Rodolphe Mertens
@rdlms.bsky.social
Architect. Not a hunter nor a fisherman. Drawn to qualities of places. Firm believer in Europe's project.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Folks in the US still like to treat the whole Greenland invasion stuff as sufficiently unserious to engage with, but it is sufficiently serious that NATO allies are actively deploying tripwire forces to deter the US. That is *already* a political and actual cost to them, and to US relationships
January 14, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Folks in the US still like to treat the whole Greenland invasion stuff as sufficiently unserious to engage with, but it is sufficiently serious that NATO allies are actively deploying tripwire forces to deter the US. That is *already* a political and actual cost to them, and to US relationships
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
This is the most thrilling podcast I’ve listened to in quite a while: we are in the threshold of something truly transformative (in a good way!)
Today on Volts: Swedish tech entrepreneur Jonas Birgersson was once known in his country as "broadband Jesus" for his efforts in spreading decentralized, low-cost broadband access. Now, he wants to bring the same decentralized, peer-to-peer revolution to the electricity grid.
Making the electricity grid work like the internet
Jonas Birgersson joins me to explain how "packet-switching" for electrons can lead to energy abundance and grid resilience.
www.volts.wtf
January 14, 2026 at 7:05 PM
This is the most thrilling podcast I’ve listened to in quite a while: we are in the threshold of something truly transformative (in a good way!)
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
A US early-warning radar of one sort or another has been on Greenland for nearly 70 years—without the need for US sovereignty. Greenland is also covered by Article Five & US could protect it v Russia or China. Conflating Greenland's military importance with the issue of US ownership is dishonest.
January 14, 2026 at 1:12 PM
A US early-warning radar of one sort or another has been on Greenland for nearly 70 years—without the need for US sovereignty. Greenland is also covered by Article Five & US could protect it v Russia or China. Conflating Greenland's military importance with the issue of US ownership is dishonest.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Comrade @aliceguthrie.bsky.social reminds us that central to anti imperialism is no matter how long a murderous, homophobic anti western government has been in power & no matter how resource rich they are, West is to blame for any & all ills.
Any crimes committed may be excused & victims dimissed
Any crimes committed may be excused & victims dimissed
January 14, 2026 at 6:53 AM
Comrade @aliceguthrie.bsky.social reminds us that central to anti imperialism is no matter how long a murderous, homophobic anti western government has been in power & no matter how resource rich they are, West is to blame for any & all ills.
Any crimes committed may be excused & victims dimissed
Any crimes committed may be excused & victims dimissed
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
This is really important.
Politics that are based on vibes rather than facts are bound to fail.
No doubt there is plenty of room for improvement, but the doomsday talk is completely out of proportion.
Politics that are based on vibes rather than facts are bound to fail.
No doubt there is plenty of room for improvement, but the doomsday talk is completely out of proportion.
Which economy is more productive - Germany or the US? It seems the answer would be clear, but it's not.
The mood in Germany is so deeply negative, even aggressively pessimistic, that I thought we had fallen behind by a lot. But here are the facts - they surprised me as well:
The mood in Germany is so deeply negative, even aggressively pessimistic, that I thought we had fallen behind by a lot. But here are the facts - they surprised me as well:
January 14, 2026 at 7:11 AM
This is really important.
Politics that are based on vibes rather than facts are bound to fail.
No doubt there is plenty of room for improvement, but the doomsday talk is completely out of proportion.
Politics that are based on vibes rather than facts are bound to fail.
No doubt there is plenty of room for improvement, but the doomsday talk is completely out of proportion.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
.@gideonrachman is right. This would be the flex. Europe has cards to play. But will it choose to play them?
January 12, 2026 at 9:29 PM
.@gideonrachman is right. This would be the flex. Europe has cards to play. But will it choose to play them?
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Germany expects covert Russian operations to strike energy and defense systems first — not missiles. A secret military plan says these hybrid threats aim to disrupt NATO logistics and probe weak spots before any direct confrontation.
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/05/r...
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/05/r...
Russia is targeting Germany already — and Berlin believes worse is coming
In a document, reviewed by Bloomberg, the German military warns hybrid attacks on critical infrastructure could be a warm-up for open war.
euromaidanpress.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Germany expects covert Russian operations to strike energy and defense systems first — not missiles. A secret military plan says these hybrid threats aim to disrupt NATO logistics and probe weak spots before any direct confrontation.
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/05/r...
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/05/r...
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
So fmr Honduran President Hernandez voluntarily surrendered, and was duly extradited, tried and convicted for drug trafficking, and Trump pardoned him 6w ago.
And this morning, Trump illegally attacks Venezuela and abducts its president and his wife purportedly to try them for drug trafficking.
And this morning, Trump illegally attacks Venezuela and abducts its president and his wife purportedly to try them for drug trafficking.
January 3, 2026 at 12:44 PM
So fmr Honduran President Hernandez voluntarily surrendered, and was duly extradited, tried and convicted for drug trafficking, and Trump pardoned him 6w ago.
And this morning, Trump illegally attacks Venezuela and abducts its president and his wife purportedly to try them for drug trafficking.
And this morning, Trump illegally attacks Venezuela and abducts its president and his wife purportedly to try them for drug trafficking.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
There will be a lot of commentary on the (still ongoing) cabinet reorg in Ukraine. So far it seems to indicates a renewed focus on pressing advantage in war —absolutely what Ukraine should be doing right to constantly challenge to the false narrative of inevitable Russian victory
Zelenskyy shakes up Ukraine’s national security leadership. Military Intelligence Head Budanov to be new presidential chief of staff. Mykhailo Fedorov, deputy prime minister and digital transformation minister, to be new defence minister.
kyivindependent.com/breaking-ukr...
kyivindependent.com/breaking-ukr...
Zelensky picks Military Intelligence Head Budanov as his new chief of staff
President Volodymyr Zelensky has appointed Kyrylo Budanov, the military intelligence chief, to take charge of the President's Office on Jan. 2.
"Now, Ukraine needs more focus on security issues, the ...
kyivindependent.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:13 PM
There will be a lot of commentary on the (still ongoing) cabinet reorg in Ukraine. So far it seems to indicates a renewed focus on pressing advantage in war —absolutely what Ukraine should be doing right to constantly challenge to the false narrative of inevitable Russian victory
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Estelle Sobol - I say your name for you shall never be forgotten. 🕯️
21 June 1929 | French Jewish girl, Estelle Sobol, was born in Paris.
She arrived at #Auschwitz on 19 August 1942 in a transport of 997 Jews deported from #Drancy. She was murdered in a gas chamber after arrival selection.
She arrived at #Auschwitz on 19 August 1942 in a transport of 997 Jews deported from #Drancy. She was murdered in a gas chamber after arrival selection.
June 22, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Estelle Sobol - I say your name for you shall never be forgotten. 🕯️
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
This is what a Cold Air Front looks like from Space
May 29, 2025 at 11:40 PM
This is what a Cold Air Front looks like from Space
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
This forest was logged 75–80 years ago. It looks wild, even pristine—but it’s not old growth. The original complexity is gone. Because we don’t remember what was lost, we assume what remains is natural. Shifting baselines shape what we protect—and what we forget.
May 29, 2025 at 12:57 PM
This forest was logged 75–80 years ago. It looks wild, even pristine—but it’s not old growth. The original complexity is gone. Because we don’t remember what was lost, we assume what remains is natural. Shifting baselines shape what we protect—and what we forget.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
‼️🇪🇺🇺🇸 Excellent interview of @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu by @henryjfoy.ft.com
The EU has serious leverage over Trump and the US economy despite noise to the contrary. Good the @ec.europa.eu is prepared to use it
“EU could tax Big Tech if Trump trade talks fail, says von der Leyen”
The EU has serious leverage over Trump and the US economy despite noise to the contrary. Good the @ec.europa.eu is prepared to use it
“EU could tax Big Tech if Trump trade talks fail, says von der Leyen”
April 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
‼️🇪🇺🇺🇸 Excellent interview of @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu by @henryjfoy.ft.com
The EU has serious leverage over Trump and the US economy despite noise to the contrary. Good the @ec.europa.eu is prepared to use it
“EU could tax Big Tech if Trump trade talks fail, says von der Leyen”
The EU has serious leverage over Trump and the US economy despite noise to the contrary. Good the @ec.europa.eu is prepared to use it
“EU could tax Big Tech if Trump trade talks fail, says von der Leyen”
Will be named for posterity as the Easter Hatch Act
Trump: "They were saying that for Easter, 'Please don't use eggs. Could you use plastic eggs?' I say, we don't want to do that."
April 3, 2025 at 6:24 AM
Will be named for posterity as the Easter Hatch Act
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
“The way Trump is basically insisting to capture Greenland, we can know that it is of strategic importance for all the reasons we know.” @nicolastenzer.bsky.social
Trump shifts Greenland approach amid blowback, Signal scandal
What looked like a Trump administration charm offensive in its gambit to take over Greenland, billed as a cultural heritage tour led by second lady Usha Vance, has turned into something different w…
thehill.com
March 27, 2025 at 9:30 PM
“The way Trump is basically insisting to capture Greenland, we can know that it is of strategic importance for all the reasons we know.” @nicolastenzer.bsky.social
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Europeans should take over Radio Free Europe if Trump cuts it - because Europe will need more than just weapons to defend itself, writes @peterpomerantsev.bsky.social
on.ft.com/42hSOEO
on.ft.com/42hSOEO
Radio Free Europe, Trump and the fight for ‘sharp power’
Stepping in to save the media outlet after US cuts could help European democracies combat Russian disinformation, writes Peter Pomerantsev
on.ft.com
March 29, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Europeans should take over Radio Free Europe if Trump cuts it - because Europe will need more than just weapons to defend itself, writes @peterpomerantsev.bsky.social
on.ft.com/42hSOEO
on.ft.com/42hSOEO
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Latest piece in @theatlantic.com Partly inspired by Signal scandal. Here we have Trump’s court speaking their uncensored views on Europe and Europeans should take them at their word. It might allow Europe to save itself, and save the USA in the process. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Europe Should Take the Trump Administration at Its Word
After following America’s lead for 80 years, the continent’s democracies do not recognize the danger now before them.
www.theatlantic.com
March 29, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Latest piece in @theatlantic.com Partly inspired by Signal scandal. Here we have Trump’s court speaking their uncensored views on Europe and Europeans should take them at their word. It might allow Europe to save itself, and save the USA in the process. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
In other news, Der Spiegel
found private phone numbers, email addresses and some passwords for Waltz, Gabbard and Hegseth online
www.spiegel.de/internationa...
found private phone numbers, email addresses and some passwords for Waltz, Gabbard and Hegseth online
www.spiegel.de/internationa...
Hegseth, Waltz, Gabbard: Private Data and Passwords of Senior U.S. Security Officials Found Online
Donald Trump's most important security advisers used Signal to discuss an imminent military strike. Now, reporting by DER SPIEGEL has found that the contact data of some of those officials, including ...
www.spiegel.de
March 26, 2025 at 8:36 PM
In other news, Der Spiegel
found private phone numbers, email addresses and some passwords for Waltz, Gabbard and Hegseth online
www.spiegel.de/internationa...
found private phone numbers, email addresses and some passwords for Waltz, Gabbard and Hegseth online
www.spiegel.de/internationa...
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
It gets worse.
This Signal situation is just the tip of the iceberg of incompetence in this administration.
This Signal situation is just the tip of the iceberg of incompetence in this administration.
March 26, 2025 at 10:08 PM
It gets worse.
This Signal situation is just the tip of the iceberg of incompetence in this administration.
This Signal situation is just the tip of the iceberg of incompetence in this administration.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Indeed, Steve Witkoff is an example of sparkling stupidity. He is akin to a 17-year old who wants to join the mafia: fascinated by power, in love with the Boss, completely unhindered by any semblance of morality, and disturbingly excited and happy to be part of a cruel and powerful adventure.
I have always thought that as far as envoys go, Rick Grennell's unpreparedness, total lack of diplomatic skills and general idiotism would be near-impossible to outdo, but somehow Steve Witkoff didn't only manage to pull off this remarkable feat; he seems to be in a whole different class.
March 22, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Indeed, Steve Witkoff is an example of sparkling stupidity. He is akin to a 17-year old who wants to join the mafia: fascinated by power, in love with the Boss, completely unhindered by any semblance of morality, and disturbingly excited and happy to be part of a cruel and powerful adventure.
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in Serbia's capital Belgrade to protest state corruption and negligence under President Aleksandar Vucic after a railway station roof collapse killed 15 people last year reut.rs/4ks6BAL
Protesters flood Belgrade in one of biggest anti-government rallies
Police deployed hundreds of officers in full riot gear in and around Pionirski Park, where supporters of Aleksandar Vučić have camped this week inside a ring of parked tractors.
reut.rs
March 15, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in Serbia's capital Belgrade to protest state corruption and negligence under President Aleksandar Vucic after a railway station roof collapse killed 15 people last year reut.rs/4ks6BAL
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
💯🇺🇦 "Ukraine is a sovereign country. If it asks NATO to be present on its territory, it is not for Russia to decide whether to agree or not," — Macron
🇬🇧🇫🇷 Le Parisen claims that the Franco-British plan to send peacekeepers to Ukraine is in the final stages of approval!
🇬🇧🇫🇷 Le Parisen claims that the Franco-British plan to send peacekeepers to Ukraine is in the final stages of approval!
March 15, 2025 at 6:59 PM
💯🇺🇦 "Ukraine is a sovereign country. If it asks NATO to be present on its territory, it is not for Russia to decide whether to agree or not," — Macron
🇬🇧🇫🇷 Le Parisen claims that the Franco-British plan to send peacekeepers to Ukraine is in the final stages of approval!
🇬🇧🇫🇷 Le Parisen claims that the Franco-British plan to send peacekeepers to Ukraine is in the final stages of approval!
Reposted by Rodolphe Mertens
🇹🇷✈️ Türkiye plans to buy 40 Eurofighter Typhoon. 🇩🇪Germany and 🇬🇧UK have approved the deal.
March 15, 2025 at 3:55 PM
🇹🇷✈️ Türkiye plans to buy 40 Eurofighter Typhoon. 🇩🇪Germany and 🇬🇧UK have approved the deal.