Noah Barkin
@noahbarkin.bsky.social
Watching 🇪🇺 🇨🇳 🇺🇸 for Rhodium Group & GMF in Berlin. Sign up for my monthly newsletter (noahbarkin.substack.com)
Marco Rubio will head to Hungary and Slovakia - both led by Russia-friendly illiberal leaders - after attending the Munich Security Conference. See my latest read on how the Trump administration is seeking to undermine the EU from within
open.substack.com/pub/nbarkin/...
open.substack.com/pub/nbarkin/...
Munich to Milan
The European backlash against MAGA is building
open.substack.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:37 AM
Marco Rubio will head to Hungary and Slovakia - both led by Russia-friendly illiberal leaders - after attending the Munich Security Conference. See my latest read on how the Trump administration is seeking to undermine the EU from within
open.substack.com/pub/nbarkin/...
open.substack.com/pub/nbarkin/...
Europe is dealing with a Trump administration that is “openly anti-European”, “shows contempt” for the EU and “wishes its dismemberment”, French President Emmanuel Macron tells the FT
www.ft.com/content/b5b2...
www.ft.com/content/b5b2...
EU-US tensions over Greenland and tech are far from over, says Macron
French president calls on bloc to take the necessary steps to become a true global economic power
www.ft.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:19 AM
Europe is dealing with a Trump administration that is “openly anti-European”, “shows contempt” for the EU and “wishes its dismemberment”, French President Emmanuel Macron tells the FT
www.ft.com/content/b5b2...
www.ft.com/content/b5b2...
Two weeks before Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes his first trip to China, my Rhodium Group colleague Gregor Williams and I have taken a fresh look at the numbers behind Germany’s economic relationship with China.
rhg.com/research/ger...
rhg.com/research/ger...
Germany’s “China Shock” Revisited
Over the past year, German political leaders, central bankers, business associations and unions have begun talking openly about the risks of a “China shock.” The rhetoric, however, has not been matche...
rhg.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:45 AM
Two weeks before Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes his first trip to China, my Rhodium Group colleague Gregor Williams and I have taken a fresh look at the numbers behind Germany’s economic relationship with China.
rhg.com/research/ger...
rhg.com/research/ger...
Keir < 🥬
"Sir Keir is the most unpopular British prime minister since records began" www.economist.com/britain/2026...
February 9, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Keir < 🥬
A new piece on the growing European backlash against Trump's push to "cultivate resistance" to liberal democracy under the guise of free speech.
open.substack.com/pub/nbarkin/...
open.substack.com/pub/nbarkin/...
Vance in Munich - one year on
The backlash in Europe is building
open.substack.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:40 PM
A new piece on the growing European backlash against Trump's push to "cultivate resistance" to liberal democracy under the guise of free speech.
open.substack.com/pub/nbarkin/...
open.substack.com/pub/nbarkin/...
Takaichi’s LDP on course for crushing victory in Japan’s elections. China’s coercive pressure campaign against her has clearly backfired
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Liberal Democratic Party on course for large majority in Japan election
Exit polls suggest Sanae Takaichi’s ruling party and its coalition partner could win 366 seats
giftarticle.ft.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Takaichi’s LDP on course for crushing victory in Japan’s elections. China’s coercive pressure campaign against her has clearly backfired
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
A real president, worthy of the office
🇲🇩🇺🇦 Moldovan President Sandu said that she is against her nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, because there are more worthy candidates - Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Sandu emphasized that it is Ukrainians who are truly sacrificing themselves for the sake of peace and security in Ukraine and the EU.
Sandu emphasized that it is Ukrainians who are truly sacrificing themselves for the sake of peace and security in Ukraine and the EU.
February 8, 2026 at 9:11 AM
A real president, worthy of the office
I don’t think these guys understand the level of hatred they have engendered in Europe
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/w...
JD Vance Booed at Olympic Opening Ceremony in Milan
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:49 AM
I don’t think these guys understand the level of hatred they have engendered in Europe
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/w...
FT editorial board: “Starmer’s misjudgments have become a pattern and they point to a vacuum at the heart of government. This is a leader who lacks not just political vision but political judgment”
www.ft.com/content/dcfd...
www.ft.com/content/dcfd...
Keir Starmer’s weakening grip on power
Mandelson’s ties to Epstein have damaged the prime minister, perhaps fatally
www.ft.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:42 AM
FT editorial board: “Starmer’s misjudgments have become a pattern and they point to a vacuum at the heart of government. This is a leader who lacks not just political vision but political judgment”
www.ft.com/content/dcfd...
www.ft.com/content/dcfd...
International travel to the US has plunged in the first year of Trump's second term. Erik Hansen of the US Travel Association says foreign visitors declined by roughly 11 million last year, equivalent to $50 billion in lost spending.
www.ft.com/content/8f6d...
www.ft.com/content/8f6d...
Donald Trump’s policies dent international travel to US in blow to tourism sector
Foreign visitors to the US fell 4.2% in 2025, while international travel worldwide rose 4%
www.ft.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:45 AM
International travel to the US has plunged in the first year of Trump's second term. Erik Hansen of the US Travel Association says foreign visitors declined by roughly 11 million last year, equivalent to $50 billion in lost spending.
www.ft.com/content/8f6d...
www.ft.com/content/8f6d...
Reposted by Noah Barkin
Two new military spy scandals in Europe involving China - in Greece & France
1. In Greece, authorities arrested an air force officer on suspicion of espionage after he allegedly collected and transmitted classified military info – including material related to NATO – to China
1. In Greece, authorities arrested an air force officer on suspicion of espionage after he allegedly collected and transmitted classified military info – including material related to NATO – to China
February 6, 2026 at 7:35 AM
Two new military spy scandals in Europe involving China - in Greece & France
1. In Greece, authorities arrested an air force officer on suspicion of espionage after he allegedly collected and transmitted classified military info – including material related to NATO – to China
1. In Greece, authorities arrested an air force officer on suspicion of espionage after he allegedly collected and transmitted classified military info – including material related to NATO – to China
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe, with initial focus on London, Paris, Berlin and Brussels.
www.ft.com/content/f869...
www.ft.com/content/f869...
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe
State department grants to spread ‘American values’ are part of Washington’s 250th anniversary celebrations
www.ft.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:10 AM
US government to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities in Europe, with initial focus on London, Paris, Berlin and Brussels.
www.ft.com/content/f869...
www.ft.com/content/f869...
The earlier belief in Berlin and other capitals was that Russia wouldn’t be able to threaten NATO until 2029 or so. There is now a growing consensus that such a crisis could come much sooner—before Europe is in a position to fight back
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
A Wargame Shows Just How Vulnerable Europe Is to a Russian Attack
With America disengaging, Russia might be ready for a new war much sooner than previously estimated.
www.wsj.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:47 PM
The earlier belief in Berlin and other capitals was that Russia wouldn’t be able to threaten NATO until 2029 or so. There is now a growing consensus that such a crisis could come much sooner—before Europe is in a position to fight back
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
But we can all be grateful to Bezos for giving us “Melania” for a tidy $40 million
How Jeff Bezos (and Will Lewis) brought the Washington Post down
www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...
www.newyorker.com/news/annals-...
How Jeff Bezos Brought Down the Washington Post
The Amazon founder bought the paper to save it. Instead, with a mass layoff, he’s forced it into severe decline.
www.newyorker.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:45 AM
But we can all be grateful to Bezos for giving us “Melania” for a tidy $40 million
Prominent media organizations (Reuters not alone) are still treating Trump's Truth Social posts as fact instead of fiction (which is what they usually are). You need the source in this headline
www.reuters.com/world/india/...
www.reuters.com/world/india/...
US to cut tariffs on India to 18%, India agrees to end Russian oil purchases
A White House official told Reuters that the U.S. was rescinding a punitive 25% duty on all imports from India over its purchases of Russian oil that had stacked on top of a 25% "reciprocal" tariff ra...
www.reuters.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Prominent media organizations (Reuters not alone) are still treating Trump's Truth Social posts as fact instead of fiction (which is what they usually are). You need the source in this headline
www.reuters.com/world/india/...
www.reuters.com/world/india/...
Rheinmetall is pushing into a dizzying array of technologies and geographies as boss Armin Papperger seeks to turn the German firm into a multi-domain group akin to big US defence contractors
www.ft.com/content/a326...
www.ft.com/content/a326...
From arms to orbit: Rheinmetall’s expansion unsettles rivals
German group’s outspoken boss Armin Papperger wants to ‘catch’ €300bn in European deals by 2030
www.ft.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Rheinmetall is pushing into a dizzying array of technologies and geographies as boss Armin Papperger seeks to turn the German firm into a multi-domain group akin to big US defence contractors
www.ft.com/content/a326...
www.ft.com/content/a326...
Big FT story: European security officials believe Russian space vehicles have intercepted the communications of at least a dozen European satellites. This could compromise sensitive information and allow Moscow to manipulate their trajectories or even crash them
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Russian spy spacecraft have intercepted Europe’s key satellites, officials believe
Unencrypted European communications are being targeted by Moscow
giftarticle.ft.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Big FT story: European security officials believe Russian space vehicles have intercepted the communications of at least a dozen European satellites. This could compromise sensitive information and allow Moscow to manipulate their trajectories or even crash them
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
The EU is showing Trump what the "art of the deal" really looks like @latikambourke.com
thenightly.com.au/politics/eur...
thenightly.com.au/politics/eur...
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to visit Australia for supersized trade deal
Europe and Australia are poised to ink a supersized deal spanning security cooperation, critical minerals and trade, breaking nearly a decade of deadlock over trade talks, The Nightly can reveal.
thenightly.com.au
February 3, 2026 at 9:32 PM
The EU is showing Trump what the "art of the deal" really looks like @latikambourke.com
thenightly.com.au/politics/eur...
thenightly.com.au/politics/eur...
Watching China in Europe has moved to Substack! Read my latest on Trump's critical minerals plan, Europe's new realism with China, and the upcoming trip of German Chancellor Merz. And don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already.
nbarkin.substack.com/p/watching-c...
nbarkin.substack.com/p/watching-c...
Watching China in Europe - February 2026
The race for critical minerals
nbarkin.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Watching China in Europe has moved to Substack! Read my latest on Trump's critical minerals plan, Europe's new realism with China, and the upcoming trip of German Chancellor Merz. And don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already.
nbarkin.substack.com/p/watching-c...
nbarkin.substack.com/p/watching-c...
Well done Spain. This should be EU-wide. A first (but hopefully not last) signal to the tech bros that their dystopian vision has no place in Europe
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Spain to ban social media access for under-16s
Move follows Australia’s decision to introduce age-based restrictions over child safety concerns
giftarticle.ft.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Well done Spain. This should be EU-wide. A first (but hopefully not last) signal to the tech bros that their dystopian vision has no place in Europe
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Kathy Ruemmler, now general counsel at Goldman Sachs, advised Jeffrey Epstein on how to respond to press coverage of his sex crimes and accepted lavish gifts from the paedophile
www.ft.com/content/1fdb...
www.ft.com/content/1fdb...
February 3, 2026 at 5:58 AM
Kathy Ruemmler, now general counsel at Goldman Sachs, advised Jeffrey Epstein on how to respond to press coverage of his sex crimes and accepted lavish gifts from the paedophile
www.ft.com/content/1fdb...
www.ft.com/content/1fdb...
Judge frees 5-year-old detained by ICE and takes aim at Trump: “For some among us, the perfidious lust for unbridled power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds and are bereft of human decency”
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Judge orders release of 5-year-old detained by ICE in Minnesota
The judge accused the Trump administration of inhumanity in its approach to deportations.
www.politico.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Judge frees 5-year-old detained by ICE and takes aim at Trump: “For some among us, the perfidious lust for unbridled power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds and are bereft of human decency”
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Noah Barkin
"Breaking the military’s capacity to resist the party’s commands, especially in a crisis, is of utmost importance to Xi—even more so than...combat readiness. His driving concerns about party control of the military ... are existential." www.foreignaffairs.com/china/xi-des...
Xi the Destroyer
The latest military purge signals China’s leader is entering a new era.
www.foreignaffairs.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:45 PM
"Breaking the military’s capacity to resist the party’s commands, especially in a crisis, is of utmost importance to Xi—even more so than...combat readiness. His driving concerns about party control of the military ... are existential." www.foreignaffairs.com/china/xi-des...