Paul T. Levin
@paultlevin.bsky.social
Director of the Stockholm University Institute for Turkish Studies. Managing Director Consortium for European Symposia on Turkey. Docent (Assoc. Prof.) of and pontificator on international relations. Opinionated. Painter.
Pinned
Paul T. Levin
@paultlevin.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
sorry Pink Floyd, turns out that we needed education. a lot of it. all of the education, really
February 15, 2026 at 5:38 AM
sorry Pink Floyd, turns out that we needed education. a lot of it. all of the education, really
A Norwegian researcher who was a prominent skeptic of the claims that U.S. spies & diplomats stationed in Havana, Moscow & elsewhere had been attacked using a directed energy weapon, built one & tested it ON HIMSELF to prove his case. He ended up with Havana-like symptoms…
Researcher skeptical of ‘Havana syndrome’ tested secret weapon on himself
The CIA investigated a Norwegian government experiment with a pulsed-energy machine in which a researcher built and tested a “Havana syndrome” device on himself.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:11 AM
A Norwegian researcher who was a prominent skeptic of the claims that U.S. spies & diplomats stationed in Havana, Moscow & elsewhere had been attacked using a directed energy weapon, built one & tested it ON HIMSELF to prove his case. He ended up with Havana-like symptoms…
I’ve been posting about one transatlantic brawl, but a much bigger one just surfaced, between Canada and Sweden!
CURLING BEEF! CURLING BEEF! CURLING BEEF! CURLING BEEF!
(I never post Olympic videos bc the IOC will hunt you down but I am taking that risk so that you can hear the Canadian curling cursing)
(I never post Olympic videos bc the IOC will hunt you down but I am taking that risk so that you can hear the Canadian curling cursing)
February 14, 2026 at 9:04 PM
I’ve been posting about one transatlantic brawl, but a much bigger one just surfaced, between Canada and Sweden!
US reps in Munich can pretend like all they want is for Europe to take greater responsibility. European leaders have to be diplomatic, but analysts/IR scholars like myself can tell it like it is: Tte US still threatens the territorial integrity of an EU country & plans to interfere in our politics.+
Trump remains ‘very serious’ about taking over Greenland, Danish PM warns – Europe live
Trump remains ‘very serious’ about taking over Greenland, Danish PM warns – Europe live
‘I think the desire from the US president is exactly the same,’ Mette Frederiksen tells Munich Security Conference
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:02 PM
US reps in Munich can pretend like all they want is for Europe to take greater responsibility. European leaders have to be diplomatic, but analysts/IR scholars like myself can tell it like it is: Tte US still threatens the territorial integrity of an EU country & plans to interfere in our politics.+
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
Democracy is when voters choose their leaders. Autocracy is when leaders choose their voters.
Kristi Noem: "When it gets to Election Day, we've been proactive to make sure we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders to lead this country."
February 14, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Democracy is when voters choose their leaders. Autocracy is when leaders choose their voters.
Comments like Lindsey Graham’s or Bridge Colby‘s entire pretend-normal interview with ECFR just now evoke mental images of a manager in a circus tent where an elephant is currently running amok, telling people to sit down and behave because they are getting great value for their money.
The main US security export over the next decade will be weapons-grade gaslighting.
Lindsey Graham to allies: Get over Greenland
February 13, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Comments like Lindsey Graham’s or Bridge Colby‘s entire pretend-normal interview with ECFR just now evoke mental images of a manager in a circus tent where an elephant is currently running amok, telling people to sit down and behave because they are getting great value for their money.
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
Some good news. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Direct Turkey-Armenia land trade to begin amid US-led Caucasus peace push
New transit arrangement via Georgia cuts re-export costs, marking accelerating normalization between Ankara and Yerevan amid broader US-led peace efforts.
www.al-monitor.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Some good news. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Det är fredag och jag vill berätta att den sittande amerikanska regeringen är jättemogen och jättejättetuff:
Trumps inrikessäkerhetsminister lät sparka en pilot som slarvat bort hennes snuttefilt. 1/3
Trumps inrikessäkerhetsminister lät sparka en pilot som slarvat bort hennes snuttefilt. 1/3
The details of the Kristi Noem blanket incident are just fucking perfect
February 13, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Det är fredag och jag vill berätta att den sittande amerikanska regeringen är jättemogen och jättejättetuff:
Trumps inrikessäkerhetsminister lät sparka en pilot som slarvat bort hennes snuttefilt. 1/3
Trumps inrikessäkerhetsminister lät sparka en pilot som slarvat bort hennes snuttefilt. 1/3
I've been arguing that #Europe needs to start retaliating against Russian #hybrid attacks (deterrence by punishment). I think we need to prepare to do the same to the #US. If the GOP starts using USG resources for blatant interference in our domestic politics & to divide us, two can play that game.
The MAGA-friendly European think tanks Trump wants to fund
The Heritage Foundation identified European groups for U.S. backing.
www.politico.eu
February 13, 2026 at 12:16 PM
I have been vocally critical of some European (esp UK & German) governments' crackdowns on pro-Palestinian voices since October 7, but some of the louder accusations of "fascism" & "dictatorship" appear based on a misunderstanding of liberal democracy. It is not perfect, but offers remedies.+
UK ban on Palestine Action ruled unlawful
Ministers argued the direct action group engaged in a campaign of criminal damage and violence
www.ft.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:18 AM
I have been vocally critical of some European (esp UK & German) governments' crackdowns on pro-Palestinian voices since October 7, but some of the louder accusations of "fascism" & "dictatorship" appear based on a misunderstanding of liberal democracy. It is not perfect, but offers remedies.+
Turkish statesman Süleyman Demirel used to say “Meseleleri mesele etmezseniz ortada mesele kalmaz,“ i.e. if you dont act like something is a problem, you won’t have any problems.
Trump will now test the proposition that acting like climate change does no harm will stop it from actually doing harm.
Trump will now test the proposition that acting like climate change does no harm will stop it from actually doing harm.
February 13, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Turkish statesman Süleyman Demirel used to say “Meseleleri mesele etmezseniz ortada mesele kalmaz,“ i.e. if you dont act like something is a problem, you won’t have any problems.
Trump will now test the proposition that acting like climate change does no harm will stop it from actually doing harm.
Trump will now test the proposition that acting like climate change does no harm will stop it from actually doing harm.
This is how it’s supposed to work. If a prominent politician has violated laws, you charge them. That is accountability, not a witch hunt.
Ex-Prime Minister of Norway Charged With Corruption Linked to Epstein
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:02 AM
This is how it’s supposed to work. If a prominent politician has violated laws, you charge them. That is accountability, not a witch hunt.
Det här känns ju inte alls orimligt.
Åtta månader gamla Emanuel ska utvisas till Iran - Ekot
Emanuel föddes i Sverige i maj förra året och har fått ett utvisningsbeslut, fast hans familj har uppehållstillstånd här.Mamman fick arbetstillstånd efter ...
sverigesradio.se
February 13, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Det här känns ju inte alls orimligt.
Utmärkt av SU-kollegan Ludvig Beckman. Gränsen för det som är acceptabelt i en demokrati har nu passerats, säger han.+
www.dn.se/sverige/han-...
www.dn.se/sverige/han-...
Han lämnar Migrationsverkets etiska råd i protest – kallar politiken omänsklig
Professor Ludvig Beckman lämnar Migrationsverkets etiska råd i protest. Utvisningspolitiken är nu så omänsklig att den strider mot grundlagen, anser han.
www.dn.se
February 12, 2026 at 6:51 AM
Utmärkt av SU-kollegan Ludvig Beckman. Gränsen för det som är acceptabelt i en demokrati har nu passerats, säger han.+
www.dn.se/sverige/han-...
www.dn.se/sverige/han-...
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
When pollsters no longer dare to deliver bad numbers to the Leader, you’re well on your way to becoming the Democratic Republic of Ameristan.
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years thehill.com/homenews/med...
February 11, 2026 at 9:14 PM
When pollsters no longer dare to deliver bad numbers to the Leader, you’re well on your way to becoming the Democratic Republic of Ameristan.
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
Breakdown of today's vote in the EP on the Ukraine loan facility with a new type of graph by member state.
This shows neatly the huge support in the Nordics and Baltics, the low one in France (due to the RN) and the stark exception of Hungary, where even the opposition Tisza Party voted against.
This shows neatly the huge support in the Nordics and Baltics, the low one in France (due to the RN) and the stark exception of Hungary, where even the opposition Tisza Party voted against.
February 11, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Breakdown of today's vote in the EP on the Ukraine loan facility with a new type of graph by member state.
This shows neatly the huge support in the Nordics and Baltics, the low one in France (due to the RN) and the stark exception of Hungary, where even the opposition Tisza Party voted against.
This shows neatly the huge support in the Nordics and Baltics, the low one in France (due to the RN) and the stark exception of Hungary, where even the opposition Tisza Party voted against.
Trump kommer ändå med all sannolikhet att anklaga the SWEDES för detta som the SWISS gjort, så det är lika bra att vi passar på och skär av banden till Palantir nu.
"Switzerland’s military has terminated its contract with Palantir… following a security audit… concluded that U.S. intelligence agencies could potentially access sensitive Swiss defense data… significant reputational warning for the data analytics firm"
www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...
#R4Today
www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...
#R4Today
Palantir's Swiss Exit Highlights Global Data Sovereignty Challenge | NewsCase
Switzerland's military has terminated its contract with Palantir Technologies Inc. following a security audit. The review concluded that U.S. intelligence ag
www.newscase.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Trump kommer ändå med all sannolikhet att anklaga the SWEDES för detta som the SWISS gjort, så det är lika bra att vi passar på och skär av banden till Palantir nu.
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
"Responding to a question about how a dinghy could ram a coast guard vessel, he said: “I believe the coast guard.”"
Fifteen migrants die after boat collides with Greek coast guard vessel off Chios, coast guard says | CNN
Fifteen migrants died after their boat collided with a coast guard vessel, capsized and sank off the Greek island of Chios in the Aegean Sea late on Tuesday, the Greek coast guard said, in one of Gree...
edition.cnn.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:33 AM
"Responding to a question about how a dinghy could ram a coast guard vessel, he said: “I believe the coast guard.”"
In fairness to the Texas GOP, there really are armed and dangerous extremists trying to impose laws inspired by their religious fundamentalist views on people there and in many other Southern states. (They're just not Muslims.)
Literally searching for outgroups to scare people about
"That has left the G.O.P. looking for ways to address its voters’ concerns over the number of immigrants who came into the country during the Biden admin. while avoiding the increasingly unpopular policy of mass deportations under Mr. Trump."
"That has left the G.O.P. looking for ways to address its voters’ concerns over the number of immigrants who came into the country during the Biden admin. while avoiding the increasingly unpopular policy of mass deportations under Mr. Trump."
February 10, 2026 at 2:16 PM
In fairness to the Texas GOP, there really are armed and dangerous extremists trying to impose laws inspired by their religious fundamentalist views on people there and in many other Southern states. (They're just not Muslims.)
Nu släpps biljetter till evenemanget 18:00 den 17 mars på ABF Stockholm där Michael Sahlin (fd ambassadör i Ankara), Kurdo Baksi (journalist & författare) och jag pratar om makt, motstånd och säkerhet i Turkiet under ledning av Helin Sahin från @palmecenter.bsky.social. Boka nu om du vill komma.
Internationell Utblick: Turkiet i förändring – makt, motstånd och säkerhet i en alltmer konfliktfylld tid - ABF Stockholm
Turkiet befinner sig i ett avgörande skede, präglat av snabb politisk omdaning och ökande geopolitiska spänningar. Utvecklingen i landet påverkar...
abfstockholm.se
February 10, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Nu släpps biljetter till evenemanget 18:00 den 17 mars på ABF Stockholm där Michael Sahlin (fd ambassadör i Ankara), Kurdo Baksi (journalist & författare) och jag pratar om makt, motstånd och säkerhet i Turkiet under ledning av Helin Sahin från @palmecenter.bsky.social. Boka nu om du vill komma.
I guess my BlueSky and Substack posts can be interpreted as quite accurately representing the prevailing views in my native Sweden. Only Ukrainians are slightly more critical of Putin.
🇪🇺❗️ Putin's anti-rating in Europe
A new Gallup International poll has shown that Vladimir Putin has almost no supporters in Europe. Only 37% of voters in Serbia are loyal to the Kremlin dictator.
A new Gallup International poll has shown that Vladimir Putin has almost no supporters in Europe. Only 37% of voters in Serbia are loyal to the Kremlin dictator.
February 10, 2026 at 7:59 AM
I guess my BlueSky and Substack posts can be interpreted as quite accurately representing the prevailing views in my native Sweden. Only Ukrainians are slightly more critical of Putin.
An informed and nuanced discussion of Epstein’s Russian intelligence connections. (No smoking gun, but an LOT of smoke...) Also, do stay for the appropriately frustrated segment on Greenland towards the end.
This week on Espresso Martini, Chris and Matt unpack Jeffrey Epstein kompromat claims, Russian spy arrests in Germany, scrutiny of Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s Greenland brinkmanship, NATO crisis management, and the CIA World Factbook’s closure.
Audio: pod.fo/e/38a3a8
YouTube: youtu.be/zMOdqzC-_Js
Audio: pod.fo/e/38a3a8
YouTube: youtu.be/zMOdqzC-_Js
February 8, 2026 at 3:25 PM
An informed and nuanced discussion of Epstein’s Russian intelligence connections. (No smoking gun, but an LOT of smoke...) Also, do stay for the appropriately frustrated segment on Greenland towards the end.
“The awards function may have been underspecified” som svar på varför AI:n köpte 4000 lbs kött när den ombetts beställa billiga hamburgare känns också som en orimligt träffande kritik av upphandlingar i svensk offentlig sektor.
Silicon Valley accurately predicted the vibe coding era.
February 8, 2026 at 9:08 AM
“The awards function may have been underspecified” som svar på varför AI:n köpte 4000 lbs kött när den ombetts beställa billiga hamburgare känns också som en orimligt träffande kritik av upphandlingar i svensk offentlig sektor.