Dave Keating
@davekeating.substack.com
🇺🇸🇪🇺American by birth, European by choice
Buy my book: www.TheOwnedContinent.eu
Read my Substack: https://DaveKeating.Substack.com/
Watch my reporting: www.DaveKeating.net
Buy my book: www.TheOwnedContinent.eu
Read my Substack: https://DaveKeating.Substack.com/
Watch my reporting: www.DaveKeating.net
Pinned
Dave Keating
@davekeating.substack.com
· Oct 23
The agenda item at today's 🇪🇺#EUCO summit on 'climate & competitiveness' is chiefly about undoing some of the climate legislation that was passed during the 2019-2024 term (partly due to a 🇺🇸command).
Big ❓ for 🇺🇳#COP30: Will the EU PMs decide to scrap the planned 2040 target?
Big ❓ for 🇺🇳#COP30: Will the EU PMs decide to scrap the planned 2040 target?
#Merzoni, with the willing participation of 🇪🇺President von der Leyen, have formed a pact to dilute the power of the European Union and return it to national capitals in order to carry out corporate wishes.
It is the opposite of Draghi's vision. Yet they are citing him as their inspiration.
It is the opposite of Draghi's vision. Yet they are citing him as their inspiration.
The Merzoni plan would take Europe backwards, not forwards
EU leaders will gather for a castle retreat tomorrow with Mario Draghi, who will call for Europe to federate. But the German and Italian leaders are coming to the castle with a pact to weaken the EU.
davekeating.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:37 AM
#Merzoni, with the willing participation of 🇪🇺President von der Leyen, have formed a pact to dilute the power of the European Union and return it to national capitals in order to carry out corporate wishes.
It is the opposite of Draghi's vision. Yet they are citing him as their inspiration.
It is the opposite of Draghi's vision. Yet they are citing him as their inspiration.
The United States is at this moment closer to civil war than it has been in 150 years.
In this thought-provoking piece, Charli Carpenter outlines what developments could push America over the edge or pull it back from the brink.
In this thought-provoking piece, Charli Carpenter outlines what developments could push America over the edge or pull it back from the brink.
Anti-ICE Protests in Minneapolis May Help Prevent a Civil War
The nonviolent activism on display in Minneapolis could strengthen America’s democracy, which is the best bulwark against civil war.
www.worldpoliticsreview.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:51 PM
The United States is at this moment closer to civil war than it has been in 150 years.
In this thought-provoking piece, Charli Carpenter outlines what developments could push America over the edge or pull it back from the brink.
In this thought-provoking piece, Charli Carpenter outlines what developments could push America over the edge or pull it back from the brink.
In tonight's Substack Live with @markleongoldberg.bsky.social on #GlobalDispatches, we discussed how the other EU leaders have ostracised Spain's Pedro Sanchez because he's refused to toe the line on Trump appeasement
Has Greenland changed that?
Full video: davekeating.substack.com/p/spains-pri...
Has Greenland changed that?
Full video: davekeating.substack.com/p/spains-pri...
February 10, 2026 at 7:05 PM
In tonight's Substack Live with @markleongoldberg.bsky.social on #GlobalDispatches, we discussed how the other EU leaders have ostracised Spain's Pedro Sanchez because he's refused to toe the line on Trump appeasement
Has Greenland changed that?
Full video: davekeating.substack.com/p/spains-pri...
Has Greenland changed that?
Full video: davekeating.substack.com/p/spains-pri...
Reposted by Dave Keating
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government rejected French President Emmanuel Macron's call for a joint borrowing scheme ahead of an EU leaders summit on Thursday.
Germany shoots down Macron’s Eurobonds proposal
The German chancellor’s government strongly rejected a call by the French president for joint EU debt, marking the latest in a series of clashes between Berlin and Paris.
www.politico.eu
February 10, 2026 at 1:17 PM
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government rejected French President Emmanuel Macron's call for a joint borrowing scheme ahead of an EU leaders summit on Thursday.
The 🇬🇧 political class & media elite should be asking themselves wider questions about what the Mandelson-Epstein scandals says about the UK's complicity in and even embrace of the Trump era.
They all knew what Mandelson was yet they celebrated him as 🇺🇸ambassador not in spite of but because of it.
They all knew what Mandelson was yet they celebrated him as 🇺🇸ambassador not in spite of but because of it.
What Starmer cannot say
The hypocrisy, in so many directions, the Epstein files reveal of the Westminster and the media class
goodallandgoodluck.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:23 AM
The 🇬🇧 political class & media elite should be asking themselves wider questions about what the Mandelson-Epstein scandals says about the UK's complicity in and even embrace of the Trump era.
They all knew what Mandelson was yet they celebrated him as 🇺🇸ambassador not in spite of but because of it.
They all knew what Mandelson was yet they celebrated him as 🇺🇸ambassador not in spite of but because of it.
Reposted by Dave Keating
If you're wondering why Canadians are nervous, it's never good to become the focus of the mentally unwell ruler of a larger nuclear armed neighbour
February 10, 2026 at 5:35 AM
If you're wondering why Canadians are nervous, it's never good to become the focus of the mentally unwell ruler of a larger nuclear armed neighbour
Those poor traumatised anglophone Americans who had to witness a halftime show in a language other than their own last night! Other cultures exist! 😱
Welcome to the world of Europeans, who constantly have to sit through American singers at their sports and award shows.
Welcome to the world of Europeans, who constantly have to sit through American singers at their sports and award shows.
February 9, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Those poor traumatised anglophone Americans who had to witness a halftime show in a language other than their own last night! Other cultures exist! 😱
Welcome to the world of Europeans, who constantly have to sit through American singers at their sports and award shows.
Welcome to the world of Europeans, who constantly have to sit through American singers at their sports and award shows.
Reposted by Dave Keating
Pot, kettle. National governments have blocked all progress of the EU internal market for 20 years. Deregulation is not the answer, breaking down national barriers is.
EU countries are piling pressure on the European Commission to get serious about turning around the bloc’s sluggish economy, amid fears it could be left at the mercy of other big players like the U.S. and China.
Brussels Playbook has more 👇
Brussels Playbook has more 👇
Time to grow up
Presented by European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion By GABRIEL GAVIN PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Contact us on X @gerardofortuna @NicholasVinocur |…
www.politico.eu
February 9, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Pot, kettle. National governments have blocked all progress of the EU internal market for 20 years. Deregulation is not the answer, breaking down national barriers is.
Why did the American audience apparently hear different audio of JD Vance's appearance at the Olympics than the audio heard by the rest of the world?
NBC denies muting. But it's part of overall disturbing developments in the US corporate media world.
NBC denies muting. But it's part of overall disturbing developments in the US corporate media world.
The world heard JD Vance being booed at the Olympics. Except for viewers in the US | Bryan Armen Graham
The real risk for American broadcasters is not that dissent will be visible. It is that audiences will start assuming anything they do not show is being hidden
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Why did the American audience apparently hear different audio of JD Vance's appearance at the Olympics than the audio heard by the rest of the world?
NBC denies muting. But it's part of overall disturbing developments in the US corporate media world.
NBC denies muting. But it's part of overall disturbing developments in the US corporate media world.
New review of The Owned Continent out – this one by veteran Brussels journalist Dafydd ab Iago, president of the foreign correspondents' association API and VP of the Brussels Press Club.
"Keating traces how this dependence took root after the world wars — and how Trump learned to exploit it."
"Keating traces how this dependence took root after the world wars — and how Trump learned to exploit it."
Why Europe Yielded to Trump — Dave Keating on The Owned Continent
In The Owned Continent, Brussels-based journalist Dave Keating delivers a bleak verdict on Europe after two decades covering the EU from the inside. Europe’s humiliating capitulation to Donald Trump i...
bravenews.eu
February 7, 2026 at 10:14 AM
New review of The Owned Continent out – this one by veteran Brussels journalist Dafydd ab Iago, president of the foreign correspondents' association API and VP of the Brussels Press Club.
"Keating traces how this dependence took root after the world wars — and how Trump learned to exploit it."
"Keating traces how this dependence took root after the world wars — and how Trump learned to exploit it."
It isn't just "abolish the EU". The 🇺🇸regime is also trying to dissolve the Canadian federation by supporting #Albexit.
The reasons are the same: It is much easier for America to vassalise a small or medium country, whether it be Alberta, Hungary or the UK, than it is to control a large federation.
The reasons are the same: It is much easier for America to vassalise a small or medium country, whether it be Alberta, Hungary or the UK, than it is to control a large federation.
The Line Podcast: Federalists, unite! Quickly!
The latest from Alberta, Harper, 20 years later, and why crypto and AI are useful in moderation, but not as identities.
www.readtheline.ca
February 7, 2026 at 9:47 AM
It isn't just "abolish the EU". The 🇺🇸regime is also trying to dissolve the Canadian federation by supporting #Albexit.
The reasons are the same: It is much easier for America to vassalise a small or medium country, whether it be Alberta, Hungary or the UK, than it is to control a large federation.
The reasons are the same: It is much easier for America to vassalise a small or medium country, whether it be Alberta, Hungary or the UK, than it is to control a large federation.
A good outline from the former Obama team of the very real possibility that MAGA is going to interfere with the election in November, in 4 ways:
1️⃣Trump's proposal to nationalise the elections or have Republicans take them over.
(🧵1/2)
1️⃣Trump's proposal to nationalise the elections or have Republicans take them over.
(🧵1/2)
1117: Trump Threatens to Steal the Midterms
open.spotify.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:47 AM
A good outline from the former Obama team of the very real possibility that MAGA is going to interfere with the election in November, in 4 ways:
1️⃣Trump's proposal to nationalise the elections or have Republicans take them over.
(🧵1/2)
1️⃣Trump's proposal to nationalise the elections or have Republicans take them over.
(🧵1/2)
President von der Leyen's 🇪🇺Commission took more meetings with American companies last year than companies from any other country.
table.media/europe/analy...
table.media/europe/analy...
February 6, 2026 at 8:24 PM
President von der Leyen's 🇪🇺Commission took more meetings with American companies last year than companies from any other country.
table.media/europe/analy...
table.media/europe/analy...
Reposted by Dave Keating
The Sánchez 🇪🇸 government has
- built Europe's boom economy
- hiked minimum wage from €736 to €1221
- cut insecure work from c.30% to c.13%
- regularised, not demonised, migrants
- stood up for human rights
- refused to humiliate itself before Trump
No wonder Musk hates it.
- built Europe's boom economy
- hiked minimum wage from €736 to €1221
- cut insecure work from c.30% to c.13%
- regularised, not demonised, migrants
- stood up for human rights
- refused to humiliate itself before Trump
No wonder Musk hates it.
February 3, 2026 at 8:11 PM
The Sánchez 🇪🇸 government has
- built Europe's boom economy
- hiked minimum wage from €736 to €1221
- cut insecure work from c.30% to c.13%
- regularised, not demonised, migrants
- stood up for human rights
- refused to humiliate itself before Trump
No wonder Musk hates it.
- built Europe's boom economy
- hiked minimum wage from €736 to €1221
- cut insecure work from c.30% to c.13%
- regularised, not demonised, migrants
- stood up for human rights
- refused to humiliate itself before Trump
No wonder Musk hates it.
Reposted by Dave Keating
BREAKING: Peter Mandelson just sent this secret notice to all UK media, demanding they leave him alone.
He uses IPSO clauses designed to support grieving families in a bid to stop scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein
We have published it in full.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583451...
He uses IPSO clauses designed to support grieving families in a bid to stop scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein
We have published it in full.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583451...
Peter Mandelson issues secret notice demanding press leave him alone – read in full
LATE on Friday evening, this notice was circulated from representatives of Peter Mandelson, via press regulator IPSO and the Press Association news…
www.thenational.scot
February 6, 2026 at 7:06 PM
BREAKING: Peter Mandelson just sent this secret notice to all UK media, demanding they leave him alone.
He uses IPSO clauses designed to support grieving families in a bid to stop scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein
We have published it in full.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583451...
He uses IPSO clauses designed to support grieving families in a bid to stop scrutiny of his relationship with Epstein
We have published it in full.
www.thenational.scot/news/2583451...
Is there any end to this regime's hypocrisy?
Pirro: Anyone who brings a gun to DC should ‘count on going to jail’
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro on Monday threatened jail time for people who bring firearms into Washington. “I don’t care if you have a license in another dis…
thehill.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Is there any end to this regime's hypocrisy?
At last night's The Owned Continent book reading at the Brussels Press Club I was asked if I think European leaders are factoring in possible dementia in their dealings with Trump.
This was my response:p
This was my response:p
February 6, 2026 at 5:22 PM
At last night's The Owned Continent book reading at the Brussels Press Club I was asked if I think European leaders are factoring in possible dementia in their dealings with Trump.
This was my response:p
This was my response:p
In next week's foreign policy debate in the European Parliament, the list of trouble spots includes Sudan, northeastern Syria, and….Minnesota.
The European Parliament will next week debate the situation of the rule of law in the United States (!)
February 6, 2026 at 4:45 PM
In next week's foreign policy debate in the European Parliament, the list of trouble spots includes Sudan, northeastern Syria, and….Minnesota.
Some really striking numbers in this new survey showing the flip in European public opinion about America.
But bear in mind this is only Western Europe. In Eastern Europe, it has been harder to take the blinders off peoples' eyes.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
But bear in mind this is only Western Europe. In Eastern Europe, it has been harder to take the blinders off peoples' eyes.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
February 6, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Some really striking numbers in this new survey showing the flip in European public opinion about America.
But bear in mind this is only Western Europe. In Eastern Europe, it has been harder to take the blinders off peoples' eyes.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
But bear in mind this is only Western Europe. In Eastern Europe, it has been harder to take the blinders off peoples' eyes.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Missed my interview with Spain Secretary of State Diego Martínez Belío and Brussels Institute for Geopolitics Director Luuk van Middelaar last week?
Here's a recap:
Here's a recap:
Brussels Institute for Geopolitics – One year of Trump II: Europe’s
On 29 January, BIG’s first in-house event of 2026 approached ‘one year of Trump II’ as a stress test of Europe’s strategic maturity. The question was no longer whether Washington is changing, but...
big-europe.eu
February 6, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Missed my interview with Spain Secretary of State Diego Martínez Belío and Brussels Institute for Geopolitics Director Luuk van Middelaar last week?
Here's a recap:
Here's a recap:
Reposted by Dave Keating
This was not only a monumental misjudgment of Mandelson, but also of Trump's DC.
The idea was that as a slick dealmaker, Mandelson would be able to navigate Trump's "transactional" approach.
But Trump doesn't have insider brain. He has Mafia brain: Do I need 'em or bleed 'em?
The idea was that as a slick dealmaker, Mandelson would be able to navigate Trump's "transactional" approach.
But Trump doesn't have insider brain. He has Mafia brain: Do I need 'em or bleed 'em?
I was just saying that Starmer's lack of judgment on Mandelson is a symptom of a broader problem I called "insider brain." They all become susceptible to it, but he entered office particularly so. And he probably assumed that because Mandelson also has insider brain, he'd be perfect for Trump's DC.
February 6, 2026 at 12:36 PM
This was not only a monumental misjudgment of Mandelson, but also of Trump's DC.
The idea was that as a slick dealmaker, Mandelson would be able to navigate Trump's "transactional" approach.
But Trump doesn't have insider brain. He has Mafia brain: Do I need 'em or bleed 'em?
The idea was that as a slick dealmaker, Mandelson would be able to navigate Trump's "transactional" approach.
But Trump doesn't have insider brain. He has Mafia brain: Do I need 'em or bleed 'em?
At last night's Brussels Press Club book reading, I was asked if The Hague NATO summit pushed me to write The Owned Continent.
In fact it was watching 🇪🇺President von der Leyen's golf course surrender deal that did it. I started writing the next day.
davekeating.substack.com/p/the-owned-...
In fact it was watching 🇪🇺President von der Leyen's golf course surrender deal that did it. I started writing the next day.
davekeating.substack.com/p/the-owned-...
February 6, 2026 at 11:34 AM
At last night's Brussels Press Club book reading, I was asked if The Hague NATO summit pushed me to write The Owned Continent.
In fact it was watching 🇪🇺President von der Leyen's golf course surrender deal that did it. I started writing the next day.
davekeating.substack.com/p/the-owned-...
In fact it was watching 🇪🇺President von der Leyen's golf course surrender deal that did it. I started writing the next day.
davekeating.substack.com/p/the-owned-...
My piece on how Republicans have been successfully blue-pilling Europeans, and whether developments over the past month are changing that:
Europeans are getting blue pilled by MAGA
The far right has unleashed a lobbying blitz in Brussels telling lawmakers to calm down and ride the Trump train. The European penchant for inaction makes their narrative a tempting pill to swallow.
davekeating.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:16 AM
My piece on how Republicans have been successfully blue-pilling Europeans, and whether developments over the past month are changing that:
It is really important for Europeans to understand who is running policy at the White House right now.
Everyone should read this explainer.
Everyone should read this explainer.
The most dangerous man in America
Understanding Stephen Miller: “Trump’s Prime Minister”
samf.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:19 PM
It is really important for Europeans to understand who is running policy at the White House right now.
Everyone should read this explainer.
Everyone should read this explainer.
The supposed free speech champions over in the US government are demanding that US tech companies hand over data about Trump critics.
And guess what - that means Europeans' data also.
And guess what - that means Europeans' data also.
Homeland Security is trying to force tech companies to hand over data about Trump critics | TechCrunch
The use of administrative subpoenas, which are not subject to judicial oversight, are used to demand a wealth of information from tech companies, including the owners of anonymous online accounts docu...
techcrunch.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:35 PM
The supposed free speech champions over in the US government are demanding that US tech companies hand over data about Trump critics.
And guess what - that means Europeans' data also.
And guess what - that means Europeans' data also.