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Posts by Markos Kounalakis, Ph.D.

My latest piece in @washingtonmonthly.com and my latest research @hooverinstitution.bsky.social

Posting the day after @gavinnewsom.bsky.social State of the State address revisiting similar themes.

3 months ago 4 3 0 0
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NATO’s Myopic Accounting Ignores Maritime Superpower Greece NATO's fixation on defense spending percentages overlooks Greece’s vast maritime power—and the capacity actually needed in a major war.

Here's my latest piece @washingtonmonthly.com

Hoping those in NATO can evolve this alliance relationship & account for national strategic advantages. We talk a lot about sealift capacity w/my colleagues at the Hoover Institution. Here's one possible solution.

washingtonmonthly.com/2025/12/22/n...

3 months ago 2 2 0 0
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Trump Is Said to Propose Opening California Coast to Oil Drilling

California’s coast is not for sale.

Offshore drilling isn’t just reckless. It’s a threat to our communities, our economy, and our clean‑energy future. Here in California, we’ll always lead with innovation, protect our coast, and put people over Big Oil.

5 months ago 9 4 0 0
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Make California a G7 Member As Trump pulls the US out of global institutions, the fourth-largest economy, California, should take its seat at the table at the G7.

Make California a G7 Member

"Economic powerhouse of #California should be admitted into the #G7, given that the state’s $4.1 trillion GDP and throw-weight are greater than those of five of the current members"

washingtonmonthly.com/2025/11/12/m... @cagovernornewsom.bsky.social @ltg.ca.gov

5 months ago 0 0 0 0
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H-1B fee kills two birds — and America's golden goose – with one stone President Donald Trump found another way to weaponize immigration: a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applicants. It kills two birds with one stone: By targeting mostly India, he also gets to punish Cal...

My latest on H-1Bs w/ Dinsha Mistree

"President Donald Trump has found yet another way to weaponize immigration...The policy lets POTUS kill two birds with one stone: By targeting mostly India, he also gets to punish California."

www.sfexaminer.com/forum/trump-... #India #California

5 months ago 2 0 0 0
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Venezuela’s Best Chance for Freedom Trump and the U.S. should keep pressuring Maduro of Venezuela, but not use blunderbuss tactics that will backfire

My latest
@monthly

“Venezuela’s tragic collapse from petrostate to failed state has a name: Nicolás Maduro.

It’s time for him to go."

washingtonmonthly.com/2025/10/17/v...

6 months ago 0 0 0 0

Proud to see that @california-hcd.bsky.social will receive necessary funding to create more affordable housing for Californians.

Out of the 2,099 affordable homes created, 2,068 homes will be reserved for low- to extremely low-income residents like seniors, Veterans, large families and more.

6 months ago 1 1 2 0
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It was an honor to visit California’s very own Yosemite National Park as part of a tour through the beautiful Sierra Nevada 🏔️🌲

We hiked up to Yosemite’s iconic Mist Trail & saw how our trails are maintained to be safe & accessible. Protecting California’s treasures is a responsibility we all share.

7 months ago 2 1 1 0
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August is #NationalBlackBusinessMonth, and I had such a great time visiting Urban Roots Brewing & Smokehouse in Downtown Sacramento, an iconic spot for BBQ, craft beers, and good vibes!

7 months ago 3 1 1 0
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Another tragic mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school this morning, where two children were killed and many more injured. Their futures were stolen, and countless families will never be the same.

7 months ago 2 1 1 0
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I had the pleasure of touring Calaveras Big Trees State Park as part of my visit to Calaveras County 🌲

It was inspiring to meet with State Park Leaders to see their work protecting CA’s giant sequoias, and advocating for over 1,000 mature trees against the threats of wildfires & climate change.

7 months ago 1 2 0 0
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America is seeing its first decline in immigrants in over 50 years, with 1.4 million people gone in just months under Trump.

Immigrants drive $275 billion in economic output, contribute billions in tax revenue, and enrich our culture & communities.

This isn’t just cruel, it’s reckless.

7 months ago 1 3 0 0
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Former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf ends bid for state treasurer after Kounalakis enters race Former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf has ended her campaign to become state treasurer and endorsed Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis for the role. Schaaf had a fraction of the campaign funds of Kounalakis.

Former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf has ended her campaign to become state treasurer and endorsed Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis for the role. Schaaf had a fraction of the campaign funds of Kounalakis.

8 months ago 11 2 0 0

Yes!

8 months ago 0 0 0 0

I'm with Eleni.

8 months ago 0 0 0 0
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Wallis Annenberg represented the best of California. Business success coupled with a lifetime of visionary philanthropy.

Her contributions to our state will forever serve as a testament to her extraordinary life.

8 months ago 3 1 0 0

Foreign Minister of #Ukraine says it’s time to recognize Russia as a terrorist state @GLOBSEC #globsec2025

@AndriiSybiha makes case, incl. Russia’s abducting Ukrainian children.

Re-upping my 2014 Russia as terrorist state argument.

amp.sacbee.com/opinion/op-e...

10 months ago 0 0 0 0
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Good to be at GLOBSEC 2025 in Prague. 20 years strong! My first Forum since joining the International Advisory Board.

Impressed by CZ President Petr Pavel’s clarity and commitment to regional security and transatlantic relations.
@globsec.bsky.social

10 months ago 1 0 0 0
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So excited to be at @cademocrats.bsky.social’s #CADEMConvention this weekend with democratic volunteers, delegates, leaders and activists who are ready to fight, organize and take back our country 💪🏼 #CAStrong

10 months ago 5 1 1 0
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Women’s leadership matters, role models matter, and lifting up the next generation of female leaders matters.

As of today, 49% of California legislators are women, which is up from 22% in 2022. This is progress but the work doesn’t stop here! 💼

#FemaleLeaders #WomenLeadership

10 months ago 5 3 0 0
The War Prayer
The War Prayer YouTube video by Markos Kounalakis, PhD

Every #MemorialDay I post my short feature film, "The War Prayer". A short story by Mark Twain, it is a scathing indictment of #war - particularly of blind patriotic and religious fervor as motivations for war.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRVo...

10 months ago 1 0 0 0

In California, we don’t just defend the right to choose—we lead the fight to protect it. That is why I’m proud to co-sponsor Assemblymember Cecilia Aguilar-Curry’s #AB260 to ensure Mifepristone remains legal & available in CA.

Great to see this bill pass the Assembly & move forward to the Senate.

11 months ago 4 2 0 0

Sending prayers to President Biden and his family as he battles this diagnosis.

Thanks to his leadership with the Cancer Moonshot and NIH and NCI investments as President, there are new and more effective therapies than ever 🙏

11 months ago 9 2 0 0

Horrified by news of the bombing of a reproductive health clinic in Palm Springs today.

My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the entire Palm Springs community during this difficult time.

11 months ago 2 2 0 0

This is a politically motivated attack on reproductive freedom, period. Mifepristone has been FDA-approved for 20+ yrs & is used in 60%+ of abortions nationwide.

CA will keep fighting for safe, legal reproductive care & every person’s right to make their own medical decisions.

11 months ago 2 1 0 0
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Honored to celebrate #EuropeDay with @ec.europa.eu @euintheus.bsky.social —reaffirming California’s deep and growing partnership with the #EU.

With $65.5B in two-way trade and the EU as our #1 source of foreign investment, California is proud to be your most trusted transatlantic ally.

11 months ago 4 2 0 0
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Proud to co-sponsor #AB379 by Assemblywoman Maggy Krell, which passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee today—a step forward in protecting victims of sex trafficking. At the same time, I’m deeply disappointed that a key provision was stripped: 🧵👇🏽

11 months ago 3 1 1 1

Today, we honor the resilience & strength of the Armenian people as we remember the Armenian Genocide. California is home to a vibrant Armenian community, and we stand in solidarity in ensuring that history is never forgotten or repeated. We are mindful of those who have lost their homes in Artsakh.

11 months ago 7 2 0 0
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Honored to welcome African climate leaders to SF for the CA-Africa Climate & Economic Forum during #SFClimateWeek. With partners from Kenya, Nigeria & beyond, we can explore bold solutions in clean energy, sustainable transport & trade.

California is ready to go far, together. 🌍💚

11 months ago 3 1 0 0
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Great visit to Cal Maritime — my 22nd @calstate.bsky.social campus visit 🚢
As the only maritime academy on the West Coast, Cal Maritime delivers world-class education that prepares cadets to lead in a global industry.

Proud to support its exiting future as it merges with Cal Poly SLO.

1 year ago 8 2 0 0