Hans E. Offerdal
@hofferdal.bsky.social
Adviser for international affairs at the University of Bergen (UiB). Latin America, México & liberation theology aficionado. Strong supporter of free speech, academic freedom and a humane world! Opinions are my own. Reposts are not necessarily endorsements
Pinned
Vestlandskonferansen 2026
This is "Vestlandskonferansen 2026" by KOTV on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
vimeo.com
@timothysnyder.bsky.social in #Bergen and #Vestlandskonferansen today, saying on the war in #Ukraine: "the special feature of this as a #WorldWar is that one country is doing the work for everyone else."
@frodefjeldstad.bsky.social @sarasilverstein.bsky.social @kyivindependent.com @theguardian.com
@frodefjeldstad.bsky.social @sarasilverstein.bsky.social @kyivindependent.com @theguardian.com
Philip Altbach, former professor @bostoncollege.bsky.social and Manja Klemencic @harvard.edu, have a very interesting piece in @uniworldnews.bsky.social on the role of students in "protest movements around the world".
@coimbragroup.bsky.social @clacso.bsky.social @iucdubrovnik.bsky.social @eua.eu
@coimbragroup.bsky.social @clacso.bsky.social @iucdubrovnik.bsky.social @eua.eu
As student-led protests grow, governments are taking note
Global protest trackers show that the number of protests led by students and youth in particular is growing rapidly. Attention to student activism is ...
www.universityworldnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Philip Altbach, former professor @bostoncollege.bsky.social and Manja Klemencic @harvard.edu, have a very interesting piece in @uniworldnews.bsky.social on the role of students in "protest movements around the world".
@coimbragroup.bsky.social @clacso.bsky.social @iucdubrovnik.bsky.social @eua.eu
@coimbragroup.bsky.social @clacso.bsky.social @iucdubrovnik.bsky.social @eua.eu
Reposted by Hans E. Offerdal
Trump has seen his approval rating measured by Gallup dipping to less than 37 percent in its last poll taken in December.
Result: Gallup will no longer track presidential approval ratings after more than eight decades doing so.
Another example of how authoritarianism works.
Result: Gallup will no longer track presidential approval ratings after more than eight decades doing so.
Another example of how authoritarianism works.
Gallup to stop tracking presidential approval ratings after 88 years
Public opinion polling agency says decision ‘solely based on Gallup’s research goals and priorities’
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:37 AM
Trump has seen his approval rating measured by Gallup dipping to less than 37 percent in its last poll taken in December.
Result: Gallup will no longer track presidential approval ratings after more than eight decades doing so.
Another example of how authoritarianism works.
Result: Gallup will no longer track presidential approval ratings after more than eight decades doing so.
Another example of how authoritarianism works.
Remember that stellar journalist Daniella Zambrano has been doing real reporting for @es.france24.com on the ground in #Venezuela for a looong time. Thus, "outlets like CNN, Sky News and the BBC" have been taken the backseat for quite a while.
@tomphillips.bsky.social @knightcenterut.bsky.social
@tomphillips.bsky.social @knightcenterut.bsky.social
The Newsmax interview with de facto head of Venezuela’s National Assembly Jorge Rodriguez and brother to de facto president Delcy is “tragicomic, but revealing,” I tell @theguardian.com. Keeping the oil flowing - or the illusion of it - is their only way to remain in Trump’s good graces and in power
Venezuela welcomes Trump-loving US TV channel in ‘marriage of convenience’
Newsmax, granted major access as the first foreign outlet admitted after the US strike, hailed Trump as a ‘liberator’
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Remember that stellar journalist Daniella Zambrano has been doing real reporting for @es.france24.com on the ground in #Venezuela for a looong time. Thus, "outlets like CNN, Sky News and the BBC" have been taken the backseat for quite a while.
@tomphillips.bsky.social @knightcenterut.bsky.social
@tomphillips.bsky.social @knightcenterut.bsky.social
@timothysnyder.bsky.social in #Bergen and #Vestlandskonferansen today, saying on the war in #Ukraine: "the special feature of this as a #WorldWar is that one country is doing the work for everyone else."
@frodefjeldstad.bsky.social @sarasilverstein.bsky.social @kyivindependent.com @theguardian.com
@frodefjeldstad.bsky.social @sarasilverstein.bsky.social @kyivindependent.com @theguardian.com
Vestlandskonferansen 2026
This is "Vestlandskonferansen 2026" by KOTV on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
vimeo.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:56 PM
@timothysnyder.bsky.social in #Bergen and #Vestlandskonferansen today, saying on the war in #Ukraine: "the special feature of this as a #WorldWar is that one country is doing the work for everyone else."
@frodefjeldstad.bsky.social @sarasilverstein.bsky.social @kyivindependent.com @theguardian.com
@frodefjeldstad.bsky.social @sarasilverstein.bsky.social @kyivindependent.com @theguardian.com
Reposted by Hans E. Offerdal
“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful”
-Thich Nhat Hahn
-Thich Nhat Hahn
February 10, 2026 at 4:53 PM
“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful”
-Thich Nhat Hahn
-Thich Nhat Hahn
Reposted by Hans E. Offerdal
Nice😇
Here another, now classic, celebration of "Latino" culture. Different style of music, but also an artist from #PuertoRico😎
#América #LosTigresDelNorte #Calle13
Here another, now classic, celebration of "Latino" culture. Different style of music, but also an artist from #PuertoRico😎
#América #LosTigresDelNorte #Calle13
February 9, 2026 at 10:34 PM
Nice😇
Here another, now classic, celebration of "Latino" culture. Different style of music, but also an artist from #PuertoRico😎
#América #LosTigresDelNorte #Calle13
Here another, now classic, celebration of "Latino" culture. Different style of music, but also an artist from #PuertoRico😎
#América #LosTigresDelNorte #Calle13
Entonces, cuando la mayoría de la población de un país supuestamente está a favor de un régimen #autócrata, ¿qué hacer?
Además, ¿ha respondido la gente con honestidad y sin miedo? Si se hiciera una encuesta similar en Irán, ¿el resultado sería muy diferente?
www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/m...
Además, ¿ha respondido la gente con honestidad y sin miedo? Si se hiciera una encuesta similar en Irán, ¿el resultado sería muy diferente?
www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/m...
February 9, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Entonces, cuando la mayoría de la población de un país supuestamente está a favor de un régimen #autócrata, ¿qué hacer?
Además, ¿ha respondido la gente con honestidad y sin miedo? Si se hiciera una encuesta similar en Irán, ¿el resultado sería muy diferente?
www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/m...
Además, ¿ha respondido la gente con honestidad y sin miedo? Si se hiciera una encuesta similar en Irán, ¿el resultado sería muy diferente?
www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/m...
Indeed there are!
And, just to make the search even shorter for anyone considering switching, here are some of them.
And, just to make the search even shorter for anyone considering switching, here are some of them.
February 8, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Reposted by Hans E. Offerdal
This has been known for quite a long time now.
Anyway, good that it is confirmed (once again).
As far as I know, there are alternatives to #Substack.
#FightFascism
Anyway, good that it is confirmed (once again).
As far as I know, there are alternatives to #Substack.
#FightFascism
The global publishing platform Substack is generating revenue from newsletters that promote virulent Nazi ideology, white supremacy and antisemitism, a Guardian investigation has found.
Revealed: How Substack makes money from hosting Nazi newsletters
Exclusive: Site takes a cut of subscriptions to content that promotes far-right ideology, white supremacy and antisemitism
www.theguardian.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:40 PM
This has been known for quite a long time now.
Anyway, good that it is confirmed (once again).
As far as I know, there are alternatives to #Substack.
#FightFascism
Anyway, good that it is confirmed (once again).
As far as I know, there are alternatives to #Substack.
#FightFascism
"Politicians were beginning to realize that if one cannot have the glory of successful #war on foreign soil, one can do almost as well by creating a minor replica at home".
(Howard Fast, "Spartacus", New York: Self-published, 1951, p.92)
#Minnesota #Spartacus #Democracy #USA
#ICE #Trump
(Howard Fast, "Spartacus", New York: Self-published, 1951, p.92)
#Minnesota #Spartacus #Democracy #USA
#ICE #Trump
February 7, 2026 at 9:11 PM
"Politicians were beginning to realize that if one cannot have the glory of successful #war on foreign soil, one can do almost as well by creating a minor replica at home".
(Howard Fast, "Spartacus", New York: Self-published, 1951, p.92)
#Minnesota #Spartacus #Democracy #USA
#ICE #Trump
(Howard Fast, "Spartacus", New York: Self-published, 1951, p.92)
#Minnesota #Spartacus #Democracy #USA
#ICE #Trump
"Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public."
-White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, on White House video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.
Is it possible for the present U.S. administration to fall any deeper?
-White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, on White House video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.
Is it possible for the present U.S. administration to fall any deeper?
February 6, 2026 at 8:48 PM
"Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public."
-White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, on White House video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.
Is it possible for the present U.S. administration to fall any deeper?
-White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, on White House video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.
Is it possible for the present U.S. administration to fall any deeper?
A recent report "finds that strong institutional frameworks and government ownership, led by Ministries of Foreign Affairs and national cooperation agencies, underpin effective cooperation, with UN Country Teams supporting broad multi-stakeholder engagement."
South-South and Triangular Cooperation
South-South and Triangular Cooperation
February 6, 2026 at 9:42 AM
A recent report "finds that strong institutional frameworks and government ownership, led by Ministries of Foreign Affairs and national cooperation agencies, underpin effective cooperation, with UN Country Teams supporting broad multi-stakeholder engagement."
South-South and Triangular Cooperation
South-South and Triangular Cooperation
#LatAmOutlook 2026, from Canning House, was presented in early January in London.
www.canninghouse.org/storage/uplo...
@sei.org @ipsoschile.bsky.social @adrianadupita.bsky.social @latinamericabureau.bsky.social @fundacioncarolina.es @aecid.bsky.social @clacso.bsky.social @norwaymfa.government.no
www.canninghouse.org/storage/uplo...
@sei.org @ipsoschile.bsky.social @adrianadupita.bsky.social @latinamericabureau.bsky.social @fundacioncarolina.es @aecid.bsky.social @clacso.bsky.social @norwaymfa.government.no
February 6, 2026 at 9:26 AM
#LatAmOutlook 2026, from Canning House, was presented in early January in London.
www.canninghouse.org/storage/uplo...
@sei.org @ipsoschile.bsky.social @adrianadupita.bsky.social @latinamericabureau.bsky.social @fundacioncarolina.es @aecid.bsky.social @clacso.bsky.social @norwaymfa.government.no
www.canninghouse.org/storage/uplo...
@sei.org @ipsoschile.bsky.social @adrianadupita.bsky.social @latinamericabureau.bsky.social @fundacioncarolina.es @aecid.bsky.social @clacso.bsky.social @norwaymfa.government.no
Reposted by Hans E. Offerdal
Press ‘freedom’ in Mexico has been shaped by elite ambitions. Review: Mexican Watchdogs: The Rise of a Critical Press since 1980 @APaxman @UNC_Press #Mexico #press #journalism #politicaleconomy #media #Marxism latamrob.substack.com/p/pawns-in-p...
Pawns in print
Press ‘freedom’ in Mexico has been shaped by elite ambitions. Review: Mexican Watchdogs: The Rise of a Critical Press since 1980, Andrew Paxman, by Gavin O'Toole
latamrob.substack.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Press ‘freedom’ in Mexico has been shaped by elite ambitions. Review: Mexican Watchdogs: The Rise of a Critical Press since 1980 @APaxman @UNC_Press #Mexico #press #journalism #politicaleconomy #media #Marxism latamrob.substack.com/p/pawns-in-p...
" #Right-wing forces beyond the old mainstream are gaining ground on both sides of the #Atlantic. They are transforming the #US. In #Europe, such parties may now even be the largest party family", writes @markhleonard.bsky.social for @ecfr.eu.
Indeed, a shadow hangs over our future.
#FightFascism
Indeed, a shadow hangs over our future.
#FightFascism
The thinkers and ideas of the rising nationalist right merit the political mainstream’s attention. Only by understanding them can it build a resilient counter-project.
Read @markhleonard.bsky.social's new report.
ecfr.eu/publication/...
Read @markhleonard.bsky.social's new report.
ecfr.eu/publication/...
The new right: Anatomy of a global political revolution – European Council on Foreign Relations
The thinkers and ideas of the rising nationalist right merit the political mainstream's attention. Only by understanding them can it build a resilient counter-p
ecfr.eu
February 6, 2026 at 8:44 AM
" #Right-wing forces beyond the old mainstream are gaining ground on both sides of the #Atlantic. They are transforming the #US. In #Europe, such parties may now even be the largest party family", writes @markhleonard.bsky.social for @ecfr.eu.
Indeed, a shadow hangs over our future.
#FightFascism
Indeed, a shadow hangs over our future.
#FightFascism
Reposted by Hans E. Offerdal
"Nuns murdered and buried in a mass grave. Catechism instructors shot in their own homes. An archbishop murdered in his cathedral while performing mass. For decades, Liberation Theology, a grassroots branch of Catholicism that stood with the poor and oppressed
..
1/6
..
1/6
February 4, 2026 at 5:53 AM
"Nuns murdered and buried in a mass grave. Catechism instructors shot in their own homes. An archbishop murdered in his cathedral while performing mass. For decades, Liberation Theology, a grassroots branch of Catholicism that stood with the poor and oppressed
..
1/6
..
1/6
Many papers in the UK seem to think that Starmer is on his way out. So, will Angela Rayner be the next leader of the UK?
Time will tell...
Time will tell...
February 5, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Many papers in the UK seem to think that Starmer is on his way out. So, will Angela Rayner be the next leader of the UK?
Time will tell...
Time will tell...
"The newspaper has been bleeding subscribers in part due to decisions made by him [Bezos] — pulling back from an endorsement of Kamala Harris, a Democrat, during the 2024 presidential election against Trump, a Republican, and directing a more conservative turn on liberal opinion pages."
#Defunct
#Defunct
February 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM
"The newspaper has been bleeding subscribers in part due to decisions made by him [Bezos] — pulling back from an endorsement of Kamala Harris, a Democrat, during the 2024 presidential election against Trump, a Republican, and directing a more conservative turn on liberal opinion pages."
#Defunct
#Defunct
Reposted by Hans E. Offerdal
🤨 Russian troops in Ukraine are running out of basics.
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate released intercepted audio in which a Russian soldier admits his unit faces severe shortages of food and water.
united24media.com/latest-news/...
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate released intercepted audio in which a Russian soldier admits his unit faces severe shortages of food and water.
united24media.com/latest-news/...
No Food, No Water, No Orders—Intercepts Reveal Russian Troops Left to Rot
Russian forces in Ukraine face severe shortages of food and water, as revealed by intercepted communications from military intelligence.
united24media.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:11 AM
🤨 Russian troops in Ukraine are running out of basics.
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate released intercepted audio in which a Russian soldier admits his unit faces severe shortages of food and water.
united24media.com/latest-news/...
Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate released intercepted audio in which a Russian soldier admits his unit faces severe shortages of food and water.
united24media.com/latest-news/...
"United States #President Donald #Trump’s second administration has been marked from the start by blatant disregard for #humanrights and egregious violations", says @hrw.org in the report. The organization see a "decided shift toward #authoritarianism in the US."
This is very strong stuff folks!
This is very strong stuff folks!
February 4, 2026 at 3:09 PM
"United States #President Donald #Trump’s second administration has been marked from the start by blatant disregard for #humanrights and egregious violations", says @hrw.org in the report. The organization see a "decided shift toward #authoritarianism in the US."
This is very strong stuff folks!
This is very strong stuff folks!
“You have to tell the truth within institutions. Institutions cannot function on lies", U.S. Ambassador, and #hero, Robert E. White told @commonweal.bsky.social in 2001. (Link in alt-txt).
Important words to remember today!
@crampell.bsky.social @adamparkhomenko.bsky.social @rbreich.bsky.social
Important words to remember today!
@crampell.bsky.social @adamparkhomenko.bsky.social @rbreich.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 10:26 PM
“You have to tell the truth within institutions. Institutions cannot function on lies", U.S. Ambassador, and #hero, Robert E. White told @commonweal.bsky.social in 2001. (Link in alt-txt).
Important words to remember today!
@crampell.bsky.social @adamparkhomenko.bsky.social @rbreich.bsky.social
Important words to remember today!
@crampell.bsky.social @adamparkhomenko.bsky.social @rbreich.bsky.social
"The message singles out by name #ReneeGood and #AlexPretti as fatal victims of “state-sanctioned violence” on #Minneapolis streets last month".
#ICE #Immigration
@migrationcaucus.bsky.social @episcopalpeace.bsky.social
@ncronline.bsky.social
@csmonitor.bsky.social @usccbofficial.bsky.social
#ICE #Immigration
@migrationcaucus.bsky.social @episcopalpeace.bsky.social
@ncronline.bsky.social
@csmonitor.bsky.social @usccbofficial.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 5:15 PM
"The message singles out by name #ReneeGood and #AlexPretti as fatal victims of “state-sanctioned violence” on #Minneapolis streets last month".
#ICE #Immigration
@migrationcaucus.bsky.social @episcopalpeace.bsky.social
@ncronline.bsky.social
@csmonitor.bsky.social @usccbofficial.bsky.social
#ICE #Immigration
@migrationcaucus.bsky.social @episcopalpeace.bsky.social
@ncronline.bsky.social
@csmonitor.bsky.social @usccbofficial.bsky.social