Carl Dolan
@carlosdolan.bsky.social
Senior adviser at European Policy Centre. Writing and opining about corruption, ethics, transparency and less worthy subjects from my perch down here in Montevideo
Reposted by Carl Dolan
🛡️ The European Commission unveils its new #DemocracyShield today – a plan to protect the EU from foreign interference and manipulation. But can the EU defend democracy without turning it into a security project?
@carlosdolan.bsky.social weighs in.
🔗 www.epc.eu/publication/...
@carlosdolan.bsky.social weighs in.
🔗 www.epc.eu/publication/...
November 12, 2025 at 9:57 AM
🛡️ The European Commission unveils its new #DemocracyShield today – a plan to protect the EU from foreign interference and manipulation. But can the EU defend democracy without turning it into a security project?
@carlosdolan.bsky.social weighs in.
🔗 www.epc.eu/publication/...
@carlosdolan.bsky.social weighs in.
🔗 www.epc.eu/publication/...
Reposted by Carl Dolan
The U.S. has become a rogue state.
NEWS: The UK is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break | CNN Politics
The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes ...
edition.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The U.S. has become a rogue state.
Crikey. That's a lot of pent-up political frustration. Not a good omen
Ireland, Presidential Election: With the majority of first preference votes counted, the number of spoiled ballots has hit a record high of over 200,000. At the last Presidential Election, it stood at just 18,438.
➤ europeelects.eu/ireland
#Áras2025 #Ireland
➤ europeelects.eu/ireland
#Áras2025 #Ireland
October 25, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Crikey. That's a lot of pent-up political frustration. Not a good omen
Reposted by Carl Dolan
Ireland, Presidential Election: With the majority of first preference votes counted, the number of spoiled ballots has hit a record high of over 200,000. At the last Presidential Election, it stood at just 18,438.
➤ europeelects.eu/ireland
#Áras2025 #Ireland
➤ europeelects.eu/ireland
#Áras2025 #Ireland
October 25, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Ireland, Presidential Election: With the majority of first preference votes counted, the number of spoiled ballots has hit a record high of over 200,000. At the last Presidential Election, it stood at just 18,438.
➤ europeelects.eu/ireland
#Áras2025 #Ireland
➤ europeelects.eu/ireland
#Áras2025 #Ireland
I guess the headline should read "compulsive liar pardons compulsive liar" www.bbc.com/news/article...
George Santos: 'Have a great life!' Trump orders prison release of disgraced ex-congressman
George Santos was jailed for seven years for stealing identities, including from members of his own family.
www.bbc.com
October 18, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I guess the headline should read "compulsive liar pardons compulsive liar" www.bbc.com/news/article...
Looks like pro-EU vote in Moldova has held up
Moldova, 60% of the votes counted:
National parliament election
PAS-EPP: 44.5% (-8.3)
BEP-LEFT: 29.83% (-1.3)
BEA~S&D: 8.54% (+8.5)
PN-*: 6.63% (+2.5)
PDA-*: 6.2% (+4.8)
PSDE-S&D: 1.1% (-0.7)
Năstase~EPP: 0.98% (+1.0)
CUB-RE: 0.9% (+0.9)
...
+/- vs. Last election result
➤ europeelects.eu/moldova
National parliament election
PAS-EPP: 44.5% (-8.3)
BEP-LEFT: 29.83% (-1.3)
BEA~S&D: 8.54% (+8.5)
PN-*: 6.63% (+2.5)
PDA-*: 6.2% (+4.8)
PSDE-S&D: 1.1% (-0.7)
Năstase~EPP: 0.98% (+1.0)
CUB-RE: 0.9% (+0.9)
...
+/- vs. Last election result
➤ europeelects.eu/moldova
September 29, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Looks like pro-EU vote in Moldova has held up
Reposted by Carl Dolan
The CJEU has fast-tracked this case in which the EU Commission is challenging Hungary's 'defence of sovereignty' law - the hearing is set for next Tuesday (Sep 16th)
We did it! We built the largest lawsuit to defend civic space in EU history! 15 countries + the European Parliament have joined the case against Hungary’s foreign agents law targeting dissident voices. A major step for democracy, but the fight is not over. Oral hearings are next. Stay tuned.
September 11, 2025 at 12:42 PM
The CJEU has fast-tracked this case in which the EU Commission is challenging Hungary's 'defence of sovereignty' law - the hearing is set for next Tuesday (Sep 16th)
Great episode from @theresthistory.bsky.social on the myths that sprang up around German WWI blood sacrifices. One detail omitted was that Hitler made a point of visiting Langemark cemetery in 1940, emphasising again the importance of the myth to nazi propaganda. podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/t...
September 4, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Great episode from @theresthistory.bsky.social on the myths that sprang up around German WWI blood sacrifices. One detail omitted was that Hitler made a point of visiting Langemark cemetery in 1940, emphasising again the importance of the myth to nazi propaganda. podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/t...
When people talk about Latin American narco-gangs being multinational enterprises, they don't simply mean their activities extend across borders and continents. Brazil's PCC also has legal and accounting units. I wouldn't be surprised if a sustainability department is also in the works.
September 1, 2025 at 12:59 PM
When people talk about Latin American narco-gangs being multinational enterprises, they don't simply mean their activities extend across borders and continents. Brazil's PCC also has legal and accounting units. I wouldn't be surprised if a sustainability department is also in the works.
The jury is still out on whether Trump's policies are economic folly, as well as authoritarian nastiness. Seems to be a strong element of wishful thinking on the former. (H/t @adamtooze.bsky.social)
August 27, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The jury is still out on whether Trump's policies are economic folly, as well as authoritarian nastiness. Seems to be a strong element of wishful thinking on the former. (H/t @adamtooze.bsky.social)
Reposted by Carl Dolan
Notable: the EU commits to making adjustments to three laws that have raised "concerns" on the US side.
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
At long last, the European Commission and the White House have published their joint statement on the EU-US trade deal.
It's described as a "first step in a process that can be further expanded over time to cover additional areas and continue to improve market access."
It's described as a "first step in a process that can be further expanded over time to cover additional areas and continue to improve market access."
Joint Statement on a United States-European Union Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade
The United States and the European Union are pleased to announce that they have agreed on a Framework on
www.whitehouse.gov
August 21, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Notable: the EU commits to making adjustments to three laws that have raised "concerns" on the US side.
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD)
- Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
Reposted by Carl Dolan
Whacked on the BBC Glasto coverage to see what they were showing instead of Kneecap and caught Amy of Amyl & the Sniffers giving a pro Palestine speech...
Beeb editors playing whack-a-mole
Beeb editors playing whack-a-mole
June 28, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Whacked on the BBC Glasto coverage to see what they were showing instead of Kneecap and caught Amy of Amyl & the Sniffers giving a pro Palestine speech...
Beeb editors playing whack-a-mole
Beeb editors playing whack-a-mole
Bad case of 'whataboutism'
In China's own readout, it criticised "the serious human rights issues in EU countries"
including, and I quote, "the regression of democracy and freedom"
www.mfa.gov.cn/wjdt_674879/...
including, and I quote, "the regression of democracy and freedom"
www.mfa.gov.cn/wjdt_674879/...
www.mfa.gov.cn
June 15, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Bad case of 'whataboutism'
Reposted by Carl Dolan
In China's own readout, it criticised "the serious human rights issues in EU countries"
including, and I quote, "the regression of democracy and freedom"
www.mfa.gov.cn/wjdt_674879/...
including, and I quote, "the regression of democracy and freedom"
www.mfa.gov.cn/wjdt_674879/...
www.mfa.gov.cn
June 14, 2025 at 7:29 PM
In China's own readout, it criticised "the serious human rights issues in EU countries"
including, and I quote, "the regression of democracy and freedom"
www.mfa.gov.cn/wjdt_674879/...
including, and I quote, "the regression of democracy and freedom"
www.mfa.gov.cn/wjdt_674879/...
Reposted by Carl Dolan
Yes, we got a tip when the $TRUMP whales (biggest buyers of his crypto) were going to show up Friday at the White House for their VIP tour and The NYT was there. We had a list with their names. So we knew who they were. But they did not want to chat. I still tried...
May 24, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Yes, we got a tip when the $TRUMP whales (biggest buyers of his crypto) were going to show up Friday at the White House for their VIP tour and The NYT was there. We had a list with their names. So we knew who they were. But they did not want to chat. I still tried...
I was lucky enough to spend a couple of years reading MacIntyre for my MA. Like many, I was impressed by the historical sweep of his critique of liberalism. But also his impish sense of humour...1/
News coming out that Alasdair MacIntyre died today…
May 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
I was lucky enough to spend a couple of years reading MacIntyre for my MA. Like many, I was impressed by the historical sweep of his critique of liberalism. But also his impish sense of humour...1/
Reposted by Carl Dolan
Belgium has asked the European Parliament to waive the immunity of five MEPs over the so-called #Huaweigate.
- Salvatore De Meo (Italy, EPP)
- Giusi Princi (Italy, EPP)
- Fulvio Martusciello (Italy, EPP)
- Daniel Attard (Malta, S&D)
- Nikola Minchev (Bulgaria, Renew)
- Salvatore De Meo (Italy, EPP)
- Giusi Princi (Italy, EPP)
- Fulvio Martusciello (Italy, EPP)
- Daniel Attard (Malta, S&D)
- Nikola Minchev (Bulgaria, Renew)
European Parliament weighs immunity for 5 MEPs over Huawei probe
Prosecutors want to investigate three members from the centre-right EPP, one from the Socialists and one from the centrist Renew group. #EuropeNews
www.euronews.com
May 21, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Belgium has asked the European Parliament to waive the immunity of five MEPs over the so-called #Huaweigate.
- Salvatore De Meo (Italy, EPP)
- Giusi Princi (Italy, EPP)
- Fulvio Martusciello (Italy, EPP)
- Daniel Attard (Malta, S&D)
- Nikola Minchev (Bulgaria, Renew)
- Salvatore De Meo (Italy, EPP)
- Giusi Princi (Italy, EPP)
- Fulvio Martusciello (Italy, EPP)
- Daniel Attard (Malta, S&D)
- Nikola Minchev (Bulgaria, Renew)
Reposted by Carl Dolan
The attendees were selected based on who had spent the most on TRUMP and held their coins the longest between the announcement date and the deadline at 1:30 pm ET on Monday, May 12. The identities of the investors who vied for a place are concealed.
A VIP Seat at Donald Trump’s Crypto Dinner Cost at Least $2 Million
The largest holders of Donald Trump’s memecoin have secured spots at a private event with the US president himself. WIRED tracked how they did it.
wrd.cm
May 17, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The attendees were selected based on who had spent the most on TRUMP and held their coins the longest between the announcement date and the deadline at 1:30 pm ET on Monday, May 12. The identities of the investors who vied for a place are concealed.
Reposted by Carl Dolan
A dark turn in Hungary’s democracy erosion: disguised as a transparency measure to prevent sovereignty threats, the Bill on the Transparency of Public Life aims to starve and strangle civil society, independent media and any legal entity the government decides to target. helsinki.hu/en/operation...
Operation Starve and Strangle: Hungary’s proposed “Transparency” Law threatens core European democratic values and attacks independent civil society and media organisations - Hungarian Helsinki Commit...
A new legislative proposal marks a turning point in Hungary's erosion of democratic norms. Disguised as a transparency measure to prevent sovereignty threats, the Bill on the Transparency of Public Li...
helsinki.hu
May 15, 2025 at 4:57 PM
A dark turn in Hungary’s democracy erosion: disguised as a transparency measure to prevent sovereignty threats, the Bill on the Transparency of Public Life aims to starve and strangle civil society, independent media and any legal entity the government decides to target. helsinki.hu/en/operation...
Good, dogged journalism by @quentinaries.bsky.social and Roland Papp in the face of hapless stonewalling by Commission spokespersons. Hard to escape conclusion that EU is constantly on the backfoot when it comes to Orban's provocations.
“So what are you going to do about it?”
Journalists ask @ec.europa.eu about the Starve&Strangle bill. @rlndpapp.bsky.social @quentinaries.bsky.social
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-2...
Journalists ask @ec.europa.eu about the Starve&Strangle bill. @rlndpapp.bsky.social @quentinaries.bsky.social
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-2...
EC AV PORTAL
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu
May 16, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Good, dogged journalism by @quentinaries.bsky.social and Roland Papp in the face of hapless stonewalling by Commission spokespersons. Hard to escape conclusion that EU is constantly on the backfoot when it comes to Orban's provocations.
Reposted by Carl Dolan
“So what are you going to do about it?”
Journalists ask @ec.europa.eu about the Starve&Strangle bill. @rlndpapp.bsky.social @quentinaries.bsky.social
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-2...
Journalists ask @ec.europa.eu about the Starve&Strangle bill. @rlndpapp.bsky.social @quentinaries.bsky.social
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-2...
EC AV PORTAL
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu
May 16, 2025 at 1:55 PM
“So what are you going to do about it?”
Journalists ask @ec.europa.eu about the Starve&Strangle bill. @rlndpapp.bsky.social @quentinaries.bsky.social
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-2...
Journalists ask @ec.europa.eu about the Starve&Strangle bill. @rlndpapp.bsky.social @quentinaries.bsky.social
audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-2...
Reposted by Carl Dolan
AG Pam Bondi sold over $1M in Trump Media stock on April 2
What else happened that day? Trump’s tariff policy went into effect & then the stock price went down
Hmm...
I’ll discuss tonight w Anderson Cooper @cnn.com at 8:30 pm ET
What else happened that day? Trump’s tariff policy went into effect & then the stock price went down
Hmm...
I’ll discuss tonight w Anderson Cooper @cnn.com at 8:30 pm ET
U.S. AG Pam Bondi Sold More than $1 Million in Trump Media Stock the Day Trump Announced Sweeping Tariffs
Disclosure forms show that Bondi sold between $1 million and $5 million worth of shares on April 2. That day, after the market closed, Trump’s “Liberation Day” press conference sent the market tumblin...
www.propublica.org
May 15, 2025 at 11:07 PM
AG Pam Bondi sold over $1M in Trump Media stock on April 2
What else happened that day? Trump’s tariff policy went into effect & then the stock price went down
Hmm...
I’ll discuss tonight w Anderson Cooper @cnn.com at 8:30 pm ET
What else happened that day? Trump’s tariff policy went into effect & then the stock price went down
Hmm...
I’ll discuss tonight w Anderson Cooper @cnn.com at 8:30 pm ET
Reposted by Carl Dolan
Three of us who oversaw emoluments enforcement for three presidents, Democratic and Republican, agree:
Between the Qatari plane and the UAE crypto cash, this is far over the line
Here's how to stop it @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/o...
Between the Qatari plane and the UAE crypto cash, this is far over the line
Here's how to stop it @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/o...
Opinion | A Plane From Qatar? C’mon, Man.
www.nytimes.com
May 14, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Three of us who oversaw emoluments enforcement for three presidents, Democratic and Republican, agree:
Between the Qatari plane and the UAE crypto cash, this is far over the line
Here's how to stop it @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/o...
Between the Qatari plane and the UAE crypto cash, this is far over the line
Here's how to stop it @nytopinion.nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/o...
Trump and his family have profited by $330m from their crypto business while promoting deregulation. Good reporting by @ericlipton.nytimes.com on what is a blatant act of corruption, even if by a peculiar twist of US governance the President is exempt from federal conflict of interest laws.
TODAY the NYT publishes an investigation into the Trump memecoin $TRUMP and how it has turned into a extraordinary venue for foreign influence campaigns. What we are seeing is potentially corrupt attempts to change US policy by paying the Trump family money. This is no "Russian Hoax" nyti.ms/4kkv7D7
Auction to Dine With Trump Creates Foreign Influence Opportunity (Gift Article)
When the bidding stops Monday, the top buyers of a Trump family crypto coin will win a tour of the White House.
nyti.ms
May 12, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Trump and his family have profited by $330m from their crypto business while promoting deregulation. Good reporting by @ericlipton.nytimes.com on what is a blatant act of corruption, even if by a peculiar twist of US governance the President is exempt from federal conflict of interest laws.
Reposted by Carl Dolan
Trump is profiting off of the presidency
His crypto grift is raking in millions while he slashes Medicaid & guts essential services
I’ll discuss tonight with @ericlipton.nytimes.com on AC360 at 8pm ET - TN
www.democracydefendersfund.org/prs/04.23.25-pr
His crypto grift is raking in millions while he slashes Medicaid & guts essential services
I’ll discuss tonight with @ericlipton.nytimes.com on AC360 at 8pm ET - TN
www.democracydefendersfund.org/prs/04.23.25-pr
May 5, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Trump is profiting off of the presidency
His crypto grift is raking in millions while he slashes Medicaid & guts essential services
I’ll discuss tonight with @ericlipton.nytimes.com on AC360 at 8pm ET - TN
www.democracydefendersfund.org/prs/04.23.25-pr
His crypto grift is raking in millions while he slashes Medicaid & guts essential services
I’ll discuss tonight with @ericlipton.nytimes.com on AC360 at 8pm ET - TN
www.democracydefendersfund.org/prs/04.23.25-pr