Alexander Anderson
@aandersonjourno.bsky.social
UK-based Student Journalist | Ex-Telegraph Foreign Desk Intern | Focused on Foreign Affairs, Defence, Economics, & UK Politics | Long form content: https://medium.com/@aandersonjourno
13/ Should European nations rethink their dependence on US fighter jets? Or is this just the cost of interoperability with NATO’s ‘most advanced’ aircraft?
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
13/ Should European nations rethink their dependence on US fighter jets? Or is this just the cost of interoperability with NATO’s ‘most advanced’ aircraft?
12/ With 550+ European F-35s expected by 2030, the question isn’t just whether the US can disable them, but whether Europe is willing to accept that risk—or forge its own path.
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
12/ With 550+ European F-35s expected by 2030, the question isn’t just whether the US can disable them, but whether Europe is willing to accept that risk—or forge its own path.
11/ France is promising to cut red tape and reduce costs to make European weapons more competitive. But can the Rafale really replace the F-35’s interoperability and stealth capabilities?
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
11/ France is promising to cut red tape and reduce costs to make European weapons more competitive. But can the Rafale really replace the F-35’s interoperability and stealth capabilities?
10/ Portugal is now hesitating on its planned F-35 purchase, citing concerns over recent US policy shifts within NATO. Meanwhile, Belgium and the Netherlands are doubling down on American jets.
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
10/ Portugal is now hesitating on its planned F-35 purchase, citing concerns over recent US policy shifts within NATO. Meanwhile, Belgium and the Netherlands are doubling down on American jets.
9/ Macron sees this as an opportunity. He’s urging EU countries to ditch US defence imports and buy European alternatives like the Rafale fighter jet instead of the F-35.
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
9/ Macron sees this as an opportunity. He’s urging EU countries to ditch US defence imports and buy European alternatives like the Rafale fighter jet instead of the F-35.
8/ The F-35 is Europe’s most sophisticated jet, but also its most dependent on the US. It’s fully integrated into NATO, yet software and munitions remain under American control.
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
8/ The F-35 is Europe’s most sophisticated jet, but also its most dependent on the US. It’s fully integrated into NATO, yet software and munitions remain under American control.
7/ Swiss and Belgian officials insist their F-35s are not ‘remotely controlled.’ Yet their own defence ministries admit no advanced Western fighter jet is truly independent of US data links and satellite navigation.
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
7/ Swiss and Belgian officials insist their F-35s are not ‘remotely controlled.’ Yet their own defence ministries admit no advanced Western fighter jet is truly independent of US data links and satellite navigation.
6/ Wolfgang Ischinger, ex-Munich Security Conference chief, warns: “If we have to fear the US could do with Germany’s F-35s what they’re doing with Ukraine, we could consider terminating the contract.”
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
6/ Wolfgang Ischinger, ex-Munich Security Conference chief, warns: “If we have to fear the US could do with Germany’s F-35s what they’re doing with Ukraine, we could consider terminating the contract.”
5/ This isn’t hypothetical. The US has already limited Ukraine’s use of its F-16s by withholding updates to critical electronic jamming equipment, making them less effective against Russian air defences.
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
5/ This isn’t hypothetical. The US has already limited Ukraine’s use of its F-16s by withholding updates to critical electronic jamming equipment, making them less effective against Russian air defences.
4/ The US Air Force and Lockheed Martin insist F-35s can be operated autonomously. But here’s the catch: even if the US doesn’t have a ‘kill switch,’ it can still cut off software updates, GPS, spare parts, or munitions.
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
4/ The US Air Force and Lockheed Martin insist F-35s can be operated autonomously. But here’s the catch: even if the US doesn’t have a ‘kill switch,’ it can still cut off software updates, GPS, spare parts, or munitions.
3/ Joachim Schranzhofer from German arms firm Hensoldt calls the ‘kill switch’ “more than just a rumour.” While there’s no hard proof, he warns the US controls critical software, making it easy to disable the aircraft remotely.
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
3/ Joachim Schranzhofer from German arms firm Hensoldt calls the ‘kill switch’ “more than just a rumour.” While there’s no hard proof, he warns the US controls critical software, making it easy to disable the aircraft remotely.
2/ Germany’s €8.3bn F-35 deal was meant to modernise its air force, but now defence officials are questioning whether the US could block access to key software, effectively grounding the jets at will.
March 19, 2025 at 5:34 AM
2/ Germany’s €8.3bn F-35 deal was meant to modernise its air force, but now defence officials are questioning whether the US could block access to key software, effectively grounding the jets at will.
3/ There might still be hope for a ceasefire. Al-Sharq - a Saudi outlet - has reported that Hamas will turn in the list for hostages that will be released in the ‘coming hours’
January 19, 2025 at 7:09 AM
3/ There might still be hope for a ceasefire. Al-Sharq - a Saudi outlet - has reported that Hamas will turn in the list for hostages that will be released in the ‘coming hours’
IDF Spox on IDF still attacking Hamas, as the latter ‘didn’t respect ceasefire’
January 19, 2025 at 7:09 AM
IDF Spox on IDF still attacking Hamas, as the latter ‘didn’t respect ceasefire’
8/ If you’ve liked this thread, be sure to like and comment!
Photo credit:
•REUTERS/Djordje Kojadinovic
•AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic
•Russian State Assembly (ГосДума)
Photo credit:
•REUTERS/Djordje Kojadinovic
•AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic
•Russian State Assembly (ГосДума)
1/ Serbian university students have led mass protests following the tragic collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which claimed 15 lives on November 1st. The protests are still ongoing.
January 19, 2025 at 5:11 AM
8/ If you’ve liked this thread, be sure to like and comment!
Photo credit:
•REUTERS/Djordje Kojadinovic
•AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic
•Russian State Assembly (ГосДума)
Photo credit:
•REUTERS/Djordje Kojadinovic
•AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic
•Russian State Assembly (ГосДума)
7/ Despite government denials, the protests marked the largest challenge to Vučić’s authority since he took office in 2017, highlighting deep-seated issues of corruption and governance in Serbia.
January 19, 2025 at 5:10 AM
7/ Despite government denials, the protests marked the largest challenge to Vučić’s authority since he took office in 2017, highlighting deep-seated issues of corruption and governance in Serbia.
6/ President Aleksandar Vučić dismissed the protests as foreign-influenced and threatened academic leaders supporting the students.
This is despite opposition officials briefly taking over Novi Sad’s city hall in solidarity with protestors.
This is despite opposition officials briefly taking over Novi Sad’s city hall in solidarity with protestors.
January 19, 2025 at 5:10 AM
6/ President Aleksandar Vučić dismissed the protests as foreign-influenced and threatened academic leaders supporting the students.
This is despite opposition officials briefly taking over Novi Sad’s city hall in solidarity with protestors.
This is despite opposition officials briefly taking over Novi Sad’s city hall in solidarity with protestors.
5/ Friday’s protests could mean that the protests now have a wider goal than just to combat the corruption surrounding Novi Sad.
January 19, 2025 at 5:10 AM
5/ Friday’s protests could mean that the protests now have a wider goal than just to combat the corruption surrounding Novi Sad.
4/ Tensions escalated when a driver rammed into a protest in Belgrade, critically injuring a young woman, on Thursday. The driver was detained and faced attempted murder charges. The incident led to massive student protests against the president and state broadcaster on Friday.
January 19, 2025 at 5:10 AM
4/ Tensions escalated when a driver rammed into a protest in Belgrade, critically injuring a young woman, on Thursday. The driver was detained and faced attempted murder charges. The incident led to massive student protests against the president and state broadcaster on Friday.
3/ Demonstrations included silent vigils, class blockades, and traffic disruptions, with students demanding the release of renovation documents and prosecution of those responsible.
January 19, 2025 at 5:10 AM
3/ Demonstrations included silent vigils, class blockades, and traffic disruptions, with students demanding the release of renovation documents and prosecution of those responsible.