Prof John O Brennan
@jobmaynooth.bsky.social
Professor of European Politics, Maynooth University, Ireland.
Posts on EU, Balkans and International Politics.
Author: The Eastern Enlargement of the EU.
Director, Centre for European and Eurasian Studies: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/europe
Posts on EU, Balkans and International Politics.
Author: The Eastern Enlargement of the EU.
Director, Centre for European and Eurasian Studies: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/europe
Pinned
A complete trade embargo with Israel is now needed
If Ireland really wanted to make a difference, and help end the genocidal Israeli onslaught on Palestinians, it should enact a comprehensive trade embargo on Israel and dare the EU authorities to inst...
www.irishexaminer.com
In this new piece, I argue that enacting the Occupied Territories Bill is not enough - Ireland should go further and institute a FULL trade embargo against Israel.
We should be aiming for a EU judicial test if the meaning of Article 2 of the Association agmt
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
We should be aiming for a EU judicial test if the meaning of Article 2 of the Association agmt
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
What an absolute travesty: Sarkozy got 5 years and served just 3 weeks of his sentence.
Is it any wonder people believe there are a different set of rules for elites?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Is it any wonder people believe there are a different set of rules for elites?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is released from prison
Sarkozy, who told court his three weeks in jail had been a ‘nightmare’, will serve rest of sentence at home pending appeal
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
What an absolute travesty: Sarkozy got 5 years and served just 3 weeks of his sentence.
Is it any wonder people believe there are a different set of rules for elites?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Is it any wonder people believe there are a different set of rules for elites?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Britain will have to get used to this: if you want access to EU programmes you have to pay in, just as all ‘third countries’ do. Screaming Brexiteers are claiming EU perfidy, but this is the reality Britain faces because of the catastrophe they brought on Britain.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Brussels 'demands Britain pays into the EU's budget'
The Prime Minister and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck a new agreement in May that Sir Keir claimed would 'move on' from past spats.
www.dailymail.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Britain will have to get used to this: if you want access to EU programmes you have to pay in, just as all ‘third countries’ do. Screaming Brexiteers are claiming EU perfidy, but this is the reality Britain faces because of the catastrophe they brought on Britain.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
One more indication of the shocking and increasingly blatant abuses of the rule of law taking place in Bulgaria.
Going after the Open Society is straight out of the Orbanite Authoritarian Playbook.
And the European Union continues to do nothing.
bghelsinki.org/en/2025-11-0...
Going after the Open Society is straight out of the Orbanite Authoritarian Playbook.
And the European Union continues to do nothing.
bghelsinki.org/en/2025-11-0...
Bulgaria on the Path to Dictatorship? Parliamentary Inquiry Committee to Investigate NGOs, Judges, and Others for “Connections” with Soros Foundations - Български хелзинкски комитет
Today, the Bulgarian Parliament voted in favour of a proposal to establish a temporary committee of inquiry to investigate the activities in the country of
bghelsinki.org
November 5, 2025 at 6:22 PM
One more indication of the shocking and increasingly blatant abuses of the rule of law taking place in Bulgaria.
Going after the Open Society is straight out of the Orbanite Authoritarian Playbook.
And the European Union continues to do nothing.
bghelsinki.org/en/2025-11-0...
Going after the Open Society is straight out of the Orbanite Authoritarian Playbook.
And the European Union continues to do nothing.
bghelsinki.org/en/2025-11-0...
In New York, Mamdani has defeated the billionaire class which threw everything at him and still couldn’t take him down.
I have my doubts about whether this presages “a new kind of politics” but this is his moment.
I have my doubts about whether this presages “a new kind of politics” but this is his moment.
November 5, 2025 at 4:44 AM
In New York, Mamdani has defeated the billionaire class which threw everything at him and still couldn’t take him down.
I have my doubts about whether this presages “a new kind of politics” but this is his moment.
I have my doubts about whether this presages “a new kind of politics” but this is his moment.
Reposted by Prof John O Brennan
🇪🇺 Today, the EU Enlargement Summit convenes in Brussels 🇪🇺
To dissect the details of it all, join @anandmenon.bsky.social, @sebastienmaillard.bsky.social, @heathergrabbe.bsky.social & @jobmaynooth.bsky.social
💻 Online
📆 Tues 18 Nov, 1pm GMT
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
To dissect the details of it all, join @anandmenon.bsky.social, @sebastienmaillard.bsky.social, @heathergrabbe.bsky.social & @jobmaynooth.bsky.social
💻 Online
📆 Tues 18 Nov, 1pm GMT
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
UKICE Lunch Hour: The prospects for EU enlargement - UK in a changing Europe
On 4 November, the EU is set to present its 2025 enlargement package. Join our expert panel as they discuss the package and the prospects for EU enlargement.
ukandeu.ac.uk
November 4, 2025 at 12:16 PM
🇪🇺 Today, the EU Enlargement Summit convenes in Brussels 🇪🇺
To dissect the details of it all, join @anandmenon.bsky.social, @sebastienmaillard.bsky.social, @heathergrabbe.bsky.social & @jobmaynooth.bsky.social
💻 Online
📆 Tues 18 Nov, 1pm GMT
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
To dissect the details of it all, join @anandmenon.bsky.social, @sebastienmaillard.bsky.social, @heathergrabbe.bsky.social & @jobmaynooth.bsky.social
💻 Online
📆 Tues 18 Nov, 1pm GMT
ukandeu.ac.uk/events/ukice...
Is the EU too harsh on Serbia?
Lovely soft soap interview of the sinister ultra nationalist heir to Slobodan Milosevic at @euronews Enlargement summit.
Lovely soft soap interview of the sinister ultra nationalist heir to Slobodan Milosevic at @euronews Enlargement summit.
November 4, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Is the EU too harsh on Serbia?
Lovely soft soap interview of the sinister ultra nationalist heir to Slobodan Milosevic at @euronews Enlargement summit.
Lovely soft soap interview of the sinister ultra nationalist heir to Slobodan Milosevic at @euronews Enlargement summit.
I think many European leaders are sick to death of Alexander Vucic pretending to be a committed European while his party continues to ritually abuse the rule of law and cozies up to Moscow and Beijing.
Serbia will never join the EU unless it faces up to its past and ditches ultra nationalism.
Serbia will never join the EU unless it faces up to its past and ditches ultra nationalism.
November 4, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I think many European leaders are sick to death of Alexander Vucic pretending to be a committed European while his party continues to ritually abuse the rule of law and cozies up to Moscow and Beijing.
Serbia will never join the EU unless it faces up to its past and ditches ultra nationalism.
Serbia will never join the EU unless it faces up to its past and ditches ultra nationalism.
The main consequence of the EU giving into Trump on trade in Scotland is that his gangster state keeps coming back to administer more punishment beatings.
This is what appeasement brings in its wake.
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
This is what appeasement brings in its wake.
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
US accused of threatening EU diplomats during bid to kill green shipping rules
Negotiators at shipping talks in London were told both they and their countries could be punished unless they voted with the U.S.
www.politico.eu
November 3, 2025 at 8:26 AM
The main consequence of the EU giving into Trump on trade in Scotland is that his gangster state keeps coming back to administer more punishment beatings.
This is what appeasement brings in its wake.
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
This is what appeasement brings in its wake.
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
How can academic freedom be maintained when universities have commercial relationships with totalitarian countries like China?
This is a chilling example.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
This is a chilling example.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
UK university halted human rights research after pressure from China
Exclusive: Leading professor at Sheffield Hallam was told to cease research on supply chains and forced labour in China after demands from authorities
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:49 AM
How can academic freedom be maintained when universities have commercial relationships with totalitarian countries like China?
This is a chilling example.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
This is a chilling example.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
The Peace President
(Miami Herald) - The Trump Administration has made the decision to attack military installations inside Venezuela and the strikes could come at any moment, sources with knowledge of the situation told the Miami Herald ..
@miamiherald.com
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
@miamiherald.com
www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
U.S. poised to strike military targets in Venezuela in escalation against Maduro regime
The Trump Administration has made the decision to attack military installations inside Venezuela and the strikes could come at any moment, sources with knowledge of the situation told the Miami Herald...
www.miamiherald.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The Peace President
I would much prefer that Ireland invests seriously in *its own* and EU security and defence but here Dr Eoin Drea suggests an Anglo-Irish defence union as the solution to Irish, EU and British concerns about the western exposure of Europe to attack.
www.politico.eu/article/angl...
www.politico.eu/article/angl...
The case for an Anglo-Irish defense union
Only a formal bilateral agreement with the U.K. can deliver the territorial security that Ireland — and the EU’s western borders — desperately needs.
www.politico.eu
October 30, 2025 at 9:04 AM
I would much prefer that Ireland invests seriously in *its own* and EU security and defence but here Dr Eoin Drea suggests an Anglo-Irish defence union as the solution to Irish, EU and British concerns about the western exposure of Europe to attack.
www.politico.eu/article/angl...
www.politico.eu/article/angl...
Reposted by Prof John O Brennan
This is very important analysis by @kevcunningham.bsky.social Bottom line: the disaffected voters trending far right are becoming less apathetic and more active. It’s only a matter of time.
Who are the people who spoiled their ballot and why?
open.substack.com/pub/kevcunni...
Who are the people who spoiled their ballot and why?
open.substack.com/pub/kevcunni...
Who are the people who spoiled their ballot and why?
An initial analysis
open.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:07 PM
This is very important analysis by @kevcunningham.bsky.social Bottom line: the disaffected voters trending far right are becoming less apathetic and more active. It’s only a matter of time.
Who are the people who spoiled their ballot and why?
open.substack.com/pub/kevcunni...
Who are the people who spoiled their ballot and why?
open.substack.com/pub/kevcunni...
Projections coming in for the Dutch general election. A big drop in support for Geert Wilders’ PVV with significant gains for centrist D66 and CDA.
Netherlands, 9:00 PM Ipsos-I&O exit poll:
Seat projection national parliament
D66-RE: 27 (+18)
PVV-PfE: 25 (-12)
VVD-RE: 23 (-1)
GL/PvdA-G/EFA|S&D: 20 (-5)
CDA-EPP: 19 (+14)
JA21~ECR: 9 (+8)
FvD-ESN: 6 (+3)
BBB-EPP: 4 (-3)
...
+/- vs. Last election result
➤ europeelects.eu/netherlands
Seat projection national parliament
D66-RE: 27 (+18)
PVV-PfE: 25 (-12)
VVD-RE: 23 (-1)
GL/PvdA-G/EFA|S&D: 20 (-5)
CDA-EPP: 19 (+14)
JA21~ECR: 9 (+8)
FvD-ESN: 6 (+3)
BBB-EPP: 4 (-3)
...
+/- vs. Last election result
➤ europeelects.eu/netherlands
October 29, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Projections coming in for the Dutch general election. A big drop in support for Geert Wilders’ PVV with significant gains for centrist D66 and CDA.
Superb piece by Ben Tonra in today’s Irish Tines, on Ireland’s strategic choices in a predatory world, with the necessity of a strategic pivot towards Europe increasingly apparent.
Everyone interested in foreign policy making should read this.
Everyone interested in foreign policy making should read this.
October 29, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Superb piece by Ben Tonra in today’s Irish Tines, on Ireland’s strategic choices in a predatory world, with the necessity of a strategic pivot towards Europe increasingly apparent.
Everyone interested in foreign policy making should read this.
Everyone interested in foreign policy making should read this.
Germany is about to open the financial taps on military spending, with procurement lines of €377 billion detailed here by Politico.
Berlin is finally waking up to the need to confront the predators of twenty first century international relations.
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
Berlin is finally waking up to the need to confront the predators of twenty first century international relations.
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
Germany’s new €377B military wish list
A new procurement blueprint seen by POLITICO shows Germany’s plan to become the backbone of the continent’s defense revival.
www.politico.eu
October 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Germany is about to open the financial taps on military spending, with procurement lines of €377 billion detailed here by Politico.
Berlin is finally waking up to the need to confront the predators of twenty first century international relations.
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
Berlin is finally waking up to the need to confront the predators of twenty first century international relations.
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
What to expect from the Dutch general election on Wednesday?
Prof. Cas Mudde assesses a crowded party political landscape and laments the media’s continuing obsession with the Far Right.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Prof. Cas Mudde assesses a crowded party political landscape and laments the media’s continuing obsession with the Far Right.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Geert Wilders failed in government, but the far right retains its grip on the Netherlands | Cas Mudde
A media in thrall to Wilders’ party ensures its agenda is entrenched in Dutch politics and will dominate Wednesday’s election, says political scientist Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:40 AM
What to expect from the Dutch general election on Wednesday?
Prof. Cas Mudde assesses a crowded party political landscape and laments the media’s continuing obsession with the Far Right.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Prof. Cas Mudde assesses a crowded party political landscape and laments the media’s continuing obsession with the Far Right.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Mmmmm, lovely.
October 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Mmmmm, lovely.
It is just stupefying to me that UK Labour now regularly mention Brexit as the key economic problem facing Britain, yet they don’t have the courage to confront it head on.
It will go on gnawing away at Britain’s economic performance year after year. CV
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
It will go on gnawing away at Britain’s economic performance year after year. CV
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reeves says economic damage caused by Brexit forcing her to take action in budget
Chancellor, who is expected to announce tax rises and spending cuts, says effect of leaving bloc worse than predicted
www.theguardian.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
It is just stupefying to me that UK Labour now regularly mention Brexit as the key economic problem facing Britain, yet they don’t have the courage to confront it head on.
It will go on gnawing away at Britain’s economic performance year after year. CV
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
It will go on gnawing away at Britain’s economic performance year after year. CV
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The demolition of the East Wing facade of the White House is the best visual metaphor for 2025 I have seen.
October 20, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The demolition of the East Wing facade of the White House is the best visual metaphor for 2025 I have seen.
Yet again, Trump refuses to do anything that might damage Russia.
Trump urges Zelensky to talk peace with Putin, cools on sending Tomahawks
Trump urges Zelensky to talk peace with Putin, cools on sending Tomahawks
"I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing", Trump says
dlvr.it
October 18, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Yet again, Trump refuses to do anything that might damage Russia.
What a beautiful, moving piece of writing from, Abdallah Aljarra, from Gaza, who is studying literature at Maynooth University.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
‘Take care of mum, okay?’ These were my last words to Gaza before I left for Ireland
At night, I dream my brother Nour is looking for me. ‘I’m in Ireland, Habibi,’ I say to him. ‘Everything is green and lovely’
www.irishtimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 12:51 PM
What a beautiful, moving piece of writing from, Abdallah Aljarra, from Gaza, who is studying literature at Maynooth University.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
He’s saying that Charlie Kirk was a hateful white supremacist, homophobe and misogynist.
For once, Trump is right.
For once, Trump is right.
Trump on Charlie Kirk: "He was able to fight people that were enemies. And he didn't necessarily love those enemies so much. You know, I heard 'he loved his enemies' and I said, 'Wait a minute, is that the same Charlie that I knew? I'm not sure.' But I didn't want to get into it."
October 14, 2025 at 9:50 PM
He’s saying that Charlie Kirk was a hateful white supremacist, homophobe and misogynist.
For once, Trump is right.
For once, Trump is right.
Yep, he really went *there*
Trump at the Charlie Kirk memorial event: "They fired sniper rifles at ICE agents, and me. But I made a turn at a good time. I made a turn at a good time. Charlie couldn't believe it, actually."
October 14, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Yep, he really went *there*
So we have a non-entity swimmer trying to justify taking performance enhancing drugs so he can make money.
Just another sign of the deep moral decline of our society.
‘Enhanced’ sport equals drugged sport.
The retirement manosphere is a very dark place.
@TonightVMTV
Just another sign of the deep moral decline of our society.
‘Enhanced’ sport equals drugged sport.
The retirement manosphere is a very dark place.
@TonightVMTV
October 14, 2025 at 9:44 PM
So we have a non-entity swimmer trying to justify taking performance enhancing drugs so he can make money.
Just another sign of the deep moral decline of our society.
‘Enhanced’ sport equals drugged sport.
The retirement manosphere is a very dark place.
@TonightVMTV
Just another sign of the deep moral decline of our society.
‘Enhanced’ sport equals drugged sport.
The retirement manosphere is a very dark place.
@TonightVMTV
Poor Meloni looks like an unwilling participant in a ‘Lovely Girls’ competition and the chief judge is the groper in chief.
Meloni doesn't exactly looked thrilled as Trump calls her "beautiful"
October 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Poor Meloni looks like an unwilling participant in a ‘Lovely Girls’ competition and the chief judge is the groper in chief.