Mark Duursma
@markduursma.bsky.social
Buitenlandredacteur NRC. Posts over Midden- en Oost-Europa, Balkan, Kaukasus, Oekraïne, Rusland / Foreign desk NRC. Posts about Central and Eastern Europe, Balkans, Caucasus, Ukraine, Russia
www.nrc.nl
www.nrc.nl
Pinned
Reposted by Mark Duursma
This is not regime change or a democratic transition but a decapitation of the Maduro regime. Venezuela's democratic opposition meanwhile is still far from the levers of power.
Read the latest analysis from Chatham House experts on the US military strikes on Venezuela ⤵️ https://bit.ly/49qgDhf
Read the latest analysis from Chatham House experts on the US military strikes on Venezuela ⤵️ https://bit.ly/49qgDhf
US to ‘run’ Venezuela after Maduro captured, says Trump: Early analysis from Chatham House experts
Experts give their initial reaction to President Trump’s strike on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. What are the implications for the US, the region and the world?
www.chathamhouse.org
January 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM
This is not regime change or a democratic transition but a decapitation of the Maduro regime. Venezuela's democratic opposition meanwhile is still far from the levers of power.
Read the latest analysis from Chatham House experts on the US military strikes on Venezuela ⤵️ https://bit.ly/49qgDhf
Read the latest analysis from Chatham House experts on the US military strikes on Venezuela ⤵️ https://bit.ly/49qgDhf
Reposted by Mark Duursma
Uitstekend stuk, daarna snap je (bijna) alles over de huidige toestand in Venezuela.
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/...
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/...
Het Maduro-regime is onthoofd, maar niet uitgeschakeld: wat gaat het leger nu doen?
Venezuela: Met de arrestatie van de Venezolaanse leider Nicolás Maduro boekt de regering-Trump een succes, maar neemt ze ook een enorm risico. Of het olierijke Zuid-Amerikaanse land nu snel weer een d...
www.nrc.nl
January 3, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Uitstekend stuk, daarna snap je (bijna) alles over de huidige toestand in Venezuela.
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/...
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/...
Not exactly a convincing defence of the rules based order
I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.
The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. (1/2)
The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. (1/2)
January 3, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Not exactly a convincing defence of the rules based order
Reposted by Mark Duursma
Russians must be ultra-jealous watching this, as the US carries out missions they couldn’t even dream of
January 3, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Russians must be ultra-jealous watching this, as the US carries out missions they couldn’t even dream of
Mooiste naam denkbaar voor een cultuurhuis
January 2, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Mooiste naam denkbaar voor een cultuurhuis
Reposted by Mark Duursma
How the war in Ukraine redefined Europe.
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social @haukkala.bsky.social @sbeverts.bsky.social @mijrahman.bsky.social, Monika Sus and more🙏
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social @haukkala.bsky.social @sbeverts.bsky.social @mijrahman.bsky.social, Monika Sus and more🙏
How four years of war in Ukraine redefined the European Union
With Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the world that saw the construction of EU has all but disappeared. The 27 member states belatedly recognized that peace was 'no longer a given in Europe,' and...
www.lemonde.fr
January 2, 2026 at 8:12 AM
How the war in Ukraine redefined Europe.
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social @haukkala.bsky.social @sbeverts.bsky.social @mijrahman.bsky.social, Monika Sus and more🙏
With @nathalietocci.bsky.social @haukkala.bsky.social @sbeverts.bsky.social @mijrahman.bsky.social, Monika Sus and more🙏
Reposted by Mark Duursma
Reposted by Mark Duursma
It’s freezing cold, and it’s snowing in Tbilisi. But protesters are still on Rustaveli on January 1st, some of them singing Georgian folk songs.
#GeorgiaProtests
Day 4000
#GeorgiaProtests
Day 4000
January 1, 2026 at 6:15 PM
It’s freezing cold, and it’s snowing in Tbilisi. But protesters are still on Rustaveli on January 1st, some of them singing Georgian folk songs.
#GeorgiaProtests
Day 4000
#GeorgiaProtests
Day 4000
Reposted by Mark Duursma
Jaar vier van de oorlog in Oekraïne gaat de geschiedenisboeken in als het jaar van ‘dronificatie’, aldus Peter Schrijver (@psguu.bsky.social), luitenant-kolonel en PhD-onderzoeker aan de Nederlandse Defensie Academie in Breda en de Universiteit Leiden.
platformraam.nl/artikelen/29...
platformraam.nl/artikelen/29...
Hoe drones het strijdtoneel in 2025 veranderden
platformraam.nl
December 31, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Jaar vier van de oorlog in Oekraïne gaat de geschiedenisboeken in als het jaar van ‘dronificatie’, aldus Peter Schrijver (@psguu.bsky.social), luitenant-kolonel en PhD-onderzoeker aan de Nederlandse Defensie Academie in Breda en de Universiteit Leiden.
platformraam.nl/artikelen/29...
platformraam.nl/artikelen/29...
Reposted by Mark Duursma
De redacteuren en medewerkers van *Donau* moeten kiezen: Wat nemen ze mee uit 2025? Alexa Stoicescu reflecteert op een “pendeljaar”. #jaaroverzicht2025 www.donaustroom.eu/pendeljaar/
Pendeljaar - Donau
De redacteuren en medewerkers van Donau moeten kiezen: Wat nemen ze mee uit 2025? Alexa Stoicescu reflecteert op een "pendeljaar".
www.donaustroom.eu
December 31, 2025 at 10:23 AM
De redacteuren en medewerkers van *Donau* moeten kiezen: Wat nemen ze mee uit 2025? Alexa Stoicescu reflecteert op een “pendeljaar”. #jaaroverzicht2025 www.donaustroom.eu/pendeljaar/
Putin as Santa, an image I hope to leave behind in 2025
“Russia makes sure that all of its friends get something nice and are well and merry.” The Russian Embassy in Kenya shared Sputnik’s AI video showing Putin dressed as Santa handing out gifts to dictators and strongmen—including a “special offer” gift from Gazprom to Hungary’s Viktor Orbán.
December 31, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Putin as Santa, an image I hope to leave behind in 2025
Reposted by Mark Duursma
Kremlin: niet nodig om bewijs te leveren voor Oekraïense ‘aanval’ op residentie Poetin
Kremlin: niet nodig om bewijs te leveren voor Oekraïense ‘aanval’ op residentie Poetin
President Zelensky deed de beschuldiging maandag af als een "Russische leugen" bedoelt om het vredesproces rondom de oorlog in zijn land te "ondermijnen" en nieuwe aanvallen te legitimeren
www.nrc.nl
December 30, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Kremlin: niet nodig om bewijs te leveren voor Oekraïense ‘aanval’ op residentie Poetin
Reposted by Mark Duursma
Inlichtingenchef Estland: Russische dreiging reëel, maar geen concrete plannen om Baltische staten aan te vallen
Inlichtingenchef Estland: Russische dreiging reëel, maar geen concrete plannen om Baltische staten aan te vallen
Niets wijst er op dit moment op dat Rusland van plan is één van de Baltische staten of een andere NAVO-lidstaat aan te vallen.
www.nrc.nl
December 30, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Inlichtingenchef Estland: Russische dreiging reëel, maar geen concrete plannen om Baltische staten aan te vallen
Reposted by Mark Duursma
Video shows the “Oreshnik” missile system entering combat duty in #Belarus. Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service says the deployment is aimed primarily at pressuring the EU and NATO - not Ukraine - by enabling Russia to launch strikes on EU capitals with drastically reduced flight times.
December 30, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Video shows the “Oreshnik” missile system entering combat duty in #Belarus. Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service says the deployment is aimed primarily at pressuring the EU and NATO - not Ukraine - by enabling Russia to launch strikes on EU capitals with drastically reduced flight times.
Reposted by Mark Duursma
Zelensky en Trump spraken over een ‘vrije economische zone’ voor de Donbas. Wat betekent dat? Ik dook erin.
🎁🔗
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
🎁🔗
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Zelensky en Trump spraken over een ‘vrije economische zone’ voor de Donbas. Wat kan dat betekenen voor Oekraïne?
Oorlog in Oekraïne: Door de Donbas als fiscaal aantrekkelijke regio voor te spiegelen, hoopt Oekraïne Amerikaanse investeerders te betrekken bij het behoud van het gebied.
www.nrc.nl
December 29, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Zelensky en Trump spraken over een ‘vrije economische zone’ voor de Donbas. Wat betekent dat? Ik dook erin.
🎁🔗
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
🎁🔗
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Reposted by Mark Duursma
Stel dat er een vredesakkoord komt, dan kan Rusland elke week zo’n verhaal verzinnen. En dan zijn de Amerikaanse veiligheidsgaranties voor Oekraïne helemaal niets waard.
It gets even better. Putin’s advisor Ushakov claims Trump was “shocked and outraged” by Ukraine’s alleged drone attack on Putin’s residence. Ukraine has denied the accusation, calling it a Russian fabrication to justify further escalation.
No further comment....
No further comment....
December 29, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Stel dat er een vredesakkoord komt, dan kan Rusland elke week zo’n verhaal verzinnen. En dan zijn de Amerikaanse veiligheidsgaranties voor Oekraïne helemaal niets waard.
Reposted by Mark Duursma
“Trump is unpopular in Europe, even among the supporters of right-wing populist parties he sees as allies…
In France and Germany, only about a third of people who said they had supported right-wing parties reported seeing Trump in a favorable light.”
www.politico.eu/article/poli...
In France and Germany, only about a third of people who said they had supported right-wing parties reported seeing Trump in a favorable light.”
www.politico.eu/article/poli...
December 29, 2025 at 11:42 AM
“Trump is unpopular in Europe, even among the supporters of right-wing populist parties he sees as allies…
In France and Germany, only about a third of people who said they had supported right-wing parties reported seeing Trump in a favorable light.”
www.politico.eu/article/poli...
In France and Germany, only about a third of people who said they had supported right-wing parties reported seeing Trump in a favorable light.”
www.politico.eu/article/poli...
"The UN has said around 90% of Mariupol’s buildings were damaged or destroyed during the Russian siege in early 2022, and roughly 300,000 residents fled the city.
Since capturing Mariupol, Russia has sought to present it as a symbol of reconstruction in Ukrainian territories under its control."
Since capturing Mariupol, Russia has sought to present it as a symbol of reconstruction in Ukrainian territories under its control."
State TV showed a lavish reopening ceremony as Moscow continues to push its reconstruction narrative in occupied Ukraine.
Mariupol Theater Destroyed in Russian Siege Reopens After Reconstruction - The Moscow Times
A theater destroyed in one of the most notorious attacks of Russia’s siege of Mariupol in early 2022 has reopened following reconstruction, Russian authorities said Sunday, as the Kremlin continues ef...
www.themoscowtimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 9:17 AM
"The UN has said around 90% of Mariupol’s buildings were damaged or destroyed during the Russian siege in early 2022, and roughly 300,000 residents fled the city.
Since capturing Mariupol, Russia has sought to present it as a symbol of reconstruction in Ukrainian territories under its control."
Since capturing Mariupol, Russia has sought to present it as a symbol of reconstruction in Ukrainian territories under its control."
Bulgaria prepares to join eurozone amid fears of Russian-backed disinformation
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d... in @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d... in @theguardian.com
Bulgaria prepares to join eurozone amid fears of Russian-backed disinformation
Balkan country will become 21st country to adopt EU currency, with policymakers hoping move will boost economy
www.theguardian.com
December 29, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Bulgaria prepares to join eurozone amid fears of Russian-backed disinformation
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d... in @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d... in @theguardian.com
Reposted by Mark Duursma
#Kosovo 's left-wing Self-Determination Movement (Vetëvendosje) led by acting PM Albin Kurti is leading in the snap parliamentary election held on December 28, securing 50.2% of the vote after 87.5% of polling stations had been counted. www.intellinews.com/vetevendosje...
Vetevendosje leads Kosovo snap election with over 50% of the vote
Kosovo’s left-wing Self-Determination Movement (Vetevendosje) led by acting PM Albin Kurti is leading in the snap parliamentary election held on ...
www.intellinews.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:34 AM
#Kosovo 's left-wing Self-Determination Movement (Vetëvendosje) led by acting PM Albin Kurti is leading in the snap parliamentary election held on December 28, securing 50.2% of the vote after 87.5% of polling stations had been counted. www.intellinews.com/vetevendosje...
Reposted by Mark Duursma
Zelenskyy's reaction to "russia wants to see Ukraine succeed" 🙃
December 28, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Zelenskyy's reaction to "russia wants to see Ukraine succeed" 🙃
Al geschoffeerd bij aankomst
December 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Al geschoffeerd bij aankomst
Reposted by Mark Duursma
President Trump promised radical change this term. Here’s how his first year back in office compared with his campaign pledges.
Trump’s Second-Term Promises: What He’s Done So Far on Immigration, Trade, DEI and More
President Trump has driven illegal crossings at the border to record lows, helped bring about an uneasy cease-fire in Gaza and upended the global trading system.
nyti.ms
December 27, 2025 at 5:15 PM
President Trump promised radical change this term. Here’s how his first year back in office compared with his campaign pledges.