Steven Everts
@sbeverts.bsky.social
Thoughts on Europe and the world. Director of @EUISS.bsky.social - the EU think tank on foreign and security policy. Views here are strictly personal - but we can share them.
Hundreds of think tank reports and political speeches say Europe must invest in its own production and refining of rare earths to break stranglehold by you know who. Then this happens. 👀
Sigh.
Sigh.
How depressing is this?
Europe’s top processor of rare earths materials said Wednesday it had forged new partnerships to strengthen supply chains in the United States, deals that come as Europe lags in the race to break China’s chokehold on rare earths
Europe’s top processor of rare earths materials said Wednesday it had forged new partnerships to strengthen supply chains in the United States, deals that come as Europe lags in the race to break China’s chokehold on rare earths
Solvay of Belgium Creates Rare Earths Deals With U.S.
The contracts are the latest sign of how Europe is lagging the United States in the race to break China’s chokehold on rare earths.
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Hundreds of think tank reports and political speeches say Europe must invest in its own production and refining of rare earths to break stranglehold by you know who. Then this happens. 👀
Sigh.
Sigh.
“We are mostly messing around with small stuff, and we do that in a divisive way…We are dealing with a world on fire. So we ought to stick together.”
Nice to talk to @grimmse.bsky.social on the cost of timidity, red lines and small thinking that shapes EU-UK negotiations.
Nice to talk to @grimmse.bsky.social on the cost of timidity, red lines and small thinking that shapes EU-UK negotiations.
Brexit made the Britons and the Europeans poorer, and weaker in a world of Trump, Putin & Xi. So why isn't there a concerted push to make amends? I look into this for today's "Morning Post Europe", with very helpful insights of @sbeverts.bsky.social. open.substack.com/pub/europemo...
The EU, the Brits and a "Breturn": A mutually good thing nobody dares to talk about
Good morning!
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:06 AM
“We are mostly messing around with small stuff, and we do that in a divisive way…We are dealing with a world on fire. So we ought to stick together.”
Nice to talk to @grimmse.bsky.social on the cost of timidity, red lines and small thinking that shapes EU-UK negotiations.
Nice to talk to @grimmse.bsky.social on the cost of timidity, red lines and small thinking that shapes EU-UK negotiations.
Reposted by Steven Everts
Brexit made the Britons and the Europeans poorer, and weaker in a world of Trump, Putin & Xi. So why isn't there a concerted push to make amends? I look into this for today's "Morning Post Europe", with very helpful insights of @sbeverts.bsky.social. open.substack.com/pub/europemo...
The EU, the Brits and a "Breturn": A mutually good thing nobody dares to talk about
Good morning!
open.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Brexit made the Britons and the Europeans poorer, and weaker in a world of Trump, Putin & Xi. So why isn't there a concerted push to make amends? I look into this for today's "Morning Post Europe", with very helpful insights of @sbeverts.bsky.social. open.substack.com/pub/europemo...
On bidouille surtout des petites choses, et on le fait de manière divisée”, a déclaré Everts. “On négocie des sujets relativement secondaires comme les exportations agro-alimentaires, ou les détails de la mobilité étudiante. Importants oui, mais sans commune mesure avec les défis de notre temps”.
La Matinale Européenne est sortie.
L’analyse du jour signée @grimmse.bsky.social: « Et si les Brits revenaient ? Le “Breturn” dont personne n’ose parler »
Dans les brèves: la nouvelle « Majorité Giorgia » au PE. Avec @cspillmann.bsky.social 👇
lamatinaleeuropeenne.substack.com/p/et-si-les-...
L’analyse du jour signée @grimmse.bsky.social: « Et si les Brits revenaient ? Le “Breturn” dont personne n’ose parler »
Dans les brèves: la nouvelle « Majorité Giorgia » au PE. Avec @cspillmann.bsky.social 👇
lamatinaleeuropeenne.substack.com/p/et-si-les-...
Et si les Brits revenaient ? Le “Breturn” dont personne n’ose parler
Bonjour !
lamatinaleeuropeenne.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:04 AM
On bidouille surtout des petites choses, et on le fait de manière divisée”, a déclaré Everts. “On négocie des sujets relativement secondaires comme les exportations agro-alimentaires, ou les détails de la mobilité étudiante. Importants oui, mais sans commune mesure avec les défis de notre temps”.
Reposted by Steven Everts
Trial membership or gradual accession: the EU needs new ideas to make #EUenlargement work. Political creativity is key to turning a geopolitical necessity into reality, writes
@sbeverts.bsky.social.
🔗ow.ly/jNV250XqoKV
@sbeverts.bsky.social.
🔗ow.ly/jNV250XqoKV
November 12, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Trial membership or gradual accession: the EU needs new ideas to make #EUenlargement work. Political creativity is key to turning a geopolitical necessity into reality, writes
@sbeverts.bsky.social.
🔗ow.ly/jNV250XqoKV
@sbeverts.bsky.social.
🔗ow.ly/jNV250XqoKV
Reposted by Steven Everts
Hoe lastig te verkopen ook, volgens @sbeverts.bsky.social heeft de EU uitbreidingen nodig om relevant te blijven"
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Opinie | Hoe lastig te verkopen ook, de EU moet groter
Europese Unie: Proeflidmaatschap, of gedeeltelijke toetreding: uitbreiding van de EU kan ook op andere manieren verlopen dan de gebruikelijke, ziet Steven Everts. Dat is zelfs broodnodig.
www.nrc.nl
November 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Hoe lastig te verkopen ook, volgens @sbeverts.bsky.social heeft de EU uitbreidingen nodig om relevant te blijven"
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
In Nederland is het lastig de handen op elkaar te krijgen voor een uitbreiding van de EU. Daarom is meer realisme en creativiteit nodig. Hier mijn stuk in @nrc over hoe we politiek kunnen we verkopen wat geopolitiek noodzakelijk is.
November 11, 2025 at 9:15 AM
In Nederland is het lastig de handen op elkaar te krijgen voor een uitbreiding van de EU. Daarom is meer realisme en creativiteit nodig. Hier mijn stuk in @nrc over hoe we politiek kunnen we verkopen wat geopolitiek noodzakelijk is.
Een realistische pad naar een grotere EU? Ja dat bestaat.
Hoe kunnen we politiek verkopen wat geopolitiek hard nodig is?
Mijn opinie stuk in @nrc.nl
Hoe kunnen we politiek verkopen wat geopolitiek hard nodig is?
Mijn opinie stuk in @nrc.nl
Opinie | Hoe lastig te verkopen ook, de EU moet groter
Europese Unie: Proeflidmaatschap, of gedeeltelijke toetreding: uitbreiding van de EU kan ook op andere manieren verlopen dan de gebruikelijke, ziet Steven Everts. Dat is zelfs broodnodig.
www.nrc.nl
November 10, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Een realistische pad naar een grotere EU? Ja dat bestaat.
Hoe kunnen we politiek verkopen wat geopolitiek hard nodig is?
Mijn opinie stuk in @nrc.nl
Hoe kunnen we politiek verkopen wat geopolitiek hard nodig is?
Mijn opinie stuk in @nrc.nl
Reposted by Steven Everts
It's the annual "Night where Brexit never happened*" in Brussels. Geoff Meade and Jacki Davis in fine form at the Press Revue. 🇬🇧🇪🇺
*Courtesy @sbeverts.bsky.social
*Courtesy @sbeverts.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
It's the annual "Night where Brexit never happened*" in Brussels. Geoff Meade and Jacki Davis in fine form at the Press Revue. 🇬🇧🇪🇺
*Courtesy @sbeverts.bsky.social
*Courtesy @sbeverts.bsky.social
“Everything hangs on this,” said Joris Teer, a researcher at the EU Institute for Security Studies, the European Union’s think tank for security policy. Without a flow of critical minerals, he said, “there is no rearmament.”
How China’s Rare Earth Chokehold Could Strangle Europe’s Military Buildup
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:53 AM
“Everything hangs on this,” said Joris Teer, a researcher at the EU Institute for Security Studies, the European Union’s think tank for security policy. Without a flow of critical minerals, he said, “there is no rearmament.”
Here you have it. Why social media and the algorithm are poisoning our politics - full of rage and indignation. It wasn’t like this and therefore it doesn’t have to be.
on.ft.com/4oVKxQi
on.ft.com/4oVKxQi
November 7, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Here you have it. Why social media and the algorithm are poisoning our politics - full of rage and indignation. It wasn’t like this and therefore it doesn’t have to be.
on.ft.com/4oVKxQi
on.ft.com/4oVKxQi
Reposted by Steven Everts
The EU is planning to further tighten visa rules for Russians, ending multi-entry Schengen permits. With visa-free access to just 11 countries, the Russian passport is one of the weakest.
More on Moscow’s vulnerabilities & how the EU can leverage them in #UnpowerRussia ➡️ ow.ly/MgPL50VWxzx
More on Moscow’s vulnerabilities & how the EU can leverage them in #UnpowerRussia ➡️ ow.ly/MgPL50VWxzx
November 6, 2025 at 11:20 AM
The EU is planning to further tighten visa rules for Russians, ending multi-entry Schengen permits. With visa-free access to just 11 countries, the Russian passport is one of the weakest.
More on Moscow’s vulnerabilities & how the EU can leverage them in #UnpowerRussia ➡️ ow.ly/MgPL50VWxzx
More on Moscow’s vulnerabilities & how the EU can leverage them in #UnpowerRussia ➡️ ow.ly/MgPL50VWxzx
Reposted by Steven Everts
Trust between Europe and the US is eroding, and "this isn’t just a phase", warns Director @sbeverts.bsky.social.
Europe must adapt to this new reality and can draw lessons from others who already are.
Europe must adapt to this new reality and can draw lessons from others who already are.
November 4, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Trust between Europe and the US is eroding, and "this isn’t just a phase", warns Director @sbeverts.bsky.social.
Europe must adapt to this new reality and can draw lessons from others who already are.
Europe must adapt to this new reality and can draw lessons from others who already are.
Reposted by Steven Everts
"Dat Rusland dagelijks en routinematig miljoenen Oekraïners aanvalt met een ijzingwekkend arsenaal aan vernietigingswapens, is echter verre van normaal. Nederland, heel Europa, mag niet normaliseren en accepteren dat deze Russische agressie, met al zijn oorlogsmisdaden, voortwoekert."
Wat vindt NRC | Nederland mag niet wennen aan de Russische oorlog tegen Oekraïne
Nederland mag niet wennen aan de Russische oorlog tegen Oekraïne
www.nrc.nl
November 3, 2025 at 4:03 PM
"Dat Rusland dagelijks en routinematig miljoenen Oekraïners aanvalt met een ijzingwekkend arsenaal aan vernietigingswapens, is echter verre van normaal. Nederland, heel Europa, mag niet normaliseren en accepteren dat deze Russische agressie, met al zijn oorlogsmisdaden, voortwoekert."
Something symbolic about the delay in the Commission’s plans on how to get the EU ready for enlargement (policies, budget, voting etc). Was supposed to come this week together with the assessment of how the candidates are doing. Now postponed until end Nov.
We prefer to pass the hot potatoes.
We prefer to pass the hot potatoes.
We are testing La Matinale Européenne in English.
Today’s pilot by me: “The State of the Enlargement — and the Risks of EU Paralysis”.
Don’t miss our brief. The Climate Law is on a knife edge.
With @cspillmann.bsky.social and @grimmse.bsky.social👇
europemorningpost.substack.com/p/the-state-...
Today’s pilot by me: “The State of the Enlargement — and the Risks of EU Paralysis”.
Don’t miss our brief. The Climate Law is on a knife edge.
With @cspillmann.bsky.social and @grimmse.bsky.social👇
europemorningpost.substack.com/p/the-state-...
The State of the Enlargement — and the Risks of EU Paralysis
Good morning!
europemorningpost.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Something symbolic about the delay in the Commission’s plans on how to get the EU ready for enlargement (policies, budget, voting etc). Was supposed to come this week together with the assessment of how the candidates are doing. Now postponed until end Nov.
We prefer to pass the hot potatoes.
We prefer to pass the hot potatoes.
Reposted by Steven Everts
November 1, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Reposted by Steven Everts
So if the survival of Europe's industrial base wasn't enough of a motivation not to go for a Chinese EV, not having your car weaponized against you sounds like another solid one.
Norway tested two different types of electric buses this summer -one from a Dutch and one from a Chinese manufacturer- to assess cybersecurity risks.
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
The tests revealed that the Chinese bus could be controlled and turned off remotely, while the European one could not.
www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/os...
Oslo tests reveal Chinese electric buses can be switched off remotely
Public transport operator Ruter says manufacturer access allows buses to be stopped from China, prompting Norway to review cybersecurity risks in public transport - Anadolu Ajansı
www.aa.com.tr
October 31, 2025 at 9:41 AM
So if the survival of Europe's industrial base wasn't enough of a motivation not to go for a Chinese EV, not having your car weaponized against you sounds like another solid one.
As Dutch 🇳🇱 people go to vote, here a terrific set of data on what’s actually happening. #spreadthetruth
A few facts I wish more Dutch voters knew:
October 29, 2025 at 9:32 AM
As Dutch 🇳🇱 people go to vote, here a terrific set of data on what’s actually happening. #spreadthetruth
Reposted by Steven Everts
Brilliant.
October 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Brilliant.
“The most important thing Europeans need to do now is to really step on the accelerator when it comes to the diplomacy….Let's not just wait until the next announcements come from here or from there... And secondly, step up support for Ukraine." My comments for Deutsche Welle:
EU stalls on €140B Ukraine loan backed by Russian assets – DW – 10/24/2025
Leaders delayed a controversial decision on turning frozen Russian assets into cash for Kyiv, but greenlit fresh sanctions on Russian fossil fuels.
www.dw.com
October 25, 2025 at 10:58 AM
“The most important thing Europeans need to do now is to really step on the accelerator when it comes to the diplomacy….Let's not just wait until the next announcements come from here or from there... And secondly, step up support for Ukraine." My comments for Deutsche Welle:
A period of pre-war. Good column on the mood in Brussels today by @dsorennie.bsky.social.
Sober realism plus a readiness to break taboos. But the politics of it all remains tricky and money is tight. And there isn’t much time…
Sober realism plus a readiness to break taboos. But the politics of it all remains tricky and money is tight. And there isn’t much time…
Turbulent times are generating hard-headed politics in the EU and NATO. My column, The Telegram, reports on a strikingly serious and grimly realistic mood in Brussels, an international capital wrestling with an age of strongmen.
economist.com/internationa...
from The Economist
economist.com/internationa...
from The Economist
Brussels feels like a city preparing for war
Europe readies itself to survive in a world of hostile strongmen
economist.com
October 22, 2025 at 9:40 PM
A period of pre-war. Good column on the mood in Brussels today by @dsorennie.bsky.social.
Sober realism plus a readiness to break taboos. But the politics of it all remains tricky and money is tight. And there isn’t much time…
Sober realism plus a readiness to break taboos. But the politics of it all remains tricky and money is tight. And there isn’t much time…
Reposted by Steven Everts
Europe is under pressure in a world shaped by Putin, Trump & Xi. But the game isn’t over: the EU has assets & allies to leverage. @sbeverts.bsky.social joined @rofreudenstein.bsky.social at @icmpd.org #ViennaMigrationConference for a discussion anchoring migration to the broader global context.
October 22, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Europe is under pressure in a world shaped by Putin, Trump & Xi. But the game isn’t over: the EU has assets & allies to leverage. @sbeverts.bsky.social joined @rofreudenstein.bsky.social at @icmpd.org #ViennaMigrationConference for a discussion anchoring migration to the broader global context.
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles | News | The Harvard Crimson
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for th...
www.thecrimson.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Reposted by Steven Everts
Tensions between Europe & the US aren’t new.
Over the years, the partnership has weathered many storms.
But under Trump’s 2nd presidency, disruption has accelerated. (1/4) ⤵️
Over the years, the partnership has weathered many storms.
But under Trump’s 2nd presidency, disruption has accelerated. (1/4) ⤵️
October 21, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Tensions between Europe & the US aren’t new.
Over the years, the partnership has weathered many storms.
But under Trump’s 2nd presidency, disruption has accelerated. (1/4) ⤵️
Over the years, the partnership has weathered many storms.
But under Trump’s 2nd presidency, disruption has accelerated. (1/4) ⤵️
In these years of maximum danger, ramping up European defence is the only way to go. Lots of EU initiatives but we need results at speed and scale. Only if we are strong can we remain free.
Good to discuss all this with @thinktankeuropa.bsky.social with @eu2025dk.bsky.social
Good to discuss all this with @thinktankeuropa.bsky.social with @eu2025dk.bsky.social
@sbeverts.bsky.social from @euiss.bsky.social: “In Europe there is still a reluctance to face the facts in their totally. Europe is in real danger.”
At Defending Europe’s future, today with @eu2025dk.bsky.social and @danskindustri.dk.
At Defending Europe’s future, today with @eu2025dk.bsky.social and @danskindustri.dk.
October 20, 2025 at 9:35 AM
In these years of maximum danger, ramping up European defence is the only way to go. Lots of EU initiatives but we need results at speed and scale. Only if we are strong can we remain free.
Good to discuss all this with @thinktankeuropa.bsky.social with @eu2025dk.bsky.social
Good to discuss all this with @thinktankeuropa.bsky.social with @eu2025dk.bsky.social