation Adam Carlson @admcrlsn MEJIA PULLS AHEAD BY 41 VOTES

Everyone called this for Malinowski, who AIPAC spent big to take down. Looks like they may have accidentally elected Mejia, a longtime left organizer backed by Bernie and AOC

This is getting excited

Malinowski, who once received AIPAC support, is probably now angry that they tried to sink him, much like Rep. David Min in California last year, and I suspect he will have a different perspective on I/P issues. This is really damaging for AIPAC.

🇸🇩 Sudan | South Kordofan Photos show trucks carrying aid supplied by Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission heading toward Kadugli after the Sudanese Armed Forces broke a two-year siege imposed by the Rapid Support Forces. The operation reopened the critical road linking Kadugli to Dilling, restoring overland access for the first time since 2024. Despite the breakthrough, fighting continues. On February 4, an RSF drone strike hit a medical center in Kadugli, killing 15 people. In an alert issued February 5, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification and other UN-backed experts confirmed that Kadugli remains in IPC Phase 5, the highest famine classification, first recorded in late 2025.

See new posts Conversation Mohanad @MohanadElbalal Trucks carrying Aid supplied by Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) on their way to Kadugli after the breaking of the siege.

🇸🇩 Sudan | South Kordofan

Photos show trucks carrying aid supplied by Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission heading toward Kadugli after the Sudanese Armed Forces broke a 2-year siege imposed by the Rapid Support Forces. The operation reopened the critical road linking Kadugli to Dilling, restoring...

I’m not going to publicly discuss personnel issues, as there are privacy issues involved, but I will say it is completely false to suggest I fired someone for disagreeing with me or criticizing me.

That absolutely did not happen.

Drop Site’s Capitol Hill reporter Julian Andreone spoke with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) about foreign press access to Gaza, Israel’s ongoing killing of Palestinian civilians, U.S. arms transfers, and the role that campaign donations and the pro-Israel lobby play in shaping policy. Kaine told Drop Site he strongly believes journalists should be allowed into Gaza and said Congress is scrutinizing arms transfers more closely than in the past, while acknowledging there is still no majority for imposing limits. Kaine’s record reflects shifts over the course of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. In March 2024, he voted to arm Israel’s war machine with $14 billion in U.S. tax dollars, as the reported death toll surpassed 30,000, with Gaza’s Health Ministry estimating roughly 72% of those killed were women and children. He later supported cutting U.S. funding to UNRWA, the backbone of Gaza’s aid operation, a decision that contributed to the collapse of aid delivery and worsening famine conditions. In November 2024 and April 2025, however, the Senator voted to block transfers of offensive weapons, including JDAMs, tank rounds, and mortars, and in September 2025 led a symbolic call for U.S. recognition of a Palestinian state, joined by six other Democratic senators. When asked whether the fact that 94% of Congress has accepted donations from the pro-Israel lobby concerns him or affects U.S. foreign policy, he said, “I don’t think it does.” @JulianAndreone | @SenTimKaine

Drop Site’s Capitol Hill reporter Julian Andreone spoke with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) about foreign press access to Gaza, Israel’s ongoing killing of Palestinian civilians, U.S. arms transfers, & the role that campaign donations & the pro-Israel lobby play in shaping policy.

Kaine told Drop Site he...

The ministries said the spraying constitutes a hostile act and a grave violation of Lebanese sovereignty, warning of severe damage to vegetation, soil fertility, agricultural production, water sources, and long-term public health. They held Israel fully responsible for the resulting environmental, agricultural, and health harm, and announced expanded field surveys and precautionary measures for residents and farmers. Glyphosate is commonly used in military vegetation-clearing operations along borders to kill crops, grass, and ground cover, strip concealment, create exposed buffer zones, damage agricultural livelihoods, and discourage civilian presence and return. Lebanese authorities warned that its use in this context threatens food security and long-term environmental stability. The chemical has been classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a UN-affiliated body, raising additional concerns over health risks from high-concentration aerial spraying. UNIFIL said it was informed in advance by the Israeli military that a so-called “non-toxic” chemical would be dropped near the Blue Line, forcing peacekeepers to suspend operations for more than nine hours across roughly one third of their area of responsibility. UNIFIL called the action unacceptable and a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the spraying as an environmental and health crime and ordered diplomatic and legal action. Lebanon has documented more than 2,000 Israeli ceasefire breaches in the final three months of 2025, as Israel continues to occupy Lebanese territory and block reconstruction in border villages. 🎥 Video from GreenSoutherners

🇱🇧 Israeli aircraft sprayed chemical substances over areas along the Blue Line across southern Lebanon on Feb. 1, which Lebanon’s Ministries of Ag. & Environ. confirmed included the herbicide glyphosate at concentrations 20 to 30 times higher than normal levels.

The ministries said the spraying...

🚨 The Palestine Center for Prisoners Studies reports that 26 Palestinian detainees with cancer are being held in Israeli prisons while deliberately denied cancer treatment, receiving no care beyond painkillers, even in advanced stages of the disease. The center described the policy as a form of “slow death” through deliberate medical neglect, with chemotherapy and hospital care routinely refused. ▪️ Cancer has been the leading cause of prisoner deaths in Israeli custody due to medical neglect, the Center says. Conditions have sharply worsened since Oct. 7, 2023, with increased abuse, torture, and deprivation ▪️ Recent cases include Mahmoud Talal Abdullah (49) from Jenin and Mohammed Anwar Labad (57) from Gaza, both of whom died after being denied treatment for cancer ▪️ Among those currently ill are two women prisoners and several long-term detainees The report was released on Feb 4, World Cancer Day, and urged urgent international intervention. (Photo: Ashraf Amra)

🚨 The Palestine Center for Prisoners Studies reports that 26 Palestinian detainees with cancer are being held in Israeli prisons while deliberately denied cancer treatment, receiving no care beyond painkillers, even in advanced stages of the disease.

The center described the policy as a form of...

🚑 Rafah crossing: Israel’s “50 patients a day” promise collapses under the numbers After four days of limited operation, the total number of Gaza patients allowed to leave via Rafah still does not equal what Israel pledged for a single day. ➤ Feb 2: 5 patients ➤ Feb 3: 11 patients (Gaza MoH) vs 16 (UN) ➤ Feb 4: 13 patients ➤ Feb 5: 7 patients transferred toward the crossing but had not yet exited Gaza That is 29-41 patients over four days, not counting companions. Israel’s stated commitment was 50 patients per day. Medical authorities note more than 20,000 patients remain on urgent referral lists for treatment abroad. The gap between what was promised and what is happening on the ground underscores that Rafah has not been meaningfully reopened. Reporting and on-the-ground documentation from @Ahmed_A1Najjar and @abdallahatar

See new posts Conversation عبدالله العطار abdallah alattar @abdallahatar Translated from Arabic The fourth batch of patients from the Gaza Strip departed this morning from the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Khan Younis city, south of the Gaza Strip, heading to the Rafah land crossing in preparation for their travel outside Gaza to receive treatment.

🚑 Rafah crossing: Israel’s “50 patients a day” promise collapses under the numbers

After 4 days of limited operation, the total number of Gaza patients allowed to leave via Rafah still does not equal what Israel pledged for a single day.

➤ Feb 2: 5 patients
➤ Feb 3: 11 patients (Gaza MoH) vs 16...

🇻🇪 “Sanctions failed. They didn’t cause political change. They just hurt the people, hurt the U.S., and weakened the dollar… That’s what you’re saying?” At the World Government Summit in Dubai, Tucker Carlson asked Venezuela’s vice president of economic affairs Calixto Ortega Sánchez whether U.S. sanctions achieved anything beyond harming civilians and the U.S. economy. Ortega Sánchez agreed, adding that sanctions blocked Venezuela’s access to its own assets, failed at regime change, and that stability depends on lifting restrictions and allowing the country back into international markets.

🇻🇪 “Sanctions failed. They didn’t cause political change. They just hurt the people, hurt the U.S., and weakened the dollar… That’s what you’re saying?”

At the World Gov't Summit in Dubai, Tucker Carlson asked Venezuela’s VP of econ. affairs Calixto Ortega Sánchez whether U.S. sanctions achieved...

UAE’s RSF bombed a hospital

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) told Drop Site’s Julian Andreone that he “deliberately tries not to read” about Jeffrey Epstein emails & documents, describing the subject as “tawdry” and saying it’s not where his attention is.

Julian Andreone (X: @JulianAndreone) | Sen. Bill Cassidy (X: @SenBillCassidy)

The emails describe sending sections of the Kiswah, the black silk cloth embroidered with Quranic verses in gold and silver thread that covers the Kaaba. The Kaaba is Islam’s holiest site, located inside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Kiswah is replaced annually and is considered sacred. Its distribution is normally tightly controlled by Saudi religious authorities. In a February 1, 2017 email, an individual named as Abdullah Al Maari writes to Epstein associate Daphne Wallace: “As per instruction of Aziza. We will ship some pieces of the Kaaba for the Mosque.” In a separate March 22, 2017 email, Aziza Alahmadi emphasizes the religious significance of the material: “By the way the black piece was touched by minimum 10 million Muslims of different denominations, Sunni, Shia and others.” She continues: “They walk around the Kaaba seven rounds then every one tries as much as they can to touch it and they kept their prayers, wishes, tears and hopes on this piece.” In the same February 1 email, Abdullah Al Maari asks:

“Is there any issues we will be faced with the customs if we shipped these stuff? Or shall we send with anyone who is going US?” The destination is referred to as Epstein’s “mosque,” possibly referencing a domed temple-like structure he built on his private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

💡 Emails show convicted sex offender and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein arranging the shipment of accessories from the Kaaba to his private compound in the U.S. Virgin Islands, w/ a senior Emirati official included on the correspondence.

The emails describe sending sections of the Kiswah...

President Trump "has a very clear message for the regime: no nuclear weapons, stop killing protesters."

That’s what Trump is “looking for from the regime,” according to State Department spokesman, ahead of talks on Friday.

idea to “professionalize” the African film industry by building a studio in Somaliland, explicitly copying Epstein on the proposal. ➤The email lays out a plan dubbed “Somaliwood Studios” “What if we put together a small group that professionalized the African film industry… But… we could build a small studio in Somaliland and called it SOMALIWOOD STUDIOS.” ➤The writer pitches Somaliland as a filming environment with ideological guardrails, and cites the local technical prowess: “We could invite muslim and all sorts of groups to film there. We would make it a part of the mission to not allow anything immoral to be filmed there.” “THey have serious tech ability there. Could put together a CGI facility that would rival any.” ➤ And closes by flagging Epstein directly: “I’m copying Jeffrey since he might also think this would be FUN FUN FUN.”

Several years later, Epstein appears again in correspondence tied to Somaliland’s political positioning. ➤ On April 2, 2018, Sultan bin Sulayem emails Epstein a document titled: “The recognition of Somaliland – growing international engagement and support.” Sultan bin Sulayem is a powerful Emirati figure and the longtime chairman of DP World, a company deeply involved in ports and logistics across the Horn of Africa, including in Somaliland. The email suggests Epstein was being looped into discussions around Somaliland’s international recognition and geopolitical positioning, at a time when the UAE was expanding its footprint in the region through ports, infrastructure, and political ties. Together, the emails show Epstein circulating among business, cultural, and geopolitical conversations involving Somaliland, despite having no formal public role in diplomacy, development, or media—and despite his status as a convicted sex offender.

🔎 Emails show Jeffrey Epstein exploring ties to Somaliland and discussing a plan to build a film studio there, while separately receiving political briefings from a top Emirati official involved in Somaliland outreach.

In an Aug. 9, 2012 email, a correspondent writes to Epstein about an idea to...

A person named Aziza Alahmadi writes: “the arabic version of your email already delivered.” Epstein’s email exchange took place in November 2016, a few months before Mohammed bin Salman formally consolidated power in Saudi Arabia. At the time, MBS was not yet crown prince (a role he assumed on June 21, 2017) and had not yet become the dominant decision-maker he would be after mid-2017 as the architect of Vision 2030 and chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF). In the email. ➤ Epstein proposes a formal role at the top of the Saudi court “My suggestion is to become the Financial Confidant to the Prince / court / K.S.A whatever entity suits you. I would welcome the opportunity to be, if not the, major contributor to the financial structuring of the vision… I am neither political nor military or spooky. I am happy to represent KSA interests… I know how wall street will try to play. and I am happy and privileged to act as his financial bodyguard.” ➤ He demands full control, and says he would decide on ministers and consultants “I would need to review all financial components MYSELF… ministers consultants etc. the vision is in definite need of a financial architect otherwise instead of

a beautiful palace it will look like a Bedouin village.” ➤ He asks for direct access to “the Prince”: “I would request a 30 minute skype or meeting every two weeks with the Prince… I have no intention of having to be someplace at a set time… It is my ideas that are valuable, not the location of my body. :)” ➤ He offers “zero” pay for the first year “I know it is strange, but I do not want any money at all for the first year. zero. if agreed my firm could be reimbursed only for direct expenses travel etc. …At the end of the first year, the prince can decide whether to pay any amount to my firm that he sees fit. no negotiation he chooses the amount.” ➤ He references “the pif,” Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund which oversees nearly a $1 trillion in assets. “i will need to see the org chart for the pif… a detailed summary of the financial operations… central bank, royal purse..?” At the time, Epstein had already pleaded guilty to felony sex-abuse charges and was a registered sex offender.

Epstein and MBS were photographed together in another photo contained in the release.

🔴 In late 2016, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein pitched himself as a behind-the-scenes financial fixer to Saudi leadership, in a message that was meant for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the architect of Vision 2030. (The email refers to “the Prince” but not MBS by name.)

A person...

Susan Collins Is Getting More Money From AIPAC Than Small Donors As oysterman Graham Platner handily outraises Republican Susan Collins, the pro-Israel lobby collected nearly 20% of her donations for her.

New: Susan Collins raised more from AIPAC donors last year than small donors.

We asked her campaign about it. They hung up.

Last year, we asked if she knew how many Americans the Israeli military had killed.

She replied: “I am pro-Israel.”

@minnahfarshad.bsky.social @andrewperez.bsky.social

Now Hiring: Senior Investigative Reporter We are looking to expand our team.

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Our newsroom won the 2025 National Press Club Award - and now we are expanding.

Please see the job listing here - and please pass it on to anyone you know who might be interested in applying.

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Reporting back from the concert

It's easy to criticize the mainstream media generally, & many MSM journalists actually share many of those critiques, but reporters & editors at the Washington Post have put out a steady stream of very impressive work for decades. The fact that a billionaire oligarch is trying to destroy the...

This could shake up Nebraska Senate race. Shockingly poor answer when a town of 10,000 faces complete annihilation.

Donald Graham didn't just sell the Washington Post to Jeff Bezos, who is merrily dismantling it today. Before that Graham let Mark Zuckerberg out of an agreement for the Post to buy 10 percent of Facebook for $6 million. Today that 10 percent would be worth $175 billion.

Allen to Epstein in the Epstein files: "Did you have to read the Alan Dershowitz article in the New York Times?" Epstein to Allen: "Yes. It's already only Alan for Alan."

Allen to Epstein in the Epstein files: "Exactly. I thought he came off as an asshole." Epstein to Allen: "accurate"

Allen to Epstein: "He's the biggest self-promoter I've ever met. It's quite laughable how desperate he is. Also the biggest name dropper. It's [sic] makes me shutter [sic] it [sic] so embarrassing. He has no shame." Epstein to Allen: "Worse than you know."

Allen to Epstein: "I can't imagine it being worse. It's insufferable."

I'm grateful Alan Dershowitz has lived long enough to learn that Woody Allen and Jeffrey Epstein were ridiculing him behind his back.

As the media starts to reach for the “Epstein was KGB” narrative I wonder how they’ll grapple with our reporting that the back channel he set up with Russia was on behalf of Israel

See new posts Conversation your cousin Vinny @muddaub will stancil has been booted from the rapid response signal chat for endangering his fellow protesters and disregarding safety precautions. instead of apologizing, he is openly plotting to trick organizers into letting him back in. is this your “hero”?

See new posts Conversation your cousin Vinny @muddaub

See new posts Conversation your cousin Vinny @muddaub

Will Stancil getting thrown out of the ICE signal chat for being annoying (and apparently not following the rules?) was always the way this was destined to end