Thomas Wiegold
@wiegold.de
Journalist in Berlin. augengeradeaus.net & podcast sicherheitspod.de
Apologies for my earlier Reuters re-post - the "exclusive" they claim ist not that exlusive after all:
Along with @duitsmanms.bsky.social and @dexeve.bsky.social, I think we found the first deployment site in Belarus of the the Oreshnik IRBM. 🧵
December 26, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Apologies for my earlier Reuters re-post - the "exclusive" they claim ist not that exlusive after all:
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
Along with @duitsmanms.bsky.social and @dexeve.bsky.social, I think we found the first deployment site in Belarus of the the Oreshnik IRBM. 🧵
December 26, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Along with @duitsmanms.bsky.social and @dexeve.bsky.social, I think we found the first deployment site in Belarus of the the Oreshnik IRBM. 🧵
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
“it was the French who were saying, completely rightly as it turned out, that the US would walk away from Europe and that Europeans needed to think and act in their own interest. And here we are, and the French government is incapable of taking the decisive action when the moment presents itself”
Annual Review 2025: What I Got Wrong
Complete with quotes!
phillipspobrien.substack.com
December 26, 2025 at 1:48 PM
“it was the French who were saying, completely rightly as it turned out, that the US would walk away from Europe and that Europeans needed to think and act in their own interest. And here we are, and the French government is incapable of taking the decisive action when the moment presents itself”
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
Another datapoint for how the leadership of the American Right is now too very online in politically self-destructive ways that European observers struggle to grasp.
MAGA elites are too weak to build something lasting but strong enough to cause lasting chaos.
MAGA elites are too weak to build something lasting but strong enough to cause lasting chaos.
December 26, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Another datapoint for how the leadership of the American Right is now too very online in politically self-destructive ways that European observers struggle to grasp.
MAGA elites are too weak to build something lasting but strong enough to cause lasting chaos.
MAGA elites are too weak to build something lasting but strong enough to cause lasting chaos.
Japan’s government, under U.S. pressure for a military increase, pledged to achieve the 2% target by March, two years earlier than planned. Japan also plans to revise the ongoing security and defense policy by December 2026 to further strengthen its military. (h/t @christianthiels.bsky.social)
Japan's Cabinet OKs record defense budget that aims to deter China
Japan’s Cabinet has approved a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen for the coming year.
apnews.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Japan’s government, under U.S. pressure for a military increase, pledged to achieve the 2% target by March, two years earlier than planned. Japan also plans to revise the ongoing security and defense policy by December 2026 to further strengthen its military. (h/t @christianthiels.bsky.social)
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
“Kalibr cruise missiles have been launched from the Black Sea. They are expected to arrive in our airspace in the next 45 minutes.” - monitoring channels
Fucking russians‼️
Fucking russians‼️
December 25, 2025 at 9:46 PM
“Kalibr cruise missiles have been launched from the Black Sea. They are expected to arrive in our airspace in the next 45 minutes.” - monitoring channels
Fucking russians‼️
Fucking russians‼️
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
NATO made a record 16 interceptions Dec 10-17.
Normal week 2025: median 3, mean 4 scrambles.
December weeks 2024: 2, 7, 2, 0
2nd highest: 12 in July.
Normal week 2025: median 3, mean 4 scrambles.
December weeks 2024: 2, 7, 2, 0
2nd highest: 12 in July.
December 25, 2025 at 8:12 PM
NATO made a record 16 interceptions Dec 10-17.
Normal week 2025: median 3, mean 4 scrambles.
December weeks 2024: 2, 7, 2, 0
2nd highest: 12 in July.
Normal week 2025: median 3, mean 4 scrambles.
December weeks 2024: 2, 7, 2, 0
2nd highest: 12 in July.
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
Murder rate per 100k inhabitants for US, Russia and Germany.
The first two recommend to the Germans to vote for AfD because the criminally rate is increasing.
It's self speaking...
The first two recommend to the Germans to vote for AfD because the criminally rate is increasing.
It's self speaking...
December 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Murder rate per 100k inhabitants for US, Russia and Germany.
The first two recommend to the Germans to vote for AfD because the criminally rate is increasing.
It's self speaking...
The first two recommend to the Germans to vote for AfD because the criminally rate is increasing.
It's self speaking...
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
For U.S. allies concerned about Trump’s policies, hedging is the most prudent path forward, write Robert Kelly and @profpaulpoast.bsky.social.
How Much Abuse Can America's Allies Take?
Longtime partners will soon start to drift away.
www.foreignaffairs.com
December 25, 2025 at 3:46 PM
For U.S. allies concerned about Trump’s policies, hedging is the most prudent path forward, write Robert Kelly and @profpaulpoast.bsky.social.
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
British campaigner launches legal challenge against Trump administration after deportation threat
British campaigner launches legal challenge against Trump administration after deportation threat
Imran Ahmed, an anti-disinformation advocate, claims he is being targeted over his work scrutinising social media companies
A British anti-disinformation campaigner close to Keir Starmer’s chief of staff has launched a legal challenge against the Trump administration after being told he could face deportation from the US in a row over freedom of speech.
Imran Ahmed, the chief executive of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), has filed a complaint against senior Trump allies including the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and the attorney general, Pam Bondi, in an attempt to prevent what he says would be an unconstitutional arrest and removal. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 25, 2025 at 5:14 PM
British campaigner launches legal challenge against Trump administration after deportation threat
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
China's production of nuclear warheads has slowed, but its missiles may be poised to strike back fast in case of an attack, an annual assessment from the Pentagon found.
China Is Shifting Its Nuclear Forces to Swifter Footing, Pentagon Says
The country’s production of nuclear warheads has slowed, but its missiles may be poised to strike back fast in case of an attack, an annual assessment found.
nyti.ms
December 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
China's production of nuclear warheads has slowed, but its missiles may be poised to strike back fast in case of an attack, an annual assessment from the Pentagon found.
"Reported speed 66.4 knots is unusually high" - haha, that would mean 123 kilometers per hour, rather fast for a vessel at sea
The vessel ALEXANDER UDALOV (IMO 9942380, Russia) was last reported 36 hours ago near Kerch, Azov Sea, en route to Mersin, Turkey (ETA Dec 29, 12:00). Reported speed 66.4 knots is unusually high, suggesting possible AIS spoofing. Position and ETA should be verified due to regional AIS issues.
December 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
"Reported speed 66.4 knots is unusually high" - haha, that would mean 123 kilometers per hour, rather fast for a vessel at sea
Ok, gibt doch noch ein Weihnachtsvideo der #Bundeswehr ... 🙃
Frohe Weihnachten | #Bundeswehr
YouTube video by Bundeswehr
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Ok, gibt doch noch ein Weihnachtsvideo der #Bundeswehr ... 🙃
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
As I didn't intend to travel to the US, excuse my French: The US administration is
- intentionally spreading fake news and lies about EU laws.
- trying to coerce European states by threatening to reduce military support if it doesn't exclude US companies from EU digital rules.
- intentionally spreading fake news and lies about EU laws.
- trying to coerce European states by threatening to reduce military support if it doesn't exclude US companies from EU digital rules.
December 24, 2025 at 11:56 AM
As I didn't intend to travel to the US, excuse my French: The US administration is
- intentionally spreading fake news and lies about EU laws.
- trying to coerce European states by threatening to reduce military support if it doesn't exclude US companies from EU digital rules.
- intentionally spreading fake news and lies about EU laws.
- trying to coerce European states by threatening to reduce military support if it doesn't exclude US companies from EU digital rules.
Sehr schönes Projekt der #SZ - Kolleg*innen: Wo bleiben die Pakete aus dem Ausland hängen und brauchen ewig? (die Antwort könnte einen Großteil der Leser*innen verunsichern)
Paketzustellung Weihnachten: Warum Pakete so lange brauchen
Nie wird so viel Post verschickt wie in der Vorweihnachtszeit – aber wo hakt es, wenn sich Briefe und Pakete verspäten? Ein Paket-Test von SZ-Korrespondenten.
www.sueddeutsche.de
December 24, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Sehr schönes Projekt der #SZ - Kolleg*innen: Wo bleiben die Pakete aus dem Ausland hängen und brauchen ewig? (die Antwort könnte einen Großteil der Leser*innen verunsichern)
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
Organizing the U.S. military around AI sounds bold. The Pentagon’s history with technology-led redesigns should give its advocates pause.
The Case for Caution: Why the U.S. Military Shouldn't Organize Around AI… Yet
Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in a series exploring key AI policy choices faced by the Department of Defense and Congress. Please also read the first,
warontherocks.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Organizing the U.S. military around AI sounds bold. The Pentagon’s history with technology-led redesigns should give its advocates pause.
Jetzt stellen wir uns mal einen Moment vor, der Chef von @diplo.de würde so reagieren, wenn Moskau unerwünschte europäische Politiker sanktioniert. Merkt ihr selbst, oder?
Die durch USA verhängten Einreiseverbote, darunter gegen die Vorsitzenden von #HateAid, sind nicht akzeptabel. Der Digital Services Act stellt sicher, dass alles, was offline illegal ist, auch online illegal ist. 1/2
December 24, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Jetzt stellen wir uns mal einen Moment vor, der Chef von @diplo.de würde so reagieren, wenn Moskau unerwünschte europäische Politiker sanktioniert. Merkt ihr selbst, oder?
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
Breaking News: President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine suggested a demilitarized zone in the Donetsk region as part of a possible peace deal with Russia.
Zelensky Opens Way to Demilitarized Zone in Eastern Ukraine to Reach Peace
The offer was the closest Mr. Zelensky has come to addressing the thorny territorial disputes in Donetsk that have repeatedly derailed peace talks.
nyti.ms
December 24, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Breaking News: President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine suggested a demilitarized zone in the Donetsk region as part of a possible peace deal with Russia.
Die USA sanktionieren Europäer, die sie als "Global Censorship-Industrial Complex" diffamieren. Nein, damit meinen sie nicht die Zensur im eigenen Land, nur diejenigen, die MAGA-Komplex widersprechen...
www.state.gov/releases/off...
www.state.gov/releases/off...
Krass: Die US-Regierung hat Sanktionen gegen Anna-Lena von Hodenberg und Josephine Ballon von @hateaid.org erlassen, dazu trifft es auch den früheren EU-Kommissar Thierry Breton, weil "These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states". Einreiseverbot
December 23, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Die USA sanktionieren Europäer, die sie als "Global Censorship-Industrial Complex" diffamieren. Nein, damit meinen sie nicht die Zensur im eigenen Land, nur diejenigen, die MAGA-Komplex widersprechen...
www.state.gov/releases/off...
www.state.gov/releases/off...
Lesen. Auch wenn viele das vielleicht anders sehen.
Meine diesjährige Reise ins Baltikum geht dem Ende entgegen. Und es ist mir ein großes Bedürfnis zu sagen, was alle längst wissen sollten.
Russland bereitet sich auf einen Angriff gegen die NATO vor. Der Kreml schlägt alle diplomatischen Angebote aus. Dieses Russland ist unser Feind.
Russland bereitet sich auf einen Angriff gegen die NATO vor. Der Kreml schlägt alle diplomatischen Angebote aus. Dieses Russland ist unser Feind.
December 23, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Lesen. Auch wenn viele das vielleicht anders sehen.
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
This whole process is an absurd parody of great power diplomacy whose very unseriousness is a datapoint for system breakdown in Russia and the US
Kremlin spokesman Peskov said he does not understand what was meant by a “breakthrough” in Ukraine negotiations, adding such talks cannot be conducted publicly.
www.kyivpost.com/post/66770
www.kyivpost.com/post/66770
Kremlin’s Peskov Says He Doesn’t Understand Claimed Breakthrough in Ukraine-Russia Talks
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he does not understand what was meant by a “breakthrough” in Ukraine negotiations, adding such talks cannot be conducted publicly.
www.kyivpost.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:55 PM
This whole process is an absurd parody of great power diplomacy whose very unseriousness is a datapoint for system breakdown in Russia and the US
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
Today’s US Navy P-8A activity shows two distinct ISR missions: one over the Arctic focused on Murmansk, the other over the Black Sea monitoring Novorossiysk.
#Russia’s two main naval hubs under simultaneous observation.
www.itamilradar.com/2025/12/23/u...
#Russia’s two main naval hubs under simultaneous observation.
www.itamilradar.com/2025/12/23/u...
US Navy P-8A Conducts Two Separate ISR Missions Today, Monitoring Russia’s Main Naval Bases in the Arctic and Black Sea
This afternoon, two distinct US Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon missions were tracked over widely separated theaters, both focused on Russia’s most important naval hubs. Although independent from one anothe...
www.itamilradar.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Today’s US Navy P-8A activity shows two distinct ISR missions: one over the Arctic focused on Murmansk, the other over the Black Sea monitoring Novorossiysk.
#Russia’s two main naval hubs under simultaneous observation.
www.itamilradar.com/2025/12/23/u...
#Russia’s two main naval hubs under simultaneous observation.
www.itamilradar.com/2025/12/23/u...
ICYMI (I did):
You’d probably assume CNN was basing its probabilities on political polling.... In this case, you’d be wrong. The network based the segment on market odds on Kalshi, a predictions marketplace that takes bets on a wide variety of future event outcomes.
You’d probably assume CNN was basing its probabilities on political polling.... In this case, you’d be wrong. The network based the segment on market odds on Kalshi, a predictions marketplace that takes bets on a wide variety of future event outcomes.
CNN Is Letting Betting Markets Rewrite the 2026 Election Narrative
The network is giving Kalshi, a volatile and easily gamed prediction market, authority it once reserved for actual polling.
slate.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:29 PM
ICYMI (I did):
You’d probably assume CNN was basing its probabilities on political polling.... In this case, you’d be wrong. The network based the segment on market odds on Kalshi, a predictions marketplace that takes bets on a wide variety of future event outcomes.
You’d probably assume CNN was basing its probabilities on political polling.... In this case, you’d be wrong. The network based the segment on market odds on Kalshi, a predictions marketplace that takes bets on a wide variety of future event outcomes.
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
Reposted by Thomas Wiegold
Der US-Präsident erklärt das bedeutendste Medium des Landes zum „Volksfeind“ und verlangt, dass es „gestoppt“ wird.
Aber Europa hat ein Problem mit Meinungsfreiheit… 🤯🤯🤯
Aber Europa hat ein Problem mit Meinungsfreiheit… 🤯🤯🤯
December 23, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Der US-Präsident erklärt das bedeutendste Medium des Landes zum „Volksfeind“ und verlangt, dass es „gestoppt“ wird.
Aber Europa hat ein Problem mit Meinungsfreiheit… 🤯🤯🤯
Aber Europa hat ein Problem mit Meinungsfreiheit… 🤯🤯🤯