Federico Pisani
@federicopisani.bsky.social
Economist, specialized in biotech and EU policy.
Imv, with regards to the outcomes of any action on Venezuela, a lot rests on the behaviors of those other regional powers (Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, etc) whose agency is usually forgotten (at one’s own peril).
December 14, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Imv, with regards to the outcomes of any action on Venezuela, a lot rests on the behaviors of those other regional powers (Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, etc) whose agency is usually forgotten (at one’s own peril).
Like most of this type of "quotes", often from anonymous or lesser influential sources, the statement/warning is from the newspaper itself.
A warning by SkyNews in this case. Which reflects on its editorial line/politics.
A warning by SkyNews in this case. Which reflects on its editorial line/politics.
December 13, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Like most of this type of "quotes", often from anonymous or lesser influential sources, the statement/warning is from the newspaper itself.
A warning by SkyNews in this case. Which reflects on its editorial line/politics.
A warning by SkyNews in this case. Which reflects on its editorial line/politics.
I would like to know the person that thought this makes any sense.
December 12, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I would like to know the person that thought this makes any sense.
Here some pieces discussing the point, which I think is an easy symbol of a bigger issue.
Language is never innocent, and there are observable patterns and spin/framing that are the product of conscious decisions. (2/2)
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/eu-i...
davekeating.substack.com/p/the-eu-is-...
Language is never innocent, and there are observable patterns and spin/framing that are the product of conscious decisions. (2/2)
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/eu-i...
davekeating.substack.com/p/the-eu-is-...
The EU is not a bloc
By any reasonable definition and whether people like it or not, the EU is a confederation. Describing it as a bloc misleads the public into thinking it is something far less important.
davekeating.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Here some pieces discussing the point, which I think is an easy symbol of a bigger issue.
Language is never innocent, and there are observable patterns and spin/framing that are the product of conscious decisions. (2/2)
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/eu-i...
davekeating.substack.com/p/the-eu-is-...
Language is never innocent, and there are observable patterns and spin/framing that are the product of conscious decisions. (2/2)
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/eu-i...
davekeating.substack.com/p/the-eu-is-...
Indeed, though you will find that there's an ample (ab)use of the term "bloc" as a synonym of the EU, instead of simply using "union". Some outlets will outright never use the word "union".
This may seem trivial at first, but there more than meets the eye and worth exploring. (1/2)
This may seem trivial at first, but there more than meets the eye and worth exploring. (1/2)
EU is not a ‘bloc’ – don’t call it one
From Cold War connotations to Brexit psychology, five good reasons to ditch the word
www.irishtimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Indeed, though you will find that there's an ample (ab)use of the term "bloc" as a synonym of the EU, instead of simply using "union". Some outlets will outright never use the word "union".
This may seem trivial at first, but there more than meets the eye and worth exploring. (1/2)
This may seem trivial at first, but there more than meets the eye and worth exploring. (1/2)
Reposted by Federico Pisani
Regardless of what happens to the reparations loan, which is still under intense negotiations, the Russian assets will be protected from undue interference.
It's a bold decision and an act of defiance. The Europeans are finally playing their cards.
It's a bold decision and an act of defiance. The Europeans are finally playing their cards.
EU agrees to indefinitely immobilise €210 billion of Russian assets
The EU has decided to keep the assets of the Russian Central Bank immobilised for the foreseeable future. The ban, which is based on a provision for economic emergencies, pushes back against external attempts to release the €210 billion in assets before Ukraine is compensated.
www.euronews.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Regardless of what happens to the reparations loan, which is still under intense negotiations, the Russian assets will be protected from undue interference.
It's a bold decision and an act of defiance. The Europeans are finally playing their cards.
It's a bold decision and an act of defiance. The Europeans are finally playing their cards.
Hi MAKS, big fan.
Small correction: the EU is not a bloc (it’s a union).
Mistakes of some press don’t need to be repeated!
Small correction: the EU is not a bloc (it’s a union).
Mistakes of some press don’t need to be repeated!
December 10, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Hi MAKS, big fan.
Small correction: the EU is not a bloc (it’s a union).
Mistakes of some press don’t need to be repeated!
Small correction: the EU is not a bloc (it’s a union).
Mistakes of some press don’t need to be repeated!
Curious to know what answers you have received so far!
December 10, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Curious to know what answers you have received so far!
Thanks you're right - I recalled that a Commission office had to be opened in order to ensure border/customs checks take place according to EU law, as part of the agreement to let NI in the Single Market for goods. But the UK refused to follow through: www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
UK refuses EU request for Belfast office
The British government is resisting a request by the EU to open an office in Northern Ireland, following the closure of the European Commission's representation in Belfast at the end of January, RTÉ N...
www.rte.ie
December 8, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Thanks you're right - I recalled that a Commission office had to be opened in order to ensure border/customs checks take place according to EU law, as part of the agreement to let NI in the Single Market for goods. But the UK refused to follow through: www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Wasn't this already agreed in the NI Protocol?
December 8, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Wasn't this already agreed in the NI Protocol?
IMV, from an EU perspective, there're much more important and urgent matter to attend.
Notably, the further integration of its political union.
Mr Henig, like many in UK, doesn't recognize the EU as a legitimate actor - why would the EU invest so much to let a third country undermine it from within.
Notably, the further integration of its political union.
Mr Henig, like many in UK, doesn't recognize the EU as a legitimate actor - why would the EU invest so much to let a third country undermine it from within.
December 8, 2025 at 3:44 PM
IMV, from an EU perspective, there're much more important and urgent matter to attend.
Notably, the further integration of its political union.
Mr Henig, like many in UK, doesn't recognize the EU as a legitimate actor - why would the EU invest so much to let a third country undermine it from within.
Notably, the further integration of its political union.
Mr Henig, like many in UK, doesn't recognize the EU as a legitimate actor - why would the EU invest so much to let a third country undermine it from within.
Vastly underplays the role the US have played in ensuring that Europe did not develop hard power capabilities and concrete strategic independence.
The same "Europe has been asleep, and needs to wake up, and grow up, and take responsibility " - as if this had been a choice made by Europe willingly.
The same "Europe has been asleep, and needs to wake up, and grow up, and take responsibility " - as if this had been a choice made by Europe willingly.
December 7, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Vastly underplays the role the US have played in ensuring that Europe did not develop hard power capabilities and concrete strategic independence.
The same "Europe has been asleep, and needs to wake up, and grow up, and take responsibility " - as if this had been a choice made by Europe willingly.
The same "Europe has been asleep, and needs to wake up, and grow up, and take responsibility " - as if this had been a choice made by Europe willingly.
Thanks for the interesting reflection.
It appears that the UK keeps negotiating with itself. And then gets mad at Europe.
I wonder how disillusion with any concrete European perspectives with UK's constituent nations may end up pushing the UK towards full breakdown. Would EU then let Scotland in?
It appears that the UK keeps negotiating with itself. And then gets mad at Europe.
I wonder how disillusion with any concrete European perspectives with UK's constituent nations may end up pushing the UK towards full breakdown. Would EU then let Scotland in?
December 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Thanks for the interesting reflection.
It appears that the UK keeps negotiating with itself. And then gets mad at Europe.
I wonder how disillusion with any concrete European perspectives with UK's constituent nations may end up pushing the UK towards full breakdown. Would EU then let Scotland in?
It appears that the UK keeps negotiating with itself. And then gets mad at Europe.
I wonder how disillusion with any concrete European perspectives with UK's constituent nations may end up pushing the UK towards full breakdown. Would EU then let Scotland in?
This has certainly emerged in previous exchanges with him, but I don't see the same undertone when discussing USA or China, who also are stronger parties.
A sense that the EU is not a legitimate entity and actor, and any actions it undertakes to protect its interests are never legitimate.
A sense that the EU is not a legitimate entity and actor, and any actions it undertakes to protect its interests are never legitimate.
December 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
This has certainly emerged in previous exchanges with him, but I don't see the same undertone when discussing USA or China, who also are stronger parties.
A sense that the EU is not a legitimate entity and actor, and any actions it undertakes to protect its interests are never legitimate.
A sense that the EU is not a legitimate entity and actor, and any actions it undertakes to protect its interests are never legitimate.
You should partner with @ecmemes.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 1:22 PM
You should partner with @ecmemes.bsky.social
It’d be a very interesting research paper.
December 4, 2025 at 10:41 AM
It’d be a very interesting research paper.
A nice summary of the piece.
However, the missing part of the "analysis" from D. Henig, is that he does NOT accept the legitimacy of the Union as a full-fledged geopolitical actor.
The unfortunate intellectual/media framing affecting many in UK, thinking the EU is a "bloc" or even a "trade bloc".
However, the missing part of the "analysis" from D. Henig, is that he does NOT accept the legitimacy of the Union as a full-fledged geopolitical actor.
The unfortunate intellectual/media framing affecting many in UK, thinking the EU is a "bloc" or even a "trade bloc".
December 4, 2025 at 8:38 AM
A nice summary of the piece.
However, the missing part of the "analysis" from D. Henig, is that he does NOT accept the legitimacy of the Union as a full-fledged geopolitical actor.
The unfortunate intellectual/media framing affecting many in UK, thinking the EU is a "bloc" or even a "trade bloc".
However, the missing part of the "analysis" from D. Henig, is that he does NOT accept the legitimacy of the Union as a full-fledged geopolitical actor.
The unfortunate intellectual/media framing affecting many in UK, thinking the EU is a "bloc" or even a "trade bloc".
Does the same apply to London or the US (Delaware, NY, etc) or China, or Singapore, or Panama, or Switzerland?
IMHO a bit of a double standard against our Irish friends!
IMHO a bit of a double standard against our Irish friends!
December 3, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Does the same apply to London or the US (Delaware, NY, etc) or China, or Singapore, or Panama, or Switzerland?
IMHO a bit of a double standard against our Irish friends!
IMHO a bit of a double standard against our Irish friends!
This obviously doesn’t justify Europe’s delays and lack of political will to move forward quickly.
A typical example of the dichotomy between the Federal (EU) and national (Council) power/identity struggle.
A typical example of the dichotomy between the Federal (EU) and national (Council) power/identity struggle.
December 3, 2025 at 9:53 AM
This obviously doesn’t justify Europe’s delays and lack of political will to move forward quickly.
A typical example of the dichotomy between the Federal (EU) and national (Council) power/identity struggle.
A typical example of the dichotomy between the Federal (EU) and national (Council) power/identity struggle.