Oren Samet

“a U.S.-sanctioned human rights abuser, continues to use Brazil’s institutions to silence opposition and threaten democracy”

Democracy promotion back on the menu I guess? The US just can’t quit a “values-based” foreign policy

On Meet the Press today, a US official clearly stated that tariffs on Brazil were imposed in response to “lawfare”

The new “values-based” foreign policy in action. Trump officials disparage “liberal interventionism” but can’t quit the rhetoric or actions of it - just targeted at political enemies

The new “values-based” foreign policy strikes again!

foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/27/u...

And as with many attempts at liberal interventionism in the past (esp using sanctions), this one seems likely to backfire

Hard to tell from the initial reporting. But this deal seems worlds better than the Columbia deal. Feels almost as if the Trump admin was angling for a quick win to shape the narrative and ramp up pressure on Harvard

The new “values-based” foreign policy strikes again!

foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/27/u...

Truly incredible. The new “values-based” foreign policy strikes again!

Fascinating details in here about what’s going on behind the scenes on US #Myanmar policy

Confirms that recent sanctions relief for cronies was not part of an overarching policy shift, but one may still be coming. Seems like no one in the admin has any real sense of Myanmar tho

t.co/37PVBQrYEY

Understanding Myanmar's sanctions landscape - DVB Guest contributor James Shwe July has been a pivotal month for Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement. On July 22, the U.S. Congress advanced three of its strongest-ever bills to isolate the junta and suppo...

“OFAC’s July 2025 delistings are neither a weakening of U.S. policy nor a reward for good behavior. They are costly, technical legal outcomes happening in many sanctioned countries.”

#Myanmar #sanctions

english.dvb.no/understandin...

One point that I haven't seen discussed in the context of the Columbia deal is the fact that it only addresses the currently frozen funds. So they pay $200 mil to get back $400 mil in funding. But they'll still have to contend with major funding cuts and caps on overhead for the foreseeable future

The US’s new “values-based” foreign policy is increasingly zeroing in on Europe and platform regulation as key priority areas

This type of rhetoric was previously reserved for the worst dictatorships. Now it’s deployed against allies

State Department attacks Europe over free speech The EU’s “Orwellian message won't fool the United States,” the State Department said.

The State Dept post above is part of a pattern. Going back to VP Vance’s speech in Munich in Feb
www.politico.com/news/2025/07...

The US’s new “values-based” foreign policy is increasingly zeroing in on Europe and platform regulation as key priority areas

This type of rhetoric was previously reserved for the worst dictatorships. Now it’s deployed against allies

America Still Has a ‘Values-Based’ Foreign Policy It’s increasingly difficult to understand Trump’s foreign policy without an ideological lens.

More on the new values-based foreign policy here: foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/27/u...

And there it is (this is a “Trump Advisor”). They’re extremely explicit about it: we must stand up for “democracy” and that means anyone who can cast themself as an oppressed Trumpian figure deserves US gov support

America Still Has a ‘Values-Based’ Foreign Policy It’s increasingly difficult to understand Trump’s foreign policy without an ideological lens.

More on the new values-based foreign policy here: foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/27/u...

Rubio just ordered sanctions against Brazil’s Supreme Court for proceeding with the case against former Pres Bolsonaro.

Incredible example of the new “values-based” foreign policy in action: Using the tools of statecraft to punish perceived offenses against right wingers abroad

But the devil is in the details: they'll still do it if "there is a clear and compelling U.S. foreign policy interest to do so." So State will still pick on countries it doesn't like... I just imagine that list might include France or Germany in the future, rather than actual dictatorships

U.S. to Curtail Practice of Assessing Fairness of Foreign Elections The order says the U.S. will only comment if “there is a clear and compelling U.S. foreign policy interest to do so.”

Represents a major shift in US foreign policy: A new memo from Sec of State Rubio orders statements on foreign elections to “avoid opining on the fairness or integrity of an electoral process, its legitimacy, or the democratic values of the country in question.”

www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Trump nominates ‘alpha male’ MAGA firebrand to serve as ambassador to Malaysia Nick Adams has been a prominent voice in the conservative manosphere since publishing his 2016 book “Green Card Warrior.”

A massive "fuck you" to an important country in an important region. Add this to the number of ways the US is failing to compete with China in the Indo-Pacific. Setting America's reputation on fire to please a base that's way too online www.politico.com/news/2025/07...

This is a classic dilemma for opposition politicians calling for international pressure in autocracies (the focus of much of my research!). Easy to get painted as “tools of foreign interference.” Now becomes increasingly relevant in democracies as well

From the US Embassy in Brazil (!!): "The political persecution against [Bolsonaro, his family], and their supporters, is a disgrace and falls well below the dignity of Brazil’s democratic traditions"

Bizarro World democracy promotion

Trump Administration Live Updates: President Threatens Brazil With Tariffs of 50 Percent as He Assails Prosecution of Bolsonaro

Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariffs to, in his words, "rectify the grave injustices of the current [Brazilian] regime" - in this case, prosecuting former Pres Bolsonaro

Using the tools of economic statecraft to try and protect ideological buddies abroad

www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07...

Weaponized interdependence for regime change. This will only accelerate efforts to work around US platforms and infrastructures.

From the US Embassy in Brazil (!!): "The political persecution against [Bolsonaro, his family], and their supporters, is a disgrace and falls well below the dignity of Brazil’s democratic traditions"

Bizarro World democracy promotion

America Still Has a ‘Values-Based’ Foreign Policy It’s increasingly difficult to understand Trump’s foreign policy without an ideological lens.

It's very in line with what I have termed the "new values-based foreign policy" of the Trump administration. Employing foreign policy tools used to punish autocrats and rights abusers, but siccing them ideological enemies instead. This isn't transactionalism at all

foreignpolicy.com/2025/05/27/u...

Trump Administration Live Updates: President Threatens Brazil With Tariffs of 50 Percent as He Assails Prosecution of Bolsonaro

Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariffs to, in his words, "rectify the grave injustices of the current [Brazilian] regime" - in this case, prosecuting former Pres Bolsonaro

Using the tools of economic statecraft to try and protect ideological buddies abroad

www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07...

This seems to ignore what appear to be some important changes from House->Senate versions, esp regarding endowment taxes. Rates brought way down, small schools exempted. Seems like traditional lobbying was prob important, as was keeping a low profile in doing so. Might help square the circle

It is a heartbreaking day for many, many people who worked in the broader foreign assistance, foreign policy, and journalism worlds. USAID, RFE/RL, Radio Free Asia—all illegally closed. Hundreds of State Dept employees being laid off right now. Hundreds more grants being terminated.

Last chance to weigh in on Trump's plan to politicize the civil service Trump has already shown us how he would use Schedule F powers

Today is the last day to comment on schedule F, Russ Vought's plan to politicize the civil service, by making many positions political appointments. Please take the time to comment today. donmoynihan.substack.com/p/last-day-t...