Sebastian Sandvik
@sebastiansandvik.bsky.social
Lawyer working in IT and Finance.
Interested in intl relations, politics, economics and climate.
Interested in intl relations, politics, economics and climate.
It's an error. Probably supposed to be Belarus.
January 22, 2026 at 11:22 AM
It's an error. Probably supposed to be Belarus.
Danish PM just said that no infringement on sovereignty had been discussed.
January 22, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Danish PM just said that no infringement on sovereignty had been discussed.
What that is going to lead to, especially in terms of structural change, is another question.
I worked in the House of Representatives in 2013. I knew so many people working on election reform and fortifying democracy, but they have mostly all left politics, unfortunately. The system is rigid.
I worked in the House of Representatives in 2013. I knew so many people working on election reform and fortifying democracy, but they have mostly all left politics, unfortunately. The system is rigid.
January 22, 2026 at 8:12 AM
What that is going to lead to, especially in terms of structural change, is another question.
I worked in the House of Representatives in 2013. I knew so many people working on election reform and fortifying democracy, but they have mostly all left politics, unfortunately. The system is rigid.
I worked in the House of Representatives in 2013. I knew so many people working on election reform and fortifying democracy, but they have mostly all left politics, unfortunately. The system is rigid.
I absolutely agree that American institutions have failed, but it is also worth remembering that especially Congress is prone to wild swings of momentum. Within their system critical mass is much more important than in Finland, and I'd say that a huge swing in 2026-2028 is quite likely.
January 22, 2026 at 8:10 AM
I absolutely agree that American institutions have failed, but it is also worth remembering that especially Congress is prone to wild swings of momentum. Within their system critical mass is much more important than in Finland, and I'd say that a huge swing in 2026-2028 is quite likely.
There are no shipping tolls to be had, and there has never been any Chinese mining on Greenland. There have been some exploratory projects, but no mining, since it for the most part just doesn't make sense financially.
January 22, 2026 at 8:02 AM
There are no shipping tolls to be had, and there has never been any Chinese mining on Greenland. There have been some exploratory projects, but no mining, since it for the most part just doesn't make sense financially.
Yeah, obviously there won't be any deal, because no deal can be had that isn't the status quo. But Trump won't be able to revisit it in force.
It's possible they just do a new lease deal similar to current status, but nothing meaningful.
It's possible they just do a new lease deal similar to current status, but nothing meaningful.
January 21, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Yeah, obviously there won't be any deal, because no deal can be had that isn't the status quo. But Trump won't be able to revisit it in force.
It's possible they just do a new lease deal similar to current status, but nothing meaningful.
It's possible they just do a new lease deal similar to current status, but nothing meaningful.
It essentially is. Trump has lost control of the story. Even if he tried a Hail Mary in a week, that would be even more unpopular than it is now.
January 21, 2026 at 10:48 PM
It essentially is. Trump has lost control of the story. Even if he tried a Hail Mary in a week, that would be even more unpopular than it is now.
Sure, I agree, but still a bit of a chart crime.
January 21, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Sure, I agree, but still a bit of a chart crime.
Not to be that guy, but restricting emigration happens in most authoritarian states. Nazi Germany first encouraged emigration of unwanted groups, but then banned it in October 1941.
January 21, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Not to be that guy, but restricting emigration happens in most authoritarian states. Nazi Germany first encouraged emigration of unwanted groups, but then banned it in October 1941.
Meloni is a populist and a suck-up, but she is far more restrained by the democratic institutions of Italy and the EU than Trump is in the US. Nor is she in any form a dictator.
January 21, 2026 at 7:50 AM
Meloni is a populist and a suck-up, but she is far more restrained by the democratic institutions of Italy and the EU than Trump is in the US. Nor is she in any form a dictator.
There really is no question about it. But that has been known for some time, and for the last year the US really hasn't been that instrumental in support for Ukraine. The EU+ can handle this on their own, even if US support of course is beneficial. And things have been moving there for some time.
January 21, 2026 at 7:42 AM
There really is no question about it. But that has been known for some time, and for the last year the US really hasn't been that instrumental in support for Ukraine. The EU+ can handle this on their own, even if US support of course is beneficial. And things have been moving there for some time.
Not just stock manipulation. It is no coincidence that this comes right as Trump launches his "Board of Peace", with a billion dollar buy-in that in practice goes directly into his pockets.
It's the largest crime in the world. A global combination of insider trading and a mob protection scheme.
It's the largest crime in the world. A global combination of insider trading and a mob protection scheme.
January 21, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Not just stock manipulation. It is no coincidence that this comes right as Trump launches his "Board of Peace", with a billion dollar buy-in that in practice goes directly into his pockets.
It's the largest crime in the world. A global combination of insider trading and a mob protection scheme.
It's the largest crime in the world. A global combination of insider trading and a mob protection scheme.
I lived in Washington, D.C. for a bit in the 2010's. Loads of people with "Dont tread on me" on their walls, banging on about their right to bear arms and a well regulated militia... they seem to be pretty silent right now.
January 21, 2026 at 7:36 AM
I lived in Washington, D.C. for a bit in the 2010's. Loads of people with "Dont tread on me" on their walls, banging on about their right to bear arms and a well regulated militia... they seem to be pretty silent right now.
Or even worse for the US, until US citizens start seeing what is coming and start moving money out of the US into the safety of the EU.
January 21, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Or even worse for the US, until US citizens start seeing what is coming and start moving money out of the US into the safety of the EU.
It's essentially money laundering combined with record level bribes, while moving wealth internationally. The combination of payments now, total control and the ability to acquire wealth in any member states would create an before this unheard type of dynastic crime family with intl legal protection
January 20, 2026 at 10:34 PM
It's essentially money laundering combined with record level bribes, while moving wealth internationally. The combination of payments now, total control and the ability to acquire wealth in any member states would create an before this unheard type of dynastic crime family with intl legal protection
I would really love a comparison to Europe!
January 20, 2026 at 9:28 PM
I would really love a comparison to Europe!
As a Finn that used to work in the House of Representatives back before things were (this) crazy, I sincerely hope you get your democracy back.
It was great while it lasted.
It was great while it lasted.
January 20, 2026 at 12:54 PM
As a Finn that used to work in the House of Representatives back before things were (this) crazy, I sincerely hope you get your democracy back.
It was great while it lasted.
It was great while it lasted.
I agree 100%, but let's not remove steam from a social movement by not allowing people to change their minds. Accepting that change will lead to further change, and it is in nobody's interest to hold former Trump supporters to past deeds, if that ends up calcifying their beliefs.
January 20, 2026 at 12:41 PM
I agree 100%, but let's not remove steam from a social movement by not allowing people to change their minds. Accepting that change will lead to further change, and it is in nobody's interest to hold former Trump supporters to past deeds, if that ends up calcifying their beliefs.
If Canada wants it, then I think the EU and it's citizens would welcome them with open arms. After all, there are a lot of commonalities and shared interest. It of course hinges a lot on what happens in the US in 2026 and 2028... Let's just hope they have the option still in 2029.
January 19, 2026 at 5:55 PM
If Canada wants it, then I think the EU and it's citizens would welcome them with open arms. After all, there are a lot of commonalities and shared interest. It of course hinges a lot on what happens in the US in 2026 and 2028... Let's just hope they have the option still in 2029.
The issue is that PS really doesn't have much of an ideology, but there are thing that make up strong connections. Anti-immigration, anti-LGBTQ, anti-Europe and anti-globalism. It's inward looking and reactionary. Not ideology, but close to it.
January 19, 2026 at 9:26 AM
The issue is that PS really doesn't have much of an ideology, but there are thing that make up strong connections. Anti-immigration, anti-LGBTQ, anti-Europe and anti-globalism. It's inward looking and reactionary. Not ideology, but close to it.