Twitter of John Heffern - retired FSO, Fellow Diplomacy and Entrepreneurship, Georgetown Institute for Study of Diplomacy
Washington, D.C.
Joined February 2012
- Tweets24.7K
- Following2.9K
- Followers41.3K
- Likes5.6K
John Heffern retweeted
"We should be very cautious and careful about exercising power in this way.": Jake Sullivan, former national security advisor under President Biden, describes how the U.S. military's effortless removal of Nicholas Maduro from power made President Trump feel that a similar outcome was possible in Iran, thus leading to military action and the ongoing war.
John Heffern retweeted
WHERE IS THE COMMITMENT TO MERITOCRACY? BFF Responds to Ambassador Nicholas Burns's Call for Reviving DEI at the State DepartmentIn recent remarks to the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), former U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns called for a return to what he described as a more “rational” approach to diversity and inclusion at the State Department. But where is the equally forceful commitment to meritocracy?In a new commentary, The Ben Franklin Fellowship challenges Burns's proposed return to DEI, questioning whether a revised approach would adequately address concerns about identity-based preferences in hiring, promotions, and assignments.
Read BFF's full response: benfranklinfellowship.org/ar…
#BenFranklinFellowship #Meritocracy #ForeignService #AmericanDiplomacy #StateDepartment #DEI #ForeignPolicy
John Heffern retweeted
Such a beautiful message from Robert De Niro for the Ukrainian people 🇺🇦❤️:
"Hello, I'm Robert De Niro, speaking to you from New York to express my support and solidarity with the brave Ukrainian people.
You are not only standing up for yourselves and your beautiful country, you are standing up for democracy and freedom for the world.
Because if the war criminal Putin is successful in his illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine, no country will be safe.
You have our love, our respect, our support and our gratitude.
Slava Ukraini!"
........
Just, wow 🫡
Stay strong as you are 🇺🇦🙌
John Heffern retweeted
Elon Musk deleted this video from X. It shows Republicans telling the truth about Trump before they teamed up with him. In the end, they sold out the whole world for money.
John Heffern retweeted
We've conducted in-depth research into the Epstein Files and uncovered a collection of photographs involving several election candidates that deserve closer public attention.
Over the next three days, we'll be sharing what we've found.
Stay tuned
<Mike Rogers>
John Heffern retweeted
NOVEMBER SURPRISE.
Former Miss Teen USA, Dr. Larissa Portnoff, just came out with disgusting, disturbing allegations against Donald Trump.
Portnoff is a highly respected New York–based clinical psychologist and clinical director of New York Psychology Practice, She earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Columbia University.
Every republican running tomorrow needs to get on record as to whether they support Donald Trump’s attacks on this poor woman.
John Heffern retweeted
BREAKING!! In a bipartisan letter to Rubio, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis are urging the State Dept to release FY26 law enforcement funding for Ukraine ahead of winter, while demanding answers over the reprogramming of $50 million in previously allocated Ukraine
John Heffern retweeted
🇺🇸 Pentagon officials are secretly collecting evidence that could bring down Pete Hegseth.
Several Defense Department officials have reportedly spent nearly two years collecting emails, memos and meeting notes about the defense secretary.
And they're taking no chances with the evidence.
Copies are reportedly hidden in a gun safe in Virginia, a bank vault in Washington, and a third location on the West Coast.
The officials allege Hegseth and his inner circle ignored legal advice, kept information from Congress and threatened the careers of people who challenged them.
Some have even met lawmakers at sandwich shops and dog parks, away from Capitol Hill.
Now they're waiting to see if Democrats win the House next week, potentially opening the door to an impeachment investigation in 2027.
In the words of one officer: "We're ready with the receipts."
For now, the evidence remains hidden, and whether it ever becomes an impeachment case could come down to who controls Congress.
Source: Raw Story / Writer: Dani
John Heffern retweeted
What did David Katz share on national TV? 📺
What's happening with our recycling partnerships in Southeast Asia?
It's been a busy October at Plastic Bank!
Catch the latest news, stories, and highlights in our October video roundup. 🎥
John Heffern retweeted
COMMENTARY: Former U.S. ambassadors say the "United States cannot credibly defend freedom around the world while treating the survival of a democracy under attack as a bargaining chip" in an opinion piece for POLITICO.
🔗 politico.eu/article/former-u…
John Heffern retweeted
🇺🇦❤️ He could have spent billions on yachts, mansions, and a life of luxury. Instead, he chose to help Ukraine.
His name is Howard Buffett. He is 71 years old and the son of legendary American billionaire Warren Buffett.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion, his foundation has committed approximately $1.33 BILLION to helping Ukraine!
And these aren't just numbers. Here's what that generosity means:
🍞 642 million meals funded for Ukrainians affected by the war.
🚜 823,000 hectares of farmland cultivated with support from his foundation, helping farmers whose equipment was destroyed by Russia.
🦾 $77 million for Superhumans, helping wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians receive prosthetics and rehabilitation.
💣 $167 million for demining, clearing Ukrainian land of deadly Russian explosives.
🏠 344,000 windows replaced in war-damaged buildings.
📚 $8.9 million to restore Kharkiv's Factor-Druk printing house after a Russian missile strike.
And here's something even more remarkable:
🇺🇦 Howard Buffett has personally visited Ukraine 27 times!
He visits devastated communities, meets farmers, and witnesses the consequences of Russia's war firsthand.
In December 2023, his name was added to Kyiv's Walk of the Brave.
But his greatest legacy isn't a monument. It's the lives saved, homes rebuilt, fields cultivated, and Ukrainians given hope again.
❤️ The world has plenty of wealthy people. Far fewer are willing to devote their wealth, time, and hearts to helping strangers thousands of miles away.
Thank you, Howard Buffett. Ukraine will never forget your kindness. 🇺🇦🇺🇸
P.S. I'm gradually moving from X to Substack. You can subscribe for free or support my work with a paid subscription:
mykhailorohoza.substack.com
John Heffern retweeted
Texas voter: I’m a Republican. I'm an old school Reagan Republican, and I believe personal integrity means things. And so I support people that have good personal integrity, and I like James Talarico. He is the kind of guy we need in office.
John Heffern retweeted
“Putin has no need for peace. He wants to rebuild the Russian Empire, and there can be no such empire without Ukraine. He will only make peace if forced to, and we must show strength and consistency and support Ukraine in every possible way.”
– Former Finnish PM Sanna Marin, 23 Oct 2026
John Heffern retweeted
America is a country in flux, with large sections uneasy about the future and uncertain about any political loyalties.
The political center has an opportunity: Put forward a positive agenda that can allay people’s anxieties.
My take:
John Heffern retweeted
“If, like me, you are not a socialist and do not want the United States to be a socialist country, then your decision on Tuesday should be obvious. Vote Democratic to stop socialism.”
liberalcurrents.com/vote-dem…
John Heffern retweeted
Trump has pivoted to helping Putin and abandoning Ukraine.
But Europeans have not.
The American people have not.
And Ukrainians are not giving up.
I explain it all here:
foreignaffairs.com/russia/pu… via @ForeignAffairs
John Heffern retweeted
It’s so extremely important that all of these amazing Democratic Senate candidates get elected if we want to take back our Country from a Dictator.
John Heffern retweeted
Bad news for Russia. Good news for Ukraine and Europe.
The European company Destinus has ramped up serial production of its "Ruta Block 1" cruise missile. According to the company, 1,750 units have been completed, with a monthly production rate approaching 300 units (as of late October 2026).
📍 Production: Primarily in the Netherlands (including proprietary T150 engines, airframes, and avionics). An expansion in collaboration with Rheinmetall in Unterlüß (Germany) is planned.
🇺🇦 Ukraine: Confirmed—the missiles are being supplied and are currently in service. President Zelenskyy confirmed their use in combat operations in 2025 (with ranges exceeding 250 km). The Netherlands is funding approximately 700 units. Debris has been reported in Russia.
🚀 Block 1 Specifications: Range >300 km, payload ~150 kg. Features low-altitude flight, terrain-following capabilities, and operates independently of GNSS.
Future variants: Block 2 (>700 km) and a planned Block 3 (up to 2,000 km).
European-scale production, free from Chinese components—with a monthly output now exceeding what Europe produced annually prior to 2022.