Max Bergmann
@maxbergmann.bsky.social
Director of the Europe, Russia, Eurasia Program at CSIS. Podcasts EuroFile and Russian Roulette. Fmr State Department official. DC sports, Tottenham
Reposted by Max Bergmann
Watch | @maxbergmann.bsky.social discusses the current role of the U.S. military in Europe’s ability to defend itself, the vulnerabilities that could result from a significant reduction of U.S. forces, and what must be done to address them.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhQj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhQj...
How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America
With the war in Ukraine ongoing and a potential drawdown of U.S. forces in Europe on the Horizon, European leaders are facing renewed pressure to strengthen ...
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Watch | @maxbergmann.bsky.social discusses the current role of the U.S. military in Europe’s ability to defend itself, the vulnerabilities that could result from a significant reduction of U.S. forces, and what must be done to address them.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhQj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhQj...
At some point constant "minilateralism" just creates chaos. This strikes me as very bizarre and somewhat performative.
Noteworthy - kind of a "minilateralism plus". Ukraine has been granted an "enhanced partnership" to JEF but is not a member yet.
⚡️Ukraine just became the first non-member to join the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force.
November 7, 2025 at 9:25 PM
At some point constant "minilateralism" just creates chaos. This strikes me as very bizarre and somewhat performative.
Have you beat Christian. November 2021... in response to Afghanistan... and...
www.foreignaffairs.com/europe/europ...
www.foreignaffairs.com/europe/europ...
November 7, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Have you beat Christian. November 2021... in response to Afghanistan... and...
www.foreignaffairs.com/europe/europ...
www.foreignaffairs.com/europe/europ...
This! Just do the Eurobonds already. Do it now!
November 7, 2025 at 9:18 PM
This! Just do the Eurobonds already. Do it now!
Reposted by Max Bergmann
The economist in me loves this.
European 10y gov bonds have a yield of 3.2%. They assume 4%. Fine.
Should Euroclear not be able, with some prodding, to generate above 4% nominal returns?
European 10y gov bonds have a yield of 3.2%. They assume 4%. Fine.
Should Euroclear not be able, with some prodding, to generate above 4% nominal returns?
Brussels vs Belgium: Commission says that if Belgium won't sign off on a €140bn loan to Ukraine against Russian assets, EU countries will need to find up to €5.6bn a year to service a loan raised on the open market.
@bmoens.bsky.social & I got the document so you don't have to
on.ft.com/47LzdiM
@bmoens.bsky.social & I got the document so you don't have to
on.ft.com/47LzdiM
EU must pay up to €5.6bn a year in interest if no agreement on Russian assets, Brussels warns
[FREE TO READ] Choices for Ukraine funding set out in commission document drafted after failure to agree plan last month
on.ft.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The economist in me loves this.
European 10y gov bonds have a yield of 3.2%. They assume 4%. Fine.
Should Euroclear not be able, with some prodding, to generate above 4% nominal returns?
European 10y gov bonds have a yield of 3.2%. They assume 4%. Fine.
Should Euroclear not be able, with some prodding, to generate above 4% nominal returns?
Reposted by Max Bergmann
Story: Taiwan’s No 2 leader Hsiao Bi-khim makes shock speech at European Parliament
Taiwan’s No 2 leader makes shock speech at European Parliament
Second-in-command addressed private conference of lawmakers on Friday in Brussels, a move likely to prompt a furious response from Beijing.
www.scmp.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Story: Taiwan’s No 2 leader Hsiao Bi-khim makes shock speech at European Parliament
Reposted by Max Bergmann
How are Russia and Ukraine adapting their strategies entering a new phase on the battlefield? What's the current state of play on the frontlines?
ICYMI: @maxbergmann.bsky.social @msnegovaya.bsky.social @massdara.bsky.social + Kateryna Bondar break it down ⬇️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlNk...
ICYMI: @maxbergmann.bsky.social @msnegovaya.bsky.social @massdara.bsky.social + Kateryna Bondar break it down ⬇️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlNk...
Russian and Ukrainian Battlefield Adaptations
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:56 PM
How are Russia and Ukraine adapting their strategies entering a new phase on the battlefield? What's the current state of play on the frontlines?
ICYMI: @maxbergmann.bsky.social @msnegovaya.bsky.social @massdara.bsky.social + Kateryna Bondar break it down ⬇️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlNk...
ICYMI: @maxbergmann.bsky.social @msnegovaya.bsky.social @massdara.bsky.social + Kateryna Bondar break it down ⬇️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlNk...
Reposted by Max Bergmann
🚨🚨🚨 The jury has reached a verdict. Sean Dunn, aka the DC Sandwich Guy, has been found NOT GUILTY of assault.
November 6, 2025 at 7:25 PM
🚨🚨🚨 The jury has reached a verdict. Sean Dunn, aka the DC Sandwich Guy, has been found NOT GUILTY of assault.
Reposted by Max Bergmann
Defense comes out blazing in closing argument, attacks agent Lairmore's credibility.
"This case is about a sandwich. A sandwich that, according to agent Lairmore, somehow both exploded on his chest in a spray of onions and mustard, but also landed intact on the ground still in its Subway wrapping."
"This case is about a sandwich. A sandwich that, according to agent Lairmore, somehow both exploded on his chest in a spray of onions and mustard, but also landed intact on the ground still in its Subway wrapping."
November 5, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Defense comes out blazing in closing argument, attacks agent Lairmore's credibility.
"This case is about a sandwich. A sandwich that, according to agent Lairmore, somehow both exploded on his chest in a spray of onions and mustard, but also landed intact on the ground still in its Subway wrapping."
"This case is about a sandwich. A sandwich that, according to agent Lairmore, somehow both exploded on his chest in a spray of onions and mustard, but also landed intact on the ground still in its Subway wrapping."
Reposted by Max Bergmann
The defense team presses Lairmore on whether the sandwich really 'exploded.' They return to the photo of the sandwich and wrapper on the ground.
"That sandwich hasn't exploded at all, has it?" defense asks.
"It looks like a little bit is coming out towards the bottom," Lairmore replies.
"That sandwich hasn't exploded at all, has it?" defense asks.
"It looks like a little bit is coming out towards the bottom," Lairmore replies.
November 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
The defense team presses Lairmore on whether the sandwich really 'exploded.' They return to the photo of the sandwich and wrapper on the ground.
"That sandwich hasn't exploded at all, has it?" defense asks.
"It looks like a little bit is coming out towards the bottom," Lairmore replies.
"That sandwich hasn't exploded at all, has it?" defense asks.
"It looks like a little bit is coming out towards the bottom," Lairmore replies.
Reposted by Max Bergmann
Defense tells judge they want to question Lairmore about 'gag gifts' he received from fellow officers after the alleged assault, including a Subway sandwich plush toy and a patch that (unless I misheard) said 'Felony Footlong.'
Prosecutors object. Defense argues they reflect CBP 'state of mind.'
Prosecutors object. Defense argues they reflect CBP 'state of mind.'
November 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Defense tells judge they want to question Lairmore about 'gag gifts' he received from fellow officers after the alleged assault, including a Subway sandwich plush toy and a patch that (unless I misheard) said 'Felony Footlong.'
Prosecutors object. Defense argues they reflect CBP 'state of mind.'
Prosecutors object. Defense argues they reflect CBP 'state of mind.'
Reposted by Max Bergmann
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
November 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
This was such an enlightening conversation.
How are Russia and Ukraine adapting their battlefield strategies as the war enters a new phase?
Join us with @erep.csis.org’s @maxbergmann.bsky.social, @ai.csis.org’s Kate Bondar, and @massdara.bsky.social to discuss how both militaries are innovating and adjusting.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlNk...
Join us with @erep.csis.org’s @maxbergmann.bsky.social, @ai.csis.org’s Kate Bondar, and @massdara.bsky.social to discuss how both militaries are innovating and adjusting.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlNk...
Russian and Ukrainian Battlefield Adaptations
YouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:45 AM
This was such an enlightening conversation.
Reposted by Max Bergmann
How's this for energy abundance? Millions of Aussies will start receiving three hours of free power each day in 2026. This is what happens when you make rooftop solar less than a buck a watt!!
"Rooftop solar installations cost about $840 (U.S.) per kilowatt of capacity before rebates." 🤯
🔌💡
"Rooftop solar installations cost about $840 (U.S.) per kilowatt of capacity before rebates." 🤯
🔌💡
November 6, 2025 at 12:46 AM
How's this for energy abundance? Millions of Aussies will start receiving three hours of free power each day in 2026. This is what happens when you make rooftop solar less than a buck a watt!!
"Rooftop solar installations cost about $840 (U.S.) per kilowatt of capacity before rebates." 🤯
🔌💡
"Rooftop solar installations cost about $840 (U.S.) per kilowatt of capacity before rebates." 🤯
🔌💡
Reposted by Max Bergmann
A new piece from Armida and myself on the political and economic outlook for the Netherlands after the elections.
Analysts @armida.bsky.social and @sandertordoir.bsky.social decipher what the election results mean for The Netherlands and Europe more broadly.
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social insight, read here: buff.ly/te5HYI3
New @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social insight, read here: buff.ly/te5HYI3
November 5, 2025 at 6:53 PM
A new piece from Armida and myself on the political and economic outlook for the Netherlands after the elections.
Reposted by Max Bergmann
Need 10,000 op-eds on the lessons Democrats can learn from Jacob Frey
November 5, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Need 10,000 op-eds on the lessons Democrats can learn from Jacob Frey
This is the obvious next step. Drop the "reparations loan" and just do Eurobonds. Frankly, it's way better for Ukraine. The rep loan effectively prevents the Russian assets from being used by Ukraine b/c now claimed by EU. Eurobonds+seizing RF assets is way better!
www.euractiv.com/news/exclusi...
www.euractiv.com/news/exclusi...
EXCLUSIVE: EU Commission mulls joint debt, bilateral grants to plug Ukraine funding gap | Euractiv
The European Commission’s strongly preferred option to support Kyiv’s war effort remains the €140 billion ‘reparation loan’ currently blocked by Belgium
www.euractiv.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:50 PM
This is the obvious next step. Drop the "reparations loan" and just do Eurobonds. Frankly, it's way better for Ukraine. The rep loan effectively prevents the Russian assets from being used by Ukraine b/c now claimed by EU. Eurobonds+seizing RF assets is way better!
www.euractiv.com/news/exclusi...
www.euractiv.com/news/exclusi...
Reposted by Max Bergmann
🚗 Bruegel (Clean) Tech Tracker Tuesday: September marked a new record for electric vehicle deployment in Europe, with the share of total car registrations reaching 29%. With impressive accelerations in Poland, Spain, Latvia, Portugal.
📊 Explore our European Clean Tech Tracker here: lnkd.in/eUjxjFKC
📊 Explore our European Clean Tech Tracker here: lnkd.in/eUjxjFKC
November 4, 2025 at 1:46 PM
🚗 Bruegel (Clean) Tech Tracker Tuesday: September marked a new record for electric vehicle deployment in Europe, with the share of total car registrations reaching 29%. With impressive accelerations in Poland, Spain, Latvia, Portugal.
📊 Explore our European Clean Tech Tracker here: lnkd.in/eUjxjFKC
📊 Explore our European Clean Tech Tracker here: lnkd.in/eUjxjFKC
Reposted by Max Bergmann
European Parliament's foreign affairs committee has a new draft China position paper. Recommendations for Council / Commission
"Regard China as a decisive enabler of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and strongly reiterate condemnation of China’s support"
"Regard China as a decisive enabler of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and strongly reiterate condemnation of China’s support"
November 4, 2025 at 10:20 AM
European Parliament's foreign affairs committee has a new draft China position paper. Recommendations for Council / Commission
"Regard China as a decisive enabler of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and strongly reiterate condemnation of China’s support"
"Regard China as a decisive enabler of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and strongly reiterate condemnation of China’s support"
Reposted by Max Bergmann
Australia to introduce power cuts... no, wait, free power for 3 hours a day, as the solar boom has reached its, what's the new word?, abundance phase.
HT @volts.wtf www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
HT @volts.wtf www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Australian households to get free electricity three hours a day
Saying there is enough solar power for everyone in the daytime, the federal government will direct retailers to provide three hours of free power every day to consumers.
www.abc.net.au
November 3, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Australia to introduce power cuts... no, wait, free power for 3 hours a day, as the solar boom has reached its, what's the new word?, abundance phase.
HT @volts.wtf www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
HT @volts.wtf www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11...
Reposted by Max Bergmann
Finished reading Fishman’s Chokepoints over the weekend. Strongly recommend as a companion piece to what's unfolding in real time with Nexperia, rare earths etc.
But a sometimes depressing reminder of how little Europe has done to become competitive or resilient in the meantime.
But a sometimes depressing reminder of how little Europe has done to become competitive or resilient in the meantime.
November 3, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Finished reading Fishman’s Chokepoints over the weekend. Strongly recommend as a companion piece to what's unfolding in real time with Nexperia, rare earths etc.
But a sometimes depressing reminder of how little Europe has done to become competitive or resilient in the meantime.
But a sometimes depressing reminder of how little Europe has done to become competitive or resilient in the meantime.
The European mind can’t comprehend Halloween on the Hill.
October 31, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The European mind can’t comprehend Halloween on the Hill.
I've been beating the Eurobond drum for the last five years (post-Afghan withdrawal it was clear Europe needed more air enablers; ie a European defense public good). It's an idea whose time has long past come.
Why? You don't fund a war effort from your regular budget! You finance them. 1/
Why? You don't fund a war effort from your regular budget! You finance them. 1/
Our cover this week
“Europe should take heart and recognise its own strength. Its military budget is already four times larger than Russia’s; its economy is ten times larger. Far from shying away from a financial contest with the Kremlin, Europe should embrace it—and win the war”
“Europe should take heart and recognise its own strength. Its military budget is already four times larger than Russia’s; its economy is ten times larger. Far from shying away from a financial contest with the Kremlin, Europe should embrace it—and win the war”
October 31, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I've been beating the Eurobond drum for the last five years (post-Afghan withdrawal it was clear Europe needed more air enablers; ie a European defense public good). It's an idea whose time has long past come.
Why? You don't fund a war effort from your regular budget! You finance them. 1/
Why? You don't fund a war effort from your regular budget! You finance them. 1/
Reposted by Max Bergmann
I have just written a Substack piece with some scenarios of what would have happened in the recent Dutch election if there had been 4% electoral threshold (with apologies to my Dutch friends for banging on about this!) substack.com/home/post/p-...
What Would happen if The Netherlands had a 4% Electoral Threshold?
Political scientists of electoral systems love The Netherlands.
substack.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I have just written a Substack piece with some scenarios of what would have happened in the recent Dutch election if there had been 4% electoral threshold (with apologies to my Dutch friends for banging on about this!) substack.com/home/post/p-...