Thomas O. Falk
@realthomasfalk.bsky.social
Columnist/Contributor @SCMP @JapanTimes @Haaretz and other places
How to preserve Europe’s liberty in the Trump 2.0 era
www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
Opinion | How to preserve Europe’s liberty in the Trump 2.0 era
If Europe truly values liberty, it must build the means to defend it and start finally seeing the world as it is, not as it remembers it.
www.scmp.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:51 PM
How to preserve Europe’s liberty in the Trump 2.0 era
www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
Reposted by Thomas O. Falk
Commentary: Forget Trump’s one-sided "peace plan," make Putin an offer he can’t refuse, writes Thomas O. Falk.
Turn Russia’s frozen assets into incentives for peace
The West is not a spectator to this. It is the custodian of the one pressure point Putin did not foresee: His own frozen wealth.
ebx.sh
November 25, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Commentary: Forget Trump’s one-sided "peace plan," make Putin an offer he can’t refuse, writes Thomas O. Falk.
MTG has harassed a Parkland survivor, pushed QAnon & “Jewish space lasers,” liked posts calling to execute Democrats, and called for a national divorce. Bill Maher’s liberal audience cheered her incoherent stupidity. America has SO lost the plot — and not just on the right.
November 1, 2025 at 10:27 AM
MTG has harassed a Parkland survivor, pushed QAnon & “Jewish space lasers,” liked posts calling to execute Democrats, and called for a national divorce. Bill Maher’s liberal audience cheered her incoherent stupidity. America has SO lost the plot — and not just on the right.
With the summit between Putin and Trump over, the Democrats’ campaign ad writes itself — straight out of the 1980s Reagan playbook. This time, the bear wasn’t just in the woods. It stole the picnic basket, defecated in the tent, and left wearing the park ranger’s favourite hat.
August 16, 2025 at 2:36 AM
With the summit between Putin and Trump over, the Democrats’ campaign ad writes itself — straight out of the 1980s Reagan playbook. This time, the bear wasn’t just in the woods. It stole the picnic basket, defecated in the tent, and left wearing the park ranger’s favourite hat.
Reposted by Thomas O. Falk
Commentary: Unless the EU takes bolder legal and maritime action to enforce its sanctions on Russian oil exports, Russia will keep profiting, and Europe’s security and credibility will continue to erode.
Braving the storm: It’s time to board Russia’s shadow fleet
European sanctions against the Kremlin’s oil vessels are futile without actual enforcement.
www.japantimes.co.jp
June 3, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Commentary: Unless the EU takes bolder legal and maritime action to enforce its sanctions on Russian oil exports, Russia will keep profiting, and Europe’s security and credibility will continue to erode.
Zu Scholz’ Aussage, die SPD könne mit Geld umgehen, fällt einem sofort Franz Josef Strauß ein – und der wusste es schon damals besser:
„So wie ein Hund unfähig ist, sich einen Wurstvorrat anzulegen, sind die Sozialdemokraten unfähig, Geldvorräte anzulegen.“
#kanzlerduell
„So wie ein Hund unfähig ist, sich einen Wurstvorrat anzulegen, sind die Sozialdemokraten unfähig, Geldvorräte anzulegen.“
#kanzlerduell
February 19, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Zu Scholz’ Aussage, die SPD könne mit Geld umgehen, fällt einem sofort Franz Josef Strauß ein – und der wusste es schon damals besser:
„So wie ein Hund unfähig ist, sich einen Wurstvorrat anzulegen, sind die Sozialdemokraten unfähig, Geldvorräte anzulegen.“
#kanzlerduell
„So wie ein Hund unfähig ist, sich einen Wurstvorrat anzulegen, sind die Sozialdemokraten unfähig, Geldvorräte anzulegen.“
#kanzlerduell
The Kremlin’s latest take on the war in Ukraine:
February 19, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The Kremlin’s latest take on the war in Ukraine:
In my opinion piece for The Straits Times I explore the factors fueling the AfD’s rise, the warning example of Austria and the political conundrum parties will face post-election.
www.straitstimes.com/opinion/time...
www.straitstimes.com/opinion/time...
Time is running out as paralysis over immigration fuels Germany’s far right
AfD stands to gain as mainstream parties side-step the issue ahead of the Feb 23 polls. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
February 9, 2025 at 10:02 PM
In my opinion piece for The Straits Times I explore the factors fueling the AfD’s rise, the warning example of Austria and the political conundrum parties will face post-election.
www.straitstimes.com/opinion/time...
www.straitstimes.com/opinion/time...
Reposted by Thomas O. Falk
Tuesday newsletter: Trump's J6 Jailbreak
Even the rioters who attacked cops...
open.substack.com/pub/charlies...
Even the rioters who attacked cops...
open.substack.com/pub/charlies...
Trump's J6 Jailbreak
"A deep stain on our history"
open.substack.com
January 21, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Tuesday newsletter: Trump's J6 Jailbreak
Even the rioters who attacked cops...
open.substack.com/pub/charlies...
Even the rioters who attacked cops...
open.substack.com/pub/charlies...
MAGA Republicans:
DEI bad, Miltary [sic] good.
DEI bad, Miltary [sic] good.
January 15, 2025 at 12:03 AM
MAGA Republicans:
DEI bad, Miltary [sic] good.
DEI bad, Miltary [sic] good.
Britain’s pivot towards Beijing is an economic imperative (but a giant gamble nonetheless) — my latest.
www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
Opinion | Britain’s pivot towards Beijing is an economic imperative
Britain desperately needs China’s help to revive its economy, but London risks trading Brussels for Beijing as the overseer of its fortunes.
www.scmp.com
January 2, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Britain’s pivot towards Beijing is an economic imperative (but a giant gamble nonetheless) — my latest.
www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
I have always admired Joe Biden, not just for his accomplishments but for the way he conducts himself.
But his decision to pardon his son is profoundly disappointing. It undermines his legacy, betrays the rule of law, and gives Trump an enormous political gift.
www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
But his decision to pardon his son is profoundly disappointing. It undermines his legacy, betrays the rule of law, and gives Trump an enormous political gift.
www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
Opinion | How Biden’s use of presidential pardon power tarnishes his legacy
Breaking a promise to not pardon Hunter Biden helps Donald Trump and shatters any moral high ground the Democrats might have stood on.
www.scmp.com
December 4, 2024 at 1:35 PM
I have always admired Joe Biden, not just for his accomplishments but for the way he conducts himself.
But his decision to pardon his son is profoundly disappointing. It undermines his legacy, betrays the rule of law, and gives Trump an enormous political gift.
www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
But his decision to pardon his son is profoundly disappointing. It undermines his legacy, betrays the rule of law, and gives Trump an enormous political gift.
www.scmp.com/opinion/worl...
Reposted by Thomas O. Falk
Putin recently approved a revision to Russia’s official nuclear policy to permit a first strike in response to a conventional attack by any nation supported by a nuclear power. Should we be worried?
@cathyyoung63.bsky.social on Putin's latest nuclear threats: www.thebulwark.com/p/whos-afrai...
@cathyyoung63.bsky.social on Putin's latest nuclear threats: www.thebulwark.com/p/whos-afrai...
Who’s Afraid of Putin’s Nuclear Blackmail?
The dictator’s threats work only if we allow them to.
www.thebulwark.com
December 3, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Putin recently approved a revision to Russia’s official nuclear policy to permit a first strike in response to a conventional attack by any nation supported by a nuclear power. Should we be worried?
@cathyyoung63.bsky.social on Putin's latest nuclear threats: www.thebulwark.com/p/whos-afrai...
@cathyyoung63.bsky.social on Putin's latest nuclear threats: www.thebulwark.com/p/whos-afrai...
Reposted by Thomas O. Falk
Special Monday newsletter: The fight to hold Trump accountable for his crimes ended not with a fight, but with barely a whimper.
charliesykes.substack.com/p/the-long-s...
charliesykes.substack.com/p/the-long-s...
The Long Surrender
Merrick Garland and Jack Smith give up.
charliesykes.substack.com
November 25, 2024 at 11:11 PM
Special Monday newsletter: The fight to hold Trump accountable for his crimes ended not with a fight, but with barely a whimper.
charliesykes.substack.com/p/the-long-s...
charliesykes.substack.com/p/the-long-s...
Imagine having the disposal income but the sophistication/taste of an 11-year-old.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump’s $100,000 Swiss-Made Watch Is a Slow Seller
Donald Trump is returning to the White House after one of the most remarkable political comebacks in US history. His side hustle as the frontman for a fledgling high-end watch brand, however, is less ...
www.bloomberg.com
November 23, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Imagine having the disposal income but the sophistication/taste of an 11-year-old.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Thomas O. Falk
Kim Jong-Un’s spokesperson thinks Lindsey needs to tone it down a little.
November 22, 2024 at 5:10 AM
Kim Jong-Un’s spokesperson thinks Lindsey needs to tone it down a little.
Reposted by Thomas O. Falk
COMMENTARY: It appears German politics is acquiring a new bitterness.
And while everyone is busy accusing everyone else of letting the country down, one man has failed above all others.
🔗 trib.al/fLuGLeG
And while everyone is busy accusing everyone else of letting the country down, one man has failed above all others.
🔗 trib.al/fLuGLeG
November 22, 2024 at 9:12 AM
COMMENTARY: It appears German politics is acquiring a new bitterness.
And while everyone is busy accusing everyone else of letting the country down, one man has failed above all others.
🔗 trib.al/fLuGLeG
And while everyone is busy accusing everyone else of letting the country down, one man has failed above all others.
🔗 trib.al/fLuGLeG
Reminder: Pam Bondi once persuaded Rick Scott to postpone a scheduled execution because it conflicted with her fundraising event.
www.tampabay.com/news/politic...
www.tampabay.com/news/politic...
Execution rescheduled to accommodate Pam Bondi fundraiser
There is no graver responsibility and act of state government than an execution.
www.tampabay.com
November 22, 2024 at 12:26 AM
Reminder: Pam Bondi once persuaded Rick Scott to postpone a scheduled execution because it conflicted with her fundraising event.
www.tampabay.com/news/politic...
www.tampabay.com/news/politic...
Gaetz said that the controversy over his potential nomination "was unfairly becoming a distraction" to the work of the incoming Trump administration.
Fair to say we can call BS on this.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Fair to say we can call BS on this.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Matt Gaetz withdraws as Trump's nominee for attorney general
www.bbc.com
November 21, 2024 at 5:54 PM
Gaetz said that the controversy over his potential nomination "was unfairly becoming a distraction" to the work of the incoming Trump administration.
Fair to say we can call BS on this.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Fair to say we can call BS on this.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Thomas O. Falk
This week’s news, as seen through the eyes of the world’s political cartoonists.
World’s cartoonists on this week’s events
Drawing the top stories around the globe.
www.politico.eu
November 16, 2024 at 9:45 AM
This week’s news, as seen through the eyes of the world’s political cartoonists.
Reposted by Thomas O. Falk
Donald Trump “has already put forward a batch of nominees so aberrant by historical standards that any one of them would have been a gigantic story in the past,” @dgraham.bsky.social writes. theatln.tc/Zw3cV2aD
November 16, 2024 at 2:20 PM
Donald Trump “has already put forward a batch of nominees so aberrant by historical standards that any one of them would have been a gigantic story in the past,” @dgraham.bsky.social writes. theatln.tc/Zw3cV2aD