Chris Powers
@chrispowerseu.bsky.social
Brusselaar in the EU bubble. Reader of books📚 , frequenter of cafes ☕️ , swimmer of pools 🏊♂️ . Keen observer of economic security news, and 🇪🇺-🇯🇵 relations.
Signal: chrispowers.92
Signal: chrispowers.92
Reposted by Chris Powers
⚡️Update: Ukraine secures nearly $38 billion in military aid after Ramstein meeting.
Ukraine's partners pledged nearly $38 billion in new military aid following the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format on Feb. 12, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.
Ukraine's partners pledged nearly $38 billion in new military aid following the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format on Feb. 12, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.
Ukraine secures nearly $38 billion in military aid after Ramstein meeting
Ukraine's partners pledged nearly $38 billion in new military aid following the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format on Feb. 12, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.
kyivindependent.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:53 PM
⚡️Update: Ukraine secures nearly $38 billion in military aid after Ramstein meeting.
Ukraine's partners pledged nearly $38 billion in new military aid following the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format on Feb. 12, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.
Ukraine's partners pledged nearly $38 billion in new military aid following the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format on Feb. 12, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.
Clear explainer on structurally how the new Brussels government will work from @maajtee.bsky.social.
Next step: full deets on the agreement, and how much the Greens had to yield on the Good Move plan (hopefully not too much, I like trees and bike paths 😬)
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/196...
Next step: full deets on the agreement, and how much the Greens had to yield on the Good Move plan (hopefully not too much, I like trees and bike paths 😬)
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/196...
White smoke: Brussels finally has a new government
After over 600 days of twists, turns and (mostly) standstill, Brussels finally has a new Regional Government.
www.brusselstimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Clear explainer on structurally how the new Brussels government will work from @maajtee.bsky.social.
Next step: full deets on the agreement, and how much the Greens had to yield on the Good Move plan (hopefully not too much, I like trees and bike paths 😬)
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/196...
Next step: full deets on the agreement, and how much the Greens had to yield on the Good Move plan (hopefully not too much, I like trees and bike paths 😬)
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/196...
Reposted by Chris Powers
@chrispowerseu.bsky.social Enrico Letta is tweeting photos of ladybugs in the castle. Seeing this as a good omen is my version of medieval reading of the tea leaves 😂
February 12, 2026 at 2:05 PM
@chrispowerseu.bsky.social Enrico Letta is tweeting photos of ladybugs in the castle. Seeing this as a good omen is my version of medieval reading of the tea leaves 😂
Enjoying the experience of learning about something completely new that comes from reading @eurcorrespond.bsky.social in the morning, even if shocking.
🐦 Today, it was about the mass killing of songbirds in Cyprus 🇨🇾
newsletter-cdn.europeancorrespondent.com/go/bq81miu5g...
🐦 Today, it was about the mass killing of songbirds in Cyprus 🇨🇾
newsletter-cdn.europeancorrespondent.com/go/bq81miu5g...
🗞 trr-trr-trr... or silence?
newsletter-cdn.europeancorrespondent.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Enjoying the experience of learning about something completely new that comes from reading @eurcorrespond.bsky.social in the morning, even if shocking.
🐦 Today, it was about the mass killing of songbirds in Cyprus 🇨🇾
newsletter-cdn.europeancorrespondent.com/go/bq81miu5g...
🐦 Today, it was about the mass killing of songbirds in Cyprus 🇨🇾
newsletter-cdn.europeancorrespondent.com/go/bq81miu5g...
Reposted by Chris Powers
It’s Fat Thursday in Poland again
February 12, 2026 at 9:04 AM
It’s Fat Thursday in Poland again
22 books so far this year. Early retirement is helping me to decimate my reading goals for 2026!
And crucially, for the first time in my life I’ve been reading more than ever in languages that are not my native one! 🥳
@thestorygraph.com
And crucially, for the first time in my life I’ve been reading more than ever in languages that are not my native one! 🥳
@thestorygraph.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:07 PM
22 books so far this year. Early retirement is helping me to decimate my reading goals for 2026!
And crucially, for the first time in my life I’ve been reading more than ever in languages that are not my native one! 🥳
@thestorygraph.com
And crucially, for the first time in my life I’ve been reading more than ever in languages that are not my native one! 🥳
@thestorygraph.com
Whatever you think of the man, the quotes in this piece are FANTASTIC.
A leader scorned!
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/196...
A leader scorned!
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/196...
Belgian PM De Wever outraged about Brussels coalition being formed without his party
"Everyone is being screwed over in Brussels, but so am I," said De Wever.
www.brusselstimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Whatever you think of the man, the quotes in this piece are FANTASTIC.
A leader scorned!
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/196...
A leader scorned!
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/196...
Good summary of where we’re at with the conclave to (hopefully, finally) form a Brussels government:
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/196...
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/196...
Brussels holds crunch 'conclave': Historic turning point or idle hope?
Since Tuesday morning, seven political parties have been locked up in negotiations, and they will not leave until they find an agreement.
www.brusselstimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Good summary of where we’re at with the conclave to (hopefully, finally) form a Brussels government:
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/196...
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/196...
🇧🇪 🏫 EiC at @lalibre.be, @ddemeeus.bsky.social, uses this morning’s Edito to call for more alignment of Flemish and French speaking school systems, beyond simply teaching the other language
www.lalibre.be/debats/edito...
www.lalibre.be/debats/edito...
Le néerlandais, une évidence sabotée
Un édito de Dorian de Meeûs. Pour vivre ensemble, commençons par nous parler… Il est des débats qui ne devraient plus en être. Celui de l'apprentissage...
www.lalibre.be
February 11, 2026 at 8:36 AM
🇧🇪 🏫 EiC at @lalibre.be, @ddemeeus.bsky.social, uses this morning’s Edito to call for more alignment of Flemish and French speaking school systems, beyond simply teaching the other language
www.lalibre.be/debats/edito...
www.lalibre.be/debats/edito...
Flemish TV going hard on tomorrow’s industry meeting in Antwerp, and Thursday’s EU leaders’ meeting:
click.em.vrt.be?qs=eyJkZWtJZ...
A chance to concretely move Europe forward. Here’s hoping it delivers on the hype!
+ nice to see public TV recount EU history so well! Ik ben in Engeland niet meer!
click.em.vrt.be?qs=eyJkZWtJZ...
A chance to concretely move Europe forward. Here’s hoping it delivers on the hype!
+ nice to see public TV recount EU history so well! Ik ben in Engeland niet meer!
VRT MAX
click.em.vrt.be
February 10, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Flemish TV going hard on tomorrow’s industry meeting in Antwerp, and Thursday’s EU leaders’ meeting:
click.em.vrt.be?qs=eyJkZWtJZ...
A chance to concretely move Europe forward. Here’s hoping it delivers on the hype!
+ nice to see public TV recount EU history so well! Ik ben in Engeland niet meer!
click.em.vrt.be?qs=eyJkZWtJZ...
A chance to concretely move Europe forward. Here’s hoping it delivers on the hype!
+ nice to see public TV recount EU history so well! Ik ben in Engeland niet meer!
Today I wrote about Bart De Wever’s new book, Over Welvaart, in which he laments EU fragmentation, and pushes for more unity – just ahead of Thursday’s meeting of EU leaders in the Flemish countryside about the future of Europe ^^
www.linkedin.com/pulse/de-wev...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/de-wev...
De Wever’s new book laments fragmented Europe
EU leaders will gather this week, along with thought-leaders Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta, at a Flemish castle to reflect on the future of Europe. Days ahead of their arrival, their host Belgian prim...
www.linkedin.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Today I wrote about Bart De Wever’s new book, Over Welvaart, in which he laments EU fragmentation, and pushes for more unity – just ahead of Thursday’s meeting of EU leaders in the Flemish countryside about the future of Europe ^^
www.linkedin.com/pulse/de-wev...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/de-wev...
Reposted by Chris Powers
⚡️Ukraine, France move toward joint arms production with new agreement.
Ukraine and France took a step toward joint arms production on Feb. 9, as Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin signed a letter of intent in Kyiv.
Ukraine and France took a step toward joint arms production on Feb. 9, as Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin signed a letter of intent in Kyiv.
Ukraine, France move toward joint arms production with new agreement
"We are moving from supplies to joint production and long-term solutions that systematically strengthen our defense," Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.
kyivindependent.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:57 PM
⚡️Ukraine, France move toward joint arms production with new agreement.
Ukraine and France took a step toward joint arms production on Feb. 9, as Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin signed a letter of intent in Kyiv.
Ukraine and France took a step toward joint arms production on Feb. 9, as Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin signed a letter of intent in Kyiv.
🐔Not much interesting from the leader of Vlaams Belang in this Knack interview, but I did like the De Wever phrasing that Van Grieken mentions, even if I disagree with the sentiment, of "the Fleming being the most plucked chicken in Europe."
www.knack.be/nieuws/belgi...
www.knack.be/nieuws/belgi...
www.knack.be
February 9, 2026 at 11:12 AM
🐔Not much interesting from the leader of Vlaams Belang in this Knack interview, but I did like the De Wever phrasing that Van Grieken mentions, even if I disagree with the sentiment, of "the Fleming being the most plucked chicken in Europe."
www.knack.be/nieuws/belgi...
www.knack.be/nieuws/belgi...
This population pyramid is actually kinda scary.
More men than women, until the 60-64 year bracket when it becomes clearer and clearer that women live for longer.
Which of our many terrible life choices explain that phenomenon? 😬
More men than women, until the 60-64 year bracket when it becomes clearer and clearer that women live for longer.
Which of our many terrible life choices explain that phenomenon? 😬
February 9, 2026 at 9:42 AM
This population pyramid is actually kinda scary.
More men than women, until the 60-64 year bracket when it becomes clearer and clearer that women live for longer.
Which of our many terrible life choices explain that phenomenon? 😬
More men than women, until the 60-64 year bracket when it becomes clearer and clearer that women live for longer.
Which of our many terrible life choices explain that phenomenon? 😬
Reposted by Chris Powers
One of the world’s most experienced marine biologists says plans to extract metals from the deep seabed are too complex and costly to succeed
Scientist Still Diving at 90 Says Deep Sea Mining Won’t Succeed
Plans to extract metals from the deep seabed are too complex and costly to succeed, according to one of the world’s most experienced marine biologists.
bloom.bg
February 9, 2026 at 7:30 AM
One of the world’s most experienced marine biologists says plans to extract metals from the deep seabed are too complex and costly to succeed
Holy cow, huge gain for Japan’s LDP 🇯🇵
Japan, Preliminary final election result:
Seat projection national parliament
LDP (Conservative): 316 (+125)
CRA (Centre): 49 (-123)
Ishin (Libertarian): 36 (-2)
DPP (Centre-right): 28
Sansei (Right): 14 (+11)
Mirai (Centre): 11 (+11)
...
+/- vs. Last election result
➤ asiaelects.com/japan
Seat projection national parliament
LDP (Conservative): 316 (+125)
CRA (Centre): 49 (-123)
Ishin (Libertarian): 36 (-2)
DPP (Centre-right): 28
Sansei (Right): 14 (+11)
Mirai (Centre): 11 (+11)
...
+/- vs. Last election result
➤ asiaelects.com/japan
February 8, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Holy cow, huge gain for Japan’s LDP 🇯🇵
Bart De Wever interview now on @vrtnws.be
1. Just after his book on his economic vision “over welvaart” landed (copies on his desk, and he used the word in his answers), he proposes spending cuts
vrtnws.be/p.8eaKbnxLa
2. Respect for his love of history, spot all the props in background! (1/2)
1. Just after his book on his economic vision “over welvaart” landed (copies on his desk, and he used the word in his answers), he proposes spending cuts
vrtnws.be/p.8eaKbnxLa
2. Respect for his love of history, spot all the props in background! (1/2)
De Wever plant nog extra sanering van 3 tot 4 miljard euro: "Geen pijnloze manieren om uit problemen te geraken" | VRT NWS: nieuws
De federale regering zal nog eens 3 tot 4 miljard euro extra structureel moeten saneren. Dat zegt premier Bart De Wever (N-VA) in een interview met VRT NWS. Daarin blikt hij ook terug op zijn eerste j...
vrtnws.be
February 8, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Bart De Wever interview now on @vrtnws.be
1. Just after his book on his economic vision “over welvaart” landed (copies on his desk, and he used the word in his answers), he proposes spending cuts
vrtnws.be/p.8eaKbnxLa
2. Respect for his love of history, spot all the props in background! (1/2)
1. Just after his book on his economic vision “over welvaart” landed (copies on his desk, and he used the word in his answers), he proposes spending cuts
vrtnws.be/p.8eaKbnxLa
2. Respect for his love of history, spot all the props in background! (1/2)
Just watched over the Navalny documentary which feels so long ago now.
This really is a politically horrible decade.
This really is a politically horrible decade.
February 8, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Just watched over the Navalny documentary which feels so long ago now.
This really is a politically horrible decade.
This really is a politically horrible decade.
Another day of buying too much book 📚😅
February 7, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Another day of buying too much book 📚😅
Missing Berlin very much, including this bookshop!
open.substack.com/pub/lolsos/p...
open.substack.com/pub/lolsos/p...
The Berlin bookshop that refuses to die
How Saint George's survived Amazon, e-readers, the pandemic, and Brexit.
open.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Missing Berlin very much, including this bookshop!
open.substack.com/pub/lolsos/p...
open.substack.com/pub/lolsos/p...
Enjoyed reading this piece by @sofiamazzanaro.bsky.social on cider, one of my go to drinks :-)
www.euractiv.com/news/brussel...
www.euractiv.com/news/brussel...
Brussels wants to define cider – not everyone likes the recipe | Euractiv
French purists have repeatedly stated that it is either "100% apple juice or nothing"
www.euractiv.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Enjoyed reading this piece by @sofiamazzanaro.bsky.social on cider, one of my go to drinks :-)
www.euractiv.com/news/brussel...
www.euractiv.com/news/brussel...
Reposted by Chris Powers
5 people told Politico “the planned 🇺🇸🇩🇪 meeting collapsed after State Department officials told the German Embassy in Washington that it was prepared to receive only Christian Democratic and AfD lawmakers, excluding the SPD and the Greens.“
Norbert Röttgen (CDU) rejected that idea. Good on him!
Norbert Röttgen (CDU) rejected that idea. Good on him!
German lawmakers were supposed to be on a routine visit to Washington, during which they would engage in a dialogue on China.
However, MPs refused to take part in the meeting after their center-left colleagues were blocked — a highly unusual step.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/pete...
However, MPs refused to take part in the meeting after their center-left colleagues were blocked — a highly unusual step.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/pete...
February 5, 2026 at 6:07 PM
5 people told Politico “the planned 🇺🇸🇩🇪 meeting collapsed after State Department officials told the German Embassy in Washington that it was prepared to receive only Christian Democratic and AfD lawmakers, excluding the SPD and the Greens.“
Norbert Röttgen (CDU) rejected that idea. Good on him!
Norbert Röttgen (CDU) rejected that idea. Good on him!
1. How is this acceptable?!
2. It’s February !
2. It’s February !
February 5, 2026 at 7:25 PM
1. How is this acceptable?!
2. It’s February !
2. It’s February !
Reposted by Chris Powers
Looks like German manufacturing has turned the corner.
www.destatis.de/EN/Press/202...
www.destatis.de/EN/Press/202...
February 5, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Looks like German manufacturing has turned the corner.
www.destatis.de/EN/Press/202...
www.destatis.de/EN/Press/202...
