Nicolas Bouchet
@nickbouchet.bsky.social
German Marshall Fund Senior Visiting Fellow.
US foreign policy, democratization, democracy promotion, civil society. Throw in some Eastern Europe and Russia and we're mostly good to go.
US foreign policy, democratization, democracy promotion, civil society. Throw in some Eastern Europe and Russia and we're mostly good to go.
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
Russia has declared key successor organizations to the dissolved @enmemorial.bsky.social as "undesirable" – Zukunft Memorial, registered in Berlin, and the Geneva-registered Memorial International
Das russische Justizministerium hat die Liste der "unerwünschten Organisationen" aktualisiert. Darauf stehen zwei Nachfolger der 2022 zwangsaufgelösten Organisation #Memorial: Der Verein "Zukunft Memorial" in Berlin sowie das Netzwerk "Memorial International" in Genf:
meduza.io/news/2026/02...
meduza.io/news/2026/02...
Новые «нежелательные»: международный «Мемориал» и проект Ильи Шуманова по изучению проблем Арктики — Meduza
Министерство юстиции обновило перечень организаций, деятельность которых признана «нежелательной» на территории России.
meduza.io
February 18, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Russia has declared key successor organizations to the dissolved @enmemorial.bsky.social as "undesirable" – Zukunft Memorial, registered in Berlin, and the Geneva-registered Memorial International
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
A great example of how pro-Russian forces in Moldova look to far-right groups in the EU to undermine Moldova's EU integration: pro-RU politician Igor Dodon said in an interview that he hopes "right-wing and conservative forces" will take power in several EU countries soon and ...
February 18, 2026 at 3:27 PM
A great example of how pro-Russian forces in Moldova look to far-right groups in the EU to undermine Moldova's EU integration: pro-RU politician Igor Dodon said in an interview that he hopes "right-wing and conservative forces" will take power in several EU countries soon and ...
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
Dennik N investing in EUObserver is your rare good news about media sustainability. Dennik has been an outlier, bucking the trend of closures & falling readership in Slovakia (and frankly, globally) euobserver.com/203123/euobs...
EUobserver joins journalist-owned publisher Denník N
EUobserver, the independent online media covering European Union affairs, on Tuesday announced that it is joining journalist-owned Slovak publishing house Denník N, in a bid to strengthen its long-ter...
euobserver.com
February 18, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Dennik N investing in EUObserver is your rare good news about media sustainability. Dennik has been an outlier, bucking the trend of closures & falling readership in Slovakia (and frankly, globally) euobserver.com/203123/euobs...
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
I thought it was impossible by now, but, sadly, Georgia 🇬🇪 is even crazier than Georgia 🇺🇸.
Ivanishvili-backed university introduces ‘astrolinguistics’ as key universities face cuts
The programmes were introduced by a ‘gematria specialist’ who claims to have uncovered ‘hidden knowledge’ in ancient Georgian texts.
oc-media.org
February 18, 2026 at 12:22 PM
I thought it was impossible by now, but, sadly, Georgia 🇬🇪 is even crazier than Georgia 🇺🇸.
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
Ukraine's most popular politician, former army chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, gives a pretty wild interview to AP, considering he's the sitting ambassador to the UK. He describes a 2022 raid on his office — an "act of intimidation" by Zelensky — and blames Ze for botching the 2023 counteroffensive.
Former army chief seen as Zelenskyy's top rival reveals to AP a rift between them
The former Ukrainian army general widely seen as the top political rival to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken publicly for the first time about a deep rift between the two men.
apnews.com
February 18, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Ukraine's most popular politician, former army chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, gives a pretty wild interview to AP, considering he's the sitting ambassador to the UK. He describes a 2022 raid on his office — an "act of intimidation" by Zelensky — and blames Ze for botching the 2023 counteroffensive.
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
A big win for online transparency and platform accountability!
The Berlin Court of Appeals has ruled that X must give us access to the research data we need to study information manipulation during Hungary's April elections.
The Berlin Court of Appeals has ruled that X must give us access to the research data we need to study information manipulation during Hungary's April elections.
February 17, 2026 at 6:25 PM
A big win for online transparency and platform accountability!
The Berlin Court of Appeals has ruled that X must give us access to the research data we need to study information manipulation during Hungary's April elections.
The Berlin Court of Appeals has ruled that X must give us access to the research data we need to study information manipulation during Hungary's April elections.
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
Sadyr Japarov appears to be on the brink of achieving what none of his predecessors managed: making Kyrgyzstan a personalist autocracy.
My latest for @ceip-politika.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
My latest for @ceip-politika.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
Where Does the Split in the Ruling Tandem Leave Kyrgyzstan?
Despite its reputation as an island of democracy in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan appears to be on the brink of becoming a personalist autocracy.
carnegieendowment.org
February 18, 2026 at 7:34 AM
Sadyr Japarov appears to be on the brink of achieving what none of his predecessors managed: making Kyrgyzstan a personalist autocracy.
My latest for @ceip-politika.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
My latest for @ceip-politika.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
“May”?
Commissioner Šuica will attend the 1st formal meeting of the Board of Peace as an observer. As the EU has decided not to join, Katarzyna W. Sidlo explains why remaining outside may be the best choice. ow.ly/ftI650Y4Hsa
The Board of Peace, Gaza, and the cost of being inside the room
Branded as multilateral, the Board of Peace risks hollowing out multilateral legitimacy by centralising power and sidelining existing institutions. Gaza is its first test. For the EU, being ‘inside the room’ may mean influence without authority; real leverage will come from political will, not Board membership.
www.iss.europa.eu
February 18, 2026 at 9:37 AM
“May”?
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
HD cameras, 3D laser scanning, microphones, 5G connectivity, and biometric sensors: modern EVs are potential spies on wheels.
Poland has become the first EU country to restrict entry of Chinese EVs into sensitive military sites.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Poland has become the first EU country to restrict entry of Chinese EVs into sensitive military sites.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Poland Bars Chinese-Made Cars From Army Sites Over Data Fears
Poland has banned Chinese-made cars from entering military facilities in an effort to bolster infrastructure security, according to the country’s General Staff.
www.bloomberg.com
February 18, 2026 at 7:49 AM
HD cameras, 3D laser scanning, microphones, 5G connectivity, and biometric sensors: modern EVs are potential spies on wheels.
Poland has become the first EU country to restrict entry of Chinese EVs into sensitive military sites.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Poland has become the first EU country to restrict entry of Chinese EVs into sensitive military sites.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
Went ahead and wrote a slightly expanded summary of Stanovaya's essay for today's Meduza newsletter: meduza.io/en/brief/202...
This was Russia today Tuesday, February 17, 2026 — Meduza
meduza.io
February 17, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Went ahead and wrote a slightly expanded summary of Stanovaya's essay for today's Meduza newsletter: meduza.io/en/brief/202...
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
Not sure if anything more precisely captures the whistling-past-the-graveyard complacency of the last decade than chatting with a fascist in a luxury resort about whether liberal democracy deserves to survive and then heading off for a bit of skiing.
February 17, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Not sure if anything more precisely captures the whistling-past-the-graveyard complacency of the last decade than chatting with a fascist in a luxury resort about whether liberal democracy deserves to survive and then heading off for a bit of skiing.
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
Failure to understand that Zelenskyy, more than any other actor, is subject to public opinion is the biggest blind spot in many analyses of the peace process.
EXCLUSIVE: Zelensky says Ukrainian public won't let him hand Russia territory
Zelensky says Ukrainian public won't let him hand Russia territory
"Emotionally, people will never forgive this," Zelensky told Axios.
trib.al
February 18, 2026 at 4:29 AM
Failure to understand that Zelenskyy, more than any other actor, is subject to public opinion is the biggest blind spot in many analyses of the peace process.
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
We know that the Oligarchs exploit our every vulnerability and yet we type our most sensitive questions into their "please exploit my vulnerabilities" machines.
February 17, 2026 at 8:37 PM
We know that the Oligarchs exploit our every vulnerability and yet we type our most sensitive questions into their "please exploit my vulnerabilities" machines.
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
🆕Europe is recalibrating its democracy agenda to look inwards.
The European Democracy Support Annual Review 2025, led by @richardyoungs.bsky.social, finds that the EU is defending norms at home after U.S. retreat.
Read the EU's best and worst democracy moves⤵️
The European Democracy Support Annual Review 2025, led by @richardyoungs.bsky.social, finds that the EU is defending norms at home after U.S. retreat.
Read the EU's best and worst democracy moves⤵️
European Democracy Support Annual Review 2025
European democracy support strategy in 2025 prioritized protecting democratic norms within Europe. This signals the start of a structural recalibration of the EU’s approach to democracy support.
carnegieendowment.org
February 17, 2026 at 9:45 PM
🆕Europe is recalibrating its democracy agenda to look inwards.
The European Democracy Support Annual Review 2025, led by @richardyoungs.bsky.social, finds that the EU is defending norms at home after U.S. retreat.
Read the EU's best and worst democracy moves⤵️
The European Democracy Support Annual Review 2025, led by @richardyoungs.bsky.social, finds that the EU is defending norms at home after U.S. retreat.
Read the EU's best and worst democracy moves⤵️
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
Today in free speech absolutism - US ambassador to Belgium threatens leader of the Flemish social democrats with diplomatic sanctions, because he criticised the ambassador’s outrageous interference in the judicial process. www.lesoir.be/729500/artic...
L’ambassadeur américain Bill White menace Conner Rousseau de sanctions diplomatiques
L’ambassadeur américain exige des excuses de Conner Rousseau, sans lesquelles des sanctions diplomatiques pourraient être prises, selon le « Nieuwsblad ».
www.lesoir.be
February 17, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Today in free speech absolutism - US ambassador to Belgium threatens leader of the Flemish social democrats with diplomatic sanctions, because he criticised the ambassador’s outrageous interference in the judicial process. www.lesoir.be/729500/artic...
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
Zelensky tells Axios that he doesn't believe Ukrainian voters would accept Russia's demands that Kyiv surrender the still-unoccupied Donbas area. He also hints at a reelection run, maybe walking back a previous statement that he'll step away from politics after the war. www.axios.com/2026/02/17/u...
Zelensky says Ukrainian public won't let him hand Russia territory
"Emotionally, people will never forgive this," Zelensky told Axios.
www.axios.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Zelensky tells Axios that he doesn't believe Ukrainian voters would accept Russia's demands that Kyiv surrender the still-unoccupied Donbas area. He also hints at a reelection run, maybe walking back a previous statement that he'll step away from politics after the war. www.axios.com/2026/02/17/u...
One is left to imagine Lindsey Graham's F-bombing
On Saturday, Sen. Lindsey Graham unloaded on the PMs of Greenland and Denmark, telling them that if Trump wanted to take Greenland, they'd just have to deal with it. “Lots of F-bombs,” said one person in attendance.
My latest.
puck.news/inside-linds...
My latest.
puck.news/inside-linds...
La La Greenland
At the Munich Security Conference, American lawmakers struggled to reassure European allies who are still traumatized by Trump’s threats to invade Greenland. Lindsey Graham’s F-bombs didn’t help.
puck.news
February 17, 2026 at 4:59 PM
One is left to imagine Lindsey Graham's F-bombing
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
You work at a civil society organisation.
You do your job well.
You have a quiet life.
And one day, your name shows up in a politically charged U.S. Senate report on the EU's approach to digital regulation.
👇
You do your job well.
You have a quiet life.
And one day, your name shows up in a politically charged U.S. Senate report on the EU's approach to digital regulation.
👇
February 17, 2026 at 1:44 PM
You work at a civil society organisation.
You do your job well.
You have a quiet life.
And one day, your name shows up in a politically charged U.S. Senate report on the EU's approach to digital regulation.
👇
You do your job well.
You have a quiet life.
And one day, your name shows up in a politically charged U.S. Senate report on the EU's approach to digital regulation.
👇
For the first time, and I am a bit surprised it did not happen sooner, I have encountered the New Yorker's infamous-ludicrous umlaut "in the wild".
I have found Patient Zero.
I am never leaving the house again.
I have found Patient Zero.
I am never leaving the house again.
February 17, 2026 at 3:13 PM
For the first time, and I am a bit surprised it did not happen sooner, I have encountered the New Yorker's infamous-ludicrous umlaut "in the wild".
I have found Patient Zero.
I am never leaving the house again.
I have found Patient Zero.
I am never leaving the house again.
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
Join us in Regensburg or online on Feb 27 (Friday)!
I'll talk about Fidesz's allience building in Europe, but we will also cover its transatlantic networking and influence in the Western Balkans.
Details: sogde.org/de/events/sy...
I'll talk about Fidesz's allience building in Europe, but we will also cover its transatlantic networking and influence in the Western Balkans.
Details: sogde.org/de/events/sy...
Join us next week for a symposium on how the Hungarian government has been actively seeking to transnationalize its political project and position itself as a reference point for like-minded forces in Europe and beyond.
Registration to participate in Regensburg or online: sogde.org/de/events/sy...
Registration to participate in Regensburg or online: sogde.org/de/events/sy...
February 17, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Join us in Regensburg or online on Feb 27 (Friday)!
I'll talk about Fidesz's allience building in Europe, but we will also cover its transatlantic networking and influence in the Western Balkans.
Details: sogde.org/de/events/sy...
I'll talk about Fidesz's allience building in Europe, but we will also cover its transatlantic networking and influence in the Western Balkans.
Details: sogde.org/de/events/sy...
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
💡 New event video
🎙️Batuhan Eren (Scuola Normale Superiore), @caterinafr.bsky.social @sciencespo-cee.bsky.social, Sylvia Kritzinger (Uni Vienna) & @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social explores how illiberal actors shape politics in Austria, Italy & France
👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-42...
🎙️Batuhan Eren (Scuola Normale Superiore), @caterinafr.bsky.social @sciencespo-cee.bsky.social, Sylvia Kritzinger (Uni Vienna) & @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social explores how illiberal actors shape politics in Austria, Italy & France
👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-42...
The Rise of Illiberal Challengers in Western Europe
YouTube video by AUTHLIB
www.youtube.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:23 PM
💡 New event video
🎙️Batuhan Eren (Scuola Normale Superiore), @caterinafr.bsky.social @sciencespo-cee.bsky.social, Sylvia Kritzinger (Uni Vienna) & @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social explores how illiberal actors shape politics in Austria, Italy & France
👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-42...
🎙️Batuhan Eren (Scuola Normale Superiore), @caterinafr.bsky.social @sciencespo-cee.bsky.social, Sylvia Kritzinger (Uni Vienna) & @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social explores how illiberal actors shape politics in Austria, Italy & France
👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-42...
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
🇸🇰💶🇪🇺📰Honestly didn't see that coming - Slovak daily @dennikn.bsky.social buys EUobserver.
We have exciting news.
EUobserver is joining journalist-owned Slovak publishing house Denník N, to strengthen its long-term sustainability, resilience, and capacity for growth — while fully preserving its editorial independence.
Read more here: euobserver.com/203123/euobs...
EUobserver is joining journalist-owned Slovak publishing house Denník N, to strengthen its long-term sustainability, resilience, and capacity for growth — while fully preserving its editorial independence.
Read more here: euobserver.com/203123/euobs...
February 17, 2026 at 12:56 PM
🇸🇰💶🇪🇺📰Honestly didn't see that coming - Slovak daily @dennikn.bsky.social buys EUobserver.
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
The only question worth asking at these incredibly flash Reform press conferences that take place every week now, is who is paying for all of this and what do they want in return bsky.app/profile/pete...
I’m in Westminster where Nigel Farage is about to unveil his ‘shadow cabinet’ and the decor is slightly bonkers. Looks like he’s going to launch a Simon Cowell-era boyband instead.
February 17, 2026 at 10:39 AM
The only question worth asking at these incredibly flash Reform press conferences that take place every week now, is who is paying for all of this and what do they want in return bsky.app/profile/pete...
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
Remember when Rubio criticised Hungary's democratic backsliding?
What changed? Certainly not Hungary's democratic backsliding
What changed? Certainly not Hungary's democratic backsliding
February 16, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Remember when Rubio criticised Hungary's democratic backsliding?
What changed? Certainly not Hungary's democratic backsliding
What changed? Certainly not Hungary's democratic backsliding
Reposted by Nicolas Bouchet
"Reversing the decline of media freedom will require not only legal reform, but also political will, independent institutions, and the effective enforcement of European standards."
New Report on Suppression of Independent Media in Hungary since 2010.
New Report on Suppression of Independent Media in Hungary since 2010.
www.law.nyu.edu
February 16, 2026 at 9:01 PM
"Reversing the decline of media freedom will require not only legal reform, but also political will, independent institutions, and the effective enforcement of European standards."
New Report on Suppression of Independent Media in Hungary since 2010.
New Report on Suppression of Independent Media in Hungary since 2010.