The „secure the border“ team seems very keen on forcing Ukraine to redraw theirs.

MAGA talking points these last 7 days:
- EU democracies are the real problem
- far right pro-Russian party needs to win in 🇩🇪
- No to Ukrainian territorial integrity
- No NATO membership
- Zelensky must go
- 🇺🇸🇷🇺 talks without Europe
- and now: ❗️Ukraine started it all

Appeasment of Russia today may pave the way for it to wage large scale war. According to Danish intelligence "Russia is likely to be more willing to use military force in a regional war against one or more European NATO countries if it perceives NATO as militarily weakened or politically divided,"

Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia left the Russian power grid yesterday and synchronized with the EU network today. Quite the symbolism as the final link to the former USSR of those 3 EU members has been cut.

Subtle Scandinavian solidarity.

The Finish president, Norwegian and Swedish prime minsters at the Danish prime minister‘s dinner table yesterday. Mette Frederiksen’s message was: „We are not alone. We have several close allies with whom we share values.“

In the Lebanese elections for president, one MP voted for #BernieSanders. Bernie bros seem to be everywhere. I suppose that would make Lebanese politics even more exciting! #polisci

The far-right AFD in Karlsruhe, Germany distributed over 20,000 deportation tickets, „Abschiebetickets“, in citizens‘ mailboxes. A clear incitement to racial hatred!

Syria, Turkey and Qatar enjoy a good amount of leverage over the EU now that the new Syrian government could agree to be a strategic energy corridor, connecting Qatari natural gas to Europe. Throughout the war, Russia opposed the proposed pipeline via Syria to ensure dominance of Gazprom in Europe.

Pentagon spokesperson refuted Rep. Jeff Van Drew’s (R-N.J.) claim that #Iran had launched drones recently spotted in New Jersey via a mothership somewhere off the U.S. East Coast. After recent congressional hearings on UAP‘s, these drones probably aren’t from China either. 🛸 #geopolitics

As Israeli forces are entering this 155-sq mile buffer zone and striking targets inside Syria, we ought to be mindful that the UN DOF just celebrated 50 years of observing the ceasefire between Israel and Syria. 🇺🇳 peacekeepers have been there since 1974 to implement their mandate. #academicsky

Polish Foreign Minister, Radek Sikorski, to Russian delegation at the OSCE:

„We are not taken in by your lies. We know what you are doing. You are trying to rebuild the Russian Empire and we will not let you. We will resist you every inch of the way.“ #academicsky #geopolitics #polisci #ukraine

Bad timing! Now that Aleppo has fallen to rebel control, Assad needs Iranian ( and Russian) military support more than he needs sanctions relief. #syria #iran #geopolitics #polisci

Russian propaganda trying to boost Putin‘s nuclear redline threats. Given his numerous (empty) warnings during the last 1000 days, not sure whether this actually serves as deterrence against #NATO or just terrifies Russians. #geopolitics

Austrian Airlines‘ final post on Twitter.

“Austrian Airlines is leaving the platform X, as an increasing spread of hate, agitation, and disinformation is perceptible and this is not compatible with our values.”

Several possible courses of action after Russia’s recent threats:
- Putin waits it out until 01/20/25
- escalates by proxy elsewhere ( eg Middle East or sabotage in EU)
- use of tactical nukes (unlikely) as Russia keeps drawing lines in the sand (see Leopard tanks, F-16s...)
- agrees to negotiate