Politics with Paint

Explaining complex issues in international politics with bad drawings.

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

Released a video on this a few hours prior to the announcement: https://t.co/peubIsVP9e

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

Called it lol.

I suspect these three Islands are going to be the main US target because of their disputed status.

They are claimed by the UAE, so technically, the US could claim that they are not putting boots on the ground in Iran while occupying these Islands.

[OSINTdefender @sentdefender]

The Pentagon has suggested seizing the Iran-controlled Island of Abu Musa, located in the eastern Persian Gulf near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, roughly 40 miles from both Iran and the United Arab Emirates, sources tell Axios.

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

I'm leaving a link to this video here for no particular reason at all...

https://t.co/RSYaqRMcig

[OSINTdefender @sentdefender]

U.S. President Donald J. Trump is open to supporting groups in Iran willing to take up arms to dislodge the Islamic Regime, including Kurdish factions in Northwestern Iran, U.S. officials told the Wall Street Journal, an idea that could turn Iranian factions into ground forces at least rhetorically backed by Washington.

Officials said Trump hasn’t made a final decision on the matter, including whether he would provide arms, training or intelligence support to anti-regime groups, though the President has urged the Iranian people to rise up several times, telling those in Iran to “take over your government,” adding “America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force.”

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

Although Iran is a very diverse country that has a lot of internal problems, it has surprisingly strong internal cohesion. However, there are a few groups that could try to break away if given the oppurtunity. This is something I just discussed in a video: https://t.co/8lqN2LV1la

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

You will see comments like this one from Netanyahu's son more often in the future. The 12-day war showed that achieving regime change in Iran through a popular uprising is unrealistic. Instead, we will see increasing rhetorical, maybe material support for Iranian separatist.

[Yair Netanyahu🇮🇱 @YairNetanyahu]

The Kurds are the largest stateless people in the world, with a population of around 45 million.
They are secular and allies of the West. Their territory is divided and occupied by Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
Why haven’t France, Spain, Ireland, the UK, Norway, Portugal, Canada, Germany, Malta, and Slovenia recognized Kurdistan?

[OSINTdefender @sentdefender]

Close to 20 U.S. Air Force KC-135 and KC-46 Aerial-Refueling Tankers lifted-off this morning from airbases across Europe, heading in the direction of the Middle East, with most of the tankers appearing to be towing fighter aircraft, likely including F-15s, F-16s, F-22s, and F-35s, all moving now towards U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

People REALLY want China to annex Tajikistan and Kirgistan apparently...

[Institute for the Study of War @TheStudyofWar]

NEW: Adversary Entente Task Force Update, June 11, 2025 | Key Takeaways + Full Report⬇️(1/2)

Iranian Nuclear Negotiations: Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to facilitate the United States-Iran nuclear negotiations. Putin’s offer comes as the nuclear negotiations are at an impasse and may collapse.

Putin likely seeks to portray Russia as a useful collaborator and partner that the United States needs to achieve certain global outcomes. It is far from clear, however, that Russia has the leverage to help secure a nuclear agreement.

Iranian Military Learning: The Iranian Supreme National Defense University published its first-ever analysis on military lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war. The analysis may reflect whatever consensus is forming in the Iranian military establishment. The analytical insights focus especially on strategic innovation, tactical and operational drone operations, electronic warfare, and ground combat.

PRC-Russian Tensions: Russian intelligence has reportedly grown concerned about PRC espionage since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war. The FSB has reportedly concerned that the PRC seeks to exploit the Russian focus on fighting Ukraine, according to the New York Times. The PRC is specifically interested in recruiting spies and obtaining sensitive military information.

Russia-North Korea Cooperation: Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu recently visited North Korea, highlighting the reality that the expanding Russian-North Korea ties are an enduring geopolitical shift rather than a temporary alignment of interests. Shoigu’s visit, during which he met with Kim Jong Un is his second to North Korea in less than three months.

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

Textbooks on 21st century politics are going to be amazing.

[Pyotr Kurzin @PKurzin]

Iconic #TurkeyProtests

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

New video! Recently, Israel threatened to send its forces into southern Syria to "establish a demilitarised zone and to protect the Druze community". This is the latest chapter in an over 50 year old dispute over the Golan Heights. Will there now be war?

https://t.co/96l2rjcjPD

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

2025 is insane, and we are barely 3 months in.

[OSINTdefender @sentdefender]

A Full-Video from the White House, of the Heated-Exchange earlier in the Oval Office between U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Vice-President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

Something tells me that "Fentanyl Czar" wasn't a term that Trudeau chose. 🤔

[Justin Trudeau @JustinTrudeau]

I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border.

In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada- U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million.

Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together.

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

The speed of the Syrian rebel advance & government collapse has been staggering.

For 4 years, little was happening. Now in a matter of days, the situation has changed completely. And all of that with very little fighting.

Working on a video to explain the situation.

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

This is a complicated situation. One side accuses the UOC of being a tool of the Russia, while the other accuses Ukraine of banning a legitimate church that has publicly cut ties with Moscow.

My newest video explores this issue in greater detail (5/5):
https://t.co/pKAYGrqGhl

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

"Ukraine bans the Orthodox Church" or
"Ukraine bans the Russian-Orthodox Church"

Maybe you've read headlines like these after the Ukrainian parliament recently passed a new law targeting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). However, the situation is more complicated. (1/5)

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

The new law will allow Ukrainian authorities to disband any religious organisation with ties to an armed aggressor state (i.e. Russia), which they argue is vital for Ukraine. There are concerns, however, that this represents a severe violation of religious freedom. (4/5)

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

@Der_Parrot Churches tend to have historic & hand-made pieces, but not always. The purpose of an icon is to help with prayer, and that purpose can be furfilled with both an expensive piece as well as a simple, affordable print. In orthodox homes, you are much more likely to find the latter.

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

@Der_Parrot If you go to any orthodox church with a shop you'll find many icons that are simple prints on a wooden, metal or plastic base like below. The reason is because hand-made icons are expensive, whereas these prints can be sold very cheaply and are thus affordable to everyone.

[Politics with Paint @PoliticswPaint]

New video! This time, on one of the more unusual secessionist movements that is taking on steam in the US: The Greater Idaho Movement, which wants Eastern Oregon to join Idaho. But is that even possible? And if so, what would happen to the US? Watch here: https://t.co/e9Mg5rfHXg