So When Did Naval Sodomy Become Illegal?
Later than you think
Good Morning:
It really depends on how old your kids are and how much they like a good raunchy story? In all probability, yes, they should know why—in graphic detail and way younger than is appropriate.
Yesterday on #DogShirtTV, the estimable Tyler McBrien came by to talk about Johran Mamdani’s victory in the NYC mayoral primary elections and whether it matters. Also, are New Yorkers actually rude or is that just a myth?
Yesterday On Lawfare
Compiled by the estimable Mary Ford
Trump Is Undermining Policies Against Transnational Repression
Nate Schenkkan explains how actions taken by the Trump administration have undercut Biden-era policies to counter transnational repression (counter-TNR)—which made the protection of exiles and diasporas a priority—and analyzes areas of the counter-TNR policy space in which the damage inflicted by the administration would be felt the most.
The consequences for counter-TNR efforts will be far-reaching. The work of other governments will continue, but because of the U.S.’s leading role in promoting the issue, driving attention, and providing funding, an opportunity for significant progress is being lost.
How Ukraine Is Challenging Russia in Africa and the Middle East
David Kirichenko explores the novel diplomatic and military strategies Ukraine is using to engage Russia around the world, emphasizing Ukraine’s disruption of Russian economic and military operations across the African continent and the Middle East.
Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s fight has gone global. The frontline of the Russia-Ukraine war now extends far beyond the borders of both countries. However, involvement in foreign conflicts remains a risky endeavor, particularly in places like Sudan, where engagement with either side can damage Ukraine’s image. Participation in military operations abroad may also undermine some of Kyiv’s diplomatic efforts in Africa. Still, with a full-scale invasion ongoing, Ukraine is focused on survival—and this means weakening Russia however, and wherever, possible.
Podcasts
On Lawfare Daily, Daniel Byman sits down with associate professor at the Naval War College and Columbia University, Lindsay Cohn, to take stock of the Trump administration’s handling of the U.S. military. They discuss military parades and the U.S. military presence in Los Angeles and along the U.S.-Mexico border.
In partnership with the University of Texas School of Law, Lawfare Senior Editor Kevin Frazier and Lawfare Research Director Alan Rozenshtein launch their new podcast series Scaling Laws, a podcast dedicated to navigating the complexities of artificial intelligence. In the inaugural episode, they discuss the defeat in the Senate of a proposed moratorium on state and local regulation of artificial intelligence.
The Situation
Some things have happened. In my “The Situation” column yesterday, I list some of them:
● The Senate—“Time’s worst statute, unrepealed”—passed a bill that will increase the national debt by several trillion dollars by taking away millions of people’s health care to fund continued tax breaks for wealthy people, but not taking away enough people’s health care to make the bill revenue neutral. The bill is now back in the House of Representatives for a final round of shadow puppetry and shows of opposition before Republicans bow and pass it.
● The administration continued its slow-motion abandonment of Ukraine, loosening sanctions on Russia and cutting off shipments of air defense interceptors to Ukraine as it tries to fight off nightly Russian attacks on its cities and civilian infrastructure.
● Russia’s other major ally in the war against Ukraine, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, publicly mourned North Koreans killed in the conflict—amid reports that he may send as many as another 30,000 North Korean souls to the front.
● A Jan. 6 rioter, pardoned by the president, is now working at the Justice Department as counselor to the working group on weaponization of government.
● Paramount has agreed to pay entities aligned with the president $16 million to settle his libel suit against CBS over its editing of an interview with Kamala Harris. The settlement comes with Paramount hoping to secure regulatory approval for a merger.
● I failed utterly in my efforts to write a funny column about the Supreme Court and universal injunctions.
Today’s #BeastOfTheDay is the oryx, photographed by the estimable acting #BeastMaster
and seen here brandishing its long ornamental horns for your entertainment:
Tell Me Something Interesting
During last week’s investigation of antebellum naval sodomy, I (
) eventually arrived at a question: if sodomy was not formally disallowed under naval law from the beginning, when did the navy decide that gay sex wasn’t allowed after all?The answer is 1920. And it may be FDR’s fault.
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