Felix Drost
@felixdrost.bsky.social
Armchair O7 Once an anthropologist & soldier. 🇪🇺 🇳🇱 🇺🇲 Pseudonym.
Defense, Security & Technology.
Stubborn Atlanticist.
Defense, Security & Technology.
Stubborn Atlanticist.
Reposted by Felix Drost
The removal of Nicolás Maduro was supposed to trigger democratic transition. Instead, Venezuela’s intelligence networks and security hardliners remain firmly in power. https://www.thecipherbrief.com/washingtons-venezuelan-gamble-the-old-guards-continued-grip-on-power?share_id=9178771
February 20, 2026 at 4:46 PM
The removal of Nicolás Maduro was supposed to trigger democratic transition. Instead, Venezuela’s intelligence networks and security hardliners remain firmly in power. https://www.thecipherbrief.com/washingtons-venezuelan-gamble-the-old-guards-continued-grip-on-power?share_id=9178771
Reposted by Felix Drost
Venezuela has exported $1.5 billion worth of crude oil since 2026-01-04; which is the day after Maduro's capture.
Destinations are:
Aruba
Bahamas
Curaçao
Italy
Netherlands
Sint Eustatius
Saint Lucia
Spain
USA
During December 2025, the destinations were:
China
Cuba
USA
#OOTT
Destinations are:
Aruba
Bahamas
Curaçao
Italy
Netherlands
Sint Eustatius
Saint Lucia
Spain
USA
During December 2025, the destinations were:
China
Cuba
USA
#OOTT
February 20, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Venezuela has exported $1.5 billion worth of crude oil since 2026-01-04; which is the day after Maduro's capture.
Destinations are:
Aruba
Bahamas
Curaçao
Italy
Netherlands
Sint Eustatius
Saint Lucia
Spain
USA
During December 2025, the destinations were:
China
Cuba
USA
#OOTT
Destinations are:
Aruba
Bahamas
Curaçao
Italy
Netherlands
Sint Eustatius
Saint Lucia
Spain
USA
During December 2025, the destinations were:
China
Cuba
USA
#OOTT
Reposted by Felix Drost
Email blunder exposes $90bn Russian oil smuggling ring ft.trib.al/10RpCLV
Email blunder exposes $90bn Russian oil smuggling ring
Apparent network of companies using same server includes little-known group that has become country’s largest oil exporter
ft.trib.al
February 20, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Email blunder exposes $90bn Russian oil smuggling ring ft.trib.al/10RpCLV
Reposted by Felix Drost
A Bellingcat investigation reveals child soldiers in Sudan’s civil war have become viral figures on TikTok. Videos attracting millions of views show the children with senior military officials, celebrating battlefield victories and delivering violent threats. www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/02...
Viral Child Soldiers on TikTok: The ‘Disney Stars’ of Sudan’s Civil War - bellingcat
To stay up to date on our latest investigations, join Bellingcat’s WhatsApp channel here. Child soldiers linked to Sudan’s warring factions have gained viral fame on TikTok, with their videos attracti...
www.bellingcat.com
February 20, 2026 at 11:34 AM
A Bellingcat investigation reveals child soldiers in Sudan’s civil war have become viral figures on TikTok. Videos attracting millions of views show the children with senior military officials, celebrating battlefield victories and delivering violent threats. www.bellingcat.com/news/2026/02...
Localized myopia makes many European nations vulnerable to Russian sabotage and propaganda because the news cycle is too provincial.
Het Nederlandse mkb is niet klaar voor Russische sabotage. ‘Veel ondernemers zijn überhaupt nog niet in de bewustwordingsfase’, stelt HCSS expert Michel Rademaker in Het Financieele Dagbad. 'Veel ondernemers denken: als het 72 uur duurt, neem ik mijn verlies.’
‘Mkb onvoldoende voorbereid op sabotageacties vanuit Rusland’
Het mkb houdt volgens experts nog onvoldoende rekening met Russische sabotageacties. De dreiging wordt echter steeds reëler. In andere landen hebben dergelijke acties al hun sporen achtergelaten.
buff.ly
February 20, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Localized myopia makes many European nations vulnerable to Russian sabotage and propaganda because the news cycle is too provincial.
European NATO militaries as well increasingly assume that Starlink will be available to them.
'Wie over Starlink beschikt, staat sterker op het slagveld. Dat is wel gebleken nu Elon Musk duizenden Russische internetaansluitingen in Oekraïne heeft afgekoppeld en de opmars direct vertraagde.' www.parool.nl/wereld/musks...
Musks Starlink is gamechanger aan front Oekraïne: ‘Eenvoud ervan maakt het militair aantrekkelijk’
Wie over Starlink beschikt, staat sterker op het slagveld. Dat is wel gebleken nu Elon Musk duizenden Russische internetaansluitingen in Oekraïne heeft afgekoppeld en de opmars direct vertraagde. Oekr...
www.parool.nl
February 20, 2026 at 12:01 AM
European NATO militaries as well increasingly assume that Starlink will be available to them.
This should be awesome
Do it! Join me next year on a wild exploration of Berlin, Prague and Vienna.
Our debut Cold War Espionage Tour is open and will be led by @johnsipher.bsky.social, a retired senior CIA officer. The tour pairs access and John's experience to give a real look at intel's role in history.
We build programs like this on demand. Contact us!
app.tern.travel/trips/sSSUt8...
We build programs like this on demand. Contact us!
app.tern.travel/trips/sSSUt8...
February 19, 2026 at 11:57 PM
This should be awesome
Reposted by Felix Drost
Beirut’s Roman walls have witnessed 2,000 years of the city’s history. Now, the last remnants have just been dismantled — to make way for a parking lot, reports MadelineEdwards, with photos by
João Sousa.
João Sousa.
Beirut’s History Is Being Repaved
Developers have dismantled part of the ancient Roman walls in the city center to make way for a parking lot
newlinesmag.com
February 19, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Beirut’s Roman walls have witnessed 2,000 years of the city’s history. Now, the last remnants have just been dismantled — to make way for a parking lot, reports MadelineEdwards, with photos by
João Sousa.
João Sousa.
Reposted by Felix Drost
Witkoff is a subject of mockery and ridicule in Russia.
Witkoff is very unpopular in Ukraine. Very.
Trump on Witkoff: "Ukraine loves him. Russia loves him."
(Check out the look at Witkoff's face as Trump praises him.)
(Check out the look at Witkoff's face as Trump praises him.)
February 19, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Witkoff is a subject of mockery and ridicule in Russia.
Hey so chemtrails are real. It's just a side effect of SpaceX
After a Falcon 9 rocket stage burned up in the atmosphere, vaporised lithium and other metals drifted over Europe. This growing type of pollution could destroy ozone and form climate-warming clouds
Atmospheric pollution caused by space junk could be a huge problem
After a Falcon 9 rocket stage burned up in the atmosphere, vaporised lithium and other metals drifted over Europe. This growing type of pollution could destroy ozone and form climate-warming clouds
www.newscientist.com
February 19, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Hey so chemtrails are real. It's just a side effect of SpaceX
Reposted by Felix Drost
Reposted by Felix Drost
Reuters reports that Sweden has announced $1.42 billion in military aid to Ukraine, which will include air defense systems, UAVs, and long-range missiles.
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
February 19, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Reuters reports that Sweden has announced $1.42 billion in military aid to Ukraine, which will include air defense systems, UAVs, and long-range missiles.
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
www.reuters.com/business/aer...
So, politics is the continuation of war by other means?
Trump is weighing an initial limited strike on Iran to force it to meet his demands for a nuclear deal, a first step designed to pressure Tehran into an agreement but falls short of a full-scale attack that could inspire a major retaliation.
February 19, 2026 at 11:38 PM
So, politics is the continuation of war by other means?
The question for Xi is if a broken Russia is worth owning.
February 19, 2026 at 11:33 PM
The question for Xi is if a broken Russia is worth owning.
The first victim of peace will be Vladimir Putin because they will find a high window for his wanton almost, if it wasn't for strategic stupidity, premeditated destruction of Russia.
February 19, 2026 at 11:32 PM
The first victim of peace will be Vladimir Putin because they will find a high window for his wanton almost, if it wasn't for strategic stupidity, premeditated destruction of Russia.
The Iranian regime is so desperate that they believe a war with the US increases their chances of survival and helps their legitimacy after murdering thousands of their own.
A campaign against regime targets like the Israelis pursued could work. But it profoundly violates international law.
A campaign against regime targets like the Israelis pursued could work. But it profoundly violates international law.
February 19, 2026 at 11:29 PM
The Iranian regime is so desperate that they believe a war with the US increases their chances of survival and helps their legitimacy after murdering thousands of their own.
A campaign against regime targets like the Israelis pursued could work. But it profoundly violates international law.
A campaign against regime targets like the Israelis pursued could work. But it profoundly violates international law.
Reposted by Felix Drost
Opinion: Tehran thinks a drawn-out conflict could eventually yield a better deal than what Donald Trump is offering today. ft.trib.al/taU8eo5
February 19, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Opinion: Tehran thinks a drawn-out conflict could eventually yield a better deal than what Donald Trump is offering today. ft.trib.al/taU8eo5
Many delude themselves thinking it's possible to achieve lasting peace with people who torture and execute POWs on a large scale.
But security in Europe hinges on justice; at least a full restoration of Ukraine territory if not more.
But security in Europe hinges on justice; at least a full restoration of Ukraine territory if not more.
1/ Leaked messages and photographs from a senior Russian general show his role in the murder, torture and abuse of captured Ukrainian, some of whom had their ears cut off. The messages illustrate how extreme brutality has been normalised in the Russian army. ⬇️
February 19, 2026 at 11:22 PM
Many delude themselves thinking it's possible to achieve lasting peace with people who torture and execute POWs on a large scale.
But security in Europe hinges on justice; at least a full restoration of Ukraine territory if not more.
But security in Europe hinges on justice; at least a full restoration of Ukraine territory if not more.
Reposted by Felix Drost
1/ Leaked messages and photographs from a senior Russian general show his role in the murder, torture and abuse of captured Ukrainian, some of whom had their ears cut off. The messages illustrate how extreme brutality has been normalised in the Russian army. ⬇️
February 19, 2026 at 10:05 PM
1/ Leaked messages and photographs from a senior Russian general show his role in the murder, torture and abuse of captured Ukrainian, some of whom had their ears cut off. The messages illustrate how extreme brutality has been normalised in the Russian army. ⬇️
Reposted by Felix Drost
Breaking: NORA, a false flagged container vessel, detained by Danish authorities.
Kæmpe containerskib tilbageholdes af de danske myndigheder
Et mistænkeligt containerskib, som sejler under iransk flag, ligger stille øst for Aalbæk. Søfartsstyrelsen bekræfter at skibet tilbageholdes.
nyheder.tv2.dk
February 19, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Breaking: NORA, a false flagged container vessel, detained by Danish authorities.
Reposted by Felix Drost
Reposted by Felix Drost
“Rusland bereidt zich voor op een langdurige confrontatie met het Westen, ook op militair gebied.”
“Ook nemen cyberaanvallen, beïnvloedingsactviteiten en (digitale) sabotageacties toe.”
Dit concluderen de MIVD en AIVD in het nieuwste rapport over de groeiende Russische dreiging ⤵️
“Ook nemen cyberaanvallen, beïnvloedingsactviteiten en (digitale) sabotageacties toe.”
Dit concluderen de MIVD en AIVD in het nieuwste rapport over de groeiende Russische dreiging ⤵️
February 19, 2026 at 3:33 PM
“Rusland bereidt zich voor op een langdurige confrontatie met het Westen, ook op militair gebied.”
“Ook nemen cyberaanvallen, beïnvloedingsactviteiten en (digitale) sabotageacties toe.”
Dit concluderen de MIVD en AIVD in het nieuwste rapport over de groeiende Russische dreiging ⤵️
“Ook nemen cyberaanvallen, beïnvloedingsactviteiten en (digitale) sabotageacties toe.”
Dit concluderen de MIVD en AIVD in het nieuwste rapport over de groeiende Russische dreiging ⤵️
Reposted by Felix Drost
"The Times understands that the UK is yet to give permission for the US to use the bases in the event that Trump orders a strike on Iran, owing to concerns that it would be a breach of international law."
This is a BIG deal given the US-UK military relationship.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
This is a BIG deal given the US-UK military relationship.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
UK blocking Trump from using RAF bases for strikes on Iran
The disagreement over the use of British sites is behind the US president’s withdrawal of support for the Chagos Islands deal, The Times understands
www.thetimes.com
February 19, 2026 at 3:13 PM
"The Times understands that the UK is yet to give permission for the US to use the bases in the event that Trump orders a strike on Iran, owing to concerns that it would be a breach of international law."
This is a BIG deal given the US-UK military relationship.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
This is a BIG deal given the US-UK military relationship.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Reposted by Felix Drost
UK to require tech firms to remove abusive images within 48 hours ft.trib.al/A5zjJNy
UK to require tech firms to remove abusive images within 48 hours
Ministers warn platforms could have their services blocked in Britain if they fail to act
ft.trib.al
February 19, 2026 at 12:25 AM
UK to require tech firms to remove abusive images within 48 hours ft.trib.al/A5zjJNy
Reposted by Felix Drost
I swear @markhertling.bsky.social 's articles are some of the best content, if not the best content on the internet in the past 5 years. Remarkable.
www.thebulwark.com/p/europe-is-...
www.thebulwark.com/p/europe-is-...
Europe Is America’s Secret Weapon. And We’re Giving It Up.
The principal agreement of the Munich Security Conference is that a key American relationship is severely damaged.
www.thebulwark.com
February 18, 2026 at 6:37 PM
I swear @markhertling.bsky.social 's articles are some of the best content, if not the best content on the internet in the past 5 years. Remarkable.
www.thebulwark.com/p/europe-is-...
www.thebulwark.com/p/europe-is-...