Sune Engel Rasmussen
@suneengel.bsky.social
Security correspondent for WSJ and author of "Twenty Years: Hope, War and the Betrayal of an Afghan Generation". Eyes on war, the Arctic, organized crime and terror. He/him.
Reposted by Sune Engel Rasmussen
@suneengel.bsky.social also wrote about a terrifying story (that lives rent free in my head) about this recently --
Stronger Than Fentanyl: A Drug You’ve Never Heard of Is Killing Hundreds Every Year
Ultrapotent synthetics, mostly from China, are easy to smuggle and mix into heroin, recreational drugs and gray-market pharmaceuticals.
www.wsj.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:34 AM
@suneengel.bsky.social also wrote about a terrifying story (that lives rent free in my head) about this recently --
Such an important story by my colleague Nicholas Bariyo. Locals accuse Chinese officials of deception, while Zambian President Hichilema is accused of kowtowing to Sino Metals while negotiating relief from a $6 billion debt to China.
www.wsj.com/world/asia/c...
www.wsj.com/world/asia/c...
China Pushes to Silence Victims of African Mining Disaster
Toxic waste from a Chinese mine in Zambia washed through homes and fields. Compensation offers are tied to nondisclosure.
www.wsj.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Such an important story by my colleague Nicholas Bariyo. Locals accuse Chinese officials of deception, while Zambian President Hichilema is accused of kowtowing to Sino Metals while negotiating relief from a $6 billion debt to China.
www.wsj.com/world/asia/c...
www.wsj.com/world/asia/c...
British Airways pulls sponsorship of Louis Theroux podcast bc of interview with Bob Vylan. Louis is a journalist and documentarian. Every media outlet on the planet tried to get an intv with Bob Vylan. Makes you wonder if the ppl at BA even know Louis' work
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
British Airways pulls Louis Theroux podcast sponsorship after Bob Vylan interview
Airline says singer’s defiant interview breached its policy on politically sensitive or controversial subjects
www.theguardian.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:35 AM
British Airways pulls sponsorship of Louis Theroux podcast bc of interview with Bob Vylan. Louis is a journalist and documentarian. Every media outlet on the planet tried to get an intv with Bob Vylan. Makes you wonder if the ppl at BA even know Louis' work
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...
UK media is thriving on Substack. Received two absolute bangers of stories in my inbox this morning, from @londoncentric.media and @vittles.bsky.social.
I will keenly defend (some) legacy media outlets, but I also love the niche deep dives that smaller, independent outlets are able to do.
I will keenly defend (some) legacy media outlets, but I also love the niche deep dives that smaller, independent outlets are able to do.
October 20, 2025 at 2:53 PM
UK media is thriving on Substack. Received two absolute bangers of stories in my inbox this morning, from @londoncentric.media and @vittles.bsky.social.
I will keenly defend (some) legacy media outlets, but I also love the niche deep dives that smaller, independent outlets are able to do.
I will keenly defend (some) legacy media outlets, but I also love the niche deep dives that smaller, independent outlets are able to do.
European countries are scrambling to bolster their defenses before the next wave of Russian drones: Stockpiling shotguns, installing radars and teaching civilians how to knock out out drones. Our story:
www.wsj.com/world/europe... #denmark #nato #poland #ukraine
www.wsj.com/world/europe... #denmark #nato #poland #ukraine
Can Shotguns, Spy Planes and Lasers Protect Europe From the Next Drone Incursion?
A spate of suspected Russian drone appearances across Europe has forced countries to look for novel ways to protect their airspace.
www.wsj.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:45 AM
European countries are scrambling to bolster their defenses before the next wave of Russian drones: Stockpiling shotguns, installing radars and teaching civilians how to knock out out drones. Our story:
www.wsj.com/world/europe... #denmark #nato #poland #ukraine
www.wsj.com/world/europe... #denmark #nato #poland #ukraine
I spent 3 weeks on a cargo ship in the Arctic, from Canada to Greenland. Our only company was blizzards, killer whales, thick fog and icebergs. Here is my story about how the West is lagging seriously behind Russia in the Arctic, and why it's so difficult to catch up
www.wsj.com/world/inside...
www.wsj.com/world/inside...
Inside the West’s Race to Defend the Arctic
Sailors scanned for icebergs on a nine-day journey to the U.S.’s northernmost military installation this summer—part of an effort to erode Russia’s vast advantage in the region.
www.wsj.com
October 12, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I spent 3 weeks on a cargo ship in the Arctic, from Canada to Greenland. Our only company was blizzards, killer whales, thick fog and icebergs. Here is my story about how the West is lagging seriously behind Russia in the Arctic, and why it's so difficult to catch up
www.wsj.com/world/inside...
www.wsj.com/world/inside...
October 10, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Reposted by Sune Engel Rasmussen
📷 Les photos de notre @julietterobert.bsky.social dans ce reportage de @suneengel.bsky.social pour le @wsj.com, sur les militaires de l'OTAN qui s'entraînent à combattre dans l'Arctique suédois par temps chaud. www.wsj.com/world/europe...
October 1, 2025 at 9:26 AM
📷 Les photos de notre @julietterobert.bsky.social dans ce reportage de @suneengel.bsky.social pour le @wsj.com, sur les militaires de l'OTAN qui s'entraînent à combattre dans l'Arctique suédois par temps chaud. www.wsj.com/world/europe...
More drones over Denmark, over multiple airports, including a military airbase home to most of the country's F16 and F35 fighters jets. Govt says it doesn't have the tools to protect against drones and that it needs help, including from Ukraine
www.wsj.com/world/europe... #russia
www.wsj.com/world/europe... #russia
Denmark Says New Drone Flights Over Military Base, Airports Are ‘Hybrid Attack’
The country’s Defense Minister said there was currently no evidence linking the drone activity to Russia, and the unmanned aerial vehicles didn’t pose a military threat to Denmark.
www.wsj.com
September 25, 2025 at 11:14 AM
More drones over Denmark, over multiple airports, including a military airbase home to most of the country's F16 and F35 fighters jets. Govt says it doesn't have the tools to protect against drones and that it needs help, including from Ukraine
www.wsj.com/world/europe... #russia
www.wsj.com/world/europe... #russia
Danish police say a "capable operator" sent drones over Copenhagen airport last night, but can't at this stage confirm allegations by Zelensky that it was Russia
www.wsj.com/world/europe... #ukraine #nato
www.wsj.com/world/europe... #ukraine #nato
Drone Incursions Force Airport Closures in Copenhagen, Oslo
The airports closed for several hours after the drone sightings, the latest in a string of disruptions to European airspace.
www.wsj.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Danish police say a "capable operator" sent drones over Copenhagen airport last night, but can't at this stage confirm allegations by Zelensky that it was Russia
www.wsj.com/world/europe... #ukraine #nato
www.wsj.com/world/europe... #ukraine #nato
Uproar in Denmark over allegations that Trump associates are traveling to Greenland to sow divisions between the island and Copenhagen, and to recruit Greenlandic separatists.
White House official tells us: "We think the Danes need to calm down.”
My story:
www.wsj.com/world/suspec...
White House official tells us: "We think the Danes need to calm down.”
My story:
www.wsj.com/world/suspec...
Denmark Summons U.S. Envoy Over Suspected American Influence Campaign in Greenland
The alleged covert influence campaign aimed at driving a wedge between Denmark and the autonomous territory that President Trump has sought to control.
www.wsj.com
August 28, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Uproar in Denmark over allegations that Trump associates are traveling to Greenland to sow divisions between the island and Copenhagen, and to recruit Greenlandic separatists.
White House official tells us: "We think the Danes need to calm down.”
My story:
www.wsj.com/world/suspec...
White House official tells us: "We think the Danes need to calm down.”
My story:
www.wsj.com/world/suspec...
Good to see more reporting on nitazenes in UK media, and to see London clubs being proactive (stocking naloxone in medical rooms and telling clubbers about contaminated drugs.) In addition, I'll add that nitazene test kits are available to purchase online
www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/op...
www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/op...
Is London on the brink of a deadly opioid crisis?
Up to 500 times stronger than heroin, killer synthetic opioids called nitazenes are flooding the capital’s clubs — masquerading as other recreational drugs. Claire Cohen reports
www.standard.co.uk
August 8, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Good to see more reporting on nitazenes in UK media, and to see London clubs being proactive (stocking naloxone in medical rooms and telling clubbers about contaminated drugs.) In addition, I'll add that nitazene test kits are available to purchase online
www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/op...
www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/op...
221 people have been arrested since the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group in the UK a month ago, according to Counter Terrorism Policing. 10 people have been charged.
August 7, 2025 at 1:39 PM
221 people have been arrested since the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group in the UK a month ago, according to Counter Terrorism Policing. 10 people have been charged.
MY LATEST: Fentanyl fueled the worst drug crisis the West has seen. Now, an even more dangerous drug is wreaking havoc faster than authorities can keep up.
The looming danger is an emerging wave of highly potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes. Read the full story:
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
The looming danger is an emerging wave of highly potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes. Read the full story:
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Stronger Than Fentanyl: A Drug You’ve Never Heard of Is Killing Hundreds Every Year
Ultrapotent synthetics, mostly from China, are easy to smuggle and mix into heroin, recreational drugs and gray-market pharmaceuticals.
www.wsj.com
July 30, 2025 at 9:09 AM
MY LATEST: Fentanyl fueled the worst drug crisis the West has seen. Now, an even more dangerous drug is wreaking havoc faster than authorities can keep up.
The looming danger is an emerging wave of highly potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes. Read the full story:
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
The looming danger is an emerging wave of highly potent synthetic opioids called nitazenes. Read the full story:
www.wsj.com/health/healt...
Absolutely extraordinary reporting from @jmalsin.bsky.social who got rare testimonies from men who survived years in Syria's notorious Saydnaya prison, and in the process uncovered a mass killing of hundreds of prisoners in 2023 that we didn't know about. Must read:
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
A Syrian Death Factory Gives Up Its Secrets
Under the Assad regime, Saydnaya prison became a mass-killing machine; ‘a symbol of shame for the whole world.’
www.wsj.com
July 10, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Absolutely extraordinary reporting from @jmalsin.bsky.social who got rare testimonies from men who survived years in Syria's notorious Saydnaya prison, and in the process uncovered a mass killing of hundreds of prisoners in 2023 that we didn't know about. Must read:
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
I spoke to @npr.org's All Things Considered about my recent exclusive interview with Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi:
www.npr.org/2025/07/04/n...
www.npr.org/2025/07/04/n...
Reporter talks about exclusive interview with Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi
Ailsa Chang talks with the Wall Street Journal's Sune Engel Rasmussen about his recent interview with Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi.
www.npr.org
July 5, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I spoke to @npr.org's All Things Considered about my recent exclusive interview with Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi:
www.npr.org/2025/07/04/n...
www.npr.org/2025/07/04/n...
In an exclusive interview, Iran’s Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi tells me that Israel’s war dealt a blow to Iran’s struggle for democracy (which Israel claims to support). The war weakened civil society and will lead the Iranian state to crack down on any dissent
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Exclusive | Iranian Nobel Laureate Says War Dealt Big Blow to Fight for Democracy
One of Iran’s leading human-rights defenders warns that authorities there will turn on their own people to consolidate power in the aftermath of the 12-day war with Israel.
www.wsj.com
July 4, 2025 at 10:58 PM
In an exclusive interview, Iran’s Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi tells me that Israel’s war dealt a blow to Iran’s struggle for democracy (which Israel claims to support). The war weakened civil society and will lead the Iranian state to crack down on any dissent
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Calls for Iranians to rise up misunderstand Iran. Revolutions orchestrated by foreigners are tarnished with dishonor and treachery, especially Iran— for historical reasons. Insightful essay by Christopher de Bellaigue, one of the great foreign writers on Iran
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Essay | Calls for Iranians to Rise Up Misunderstand Iran
Decades of meddling have left Iranians wary of foreign ambitions. Many are also too busy running for their lives to take to the streets.
www.wsj.com
June 21, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Calls for Iranians to rise up misunderstand Iran. Revolutions orchestrated by foreigners are tarnished with dishonor and treachery, especially Iran— for historical reasons. Insightful essay by Christopher de Bellaigue, one of the great foreign writers on Iran
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Israel’s conflict with Iran is costing the country hundreds of millions of dollars a day. Interceptors for Iranian missiles are particularly expensive. The high price tag will weigh on Israel to wrap up the conflict quickly. My colleague Anat Peled reports:
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Israel’s War on Iran Is Costing Hundreds of Millions of Dollars a Day
The price tag could constrain Israel’s ability to conduct a lengthy war.
www.wsj.com
June 21, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Israel’s conflict with Iran is costing the country hundreds of millions of dollars a day. Interceptors for Iranian missiles are particularly expensive. The high price tag will weigh on Israel to wrap up the conflict quickly. My colleague Anat Peled reports:
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
The intelligence apparatus that has kept Khamenei in power for 4 decades is crumbling around him. He will spend the autumn of his life fighting to salvage the Islamic Republic.
"The ship that he stewarded has run aground,” @osto.bsky.social told me
My story:
www.wsj.com/world/middle... #iran
"The ship that he stewarded has run aground,” @osto.bsky.social told me
My story:
www.wsj.com/world/middle... #iran
Israel’s Attacks Leave Iran’s Supreme Leader Exposed—With No Good Options
Tehran’s bruising fight with Israel has left its military weakened and unable to respond in kind to Israeli attacks
www.wsj.com
June 14, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The intelligence apparatus that has kept Khamenei in power for 4 decades is crumbling around him. He will spend the autumn of his life fighting to salvage the Islamic Republic.
"The ship that he stewarded has run aground,” @osto.bsky.social told me
My story:
www.wsj.com/world/middle... #iran
"The ship that he stewarded has run aground,” @osto.bsky.social told me
My story:
www.wsj.com/world/middle... #iran
Iran has ordered thousands of tons of ballistic-missile ingredients from China, as it seeks to rebuild its military prowess amid nuclear talks with the U.S., and after its missile program suffered a setback in Israeli attacks last year
www.wsj.com/world/iran-o...
www.wsj.com/world/iran-o...
Exclusive | Iran Orders Material From China for Hundreds of Ballistic Missiles
Tehran is seeking to rebuild its military prowess as it discusses the future of its nuclear program with the U.S.
www.wsj.com
June 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Iran has ordered thousands of tons of ballistic-missile ingredients from China, as it seeks to rebuild its military prowess amid nuclear talks with the U.S., and after its missile program suffered a setback in Israeli attacks last year
www.wsj.com/world/iran-o...
www.wsj.com/world/iran-o...
Europol has launched a new task force to combat the recruitment of minors for terrorism and organized crime.
ICYMI, here's my story from last month about the growing threat to Europe from teenage terrorists, Islamists and well as right-wingers
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
ICYMI, here's my story from last month about the growing threat to Europe from teenage terrorists, Islamists and well as right-wingers
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Teenage Terrorists Are a Growing Threat to Europe’s Security
Dozens of adolescents have been arrested in recent months for allegedly plotting attacks. Law enforcers are overwhelmed by a new generation of extremists being radicalized online.
www.wsj.com
June 3, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Europol has launched a new task force to combat the recruitment of minors for terrorism and organized crime.
ICYMI, here's my story from last month about the growing threat to Europe from teenage terrorists, Islamists and well as right-wingers
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
ICYMI, here's my story from last month about the growing threat to Europe from teenage terrorists, Islamists and well as right-wingers
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
The five Iranian men who were arrested across the U.K. over the weekend are suspected of plotting an attack on the Israeli Embassy in London - the latest in a long-established pattern of Iranian agents targeting Israeli diplomats abroad. Story by Max Colchester and me
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
U.K. Police Foil Terror Plot by Iranians on Israeli Embassy
A group of men recently arrested in Britain had been planning an attack, officials said, a development likely to ramp up tensions between Israel and Iran.
www.wsj.com
May 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The five Iranian men who were arrested across the U.K. over the weekend are suspected of plotting an attack on the Israeli Embassy in London - the latest in a long-established pattern of Iranian agents targeting Israeli diplomats abroad. Story by Max Colchester and me
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
To those surprised that one ally would spy on another, remember that under Obama, the Danish intelligence service helped the NSA spy on Angela Merkel and other European politicians
www.wsj.com/world/greenl...
www.wsj.com/world/greenl...
Exclusive | U.S. Orders Intelligence Agencies to Step Up Spying on Greenland
The push underscores the seriousness of President Trump’s intent to acquire the island from Denmark.
www.wsj.com
May 7, 2025 at 10:48 AM
To those surprised that one ally would spy on another, remember that under Obama, the Danish intelligence service helped the NSA spy on Angela Merkel and other European politicians
www.wsj.com/world/greenl...
www.wsj.com/world/greenl...
Gotta hand it to him, it's pretty bold: 20 yo Dutch man was caught trying to smuggle 50kg of ecstasy into Ibiza. His two suitcases were filled to the brim with 163,000 pills, covered only by the zip-up partition.
nltimes.nl/2025/05/05/m...
nltimes.nl/2025/05/05/m...
Man caught with 2 ecstasy-filled suitcases in Ibiza after slipping through Dutch customs
A 22-year-old Dutchman was arrested at Ibiza airport, trying to enter the island with two suitcases filled to the brim with ecstasy pills. It is not clear how the man slipped through Dutch customs wit...
nltimes.nl
May 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Gotta hand it to him, it's pretty bold: 20 yo Dutch man was caught trying to smuggle 50kg of ecstasy into Ibiza. His two suitcases were filled to the brim with 163,000 pills, covered only by the zip-up partition.
nltimes.nl/2025/05/05/m...
nltimes.nl/2025/05/05/m...