@madmacc.bsky.social
Reposted
In which world is Russia “fully committed to peace”?
While Russian missiles keep hitting Ukrainian cities. While civilians are targeted. While children are killed in their homes, schools, hospitals.
We understand the role of a peace envoy: optimism is part of the job.
While Russian missiles keep hitting Ukrainian cities. While civilians are targeted. While children are killed in their homes, schools, hospitals.
We understand the role of a peace envoy: optimism is part of the job.
December 22, 2025 at 11:18 AM
In which world is Russia “fully committed to peace”?
While Russian missiles keep hitting Ukrainian cities. While civilians are targeted. While children are killed in their homes, schools, hospitals.
We understand the role of a peace envoy: optimism is part of the job.
While Russian missiles keep hitting Ukrainian cities. While civilians are targeted. While children are killed in their homes, schools, hospitals.
We understand the role of a peace envoy: optimism is part of the job.
Reposted
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has compared today’s European leaders to Hitler and Napoleon, claiming they too will fail to “bring Moscow to its knees.”
The statement echoed Kremlin talking points so closely that Russian state media amplified it within hours.
The statement echoed Kremlin talking points so closely that Russian state media amplified it within hours.
December 16, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has compared today’s European leaders to Hitler and Napoleon, claiming they too will fail to “bring Moscow to its knees.”
The statement echoed Kremlin talking points so closely that Russian state media amplified it within hours.
The statement echoed Kremlin talking points so closely that Russian state media amplified it within hours.
Reposted
Excellent colum by @josephdeweck.bsky.social #Pariscope predicting that Trump’s attack on Europe, based on misconceptions, will backfire—just like Putin’s war of aggression did. A preview from our Winter 2026 issue (“New Ideas for Europe”) ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-lik...
Trump, Like Putin, Is Miscalculating on Europe
Vladimir Putin’s ill-judged war against Ukraine has weakened Russia—turning it into a junior partner of China and triggering Europe’s rearmament. Trump’s frontal assault on European democracy will reb...
ip-quarterly.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Excellent colum by @josephdeweck.bsky.social #Pariscope predicting that Trump’s attack on Europe, based on misconceptions, will backfire—just like Putin’s war of aggression did. A preview from our Winter 2026 issue (“New Ideas for Europe”) ip-quarterly.com/en/trump-lik...
Reposted
The US has suspended the technology deal with the UK that was signed during Donald Trump's state visit
www.ft.com/content/afd4...
www.ft.com/content/afd4...
US suspends technology deal with the UK
Washington pushes for concessions from London on the broader trade relationship
www.ft.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:28 AM
The US has suspended the technology deal with the UK that was signed during Donald Trump's state visit
www.ft.com/content/afd4...
www.ft.com/content/afd4...
Reposted
www.politico.eu/article/unit...
Or, to quote Pete Townsend, “The kids are alright”
It’s Gen X that’s alt right
In any case, US’s EU policy is stepping in it.
Or, to quote Pete Townsend, “The kids are alright”
It’s Gen X that’s alt right
In any case, US’s EU policy is stepping in it.
Forget the far right. The kids want a ‘United States of Europe.’
Based on social media, the upcoming generation is expressing more European solidarity than the continent has seen in decades.
www.politico.eu
December 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM
www.politico.eu/article/unit...
Or, to quote Pete Townsend, “The kids are alright”
It’s Gen X that’s alt right
In any case, US’s EU policy is stepping in it.
Or, to quote Pete Townsend, “The kids are alright”
It’s Gen X that’s alt right
In any case, US’s EU policy is stepping in it.
Reposted
A confidential 2021 report has just been made public: it documents thousands of cases of abuse —physical, psychological, and sexual—against children in Hungary’s state-run institutions.
One in five children in care was a victim. And the regime did nothing.
No reform. No investigation. No protection.
One in five children in care was a victim. And the regime did nothing.
No reform. No investigation. No protection.
December 13, 2025 at 8:25 AM
A confidential 2021 report has just been made public: it documents thousands of cases of abuse —physical, psychological, and sexual—against children in Hungary’s state-run institutions.
One in five children in care was a victim. And the regime did nothing.
No reform. No investigation. No protection.
One in five children in care was a victim. And the regime did nothing.
No reform. No investigation. No protection.
Reposted
I love those who bash this.
They can't decide on the tyrannous superstate vs ineffectual bureaucracy narrative.
If the EU is weak, geopolitically doomed, the euro is garbage this ‘breaking convention’ shouldn’t matter to them.
The EU standing up for itself the computer simply cannot compute.
They can't decide on the tyrannous superstate vs ineffectual bureaucracy narrative.
If the EU is weak, geopolitically doomed, the euro is garbage this ‘breaking convention’ shouldn’t matter to them.
The EU standing up for itself the computer simply cannot compute.
Good work by Denmark, the Commission, Germany, France, others
"The Danish Presidency can inform that COREPER has agreed on a revised version of the Art. 122-proposal and approved the launch of a written procedure for formal Council decision by tomorrow around 5 pm," the Danish presidency announced
"The Danish Presidency can inform that COREPER has agreed on a revised version of the Art. 122-proposal and approved the launch of a written procedure for formal Council decision by tomorrow around 5 pm," the Danish presidency announced
The EU has just made sure its biggest bargaining chip in the negotiations over Ukraine's future is no longer subject to national vetos. And that is even true independently of the fate of the reparations loan because now a qualified majority is required to unblock the funds again. Well done.
December 12, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I love those who bash this.
They can't decide on the tyrannous superstate vs ineffectual bureaucracy narrative.
If the EU is weak, geopolitically doomed, the euro is garbage this ‘breaking convention’ shouldn’t matter to them.
The EU standing up for itself the computer simply cannot compute.
They can't decide on the tyrannous superstate vs ineffectual bureaucracy narrative.
If the EU is weak, geopolitically doomed, the euro is garbage this ‘breaking convention’ shouldn’t matter to them.
The EU standing up for itself the computer simply cannot compute.
Reposted
"The United States does not want Ukraine to be in NATO. What separate agreements the U.S. has with Russia — we do not know. With time, all secrets come to light." - Zelensky.
December 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
"The United States does not want Ukraine to be in NATO. What separate agreements the U.S. has with Russia — we do not know. With time, all secrets come to light." - Zelensky.
Reposted
An earlier version of the NSS specifically said that the US should try to pry Italy, Austria, Poland and Hungary away from the EU
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
December 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM
An earlier version of the NSS specifically said that the US should try to pry Italy, Austria, Poland and Hungary away from the EU
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/...
Reposted
Giving Ukraine the resources it needs to defend itself doesn’t prolong the war, it can help end it.
Thank you Radek Sikorski for convening a call of foreign ministers of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, where we were clear:
Securing multi-year funding for Ukraine in December is essential.
Thank you Radek Sikorski for convening a call of foreign ministers of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, where we were clear:
Securing multi-year funding for Ukraine in December is essential.
December 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Giving Ukraine the resources it needs to defend itself doesn’t prolong the war, it can help end it.
Thank you Radek Sikorski for convening a call of foreign ministers of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, where we were clear:
Securing multi-year funding for Ukraine in December is essential.
Thank you Radek Sikorski for convening a call of foreign ministers of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, where we were clear:
Securing multi-year funding for Ukraine in December is essential.
Reposted
What I see is that there are so many people trying to undermine Europe. Why? Because the EU is strong. And we are working to make it even stronger.
We have taken bold steps to build the Europe of defence and enhance our strategic autonomy.
We have taken bold steps to build the Europe of defence and enhance our strategic autonomy.
December 8, 2025 at 12:52 PM
What I see is that there are so many people trying to undermine Europe. Why? Because the EU is strong. And we are working to make it even stronger.
We have taken bold steps to build the Europe of defence and enhance our strategic autonomy.
We have taken bold steps to build the Europe of defence and enhance our strategic autonomy.
Reposted
Mark Leonard, director of the ECFR, wrote an op-ed in The Economist on how the European leaders should respond to the rise of MAGA in Europe.
https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2025/12/08/its-time-europe-got-to-grips-with-the-maga-challenge-writes-mark-leonard
https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2025/12/08/its-time-europe-got-to-grips-with-the-maga-challenge-writes-mark-leonard
It’s time Europe got to grips with the MAGA challenge, writes Mark Leonard
How Donald Trump can be used as a weapon against his ideological allies on the old continent
www.economist.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Mark Leonard, director of the ECFR, wrote an op-ed in The Economist on how the European leaders should respond to the rise of MAGA in Europe.
https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2025/12/08/its-time-europe-got-to-grips-with-the-maga-challenge-writes-mark-leonard
https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2025/12/08/its-time-europe-got-to-grips-with-the-maga-challenge-writes-mark-leonard
Reposted
Sven Biscop on the NSS
"The immediate lesson is this: offering concessions does not work. The supposed trade deal that the EU agreed on with the US on the Turnberry golf course last summer was a shameful surrender. And what did it get us: this NSS."
"The immediate lesson is this: offering concessions does not work. The supposed trade deal that the EU agreed on with the US on the Turnberry golf course last summer was a shameful surrender. And what did it get us: this NSS."
Allies and Rivals - Egmont Institute
This is strategy. Trump’s National Security Strategy (NSS), released on 4 December 2025, is bold and concise. One reads it, and one knows what the US wants. One may not […]
www.egmontinstitute.be
December 8, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Sven Biscop on the NSS
"The immediate lesson is this: offering concessions does not work. The supposed trade deal that the EU agreed on with the US on the Turnberry golf course last summer was a shameful surrender. And what did it get us: this NSS."
"The immediate lesson is this: offering concessions does not work. The supposed trade deal that the EU agreed on with the US on the Turnberry golf course last summer was a shameful surrender. And what did it get us: this NSS."
Reposted
German firms have deeper ties to China than their EU counterparts
• Germany is EU’s top exporter to China, with shipments representing ~2% of GDP (roughly twice the EU average)
• German firms are largest EU investor in China, with exposure (as share of GDP) twice higher than France's & Netherlands'
• Germany is EU’s top exporter to China, with shipments representing ~2% of GDP (roughly twice the EU average)
• German firms are largest EU investor in China, with exposure (as share of GDP) twice higher than France's & Netherlands'
December 3, 2025 at 8:01 AM
German firms have deeper ties to China than their EU counterparts
• Germany is EU’s top exporter to China, with shipments representing ~2% of GDP (roughly twice the EU average)
• German firms are largest EU investor in China, with exposure (as share of GDP) twice higher than France's & Netherlands'
• Germany is EU’s top exporter to China, with shipments representing ~2% of GDP (roughly twice the EU average)
• German firms are largest EU investor in China, with exposure (as share of GDP) twice higher than France's & Netherlands'
Reposted
Affordability concerns are real because:
- Tariffs raise import costs
- Deportations make it harder to harvest crops
- Attacking Obamacare hikes premiums
- Budget deficits raise mortgage payments
- Undermining the Fed risks inflation.
It's not a hoax; it's a policy choice.
- Tariffs raise import costs
- Deportations make it harder to harvest crops
- Attacking Obamacare hikes premiums
- Budget deficits raise mortgage payments
- Undermining the Fed risks inflation.
It's not a hoax; it's a policy choice.
December 7, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Affordability concerns are real because:
- Tariffs raise import costs
- Deportations make it harder to harvest crops
- Attacking Obamacare hikes premiums
- Budget deficits raise mortgage payments
- Undermining the Fed risks inflation.
It's not a hoax; it's a policy choice.
- Tariffs raise import costs
- Deportations make it harder to harvest crops
- Attacking Obamacare hikes premiums
- Budget deficits raise mortgage payments
- Undermining the Fed risks inflation.
It's not a hoax; it's a policy choice.
Reposted
The calls from America this weekend to "abolish the EU" are for one simple reason: the EU is the only thing that can keep European nation-states from becoming Russian or American vassals.
The US has declared rhetorical war on the EU
The calls from America this weekend to destroy the EU are revealing. They hate the union because it's the only thing that can keep European countries from being Russian or American vassals.
davekeating.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:05 AM
The calls from America this weekend to "abolish the EU" are for one simple reason: the EU is the only thing that can keep European nation-states from becoming Russian or American vassals.
Reposted
The most depressing lesson of the Trump era is that scandals don’t matter if the perpetrator and their supporters don’t feel shame.
Shamelessness is now a political superpower.
Shamelessness is now a political superpower.
December 7, 2025 at 2:44 AM
The most depressing lesson of the Trump era is that scandals don’t matter if the perpetrator and their supporters don’t feel shame.
Shamelessness is now a political superpower.
Shamelessness is now a political superpower.
Reposted
Wow.
This says *everything* about the German defence debate, really.
For YEARS experts have fretted over public opinion on defence spending and how it would be impossible to justify spending over 1 or 2%. Turns out 35% (!!!!) of Germans think we’re already spending OVER 5 % of GDP. WTH.
This says *everything* about the German defence debate, really.
For YEARS experts have fretted over public opinion on defence spending and how it would be impossible to justify spending over 1 or 2%. Turns out 35% (!!!!) of Germans think we’re already spending OVER 5 % of GDP. WTH.
December 7, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Wow.
This says *everything* about the German defence debate, really.
For YEARS experts have fretted over public opinion on defence spending and how it would be impossible to justify spending over 1 or 2%. Turns out 35% (!!!!) of Germans think we’re already spending OVER 5 % of GDP. WTH.
This says *everything* about the German defence debate, really.
For YEARS experts have fretted over public opinion on defence spending and how it would be impossible to justify spending over 1 or 2%. Turns out 35% (!!!!) of Germans think we’re already spending OVER 5 % of GDP. WTH.
Reposted
The answer to today’s shifting world is clear: Europe needs its own defence, a truly common strategy and a real European army. With growing threats from the East and a U.S. administration ready to step back, pretending nothing has changed would be dangerous.
December 5, 2025 at 7:08 PM
The answer to today’s shifting world is clear: Europe needs its own defence, a truly common strategy and a real European army. With growing threats from the East and a U.S. administration ready to step back, pretending nothing has changed would be dangerous.
Reposted
After this deal I'm increasingly losing hope in Europe having the balls to do anything at all
July 29, 2025 at 5:07 AM
After this deal I'm increasingly losing hope in Europe having the balls to do anything at all
Reposted
“.. traffic has dropped by only a single percentage point as a result of leaving Twitter ..”
@niemanreports.org #Hellsite
niemanreports.org/npr-twitter-...
@niemanreports.org #Hellsite
niemanreports.org/npr-twitter-...
July 9, 2025 at 6:26 PM
“.. traffic has dropped by only a single percentage point as a result of leaving Twitter ..”
@niemanreports.org #Hellsite
niemanreports.org/npr-twitter-...
@niemanreports.org #Hellsite
niemanreports.org/npr-twitter-...
Reposted
Sometimes I wonder if I’m too pessimistic about current economic trends then I remember Warren “never bet against America” Buffett is just sitting on a third of a trillion dollars in cash instead of buying assets.
Warren Buffett's Cash Pile at Berkshire Hathaway Just Hit a Record $348 Billion -- and That's Terrible News for Wall Street | The Motley Fool
The Oracle of Omaha's short-term actions paint a potentially worrisome picture for investors.
www.fool.com
July 5, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Sometimes I wonder if I’m too pessimistic about current economic trends then I remember Warren “never bet against America” Buffett is just sitting on a third of a trillion dollars in cash instead of buying assets.
Reposted
It’s tough being a big tech CEO. Democrats hate big tech and Republicans hate immigrants, science and big tech.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says he's 'politically homeless' in July 4 post bashing Democrats
"We should encourage people to make tons of money and then also find ways to widely distribute wealth and share the compounding magic of capitalism," he wrote.
www.cnbc.com
July 4, 2025 at 4:32 PM
It’s tough being a big tech CEO. Democrats hate big tech and Republicans hate immigrants, science and big tech.
Reposted
Not the biggest issue right now, but Dutch continues to not be a serious language
June 22, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Not the biggest issue right now, but Dutch continues to not be a serious language