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:
Nice little sticker on display in the true 2026 World Cup final host state, New Jersey
January 10, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Nice little sticker on display in the true 2026 World Cup final host state, New Jersey
Reposted by Dave Braneck
Breaking News: Gov. Kathy Hochul, partnering with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, will unveil a plan to expand free or affordable child care for New Yorkers across the state.
Hochul and Mamdani to Announce Road Map to Expand Child Care
Governor Kathy Hochul will appear with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to lay out a plan to expand free and subsidized child care in New York, which had been a central focus of his campaign.
nyti.ms
January 8, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Breaking News: Gov. Kathy Hochul, partnering with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, will unveil a plan to expand free or affordable child care for New Yorkers across the state.
Seasons greetings from the best place to eat in NY, and possibly the world (a windowless mall basement in flushing, queens)
December 30, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Seasons greetings from the best place to eat in NY, and possibly the world (a windowless mall basement in flushing, queens)
Reposted by Dave Braneck
“Going to the World Cup” used to be something normal people did.
Not with these ticket prices.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Not with these ticket prices.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
‘Going to the World Cup’ used to be something ordinary people did. Not with these ticket prices
The World Cup is about so much more than just the football. FIFA's pricing structure for next summer's tournament ignores that
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:09 PM
“Going to the World Cup” used to be something normal people did.
Not with these ticket prices.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Not with these ticket prices.
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Reposted by Dave Braneck
Breaking News: Republicans in the Indiana Senate defied President Trump and joined Democrats in voting down a congressional map aimed at adding GOP seats.
Indiana Lawmakers Reject Trump’s New Political Map
Republicans hold an overwhelming majority in the Indiana Senate, but more than a dozen of them defied the president’s wishes, voting against a map aimed at adding Republicans in Congress.
nyti.ms
December 11, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Breaking News: Republicans in the Indiana Senate defied President Trump and joined Democrats in voting down a congressional map aimed at adding GOP seats.
Reposted by Dave Braneck
FIFA's never exactly been a shining light, but its bizarre, sycophantic bowing to Trump's every whim is a new low for both FIFA and the world's most popular spot.
I wrote for @jacobinmag.bsky.social about how football fans deserve more than a bleakly authoritarian cash grab - and need to push back.
I wrote for @jacobinmag.bsky.social about how football fans deserve more than a bleakly authoritarian cash grab - and need to push back.
The World Cup Shouldn’t Be Trump’s Toy
FIFA’s newly announced peace prize for Donald Trump is a craven act of stroking his ego. The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be among the worst cases yet of sports bending to politics.
jacobin.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
FIFA's never exactly been a shining light, but its bizarre, sycophantic bowing to Trump's every whim is a new low for both FIFA and the world's most popular spot.
I wrote for @jacobinmag.bsky.social about how football fans deserve more than a bleakly authoritarian cash grab - and need to push back.
I wrote for @jacobinmag.bsky.social about how football fans deserve more than a bleakly authoritarian cash grab - and need to push back.
Yeah, brazen corruption and saddling up to terrible people and institutions is nothing new, but this is a new level of blatant coddling and partisanship that I haven’t seen before
December 6, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Yeah, brazen corruption and saddling up to terrible people and institutions is nothing new, but this is a new level of blatant coddling and partisanship that I haven’t seen before
FIFA's never exactly been a shining light, but its bizarre, sycophantic bowing to Trump's every whim is a new low for both FIFA and the world's most popular spot.
I wrote for @jacobinmag.bsky.social about how football fans deserve more than a bleakly authoritarian cash grab - and need to push back.
I wrote for @jacobinmag.bsky.social about how football fans deserve more than a bleakly authoritarian cash grab - and need to push back.
The World Cup Shouldn’t Be Trump’s Toy
FIFA’s newly announced peace prize for Donald Trump is a craven act of stroking his ego. The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be among the worst cases yet of sports bending to politics.
jacobin.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
FIFA's never exactly been a shining light, but its bizarre, sycophantic bowing to Trump's every whim is a new low for both FIFA and the world's most popular spot.
I wrote for @jacobinmag.bsky.social about how football fans deserve more than a bleakly authoritarian cash grab - and need to push back.
I wrote for @jacobinmag.bsky.social about how football fans deserve more than a bleakly authoritarian cash grab - and need to push back.
Tbh most of the global Gelsenkirchen skepticism is rooted in the men’s euros from last summer and pretty rough transit infrastructure, but I wasn’t at any of those games so can’t say personally. Haha I’d guess the trains will be worse in 2029 and not better, but who knows
December 3, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Tbh most of the global Gelsenkirchen skepticism is rooted in the men’s euros from last summer and pretty rough transit infrastructure, but I wasn’t at any of those games so can’t say personally. Haha I’d guess the trains will be worse in 2029 and not better, but who knows
Welp, by my own standards it's going to be the best Euros in Germany ever by default as Gelsenkirchen isn't a host city
December 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Welp, by my own standards it's going to be the best Euros in Germany ever by default as Gelsenkirchen isn't a host city
Germany officially set to host Women's EURO 2029 - hopefully will help give their development a further push as they struggle to keep up with Spain and England.
Plus Germany always a great host country (if you can avoid Gelsenkirchen, at least)
Plus Germany always a great host country (if you can avoid Gelsenkirchen, at least)
Fußball: EM 2029 findet in Deutschland statt: Zuletzt fand eine Fußball-Europameisterschaft der Frauen im Jahr 2001 in Deutschland statt. Nun steht das nächste Großevent für den DFB an.
Fußball: EM 2029 findet in Deutschland statt
Zuletzt fand eine Fußball-Europameisterschaft der Frauen im Jahr 2001 in Deutschland statt. Nun steht das nächste Großevent für den DFB an.
www.spiegel.de
December 3, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Germany officially set to host Women's EURO 2029 - hopefully will help give their development a further push as they struggle to keep up with Spain and England.
Plus Germany always a great host country (if you can avoid Gelsenkirchen, at least)
Plus Germany always a great host country (if you can avoid Gelsenkirchen, at least)
Nothing better than CONCACAF qualifying.
Also loving that if Suriname qualify, between them, Curaçao and the Netherlands there will be like 80 Dutch-born players at the World Cup. The Netherlands x CONCACAF combo is becoming unstoppable
Also loving that if Suriname qualify, between them, Curaçao and the Netherlands there will be like 80 Dutch-born players at the World Cup. The Netherlands x CONCACAF combo is becoming unstoppable
CURAÇAO HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THEIR FIRST-EVER WORLD CUP ❤️
WHAT A MOMENT FOR THE BLUE WAVE 🌊
WHAT A MOMENT FOR THE BLUE WAVE 🌊
November 19, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Nothing better than CONCACAF qualifying.
Also loving that if Suriname qualify, between them, Curaçao and the Netherlands there will be like 80 Dutch-born players at the World Cup. The Netherlands x CONCACAF combo is becoming unstoppable
Also loving that if Suriname qualify, between them, Curaçao and the Netherlands there will be like 80 Dutch-born players at the World Cup. The Netherlands x CONCACAF combo is becoming unstoppable
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
come for the soccer culture, stay for the affordable childcare and EU passport
November 7, 2025 at 12:07 PM
come for the soccer culture, stay for the affordable childcare and EU passport
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...
Thanks, and thank you for sharing!
November 2, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Thanks, and thank you for sharing!
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...