Maria Popova
@popovaprof.bsky.social
Polisci prof at McGill 🇨🇦⚜️
Democracy, rule of law, (anti)corruption in Eastern Europe 🇺🇦 🇧🇬 🇪🇺; post-Communism; Russo-Ukrainian war and its impact on European democracies; #UkraineIsEurope #DefendDemocracy
https://linktr.ee/popovaprof
Democracy, rule of law, (anti)corruption in Eastern Europe 🇺🇦 🇧🇬 🇪🇺; post-Communism; Russo-Ukrainian war and its impact on European democracies; #UkraineIsEurope #DefendDemocracy
https://linktr.ee/popovaprof
Reposted by Maria Popova
A big part of why we find ourselves in this predicament is that the Biden administration was so terrified of anything that might be *perceived* as political retribution that they treated obvious criminals with kid gloves and slow-walked the process to the point that Trump was able to run the clock.
It's also a reminder of what *should* have happened to Mike Flynn, who should have been stripped of his rank and tried under UCMJ guidelines.
But only one party is concerned with "looking political."
But only one party is concerned with "looking political."
January 5, 2026 at 8:37 PM
A big part of why we find ourselves in this predicament is that the Biden administration was so terrified of anything that might be *perceived* as political retribution that they treated obvious criminals with kid gloves and slow-walked the process to the point that Trump was able to run the clock.
Maduro is a dictator who ran his country's economy into the ground and Venezuela's people in fact voted him out as president, but this image is still awfully cringy. Pressing charges against him is counterproductive (ab)use of America's courts and debases them too.
"Je suis toujours le président de mon pays", a déclaré #NicolasMaduro 🇻🇪 devant le tribunal de New York, ce lundi
January 5, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Maduro is a dictator who ran his country's economy into the ground and Venezuela's people in fact voted him out as president, but this image is still awfully cringy. Pressing charges against him is counterproductive (ab)use of America's courts and debases them too.
Reposted by Maria Popova
"American dominance" is our new foreign policy. And it will create a counter-reaction, everywhere.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Trump’s ‘American Dominance’ May Leave Us With Nothing
The president’s moves in Venezuela foretell a new global system.
www.theatlantic.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:56 PM
"American dominance" is our new foreign policy. And it will create a counter-reaction, everywhere.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted by Maria Popova
The wife of Trump's deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller posted a photo implying a U.S. takeover of Greenland, hours after the U.S. attacks on Venezuela. n.pr/497h4hu
Denmark's prime minister says 'stop the threats' of U.S. annexing Greenland
The wife of Trump's deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller posted a photo implying a U.S. takeover of Greenland, hours after the U.S. attacks on Venezuela.
n.pr
January 4, 2026 at 9:52 PM
The wife of Trump's deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller posted a photo implying a U.S. takeover of Greenland, hours after the U.S. attacks on Venezuela. n.pr/497h4hu
Reposted by Maria Popova
Less than a month ago, Putin reassured Maduro of Moscow’s support. Today, Moscow is silent. Since 2022, Putin has abandoned multiple allies including Armenia, Syria, and Iran in moments of crisis. Thanks to Putin’s disastrous Ukraine invasion, Russia is no longer a global power
January 3, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Less than a month ago, Putin reassured Maduro of Moscow’s support. Today, Moscow is silent. Since 2022, Putin has abandoned multiple allies including Armenia, Syria, and Iran in moments of crisis. Thanks to Putin’s disastrous Ukraine invasion, Russia is no longer a global power
Ru has tried to murder Zelensky numerous times. Pu reportedly promised Israeli ex-PM Naftali Bennet to spare Zelensky's life in exchange for Ukr surrender. So do not juxtapose Maduro's kidnapping to the fact Zelensky is still in Kyiv. Ru keeps trying and failing to kidnap/assassinate Zelensky!
January 3, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Ru has tried to murder Zelensky numerous times. Pu reportedly promised Israeli ex-PM Naftali Bennet to spare Zelensky's life in exchange for Ukr surrender. So do not juxtapose Maduro's kidnapping to the fact Zelensky is still in Kyiv. Ru keeps trying and failing to kidnap/assassinate Zelensky!
There are some horrible analogies flying around today. A reminder: the US kidnapping of Maduro in no way justifies, vindicates, or lifts responsibility from the Ru govt or the Ru people. Their war against Ukraine continues to be an unprovoked act of aggression with war crimes and genocidal intent.
January 3, 2026 at 4:20 PM
There are some horrible analogies flying around today. A reminder: the US kidnapping of Maduro in no way justifies, vindicates, or lifts responsibility from the Ru govt or the Ru people. Their war against Ukraine continues to be an unprovoked act of aggression with war crimes and genocidal intent.
Reposted by Maria Popova
A disappointing CBC The National segment on the Russo-Ukrainian war which talked about « tensions », peddled the delusional framing that a settlement is within reach, quoted Ze out of context to suggest the main difficulty is Ukraine’s refusal to cede Donbas, bothsided Ze-Pu NYE addresses…
January 2, 2026 at 2:23 AM
A disappointing CBC The National segment on the Russo-Ukrainian war which talked about « tensions », peddled the delusional framing that a settlement is within reach, quoted Ze out of context to suggest the main difficulty is Ukraine’s refusal to cede Donbas, bothsided Ze-Pu NYE addresses…
Reposted by Maria Popova
Not bad! And apparently also flushed out the would-be assassins.
What you are seeing is advanced trolling:
Ukrainian intelligence staged the death of the commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps - a personal enemy of Putin - AND collected the $500 000 reward the Kremlins offered for his head.
unn.ua/en/amp/defen...
Ukrainian intelligence staged the death of the commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps - a personal enemy of Putin - AND collected the $500 000 reward the Kremlins offered for his head.
unn.ua/en/amp/defen...
The GUR staged the death of RDC commander Kapustin, receiving $500,000 from Russian special services | УНН
УНН Slider ✎ The commander of the "Russian Volunteer Corps", Denis Kapustin, is alive, and the Russian special services paid $500,000 for his
elimination.
unn.ua
January 1, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Not bad! And apparently also flushed out the would-be assassins.
Reminds me of a Soviet-era Bulgarian joke. Govt announces Bulgaria’s IT industry is so advanced, they’ve started exporting computers to Japan (Yaponiya in Bg). Turns out they were exporting compotes to Yakutiya.
PS. Ragozin is a putinist psyop. I hope no one takes him seriously.
PS. Ragozin is a putinist psyop. I hope no one takes him seriously.
January 1, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Reminds me of a Soviet-era Bulgarian joke. Govt announces Bulgaria’s IT industry is so advanced, they’ve started exporting computers to Japan (Yaponiya in Bg). Turns out they were exporting compotes to Yakutiya.
PS. Ragozin is a putinist psyop. I hope no one takes him seriously.
PS. Ragozin is a putinist psyop. I hope no one takes him seriously.
Reposted by Maria Popova
Robert De Niro sent Ukrainians a holiday greeting — a simple public gesture of solidarity at a time when silence is too common.
Symbols don’t stop missiles. But they keep Ukraine visible, remind people what’s at stake, and push back against fatigue and indifference.
Symbols don’t stop missiles. But they keep Ukraine visible, remind people what’s at stake, and push back against fatigue and indifference.
January 1, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Robert De Niro sent Ukrainians a holiday greeting — a simple public gesture of solidarity at a time when silence is too common.
Symbols don’t stop missiles. But they keep Ukraine visible, remind people what’s at stake, and push back against fatigue and indifference.
Symbols don’t stop missiles. But they keep Ukraine visible, remind people what’s at stake, and push back against fatigue and indifference.
Reposted by Maria Popova
In his New Year address, Macron set a clear deadline. Acceleration means moving from words to commitments: stronger European defence, investment in our security, industry and technologies. Independence is not automatic. It requires choices, resources and courage. Europe cannot wait any longer.
December 31, 2025 at 7:37 PM
In his New Year address, Macron set a clear deadline. Acceleration means moving from words to commitments: stronger European defence, investment in our security, industry and technologies. Independence is not automatic. It requires choices, resources and courage. Europe cannot wait any longer.
It's official: Bulgaria is in the euro-zone.
An excerpt from an atypically emotional NYE address by the Central Bank governor:
"Thank you, friends. We are home.
This is not a protocol. It is a feeling.
In this sense, the euro is not just an economic solution...
www.bnb.bg/AboutUs/Pres...
An excerpt from an atypically emotional NYE address by the Central Bank governor:
"Thank you, friends. We are home.
This is not a protocol. It is a feeling.
In this sense, the euro is not just an economic solution...
www.bnb.bg/AboutUs/Pres...
December 31, 2025 at 11:30 PM
It's official: Bulgaria is in the euro-zone.
An excerpt from an atypically emotional NYE address by the Central Bank governor:
"Thank you, friends. We are home.
This is not a protocol. It is a feeling.
In this sense, the euro is not just an economic solution...
www.bnb.bg/AboutUs/Pres...
An excerpt from an atypically emotional NYE address by the Central Bank governor:
"Thank you, friends. We are home.
This is not a protocol. It is a feeling.
In this sense, the euro is not just an economic solution...
www.bnb.bg/AboutUs/Pres...
Reposted by Maria Popova
Zelensky announced Romania and Croatia have joined the PURL initiative, which now includes 24 countries contributing $4.3 billion to purchase U.S. weapons for Ukraine, including Patriot missiles.
December 31, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Zelensky announced Romania and Croatia have joined the PURL initiative, which now includes 24 countries contributing $4.3 billion to purchase U.S. weapons for Ukraine, including Patriot missiles.
The takeaway is not that journalists make absurd predictions. This was a blunt, but reasonable headline in 1996. It's that outcomes that seem highly unlikely/wildly optimistic do happen occasionally due to agency. Bulgarians and Europeans took forks in the road over the yrs that made today reality.
An article from December 1996 warns that Bulgaria has no chance of joining Europe and the euro would replace the lev only after the second coming of Christ. Brace yourselves, the euro replaces the lev tonight at midnight! 🤣(and, of course, Bulgaria did join the EU in 2007).
December 31, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The takeaway is not that journalists make absurd predictions. This was a blunt, but reasonable headline in 1996. It's that outcomes that seem highly unlikely/wildly optimistic do happen occasionally due to agency. Bulgarians and Europeans took forks in the road over the yrs that made today reality.
Reposted by Maria Popova
In less than six hours, Bulgaria switches to the 💶 as its official currency 🇧🇬 🇪🇺It’s pretty cool to witness the world move in the right direction despite everything. Congratulations to all of us on this big achievement.
An article from December 1996 warns that Bulgaria has no chance of joining Europe and the euro would replace the lev only after the second coming of Christ. Brace yourselves, the euro replaces the lev tonight at midnight! 🤣(and, of course, Bulgaria did join the EU in 2007).
December 31, 2025 at 4:41 PM
In less than six hours, Bulgaria switches to the 💶 as its official currency 🇧🇬 🇪🇺It’s pretty cool to witness the world move in the right direction despite everything. Congratulations to all of us on this big achievement.
An article from December 1996 warns that Bulgaria has no chance of joining Europe and the euro would replace the lev only after the second coming of Christ. Brace yourselves, the euro replaces the lev tonight at midnight! 🤣(and, of course, Bulgaria did join the EU in 2007).
December 31, 2025 at 4:02 PM
An article from December 1996 warns that Bulgaria has no chance of joining Europe and the euro would replace the lev only after the second coming of Christ. Brace yourselves, the euro replaces the lev tonight at midnight! 🤣(and, of course, Bulgaria did join the EU in 2007).
Reposted by Maria Popova
Don’t. Print. Lies. In. The. Newspapers. 🇺🇦/🇷🇺 edition.
Disappointing that the BBC pretends there are good faith negotiations when it's obvious Trump is trying to bully Ukraine into a de facto surrender and Pu demands even clearer capitulation. Unconscionable to suggest Zelensky's distrust of the serial liar in the Kremlin is the "thorny issue".
Would have thought the obvious issue is the ghoul lurking in the Kremlin’s bunker, sending drones and cruise missiles to kill kids; Putin.
December 31, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Don’t. Print. Lies. In. The. Newspapers. 🇺🇦/🇷🇺 edition.
Disappointing that the BBC pretends there are good faith negotiations when it's obvious Trump is trying to bully Ukraine into a de facto surrender and Pu demands even clearer capitulation. Unconscionable to suggest Zelensky's distrust of the serial liar in the Kremlin is the "thorny issue".
Would have thought the obvious issue is the ghoul lurking in the Kremlin’s bunker, sending drones and cruise missiles to kill kids; Putin.
December 31, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Disappointing that the BBC pretends there are good faith negotiations when it's obvious Trump is trying to bully Ukraine into a de facto surrender and Pu demands even clearer capitulation. Unconscionable to suggest Zelensky's distrust of the serial liar in the Kremlin is the "thorny issue".
Reposted by Maria Popova
This is the real "why is there zero footage"...
⚡️France says there’s zero proof Ukraine attacked Putin’s Valdai residence, undercutting a Kremlin claim used to muddy peace talks.
France Finds No Evidence of Drone Attack on Putin’s Valdai Residence
French officials found no proof of a drone attack on Putin's residence, with sources citing a lack of credible evidence despite Russian claims.
united24media.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:16 PM
This is the real "why is there zero footage"...
Hear, hear! Not here, here
We acknowledge that no one has the bandwidth for this, but if it helps:
- It’s ‘voilà,’ not ‘wallah!’
- It’s ‘a lot,’ not ‘alot.’
- It’s ‘further ado,’ not ‘farther adieu.’
- It’s ‘flesh out,’ not ‘flush out.’
- It’s ‘sneak peek,’ not ‘sneak peak.’
No worries if not!!!
- It’s ‘voilà,’ not ‘wallah!’
- It’s ‘a lot,’ not ‘alot.’
- It’s ‘further ado,’ not ‘farther adieu.’
- It’s ‘flesh out,’ not ‘flush out.’
- It’s ‘sneak peek,’ not ‘sneak peak.’
No worries if not!!!
December 31, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Hear, hear! Not here, here
Btw, invoking the Cuban Missile Crisis to justify/explain Ru’s aggression in Ukraine is a disqualifying level of idiocy. 7 decades later, Cuba still has a hostile, anti-American regime. When Ru invaded Ukr over a Ukr domestic issue, Ukr was neutral, had no Western weapons, or a NATO invitation.
December 31, 2025 at 1:09 AM
Btw, invoking the Cuban Missile Crisis to justify/explain Ru’s aggression in Ukraine is a disqualifying level of idiocy. 7 decades later, Cuba still has a hostile, anti-American regime. When Ru invaded Ukr over a Ukr domestic issue, Ukr was neutral, had no Western weapons, or a NATO invitation.
Ru is incapable of escalating militarily as it's already throwing meat waves at the front without much success; it can't escalate to nukes for fear of a major response; it can't win diplomatically despite Trump's help. So it seems this is the escalation Pu has come up with--KGB lies and false flags.
⚡️Russian state media quotes FM Lavrov saying Moscow will reconsider its negotiating position in light of alleged attack by Ukrainian forces on Putin's residence in Novgorod.
Zelenskyy responds in voice note to reporters, saying it's "lies," Russia laying groundwork to attack govt buildings in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy responds in voice note to reporters, saying it's "lies," Russia laying groundwork to attack govt buildings in Kyiv.
December 30, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Ru is incapable of escalating militarily as it's already throwing meat waves at the front without much success; it can't escalate to nukes for fear of a major response; it can't win diplomatically despite Trump's help. So it seems this is the escalation Pu has come up with--KGB lies and false flags.