François Heisbourg
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fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg
@fheisbourg.bsky.social
12K followers 170 following 1.7K posts

Senior adviser (Europe), IISS,
Special adviser, Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique

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François Heisbourg is currently Senior Advisor for Europe at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and Special Advisor at the Paris-based Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique. He was director of the IISS from 1987 to 1992 and its chairman from 2001 to 2018. .. more

Political science 72%
Economics 21%
Posts Replies Media Videos

fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 1h
SITREP 🇺🇦 DAY 1453

1. Rubio heads to Vanceland 🇸🇰 🇭🇺 after bilateral with Zelensky aA

2. Port of Taman and oil depot of Volna (Kranodar Krai) hit. Landing craft sunk in Crimea

3. 15 leakers/~50 Shahed

fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 1h
Rubio in Vanceland

Reposted by François Heisbourg

france24.com
FRANCE 24 @france24.com · 3h
En direct : le port russe de Taman endommagé par une attaque de drones ukrainiens, selon la Russie
En direct : le port russe de Taman endommagé par une attaque de drones ukrainiens, selon la Russie
En Russie, la région de Krasnodar a été visée par une importante attaque de drones ukrainiens et le port de Taman a été endommagé, selon des responsables russes. Suivez la situation en direct.
f24.my

Reposted by François Heisbourg

abcnewsbot.bsky.social
ABC News Bot (unofficial) @abcnewsbot.bsky.social · 3h
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned by the Kremlin with a rare and lethal toxin found in the skin of poison dart frogs, five European countries have said. It's not the first time the country has been accused of poisoning its enemies.
Frog toxins the latest poison identified in long line of Russian chemical attacks
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned by the Kremlin with a rare and lethal toxin found in the skin of poison dart frogs, five European countries have said. It's not the first time the country has been accused of poisoning its enemies.
www.abc.net.au

Reposted by François Heisbourg

reuters.com
Reuters @reuters.com · 3h
Rubio to visit eastern Europe, bolster ties with pro-Trump leaders reut.rs/3Mw64l2
Rubio to visit eastern Europe, bolster ties with pro-Trump leaders
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to begin a two-day trip on Sunday, to bolster ties with Slovakia and Hungary, whose conservative leaders, often at odds with other European Union countries, have warm ties with President Donald Trump.
reut.rs

Reposted by François Heisbourg

kyivindependent.com
The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 9h
⚡️Ukraine destroys half of Russia's 'key' Pantsir air defense systems, security service says.

The Alpha unit of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) destroyed half of Russia's stockpile of the coveted Pantsir air defense system, the SBU announced Feb. 14.
Ukraine destroys half of Russia's 'key' Pantsir air defense systems, security service says
The Alpha unit of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) destroyed half of Russia's stockpile of the coveted Pantsir air defense system, the SBU announced Feb. 14.
kyivindependent.com

Reposted by François Heisbourg

rikefranke.bsky.social
Ulrike Franke @rikefranke.bsky.social · 11h
1) There is no more shared Munich view. The MSC has grown a lot, and this year, I felt like it has become impossible to identify any shared “Munich view” - the vibe, the feeling in the hallway - just because there are so many events now, so many people, it no longer feels coherent.

fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 15h
Good cop Rubio; Bad cop Vance. A routine of sorts, even if not deliberate
chrisgrey.bsky.social Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 16h
Good piece. The idea that Rubio is the 'reasonable one' and Vance is the thug is rather like thinking that the interrogator who offers sympathy and a cigarette is your ally against the knuckle-cracking sadist.
phillipspobrien.bsky.social Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 22h
Free piece just released. Marco Rubio called on tolerant, democratic, liberal Europe to destroy itself and embrace a Trump-like future. He received a standing ovation and we are told some people are reassured. If so, Europe will deserve everything coming its way. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

Reposted by François Heisbourg

kyivindependent.com
The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 16h
⚡️Zelensky meets US Secretary of State Rubio at Munich Security Conference.

President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Munich on Feb. 14, a day after Trump urged Zelensky to "get moving" in order to secure a peace deal with Russia.
Zelensky meets US Secretary of State Rubio at Munich Security Conference
President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 14, Presidential Office Spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov told the Ky...
kyivindependent.com

Reposted by François Heisbourg

chrisgrey.bsky.social
Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 16h
Good piece. The idea that Rubio is the 'reasonable one' and Vance is the thug is rather like thinking that the interrogator who offers sympathy and a cigarette is your ally against the knuckle-cracking sadist.
phillipspobrien.bsky.social Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 22h
Free piece just released. Marco Rubio called on tolerant, democratic, liberal Europe to destroy itself and embrace a Trump-like future. He received a standing ovation and we are told some people are reassured. If so, Europe will deserve everything coming its way. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Rubio Calls For The End Of A Tolerant, Democratic Europe And The Crowd Goes Wild
Just over an hour ago, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for the end of a tolerant, democratic Europe and its break-up into a disparate group of smaller, Trumpist states, and the Europeans in t...
open.substack.com

Reposted by François Heisbourg

reuters.com
Reuters @reuters.com · 17h
Zelenskiy says US too often asks Ukraine, not Russia, for concessions reut.rs/4rk9w1u
Zelenskiy says US too often asks Ukraine, not Russia, for concessions
Ukrainian, Russian and American delegations are due to meet in Geneva on Tuesday.
reut.rs

Reposted by Stephen D. Murphy, François Heisbourg

mijrahman.bsky.social
Mujtaba Rahman @mijrahman.bsky.social · 19h
Alex Stubb on EU competitiveness - excellent

"Economists look at crude GDP... but I look at our Gini coefficients.. & whether it's justice, least corrupt, open, welfare, environment, open media, gender equality.. I don't buy the argument we're doing bad. I'm actually bloody happy"

MSC '26

Reposted by François Heisbourg

cbsnews.com
CBS News @cbsnews.com · 20h
BREAKING: European leaders say Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in 2024, was poisoned in prison.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was likely fatally poisoned in prison, European leaders say
European leaders said they are confident Navalny was poisoned with a toxin found in South American poison dart frogs.
cbsn.ws

fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 23h
So now he is off to Slovakia and Hungary. A Vancian Europe
politico.eu POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 23h
Speaking at #MSC26 today, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made no apology for the Trump administration’s at times harsh criticisms of Europe.

But he took a conciliatory tone — stressing that the U.S. wants to cooperate with Europe to “revitalize an old friendship.”
Marco Rubio to Europe: ‘We belong together’
Top U.S. diplomat backs new partnership with Europe as he reiterates MAGA talking points.
www.politico.eu

fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 23h
Prochaines escapes de Rubio: la Slovaquie et la Hongrie d' Orbàn. Eueope forte ?

Reposted by François Heisbourg

liberation.fr
Libération @liberation.fr · 23h
A Munich, Rubio prône une restauration de l’ordre mondial avec une Europe «forte»
A Munich, Rubio prône une restauration de l’ordre mondial avec une Europe «forte»
Le chef de la diplomatie américaine a rejeté toute division entre l’Europe et les Etats-Unis ce samedi 14 février, devant la Conférence de Munich sur la sécurité. Il appelle à une «alliance revigorée» entre les Etats-Unis et l’Europe.
www.liberation.fr

Reposted by François Heisbourg

politico.eu
POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 23h
Speaking at #MSC26 today, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made no apology for the Trump administration’s at times harsh criticisms of Europe.

But he took a conciliatory tone — stressing that the U.S. wants to cooperate with Europe to “revitalize an old friendship.”
Marco Rubio to Europe: ‘We belong together’
Top U.S. diplomat backs new partnership with Europe as he reiterates MAGA talking points.
www.politico.eu

fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 23h
Sounds right. Unlike Mark Twain'w line on Wagner's music, Rubio's music isn't as good as it sounds
gertjanbartelds.nl Gert-Jan Bartelds @gertjanbartelds.nl · 1d
👇

bsky.app/profile/rike...
rikefranke.bsky.social Ulrike Franke @rikefranke.bsky.social · 1d
The only comment I have on the Rubio speech is that I don’t want to spend too much time on the Rubio speech.
Nothing is changing with regards to US policy. We don’t need to do a line-by-line analysis.

Reposted by Johan P. Olsen, Anders Sundnes Løvlie, François Heisbourg

phillipspobrien.bsky.social
Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 1d
Rubio’s speech at Munich was a massive free dose of fentanyl to an addict desperate not to get clean. And it worked. Europe is full of suckers.

Reposted by François Heisbourg

gertjanbartelds.nl
Gert-Jan Bartelds @gertjanbartelds.nl · 1d
👇

bsky.app/profile/rike...
rikefranke.bsky.social Ulrike Franke @rikefranke.bsky.social · 1d
The only comment I have on the Rubio speech is that I don’t want to spend too much time on the Rubio speech.
Nothing is changing with regards to US policy. We don’t need to do a line-by-line analysis.

Reposted by François Heisbourg

karlpopperwasright.bsky.social
Joachim Sammer @karlpopperwasright.bsky.social · 1d
That‘s a bit like me giving a speech outlining Austrian foreign policy. Not anchored to reality.

Reposted by François Heisbourg

bloomberg.com
Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 1d
Ukraine’s most famous writer reflects on life under bombardment, fading solidarity and the risks of accepting a hasty peace deal.
‘Capitulation Camouflaged as Peace’: Andrey Kurkov’s Warning on Ukraine
Ukraine’s most famous writer reflects on life under bombardment, fading solidarity and the risks of accepting a hasty peace deal.
bloom.bg

fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 1d
SITREP 🇺🇦 DAY 1452

1. The joy of not being Vance: Rubio gets standing ovation at #MSC2026
2. Rubio apparently to skip public discussion with Zelensky at 11h45CET at ##MSC2026
3. Third US 🇷🇺 🇺🇦 trilateral in Geneva 17-18 FEB
4. 16 leakers out of 70 Shahed

fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 1d
Thanking Daddy for allowing Europe to buy US military kit

Reposted by François Heisbourg

yle.naamio.social
Yle News @yle.naamio.social · 1d
Distrust towards the current US administration has undermined Finns' overall confidence in Nato, according to one foreign policy specialist.
USU: Finns losing confidence in Nato security guarantees
Distrust towards the current US administration has undermined Finns' overall confidence in Nato, according to one foreign policy specialist.
yle.fi

Reposted by François Heisbourg

cnn.com
CNN @cnn.com · 1d
Roughly half a dozen Democrats with potential presidential ambitions in 2028 are descending on the annual Munich conference, a frequent stop for politicians to test the foreign policy waters and elevate their own profiles on the international stage ahead of White House runs.
As Trump tests alliances, Democrats with 2028 ambitions offer reassurance at Munich conference | CNN Politics
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were among the high-profile Democrats looking to counter President Donald Trump at the Munich Security Conference this week as they outli...
www.cnn.com

Reposted by François Heisbourg

kyivindependent.com
The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 1d
⚡️Over 177,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation.

Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 177,433 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine.
Over 177,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation
Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 177,433 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine.
kyivindependent.com

Reposted by François Heisbourg

kyivindependent.com
The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 1d
⚡️Zelensky meets with Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi.

President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Reza Pahlavi, Iranian opposition figure and exiled son of the country's last monarch, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 13.
Zelensky meets with Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi
President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Reza Pahlavi, Iranian opposition figure and exiled son of the country's last monarch, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 13.
kyivindependent.com

Reposted by François Heisbourg

kyivindependent.com
The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 1d
⚡️Rubio skips Ukraine meeting with European leaders at Munich conference.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipped a Ukraine meeting at the Munich Security Conference, raising concerns among European officials amid broader transatlantic tensions, the Financial Times reported Feb. 13.
Rubio skips Ukraine meeting with European leaders at Munich conference
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipped a Berlin Format Ukraine meeting at the Munich Security Conference, the Financial Times reported Feb. 13, raising concerns among European officials amid broa...
kyivindependent.com

fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 1d
From 1965. A book with a now familiar plot line: what happens if a US president loses his marbles. Spoiler: in 1965, they still had adults inside the beltway. The s*x scenes are so-early 60s but the nuclear dimension is uncomfortably well covered. Bottom-line: a great read