Joseph Ataman
@jataman.bsky.social
Journalisting for CNN.
France, Ukraine, Middle East.
France, Ukraine, Middle East.
France’s top General claims that Russian cruise missiles are able to evade American made PATRIOT missile defence batteries in Ukraine
And that European-made interceptors are now more successful
(From early November hearing)
And that European-made interceptors are now more successful
(From early November hearing)
November 14, 2025 at 11:58 AM
France’s top General claims that Russian cruise missiles are able to evade American made PATRIOT missile defence batteries in Ukraine
And that European-made interceptors are now more successful
(From early November hearing)
And that European-made interceptors are now more successful
(From early November hearing)
Out Monday, back in Friday.
New/Old French PM Sébastien Lecornu has had quite the week.
He’s made the same promise not to force through laws but also demanded ministers not challenge Macron’s 2027 successor (optimistic the gov will last that long).
New/Old French PM Sébastien Lecornu has had quite the week.
He’s made the same promise not to force through laws but also demanded ministers not challenge Macron’s 2027 successor (optimistic the gov will last that long).
October 10, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Out Monday, back in Friday.
New/Old French PM Sébastien Lecornu has had quite the week.
He’s made the same promise not to force through laws but also demanded ministers not challenge Macron’s 2027 successor (optimistic the gov will last that long).
New/Old French PM Sébastien Lecornu has had quite the week.
He’s made the same promise not to force through laws but also demanded ministers not challenge Macron’s 2027 successor (optimistic the gov will last that long).
#BREAKING: Macron reappoints his last PM Sébastien Lecornu
Another shock from a week of shocks
He’ll have to have one hell of a new mission statement to avoid total and immediate rejection
Another shock from a week of shocks
He’ll have to have one hell of a new mission statement to avoid total and immediate rejection
October 10, 2025 at 8:06 PM
#BREAKING: Macron reappoints his last PM Sébastien Lecornu
Another shock from a week of shocks
He’ll have to have one hell of a new mission statement to avoid total and immediate rejection
Another shock from a week of shocks
He’ll have to have one hell of a new mission statement to avoid total and immediate rejection
#BREAKINGNEWS
French government collapses just hours after ministers announced, Sébastien Lecornu out as PM
🇫🇷 Left and Right refused to accept another gov based on Macron’s own party
Far-right calling for new elections
French government collapses just hours after ministers announced, Sébastien Lecornu out as PM
🇫🇷 Left and Right refused to accept another gov based on Macron’s own party
Far-right calling for new elections
October 6, 2025 at 9:15 AM
#BREAKINGNEWS
French government collapses just hours after ministers announced, Sébastien Lecornu out as PM
🇫🇷 Left and Right refused to accept another gov based on Macron’s own party
Far-right calling for new elections
French government collapses just hours after ministers announced, Sébastien Lecornu out as PM
🇫🇷 Left and Right refused to accept another gov based on Macron’s own party
Far-right calling for new elections
Reposted by Joseph Ataman
Netherlands Air Force F-35A with a UAV kill mark, marking the downing of a Russian drone over Poland on September 9–10.
October 1, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Netherlands Air Force F-35A with a UAV kill mark, marking the downing of a Russian drone over Poland on September 9–10.
#BREAKING: Ex French president Nicolas Sarkozy will be in prison within days
"If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison. But with my head held high. I am innocent." - Sarkozy at the court
Sentenced to 5 yrs for plot for Libya to fund his political campaigns
"If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison. But with my head held high. I am innocent." - Sarkozy at the court
Sentenced to 5 yrs for plot for Libya to fund his political campaigns
September 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
#BREAKING: Ex French president Nicolas Sarkozy will be in prison within days
"If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison. But with my head held high. I am innocent." - Sarkozy at the court
Sentenced to 5 yrs for plot for Libya to fund his political campaigns
"If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison. But with my head held high. I am innocent." - Sarkozy at the court
Sentenced to 5 yrs for plot for Libya to fund his political campaigns
French PM Francois Bayrou officially out in a crushing (but totally expected) defeat
Macron to appoint new PM in "next few days"
(That's if he finds someone to accept the poisoned chalice ... )
Macron to appoint new PM in "next few days"
(That's if he finds someone to accept the poisoned chalice ... )
September 8, 2025 at 5:44 PM
French PM Francois Bayrou officially out in a crushing (but totally expected) defeat
Macron to appoint new PM in "next few days"
(That's if he finds someone to accept the poisoned chalice ... )
Macron to appoint new PM in "next few days"
(That's if he finds someone to accept the poisoned chalice ... )
As UN says airdrops cost 100x truck-borne aid, France shares pix of its latest aid drops of 40 tons
Approx GPS of the drop: 31°28'16.4"N 34°23'00.2"E
That puts it far north of the main displaced populations in Gaza, not far from the most northerly 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' aid site
Approx GPS of the drop: 31°28'16.4"N 34°23'00.2"E
That puts it far north of the main displaced populations in Gaza, not far from the most northerly 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' aid site
August 1, 2025 at 11:32 AM
As UN says airdrops cost 100x truck-borne aid, France shares pix of its latest aid drops of 40 tons
Approx GPS of the drop: 31°28'16.4"N 34°23'00.2"E
That puts it far north of the main displaced populations in Gaza, not far from the most northerly 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' aid site
Approx GPS of the drop: 31°28'16.4"N 34°23'00.2"E
That puts it far north of the main displaced populations in Gaza, not far from the most northerly 'Gaza Humanitarian Foundation' aid site
May 21, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Weirdly Napoleonic Egypt vibes as Paris installs palm trees in Place de la Concorde ...
March 15, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Weirdly Napoleonic Egypt vibes as Paris installs palm trees in Place de la Concorde ...
Macron made the same point twice last weekend but it slipped through most media
He also suggested allies could join French military’s nuke exercises!
France (and UK) nukes are no replacement for US but would provide a massive deterrence for EU borders
He also suggested allies could join French military’s nuke exercises!
France (and UK) nukes are no replacement for US but would provide a massive deterrence for EU borders
French President Emmanuel Macron says he will open talks with allies over how France’s nuclear weapons could protect Europe 👏
March 5, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Macron made the same point twice last weekend but it slipped through most media
He also suggested allies could join French military’s nuke exercises!
France (and UK) nukes are no replacement for US but would provide a massive deterrence for EU borders
He also suggested allies could join French military’s nuke exercises!
France (and UK) nukes are no replacement for US but would provide a massive deterrence for EU borders
"We’re hearing *broad support* for [UK-France-led troops in Ukraine] - recognition that Europe needs to step up and is ready to,” a senior Western defence official told me
Mishmash of 🇪🇺🇨🇦(🇹🇷?) troops possible but it'll need individual consent ...
But UK already backtracking on 🇫🇷 sketch of plan
Mishmash of 🇪🇺🇨🇦(🇹🇷?) troops possible but it'll need individual consent ...
But UK already backtracking on 🇫🇷 sketch of plan
March 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
"We’re hearing *broad support* for [UK-France-led troops in Ukraine] - recognition that Europe needs to step up and is ready to,” a senior Western defence official told me
Mishmash of 🇪🇺🇨🇦(🇹🇷?) troops possible but it'll need individual consent ...
But UK already backtracking on 🇫🇷 sketch of plan
Mishmash of 🇪🇺🇨🇦(🇹🇷?) troops possible but it'll need individual consent ...
But UK already backtracking on 🇫🇷 sketch of plan
Reposted by Joseph Ataman
This is Winston Churchill visiting the White House during World War II.
Funny how he isn’t wearing a suit either. Almost like he was a wartime leader defending his country from being slaughtered and wiped out by an authoritarian aggressor.
Funny how he isn’t wearing a suit either. Almost like he was a wartime leader defending his country from being slaughtered and wiped out by an authoritarian aggressor.
March 1, 2025 at 1:59 AM
This is Winston Churchill visiting the White House during World War II.
Funny how he isn’t wearing a suit either. Almost like he was a wartime leader defending his country from being slaughtered and wiped out by an authoritarian aggressor.
Funny how he isn’t wearing a suit either. Almost like he was a wartime leader defending his country from being slaughtered and wiped out by an authoritarian aggressor.
Macron gave us a tour around the Elysee Palace!
Compared to the UK's palaces, it's refreshingly modern, filled with (an eclectic mix of) art that talk to the Macrons
x.com/CNNFrancePR/...
Compared to the UK's palaces, it's refreshingly modern, filled with (an eclectic mix of) art that talk to the Macrons
x.com/CNNFrancePR/...
x.com
x.com
February 12, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Macron gave us a tour around the Elysee Palace!
Compared to the UK's palaces, it's refreshingly modern, filled with (an eclectic mix of) art that talk to the Macrons
x.com/CNNFrancePR/...
Compared to the UK's palaces, it's refreshingly modern, filled with (an eclectic mix of) art that talk to the Macrons
x.com/CNNFrancePR/...
The first French Mirage fighter jets arrived in Ukraine!
It's been a remarkably quick turnaround, with Ukrainian pilots ready to get them up in the air
France has already been supplying the missiles and glide bombs that should make these jets indispensable
It's been a remarkably quick turnaround, with Ukrainian pilots ready to get them up in the air
France has already been supplying the missiles and glide bombs that should make these jets indispensable
February 6, 2025 at 11:49 AM
The first French Mirage fighter jets arrived in Ukraine!
It's been a remarkably quick turnaround, with Ukrainian pilots ready to get them up in the air
France has already been supplying the missiles and glide bombs that should make these jets indispensable
It's been a remarkably quick turnaround, with Ukrainian pilots ready to get them up in the air
France has already been supplying the missiles and glide bombs that should make these jets indispensable
An incredible day as the world sees Notre Dame reborn
2,000 artisans
2,000 oaks
340,000 donors in 150 countries
Nearly $900M raised
It’s not the cathedral we knew, but it’s still the Notre Dame we love
2,000 artisans
2,000 oaks
340,000 donors in 150 countries
Nearly $900M raised
It’s not the cathedral we knew, but it’s still the Notre Dame we love
November 29, 2024 at 9:48 AM
An incredible day as the world sees Notre Dame reborn
2,000 artisans
2,000 oaks
340,000 donors in 150 countries
Nearly $900M raised
It’s not the cathedral we knew, but it’s still the Notre Dame we love
2,000 artisans
2,000 oaks
340,000 donors in 150 countries
Nearly $900M raised
It’s not the cathedral we knew, but it’s still the Notre Dame we love
Difficult to understand how anyone(!) looking at Europe’s security with its weird patchwork of kit and skills could think that there’s any alternative to NATO
Ireland’s navy is 8 ships
Luxembourg has 3 aircraft
UK struggling to get nuke subs out to sea
Ireland’s navy is 8 ships
Luxembourg has 3 aircraft
UK struggling to get nuke subs out to sea
I have increasing doubts that Hegseth will be confirmed. "The defense of Europe is not our problem; been there, done that, twice," Hegseth writes, adding: "Nato is a relic and should be scrapped and remade in order for freedom to be truly defended."
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
Trump Pentagon pick attacks UN and Nato and urges US to ignore Geneva conventions
Revealed: Pete Hegseth writes scathingly of key institutions and says ‘If you love America, you should love Israel’
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2024 at 8:49 PM
Difficult to understand how anyone(!) looking at Europe’s security with its weird patchwork of kit and skills could think that there’s any alternative to NATO
Ireland’s navy is 8 ships
Luxembourg has 3 aircraft
UK struggling to get nuke subs out to sea
Ireland’s navy is 8 ships
Luxembourg has 3 aircraft
UK struggling to get nuke subs out to sea
France backs independent work of the ICJ as warrants come down for Netanyahu/Gallant
Macron still dancing a fine line between anger at Hamas/Israel support vs France's support for human rights in Occupied Palestinian territories
"This is not a judgement but a formalisation of an accusation"
Macron still dancing a fine line between anger at Hamas/Israel support vs France's support for human rights in Occupied Palestinian territories
"This is not a judgement but a formalisation of an accusation"
November 22, 2024 at 12:20 PM
France backs independent work of the ICJ as warrants come down for Netanyahu/Gallant
Macron still dancing a fine line between anger at Hamas/Israel support vs France's support for human rights in Occupied Palestinian territories
"This is not a judgement but a formalisation of an accusation"
Macron still dancing a fine line between anger at Hamas/Israel support vs France's support for human rights in Occupied Palestinian territories
"This is not a judgement but a formalisation of an accusation"
Just used "forewent" in an obituary.
Got it past the editor.
2/2 feeling very pleased with myself.
Got it past the editor.
2/2 feeling very pleased with myself.
November 19, 2024 at 9:45 AM
Just used "forewent" in an obituary.
Got it past the editor.
2/2 feeling very pleased with myself.
Got it past the editor.
2/2 feeling very pleased with myself.
France does get exaggerated praise for its Ukraine aid, especially compared to Germany (Scholz presumably avoiding the PR...)
But Paris took important lead on several areas:
- (very) speedy provision of Mirage jets and training
- training/equip of a full brigade
- backing of Czech ammo call
But Paris took important lead on several areas:
- (very) speedy provision of Mirage jets and training
- training/equip of a full brigade
- backing of Czech ammo call
This chart from the FT/Kiel Institute is revealing, putting EU, German and French support for Ukraine into context
Germany has provided lots of €bn for Ukraine, but doesn't really have a policy
France has aclear policy, but no credibility, given the miserly €bn it has provided since late Jan 2022
Germany has provided lots of €bn for Ukraine, but doesn't really have a policy
France has aclear policy, but no credibility, given the miserly €bn it has provided since late Jan 2022
November 17, 2024 at 9:22 PM
France does get exaggerated praise for its Ukraine aid, especially compared to Germany (Scholz presumably avoiding the PR...)
But Paris took important lead on several areas:
- (very) speedy provision of Mirage jets and training
- training/equip of a full brigade
- backing of Czech ammo call
But Paris took important lead on several areas:
- (very) speedy provision of Mirage jets and training
- training/equip of a full brigade
- backing of Czech ammo call
First impressions of Bluesky:
Everyone is nice to everyone, except Musk, whom everyone hates
There's no bookmarking
🦕
Everyone is nice to everyone, except Musk, whom everyone hates
There's no bookmarking
🦕
November 17, 2024 at 9:12 PM
First impressions of Bluesky:
Everyone is nice to everyone, except Musk, whom everyone hates
There's no bookmarking
🦕
Everyone is nice to everyone, except Musk, whom everyone hates
There's no bookmarking
🦕
Lots of chatter around Biden giving Ukraine's ATACMS free reign in Russia - UK/France 'followed'
But Macron appeared to greenlight SCALP strikes on military sites in Russia (aiming at Ukr) back in May
"Strategic ambiguity" been French obsession for a while now
edition.cnn.com/2024/05/28/e...
But Macron appeared to greenlight SCALP strikes on military sites in Russia (aiming at Ukr) back in May
"Strategic ambiguity" been French obsession for a while now
edition.cnn.com/2024/05/28/e...
France and Germany say Ukraine should be able to use their weapons to strike inside Russia | CNN
France and Germany said Tuesday that Ukraine should be allowed to use their weapons against targets inside Russia from which Moscow attacks Ukraine.
edition.cnn.com
November 17, 2024 at 9:10 PM
Lots of chatter around Biden giving Ukraine's ATACMS free reign in Russia - UK/France 'followed'
But Macron appeared to greenlight SCALP strikes on military sites in Russia (aiming at Ukr) back in May
"Strategic ambiguity" been French obsession for a while now
edition.cnn.com/2024/05/28/e...
But Macron appeared to greenlight SCALP strikes on military sites in Russia (aiming at Ukr) back in May
"Strategic ambiguity" been French obsession for a while now
edition.cnn.com/2024/05/28/e...