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
Good cop Rubio; Bad cop Vance. A routine of sorts, even if not deliberate
chrisgrey.bsky.social Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 3h
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 · 9h
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

chrisgrey.bsky.social
Chris Grey @chrisgrey.bsky.social · 3h
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 · 9h
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 · 4h
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 François Heisbourg

mijrahman.bsky.social
Mujtaba Rahman @mijrahman.bsky.social · 5h
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 · 7h
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 · 9h
So now he is off to Slovakia and Hungary. A Vancian Europe
politico.eu POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 10h
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 · 10h
Prochaines escapes de Rubio: la Slovaquie et la Hongrie d' Orbàn. Eueope forte ?

Reposted by François Heisbourg

liberation.fr
Libération @liberation.fr · 10h
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 · 10h
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 · 10h
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 · 10h
👇

bsky.app/profile/rike...
rikefranke.bsky.social Ulrike Franke @rikefranke.bsky.social · 11h
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 · 10h
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 · 10h
👇

bsky.app/profile/rike...
rikefranke.bsky.social Ulrike Franke @rikefranke.bsky.social · 11h
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 · 10h
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 · 11h
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 · 11h
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 · 11h
Thanking Daddy for allowing Europe to buy US military kit

Reposted by François Heisbourg

yle.naamio.social
Yle News @yle.naamio.social · 12h
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 · 13h
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 · 15h
⚡️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 · 20h
⚡️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 · 21h
⚡️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

Reposted by François Heisbourg

ki-insights.bsky.social
KI Insights @ki-insights.bsky.social · 1d
Trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the US are set for Feb 17–18 in Geneva.
The Russian delegation will be headed by Vladimir Medinsky, who took part in the negotiations in Istanbul last spring

What else to watch next week? 👇🧵

#KIweekahead #UkraineUpdate

Photo: Yasin Akgul / AFP

fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 1d
SITREP 🇺🇦 DAY 1451

1. No European version of Alaska summit: Macron says time not yet ripe for dialog with Putin

2. Zelensky & Rubio speaking tomorrow at #msc2026

3. $38 bn milaid package for 🇺🇦 by Ramstein group. Not yet enough to cover US fall to zero

4. 25 leakers out of ~100 Shahed

fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 1d
Significant but not yet enough to replace in money terms the complete interruption of US milaid since last October. In 2024, the non-US allies gave about 30 billions euro and the US about 30 billion dollars ie about 60 billion overall

fheisbourg.bsky.social
François Heisbourg @fheisbourg.bsky.social · 1d
If the claimed decoupling was effective, the low-yield test would hardly register in seismographic terms

Reposted by François Heisbourg

noelreports.com
NOELREPORTS @noelreports.com · 1d
The Netherlands, UK, Norway and Sweden will deliver 420 million euros in US weapons, equipment and ammunition to Ukraine under the PURL initiative, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced. The Dutch share is about 90 million euros and includes Patriot missiles and F-16 simulators. #Ukraine

Reposted by François Heisbourg

noelreports.com
NOELREPORTS @noelreports.com · 1d
Russia attacked Odesa overnight with a new version of the Harpiya-A1 strike drone, marked KK, featuring a 16-element Kometa-M16 CRPA antenna designed to resist electronic warfare, Militarnyi reports. Civilian, port and energy infrastructure were damaged. One person was killed. #Ukraine

Reposted by François Heisbourg

kyivindependent.com
The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 1d
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/ukraines-def...
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

Reposted by François Heisbourg

theguardian.com
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 1d
Munich Security Conference: Rubio flies in amid testing times for US-Europe ties – live
Munich Security Conference: Rubio flies in amid testing times for US-Europe ties – live
German chancellor Friedrich Merz among key figures to speak as three-day security gathering opens Guardian staff: The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has said he will have a chance to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy at this week’s Munich Security Conference. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com