Gesine Weber
@gesineweber.bsky.social
European security & defence, global order, EU in US-China competition.
Senior Researcher, Center for Security Studies, ETH Zürich. PhD Defence Studies, King’s College London. Into running, matcha, 中文. Views my own.
geopoliticaleurope.substack.com
Senior Researcher, Center for Security Studies, ETH Zürich. PhD Defence Studies, King’s College London. Into running, matcha, 中文. Views my own.
geopoliticaleurope.substack.com
"Mr. Merz, President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer had assured Mr. Zelensky during a call on Friday of “their continued and full support on the path to a lasting and just peace."
E3 in action (or rather words?). A bit of déjà vu, though.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/w...
E3 in action (or rather words?). A bit of déjà vu, though.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/w...
Europe Scrambles Over U.S. Plan to End Ukraine War Mostly on Russia’s Terms
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:22 PM
"Mr. Merz, President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer had assured Mr. Zelensky during a call on Friday of “their continued and full support on the path to a lasting and just peace."
E3 in action (or rather words?). A bit of déjà vu, though.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/w...
E3 in action (or rather words?). A bit of déjà vu, though.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/21/w...
It is frustrating that this is more about post-Brexit politics than about European defence.
Talks between the European Commission and the UK on taking part in the bloc's €150 billion Security Action for Europe loans-for-weapons plan failed to meet today's deadline, three diplomats told POLITICO.
No deal on UK access to EU’s defense spending plan
The Commission wanted to wrap talks with the U.K. on taking part in the SAFE program by the end of the week, but that deadline is slipping.
www.politico.eu
November 21, 2025 at 2:03 PM
It is frustrating that this is more about post-Brexit politics than about European defence.
I *really* like SIRIUS and really appreciate their editorial focus and analysis - but I don't think that it's acceptable that 10 out of 10 articles/ analyses published in a journal in 2025 are written by men. Yes, all of them are qualified, but diversity is also an editorial choice.
📢 SIRIUS, Band 9, Heft 1–2, ist erschienen!
Wir freuen uns, das erste Doppelheft von SIRIUS – Zeitschrift für Strategische Analysen zum übergreifenden Themenschwerpunkt „Sicherheit ohne USA?” zu präsentieren.
📖 Jetzt lesen: www.degruyterbrill.com/journal/key/...
#OpenAccess
Wir freuen uns, das erste Doppelheft von SIRIUS – Zeitschrift für Strategische Analysen zum übergreifenden Themenschwerpunkt „Sicherheit ohne USA?” zu präsentieren.
📖 Jetzt lesen: www.degruyterbrill.com/journal/key/...
#OpenAccess
November 21, 2025 at 12:37 PM
I *really* like SIRIUS and really appreciate their editorial focus and analysis - but I don't think that it's acceptable that 10 out of 10 articles/ analyses published in a journal in 2025 are written by men. Yes, all of them are qualified, but diversity is also an editorial choice.
I just do not see how the Ukraine "peace" plan could be acceptable for Europe.
- Russia rejoining G8
- Europe (whoever that is) pays additional 100 bn for reconstruction
- preferential access of UKR to internal market during candidacy (maybe up to EU to decide?!)
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
- Russia rejoining G8
- Europe (whoever that is) pays additional 100 bn for reconstruction
- preferential access of UKR to internal market during candidacy (maybe up to EU to decide?!)
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Trump administration's 28-point Ukraine-Russia peace plan presented to Zelenskyy
The plan, which is still a draft and could change, was presented in Kyiv earlier Thursday.
abcnews.go.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I just do not see how the Ukraine "peace" plan could be acceptable for Europe.
- Russia rejoining G8
- Europe (whoever that is) pays additional 100 bn for reconstruction
- preferential access of UKR to internal market during candidacy (maybe up to EU to decide?!)
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
- Russia rejoining G8
- Europe (whoever that is) pays additional 100 bn for reconstruction
- preferential access of UKR to internal market during candidacy (maybe up to EU to decide?!)
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
I recommend reading the entire tread by @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social, but this here is perhaps most noteworthy for Euroepan states:
The plan says that "A dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States." This implies that both Russia and the Trump administration don't see the US as part of NATO in any real sense. That should deeply alarm every other NATO state.
November 21, 2025 at 12:10 PM
I recommend reading the entire tread by @ruthdeyermond.bsky.social, but this here is perhaps most noteworthy for Euroepan states:
Reposted by Gesine Weber
EU Commission spokesperson on tech. The difficulty here is that the Commission sent X a provisional finding of breach of the Digital Services Act 16 months ago, and has done nothing since. So why take this expression of concern seriously?
Grok’s antisemitic output is appalling.
It goes against Europe’s fundamental rights and values.
The DSA is clear: hate speech has no place online in Europe.
We already took action on GPAI risks, including X’s chatbot in March.
We are in touch with X: the company must act on its chatbots risks.
It goes against Europe’s fundamental rights and values.
The DSA is clear: hate speech has no place online in Europe.
We already took action on GPAI risks, including X’s chatbot in March.
We are in touch with X: the company must act on its chatbots risks.
November 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
EU Commission spokesperson on tech. The difficulty here is that the Commission sent X a provisional finding of breach of the Digital Services Act 16 months ago, and has done nothing since. So why take this expression of concern seriously?
Just wondering whether it was intentional that the figure on the euro bill looks like a younger version of Trump.
The EPP Group is committed to protecting the rule of law by making EU budget payments conditional.
Europe must strengthen its conditionality rules. We need a clear, coherent and unified approach to all EU rule-of-law instruments.
Read more: epp.group/q6i6wsbp
Europe must strengthen its conditionality rules. We need a clear, coherent and unified approach to all EU rule-of-law instruments.
Read more: epp.group/q6i6wsbp
November 20, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Just wondering whether it was intentional that the figure on the euro bill looks like a younger version of Trump.
EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in BRX today and tomorrow, press conference with Kaja Kallas on Friday, 14:10.
www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/fourth-...
www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/fourth-...
Fourth EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum
www.eeas.europa.eu
November 20, 2025 at 11:35 AM
EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in BRX today and tomorrow, press conference with Kaja Kallas on Friday, 14:10.
www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/fourth-...
www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/fourth-...
Dans un monde idéal...
« Dans un monde idéal où on s’entendrait hyper bien avec les Allemands »
November 20, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Dans un monde idéal...
"The bigger problems are structural, political and even psychological. Brussels (...) is good at process and law. But it is incapable of acting quickly and ruthlessly like the European great powers of the past, or like the US and China today." @gideonrachman.bsky.social:
www.ft.com/content/307c...
www.ft.com/content/307c...
The scramble for Europe is just beginning
As the EU struggles to defend its interests, outside powers play divide and rule
www.ft.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:27 AM
"The bigger problems are structural, political and even psychological. Brussels (...) is good at process and law. But it is incapable of acting quickly and ruthlessly like the European great powers of the past, or like the US and China today." @gideonrachman.bsky.social:
www.ft.com/content/307c...
www.ft.com/content/307c...
Good summary why clear writing is an art in itself - and how you can master it:
sofiaserrasilva.substack.com/p/academic-w...
sofiaserrasilva.substack.com/p/academic-w...
“Academic Writing: Clarity in Writing is not a soft skill, it is foundational” with Catherine de Vries
In today’s Research & Publish Seminar, Catherine de Vries (Bocconi University) delivered a masterclass on academic writing, full of advice and tips. Here is a summary.
sofiaserrasilva.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Good summary why clear writing is an art in itself - and how you can master it:
sofiaserrasilva.substack.com/p/academic-w...
sofiaserrasilva.substack.com/p/academic-w...
Yep. Let's all take a step back and not freak out. Also very beneficial to Russia that these plans come out now as Zelenskyy faces massive pressure at home with the corruption scandal.
Far too much credibility is being given to the new ‘Trump peace plan’ that would be tantamount to Ukraine’s capitulation. Here I explain why this new plan is far less than it seems and is unlikely to lead to anything. (£/free trial), open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/y...?
Yet another peace plan?
What's going on with leaked proposals for a new US/Russia deal
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Yep. Let's all take a step back and not freak out. Also very beneficial to Russia that these plans come out now as Zelenskyy faces massive pressure at home with the corruption scandal.
I don't want to be cynical, but as I only know the run-up to the Iraq war from history books, I see some similarity here and that does not look good to me.
"Even if the voters opted for new rulers, however, any U.S. effort to bring about regime change in Caracas that is based on military strike power, faulty premises and unwarranted assumptions is unlikely to bring about a smooth political transition – and could lead to far worse outcomes."
Beware the Slide Toward Regime Change in Venezuela | International Crisis Group
The Trump administration is dispatching military assets to the Caribbean and sinking boats it claims ferry drugs. While it appears the deployment is part of a plan to depose Venezuelan President Nicol...
www.crisisgroup.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:12 PM
I don't want to be cynical, but as I only know the run-up to the Iraq war from history books, I see some similarity here and that does not look good to me.
"Chinese view tends towards an extreme caricature of Europe’s challenges, and this leads to two blind spots (...). to assume that Europe largely follows America’s lead, and to believe that China somehow offers Europe a way out of its problems."
www.economist.com/china/2025/1...
www.economist.com/china/2025/1...
Europe sees China as a rival. China sees Europe as a has-been
Yet China may be underestimating Europe’s willingness to push back
www.economist.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
"Chinese view tends towards an extreme caricature of Europe’s challenges, and this leads to two blind spots (...). to assume that Europe largely follows America’s lead, and to believe that China somehow offers Europe a way out of its problems."
www.economist.com/china/2025/1...
www.economist.com/china/2025/1...
Worth a read (in Chinese or translation): how Chinese scholars see Europe: m.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_f...
圆桌｜回应美国智库之声：中国专家眼中欧洲在中美博弈间的抉择之道
澎湃，澎湃新闻，澎湃新闻网，新闻与思想，澎湃是植根于中国上海的时政思想类互联网平台，以最活跃的原创新闻与最冷静的思想分析为两翼，是互联网技术创新与新闻价值传承的结合体，致力于问答式新闻与新闻追踪功能的实践。
m.thepaper.cn
November 18, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Worth a read (in Chinese or translation): how Chinese scholars see Europe: m.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_f...
Can only be a good Tuesday when it starts with this on your bluesky feed.
Good morning and a totally tremendous Tuesday everybody. Let's start the day with a healthy breakfast - just like the squirrels in our garden.
[📷Nikon D850 f/7,1 1/200 460mm ISO 4000]
[📷Nikon D850 f/7,1 1/200 460mm ISO 4000]
November 18, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Can only be a good Tuesday when it starts with this on your bluesky feed.
I always argued that FCAS was too big too fail, but seeing this, I'm not that confident anymore...
High-level Franco-German meetings are happening this week. In them, they will try to save FCAS - or save face while quietly abandoning FCAS.
FT reports the joint fighter jet+ programme could continue - without the actual fighter jet.
FT reports the joint fighter jet+ programme could continue - without the actual fighter jet.
Berlin and Paris discuss scrapping joint fighter to focus on air ‘combat cloud’
Proposed downsizing of €100bn flagship defence project follows feuding by Airbus and Dassault
on.ft.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
I always argued that FCAS was too big too fail, but seeing this, I'm not that confident anymore...
Very refreshing kind of outlook to 2026: www.economist.com/the-world-ah...
Homer’s “Odyssey” offers lessons for navigating 2026
Christopher Nolan’s version of Homer’s “The Odyssey” opens in July. The story offers advice to those navigating the ups and downs of 2026
www.economist.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Very refreshing kind of outlook to 2026: www.economist.com/the-world-ah...
German finance minister is in China today - something to follow:
Statement from German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil before his departure for China ticks the right boxes:
✅ Rare earths
✅ Overcapacities
✅ Russia/Ukraine
But dialogue with China has not led to “solutions” as he states here for years. So Germany should be clear-eyed on what that can deliver
✅ Rare earths
✅ Overcapacities
✅ Russia/Ukraine
But dialogue with China has not led to “solutions” as he states here for years. So Germany should be clear-eyed on what that can deliver
November 17, 2025 at 9:14 AM
German finance minister is in China today - something to follow:
When I started my PhD on informal minilateral defence cooperation in Europe in 2020, the topic was quite niche. Now you can even read about smaller coalitions and flexibility in Financial Times: www.ft.com/content/370f...
Coalitions of the willing are Europe’s path to ever closer union
A more pragmatic form of federalism could be the key to unlocking progress on important issues
www.ft.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:13 AM
When I started my PhD on informal minilateral defence cooperation in Europe in 2020, the topic was quite niche. Now you can even read about smaller coalitions and flexibility in Financial Times: www.ft.com/content/370f...
Just sharing this beautiful Zürich sunrise (yesterday) as a reminder to disconnect on the weekend and do things you enjoy. 💫
November 15, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Just sharing this beautiful Zürich sunrise (yesterday) as a reminder to disconnect on the weekend and do things you enjoy. 💫
This was clearly my favourite read of the week.
@ilketoygur.bsky.social and @catherinedevries.bsky.social paint a gloomy picture without being alarmist, and suggest clear yet bold steps without being too idealistic.
@ilketoygur.bsky.social and @catherinedevries.bsky.social paint a gloomy picture without being alarmist, and suggest clear yet bold steps without being too idealistic.
The EU’s only real path forward is to move from hesitation to decision and action, write Ilke Toygür and Catherine de Vries @ecfrpower.bsky.social @ecfreuropeansec.bsky.social
https://bit.ly/47EDcz1
https://bit.ly/47EDcz1
How Europeans can go beyond “limiting unpredictability” and respond to the MAGA doctrine
European leaders must draw up their alternative to the MAGA doctrine and drive deeper integration in the EU…
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 8:14 AM
This was clearly my favourite read of the week.
@ilketoygur.bsky.social and @catherinedevries.bsky.social paint a gloomy picture without being alarmist, and suggest clear yet bold steps without being too idealistic.
@ilketoygur.bsky.social and @catherinedevries.bsky.social paint a gloomy picture without being alarmist, and suggest clear yet bold steps without being too idealistic.
Mulling about European strategy and how it has (not) changed in the first year of Trump 2.0.
What has changed: "Europe alone" is not just a hypothesis
What has not changed: Europe still afraid to bite
Plus ça change...
More here:
geopoliticaleurope.substack.com/p/trump-shoc...
What has changed: "Europe alone" is not just a hypothesis
What has not changed: Europe still afraid to bite
Plus ça change...
More here:
geopoliticaleurope.substack.com/p/trump-shoc...
Trump shock 2.0: how European strategy has (not) changed
14 November 2025
geopoliticaleurope.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Mulling about European strategy and how it has (not) changed in the first year of Trump 2.0.
What has changed: "Europe alone" is not just a hypothesis
What has not changed: Europe still afraid to bite
Plus ça change...
More here:
geopoliticaleurope.substack.com/p/trump-shoc...
What has changed: "Europe alone" is not just a hypothesis
What has not changed: Europe still afraid to bite
Plus ça change...
More here:
geopoliticaleurope.substack.com/p/trump-shoc...
Of course…who needs something like progressive climate policy or responsible companies to manage the green transition in 2025? 🫠
🚨🚨Breaking and bad #EU news: Lawmakers in @europarl.europa.eu agreed today to exempt more companies from green reporting rules after the center-right, right-wing and far-right groups allied to pass the EU’s first omnibus simplification package. #omnibus 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/epp-...
www.politico.eu/article/epp-...
EU conservatives vote with far right to approve cuts to green rules
The outcome highlights the EPP’s willingness to abandon its traditional centrist coalition allies.
www.politico.eu
November 13, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Of course…who needs something like progressive climate policy or responsible companies to manage the green transition in 2025? 🫠
This is coming tomorrow on my Substack Geopolitical Europe - AI image this time was on the spot for the first attempt.
Subscribe here and it will land in your inbox tomorrow morning!
geopoliticaleurope.substack.com
Subscribe here and it will land in your inbox tomorrow morning!
geopoliticaleurope.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:52 PM
This is coming tomorrow on my Substack Geopolitical Europe - AI image this time was on the spot for the first attempt.
Subscribe here and it will land in your inbox tomorrow morning!
geopoliticaleurope.substack.com
Subscribe here and it will land in your inbox tomorrow morning!
geopoliticaleurope.substack.com