Ville Savoranta
@villesavoranta.bsky.social
Knowledge & lessons officer at the European External Action Service (EEAS).
Crisis management, political geography, EU in the world. Occasional musings on dad stuff and serious/fun games.
Crisis management, political geography, EU in the world. Occasional musings on dad stuff and serious/fun games.
Sad news from the US, as Tom Lehrer has passed away and now we've lost the greatest political-musical satirist of all time. Though admittedly this is not a huge genre. And to think he made all his songs in 15 or so years over half a century ago. I'm still listening.
youtu.be/EJAD2csTQ8A?...
youtu.be/EJAD2csTQ8A?...
Tom Lehrer | “Who’s Next”
YouTube video by Musical Comedy
youtu.be
July 28, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Sad news from the US, as Tom Lehrer has passed away and now we've lost the greatest political-musical satirist of all time. Though admittedly this is not a huge genre. And to think he made all his songs in 15 or so years over half a century ago. I'm still listening.
youtu.be/EJAD2csTQ8A?...
youtu.be/EJAD2csTQ8A?...
Elsa ja Helsingin Sanomat kysyivät vaikeita, kiitos siitä! Juhlistin vastaukseni lopussa vielä suomalaista laajan turvallisuuden yhteistyötä, mikä jäi pois näköjään.
Lasten tiedekysymykset | Mikä on maailman vaarallisin maa?
Lasten tiedekysymykset kertoo myös, miten bakteerit ja virukset liikkuvat, miksi isovarvas on muita varpaita isompi ja miksi kalat eivät tule vedessä ruttuisiksi.
www.hs.fi
April 4, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Elsa ja Helsingin Sanomat kysyivät vaikeita, kiitos siitä! Juhlistin vastaukseni lopussa vielä suomalaista laajan turvallisuuden yhteistyötä, mikä jäi pois näköjään.
Its not just Russia. The push to defund the BBC, the Finnish YLE, US NPR etc is all part of an international illiberal movement, whose leaders sit not just in the Kremlin, but also in the white house and even in the Finnish government.
NEW: BBC bosses will make push for government to take back costs of the World Service, amid an “aggressive” Russian state disinformation drive
Now “undeniable” case for using world service to push western values, they say. State media moves in when WS moves out.
All part of charter renewal chat:
Now “undeniable” case for using world service to push western values, they say. State media moves in when WS moves out.
All part of charter renewal chat:
World Service must be fully state-funded to counter disinformation, say BBC bosses
Ministers must cover full costs of championing western values abroad, senior BBC figures to argue
www.theguardian.com
March 13, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Its not just Russia. The push to defund the BBC, the Finnish YLE, US NPR etc is all part of an international illiberal movement, whose leaders sit not just in the Kremlin, but also in the white house and even in the Finnish government.
Excellent read two months before my own parental leave. States ❤️
📣 Out on #FirstView 📣
In "The Effects of Parental Leave on Attitudes Toward the State," Elin Naurin and co-authors (including @poliscimonica.bsky.social & @dietlinds.bsky.social ) investigate the different gendered effects of parental leave on policy attitudes in 🇸🇪.
gendersky
buff.ly/41nmyj7
In "The Effects of Parental Leave on Attitudes Toward the State," Elin Naurin and co-authors (including @poliscimonica.bsky.social & @dietlinds.bsky.social ) investigate the different gendered effects of parental leave on policy attitudes in 🇸🇪.
gendersky
buff.ly/41nmyj7
March 5, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Excellent read two months before my own parental leave. States ❤️
European rearmament might be a lot easier if we had not scrapped the WEU as a defence alliance 14 years ago. Potential lesson there on terminating international governance structures that could instead be just suspended.
March 4, 2025 at 11:19 AM
European rearmament might be a lot easier if we had not scrapped the WEU as a defence alliance 14 years ago. Potential lesson there on terminating international governance structures that could instead be just suspended.
We either pivot hard now for european sovereignty, and support Ukraine, or try to muddle through the Trump term and get pulled into the same decline the US is facing.
Europe inches towards Ukraine peace plan, but only baby steps away from US
Europe inches towards Ukraine peace plan, but only baby steps away from US
Europe “must do the heavy lifting” but the “effort must have strong US backing”, UK's Starmer said.
dlvr.it
March 3, 2025 at 5:48 AM
We either pivot hard now for european sovereignty, and support Ukraine, or try to muddle through the Trump term and get pulled into the same decline the US is facing.
Simple steps for european digital sovereignty.
🇺🇲 Google ---> 🇪🇺 Ecosia
🇺🇲 Chrome ---> 🇪🇺 Vivaldi
🇺🇲 Translate ---> 🇪🇺 DeepL
🇺🇲 Gmail ---> 🇪🇺 Mailfence
🇺🇲 Maps ---> 🇪🇺 Here WeGo
🇺🇲 ChatGPT ---> 🇪🇺 Le Chat
🇺🇲 Chrome ---> 🇪🇺 Vivaldi
🇺🇲 Translate ---> 🇪🇺 DeepL
🇺🇲 Gmail ---> 🇪🇺 Mailfence
🇺🇲 Maps ---> 🇪🇺 Here WeGo
🇺🇲 ChatGPT ---> 🇪🇺 Le Chat
March 1, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Simple steps for european digital sovereignty.
This is starting to look like state capture.
The secretary of Defense has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions, sources tell Recorded Future News. https://therecord.media/hegseth-orders-cyber-command-stand-down-russia-planning
Exclusive: Hegseth orders Cyber Command to stand down on Russia planning
The secretary of Defense has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions, sources tell Recorded Future News.
therecord.media
February 28, 2025 at 9:35 PM
This is starting to look like state capture.
Reposted by Ville Savoranta
It is not Zelensky and Ukraine that should be thanking the West.
It is the West that should be thanking Zelensky and Ukraine.
It is the West that should be thanking Zelensky and Ukraine.
February 28, 2025 at 6:35 PM
It is not Zelensky and Ukraine that should be thanking the West.
It is the West that should be thanking Zelensky and Ukraine.
It is the West that should be thanking Zelensky and Ukraine.
I said this half jokingly, but now with even Friedrich Mertz comparing interference from the US to that from Russia, we should see a broader defence against disinformation and cognitive warfare, even from the US. Right? Yeah not holding my breath.
Who knew the biggest FIMI operation against the EU would come from the west. EUvsDisinfo will need to add a USA category:
euvsdisinfo.eu
euvsdisinfo.eu
EUvsDisinfo | Detecting, analysing, and raising awareness about disinformation - EUvsDisinfo
EUvsDisinfo is the flagship project of the European External Action Service’s East StratCom Task Force.It was established in 2015 to better forecast, address, and respond to the Russian Federation’s o...
euvsdisinfo.eu
February 23, 2025 at 9:08 PM
I said this half jokingly, but now with even Friedrich Mertz comparing interference from the US to that from Russia, we should see a broader defence against disinformation and cognitive warfare, even from the US. Right? Yeah not holding my breath.
Mood at work today:
February 19, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Mood at work today:
Reposted by Ville Savoranta
1-4
On the Trump Admin's approach to Ukraine:
Here are the elements of US pressure against Kyiv we've seen:
- Time pressure
- No NATO prospect
- No troops
- Proposal to grab UA's minerals with nothing in exchange
- No clarity on weapons
- USAID support stopped
On the Trump Admin's approach to Ukraine:
Here are the elements of US pressure against Kyiv we've seen:
- Time pressure
- No NATO prospect
- No troops
- Proposal to grab UA's minerals with nothing in exchange
- No clarity on weapons
- USAID support stopped
February 16, 2025 at 9:46 AM
1-4
On the Trump Admin's approach to Ukraine:
Here are the elements of US pressure against Kyiv we've seen:
- Time pressure
- No NATO prospect
- No troops
- Proposal to grab UA's minerals with nothing in exchange
- No clarity on weapons
- USAID support stopped
On the Trump Admin's approach to Ukraine:
Here are the elements of US pressure against Kyiv we've seen:
- Time pressure
- No NATO prospect
- No troops
- Proposal to grab UA's minerals with nothing in exchange
- No clarity on weapons
- USAID support stopped
With the redeployment of EUBAM Rafah after 17 years, the EU is using a civilian mission as a very focused crisis management tool with direct impact through the medical evacuations.
Everyone agrees that EUBAM Rafah can play a decisive role in supporting the ceasefire.
Today, EU Foreign Ministers agreed to redeploy it to the Rafah Crossing Point between Gaza and Egypt.
This will allow a number of injured individuals to leave Gaza and receive medical care.
Today, EU Foreign Ministers agreed to redeploy it to the Rafah Crossing Point between Gaza and Egypt.
This will allow a number of injured individuals to leave Gaza and receive medical care.
January 28, 2025 at 7:46 AM
With the redeployment of EUBAM Rafah after 17 years, the EU is using a civilian mission as a very focused crisis management tool with direct impact through the medical evacuations.
Topical conference, just 10 kilometers from the russian border. At 80 years, I wonder if is it new or old?
January 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Topical conference, just 10 kilometers from the russian border. At 80 years, I wonder if is it new or old?
I would have maybe waited to hear Trumps inaugural speech before posting this…
Congratulations to Donald Trump on his second term inauguration.
The transatlantic bond has brought prosperity and strength to both sides of the Atlantic.
Together, we are stronger and safer to tackle global challenges.
Looking forward to continuing our partnership.
The transatlantic bond has brought prosperity and strength to both sides of the Atlantic.
Together, we are stronger and safer to tackle global challenges.
Looking forward to continuing our partnership.
January 20, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I would have maybe waited to hear Trumps inaugural speech before posting this…
Reposted by Ville Savoranta
Now more than ever, it’s imperative that we stop using the misnomer ‘natural disasters’. Humans have their fingerprints all over the LA catastrophe.
January 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Now more than ever, it’s imperative that we stop using the misnomer ‘natural disasters’. Humans have their fingerprints all over the LA catastrophe.
These russian cable cutting ops have at least demonstrated the fragility of international governance. We’ve had treaties protecting submarine cables since the 1880s, yet can’t do much when their not respected.
Finland Seizes Ship After Undersea Power Cable to Estonia Is Cut
The country’s prime minister said the incident, the latest in a series of disruptions to undersea infrastructure, underscored the danger of a so-called Russian shadow fleet.
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2024 at 8:54 PM
These russian cable cutting ops have at least demonstrated the fragility of international governance. We’ve had treaties protecting submarine cables since the 1880s, yet can’t do much when their not respected.
Good to see that we are finally addressing the regional cliques in EU security and defence, but these differences run deep enough to not be solved with a few meetings and pressers.
Very good discussions with 🇫🇮 Petteri Orpo, 🇮🇹 Giorgia Meloni, 🇬🇷 Kyriakos Mitsotakis & 🇸🇪 Ulf Kristersson in Lapland.
We all agreed that Europe needs to do more to defend itself and prevent war
Next year, we will propose ideas at EU level for more defence cooperation, stronger capabilities & funding.
We all agreed that Europe needs to do more to defend itself and prevent war
Next year, we will propose ideas at EU level for more defence cooperation, stronger capabilities & funding.
December 23, 2024 at 1:53 PM
Good to see that we are finally addressing the regional cliques in EU security and defence, but these differences run deep enough to not be solved with a few meetings and pressers.
Poikkeuksellinen mahdollisuus päästä komentamaan ja nakittamaan meikäläistä, kunhan palaan joskus Suomeen. Toki muutamaa muutakin maailmanrauhan maalailijaa.
Kriisinhallintakeskuksessa avoinna johtajan virka - CMC Finland
Sisäministeriön yhteydessä toimivassa Kriisinhallintakeskuksessa on haettavana johtajan virka, joka täytetään enintään viiden vuoden määräajaksi. Virka pyritään täyttämään 1.3.2025 alkaen tai sopimuks...
www.cmcfinland.fi
December 20, 2024 at 11:39 AM
Poikkeuksellinen mahdollisuus päästä komentamaan ja nakittamaan meikäläistä, kunhan palaan joskus Suomeen. Toki muutamaa muutakin maailmanrauhan maalailijaa.
Reposted by Ville Savoranta
RE-ENGAGE is now on Bluesky! We are a Horizon Europe-funded project exploring how the EU can refine its foreign policy toolbox to promote democracy and resilience in its neighbourhood during times of war and geopolitical tensions. Follow us for news, events and publications: re-engaging.eu
November 20, 2024 at 1:07 PM
RE-ENGAGE is now on Bluesky! We are a Horizon Europe-funded project exploring how the EU can refine its foreign policy toolbox to promote democracy and resilience in its neighbourhood during times of war and geopolitical tensions. Follow us for news, events and publications: re-engaging.eu
Key post for understanding (and advising!) the future of European security. There’s more to #CSDP than just defence 😉
We are looking for someone to lead our work on European defence. How to protect Europeans in a world of escalating threats?
Come and help shape the agenda. Deadline is 6 Jan. Something to ponder under the Xmas tree? #EUdefence
www.iss.europa.eu/about-us/opp...
Senior Policy Analyst for Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)
The EUISS seeks to hire a Senior Policy Analyst for Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) - Deadline 6/1/2025
www.iss.europa.eu
December 18, 2024 at 7:16 AM
Key post for understanding (and advising!) the future of European security. There’s more to #CSDP than just defence 😉
2,5 years in to the war and were still addicted to Russian gas. What a failure.
Slovakia leads effort for continued Ukraine gas transit as EU stays out of talks
Slovakia leads effort for continued Ukraine gas transit as EU stays out of talks
Slovakia, receiving gas from Russia via pipelines in Ukraine, has been in talks to try to avoid Russian gas flows stopping when a transit contract between Kyiv and Moscow expires at the end of the year.
The post Slovakia leads effort for continued…
dlvr.it
December 18, 2024 at 5:53 AM
2,5 years in to the war and were still addicted to Russian gas. What a failure.
Reposted by Ville Savoranta
I agree with both of them. JEF leaders, who met in Tallinn this week, said that Ukraine’s victory is vital to all our security. They’re right - but most European governments, including the UK’s, aren’t acting as though they agree. With Trump about to take office, Europe needs to step up, quickly.
Agree with Franz here & will reiterate: A ceasefire for sake of ceasefire isn’t enough & is short-sighted. Russia will regroup, rearm & attack again. It’s in US & EU interests to help Ukraine & in fact go beyond what it’s provided already to secure a lasting peace with real security assurances.
Europe must determine whether Ukraine is essential to the continent’s security.
December 17, 2024 at 10:28 PM
I agree with both of them. JEF leaders, who met in Tallinn this week, said that Ukraine’s victory is vital to all our security. They’re right - but most European governments, including the UK’s, aren’t acting as though they agree. With Trump about to take office, Europe needs to step up, quickly.
Question for 2025 to follow-up on; is the EU different, or will its contribution to crisis management and peace support further diminish as the Union focuses on its own security? Obviously this has already been a trend since 2015 to some degree.
Stated simply: Great power competition leads to great power distraction (they are less engaged to address crises and prevent frozen conflicts from flaring up) and great power disorder (as the powers themselves take aggressive actions).
The Age of Great-Power Distraction
What crises in the Middle East and elsewhere reveal about the global order.
www.foreignaffairs.com
December 14, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Question for 2025 to follow-up on; is the EU different, or will its contribution to crisis management and peace support further diminish as the Union focuses on its own security? Obviously this has already been a trend since 2015 to some degree.