Katja Bego
@katjabego.bsky.social
Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House | international security, geopolitics and geoeconomics of tech, Europe | Currently ✍️ a book on subsea cables (Polity '26) | Amsterdammer in London 🇪🇺
Pinned
Katja Bego
@katjabego.bsky.social
· Nov 13
🚨 Reposting this here: Incredibly excited to announce I've been writing a book on the weaponisation, geopolitics, and geoeconomics of subsea cables.
- Out with Polity in 2025. Further updates soon!
- Out with Polity in 2025. Further updates soon!
Reposted by Katja Bego
“What is civilisation? I don’t know. I can’t define it in abstract terms, yet. But I think I can recognise it when I see it. And I’m looking at it now.” -Kenneth Clark
24/7 cake vending machine in the middle of nowhere. Maximum Poland.
November 9, 2025 at 10:32 AM
“What is civilisation? I don’t know. I can’t define it in abstract terms, yet. But I think I can recognise it when I see it. And I’m looking at it now.” -Kenneth Clark
Reposted by Katja Bego
So if the survival of Europe's industrial base wasn't enough of a motivation not to go for a Chinese EV, not having your car weaponized against you sounds like another solid one.
Norway tested two different types of electric buses this summer -one from a Dutch and one from a Chinese manufacturer- to assess cybersecurity risks.
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
Oslo tests reveal Chinese electric buses can be switched off remotely
Public transport operator Ruter says manufacturer access allows buses to be stopped from China, prompting Norway to review cybersecurity risks in public transport - Anadolu Ajansı
www.aa.com.tr
October 31, 2025 at 9:41 AM
So if the survival of Europe's industrial base wasn't enough of a motivation not to go for a Chinese EV, not having your car weaponized against you sounds like another solid one.
Reposted by Katja Bego
finally some competitive advantage for the Dutch: unlike the Chinese, we are not weaponizing your electric bus.
Norway tested two different types of electric buses this summer -one from a Dutch and one from a Chinese manufacturer- to assess cybersecurity risks.
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
Oslo tests reveal Chinese electric buses can be switched off remotely
Public transport operator Ruter says manufacturer access allows buses to be stopped from China, prompting Norway to review cybersecurity risks in public transport - Anadolu Ajansı
www.aa.com.tr
October 31, 2025 at 9:35 AM
finally some competitive advantage for the Dutch: unlike the Chinese, we are not weaponizing your electric bus.
Reposted by Katja Bego
Despite the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin has continued to invest heavily in building out its presence and revamping Russia's existing bases in the Arctic.
Russia and China are expanding in the Arctic: Europe needs a new plan for the region
As the thawing Arctic’s geostrategic importance grows, military and economic objectives are becoming increasingly intertwined.
www.chathamhouse.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Despite the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin has continued to invest heavily in building out its presence and revamping Russia's existing bases in the Arctic.
So if the survival of Europe's industrial base wasn't enough of a motivation not to go for a Chinese EV, not having your car weaponized against you sounds like another solid one.
Norway tested two different types of electric buses this summer -one from a Dutch and one from a Chinese manufacturer- to assess cybersecurity risks.
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
Oslo tests reveal Chinese electric buses can be switched off remotely
Public transport operator Ruter says manufacturer access allows buses to be stopped from China, prompting Norway to review cybersecurity risks in public transport - Anadolu Ajansı
www.aa.com.tr
October 31, 2025 at 9:41 AM
So if the survival of Europe's industrial base wasn't enough of a motivation not to go for a Chinese EV, not having your car weaponized against you sounds like another solid one.
Norway tested two different types of electric buses this summer -one from a Dutch and one from a Chinese manufacturer- to assess cybersecurity risks.
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
Oslo tests reveal Chinese electric buses can be switched off remotely
Public transport operator Ruter says manufacturer access allows buses to be stopped from China, prompting Norway to review cybersecurity risks in public transport - Anadolu Ajansı
www.aa.com.tr
October 31, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Norway tested two different types of electric buses this summer -one from a Dutch and one from a Chinese manufacturer- to assess cybersecurity risks.
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
The very on brand cover of Japan’s defence white paper.
October 30, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The very on brand cover of Japan’s defence white paper.
Hostile media environment aside, I think GL-PvdA wavering a bit on defence (not committing to the increased NATO norm beyond 2030) may prove to have been a pretty costly mistake.
Purely anecdotal, but I know of several people who were on the fence where that became the deciding factor.
Purely anecdotal, but I know of several people who were on the fence where that became the deciding factor.
October 30, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Hostile media environment aside, I think GL-PvdA wavering a bit on defence (not committing to the increased NATO norm beyond 2030) may prove to have been a pretty costly mistake.
Purely anecdotal, but I know of several people who were on the fence where that became the deciding factor.
Purely anecdotal, but I know of several people who were on the fence where that became the deciding factor.
Voor iedereen die hoopt op de stemmers uit het buitenland: D66 doet het uiteraard altijd goed bij deze groep, maar veel stemmers hebben vorige week al gestemd.
Voor het PVV verval en de echte groeispurt van D66. Een moment opname van een week geleden dus (zag je in 2023 ook af in de resultaten).
Voor het PVV verval en de echte groeispurt van D66. Een moment opname van een week geleden dus (zag je in 2023 ook af in de resultaten).
October 30, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Voor iedereen die hoopt op de stemmers uit het buitenland: D66 doet het uiteraard altijd goed bij deze groep, maar veel stemmers hebben vorige week al gestemd.
Voor het PVV verval en de echte groeispurt van D66. Een moment opname van een week geleden dus (zag je in 2023 ook af in de resultaten).
Voor het PVV verval en de echte groeispurt van D66. Een moment opname van een week geleden dus (zag je in 2023 ook af in de resultaten).
There is only one certainty in Dutch politics: foreign media overselling the Wilders angle.
October 29, 2025 at 10:02 AM
There is only one certainty in Dutch politics: foreign media overselling the Wilders angle.
Reposted by Katja Bego
Leestip bij de #BetrouwbreBronnen van heden! omny.fm/shows/betrou...
October 28, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Leestip bij de #BetrouwbreBronnen van heden! omny.fm/shows/betrou...
My primer on tomorrow's Dutch elections, and what they may mean for Europe:
After the collapse of a short-lived right-wing government in the Netherlands, traditional parties may make a comeback — a shift that will be welcomed in Brussels and beyond.
Read @katjabego.bsky.social's latest analysis for Chatham House⤵️
Read @katjabego.bsky.social's latest analysis for Chatham House⤵️
The Dutch elections are an opportunity for the Netherlands to regain its international influence
After the collapse of its short-lived right-wing government, traditional parties may make a comeback in a ‘middle coalition’ that is more likely to be stable and proactive – a shift that will be welco...
www.chathamhouse.org
October 27, 2025 at 8:46 AM
My primer on tomorrow's Dutch elections, and what they may mean for Europe:
Reposted by Katja Bego
Leest allen dit stuk van Katja Bego.
The Dutch elections have once again been disappointingly myopic - the transatlantic fractures, European security, China, Ukraine: they barely feature.
Despite this, I'd argue the momentum is for a more centrist coalition to win out, which will want to be far more active on the global stage again.
Despite this, I'd argue the momentum is for a more centrist coalition to win out, which will want to be far more active on the global stage again.
After the collapse of a short-lived right-wing government in the Netherlands, traditional parties may make a comeback — a shift that will be welcomed in Brussels and beyond.
Read @katjabego.bsky.social's latest analysis for Chatham House⤵️
Read @katjabego.bsky.social's latest analysis for Chatham House⤵️
October 26, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Leest allen dit stuk van Katja Bego.
Reposted by Katja Bego
After the collapse of a short-lived right-wing government in the Netherlands, traditional parties may make a comeback — a shift that will be welcomed in Brussels and beyond.
Read @katjabego.bsky.social's latest analysis for Chatham House⤵️
Read @katjabego.bsky.social's latest analysis for Chatham House⤵️
The Dutch elections are an opportunity for the Netherlands to regain its international influence
After the collapse of its short-lived right-wing government, traditional parties may make a comeback in a ‘middle coalition’ that is more likely to be stable and proactive – a shift that will be welco...
www.chathamhouse.org
October 25, 2025 at 7:30 AM
After the collapse of a short-lived right-wing government in the Netherlands, traditional parties may make a comeback — a shift that will be welcomed in Brussels and beyond.
Read @katjabego.bsky.social's latest analysis for Chatham House⤵️
Read @katjabego.bsky.social's latest analysis for Chatham House⤵️
The Dutch elections have once again been disappointingly myopic - the transatlantic fractures, European security, China, Ukraine: they barely feature.
Despite this, I'd argue the momentum is for a more centrist coalition to win out, which will want to be far more active on the global stage again.
Despite this, I'd argue the momentum is for a more centrist coalition to win out, which will want to be far more active on the global stage again.
After the collapse of a short-lived right-wing government in the Netherlands, traditional parties may make a comeback — a shift that will be welcomed in Brussels and beyond.
Read @katjabego.bsky.social's latest analysis for Chatham House⤵️
Read @katjabego.bsky.social's latest analysis for Chatham House⤵️
The Dutch elections are an opportunity for the Netherlands to regain its international influence
After the collapse of its short-lived right-wing government, traditional parties may make a comeback in a ‘middle coalition’ that is more likely to be stable and proactive – a shift that will be welco...
www.chathamhouse.org
October 25, 2025 at 10:13 AM
The Dutch elections have once again been disappointingly myopic - the transatlantic fractures, European security, China, Ukraine: they barely feature.
Despite this, I'd argue the momentum is for a more centrist coalition to win out, which will want to be far more active on the global stage again.
Despite this, I'd argue the momentum is for a more centrist coalition to win out, which will want to be far more active on the global stage again.
Reposted by Katja Bego
The car crisis tops today’s EU summit but leaders keep staring at the wrong problem
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
October 23, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The car crisis tops today’s EU summit but leaders keep staring at the wrong problem
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
German media reports that the wreck of the MS Estonia (whose sinking in 1994 took 852 lives, and, as a large gravesite, remains off-limits to divers) in the Baltic Sea is apparently being used by Russia as spot to hide undersea spy sensors.
www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/russ...
www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/russ...
Ostsee: Wie Russland Wrack der Estonia für Unterwasserspionage nutzt
Vor über 30 Jahren sank die Fähre. 852 Menschen starben. Nun legen Recherchen nahe, dass Russland am Wrack Technik angebracht hat.
www.sueddeutsche.de
October 24, 2025 at 10:15 AM
German media reports that the wreck of the MS Estonia (whose sinking in 1994 took 852 lives, and, as a large gravesite, remains off-limits to divers) in the Baltic Sea is apparently being used by Russia as spot to hide undersea spy sensors.
www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/russ...
www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/russ...
US global reach may be eroding, it's far from dead yet: "Chinese state oil majors have suspended purchases of seaborne Russian oil after the United States imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Moscow's two biggest oil companies, according to multiple sources." www.reuters.com/business/ene...
www.reuters.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:01 PM
US global reach may be eroding, it's far from dead yet: "Chinese state oil majors have suspended purchases of seaborne Russian oil after the United States imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Moscow's two biggest oil companies, according to multiple sources." www.reuters.com/business/ene...
Reposted by Katja Bego
Dear EU @katjabego.bsky.social and I have a great solution for the frozen Russian assets question:
Use them to pay for Ukraine’s 150 JAS Gripen fighter jets from Sweden
Use them to pay for Ukraine’s 150 JAS Gripen fighter jets from Sweden
That would be phenomenal! (Could call it the "Get a Grip(en)" plan).
October 22, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Dear EU @katjabego.bsky.social and I have a great solution for the frozen Russian assets question:
Use them to pay for Ukraine’s 150 JAS Gripen fighter jets from Sweden
Use them to pay for Ukraine’s 150 JAS Gripen fighter jets from Sweden
Reposted by Katja Bego
Big news from Sweden:
A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Ukraine for the sale of up to 150 Gripen fighter jets
A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Ukraine for the sale of up to 150 Gripen fighter jets
SVT erfar: Sverige vill sälja 150 Gripenplan till Ukraina
Sverige skriver under en avsiktsförklaring om att undersöka möjligheten att sälja uppemot 150 Gripenplan till Ukraina, erfar SVT. Det meddelar statsminister Ulf Kristersson på en pressträff inom kort,...
www.svt.se
October 22, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Big news from Sweden:
A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Ukraine for the sale of up to 150 Gripen fighter jets
A memorandum of understanding has been signed with Ukraine for the sale of up to 150 Gripen fighter jets
Yes, absolutely. Long overdue.
However, as the recent events around Nexperia, rare earths and transatlantic coercion show, Made in Europe efforts won't go over well in China and the US.
The EU needs to situate this in a far more strategic approach to economic security (and increase capacity!).
However, as the recent events around Nexperia, rare earths and transatlantic coercion show, Made in Europe efforts won't go over well in China and the US.
The EU needs to situate this in a far more strategic approach to economic security (and increase capacity!).
We will introduce “made in Europe” criteria for public procurement in certain strategic sectors.
Ensure that new foreign investments in our industry are truly in Europe’s interest.
And step up support for strategic industries, like cars and batteries.
Ensure that new foreign investments in our industry are truly in Europe’s interest.
And step up support for strategic industries, like cars and batteries.
October 22, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Yes, absolutely. Long overdue.
However, as the recent events around Nexperia, rare earths and transatlantic coercion show, Made in Europe efforts won't go over well in China and the US.
The EU needs to situate this in a far more strategic approach to economic security (and increase capacity!).
However, as the recent events around Nexperia, rare earths and transatlantic coercion show, Made in Europe efforts won't go over well in China and the US.
The EU needs to situate this in a far more strategic approach to economic security (and increase capacity!).
Some good news: Eurostar will start running doubledecker
trains from 2031 (increasing the overall fleet's capacity by around 30%). The doubledeckers will operate throughout the network - including new destinations Geneva and Frankfurt.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
trains from 2031 (increasing the overall fleet's capacity by around 30%). The doubledeckers will operate throughout the network - including new destinations Geneva and Frankfurt.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Eurostar to run doubledecker trains through Channel tunnel from 2031
Operator signs €2bn deal with Alstom amid boom in international rail travel from UK
www.theguardian.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Some good news: Eurostar will start running doubledecker
trains from 2031 (increasing the overall fleet's capacity by around 30%). The doubledeckers will operate throughout the network - including new destinations Geneva and Frankfurt.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
trains from 2031 (increasing the overall fleet's capacity by around 30%). The doubledeckers will operate throughout the network - including new destinations Geneva and Frankfurt.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Katja Bego
Interesting: Greenland picks French company Eutelsat over Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Greenland's government-owned telecommunications company Tusass signed the agreement with Eutelsat to provide east and north Greenland with better and more reliable internet connectivity.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
Greenland's government-owned telecommunications company Tusass signed the agreement with Eutelsat to provide east and north Greenland with better and more reliable internet connectivity.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
Grønland satser på fransk selskab frem for Elon Musk-satellitter
Grønlands selvstyreejede teleselskab Tusass har indgået en aftale med et fransk selskab om at sikre bedre internet i Øst- og Nordgrønland.
www.dr.dk
October 20, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Interesting: Greenland picks French company Eutelsat over Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Greenland's government-owned telecommunications company Tusass signed the agreement with Eutelsat to provide east and north Greenland with better and more reliable internet connectivity.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
Greenland's government-owned telecommunications company Tusass signed the agreement with Eutelsat to provide east and north Greenland with better and more reliable internet connectivity.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
Interesting: Greenland picks French company Eutelsat over Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Greenland's government-owned telecommunications company Tusass signed the agreement with Eutelsat to provide east and north Greenland with better and more reliable internet connectivity.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
Greenland's government-owned telecommunications company Tusass signed the agreement with Eutelsat to provide east and north Greenland with better and more reliable internet connectivity.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
Grønland satser på fransk selskab frem for Elon Musk-satellitter
Grønlands selvstyreejede teleselskab Tusass har indgået en aftale med et fransk selskab om at sikre bedre internet i Øst- og Nordgrønland.
www.dr.dk
October 20, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Interesting: Greenland picks French company Eutelsat over Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Greenland's government-owned telecommunications company Tusass signed the agreement with Eutelsat to provide east and north Greenland with better and more reliable internet connectivity.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
Greenland's government-owned telecommunications company Tusass signed the agreement with Eutelsat to provide east and north Greenland with better and more reliable internet connectivity.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
The Dutch intelligence services are already sharing less intelligence with the US than they used to, their directors confirm:
"Though we do not take any political positions, we are very cognisant of the potential politicisation of how our intelligence gets used by others."
nos.nl/artikel/2586...
"Though we do not take any political positions, we are very cognisant of the potential politicisation of how our intelligence gets used by others."
nos.nl/artikel/2586...
AIVD en MIVD delen minder info met VS en meer met Europa, zeggen directeurs
Per geval wordt samenwerking met de VS gewogen, zeggen directeur Erik Akerboom van de AIVD en MIVD-chef Peter Reesink tegen de Volkskrant.
nos.nl
October 18, 2025 at 10:07 AM
The Dutch intelligence services are already sharing less intelligence with the US than they used to, their directors confirm:
"Though we do not take any political positions, we are very cognisant of the potential politicisation of how our intelligence gets used by others."
nos.nl/artikel/2586...
"Though we do not take any political positions, we are very cognisant of the potential politicisation of how our intelligence gets used by others."
nos.nl/artikel/2586...