Dave Braneck
@braneck.bsky.social
Freelance journalist in Berlin covering politics and sports. New Jersey’s unofficial ambassador to Europe.
davebraneck.com
davebraneck.com
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Dave Braneck
@braneck.bsky.social
· Feb 19
Late-surging Left Party adds new wrinkle to Germany’s upcoming elections
As the leading candidate for chancellor made overtures to the far right, the once long-shot Left Party shot up in the polls. The party's fate, along with other smaller groups on the cusp of entering t...
www.courthousenews.com
Die Linke long looked unlikely to make the Bundestag. Now it's surging prior to German elections.
I wrote about the party's rebuild, unprecedented organizing campaign, and how its fate - and that of other smaller parties - could impact the next government:
I wrote about the party's rebuild, unprecedented organizing campaign, and how its fate - and that of other smaller parties - could impact the next government:
Reposted by Dave Braneck
It’s become conventional wisdom that America’s young men are in crisis. The reality is more complicated than that. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/what-did-men-do-to-deserve-this
What Did Men Do to Deserve This?
Changes in the economy and in the culture seem to have hit them hard. Scott Galloway believes they need an “aspirational vision of masculinity.”
www.newyorker.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
It’s become conventional wisdom that America’s young men are in crisis. The reality is more complicated than that. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/what-did-men-do-to-deserve-this
After 11 years in Berlin I’m officially a German citizen!
Will celebrate by consuming concerning quantities of bratwurst, tut tutting jay walkers, and complaining (highly encouraged among Germans and a big no no when foreigners do it).
Where do I pick up my Camp David shirt?
Will celebrate by consuming concerning quantities of bratwurst, tut tutting jay walkers, and complaining (highly encouraged among Germans and a big no no when foreigners do it).
Where do I pick up my Camp David shirt?
November 7, 2025 at 10:33 AM
After 11 years in Berlin I’m officially a German citizen!
Will celebrate by consuming concerning quantities of bratwurst, tut tutting jay walkers, and complaining (highly encouraged among Germans and a big no no when foreigners do it).
Where do I pick up my Camp David shirt?
Will celebrate by consuming concerning quantities of bratwurst, tut tutting jay walkers, and complaining (highly encouraged among Germans and a big no no when foreigners do it).
Where do I pick up my Camp David shirt?
Reposted by Dave Braneck
NEW: NYC's mayor-elect must now grapple with the sweeping NYPD surveillance apparatus that has historically targeted Muslims and other minority groups. @awinston.bsky.social reports for @wired.com www.wired.com/story/welcom...
Zohran Mamdani Just Inherited the NYPD Surveillance State
In addition to affordability, New York City’s mayor-elect will be forced to reckon with the NYPD’s sweeping mass surveillance operations.
www.wired.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
NEW: NYC's mayor-elect must now grapple with the sweeping NYPD surveillance apparatus that has historically targeted Muslims and other minority groups. @awinston.bsky.social reports for @wired.com www.wired.com/story/welcom...
Reposted by Dave Braneck
An excellent question at the end of this well done video from @braneck.bsky.social.
But a sad one to consider in a city like Birmingham.
But a sad one to consider in a city like Birmingham.
Vienna's war on parking
YouTube video by DW Planet A
www.youtube.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:38 PM
An excellent question at the end of this well done video from @braneck.bsky.social.
But a sad one to consider in a city like Birmingham.
But a sad one to consider in a city like Birmingham.
Reposted by Dave Braneck
Mamdani up another two points on this alone
October 26, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Mamdani up another two points on this alone
Reposted by Dave Braneck
As ceasefire takes hold, Germany's pro-Palestinian protesters grapple with fallout at home @braneck.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/as-ceasefire...
As ceasefire takes hold, Germany's pro-Palestinian protesters grapple with fallout at home
German politics and policing have taken an aggressive approach to criticism of Israel. What happens to the protest movement — and national rhetoric — now?
www.courthousenews.com
October 20, 2025 at 4:56 PM
As ceasefire takes hold, Germany's pro-Palestinian protesters grapple with fallout at home @braneck.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/as-ceasefire...
Had a great time on @cornerspaeti.operationglad.io delivering for the all important Berlin leftist sports fan demographic (we exist!) and chatting with Nick about the encroaching Americanization of European sport.
Worth a listen even if we won't see you at the Berlin NFL games, check it out!
Worth a listen even if we won't see you at the Berlin NFL games, check it out!
Corner Späti
Discussions of a deteriorating world all from the comfort of your local smoke-filled Spätkauf.
www.operationglad.io
October 20, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Had a great time on @cornerspaeti.operationglad.io delivering for the all important Berlin leftist sports fan demographic (we exist!) and chatting with Nick about the encroaching Americanization of European sport.
Worth a listen even if we won't see you at the Berlin NFL games, check it out!
Worth a listen even if we won't see you at the Berlin NFL games, check it out!
Reposted by Dave Braneck
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
Nick has on @braneck.bsky.social to talk about SPORTS! Wait don't leave, it's focusing on American sports being exported to EU markets and beyond. Globalisation! Geopolitics! Economies! You love that shit. Also Ciarán leaves a quick news update from paternity leave.
OPERATIONGLAD.IO
Nick has on @braneck.bsky.social to talk about SPORTS! Wait don't leave, it's focusing on American sports being exported to EU markets and beyond. Globalisation! Geopolitics! Economies! You love that shit. Also Ciarán leaves a quick news update from paternity leave.
OPERATIONGLAD.IO
October 18, 2025 at 1:38 PM
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
Nick has on @braneck.bsky.social to talk about SPORTS! Wait don't leave, it's focusing on American sports being exported to EU markets and beyond. Globalisation! Geopolitics! Economies! You love that shit. Also Ciarán leaves a quick news update from paternity leave.
OPERATIONGLAD.IO
Nick has on @braneck.bsky.social to talk about SPORTS! Wait don't leave, it's focusing on American sports being exported to EU markets and beyond. Globalisation! Geopolitics! Economies! You love that shit. Also Ciarán leaves a quick news update from paternity leave.
OPERATIONGLAD.IO
Reposted by Dave Braneck
Germany welcomed them with open arms. A decade later, migrants grapple with a rightward lurch @braneck.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/germany-welc...
Germany welcomed them with open arms. A decade later, migrants grapple with a rightward lurch
People who arrived here in 2015 have changed significantly — finding work, learning German, even becoming citizens. So has the nation. The far-right, anti-immigration AfD now sits atop the polls.
www.courthousenews.com
August 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Germany welcomed them with open arms. A decade later, migrants grapple with a rightward lurch @braneck.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/germany-welc...
Reposted by Dave Braneck
Reposted by Dave Braneck
Pumped to again appear on the great @spassbremse.bsky.social, where we discussed finance and sportswashing in football, the women’s Euros, and Berlin’s wildly unsuccessful branding as a ‘sport metropole’.
Plus, of course, stadium bratwurst chat. Check it out!
Plus, of course, stadium bratwurst chat. Check it out!
71 - At the intersection of sports, politics, and culture w/Dave Braneck
Spaßbremse · Episode
open.spotify.com
August 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Pumped to again appear on the great @spassbremse.bsky.social, where we discussed finance and sportswashing in football, the women’s Euros, and Berlin’s wildly unsuccessful branding as a ‘sport metropole’.
Plus, of course, stadium bratwurst chat. Check it out!
Plus, of course, stadium bratwurst chat. Check it out!
Reposted by Dave Braneck
An entire news crew working for Al Jazeera was killed by Israel as they sought to bring the world firsthand reporting from #Gaza.
Among them was prominent journalist Anas Al-Sharif, who had been previously smeared and threatened by the IDF.
#NotATarget
Full statement: cpj.org/2025/08/isra...
Among them was prominent journalist Anas Al-Sharif, who had been previously smeared and threatened by the IDF.
#NotATarget
Full statement: cpj.org/2025/08/isra...
Israel kills Al Jazeera journalists in targeted Gaza City airstrike - Committee to Protect Journalists
New York, August 10, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists is appalled to learn of the killing today of Al Jazeera journalist Anas Al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, camera operators Ibrahim Zaher and M...
cpj.org
August 11, 2025 at 1:27 AM
An entire news crew working for Al Jazeera was killed by Israel as they sought to bring the world firsthand reporting from #Gaza.
Among them was prominent journalist Anas Al-Sharif, who had been previously smeared and threatened by the IDF.
#NotATarget
Full statement: cpj.org/2025/08/isra...
Among them was prominent journalist Anas Al-Sharif, who had been previously smeared and threatened by the IDF.
#NotATarget
Full statement: cpj.org/2025/08/isra...
Pumped to again appear on the great @spassbremse.bsky.social, where we discussed finance and sportswashing in football, the women’s Euros, and Berlin’s wildly unsuccessful branding as a ‘sport metropole’.
Plus, of course, stadium bratwurst chat. Check it out!
Plus, of course, stadium bratwurst chat. Check it out!
71 - At the intersection of sports, politics, and culture w/Dave Braneck
Spaßbremse · Episode
open.spotify.com
August 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Pumped to again appear on the great @spassbremse.bsky.social, where we discussed finance and sportswashing in football, the women’s Euros, and Berlin’s wildly unsuccessful branding as a ‘sport metropole’.
Plus, of course, stadium bratwurst chat. Check it out!
Plus, of course, stadium bratwurst chat. Check it out!
Germany finally restricting weapons exports to Israel (at least those that ‘could be used in Gaza’).
Great news, and pretty crazy that a Merz-led Groko is taking a stronger stance on Gaza than Scholz and the Greens did
Great news, and pretty crazy that a Merz-led Groko is taking a stronger stance on Gaza than Scholz and the Greens did
Israel plant den Krieg im Gazastreifen trotz internationaler Kritik auszuweiten. Nun reagiert die Bundesregierung. Laut Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz werden alle Rüstungsexporte gestoppt, die im Konfliktgebiet genutzt werden können.
Friedrich Merz: Bundesregierung stoppt Waffenlieferungen für Israels Gazakrieg
Israel plant den Krieg im Gazastreifen trotz internationaler Kritik auszuweiten. Nun reagiert die Bundesregierung. Laut Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz werden alle Rüstungsexporte gestoppt, die im Konfliktgebiet genutzt werden können.
www.spiegel.de
August 8, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Germany finally restricting weapons exports to Israel (at least those that ‘could be used in Gaza’).
Great news, and pretty crazy that a Merz-led Groko is taking a stronger stance on Gaza than Scholz and the Greens did
Great news, and pretty crazy that a Merz-led Groko is taking a stronger stance on Gaza than Scholz and the Greens did
Reposted by Dave Braneck
Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz says it’s stopping exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza
(AP) #Gaza #Israel #Germany #warcrimes
apnews.com/article/germ...
(AP) #Gaza #Israel #Germany #warcrimes
apnews.com/article/germ...
Germany stops military exports that could be used in Gaza
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany will not authorize exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza “until further notice.”
apnews.com
August 8, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz says it’s stopping exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza
(AP) #Gaza #Israel #Germany #warcrimes
apnews.com/article/germ...
(AP) #Gaza #Israel #Germany #warcrimes
apnews.com/article/germ...
Sweden’s ‘soft hooligans’ supporters out in full force in Zürich before their final group stage match vs Germany.
As someone intrigued by hooliganism but afraid of violence, legal trouble, physical exertion, and spiders (unrelated) I may see if the soft hooligans are taking new members
#WEURO2025
As someone intrigued by hooliganism but afraid of violence, legal trouble, physical exertion, and spiders (unrelated) I may see if the soft hooligans are taking new members
#WEURO2025
July 12, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Sweden’s ‘soft hooligans’ supporters out in full force in Zürich before their final group stage match vs Germany.
As someone intrigued by hooliganism but afraid of violence, legal trouble, physical exertion, and spiders (unrelated) I may see if the soft hooligans are taking new members
#WEURO2025
As someone intrigued by hooliganism but afraid of violence, legal trouble, physical exertion, and spiders (unrelated) I may see if the soft hooligans are taking new members
#WEURO2025
I’m celebrating the 4th of July like any other proud American: by watching Germany take on Poland at the Euros in Switzerland.
Will sadly have to replace the customary bud light and hot dogs with a stadium bratwurst.
#WEURO2025
Will sadly have to replace the customary bud light and hot dogs with a stadium bratwurst.
#WEURO2025
July 4, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I’m celebrating the 4th of July like any other proud American: by watching Germany take on Poland at the Euros in Switzerland.
Will sadly have to replace the customary bud light and hot dogs with a stadium bratwurst.
#WEURO2025
Will sadly have to replace the customary bud light and hot dogs with a stadium bratwurst.
#WEURO2025
Reposted by Dave Braneck
Walz announces that Rep. Melissa Hortman is dead as a result of a "politically motivated assassination"
June 14, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Walz announces that Rep. Melissa Hortman is dead as a result of a "politically motivated assassination"
Reposted by Dave Braneck
The idea that this political violence is the consequence of people on both sides cheering it on seems like a sympathetic point but just doesn’t hold up to history. In my adult life, I’ve seen people on the right do everything from kill politicians to kill regular citizens, and it’s shrugged off.
June 14, 2025 at 4:27 PM
The idea that this political violence is the consequence of people on both sides cheering it on seems like a sympathetic point but just doesn’t hold up to history. In my adult life, I’ve seen people on the right do everything from kill politicians to kill regular citizens, and it’s shrugged off.
Reposted by Dave Braneck
Germany orchestrates plans to draw younger, more diverse crowds to opera @braneck.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/germany-orch...
Germany orchestrates plans to draw younger, more diverse crowds to opera
Germany’s opera houses have been rattled by aging audiences, diminished public funding and a decline in civic life. Can these institutions survive in a post-pandemic world?
www.courthousenews.com
June 6, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Germany orchestrates plans to draw younger, more diverse crowds to opera @braneck.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/germany-orch...
Reposted by Dave Braneck
A good morning to read about birthright citizenship from the perspective of the great-grandson of Wong Kim Ark, the plaintiff whose case in 1898 affirmed that birthright citizenship is guaranteed to the children of undocumented migrants born in the U.S. wapo.st/3F9Djae
His great-grandfather enshrined birthright citizenship. Norman Wong is trying to save it.
One hundred and twenty-seven years after Wong Kim Ark’s Supreme Court victory enshrined birthright citizenship, Norman Wong is fighting to protect that legacy.
wapo.st
May 15, 2025 at 11:13 AM
A good morning to read about birthright citizenship from the perspective of the great-grandson of Wong Kim Ark, the plaintiff whose case in 1898 affirmed that birthright citizenship is guaranteed to the children of undocumented migrants born in the U.S. wapo.st/3F9Djae
Reposted by Dave Braneck
New Jersey Transit rail strike, first in four decades, begins as wage talks stall reut.rs/4jXEKYt
New Jersey Transit rail strike, first in four decades, begins as wage talks stall
New Jersey's commuter rail engineers walked off the job early on Friday after marathon contract talks stalled ahead of a midnight deadline their union set for meeting its wage demands, igniting the first strike to engulf the third-largest U.S. transit system in more than 40 years.
reut.rs
May 16, 2025 at 8:40 AM
New Jersey Transit rail strike, first in four decades, begins as wage talks stall reut.rs/4jXEKYt
Reposted by Dave Braneck
Germany marks 80 years since WWII’s end while struggling with rise of far right @braneck.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/germany-mark...
Germany marks 80 years since WWII’s end while struggling with rise of far right
As World War II fades from living memory, its place in the German collective consciousness is as complicated as ever.
www.courthousenews.com
May 8, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Germany marks 80 years since WWII’s end while struggling with rise of far right @braneck.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/germany-mark...
Reposted by Dave Braneck
Just galling on so many levels. US Vice President JD Vance Jokes About Deporting Tourists Attending the 2026 Men's World Cup www.huffpost.com/entry/jd-van...
JD Vance Jokes About Deporting Tourists Attending 2026 World Cup
The vice president warned people attending the five-week tournament next year not to overstay their welcome, or there would be consequences.
www.huffpost.com
May 7, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Just galling on so many levels. US Vice President JD Vance Jokes About Deporting Tourists Attending the 2026 Men's World Cup www.huffpost.com/entry/jd-van...