Helena Qs
@heqs.bsky.social
Young professional & think tanker in Berlin; focused on European Security with expertise in total defence and crisis preparedness on German and European levels.
Reposted by Helena Qs
One year after the Niinistö report, “preparedness” risks being just another checklist exercise. Unless the EU adds value to complement NATO, reflects national realities, & boosts societal resilience, it won't deliver, argue @heqs.bsky.social & @gbuldioski.bsky.social:
bst-europe.eu/security-pol...
bst-europe.eu/security-pol...
One Year After Niinistö: Why the EU’s Preparedness Strategy Cannot Be Wasted
Since the Niinistö report was released a year ago, “preparedness” has become Brussels’ latest buzzword – and for good reason. Europe urgently needs the capacity to absorb shocks, maintain essential sy...
bst-europe.eu
October 31, 2025 at 8:47 AM
One year after the Niinistö report, “preparedness” risks being just another checklist exercise. Unless the EU adds value to complement NATO, reflects national realities, & boosts societal resilience, it won't deliver, argue @heqs.bsky.social & @gbuldioski.bsky.social:
bst-europe.eu/security-pol...
bst-europe.eu/security-pol...
Reposted by Helena Qs
The Socialists in the EP have leveraged a no-confidence vote put up by the far right to effectively gut a major part of the reform of the EU budget. Stunning development that further imperils the prospect for a major MFF reform. I had hopes that this time would be different. But I was naive.
Thread:
Thread:
Socialists to support von der Leyen in no-confidence vote after she backs down on EU budget
European Commission president expected to easily survive ― but she has made two major concessions.
www.politico.eu
July 10, 2025 at 9:10 AM
The Socialists in the EP have leveraged a no-confidence vote put up by the far right to effectively gut a major part of the reform of the EU budget. Stunning development that further imperils the prospect for a major MFF reform. I had hopes that this time would be different. But I was naive.
Thread:
Thread:
3,5% für harte Verteidigung sind im Haushaltsentwurf gesetzt – doch das 1,5%-Ziel bleibt unerwähnt. Trotz bestehender Konzepte zu ziviler Verteidigung und fortgeschrittener Debatten zum Infrastruktur-SV. Warum Deutschland das neue NATO-Ziel ernst nehmen sollte – unser Standpunkt bei @table.media 👇
1,5 Prozent für Resilienz: Warum Deutschland den neuen Nato-Beschluss ernst nehmen sollte
Die Nato-Staaten wollen 1,5 Prozent ihres BIP für zivile Verteidigung und Resilienz ausgeben. Torben Schütz und Helena Quis von der Bertelsmann Stiftung mahnen:...
table.media
July 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
3,5% für harte Verteidigung sind im Haushaltsentwurf gesetzt – doch das 1,5%-Ziel bleibt unerwähnt. Trotz bestehender Konzepte zu ziviler Verteidigung und fortgeschrittener Debatten zum Infrastruktur-SV. Warum Deutschland das neue NATO-Ziel ernst nehmen sollte – unser Standpunkt bei @table.media 👇
Reposted by Helena Qs
New piece by @aleichthammer.bsky.social and me in @ipq.bsky.social: EU‘s cautious approach in the 🇺🇸🇪🇺 trade war has been useful, but has run its course as the 9 July deadline approaches. EU should prepare for flexible retaliation. 🧵 ip-quarterly.com/en/red-lines...
Red Lines and Retaliation: The EU’s Response to Trump’s Tariffs
The EU’s cautious approach to Donald Trump’s trade wars has served it relatively well. Now, however, is the time to switch to a tougher approach, backed up by an internal agreement on sharing the poss...
ip-quarterly.com
June 25, 2025 at 9:21 AM
New piece by @aleichthammer.bsky.social and me in @ipq.bsky.social: EU‘s cautious approach in the 🇺🇸🇪🇺 trade war has been useful, but has run its course as the 9 July deadline approaches. EU should prepare for flexible retaliation. 🧵 ip-quarterly.com/en/red-lines...
📄New #PolicyBrief: As talk of NATO’s 5% target grows, too little attention is paid to its novelty - 1.5% for non-military but defence-related areas. @schuetzt.bsky.social and I look at the risks of its vagueness and how to turn it into real strategic value 👇 #NATO #Resilience #Preparedness
What’s in a Number? Making NATO’s 1.5% Spending Goal Work for European Resilience
NATO allies are expected to adopt a new defence spending target of 5% of GDP at the upcoming Hague summit. While this marks a significant increase from the previous 2% goal, the real innovation lies i...
bst-europe.eu
June 20, 2025 at 10:31 AM
📄New #PolicyBrief: As talk of NATO’s 5% target grows, too little attention is paid to its novelty - 1.5% for non-military but defence-related areas. @schuetzt.bsky.social and I look at the risks of its vagueness and how to turn it into real strategic value 👇 #NATO #Resilience #Preparedness
A group of eight states (NL, FI, SE, EE, LV, LT, BE, LU) is calling for stronger EU-wide civilian preparedness. Germany is notably absent.
Read my latest piece on why Germany should step up - by embracing a whole-of-society approach to security that goes beyond strategy papers and into practice 👇
Read my latest piece on why Germany should step up - by embracing a whole-of-society approach to security that goes beyond strategy papers and into practice 👇
Germany and the European Preparedness Paradigm: Delivering Security as a Whole-of-Society Task
In light of a fundamentally changing security landscape, Germany has a special obligation to contribute to Europe's resilience and preparedness. But it is not fully equipped to meet this expectation. ...
bst-europe.eu
May 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
A group of eight states (NL, FI, SE, EE, LV, LT, BE, LU) is calling for stronger EU-wide civilian preparedness. Germany is notably absent.
Read my latest piece on why Germany should step up - by embracing a whole-of-society approach to security that goes beyond strategy papers and into practice 👇
Read my latest piece on why Germany should step up - by embracing a whole-of-society approach to security that goes beyond strategy papers and into practice 👇
Reposted by Helena Qs
Good interview with @ralphjanik.com on Austrian neutrality
May 8, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Good interview with @ralphjanik.com on Austrian neutrality
🧵Was sagt der neue #Koalitionsvertrag zu #Gesamtverteidigung und gesellschaftlicher Resilienz? Der Versuch einer Analyse quer durch die Ressorts. Denn, Spoiler: Gesamtverteidigung bleibt ein Puzzle.
April 9, 2025 at 5:38 PM
🧵Was sagt der neue #Koalitionsvertrag zu #Gesamtverteidigung und gesellschaftlicher Resilienz? Der Versuch einer Analyse quer durch die Ressorts. Denn, Spoiler: Gesamtverteidigung bleibt ein Puzzle.
Trumps Politik hält Europa in Schach - nicht nur in Sicherheits-, sondern auch in Handelsfragen. Mein Kollege ordnet ein, was die EU jetzt tun kann/sollte 👇🏼
Was kann die EU mit Blick auf die US-Zölle tun? Verhandeln, Gegenmaßnahmen, an Andere denken, sich auf Größeres vorbereiten 🧵
April 4, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Trumps Politik hält Europa in Schach - nicht nur in Sicherheits-, sondern auch in Handelsfragen. Mein Kollege ordnet ein, was die EU jetzt tun kann/sollte 👇🏼
The European Preparedness Union Strategy was dropped today. It builds heavily on the Niinistö Report (Oct 2024), so not many surprises - but still an important development worth noting 🧵Read the thread with my key takeaways 👇
March 26, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The European Preparedness Union Strategy was dropped today. It builds heavily on the Niinistö Report (Oct 2024), so not many surprises - but still an important development worth noting 🧵Read the thread with my key takeaways 👇
Reposted by Helena Qs
🧵 Thread: „Territoriale Konzessionen“
Wie realistisch ist Frieden für die Ukraine, wenn Russland noch mehr fordert als es schon hält?
Ein Blick auf Maximalforderungen, Risiken & Optionen:
Wie realistisch ist Frieden für die Ukraine, wenn Russland noch mehr fordert als es schon hält?
Ein Blick auf Maximalforderungen, Risiken & Optionen:
March 21, 2025 at 9:05 AM
🧵 Thread: „Territoriale Konzessionen“
Wie realistisch ist Frieden für die Ukraine, wenn Russland noch mehr fordert als es schon hält?
Ein Blick auf Maximalforderungen, Risiken & Optionen:
Wie realistisch ist Frieden für die Ukraine, wenn Russland noch mehr fordert als es schon hält?
Ein Blick auf Maximalforderungen, Risiken & Optionen:
Reposted by Helena Qs
Zölle, sinkende Exporte, Sicherheitsrisiken - was kommt handelspolitisch auf die neue Bundesregierung zu? Mit @corajungbluth.bsky.social und Thieß Petersen habe ich Ideen zu den wichtigsten Problemfeldern aufgeschrieben - 🧵
March 19, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Zölle, sinkende Exporte, Sicherheitsrisiken - was kommt handelspolitisch auf die neue Bundesregierung zu? Mit @corajungbluth.bsky.social und Thieß Petersen habe ich Ideen zu den wichtigsten Problemfeldern aufgeschrieben - 🧵
"Unsere Sicherheit darf nicht durch haushaltspolitische Zwänge gefährdet werden." - Boris Pistorius' heutige Rede vor dem Deutschen Bundestag
Deutscher Bundestag - Mediathek
Live, unkommentiert und in voller Länge: Sämtliche Live-Übertragungen des Parlamentsfernsehens sowie das vollständige Videoangebot seit Beginn der 17. Wahlperiode im Oktober 2009 bietet...
www.bundestag.de
March 18, 2025 at 11:39 AM
"Unsere Sicherheit darf nicht durch haushaltspolitische Zwänge gefährdet werden." - Boris Pistorius' heutige Rede vor dem Deutschen Bundestag
Reposted by Helena Qs
Das gesamte Interview 👇
March 16, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Das gesamte Interview 👇
Reposted by Helena Qs
Haushaltsausschuss beschließt Änderungen des Grundgesetzes
Verteidigungsausgaben und Sondervermögen: Der Haushaltsausschuss hat am Sonntag einem Gesetzentwurf der Fraktionen von SPD und CDU/CSU zur Änderung des Grundgesetzes zugestimmt.
Verteidigungsausgaben und Sondervermögen: Der Haushaltsausschuss hat am Sonntag einem Gesetzentwurf der Fraktionen von SPD und CDU/CSU zur Änderung des Grundgesetzes zugestimmt.
Haushaltsausschuss beschließt Änderungen des Grundgesetzes
Verteidigungsausgaben und Sondervermögen: Der Haushaltsausschuss hat am Sonntag einem Gesetzentwurf der Fraktionen von SPD und CDU/CSU zur Änderung des Grundgesetzes zugestimmt.
www.bundestag.de
March 16, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Haushaltsausschuss beschließt Änderungen des Grundgesetzes
Verteidigungsausgaben und Sondervermögen: Der Haushaltsausschuss hat am Sonntag einem Gesetzentwurf der Fraktionen von SPD und CDU/CSU zur Änderung des Grundgesetzes zugestimmt.
Verteidigungsausgaben und Sondervermögen: Der Haushaltsausschuss hat am Sonntag einem Gesetzentwurf der Fraktionen von SPD und CDU/CSU zur Änderung des Grundgesetzes zugestimmt.
Reposted by Helena Qs
Ein paar Auszüge, kann man in Details anders sehen, aber die Grundgedanken sind richtig:
Verteidigung muss breit angelegt und anders organisiert werden.
Die Koalitionsverhandlungen sind hingegen entlang alter Silos geplant.
Kann so Innovation entstehen?
@claudmajor.bsky.social
Verteidigung muss breit angelegt und anders organisiert werden.
Die Koalitionsverhandlungen sind hingegen entlang alter Silos geplant.
Kann so Innovation entstehen?
@claudmajor.bsky.social
March 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Ein paar Auszüge, kann man in Details anders sehen, aber die Grundgedanken sind richtig:
Verteidigung muss breit angelegt und anders organisiert werden.
Die Koalitionsverhandlungen sind hingegen entlang alter Silos geplant.
Kann so Innovation entstehen?
@claudmajor.bsky.social
Verteidigung muss breit angelegt und anders organisiert werden.
Die Koalitionsverhandlungen sind hingegen entlang alter Silos geplant.
Kann so Innovation entstehen?
@claudmajor.bsky.social
After a tumultuous few weeks, it's time for an interim picture - a round-up of voices from across Europe, including my very own commentary on #Austria, which once again has a special way of dealing with security matters. #Europeandefense #Transatlanticrelations #Ukraine
Shifting Allegiances or Limited Ambitions? European Security at a Crossroads
Security policy is once again in the spotlight. The new US administration is sending mixed signals about its commitment to European defence and pursuing its peace plan for Ukraine without its allies, while in Europe, a debate has ignited about a potential future deployment of Western forces to Ukraine.
globaleurope.eu
March 12, 2025 at 7:32 PM
After a tumultuous few weeks, it's time for an interim picture - a round-up of voices from across Europe, including my very own commentary on #Austria, which once again has a special way of dealing with security matters. #Europeandefense #Transatlanticrelations #Ukraine
Reposted by Helena Qs
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Keith Kellogg just delivered a major speech at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) on how the war in Ukraine could end. He laid out Trump’s approach to resolving the conflict—in his words, the most challenging foreign policy situation ahead. Thread with his main points 🧵⬇️
March 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Keith Kellogg just delivered a major speech at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) on how the war in Ukraine could end. He laid out Trump’s approach to resolving the conflict—in his words, the most challenging foreign policy situation ahead. Thread with his main points 🧵⬇️
Reposted by Helena Qs
Trump delivered his first SOTU of his second term last night. Quite a watch. What stood out? Did Europe even get a mention? What does it all mean moving forward? I broke it down on DLF & Deutsche Welle this morning—here’s a short thread with my key takeaways:🧵:
March 5, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Trump delivered his first SOTU of his second term last night. Quite a watch. What stood out? Did Europe even get a mention? What does it all mean moving forward? I broke it down on DLF & Deutsche Welle this morning—here’s a short thread with my key takeaways:🧵:
Among other things, CDU and SPD agree on a 500 billion euro special fund for infrastructure. This is an important step for #civildefence, which can only form a credible #totaldefence together with the military if both are adapted to the current threat situation. #Gesamtverteidigung
Germany's CDU, SPD agree on major financial package – DW – 03/04/2025
Preliminary talks between Germany's CDU and SPD have yielded an early result, with the parties agreeing on a special fund to boost defense spending, freed from the "debt brake."
www.dw.com
March 4, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Among other things, CDU and SPD agree on a 500 billion euro special fund for infrastructure. This is an important step for #civildefence, which can only form a credible #totaldefence together with the military if both are adapted to the current threat situation. #Gesamtverteidigung
Reposted by Helena Qs
CDU/CSU &SPD have just proposed a sea change in German fiscal policy:
- defence spending above 1% of GDP exempt from debt brake
- 10-year €500bn special fund for infrastructure
- looser debt rules for states
- further debt-brake reform in new Bundestag
- defence spending above 1% of GDP exempt from debt brake
- 10-year €500bn special fund for infrastructure
- looser debt rules for states
- further debt-brake reform in new Bundestag
March 4, 2025 at 6:40 PM
CDU/CSU &SPD have just proposed a sea change in German fiscal policy:
- defence spending above 1% of GDP exempt from debt brake
- 10-year €500bn special fund for infrastructure
- looser debt rules for states
- further debt-brake reform in new Bundestag
- defence spending above 1% of GDP exempt from debt brake
- 10-year €500bn special fund for infrastructure
- looser debt rules for states
- further debt-brake reform in new Bundestag
Reposted by Helena Qs
Von der Leyen has just announced the Commission's "Rearm Europe" plan. The most important parts target national fiscal space: The Commission will activate the national escape clauses in the fiscal rules and put a new loans-based instrument on the table.
Here is what it means:
Here is what it means:
March 4, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Von der Leyen has just announced the Commission's "Rearm Europe" plan. The most important parts target national fiscal space: The Commission will activate the national escape clauses in the fiscal rules and put a new loans-based instrument on the table.
Here is what it means:
Here is what it means:
Europe reacts - Part 2! Voices from across the continent after a month of transatlantic tensions, collected by my colleagues @schuetzt.bsky.social and @cemoll.bsky.social.
European security is at a crossroads: shifting alliances, rising tensions, and debates over troops for Ukraine. How are capitals reacting? @schuetzt.bsky.social & @cemoll.bsky.social have collected perspectives from around Europe here:
globaleurope.eu/europes-futu...
globaleurope.eu/europes-futu...
Shifting Allegiances or Limited Ambitions? European Security at a Crossroads
Security policy is once again in the spotlight. The new US administration is sending mixed signals about its commitment to European defence and pursuing its peace plan for Ukraine without its allies, ...
globaleurope.eu
March 3, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Europe reacts - Part 2! Voices from across the continent after a month of transatlantic tensions, collected by my colleagues @schuetzt.bsky.social and @cemoll.bsky.social.
Reposted by Helena Qs
The real Donald has spoken: ↘️
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk responds, something we hopefully see a lot more of that from other European leaders. It's never been clearer than in this moment that Trump is Putin's ally, not Europe's.
February 28, 2025 at 7:09 PM
The real Donald has spoken: ↘️
Reposted by Helena Qs
Lindner hält Wort: FDP koaliert nicht mit den Grünen
Lindner hält Wort: FDP koaliert nicht mit den Grünen
Berlin (dpo) - Endlich mal ein Politiker, der Wort hält! Christian Lindner hat schon jetzt sein erstes Wahlversprechen eingelöst: Seine Partei FDP wir
www.der-postillon.com
February 23, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Lindner hält Wort: FDP koaliert nicht mit den Grünen