Paul T. Levin
@paultlevin.bsky.social
Director of the Stockholm University Institute for Turkish Studies. Managing Director Consortium for European Symposia on Turkey. Docent (Assoc. Prof.) of and pontificator on international relations. Opinionated. Painter.
Pinned
Paul T. Levin
@paultlevin.bsky.social
· Nov 1
I wrote my first Substack piece! In it, I ask if Turkey isn’t a better comparison to a second Trump administration than Nazi Germany. What can the US learn from an already autocratized Turkey? That the Washington Post is a precursor of what may come.
open.substack.com/pub/paultlev...
open.substack.com/pub/paultlev...
Jag pratade med Ekots Filip Kotsamboukidis om ett gryende försiktigt hopp om att fredsprocessen på Cypern skulle kunna återupptas.
Nytt hopp om återförening av Cypern: ”Tydligt ställningstagande” - Ekot
På Cypern har den icke-erkända Turkcypriotiska republiken röstat fram en kandidat som vill se en återförening av ön, Tufan Erhürman.Sveriges Radios Filip ...
www.sverigesradio.se
November 10, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Jag pratade med Ekots Filip Kotsamboukidis om ett gryende försiktigt hopp om att fredsprocessen på Cypern skulle kunna återupptas.
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
reagan judges, democracy's strongest soldiers
BREAKING: Mark Wolf, appointed to the federal bench by Ronald Reagan, writes that he is resigning as a judge to have the freedom to speak out against the president's assault on the rule of law.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
November 9, 2025 at 3:28 PM
reagan judges, democracy's strongest soldiers
Apropos my post about the (insane!) fact that certain European intelligence services have suddenly halted some intel sharing with the leader of the NATO alliance, CIA Director Radcliffe apparently recently traveled to Europe precisely to try to allay those concerns.+
CIA chief quietly meets EU officials to soothe US intel-sharing fears
Trump administration’s volatile foreign policy has shaken Europe’s confidence in Washington’s intelligence cooperation.
www.politico.eu
November 9, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Apropos my post about the (insane!) fact that certain European intelligence services have suddenly halted some intel sharing with the leader of the NATO alliance, CIA Director Radcliffe apparently recently traveled to Europe precisely to try to allay those concerns.+
Random fact: The Trump family have now reeked in more cash (at least $10 billion) from daddy being president than many small countries have in annual GDP. (Liechtenstein GDP was $8,29 billion in 2023).
www.forbes.com/sites/danale...
www.forbes.com/sites/danale...
Here's How Much The Trump Family Is Worth
President Trump just had the most lucrative year of his life. But percentage-wise, his three sons—Don Jr., Eric and Barron—did even better.
www.forbes.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Random fact: The Trump family have now reeked in more cash (at least $10 billion) from daddy being president than many small countries have in annual GDP. (Liechtenstein GDP was $8,29 billion in 2023).
www.forbes.com/sites/danale...
www.forbes.com/sites/danale...
So I guess assault with a deli sandwich is not a crime in DC?
November 7, 2025 at 3:44 PM
So I guess assault with a deli sandwich is not a crime in DC?
I april 2023 skrev jag på @dagensnyheter.bsky.social att som "Natomedlem skulle Sverige kunna utnyttja sitt nya förtroendekapital i Ankara och sitt långvariga stöd för kurdernas rättigheter för att bidra" till en framtida fredsprocess. Nu pågår en sådan och här finns en öppning att bidra.
"Beyond that, the official said Turkey had so far rejected taking back around 1,000 senior and mid-level PKK figures, and wants them relocated to a third country, possibly in Europe."
November 7, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I april 2023 skrev jag på @dagensnyheter.bsky.social att som "Natomedlem skulle Sverige kunna utnyttja sitt nya förtroendekapital i Ankara och sitt långvariga stöd för kurdernas rättigheter för att bidra" till en framtida fredsprocess. Nu pågår en sådan och här finns en öppning att bidra.
This fleshes out some of what I described in my recent Substack post. "According to the senior Middle East official, the proposal now being discussed would see roughly 1,000 civilians and non-combatants return first, followed by about 8,000 fighters after individual screening."+
Exclusive-Turkey preparing law to let PKK fighters return under peace plan www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Exclusive-Turkey preparing law to let PKK fighters return under peace plan
By Timour Azhari(Reuters) -Turkey is preparing a law to let thousands of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters and civilians return home from hideouts in northern Iraq under negotiations to end…
www.al-monitor.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
This fleshes out some of what I described in my recent Substack post. "According to the senior Middle East official, the proposal now being discussed would see roughly 1,000 civilians and non-combatants return first, followed by about 8,000 fighters after individual screening."+
A very interesting new @ecfr.eu report about countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa by @willbrownecfr.bsky.social. I am glad to see that the report really underlines one of my recent pet peeves: The need to go on the offensive on cyber.+
The bear and the bot farm: Countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa
Russia has many quiet enemies in Africa. Working together, like-minded Africans and Europeans can roll back its troublesome influence.
ecfr.eu
November 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
A very interesting new @ecfr.eu report about countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa by @willbrownecfr.bsky.social. I am glad to see that the report really underlines one of my recent pet peeves: The need to go on the offensive on cyber.+
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
In an ideal world, these #dronesightings would be free training for our counterdrone measures
#Brusselsairport
#Brusselsairport
November 4, 2025 at 9:24 PM
In an ideal world, these #dronesightings would be free training for our counterdrone measures
#Brusselsairport
#Brusselsairport
An unknown candidate without Big Money support & who started at 1% in polls just won in the biggest city in the USA. America is experiencing severe democratic backsliding, but it is not Russia. This is why PEACEFUL protests & voting remain the most effective means of resistance.
The oligarchy came out in full force against Zohran Mamdani's fight for a more affordable NYC.
It didn't matter.
Let his victory in the face of Big Money serve as a reminder that people have the power.
It didn't matter.
Let his victory in the face of Big Money serve as a reminder that people have the power.
November 5, 2025 at 6:39 AM
An unknown candidate without Big Money support & who started at 1% in polls just won in the biggest city in the USA. America is experiencing severe democratic backsliding, but it is not Russia. This is why PEACEFUL protests & voting remain the most effective means of resistance.
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
DO YOU RECOGNIZE THAT SANDWICH???
Defense is now questioning Lairmore on cross-examination. They show a video still of the sandwich and wrapper on the ground, post-throw.
"Do you recognize that sandwich?" the attorney asks.
Lairmore won't confirm.
"I did not go back to collect it," he says.
"Do you recognize that sandwich?" the attorney asks.
Lairmore won't confirm.
"I did not go back to collect it," he says.
November 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
DO YOU RECOGNIZE THAT SANDWICH???
National delegates had reported they had been threatened with PERSONAL consequences if they went against Washington.
Does the EU have the tools to respond to this kind of bullying? Do EU leaders have the political will? Or will we just allow the US to threaten our representatives & their families?
Does the EU have the tools to respond to this kind of bullying? Do EU leaders have the political will? Or will we just allow the US to threaten our representatives & their families?
“Our negotiators had never seen this before in any international talks,” said one European official, who had spoken to negotiators. “People being summoned to the U.S. Embassy in London — intimidation...threats of family members losing visas.”
www.politico.eu/article/us-a...
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 4, 2025 at 1:18 PM
National delegates had reported they had been threatened with PERSONAL consequences if they went against Washington.
Does the EU have the tools to respond to this kind of bullying? Do EU leaders have the political will? Or will we just allow the US to threaten our representatives & their families?
Does the EU have the tools to respond to this kind of bullying? Do EU leaders have the political will? Or will we just allow the US to threaten our representatives & their families?
Message to Dems: Zohran does what successful challengers to authoritarian leaders elsewhere have done. Like Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu & what Dutch centrist Rob Jetten did to beat his nationalist populist opponent: A relentlessly positive message & refusal to fall into the trap of polarization.+
November 4, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Message to Dems: Zohran does what successful challengers to authoritarian leaders elsewhere have done. Like Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu & what Dutch centrist Rob Jetten did to beat his nationalist populist opponent: A relentlessly positive message & refusal to fall into the trap of polarization.+
🧵 on developments in Turkey. After the PKK recently announced that its fighters would withdraw from Turkey, the leader of the ultranationalist Nationalist Action Party (MHP) just delivered an important speech.
Might we even hope for the release of both Osman Kavala & Selahattin Demirtaş...?
Might we even hope for the release of both Osman Kavala & Selahattin Demirtaş...?
A crucial speech this morning from Erdoğan's main ally, Devlet Bahçeli. A brief summary: 1) he declared that the peace commission had completed its mission and that a roadmap must now be presented, leading to legal, political and democratic progress ; 2) he insisted that İmralı (Öcalan) and +
November 4, 2025 at 12:28 PM
🧵 on developments in Turkey. After the PKK recently announced that its fighters would withdraw from Turkey, the leader of the ultranationalist Nationalist Action Party (MHP) just delivered an important speech.
Might we even hope for the release of both Osman Kavala & Selahattin Demirtaş...?
Might we even hope for the release of both Osman Kavala & Selahattin Demirtaş...?
I don't know who's behind the YouTube channel "Canada Pressroom." It clearly has an agenda, but I'm NGL, this tickles my Swedish patriotic genes. It's also interesting as an illustration of the new geopolitical logic: Few want to buy American weapons because of Trump.
youtu.be/o_UZltGcqyQ?...
youtu.be/o_UZltGcqyQ?...
Canada SHOCKED as Sweden’s Gripen OUTPERFORMS the F-35!
YouTube video by Canada Pressroom
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I don't know who's behind the YouTube channel "Canada Pressroom." It clearly has an agenda, but I'm NGL, this tickles my Swedish patriotic genes. It's also interesting as an illustration of the new geopolitical logic: Few want to buy American weapons because of Trump.
youtu.be/o_UZltGcqyQ?...
youtu.be/o_UZltGcqyQ?...
Merz's visit to Ankara in brief: Disagreements on Gaza, agreements on Eurofighters, and discussions of cooperation on the repatriation of refugees and Turkish participation in Europe's SAFE mechanism.
Germany's Merz hails Turkey Eurofighter purchase as boost for NATO
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday hailed the purchase by NATO-member Turkey of 20 Eurofighter jets, saying they would bolster the military alliance in the face of the threat from Russia. "R...
uk.news.yahoo.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Merz's visit to Ankara in brief: Disagreements on Gaza, agreements on Eurofighters, and discussions of cooperation on the repatriation of refugees and Turkish participation in Europe's SAFE mechanism.
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
Portland dance group offers free Latin dance lessons at ICE facility 💃🏽
October 30, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Portland dance group offers free Latin dance lessons at ICE facility 💃🏽
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
“For me, the JAS-39 is the only fighter jet in the world I'd be willing to sell my soul for," said Ukrainian pilot Vadym Voroshylov 🇸🇪🫶🇺🇦
Gripen jets are coming to Ukraine — here's how they can be used against Russia
Sweden and Ukraine have taken a major step toward expanding Ukraine's air force, signing an agreement to potentially acquire Gripen fighter jets, and the first of these cutting-edge aircraft could be ...
kyivindependent.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:32 PM
“For me, the JAS-39 is the only fighter jet in the world I'd be willing to sell my soul for," said Ukrainian pilot Vadym Voroshylov 🇸🇪🫶🇺🇦
A decade ago, Turkish President Erdogan faced a court order halting construction of his planned presidential mega palace because it violated forest protection laws. His response was basically: “I dare anyone to try and stop me.” And then he kept building. That feels like where this is heading.
Q: What did you mean when you said you're prepared to send 'more than the National Guard' into American cities?
TRUMP: if I want to enact a certain act, I'd be allowed to do whatever I want. The courts wouldn't get involved. Nobody would. I could send Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines -anybody I want
TRUMP: if I want to enact a certain act, I'd be allowed to do whatever I want. The courts wouldn't get involved. Nobody would. I could send Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines -anybody I want
October 29, 2025 at 4:39 PM
A decade ago, Turkish President Erdogan faced a court order halting construction of his planned presidential mega palace because it violated forest protection laws. His response was basically: “I dare anyone to try and stop me.” And then he kept building. That feels like where this is heading.
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
Excuse me? So the company the President currently owns is teaming up with a cryptocurrency company to create a prediction market, which will take bets... on things the President himself has quite a lot of control over?
Gosh, I'm sure nothing bad will happen.
www.ft.com/content/4855...
Gosh, I'm sure nothing bad will happen.
www.ft.com/content/4855...
October 29, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Excuse me? So the company the President currently owns is teaming up with a cryptocurrency company to create a prediction market, which will take bets... on things the President himself has quite a lot of control over?
Gosh, I'm sure nothing bad will happen.
www.ft.com/content/4855...
Gosh, I'm sure nothing bad will happen.
www.ft.com/content/4855...
En ömsint text om något hemskt av Niklas Orrenius. Mohammad verkar vara en fin person. Brukade gå på promenader & sitta och teckna i parker. Nu är han rädd att röra sig utomhus. Starkt av honom att framträda med sin berättelse.+
Imorgon inleds rättegången mot fyra män ur nazistiska Aktivklubb Sverige.
Jag har intervjuat Mohammad, 42, som sparkades medvetslös.
Det är en ganska lång intervju. Mohammad har mycket att säga. Läs hans ord:
www.dn.se/sverige/moha...
Jag har intervjuat Mohammad, 42, som sparkades medvetslös.
Det är en ganska lång intervju. Mohammad har mycket att säga. Läs hans ord:
www.dn.se/sverige/moha...
Mohammad sparkades medvetslös: ”Svenska politiker har stärkt nazisterna”
Nu åtalas fyra män ur nazistiska Aktivklubb Sverige. Mohammad sparkades medvetslös. Han anklagar politiker för att ständigt skylla problem på invandrare.
www.dn.se
October 29, 2025 at 11:49 AM
En ömsint text om något hemskt av Niklas Orrenius. Mohammad verkar vara en fin person. Brukade gå på promenader & sitta och teckna i parker. Nu är han rädd att röra sig utomhus. Starkt av honom att framträda med sin berättelse.+
Vad händer här? Fick just detta från en spion i Istanbul.
October 29, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Vad händer här? Fick just detta från en spion i Istanbul.
Reposted by Paul T. Levin
Honored to see my Balkan Insight op-ed 📝 cited by @jameskerlindsay.bsky.social as a ‘straightforward explanation’ (9:31) of Turkey–Serbia dynamics in his latest video 🎥. It’s encouraging to see this topic gaining wider attention beyond policy circles. youtu.be/0-t7V0EtB5k?...
Are Serbia-Turkey Relations Collapsing?
YouTube video by Prof James Ker-Lindsay
youtu.be
October 18, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Honored to see my Balkan Insight op-ed 📝 cited by @jameskerlindsay.bsky.social as a ‘straightforward explanation’ (9:31) of Turkey–Serbia dynamics in his latest video 🎥. It’s encouraging to see this topic gaining wider attention beyond policy circles. youtu.be/0-t7V0EtB5k?...