Nicholas Lokker
@nlokker.bsky.social
Adjunct Fellow at at the Center for a New American Security | Transatlantic Russia policy | European integration | Russian foreign policy | International norms & institutions | Duke and GeorgetownSFS alum | https://nicholaslokker.com/
Glad to have offered some thoughts to this @euronews.com piece on the U.S. approach to EU enlargement. While enlargement has largely been out of focus of the Trump administration, supporting it nonetheless remains in the U.S. interest.
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
Spoiler or supporter? Trump silent on EU enlargement process
Washington has historically supported the enlargement process on the basis that more member states joining the EU means more business and influence. Not anymore. Donald Trump couldn’t care less, exper...
www.euronews.com
November 3, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Glad to have offered some thoughts to this @euronews.com piece on the U.S. approach to EU enlargement. While enlargement has largely been out of focus of the Trump administration, supporting it nonetheless remains in the U.S. interest.
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
Reposted by Nicholas Lokker
🚨🚨Things are just getting worse. 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
US accused of threatening EU diplomats during bid to kill green shipping rules
Negotiators at shipping talks in London were told both they and their countries could be punished unless they voted with the U.S.
www.politico.eu
November 3, 2025 at 12:07 PM
🚨🚨Things are just getting worse. 🧵
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
Interesting news from Northern Cyprus -- a potential opening to resolve a frozen conflict that has posed a headache for the European Union for decades. on.ft.com/470be0h
Pro-reunification candidate wins north Cyprus election
Tufan Erhürman’s victory deals a blow to Turkey’s influence on the island
on.ft.com
October 20, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Interesting news from Northern Cyprus -- a potential opening to resolve a frozen conflict that has posed a headache for the European Union for decades. on.ft.com/470be0h
"Vladimir Putin on Monday signed legislation withdrawing Russia from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture, marking another step in Moscow’s systematic exit from Western institutions since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine."
meduza.io/en/news/2025...
meduza.io/en/news/2025...
Putin signs law finalizing Russia’s withdrawal from European anti-torture convention — Meduza
Vladimir Putin on Monday signed legislation withdrawing Russia from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture, marking another step in Moscow’s systematic exit from Western institutions si...
meduza.io
October 1, 2025 at 1:22 AM
"Vladimir Putin on Monday signed legislation withdrawing Russia from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture, marking another step in Moscow’s systematic exit from Western institutions since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine."
meduza.io/en/news/2025...
meduza.io/en/news/2025...
As Albania makes rapid progress toward EU accession, PM Edi Rama says of the European Union: "This is an empire we want to be part of, an empire of values, rights, and security."
www.eunews.it/en/2025/09/1...
www.eunews.it/en/2025/09/1...
Albania races toward the EU. Rama calls it 'The Empire of Values and Rights'
The socialist premier in Brussels to officially open the fourth negotiation cluster, the fifth in 11 months. Marta Kos: 'Positive change is possible'. Goal remains to close all chapters by 2027
www.eunews.it
September 18, 2025 at 1:21 PM
As Albania makes rapid progress toward EU accession, PM Edi Rama says of the European Union: "This is an empire we want to be part of, an empire of values, rights, and security."
www.eunews.it/en/2025/09/1...
www.eunews.it/en/2025/09/1...
Reposted by Nicholas Lokker
Some personal news:
I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting.
Thread incoming.
substack.com/@karenattiah...
I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting.
Thread incoming.
substack.com/@karenattiah...
The Washington Post Fired Me — But My Voice Will Not Be Silenced.
I spoke out against hatred and violence in America — and it cost me my job.
substack.com
September 15, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Some personal news:
I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting.
Thread incoming.
substack.com/@karenattiah...
I've been fired from the Washington Post in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk shooting.
Thread incoming.
substack.com/@karenattiah...
"Contrary to what top US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have suggested as major concessions, Lokker says that there is little evidence that Russia’s stance has changed following Trump’s separate talks with Putin, Zelenskyy, and other European leaders."
bit.ly/467qszZ
bit.ly/467qszZ
Did Putin outplay Trump at Alaska summit? What Russia’s response to peace proposals tells us
As Russia continues to press for its demands to be met for next stage of peace talks while the US looks impatient for Ukraine truce, geopolitics experts say that the post-Alaska summit developments in...
www.firstpost.com
August 25, 2025 at 10:30 PM
"Contrary to what top US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have suggested as major concessions, Lokker says that there is little evidence that Russia’s stance has changed following Trump’s separate talks with Putin, Zelenskyy, and other European leaders."
bit.ly/467qszZ
bit.ly/467qszZ
Reposted by Nicholas Lokker
In this morning's newsletter, I wrote about an under-appreciated problem for liberalism — its total failure to cultivate young talent www.vox.com/on-the-right...
How conservatives help their young thinkers — and why liberals don’t
Liberalism has a serious pipeline problem.
www.vox.com
August 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
In this morning's newsletter, I wrote about an under-appreciated problem for liberalism — its total failure to cultivate young talent www.vox.com/on-the-right...
Reposted by Nicholas Lokker
To put it simply: Putin played Trump. Again. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Limits of Trump’s diplomacy clear as Moscow balks at Ukraine plan
Moscow has resisted a Putin-Zelensky summit and security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump claims that the Kremlin’s position has changed, leaving analysts puzzled.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM
To put it simply: Putin played Trump. Again. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
I shared my thoughts with @dgprawna.bsky.social on a potential Zelensky-Putin summit, suggesting that Geneva or Istanbul could be suitable locations for the meeting given the relative neutrality of Switzerland and Turkey in the conflict.
Read here (in Polish): www.gazetaprawna.pl/wiadomosci/k...
Read here (in Polish): www.gazetaprawna.pl/wiadomosci/k...
Szczyt Zełenski-Putin. Eksperci wskazują najlepsze miejsce spotkania
Rzym, Genewa, Stambuł, Budapeszt, a nawet Mińsk czy Moskwa – to miasta wymieniane jako możliwe miejsce spotkania prezydentów Ukrainy i Rosji, Wołodymyra Zełenskiego i Władimira Putina, w ramach proces...
www.gazetaprawna.pl
August 21, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I shared my thoughts with @dgprawna.bsky.social on a potential Zelensky-Putin summit, suggesting that Geneva or Istanbul could be suitable locations for the meeting given the relative neutrality of Switzerland and Turkey in the conflict.
Read here (in Polish): www.gazetaprawna.pl/wiadomosci/k...
Read here (in Polish): www.gazetaprawna.pl/wiadomosci/k...
Interesting move by Trump here -- real pressure from the White House on Budapest to unblock Kyiv's EU accession could make a significant difference. This is one potentially positive outcome of European leaders' visit to Washington on Monday.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
After Putin Call, Trump Rang Orban Over Ukraine EU Membership
US President Donald Trump called Viktor Orban on Monday following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders to discuss why the Hungarian prime minister was blocking Ukrai...
www.bloomberg.com
August 20, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Interesting move by Trump here -- real pressure from the White House on Budapest to unblock Kyiv's EU accession could make a significant difference. This is one potentially positive outcome of European leaders' visit to Washington on Monday.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Nicholas Lokker
“Putin made it clear that he had not dropped his core demands to ‘resolve the root causes’ of the conflict, which would essentially end Ukraine’s statehood in its current form and roll back Nato’s eastward expansion.”
Putin demanded Ukraine cede Donetsk and Luhansk in exchange for freezing rest of front line
Russian president reiterated ‘core demands’ that would undermine Ukraine’s statehood and roll back Nato expansion
www.ft.com
August 16, 2025 at 4:05 PM
“Putin made it clear that he had not dropped his core demands to ‘resolve the root causes’ of the conflict, which would essentially end Ukraine’s statehood in its current form and roll back Nato’s eastward expansion.”
Reposted by Nicholas Lokker
Maybe tempting for Europeans to say “it could have been worse” but Alaska still pretty bad:
1. Putin gets red carpet treatment and applause. US/Russia normalised. A win.
2. No ceasefire and no sanctions either. After Trump said he would.
3. Trump back to putting pressure on Ukraine to accept
1. Putin gets red carpet treatment and applause. US/Russia normalised. A win.
2. No ceasefire and no sanctions either. After Trump said he would.
3. Trump back to putting pressure on Ukraine to accept
August 16, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Maybe tempting for Europeans to say “it could have been worse” but Alaska still pretty bad:
1. Putin gets red carpet treatment and applause. US/Russia normalised. A win.
2. No ceasefire and no sanctions either. After Trump said he would.
3. Trump back to putting pressure on Ukraine to accept
1. Putin gets red carpet treatment and applause. US/Russia normalised. A win.
2. No ceasefire and no sanctions either. After Trump said he would.
3. Trump back to putting pressure on Ukraine to accept
“It seems very possible that Obamaworld views Mr. Mamdani differently: not as a threat or a liability, but as a promising figure in a Democratic Party with a pressing need for fresh blood.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/o...
Opinion | Some Democrats Panicked Over Mamdani. Obama Called Him.
www.nytimes.com
August 14, 2025 at 5:17 AM
“It seems very possible that Obamaworld views Mr. Mamdani differently: not as a threat or a liability, but as a promising figure in a Democratic Party with a pressing need for fresh blood.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/13/o...
"Europe’s increased defense spending may please the US and enrich its defense industry, but it risks militarization without genuine autonomy, reinforcing transatlantic dependence rather than fostering European self-sufficiency."
nationalinterest.org/feature/can-...
nationalinterest.org/feature/can-...
Can Europe Defend Itself Without US Military Support?
Europe’s increased defense spending may please the US and enrich its defense industry, but it risks militarization without genuine autonomy, reinforcing transatlantic dependence rather than fostering ...
nationalinterest.org
August 8, 2025 at 9:07 PM
"Europe’s increased defense spending may please the US and enrich its defense industry, but it risks militarization without genuine autonomy, reinforcing transatlantic dependence rather than fostering European self-sufficiency."
nationalinterest.org/feature/can-...
nationalinterest.org/feature/can-...
If Lukashenko truly does decline to run for another term, we should expect Putin to start maneuvering to ensure a pro-Kremlin leader takes his place—especially given Lukashenko's statement this his son Nikolai would not be a successor.
newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/lukashe...
newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/lukashe...
Lukashenko makes statement about his successor and promises not to run in next election
Read more
newsukraine.rbc.ua
August 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
If Lukashenko truly does decline to run for another term, we should expect Putin to start maneuvering to ensure a pro-Kremlin leader takes his place—especially given Lukashenko's statement this his son Nikolai would not be a successor.
newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/lukashe...
newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/lukashe...
"More than a dozen House Democrats have now signed onto a letter urging the Trump administration to recognize a Palestinian state...The lawmakers pointed to French President Emmanuel Macron's recent pledge to recognize the State of Palestine at a UN meeting in September."
bit.ly/47odn6r
bit.ly/47odn6r
Scoop: Gaza is fueling a growing push among Democrats for Palestinian statehood
Over a dozen Democrats signed a letter advocating Palestinian statehood, and one plans to introduce a statehood resolution.
www.axios.com
August 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
"More than a dozen House Democrats have now signed onto a letter urging the Trump administration to recognize a Palestinian state...The lawmakers pointed to French President Emmanuel Macron's recent pledge to recognize the State of Palestine at a UN meeting in September."
bit.ly/47odn6r
bit.ly/47odn6r
Reposted by Nicholas Lokker
New poll: People across the world say companies selling weapons, fuel, or heavy machinery to Israel should be held accountable for how those products are used in Gaza.
palenergyembargo.com/news/press-p...
palenergyembargo.com/news/press-p...
August 7, 2025 at 11:55 AM
New poll: People across the world say companies selling weapons, fuel, or heavy machinery to Israel should be held accountable for how those products are used in Gaza.
palenergyembargo.com/news/press-p...
palenergyembargo.com/news/press-p...
"Peace research is often grouped with conflict and security studies, and the balance between them is an old source of contention and debate. Yet, at the present moment, it is a real issue that there seems to be so much more of the latter and so relatively little of the former."
bit.ly/45F1TKo
bit.ly/45F1TKo
Peace research is not defense research: Time to insist on tougher questions – Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)
It requires greater engagement from us as a peace research community to show why peace itself is important — indeed, the most important — public good o ...
www.prio.org
August 6, 2025 at 6:22 PM
"Peace research is often grouped with conflict and security studies, and the balance between them is an old source of contention and debate. Yet, at the present moment, it is a real issue that there seems to be so much more of the latter and so relatively little of the former."
bit.ly/45F1TKo
bit.ly/45F1TKo
Toward potential realignment on transatlantic Russia policy?
"Brussels and Washington appear to be moving in the same direction, plotting sanctions against Beijing and Delhi, respectively, over their persistent enabling of Moscow throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine."
bit.ly/47fzKeb
"Brussels and Washington appear to be moving in the same direction, plotting sanctions against Beijing and Delhi, respectively, over their persistent enabling of Moscow throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine."
bit.ly/47fzKeb
Punishing Putin’s enablers India and China
Presented by Mediterranea Saving Humans By SARAH WHEATON with ZOYA SHEFTALOVICH PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Contact us on X @NicholasVinocur @swheaton @TimRoss_1 | Listen to Playbook and view in …
bit.ly
August 6, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Toward potential realignment on transatlantic Russia policy?
"Brussels and Washington appear to be moving in the same direction, plotting sanctions against Beijing and Delhi, respectively, over their persistent enabling of Moscow throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine."
bit.ly/47fzKeb
"Brussels and Washington appear to be moving in the same direction, plotting sanctions against Beijing and Delhi, respectively, over their persistent enabling of Moscow throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine."
bit.ly/47fzKeb
As Andrea Kendall-Taylor and I highlighted in our new @cnas.bsky.social report on the Axis of Upheaval, intensifying Russian-Iranian partnership poses a major risk for the future of the nonproliferation regime. This @financialtimes.com coverage vividly illustrates this trend.
on.ft.com/40PdzHT
on.ft.com/40PdzHT
The covert trip by Iranian nuclear experts to Russia
An Iranian delegation visited Russian scientific institutes that produce dual-use technologies — components with potential applications in nuclear weapons research
on.ft.com
August 6, 2025 at 5:46 PM
As Andrea Kendall-Taylor and I highlighted in our new @cnas.bsky.social report on the Axis of Upheaval, intensifying Russian-Iranian partnership poses a major risk for the future of the nonproliferation regime. This @financialtimes.com coverage vividly illustrates this trend.
on.ft.com/40PdzHT
on.ft.com/40PdzHT
"A Moldovan court jailed a pro-Kremlin regional leader on Tuesday for seven years for channelling money from Russia to finance a political party that Moldova says is a front for Russian meddling."
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
Moldovan regional leader jailed for aiding Russian meddling
A Moldovan court jailed a pro-Kremlin regional leader on Tuesday for seven years for channelling money from Russia to finance a political party that Moldova says is a front for Russian meddling.
www.reuters.com
August 5, 2025 at 12:40 PM
"A Moldovan court jailed a pro-Kremlin regional leader on Tuesday for seven years for channelling money from Russia to finance a political party that Moldova says is a front for Russian meddling."
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
www.reuters.com/world/europe...
Thanks to Andreas Kluth from @opinion.bloomberg.com for covering my new @cnas.bsky.social ky.social report with Andrea Kendall-Taylor on the Axis of Upheaval:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
The Anti-US Axis Isn’t Dead, Just Resting
Russia, China and North Korea failed to help Iran when it was getting bombed by the US. And yet their four-way coalition lives on and will become more ominous.
www.bloomberg.com
August 1, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Thanks to Andreas Kluth from @opinion.bloomberg.com for covering my new @cnas.bsky.social ky.social report with Andrea Kendall-Taylor on the Axis of Upheaval:
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
"Russia’s Presidential Directorate for Public Projects quickly circulated a short set of talking points for state-run and pro-government media and bloggers. The document instructs them to frame the U.S.-E.U. deal as 'questionable for Europe' — or even 'a defeat for the E.U.'"
bit.ly/45aoIEr
bit.ly/45aoIEr
‘Maybe it will distract people from rising prices’ What the Kremlin’s latest propaganda guide tells state media to say about Trump’s E.U. trade deal — Meduza
The Kremlin’s latest set of talking points for pro-government media focuses on the new trade deal between Washington and Brussels, which Moscow hopes to cast as a “defeat” for Europe. The guide instru...
meduza.io
July 30, 2025 at 8:40 PM
"Russia’s Presidential Directorate for Public Projects quickly circulated a short set of talking points for state-run and pro-government media and bloggers. The document instructs them to frame the U.S.-E.U. deal as 'questionable for Europe' — or even 'a defeat for the E.U.'"
bit.ly/45aoIEr
bit.ly/45aoIEr
"When predicting which country would be the next to join the European Union, the smart money seems to be on Montenegro...But the right answer may actually be Iceland."
www.rferl.org/a/wider-euro...
www.rferl.org/a/wider-euro...
Ukraine Does An Anti-Corruption U-Turn; Iceland Flirts With EU Membership
This week, RFE/RL Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak drills down on two major issues: Ukraine’s wobbly week and Iceland’s flirting with EU membership.
www.rferl.org
July 29, 2025 at 4:32 PM
"When predicting which country would be the next to join the European Union, the smart money seems to be on Montenegro...But the right answer may actually be Iceland."
www.rferl.org/a/wider-euro...
www.rferl.org/a/wider-euro...