Scott Hielen
@scotthielen.bsky.social
Diplomacy Stuff • Flew Navy • Geopolitical Risk • Veteran • Nebraskan • Kid and Cat Dad • Bibliophile • Itinerant by Design 🌍 🇺🇸🇳🇱🇹🇷🇩🇪🇧🇪
📍Brussels
📍Brussels
This the menu for ending "a whole civilization" and the only one the U.S. really has that's "convenient" is the N. And they're all war crimes, esp where no state's existence is under threat.
High time for him to have his (nuclear foot)ball taken away.
High time for him to have his (nuclear foot)ball taken away.
April 7, 2026 at 12:14 PM
This the menu for ending "a whole civilization" and the only one the U.S. really has that's "convenient" is the N. And they're all war crimes, esp where no state's existence is under threat.
High time for him to have his (nuclear foot)ball taken away.
High time for him to have his (nuclear foot)ball taken away.
And of course said pilot will have the complete support of his/her Commander in Chief........ www.politico.com/story/2015/0...
April 4, 2026 at 1:27 PM
And of course said pilot will have the complete support of his/her Commander in Chief........ www.politico.com/story/2015/0...
When it looks like that, wouldn't it be called an "alleged" or "suspected" mobile Iranian ballistic missile launcher? Otherwise every tractor-trailer is MEL/TEL, just like every moving tan or green box with a gun is a tank.
Of course, looks alone might be sufficient to satisfy IDF ROE.
Of course, looks alone might be sufficient to satisfy IDF ROE.
April 4, 2026 at 12:56 PM
When it looks like that, wouldn't it be called an "alleged" or "suspected" mobile Iranian ballistic missile launcher? Otherwise every tractor-trailer is MEL/TEL, just like every moving tan or green box with a gun is a tank.
Of course, looks alone might be sufficient to satisfy IDF ROE.
Of course, looks alone might be sufficient to satisfy IDF ROE.
As an F-16 dude, it should be obvious to Gen. Caine what's next when the single source of power doesn't respond to throttle inputs. CJCS's one job is to provide military advice to the President. It didn't work. At all.
Fire lights and the master caution are blinking and he's not in a great place.
Fire lights and the master caution are blinking and he's not in a great place.
March 16, 2026 at 3:02 PM
As an F-16 dude, it should be obvious to Gen. Caine what's next when the single source of power doesn't respond to throttle inputs. CJCS's one job is to provide military advice to the President. It didn't work. At all.
Fire lights and the master caution are blinking and he's not in a great place.
Fire lights and the master caution are blinking and he's not in a great place.
Before NDIA ethical standards, there was Fenning's Universal Spelling Book with "Lessons both moral and divine" (1755), which was used in Colonial-era (and later) American schools.
Moral: unchanged
Note: recall "f" with no crossbar makes a "long s" sound in English - prior to the 19th cent.
Moral: unchanged
Note: recall "f" with no crossbar makes a "long s" sound in English - prior to the 19th cent.
March 15, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Before NDIA ethical standards, there was Fenning's Universal Spelling Book with "Lessons both moral and divine" (1755), which was used in Colonial-era (and later) American schools.
Moral: unchanged
Note: recall "f" with no crossbar makes a "long s" sound in English - prior to the 19th cent.
Moral: unchanged
Note: recall "f" with no crossbar makes a "long s" sound in English - prior to the 19th cent.
The U.S. exercises with its Gulf partners on a regular basis. How’s the ROI looking?
March 2, 2026 at 12:48 PM
The U.S. exercises with its Gulf partners on a regular basis. How’s the ROI looking?
Says the country with a 15 percent general tariff on the EU. Says the country threatening European Allies opposing U.S. control of Greenland.
This has the logic of “only I get to beat up my little brother,” but little brother isn’t so little.
This has the logic of “only I get to beat up my little brother,” but little brother isn’t so little.
February 23, 2026 at 7:35 AM
Says the country with a 15 percent general tariff on the EU. Says the country threatening European Allies opposing U.S. control of Greenland.
This has the logic of “only I get to beat up my little brother,” but little brother isn’t so little.
This has the logic of “only I get to beat up my little brother,” but little brother isn’t so little.
NATO is only a zombie alliance if members fail to invest in themselves WHILE ensuring they can operate jointly together. NATO enables them to come together as 32 with consensus or in smaller combinations without it. The U.S. can be the pacemaker, but Europe needs to build the heart muscle.
February 12, 2026 at 9:13 PM
NATO is only a zombie alliance if members fail to invest in themselves WHILE ensuring they can operate jointly together. NATO enables them to come together as 32 with consensus or in smaller combinations without it. The U.S. can be the pacemaker, but Europe needs to build the heart muscle.
While SACEUR's authorities have evolved, permitting more responsiveness and capacity to act in recent years, NATO's value is perhaps more so as an organizing concept, a source of standards that unify, and a mechanism for exercising forces together -- whether it's all 32 or smaller combinations.
February 12, 2026 at 9:13 PM
While SACEUR's authorities have evolved, permitting more responsiveness and capacity to act in recent years, NATO's value is perhaps more so as an organizing concept, a source of standards that unify, and a mechanism for exercising forces together -- whether it's all 32 or smaller combinations.
The U.S. has, in fact, been the heart-lung machine of the Alliance since the collapse of the USSR, continuing to invest in capability and capacity while much of NATO's membership cashed in on its peace dividend. Where was Europe's heart? Where was Canada's pulse?
February 12, 2026 at 9:13 PM
The U.S. has, in fact, been the heart-lung machine of the Alliance since the collapse of the USSR, continuing to invest in capability and capacity while much of NATO's membership cashed in on its peace dividend. Where was Europe's heart? Where was Canada's pulse?
The NATO-member "multinational force" deployed to Greenland also demonstrates how "NATO" might really work in the face of Russian aggression.
It's easy to see coalitions within the Alliance taking action and taking action EFFECTIVELY because they are NATO trained, equipped, and exercised.
It's easy to see coalitions within the Alliance taking action and taking action EFFECTIVELY because they are NATO trained, equipped, and exercised.
January 22, 2026 at 10:01 AM
The NATO-member "multinational force" deployed to Greenland also demonstrates how "NATO" might really work in the face of Russian aggression.
It's easy to see coalitions within the Alliance taking action and taking action EFFECTIVELY because they are NATO trained, equipped, and exercised.
It's easy to see coalitions within the Alliance taking action and taking action EFFECTIVELY because they are NATO trained, equipped, and exercised.
The POTUS WEF address is a stream of falsehoods, complaints, boasts, and grievances.
It's punishment and insult being dripped out on everyone in the room.
If ever there was a moment for a walk out, now would be it, but security protocols probably don't permit it.
It's punishment and insult being dripped out on everyone in the room.
If ever there was a moment for a walk out, now would be it, but security protocols probably don't permit it.
January 21, 2026 at 2:16 PM
The POTUS WEF address is a stream of falsehoods, complaints, boasts, and grievances.
It's punishment and insult being dripped out on everyone in the room.
If ever there was a moment for a walk out, now would be it, but security protocols probably don't permit it.
It's punishment and insult being dripped out on everyone in the room.
If ever there was a moment for a walk out, now would be it, but security protocols probably don't permit it.
Was there ever a more pathetic man? Throws a tantrum. Violates human rights. Violates national sovereignty. Woman gives him her medal in hopes that he’ll shut up and maybe violate his office and international law on her behalf again.
January 16, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Was there ever a more pathetic man? Throws a tantrum. Violates human rights. Violates national sovereignty. Woman gives him her medal in hopes that he’ll shut up and maybe violate his office and international law on her behalf again.
When the Low Countries are grey, sunshine in a vase is just the thing. 🌷
January 15, 2026 at 5:57 PM
When the Low Countries are grey, sunshine in a vase is just the thing. 🌷
Ed Murrow would’ve drowned @cbsnews.com in the bathtub if he’d known it was going to grow into this. CBS has joined the ranks of the Vichy Américaine media.
January 2, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Ed Murrow would’ve drowned @cbsnews.com in the bathtub if he’d known it was going to grow into this. CBS has joined the ranks of the Vichy Américaine media.
The first American President, George Washington, referred to the U.S. as "the last great experiment for promoting human happiness." The EU is exponentially greater in complexity and ambition, owing to the stronger identity and sovereignty of its constituent states. We should all want it to succeed.
January 2, 2026 at 1:20 PM
The first American President, George Washington, referred to the U.S. as "the last great experiment for promoting human happiness." The EU is exponentially greater in complexity and ambition, owing to the stronger identity and sovereignty of its constituent states. We should all want it to succeed.
NYE visit to Train World in Brussels-Schaarbeek, the museum of the Belgian National Railway Company. Beautifully put together. Current exhibit explores the railway’s difficult role under wartime occupation, sustaining the country but also enabling deportation to concentration camps.
January 1, 2026 at 11:50 AM
NYE visit to Train World in Brussels-Schaarbeek, the museum of the Belgian National Railway Company. Beautifully put together. Current exhibit explores the railway’s difficult role under wartime occupation, sustaining the country but also enabling deportation to concentration camps.
We’ve seen this before, building an army when existing institutions just aren’t doing it for you.
Is deploying active duty against your citizenry a sensitive matter? Has the National Guard been taken away from you? Time to expand an already reckless enforcement arm of a Frankenstein department.
Is deploying active duty against your citizenry a sensitive matter? Has the National Guard been taken away from you? Time to expand an already reckless enforcement arm of a Frankenstein department.
December 31, 2025 at 2:49 PM
We’ve seen this before, building an army when existing institutions just aren’t doing it for you.
Is deploying active duty against your citizenry a sensitive matter? Has the National Guard been taken away from you? Time to expand an already reckless enforcement arm of a Frankenstein department.
Is deploying active duty against your citizenry a sensitive matter? Has the National Guard been taken away from you? Time to expand an already reckless enforcement arm of a Frankenstein department.
Stating the obvious, speakeasies were illicit bars. They circumvented the law (like the old Volstead Act) and were sustained where the law turned a blind eye. Its introduction into a public memorial is totally on brand for this administration: government-sponsored flouting of the law.
December 30, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Stating the obvious, speakeasies were illicit bars. They circumvented the law (like the old Volstead Act) and were sustained where the law turned a blind eye. Its introduction into a public memorial is totally on brand for this administration: government-sponsored flouting of the law.
I'm the same age as El_n so we probably watched Moonraker on VHS at the same time. 📺 I aspired to be a terminal Navy Commander, like Bond. ✅ Never imagined anyone would pick Hugo Drax, but godspeed my man.✨[photo: allthatsinteresting dot com]
December 13, 2025 at 1:12 PM
I'm the same age as El_n so we probably watched Moonraker on VHS at the same time. 📺 I aspired to be a terminal Navy Commander, like Bond. ✅ Never imagined anyone would pick Hugo Drax, but godspeed my man.✨[photo: allthatsinteresting dot com]
The DoJ doubles down on copyright abuse. Emblematic.
"Your work will have generational consequences."
Yes, and enabling this BS has consequences for your soul, too.
"Your work will have generational consequences."
Yes, and enabling this BS has consequences for your soul, too.
December 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM
The DoJ doubles down on copyright abuse. Emblematic.
"Your work will have generational consequences."
Yes, and enabling this BS has consequences for your soul, too.
"Your work will have generational consequences."
Yes, and enabling this BS has consequences for your soul, too.
The recommended player age for "Risk" is 10 and up, so this tracks with the sophistication of his ambitions.
December 11, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The recommended player age for "Risk" is 10 and up, so this tracks with the sophistication of his ambitions.
December 7th, 1941. Pearl Harbor Day. Japan "woke the sleeping giant" and America went all-in on wars in Europe and in the Pacific. As a Navy veteran, I'm proud of how my service picked itself up and fought to win. I honor their sacrifice.
Regrettably, the U.S. is becoming what they fought against.
Regrettably, the U.S. is becoming what they fought against.
December 7, 2025 at 10:43 AM
December 7th, 1941. Pearl Harbor Day. Japan "woke the sleeping giant" and America went all-in on wars in Europe and in the Pacific. As a Navy veteran, I'm proud of how my service picked itself up and fought to win. I honor their sacrifice.
Regrettably, the U.S. is becoming what they fought against.
Regrettably, the U.S. is becoming what they fought against.
“I’m just saying, by the time you recognize an atrocity, you may already be complicit in one.”
✨ Foundation S2E4 or 🇺🇸 Hegseth S47E1?
✨ Foundation S2E4 or 🇺🇸 Hegseth S47E1?
December 3, 2025 at 7:51 PM
“I’m just saying, by the time you recognize an atrocity, you may already be complicit in one.”
✨ Foundation S2E4 or 🇺🇸 Hegseth S47E1?
✨ Foundation S2E4 or 🇺🇸 Hegseth S47E1?