Max Becker
@beckermax.bsky.social
Working on security and defence in 🇪🇺 @dgap.org
views are my own
views are my own
Pinned
To Ensure Its Security, Europe Needs a Stronger Hand in NATO
Under Donald Trump, American national interests and NATO’s multilateral security commitments are not aligned. While Europe cannot – and should not – reject the United States, it must take ownership of...
dgap.org
Thrilled to share my first-ever @dgap.org publication co-authored with Patrick Keller and @emilarchambault.bsky.social🎉
The key takeaway: US security guarantees should be a bonus for Europe, not its foundation. This is at the heart of why Europe must take more responsibility for its own defense
The key takeaway: US security guarantees should be a bonus for Europe, not its foundation. This is at the heart of why Europe must take more responsibility for its own defense
Thrilled to share my first-ever @dgap.org publication co-authored with Patrick Keller and @emilarchambault.bsky.social🎉
The key takeaway: US security guarantees should be a bonus for Europe, not its foundation. This is at the heart of why Europe must take more responsibility for its own defense
The key takeaway: US security guarantees should be a bonus for Europe, not its foundation. This is at the heart of why Europe must take more responsibility for its own defense
To Ensure Its Security, Europe Needs a Stronger Hand in NATO
Under Donald Trump, American national interests and NATO’s multilateral security commitments are not aligned. While Europe cannot – and should not – reject the United States, it must take ownership of...
dgap.org
February 10, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Thrilled to share my first-ever @dgap.org publication co-authored with Patrick Keller and @emilarchambault.bsky.social🎉
The key takeaway: US security guarantees should be a bonus for Europe, not its foundation. This is at the heart of why Europe must take more responsibility for its own defense
The key takeaway: US security guarantees should be a bonus for Europe, not its foundation. This is at the heart of why Europe must take more responsibility for its own defense
Reposted by Max Becker
Europeans spend the last days pretending that their deployment to Greenland was not against the US.
Trump, as always, is sensing a weakness and will force them to come clean. I understand the diplomatic hesitation, but time for Europeans to make clear, unequivocal stance.
Trump, as always, is sensing a weakness and will force them to come clean. I understand the diplomatic hesitation, but time for Europeans to make clear, unequivocal stance.
Der US-Präsident will Grönland zu amerikanischem Staatsgebiet machen, entweder per Kaufvertrag oder mit militärischer Gewalt. Wer sich dem entgegenstellt, soll seinen Zorn zu spüren bekommen.
Donald Trump droht Gegnern seiner Grönland-Politik mit Strafzöllen
Der US-Präsident will Grönland zu amerikanischem Staatsgebiet machen, entweder per Kaufvertrag oder mit militärischer Gewalt. Wer sich dem entgegenstellt, soll seinen Zorn zu spüren bekommen.
www.spiegel.de
January 16, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Europeans spend the last days pretending that their deployment to Greenland was not against the US.
Trump, as always, is sensing a weakness and will force them to come clean. I understand the diplomatic hesitation, but time for Europeans to make clear, unequivocal stance.
Trump, as always, is sensing a weakness and will force them to come clean. I understand the diplomatic hesitation, but time for Europeans to make clear, unequivocal stance.
Reposted by Max Becker
Who’s going to defend Greenland (assuming it wants to be defended)?
Does the mutual solidarity clause apply to Greenland (and who decides about it)?
verfassungsblog.de/greenland-an...
Does the mutual solidarity clause apply to Greenland (and who decides about it)?
verfassungsblog.de/greenland-an...
Greenland and US Annexation Threats
verfassungsblog.de
January 16, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Who’s going to defend Greenland (assuming it wants to be defended)?
Does the mutual solidarity clause apply to Greenland (and who decides about it)?
verfassungsblog.de/greenland-an...
Does the mutual solidarity clause apply to Greenland (and who decides about it)?
verfassungsblog.de/greenland-an...
Reposted by Max Becker
Official confirmation of German participation in European troop deployment to Greenland. First Bundeswehr soldiers to arrive tomorrow. 🇪🇺 / NATO solidarity in action.
January 14, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Official confirmation of German participation in European troop deployment to Greenland. First Bundeswehr soldiers to arrive tomorrow. 🇪🇺 / NATO solidarity in action.
Reposted by Max Becker
Ich glaube aber, dass sich vor einer militärischen Eskalation, einer Intervention mit militärischen Mitteln, noch ganz viele andere Möglichkeiten ergeben", sagt @beckermax.bsky.social im "im Loop"-Podcast zu den 🇺🇸 Plänen bezüglich #Grönland. Von einem Deal bis zu einer Beeinflussung ... /1
January 9, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Ich glaube aber, dass sich vor einer militärischen Eskalation, einer Intervention mit militärischen Mitteln, noch ganz viele andere Möglichkeiten ergeben", sagt @beckermax.bsky.social im "im Loop"-Podcast zu den 🇺🇸 Plänen bezüglich #Grönland. Von einem Deal bis zu einer Beeinflussung ... /1
Reposted by Max Becker
The calls from America this weekend to "abolish the EU" are for one simple reason: the EU is the only thing that can keep European nation-states from becoming Russian or American vassals.
The US has declared rhetorical war on the EU
The calls from America this weekend to destroy the EU are revealing. They hate the union because it's the only thing that can keep European countries from being Russian or American vassals.
davekeating.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:05 AM
The calls from America this weekend to "abolish the EU" are for one simple reason: the EU is the only thing that can keep European nation-states from becoming Russian or American vassals.
Reposted by Max Becker
FCAS started out as a project to bring France and Germany together, but quickly turned into the opposite.
This week, I tried to explain in *two* articles what is going on.
For ECFR: 👇
For WPR: www.worldpoliticsreview.com/fcas-europe-...
This week, I tried to explain in *two* articles what is going on.
For ECFR: 👇
For WPR: www.worldpoliticsreview.com/fcas-europe-...
The trouble with FCAS: Why Europe’s fighter jet project is not taking off
The disagreement over the Franco-German-Spanish fighter aircraft system, FCAS, shows that when it comes to building a European defence industry, political will is not enough…
ecfr.eu
December 4, 2025 at 3:25 PM
FCAS started out as a project to bring France and Germany together, but quickly turned into the opposite.
This week, I tried to explain in *two* articles what is going on.
For ECFR: 👇
For WPR: www.worldpoliticsreview.com/fcas-europe-...
This week, I tried to explain in *two* articles what is going on.
For ECFR: 👇
For WPR: www.worldpoliticsreview.com/fcas-europe-...
Reposted by Max Becker
The "firewall" in the EU Parliament effectively no longer exists.
Just this week we had several uses of the centre-right to far-right majority again. In our new op-ed for @zeit.de, Sophia Russack and I analyze this "Venezuela majority" and why the EP is becoming increasingly unpredictable:
Just this week we had several uses of the centre-right to far-right majority again. In our new op-ed for @zeit.de, Sophia Russack and I analyze this "Venezuela majority" and why the EP is becoming increasingly unpredictable:
Im Europäischen Parlament stimmen die Konservativen mit rechts außen. Die Stabilität, auf der die Union basiert, wird so aufgegeben. Die politische Mitte zerlegt sich.
EVP: In der EU ist die Brandmauer bereits gefallen
Im Europäischen Parlament stimmen die Konservativen mit rechts außen. Die Stabilität, auf der die Union basiert, wird so aufgegeben. Die politische Mitte zerlegt sich.
www.zeit.de
November 28, 2025 at 9:18 AM
The "firewall" in the EU Parliament effectively no longer exists.
Just this week we had several uses of the centre-right to far-right majority again. In our new op-ed for @zeit.de, Sophia Russack and I analyze this "Venezuela majority" and why the EP is becoming increasingly unpredictable:
Just this week we had several uses of the centre-right to far-right majority again. In our new op-ed for @zeit.de, Sophia Russack and I analyze this "Venezuela majority" and why the EP is becoming increasingly unpredictable:
Reposted by Max Becker
This statement highlights part of the problem of the EU's position on Ukraine and the 'Trump peace plan' - as first important achievement it stresses the efficient coordination amongst Europeans, and the resultiing unity.
But intra-European coordination and unity are not an end to themselves.
But intra-European coordination and unity are not an end to themselves.
Statement by President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu following the EU leaders' meeting on Ukraine ↓
link.europa.eu/Hky37c
link.europa.eu/Hky37c
Statement by President von der Leyen following the EU leaders\' meeting on Ukraine
An efficient and coordinated European engagement, as well as a strong European presence in Geneva has allowed us to make good progress in the negotiations for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Whil
link.europa.eu
November 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
This statement highlights part of the problem of the EU's position on Ukraine and the 'Trump peace plan' - as first important achievement it stresses the efficient coordination amongst Europeans, and the resultiing unity.
But intra-European coordination and unity are not an end to themselves.
But intra-European coordination and unity are not an end to themselves.
Reposted by Max Becker
Neither a Russia nor a Ukraine expert (and at home with a sick kid) but everything I am reading about the Ukraine 'peace' plan reads as much as a capitulation for Ukraine as a capitulation for Europe.
Grim, but also a last chance for Europeans to show their ability to say no to Trump.
Grim, but also a last chance for Europeans to show their ability to say no to Trump.
The plan says that "A dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States." This implies that both Russia and the Trump administration don't see the US as part of NATO in any real sense. That should deeply alarm every other NATO state.
November 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Neither a Russia nor a Ukraine expert (and at home with a sick kid) but everything I am reading about the Ukraine 'peace' plan reads as much as a capitulation for Ukraine as a capitulation for Europe.
Grim, but also a last chance for Europeans to show their ability to say no to Trump.
Grim, but also a last chance for Europeans to show their ability to say no to Trump.
Reposted by Max Becker
Puts one of the fears of additional European defence spending into focus: Instead of spending in a more coordinated way, the additional funds incentivise industry towards more defence inflation and more protection of their national fiefdoms.
»Another person close to the project said Dassault “simply doesn’t want to engage in a real partnership”. (...) “The feeling is ‘we have funds like we’ve never had before on defence’ so if we need to do it without the French let’s just do it,” said a person with knowledge of the thinking in Berlin.«
Berlin and Paris discuss scrapping joint fighter to focus on air ‘combat cloud’
Proposed downsizing of €100bn flagship defence project follows feuding by Airbus and Dassault
www.ft.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Puts one of the fears of additional European defence spending into focus: Instead of spending in a more coordinated way, the additional funds incentivise industry towards more defence inflation and more protection of their national fiefdoms.
Reposted by Max Becker
From the creeping integration of the far-right into the EPP seeking majorities on central EU policies with the far-right.
bsky.app/profile/nvon...
bsky.app/profile/nvon...
The EPP could team up with the far right, including Germany’s AfD, in a vote that might redefine EU politics.
Will centrist EPP join forces with ‘rightwing extremists’?
The EPP could team up with the far right, including Germany’s AfD, in a vote that might redefine EU politics.
euobserver.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:20 PM
From the creeping integration of the far-right into the EPP seeking majorities on central EU policies with the far-right.
bsky.app/profile/nvon...
bsky.app/profile/nvon...
Reposted by Max Becker
Over the summer, @beckermax.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social and I wrote about the 'creeping integration of the far-right' into EU decision-making.
Now it looks increasingly likely that this week a major part of the Omnibus package will be passed by an EPP-far-right majority.
Now it looks increasingly likely that this week a major part of the Omnibus package will be passed by an EPP-far-right majority.
The Creeping Integration of Far-right Parties in Europe
Where Far-right Parties Are Integrated into the EU System and Where They Are Not
www.swp-berlin.org
November 12, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Over the summer, @beckermax.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social and I wrote about the 'creeping integration of the far-right' into EU decision-making.
Now it looks increasingly likely that this week a major part of the Omnibus package will be passed by an EPP-far-right majority.
Now it looks increasingly likely that this week a major part of the Omnibus package will be passed by an EPP-far-right majority.
Reposted by Max Becker
Der Aufstieg der Rechtsaußen-Parteien war die auffälligste Geschichte der #Europawahl 2024 – aber nicht die einzige.
In einem Sammelband von MICHAEL KAEDING, MANUEL MÜLLER und ALEX HOPPE analysieren 67 Autor:innen in 38 Kapiteln die vielen Facetten der Wahl.
Jetzt auch auf Deutsch erhältlich:
In einem Sammelband von MICHAEL KAEDING, MANUEL MÜLLER und ALEX HOPPE analysieren 67 Autor:innen in 38 Kapiteln die vielen Facetten der Wahl.
Jetzt auch auf Deutsch erhältlich:
Frisch erschienen: Die Europawahl 2024 – Rechtsruck im Schatten des Krieges
Ein Blog über die Demokratie in Europa
www.foederalist.eu
October 20, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Der Aufstieg der Rechtsaußen-Parteien war die auffälligste Geschichte der #Europawahl 2024 – aber nicht die einzige.
In einem Sammelband von MICHAEL KAEDING, MANUEL MÜLLER und ALEX HOPPE analysieren 67 Autor:innen in 38 Kapiteln die vielen Facetten der Wahl.
Jetzt auch auf Deutsch erhältlich:
In einem Sammelband von MICHAEL KAEDING, MANUEL MÜLLER und ALEX HOPPE analysieren 67 Autor:innen in 38 Kapiteln die vielen Facetten der Wahl.
Jetzt auch auf Deutsch erhältlich:
Reposted by Max Becker
By now a regular feature of policy-making in the European Parliament - the centre-right EPP at least threatening or actually voting with the far-right, which offers alternative majorities.
This significantly moves EU policy to the right, and risks the pro-European majority of the centre.
This significantly moves EU policy to the right, and risks the pro-European majority of the centre.
EPP ready to side with far right to strip back EU sustainability rules
EPP ready to side with far right to strip back EU sustainability rules
EPP, Socialists and Renew leaders huddled behind closed doors this morning to find a compromise on the sustainability and due diligence laws
dlvr.it
October 8, 2025 at 11:28 AM
By now a regular feature of policy-making in the European Parliament - the centre-right EPP at least threatening or actually voting with the far-right, which offers alternative majorities.
This significantly moves EU policy to the right, and risks the pro-European majority of the centre.
This significantly moves EU policy to the right, and risks the pro-European majority of the centre.
Reposted by Max Becker
Schrumpfen statt wachsen? Eine neue französische Regierung steht, und zwei Parteien aus der bisherigen Minderheitsregierung drohen auszusteigen, LR und UDI. Die Opposition kocht. Was ist passiert?
Kurzfassung und Erklärungen im 🧵
Kurzfassung und Erklärungen im 🧵
October 6, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Schrumpfen statt wachsen? Eine neue französische Regierung steht, und zwei Parteien aus der bisherigen Minderheitsregierung drohen auszusteigen, LR und UDI. Die Opposition kocht. Was ist passiert?
Kurzfassung und Erklärungen im 🧵
Kurzfassung und Erklärungen im 🧵
Reposted by Max Becker
In my substack EU-Analytics, I now do monthly reviews of EU voting in the EP and the Council. September 2025 edition is here, with a closer look at voting on Ukraine, overall EP changes - with another centre-right to far-right majority - and a surprise German vote in the Council:
EU Analytics - September 2025 review
With the far-right still split on Ukraine, the centre-right working with the far-right on Colombia, and a first Return of the “German Vote” under Merz
substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 1:49 PM
In my substack EU-Analytics, I now do monthly reviews of EU voting in the EP and the Council. September 2025 edition is here, with a closer look at voting on Ukraine, overall EP changes - with another centre-right to far-right majority - and a surprise German vote in the Council:
Reposted by Max Becker
Important analysis of the creeping shift to the right. Decisive factor will be Christian Democratic #EPP, writes @nvondarza.bsky.social Most important, EPP under Manfred Weber (CSU) has got the choice. His coalitions with the far-right are not a must. EPP could easily form majorities without them.
Here is the full paper:
English: www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
German: www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
Comments welcome!
English: www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
German: www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
Comments welcome!
The Creeping Integration of Far-right Parties in Europe
Where Far-right Parties Are Integrated into the EU System and Where They Are Not
www.swp-berlin.org
September 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Important analysis of the creeping shift to the right. Decisive factor will be Christian Democratic #EPP, writes @nvondarza.bsky.social Most important, EPP under Manfred Weber (CSU) has got the choice. His coalitions with the far-right are not a must. EPP could easily form majorities without them.
The creeping integration of far right parties in 🇪🇺 within the last couple of years and the crucial role of the @eppgroup.bsky.social Give it a read 👇
The influence of far-right parties in the EU is growing. Whether the Union can continue to rely on a pro-European camp depends above all on the EPP, write @beckermax.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social and @nvondarza.bsky.social @swp-europe.bsky.social. www.swp-berlin.org/en/publicati...
The Creeping Integration of Far-right Parties in Europe
Where Far-right Parties Are Integrated into the EU System and Where They Are Not
www.swp-berlin.org
September 22, 2025 at 11:45 AM
The creeping integration of far right parties in 🇪🇺 within the last couple of years and the crucial role of the @eppgroup.bsky.social Give it a read 👇
Reposted by Max Becker
Before #EP2024, I predicted the far right to gain power in EU institutions "not through sweeping victory, but creeping normalisation":
fiia.fi/en/publicati...
Now, @beckermax.bsky.social et al. have analysed the "creeping integration of far-right parties in Europe".
I wish I'd been more wrong.
fiia.fi/en/publicati...
Now, @beckermax.bsky.social et al. have analysed the "creeping integration of far-right parties in Europe".
I wish I'd been more wrong.
The Creeping Integration of Far-right Parties in Europe
Where Far-right Parties Are Integrated into the EU System and Where They Are Not
www.swp-berlin.org
September 22, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Before #EP2024, I predicted the far right to gain power in EU institutions "not through sweeping victory, but creeping normalisation":
fiia.fi/en/publicati...
Now, @beckermax.bsky.social et al. have analysed the "creeping integration of far-right parties in Europe".
I wish I'd been more wrong.
fiia.fi/en/publicati...
Now, @beckermax.bsky.social et al. have analysed the "creeping integration of far-right parties in Europe".
I wish I'd been more wrong.
Reposted by Max Becker
Before last week, NATO's art. 4 had been activated seven times. Now it has been activated twice in less than ten days, by Poland over the drone incursions and Estonia over the air space by violation by Russian fighter jets.
⚡️Estonia asks NATO to activate Article 4 after Russian fighter jets violate airspace.
Article 4 allows member states to call for discussions with allies if they believe their security is threatened. Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland on Sept. 19.
Article 4 allows member states to call for discussions with allies if they believe their security is threatened. Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland on Sept. 19.
Estonia asks NATO to activate Article 4 after Russian fighter jets violate airspace
Article 4 allows member states to call for discussions with allies if they believe their security is threatened. Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland on Sept...
kyivindependent.com
September 19, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Before last week, NATO's art. 4 had been activated seven times. Now it has been activated twice in less than ten days, by Poland over the drone incursions and Estonia over the air space by violation by Russian fighter jets.
Reposted by Max Becker
Der Einfluss von Rechtsaußenparteien in der EU wächst. Ob sich die Union weiterhin auf ein proeuropäisches Lager stützen kann, hängt v.a. von der EVP ab, schreiben @beckermax.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social und @nvondarza.bsky.social @swp-europe.bsky.social.
www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
Die schleichende Integration von Rechtsaußenparteien in Europa
Wo Rechtsaußenparteien in das EU-System eingebunden – und wo sie isoliert werden
www.swp-berlin.org
September 19, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Der Einfluss von Rechtsaußenparteien in der EU wächst. Ob sich die Union weiterhin auf ein proeuropäisches Lager stützen kann, hängt v.a. von der EVP ab, schreiben @beckermax.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social und @nvondarza.bsky.social @swp-europe.bsky.social.
www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
Die schleichende Integration von Rechtsaußenparteien in Europa: Nach den Europawahlen 2024 stellen sie 26 % der Abgeordneten im EP – und sind in 1/3 der Mitgliedstaaten an Regierungen beteiligt. Das neue @swp-berlin.org Aktuell von @nvondarza.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social und mir
👇
👇
Die schleichende Integration von Rechtsaußenparteien in Europa
Wo Rechtsaußenparteien in das EU-System eingebunden – und wo sie isoliert werden
www.swp-berlin.org
September 19, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Die schleichende Integration von Rechtsaußenparteien in Europa: Nach den Europawahlen 2024 stellen sie 26 % der Abgeordneten im EP – und sind in 1/3 der Mitgliedstaaten an Regierungen beteiligt. Das neue @swp-berlin.org Aktuell von @nvondarza.bsky.social, @johannaflach.bsky.social und mir
👇
👇
Reposted by Max Becker
just going to leave this here
from jon stewart accepting the mark twain prize in 2022:
from jon stewart accepting the mark twain prize in 2022:
September 18, 2025 at 6:02 PM
just going to leave this here
from jon stewart accepting the mark twain prize in 2022:
from jon stewart accepting the mark twain prize in 2022:
Reposted by Max Becker
Reminder that Putin has never said he wants a trilateral meeting, had never said he would respect Ukrainian sovereignty, and has never said he wants to end the war. Not to be a downer, but the discussion of security guarantees is premature.
August 19, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Reminder that Putin has never said he wants a trilateral meeting, had never said he would respect Ukrainian sovereignty, and has never said he wants to end the war. Not to be a downer, but the discussion of security guarantees is premature.