Rafael Mentges
@rafaelmentges.bsky.social
Economist interested in macroeconomics, monetary policy, and Banking.
I have a second profile that is more focused on everything around space, so don't get confused ;)
I have a second profile that is more focused on everything around space, so don't get confused ;)
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
If I haven’t lost count entirely, this was the fourth time Europe was fooled.
So yes it’s about time to finally figure out our own strategy instead of putting all energy into humouring Trump.
So yes it’s about time to finally figure out our own strategy instead of putting all energy into humouring Trump.
Yes, but it is also a fact now that there is a pattern to it.
As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool my twice, shame on me. The Europeans should no longer dellude themselves that a Trump/Vance US can be a reliable ally.
As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool my twice, shame on me. The Europeans should no longer dellude themselves that a Trump/Vance US can be a reliable ally.
The Trump cycle on Russia-Ukraine. Some pro-Russian plan emerges. Instant commentariat renew their "Trump as Russian plant" stories. Plan is amended under EU (and US) pressure. Putin rejects it. Instant commentariat is puzzled. Rinse and repeat. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
November 25, 2025 at 4:51 PM
If I haven’t lost count entirely, this was the fourth time Europe was fooled.
So yes it’s about time to finally figure out our own strategy instead of putting all energy into humouring Trump.
So yes it’s about time to finally figure out our own strategy instead of putting all energy into humouring Trump.
Seriously, who asks other people via email for dating advice?
And how close do you need to be to ask something like this?
So many questions...
Lawrence Summers steps down from OpenAI board over Epstein emails - on.ft.com/4i5pkkM
And how close do you need to be to ask something like this?
So many questions...
Lawrence Summers steps down from OpenAI board over Epstein emails - on.ft.com/4i5pkkM
on.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Seriously, who asks other people via email for dating advice?
And how close do you need to be to ask something like this?
So many questions...
Lawrence Summers steps down from OpenAI board over Epstein emails - on.ft.com/4i5pkkM
And how close do you need to be to ask something like this?
So many questions...
Lawrence Summers steps down from OpenAI board over Epstein emails - on.ft.com/4i5pkkM
"After a slow start, 2025 is shaping up to be the biggest year for M&A activity since the pandemic-era boom of 2021"
And Goldman Sachs is involved in 34% in value.
on.ft.com/3LF5rFf
And Goldman Sachs is involved in 34% in value.
on.ft.com/3LF5rFf
Goldman Sachs on brink of best M&A performance in 24 years
Investment bank has secured its dominant position as megadeals rebound
on.ft.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:16 AM
"After a slow start, 2025 is shaping up to be the biggest year for M&A activity since the pandemic-era boom of 2021"
And Goldman Sachs is involved in 34% in value.
on.ft.com/3LF5rFf
And Goldman Sachs is involved in 34% in value.
on.ft.com/3LF5rFf
"Tech stocks on Wall Street fell sharply on Friday, deepening a global sell-off sparked by concerns over high valuations of companies linked to artificial intelligence and the trajectory of US interest rates."
on.ft.com/47HzAfI
on.ft.com/47HzAfI
US stocks sink as global tech rout deepens
Doubts over December interest rate cut from Federal Reserve exacerbate worries about high valuations
on.ft.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:49 PM
"Tech stocks on Wall Street fell sharply on Friday, deepening a global sell-off sparked by concerns over high valuations of companies linked to artificial intelligence and the trajectory of US interest rates."
on.ft.com/47HzAfI
on.ft.com/47HzAfI
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
www.politico.eu/article/epp-...
Apart from the substantive damage to the EU's green agenda, this is an extremely worrying development: the centre-right (EPP) is demonstrating its willingness to get into bed with the hard right. This opportunism puts the pro-European, pragmatic coalition at risk.
Apart from the substantive damage to the EU's green agenda, this is an extremely worrying development: the centre-right (EPP) is demonstrating its willingness to get into bed with the hard right. This opportunism puts the pro-European, pragmatic coalition at risk.
EU’s biggest political group bets on far-right support to cut green rules
Push to slash red tape drives an ever-bigger wedge between Europe’s traditional centrist coalition.
www.politico.eu
November 5, 2025 at 5:52 PM
www.politico.eu/article/epp-...
Apart from the substantive damage to the EU's green agenda, this is an extremely worrying development: the centre-right (EPP) is demonstrating its willingness to get into bed with the hard right. This opportunism puts the pro-European, pragmatic coalition at risk.
Apart from the substantive damage to the EU's green agenda, this is an extremely worrying development: the centre-right (EPP) is demonstrating its willingness to get into bed with the hard right. This opportunism puts the pro-European, pragmatic coalition at risk.
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Grüne fragen nach Raumfahrt-Plänen der Bundesregierung
Die Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen thematisiert in einer Kleinen Anfrage (21/2004) die Pläne der Bundesregierung im Bereich Raumfahrt.
Die Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen thematisiert in einer Kleinen Anfrage (21/2004) die Pläne der Bundesregierung im Bereich Raumfahrt.
Grüne fragen nach Raumfahrt-Plänen der Bundesregierung
Die Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen thematisiert in einer Kleinen Anfrage (21/2004) die Pläne der Bundesregierung im Bereich Raumfahrt.
www.bundestag.de
October 22, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Grüne fragen nach Raumfahrt-Plänen der Bundesregierung
Die Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen thematisiert in einer Kleinen Anfrage (21/2004) die Pläne der Bundesregierung im Bereich Raumfahrt.
Die Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen thematisiert in einer Kleinen Anfrage (21/2004) die Pläne der Bundesregierung im Bereich Raumfahrt.
"The bank has started talks with the building’s owner, Samsung SRA Asset Management, over options that could lead to it extending its lease or leaving when it expires in 2032, according to two people familiar with the matter."
But they will stay in Frankfurt.
on.ft.com/439dHDc
But they will stay in Frankfurt.
on.ft.com/439dHDc
Commerzbank could leave landmark Frankfurt HQ as it embarks on cost-cutting drive
German lender in talks with building owner Samsung SRA about its future in country’s tallest building
on.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:24 AM
"The bank has started talks with the building’s owner, Samsung SRA Asset Management, over options that could lead to it extending its lease or leaving when it expires in 2032, according to two people familiar with the matter."
But they will stay in Frankfurt.
on.ft.com/439dHDc
But they will stay in Frankfurt.
on.ft.com/439dHDc
The best way to get wider global USD adoption is to get rid of Trump!
He is undermining the independence of the Fed and the rule of law, he is talking about devaluation of the USD, he is erecting trade barriers in unpredictable ways...
I could go on. All of this is not helpful!
on.ft.com/4hHZTpl
He is undermining the independence of the Fed and the rule of law, he is talking about devaluation of the USD, he is erecting trade barriers in unpredictable ways...
I could go on. All of this is not helpful!
on.ft.com/4hHZTpl
US pushes for wider global dollar adoption
Officials in Washington explore how to encourage more countries to adopt greenback as their primary currency
on.ft.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:05 AM
The best way to get wider global USD adoption is to get rid of Trump!
He is undermining the independence of the Fed and the rule of law, he is talking about devaluation of the USD, he is erecting trade barriers in unpredictable ways...
I could go on. All of this is not helpful!
on.ft.com/4hHZTpl
He is undermining the independence of the Fed and the rule of law, he is talking about devaluation of the USD, he is erecting trade barriers in unpredictable ways...
I could go on. All of this is not helpful!
on.ft.com/4hHZTpl
"Only about 5,000 of the 15,000 or more private capital firms that exist today had successfully raised funds in the past seven years, Per Franzén, chief executive of Sweden’s EQT, told the Financial Times."
on.ft.com/4nxwW0o
on.ft.com/4nxwW0o
Private capital zombie firms will pile up in next decade, says EQT chief
Per Franzén says inability to raise fresh funds may leave many firms only managing existing investments in coming decade
on.ft.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:52 AM
"Only about 5,000 of the 15,000 or more private capital firms that exist today had successfully raised funds in the past seven years, Per Franzén, chief executive of Sweden’s EQT, told the Financial Times."
on.ft.com/4nxwW0o
on.ft.com/4nxwW0o
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Once again, the arsonist demands praise for his firefighting skills www.wsj.com/world/china/...
Trump Meets With Xi, Declares Immediate Cut to Tariffs
The leaders’ first face-to-face summit in six years offered relief to both sides, while the high-stakes rivalry between the U.S. and China carries on.
www.wsj.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Once again, the arsonist demands praise for his firefighting skills www.wsj.com/world/china/...
Ernste Frage: Wer will 2035 noch Verbrenner kaufen?
October 29, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Ernste Frage: Wer will 2035 noch Verbrenner kaufen?
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
PSA: we're aware that Signal is down for some people. This appears to be related to a major AWS outage. Stand by.
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
Wenn das Baerbock passiert wäre, würde Deutschland wochenlang darüber reden wie unfähig sie doch sei.
www.dw.com/de/diplomati...
www.dw.com/de/diplomati...
Diplomatischer Eklat: Wadephul sagt China-Reise erstmal ab – DW – 24.10.2025
Eiszeit zwischen Peking und Berlin: Eigentlich sollte Bundesaußenminister Johann Wadephul am Wochenende nach China fliegen. Diese Reise ist nun vom Tisch. Offenbar fehlt derzeit die gemeinsame Basis f...
www.dw.com
October 25, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Wenn das Baerbock passiert wäre, würde Deutschland wochenlang darüber reden wie unfähig sie doch sei.
www.dw.com/de/diplomati...
www.dw.com/de/diplomati...
"With almost exuberant joy, #Merz announced after the summit that all EU leaders had voted in favor of signing the #Mercosur deal.
...
The problem: the major breakthrough that the Chancellor prematurely announced was not true at all."
www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
...
The problem: the major breakthrough that the Chancellor prematurely announced was not true at all."
www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
Kanzler-Ausrutscher in Brüssel
Präsentiert von YouTube Von HANS VON DER BURCHARD Mit PAULINE VON PEZOLD PRÄSENTIERT VON Schicken Sie uns Ihre Tipps hier, hier oder hier | X @GordonRepinski @vonderburchard @R_Buchsteiner | Das Pl…
www.politico.eu
October 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
"With almost exuberant joy, #Merz announced after the summit that all EU leaders had voted in favor of signing the #Mercosur deal.
...
The problem: the major breakthrough that the Chancellor prematurely announced was not true at all."
www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
...
The problem: the major breakthrough that the Chancellor prematurely announced was not true at all."
www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
The car crisis tops today’s EU summit but leaders keep staring at the wrong problem
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
October 23, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The car crisis tops today’s EU summit but leaders keep staring at the wrong problem
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
The issue isn’t the 2035 engine ban - it’s demand falling off a cliff today
With @sandertordoir.bsky.social and @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social, we show why flipping regs won’t help - and what the EU can do instead.
IMF: “Valuation models show risk asset prices well above fundamentals, raising the risk of sharp corrections,”
“Markets appear complacent as the ground shifts.”
on.ft.com/43sre91
“Markets appear complacent as the ground shifts.”
on.ft.com/43sre91
Bubble-talk is breaking out everywhere
But more optimistic investors continue to bank on the cavalry arriving if things get really dicey
on.ft.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:57 AM
IMF: “Valuation models show risk asset prices well above fundamentals, raising the risk of sharp corrections,”
“Markets appear complacent as the ground shifts.”
on.ft.com/43sre91
“Markets appear complacent as the ground shifts.”
on.ft.com/43sre91
October 17, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
FT Investigation: How the Trump companies made $1bn from crypto. Some great work here www.ft.com/content/2ea2...
FT Investigation: How the Trump companies made $1bn from crypto
The president and his family have built a rapidly growing digital assets empire which has been fuelled by the administration’s industry-friendly policies
www.ft.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:19 AM
FT Investigation: How the Trump companies made $1bn from crypto. Some great work here www.ft.com/content/2ea2...
"Lithium-ion battery costs have also fallen — by 90 per cent since 2010 — a drop that Artem Abramov, deputy head of research at energy consultancy Rystad, says is likely to continue."
ig.ft.com/mega-batteri...
ig.ft.com/mega-batteri...
How mega batteries are unlocking an energy revolution
Vast battery units are shoring up grids and extending the use of clean power
ig.ft.com
October 13, 2025 at 5:10 AM
"Lithium-ion battery costs have also fallen — by 90 per cent since 2010 — a drop that Artem Abramov, deputy head of research at energy consultancy Rystad, says is likely to continue."
ig.ft.com/mega-batteri...
ig.ft.com/mega-batteri...
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
I wrote about Peter Thiel’s lectures on the Antichrist and how the fact that there’s a strong chance Thiel thinks Greta Thunberg is the literal Antichrist isn’t even the weirdest thing about them — at the @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/technology/n...
Peter Thiel’s off-the-record antichrist lectures reveal more about him than Armageddon
Silicon Valley titan desperately tries to detach self from power in amateurish talks attempting to ape his favorite philosopher
www.theguardian.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I wrote about Peter Thiel’s lectures on the Antichrist and how the fact that there’s a strong chance Thiel thinks Greta Thunberg is the literal Antichrist isn’t even the weirdest thing about them — at the @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/technology/n...
Es gibt ja viele Gesetze bei denen man sich über Notwendigkeit und Auswirkungen streiten kann, aber dass Veggie-Wurst Verbot ist einfach nur dumm! Es hat keinen anderen Zweck als die andere Seite anzupassen. Es ist die europäische Version von "own the libs".
October 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Es gibt ja viele Gesetze bei denen man sich über Notwendigkeit und Auswirkungen streiten kann, aber dass Veggie-Wurst Verbot ist einfach nur dumm! Es hat keinen anderen Zweck als die andere Seite anzupassen. Es ist die europäische Version von "own the libs".
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Die Asylzahlen sinken seit Ende 2023 aus geopolitischen Gründen. Dennoch behauptet die Merz-Regierung, es läge an ihrer rechten Politik, die viel kostet und nichts bringt, außer die AfD zu stärken. www.volksverpetzer.de/analyse/bund...
So wenig Einfluss hat die Bundesregierung auf sinkende Asylzahlen
Die Asylzahlen sinken seit 2023 aus geopolitischen Gründen. Dennoch behauptet die Merz-Regierung, es läge an ihrer rechten Politik, die viel kostet und nichts bringt, außer die AfD zu stärken.
www.volksverpetzer.de
October 8, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Die Asylzahlen sinken seit Ende 2023 aus geopolitischen Gründen. Dennoch behauptet die Merz-Regierung, es läge an ihrer rechten Politik, die viel kostet und nichts bringt, außer die AfD zu stärken. www.volksverpetzer.de/analyse/bund...
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
What explains the rising turnout in recent EP elections?
@filipkostelka.bsky.social & @evakrejcova.bsky.social find that it's the strength of Eurosceptic parties at the national level. The more seats they hold in national parliament, the more mobilizing the EP election is
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
@filipkostelka.bsky.social & @evakrejcova.bsky.social find that it's the strength of Eurosceptic parties at the national level. The more seats they hold in national parliament, the more mobilizing the EP election is
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
October 6, 2025 at 1:30 PM
What explains the rising turnout in recent EP elections?
@filipkostelka.bsky.social & @evakrejcova.bsky.social find that it's the strength of Eurosceptic parties at the national level. The more seats they hold in national parliament, the more mobilizing the EP election is
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
@filipkostelka.bsky.social & @evakrejcova.bsky.social find that it's the strength of Eurosceptic parties at the national level. The more seats they hold in national parliament, the more mobilizing the EP election is
doi.org/10.1080/0140...
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
The Franco-German motor needs some gas (and some nuclear)
In depth - The Franco-German motor needs some gas (and some nuclear) - Contexte
Over the summer, a joint summit of Franco-German leaders suggested they were trying to repair long-standing divisions over the role of nuclear energy. Yet just months after the deal, confusion reigns: Paris boasts about a “historic” agreement in favour of low-carbon energy, while Berlin is walking on eggshells. Political turbulence in Paris, and the need for Germany to gain support for its own gas-powered plans, are only making the situation more complex.
www.contexte.com
October 6, 2025 at 6:06 AM
The Franco-German motor needs some gas (and some nuclear)
Reposted by Rafael Mentges
Cyprus shifts West in defence procurement strategy
Cyprus shifts West in defence procurement strategy
The military parade marking Cyprus’ Independence Day has once again brought defence policy into sharp ...
eualive.net
October 6, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Cyprus shifts West in defence procurement strategy