Ultracrepidarian infantrist
@foxholebookworm.bsky.social
🇪🇺🇱🇺
Infantry, ISR, arms control, international relations.
Compulsive reader of non-fiction books. Successfully building an exaggerated anti-library.
Infantry, ISR, arms control, international relations.
Compulsive reader of non-fiction books. Successfully building an exaggerated anti-library.
Pinned
If you don’t read enough books, you’ll be exposed to a higher risk of getting fooled by people who want to manipulate you for their own benefit.
In a world full of disinformation, books are your armor!
In a world full of disinformation, books are your armor!
"Europeans wasting the next four years hoping that America’s pivot from Europe—and Russia’s designs for the continent—will disappear into thin air would all but doom Europe’s collective security"
True. But the delusion persists, viciously.
ecfr.eu/article/look...
True. But the delusion persists, viciously.
ecfr.eu/article/look...
Look what you made us do: How to realise a European-led NATO
America’s gradual retreat from European security under the current Trump administration is reshaping NATO’s centre of gravity. To keep the alliance credible and united, Europeans not only need to…
ecfr.eu
November 6, 2025 at 10:54 AM
"Europeans wasting the next four years hoping that America’s pivot from Europe—and Russia’s designs for the continent—will disappear into thin air would all but doom Europe’s collective security"
True. But the delusion persists, viciously.
ecfr.eu/article/look...
True. But the delusion persists, viciously.
ecfr.eu/article/look...
Net déck, Lëtzebuerg...
"Data literacy refers to the ability to articulate information needs, to locate and retrieve digital data, information and content, TO JUDGE THE RELEVANCE OF THE SOURCE AND ITS CONTENT, and to store, manage and organize digital data, information and content.
"Data literacy refers to the ability to articulate information needs, to locate and retrieve digital data, information and content, TO JUDGE THE RELEVANCE OF THE SOURCE AND ITS CONTENT, and to store, manage and organize digital data, information and content.
September 14, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Net déck, Lëtzebuerg...
"Data literacy refers to the ability to articulate information needs, to locate and retrieve digital data, information and content, TO JUDGE THE RELEVANCE OF THE SOURCE AND ITS CONTENT, and to store, manage and organize digital data, information and content.
"Data literacy refers to the ability to articulate information needs, to locate and retrieve digital data, information and content, TO JUDGE THE RELEVANCE OF THE SOURCE AND ITS CONTENT, and to store, manage and organize digital data, information and content.
Reposted by Ultracrepidarian infantrist
Reposted by Ultracrepidarian infantrist
Europe’s summer of humiliation. A sobering read by Marc de Vos on Europe’s self imposed capitulation
Europe’s summer of humiliation
America knew the EU was weak. The rest of the world knows it now
on.ft.com
July 31, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Europe’s summer of humiliation. A sobering read by Marc de Vos on Europe’s self imposed capitulation
Reposted by Ultracrepidarian infantrist
Absolutely striking numbers. 65% of Germans support Germany significantly increasing its defence expenditures to reach NATO’s 5%* goal.
*it’s a 3,5%+ goal, to be exact.
*it’s a 3,5%+ goal, to be exact.
June 27, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Absolutely striking numbers. 65% of Germans support Germany significantly increasing its defence expenditures to reach NATO’s 5%* goal.
*it’s a 3,5%+ goal, to be exact.
*it’s a 3,5%+ goal, to be exact.
Reposted by Ultracrepidarian infantrist
4/ A former pre-trial detainee named Vadim has posted a video in which he describes how the prisoners were treated. He says they were immediately tortured and had their living conditions made unbearable, before being presented with a dildo and an unsigned contract.
May 19, 2025 at 6:36 AM
4/ A former pre-trial detainee named Vadim has posted a video in which he describes how the prisoners were treated. He says they were immediately tortured and had their living conditions made unbearable, before being presented with a dildo and an unsigned contract.
In American Kompromat, @craigunger.bsky.social sheds light on the secretive catholic connection that supported Trump’s & Vance’s political careers.
Interesting to see how Pope Leo XIV will affect this game, given that 3 out of his 5 tweets were anti-Trump/Vance.
Watching this with delight. 😄
Interesting to see how Pope Leo XIV will affect this game, given that 3 out of his 5 tweets were anti-Trump/Vance.
Watching this with delight. 😄
May 9, 2025 at 5:24 AM
In American Kompromat, @craigunger.bsky.social sheds light on the secretive catholic connection that supported Trump’s & Vance’s political careers.
Interesting to see how Pope Leo XIV will affect this game, given that 3 out of his 5 tweets were anti-Trump/Vance.
Watching this with delight. 😄
Interesting to see how Pope Leo XIV will affect this game, given that 3 out of his 5 tweets were anti-Trump/Vance.
Watching this with delight. 😄
In a nutshell:
We are universal problem solvers.
All problems can be solved.
There will always be problems.
If we stop solving problems, we are doomed.
#mostimportantbooks
“Growth of knowledge is a continual transition from problems to better problems.”
- David Deutsch
We are universal problem solvers.
All problems can be solved.
There will always be problems.
If we stop solving problems, we are doomed.
#mostimportantbooks
“Growth of knowledge is a continual transition from problems to better problems.”
- David Deutsch
April 30, 2025 at 10:17 AM
In a nutshell:
We are universal problem solvers.
All problems can be solved.
There will always be problems.
If we stop solving problems, we are doomed.
#mostimportantbooks
“Growth of knowledge is a continual transition from problems to better problems.”
- David Deutsch
We are universal problem solvers.
All problems can be solved.
There will always be problems.
If we stop solving problems, we are doomed.
#mostimportantbooks
“Growth of knowledge is a continual transition from problems to better problems.”
- David Deutsch
Going on a literary road trip with @josephestiglitz.bsky.social and @timothysnyder.bsky.social.
#freedom
#freedom
April 27, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Going on a literary road trip with @josephestiglitz.bsky.social and @timothysnyder.bsky.social.
#freedom
#freedom
So, I have a trade deficit with my grocery store. To stop them from taking advantage of me, I will force myself to pay a 20% tax to myself when shopping for groceries, in order to compel myself to spend less there and produce my own food instead. Am I getting this right?
donald trump making a funny face while holding a microphone in front of a fox news sign
ALT: donald trump making a funny face while holding a microphone in front of a fox news sign
media.tenor.com
April 9, 2025 at 10:34 AM
So, I have a trade deficit with my grocery store. To stop them from taking advantage of me, I will force myself to pay a 20% tax to myself when shopping for groceries, in order to compel myself to spend less there and produce my own food instead. Am I getting this right?
Le fait de chercher à jeter le discrédit, publiquement […] sur un acte ou une décision juridictionnelle, dans des conditions de nature à porter atteinte à l'autorité de la justice ou à son indépendance est puni de six mois d'emprisonnement et de 7 500 euros d'amende.
Law and order, Mme Le Pen?
Law and order, Mme Le Pen?
April 2, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Le fait de chercher à jeter le discrédit, publiquement […] sur un acte ou une décision juridictionnelle, dans des conditions de nature à porter atteinte à l'autorité de la justice ou à son indépendance est puni de six mois d'emprisonnement et de 7 500 euros d'amende.
Law and order, Mme Le Pen?
Law and order, Mme Le Pen?
“Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty.”
#signalgate is merely one artefact on the way to autocracy
#signalgate is merely one artefact on the way to autocracy
March 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
“Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty.”
#signalgate is merely one artefact on the way to autocracy
#signalgate is merely one artefact on the way to autocracy
Reposted by Ultracrepidarian infantrist
A very old Soviet joke, from an especially dark time:
Foxes are fleeing the USSR in droves.
Q: Why are you running away?
Fox: The Soviets passed a new law that they’re going to arrest all camels.
Q: But you’re foxes!
Fox: Yeah, why don’t *you* try proving to the NKVD that you’re not a camel.
Foxes are fleeing the USSR in droves.
Q: Why are you running away?
Fox: The Soviets passed a new law that they’re going to arrest all camels.
Q: But you’re foxes!
Fox: Yeah, why don’t *you* try proving to the NKVD that you’re not a camel.
If you accept that non-citizens have no right to due process, you are accepting that citizens have no right to due process. All the government has to do is claim that you are not a citizen; without due process you have no chance to prove the contrary.
March 27, 2025 at 10:21 PM
A very old Soviet joke, from an especially dark time:
Foxes are fleeing the USSR in droves.
Q: Why are you running away?
Fox: The Soviets passed a new law that they’re going to arrest all camels.
Q: But you’re foxes!
Fox: Yeah, why don’t *you* try proving to the NKVD that you’re not a camel.
Foxes are fleeing the USSR in droves.
Q: Why are you running away?
Fox: The Soviets passed a new law that they’re going to arrest all camels.
Q: But you’re foxes!
Fox: Yeah, why don’t *you* try proving to the NKVD that you’re not a camel.
Reposted by Ultracrepidarian infantrist
I wrote a new piece for foreign policy.
The US's postwar role as guarantor of Europe’s security is over – and may even turn adversarial. But Europe has an overlooked trump card.
When it comes to manufacturing Europe blows the US out of the water.
Thread.
1/
foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/07/e...
The US's postwar role as guarantor of Europe’s security is over – and may even turn adversarial. But Europe has an overlooked trump card.
When it comes to manufacturing Europe blows the US out of the water.
Thread.
1/
foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/07/e...
Heavy Industry Is Europe’s Trump Card
The continent has an upper hand in its looming security competition with the United States.
foreignpolicy.com
March 10, 2025 at 7:37 AM
I wrote a new piece for foreign policy.
The US's postwar role as guarantor of Europe’s security is over – and may even turn adversarial. But Europe has an overlooked trump card.
When it comes to manufacturing Europe blows the US out of the water.
Thread.
1/
foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/07/e...
The US's postwar role as guarantor of Europe’s security is over – and may even turn adversarial. But Europe has an overlooked trump card.
When it comes to manufacturing Europe blows the US out of the water.
Thread.
1/
foreignpolicy.com/2025/03/07/e...
Reposted by Ultracrepidarian infantrist
Ten years ago today the Russian opposition politician & fierce Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov was shot dead on a bridge opposite Red Square.
February 27, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Ten years ago today the Russian opposition politician & fierce Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov was shot dead on a bridge opposite Red Square.
Reposted by Ultracrepidarian infantrist
Whatever happens with German elections today, I thank Olaf for all he has done to help me to stay in this war for this long.
His escalation management delays & drip feeding made the difference.
His escalation management delays & drip feeding made the difference.
February 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Whatever happens with German elections today, I thank Olaf for all he has done to help me to stay in this war for this long.
His escalation management delays & drip feeding made the difference.
His escalation management delays & drip feeding made the difference.
The new guy in charge of the US military:
“I love you, sir. I think you’re great, sir. I’ll kill for you, sir.” Trump claims he then put on a MAGA hat.
How many more steps until full banana republic status, or are they there yet?
“I love you, sir. I think you’re great, sir. I’ll kill for you, sir.” Trump claims he then put on a MAGA hat.
How many more steps until full banana republic status, or are they there yet?
February 23, 2025 at 9:35 AM
The new guy in charge of the US military:
“I love you, sir. I think you’re great, sir. I’ll kill for you, sir.” Trump claims he then put on a MAGA hat.
How many more steps until full banana republic status, or are they there yet?
“I love you, sir. I think you’re great, sir. I’ll kill for you, sir.” Trump claims he then put on a MAGA hat.
How many more steps until full banana republic status, or are they there yet?
Trump: if the rape victim gives me her ring, I will negotiate a great deal for her and her rapist.
We seem to have reached peak evil and stupid at the same time.
We seem to have reached peak evil and stupid at the same time.
February 20, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Trump: if the rape victim gives me her ring, I will negotiate a great deal for her and her rapist.
We seem to have reached peak evil and stupid at the same time.
We seem to have reached peak evil and stupid at the same time.
The richest man on earth has bought the US presidency. How much exactly Putin had to pay for it is not yet clear yet, but it seems to have been a only a small fraction of his mob wealth.
Not many see the bigger picture: the final self-destruction of the West is the fruit of a 20-year 🇷🇺 effort.
Not many see the bigger picture: the final self-destruction of the West is the fruit of a 20-year 🇷🇺 effort.
February 18, 2025 at 9:53 AM
The richest man on earth has bought the US presidency. How much exactly Putin had to pay for it is not yet clear yet, but it seems to have been a only a small fraction of his mob wealth.
Not many see the bigger picture: the final self-destruction of the West is the fruit of a 20-year 🇷🇺 effort.
Not many see the bigger picture: the final self-destruction of the West is the fruit of a 20-year 🇷🇺 effort.
Reposted by Ultracrepidarian infantrist
“European habit would dictate watching Musk-Trump and hoping that something better will somehow emerge. That way lies catastrophe.” @timothysnyder.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
Affirmative Action for Dictators
American Foreign Policy seen from Munich
open.substack.com
February 16, 2025 at 12:51 PM
“European habit would dictate watching Musk-Trump and hoping that something better will somehow emerge. That way lies catastrophe.” @timothysnyder.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
"Europe now faces a choice: stand up to Russia in Ukraine or risk facing it on the battlefield."
@frhoffmann.bsky.social
missilematters.substack.com/p/trumps-ukr...
@frhoffmann.bsky.social
missilematters.substack.com/p/trumps-ukr...
Trump’s Ukraine Gambit: A Victory for Russia, A Disaster for Europe
Europe’s main challenge is not a lack of military capability, but a failure of mindset.
missilematters.substack.com
February 15, 2025 at 4:05 PM
"Europe now faces a choice: stand up to Russia in Ukraine or risk facing it on the battlefield."
@frhoffmann.bsky.social
missilematters.substack.com/p/trumps-ukr...
@frhoffmann.bsky.social
missilematters.substack.com/p/trumps-ukr...
Reposted by Ultracrepidarian infantrist
I really did not want to write this. danieldrezner.substack.com/p/is-the-uni...
Is the United States Still a Liberal Democracy?
I'm afraid the question must be asked.
danieldrezner.substack.com
February 13, 2025 at 12:24 PM
I really did not want to write this. danieldrezner.substack.com/p/is-the-uni...
Reposted by Ultracrepidarian infantrist
The highest compliment from someone who disagrees with you is not “You were right.” It’s “You made me think.”
Good arguments help us recognize complexity where we once saw simplicity.
The ultimate purpose of debate is not to produce consensus. It’s to promote critical thinking.
Good arguments help us recognize complexity where we once saw simplicity.
The ultimate purpose of debate is not to produce consensus. It’s to promote critical thinking.
January 29, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The highest compliment from someone who disagrees with you is not “You were right.” It’s “You made me think.”
Good arguments help us recognize complexity where we once saw simplicity.
The ultimate purpose of debate is not to produce consensus. It’s to promote critical thinking.
Good arguments help us recognize complexity where we once saw simplicity.
The ultimate purpose of debate is not to produce consensus. It’s to promote critical thinking.
"Russia considers it necessary to resume disarmament negotiations as soon as possible, especially since the legal framework in the area of arms control has been significantly undermined, and not through the fault of the Russian Federation," Peskov said
www.politico.eu/article/krem...
Sure, Pesky...
www.politico.eu/article/krem...
Sure, Pesky...
Kremlin wants to resume arms control talks with US ‘as soon as possible’
The mood in Moscow seems to be changing following Trump’s inauguration in the U.S.
www.politico.eu
January 27, 2025 at 6:54 AM
"Russia considers it necessary to resume disarmament negotiations as soon as possible, especially since the legal framework in the area of arms control has been significantly undermined, and not through the fault of the Russian Federation," Peskov said
www.politico.eu/article/krem...
Sure, Pesky...
www.politico.eu/article/krem...
Sure, Pesky...