Henning Hoff
@henninghoff.bsky.social
Executive editor INTERNATIONALE POLITIK QUARTERLY @ipq.bsky.social / Editor-at-Large @internationalepolitik.de, published by the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP); International Fellow @congeostrategy.bsky.social; lapsed Londoner.
Pinned
Henning Hoff
@henninghoff.bsky.social
· Oct 21
It was a great pleasure hosting yesterday‘s Special @ipq.bsky.social Debate on “Defending Europe‘s Economic Security“ with @luukvmiddelaar.bsky.social as the keynote speaker and a stellar panel of Oliver Rentschler (AA), Katharina Neckel (DIHK) & Filip Medunic (DGAP). (Pictures by Tim Hofmann)
Reposted by Henning Hoff
Have become quite critical of Macron lately. But for the EU's sole nuclear power this is an important response.
December 23, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Have become quite critical of Macron lately. But for the EU's sole nuclear power this is an important response.
Reposted by Henning Hoff
Holy crap chart from Gallup
December 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Holy crap chart from Gallup
Reposted by Henning Hoff
‘2029, 🇩🇪 defence budget will be greater than €150 billion (£131.4 billion), outspending everyone else in Europe,’ writes @henninghoff.bsky.social, @ipq.bsky.social
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
Which country punched above its weight the most in 2025?
The Big Ask | No. 49.2025
www.britainsworld.org.uk
December 19, 2025 at 12:40 PM
‘2029, 🇩🇪 defence budget will be greater than €150 billion (£131.4 billion), outspending everyone else in Europe,’ writes @henninghoff.bsky.social, @ipq.bsky.social
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
Sometimes Plan B is even better than Plan A …
Last night's failure to agree on giving Russia's frozen assets to Ukraine was a bad look for the EU. But the Plan B that they came up with, #EurobondsForUkraine, could actually be better because:
1. Money arrives faster
2. It's legally unquestionable
3. It can be done again
1. Money arrives faster
2. It's legally unquestionable
3. It can be done again
EU's Plan B could see money going to Ukraine faster than Plan A
YouTube video by Dave Keating
youtu.be
December 19, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Sometimes Plan B is even better than Plan A …
Reposted by Henning Hoff
It’s the last #BigAsk of the year!
Which country punched above its weight the most in 2025?
We asked 9 experts - Dr Przemysław Biskup, Dr Hillary Briffa, John Foreman CBE, @willfreer.bsky.social, @henninghoff.bsky.social, Dr Timothy Less, Rena Sasaki, Gray Sergeant and Dr Victoria Vdovychenko
Which country punched above its weight the most in 2025?
We asked 9 experts - Dr Przemysław Biskup, Dr Hillary Briffa, John Foreman CBE, @willfreer.bsky.social, @henninghoff.bsky.social, Dr Timothy Less, Rena Sasaki, Gray Sergeant and Dr Victoria Vdovychenko
Which country punched above its weight the most in 2025?
The Big Ask | No. 49.2025
www.britainsworld.org.uk
December 19, 2025 at 12:31 PM
It’s the last #BigAsk of the year!
Which country punched above its weight the most in 2025?
We asked 9 experts - Dr Przemysław Biskup, Dr Hillary Briffa, John Foreman CBE, @willfreer.bsky.social, @henninghoff.bsky.social, Dr Timothy Less, Rena Sasaki, Gray Sergeant and Dr Victoria Vdovychenko
Which country punched above its weight the most in 2025?
We asked 9 experts - Dr Przemysław Biskup, Dr Hillary Briffa, John Foreman CBE, @willfreer.bsky.social, @henninghoff.bsky.social, Dr Timothy Less, Rena Sasaki, Gray Sergeant and Dr Victoria Vdovychenko
So the showdown will be over Venezuela rather than Taiwan?
China voices support for Venezuela, says it opposes 'unilateral bullying' reut.rs/44AwGHA
China voices support for Venezuela, says it opposes 'unilateral bullying'
China opposes "unilateral bullying" and supports countries in safeguarding their own sovereignty, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Venezuelan counterpart on Wednesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on the South American country.
reut.rs
December 17, 2025 at 8:46 PM
So the showdown will be over Venezuela rather than Taiwan?
Starmer is doing what we can (outside of the EU) to stiffen the spine of EU leaders to make a bold move on Russia’s frozen assets. 👏
Sir Keir Starmer has issued a licence to transfer £2.5bn of frozen assets from Roman Abramovich’s sale of Chelsea Football Club to Ukraine, warning the Russian former owner that the UK government is prepared to take him to court if he fails to release the funds. “My message to Abramovich is... the
Keir Starmer moves to transfer £2.5bn from Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea FC sale to Ukraine
Proceeds from sale of football club frozen in a UK bank after Russian oligarch hit with sanctions
www.ft.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Starmer is doing what we can (outside of the EU) to stiffen the spine of EU leaders to make a bold move on Russia’s frozen assets. 👏
Reposted by Henning Hoff
Trump, Like Putin, Is Miscalculating on Europe
A smart take by @josephdeweck.bsky.social
ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-lik...
A smart take by @josephdeweck.bsky.social
ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-lik...
Trump, Like Putin, Is Miscalculating on Europe
Vladimir Putin’s ill-judged war against Ukraine has weakened Russia—turning it into a junior partner of China and triggering Europe’s rearmament. Trump’s frontal assault on European democracy will reb...
ip-quarterly.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Trump, Like Putin, Is Miscalculating on Europe
A smart take by @josephdeweck.bsky.social
ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-lik...
A smart take by @josephdeweck.bsky.social
ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-lik...
Reposted by Henning Hoff
The UK has announced a £600 million package of air-defence support for Ukraine, including automated counter-drone turrets and additional missile systems.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-sends-tur...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-sends-tur...
UK sends turrets and missiles in £600m Ukraine air push
The UK has announced a £600 million package of air-defence support for Ukraine, including automated counter-drone turrets and additional missile systems.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 6:37 PM
The UK has announced a £600 million package of air-defence support for Ukraine, including automated counter-drone turrets and additional missile systems.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-sends-tur...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-sends-tur...
Reposted by Henning Hoff
4/ The Kremlin is trying to downplay ongoing Ukrainian counterattacks in Kupyansk as Russian ultranationalist milbloggers continue to acknowledge the severity of the situation for the Russian forces.
December 17, 2025 at 4:36 AM
4/ The Kremlin is trying to downplay ongoing Ukrainian counterattacks in Kupyansk as Russian ultranationalist milbloggers continue to acknowledge the severity of the situation for the Russian forces.
Reposted by Henning Hoff
New from @josephdeweck.bsky.social: Putin’s war against Ukraine has weakened Russia, turning it into a junior partner of China & triggering Europe’s rearmament. Trump’s frontal assault on European democracy will rebound against the United States in a similar way.
ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-lik...
ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-lik...
Trump, Like Putin, Is Miscalculating on Europe
Vladimir Putin’s ill-judged war against Ukraine has weakened Russia—turning it into a junior partner of China and triggering Europe’s rearmament. Trump’s frontal assault on European democracy will reb...
ip-quarterly.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:18 AM
New from @josephdeweck.bsky.social: Putin’s war against Ukraine has weakened Russia, turning it into a junior partner of China & triggering Europe’s rearmament. Trump’s frontal assault on European democracy will rebound against the United States in a similar way.
ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-lik...
ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-lik...
Excellent colum by @josephdeweck.bsky.social #Pariscope predicting that Trump’s attack on Europe, based on misconceptions, will backfire—just like Putin’s war of aggression did. A preview from our Winter 2026 issue (“New Ideas for Europe”) ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-lik...
Trump, Like Putin, Is Miscalculating on Europe
Vladimir Putin’s ill-judged war against Ukraine has weakened Russia—turning it into a junior partner of China and triggering Europe’s rearmament. Trump’s frontal assault on European democracy will reb...
ip-quarterly.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Excellent colum by @josephdeweck.bsky.social #Pariscope predicting that Trump’s attack on Europe, based on misconceptions, will backfire—just like Putin’s war of aggression did. A preview from our Winter 2026 issue (“New Ideas for Europe”) ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-lik...
Reposted by Henning Hoff
Reposted by Henning Hoff
From @lucyaash.bsky.social: Ukrainian artists are playing their part in the country’s war effort and sending bold messages of defiance.
ip-quarterly.com/en/ukraines-...
ip-quarterly.com/en/ukraines-...
Ukraine’s Artists Respond to War
Seeking new visual languages and forms of expression, Ukrainian artists are playing their part in the country’s war effort and sending bold messages of defiance.
ip-quarterly.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:45 PM
From @lucyaash.bsky.social: Ukrainian artists are playing their part in the country’s war effort and sending bold messages of defiance.
ip-quarterly.com/en/ukraines-...
ip-quarterly.com/en/ukraines-...
Reposted by Henning Hoff
Some EU countries want a second mega defense spending program, @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu said at our #POLITICO28 Gala.
The bloc's loans-for-weapons plan is "so oversubscribed ... that some [member states] are calling for a second SAFE instrument."
📽️ Full interview: www.politico.eu/politico-28-...
The bloc's loans-for-weapons plan is "so oversubscribed ... that some [member states] are calling for a second SAFE instrument."
📽️ Full interview: www.politico.eu/politico-28-...
December 11, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Some EU countries want a second mega defense spending program, @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu said at our #POLITICO28 Gala.
The bloc's loans-for-weapons plan is "so oversubscribed ... that some [member states] are calling for a second SAFE instrument."
📽️ Full interview: www.politico.eu/politico-28-...
The bloc's loans-for-weapons plan is "so oversubscribed ... that some [member states] are calling for a second SAFE instrument."
📽️ Full interview: www.politico.eu/politico-28-...
In the light of today’s publication of the Trump II national security strategy, worth re-reading Jacob Ross’ @dgap.org excellent piece in our current issue again. #nss
"It’s true that, under Trump, US aspirations to shape the global order are decreasing. At the same time, its activities in Europe are increasing: not in military terms, but in political ones."
On MAGA & regime change in Europe: ip-quarterly.com/en/maga-and-...
On MAGA & regime change in Europe: ip-quarterly.com/en/maga-and-...
MAGA and Regime Change in Europe
The new US foreign and security policy is often described as isolationist. But its activities in Europe are increasing: not in military terms, but in political ones.
ip-quarterly.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Very interesting take by @sinemadar.bsky.social ! The new US NSS miscalculation, however, to me lies in the implied retreat from Europe. It would mean that the US no longer is a European/Eurasian power & strategically much diminished as a consequence. A move to assure the loss of global superiority.
For me, the document is an official acknowledgement of the Trump administration's revolutionary mindset to remake the international system so that the US maintains its superiority.
December 5, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Very interesting take by @sinemadar.bsky.social ! The new US NSS miscalculation, however, to me lies in the implied retreat from Europe. It would mean that the US no longer is a European/Eurasian power & strategically much diminished as a consequence. A move to assure the loss of global superiority.
Reposted by Henning Hoff
Don't want to read the US National Security Strategy? I have a nicer weekend read for you, hot off the press in @ipq.bsky.social:
ip-quarterly.com/en/why-europ...
ip-quarterly.com/en/why-europ...
Why Europe Should Work Toward Managed Multipolarity
US unipolar power politics and US-China strategic competition do not serve Europe. It must actively promote an alternative.
ip-quarterly.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Don't want to read the US National Security Strategy? I have a nicer weekend read for you, hot off the press in @ipq.bsky.social:
ip-quarterly.com/en/why-europ...
ip-quarterly.com/en/why-europ...
At last, Starmer goes on the offensive on this flank. Farage used to be a regular on RT, and his “admiration” of Putin is on record.
Reform UK “is a party that is pro-Putin or Putin-neutral”, the prime minister says in an interview. If it were in government, the effects would not only be felt in Britain
Our interview with Sir Keir Starmer
Britain’s prime minister understands the size of the moment. He just does not know how to meet it
econ.st
December 4, 2025 at 5:20 PM
At last, Starmer goes on the offensive on this flank. Farage used to be a regular on RT, and his “admiration” of Putin is on record.
Reposted by Henning Hoff
Important new defence agreement between the UK and Norway - bolstering Nordic defence, including a joint fleet that also comes with a huge order for the British defence industry:
UK and Norway to operate together to counter Russian undersea threat through major new defence agreement
Combined fleet of at least 13 warships, bolstered by autonomous systems, will hunt Russian submarines and protect critical infrastructure in the North Atlantic as part of new agreement.
www.gov.uk
December 4, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Important new defence agreement between the UK and Norway - bolstering Nordic defence, including a joint fleet that also comes with a huge order for the British defence industry:
The EU is trying to improve its economic security. Lots of ideas on the subject can be found in our current issue ip-quarterly.com/en/fall-2025...
December 3, 2025 at 2:40 PM
The EU is trying to improve its economic security. Lots of ideas on the subject can be found in our current issue ip-quarterly.com/en/fall-2025...
Greetings from the mafia state, part 1938 … it’s still strange that so few saw it coming before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin today, ahead of his meeting with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to supposedly talk peace: “We have no intention of fighting Europe — I’ve said this a hundred times. But if Europe decides to start a war, we are ready right now.”
as.ft.com/r/9113f804-6...
as.ft.com/r/9113f804-6...
Vladimir Putin accuses Europeans of sabotaging Ukraine peace push
[FREE TO READ] Russian president hosts Witkoff and Kushner for peace negotiations as military claims battlefield advances in Ukraine
as.ft.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Greetings from the mafia state, part 1938 … it’s still strange that so few saw it coming before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Reposted by Henning Hoff
New from @dgap.org's Stefan Meister: As Donald Trump seems prepared to end Russia’s war against Ukraine at almost any cost, Europeans need to become more active players in the peace plan.
ip-quarterly.com/en/european-...
ip-quarterly.com/en/european-...
A European Peace Plan for Ukraine
US President Donald Trump seems prepared to bring Russia’s war against Ukraine to an end at almost any cost. The Europeans need to become more active players.
ip-quarterly.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:34 AM
New from @dgap.org's Stefan Meister: As Donald Trump seems prepared to end Russia’s war against Ukraine at almost any cost, Europeans need to become more active players in the peace plan.
ip-quarterly.com/en/european-...
ip-quarterly.com/en/european-...
Macron speaking to the press earlier today. A foot back in the door, or so it seems. The Europeans will need a plan of their own, though.
“On the frozen assets, security gurantees and EU membership, nothing can be finalised without the Europeans…this is not a complete peace plan, That needs Ukraine at the table, Russia at the table and the Europeans at the table.” ENDS
December 1, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Macron speaking to the press earlier today. A foot back in the door, or so it seems. The Europeans will need a plan of their own, though.