A. R. Steinmark
@arners.bsky.social
Concerned world observer and amateur life artist. Trying to heed the wise advices given to Simplicius Simplicissimus.
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Rubio just made a speech to the European defense community in Munich that did not mention Ukraine. Or democracy. Or US business deals with Russia. Or the administration's plans to support the European far right. But there were lots of nice words about our common civilization.
February 14, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Rubio just made a speech to the European defense community in Munich that did not mention Ukraine. Or democracy. Or US business deals with Russia. Or the administration's plans to support the European far right. But there were lots of nice words about our common civilization.
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
The most important thing about Rubio's speech, though, is that it's completely irrelevant as a guide to Trump administration policy.
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
The most important thing about Rubio's speech, though, is that it's completely irrelevant as a guide to Trump administration policy.
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Chinese FM Wang Yi defends multilateral order: "All countries have to follow the same rules"
Follow the conference here:
securityconference.org/msc-2026/age...
Follow the conference here:
securityconference.org/msc-2026/age...
February 14, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Chinese FM Wang Yi defends multilateral order: "All countries have to follow the same rules"
Follow the conference here:
securityconference.org/msc-2026/age...
Follow the conference here:
securityconference.org/msc-2026/age...
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
The only comment I have on the Rubio speech is that I don’t want to spend too much time on the Rubio speech.
Nothing is changing with regards to US policy. We don’t need to do a line-by-line analysis.
Nothing is changing with regards to US policy. We don’t need to do a line-by-line analysis.
February 14, 2026 at 8:39 AM
The only comment I have on the Rubio speech is that I don’t want to spend too much time on the Rubio speech.
Nothing is changing with regards to US policy. We don’t need to do a line-by-line analysis.
Nothing is changing with regards to US policy. We don’t need to do a line-by-line analysis.
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Distrust towards the current US administration has undermined Finns' overall confidence in Nato, according to one foreign policy specialist.
USU: Finns losing confidence in Nato security guarantees
Distrust towards the current US administration has undermined Finns' overall confidence in Nato, according to one foreign policy specialist.
yle.fi
February 14, 2026 at 7:35 AM
Distrust towards the current US administration has undermined Finns' overall confidence in Nato, according to one foreign policy specialist.
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Yes. Europe is moving on.
February 14, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Yes. Europe is moving on.
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Merz offers up an unmistakable warning to the US in his MSC speech: Your power is not what it once was. China is gaining ground. The strategy set out in the NSS will accelerate this trend. If you go it alone, you will run up against your limits. Europe rejects MAGA free speech and tariffs.
February 13, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Merz offers up an unmistakable warning to the US in his MSC speech: Your power is not what it once was. China is gaining ground. The strategy set out in the NSS will accelerate this trend. If you go it alone, you will run up against your limits. Europe rejects MAGA free speech and tariffs.
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Wow - Merz says the US may already have lost global leadership
"If there had been a unipolar moment after the fall of the Berlin Wall. a unipolar moment in history, it has long passed. The United States claim to leadership has been challenged, and possibly lost."
"If there had been a unipolar moment after the fall of the Berlin Wall. a unipolar moment in history, it has long passed. The United States claim to leadership has been challenged, and possibly lost."
February 13, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Wow - Merz says the US may already have lost global leadership
"If there had been a unipolar moment after the fall of the Berlin Wall. a unipolar moment in history, it has long passed. The United States claim to leadership has been challenged, and possibly lost."
"If there had been a unipolar moment after the fall of the Berlin Wall. a unipolar moment in history, it has long passed. The United States claim to leadership has been challenged, and possibly lost."
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
❗❗ PALANTIR IS SUING US❗❗ Because of our reporting on the #SwissPalantirFiles.
More specifically, #Palantir is suing #RepublikMagazine, with whom we (@adfichter.bsky.social, Lorenz Naegeli, Jennifer Steiner,Balz Oertli & me) published our major investigation in collab with #WAVRecherchekollektiv
More specifically, #Palantir is suing #RepublikMagazine, with whom we (@adfichter.bsky.social, Lorenz Naegeli, Jennifer Steiner,Balz Oertli & me) published our major investigation in collab with #WAVRecherchekollektiv
February 12, 2026 at 11:53 AM
❗❗ PALANTIR IS SUING US❗❗ Because of our reporting on the #SwissPalantirFiles.
More specifically, #Palantir is suing #RepublikMagazine, with whom we (@adfichter.bsky.social, Lorenz Naegeli, Jennifer Steiner,Balz Oertli & me) published our major investigation in collab with #WAVRecherchekollektiv
More specifically, #Palantir is suing #RepublikMagazine, with whom we (@adfichter.bsky.social, Lorenz Naegeli, Jennifer Steiner,Balz Oertli & me) published our major investigation in collab with #WAVRecherchekollektiv
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
There's a lot of concern of Europeans being dependent on US payment firms, notably Visa/Mastercard.
We forget that until 2016 Europe DID have its own payments champion. Visa Europe was owned by European banks (it merely licensed the Visa name)
Sold for ~$20bn. Basically zero regulatory scrutiny.
We forget that until 2016 Europe DID have its own payments champion. Visa Europe was owned by European banks (it merely licensed the Visa name)
Sold for ~$20bn. Basically zero regulatory scrutiny.
February 12, 2026 at 2:09 PM
There's a lot of concern of Europeans being dependent on US payment firms, notably Visa/Mastercard.
We forget that until 2016 Europe DID have its own payments champion. Visa Europe was owned by European banks (it merely licensed the Visa name)
Sold for ~$20bn. Basically zero regulatory scrutiny.
We forget that until 2016 Europe DID have its own payments champion. Visa Europe was owned by European banks (it merely licensed the Visa name)
Sold for ~$20bn. Basically zero regulatory scrutiny.
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Brexit, Russia ties, racism, bank scandals, Epstein(?!), and all the other wrongdoings Farage has done, yet he still polls at 27%.
I just don't get people who are fixated on these malevolent politicians and refuse to change their minds no matter what they do.
I just don't get people who are fixated on these malevolent politicians and refuse to change their minds no matter what they do.
![Political parties and their leaders
I like ...
Ed Davey
Zack Polanski
Nigel Farage
Kemi Badenoch
Keir Starmer
31%
31%
27%
27%
39%
39%
62%
55%
20%
70%
The Labour Party
Reform UK
The Green Party
Liberal Democrats
The Conservative Party
34%
31%
28%
28%
24%
56%
57%
43%
43%
58%
Base: 1,104 British adults 18+, 22-27 January 2026
Source: Ipsos Political Monitor
Qu: Which of these statements come closest to your views of [...], and [...]?
I do not like...
Ipsos](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:movn6xzezospl7lnkhy7nzpt/bafkreid3ft3qrscg5rhmpg4gvknpqvfk5qitrs2k3ykow5ey5tqwfpdg4q@jpeg)
February 12, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Brexit, Russia ties, racism, bank scandals, Epstein(?!), and all the other wrongdoings Farage has done, yet he still polls at 27%.
I just don't get people who are fixated on these malevolent politicians and refuse to change their minds no matter what they do.
I just don't get people who are fixated on these malevolent politicians and refuse to change their minds no matter what they do.
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Such a powerful image in Le Monde.
(The writing on the plane says "Neutral athletes")
Cartoon by: Letton Gatis Sluka
(The writing on the plane says "Neutral athletes")
Cartoon by: Letton Gatis Sluka
February 12, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Such a powerful image in Le Monde.
(The writing on the plane says "Neutral athletes")
Cartoon by: Letton Gatis Sluka
(The writing on the plane says "Neutral athletes")
Cartoon by: Letton Gatis Sluka
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
A country condemned to spend the next 20 years trying to re-gain, bit by bit, a few of the advantages it enjoyed for decades...
Labour can win political argument for closer EU ties, says Rachel Reeves
Labour can win political argument for closer EU ties, says Rachel Reeves
Chancellor says stronger alignment with Europe is ‘biggest prize’ for trade and economic growth
Rachel Reeves has insisted Labour can win the political argument for a closer relationship with the EU, calling it the “biggest prize” for UK economic growth.
Some Labour strategists have been wary of making the case for stronger alignment with the EU, believing it could alienate pro-Brexit voters. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:48 PM
A country condemned to spend the next 20 years trying to re-gain, bit by bit, a few of the advantages it enjoyed for decades...
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
February 11, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Kaja Kallas @kajakallas.bsky.social :
The size of the Ukrainian Army is not the problem, because they haven’t attacked Russia.
The size of the Russian Army is a problem for all its neighbors.
The size of the Russian military budget is a problem for all.
📹: euronews
The size of the Ukrainian Army is not the problem, because they haven’t attacked Russia.
The size of the Russian Army is a problem for all its neighbors.
The size of the Russian military budget is a problem for all.
📹: euronews
February 11, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Kaja Kallas @kajakallas.bsky.social :
The size of the Ukrainian Army is not the problem, because they haven’t attacked Russia.
The size of the Russian Army is a problem for all its neighbors.
The size of the Russian military budget is a problem for all.
📹: euronews
The size of the Ukrainian Army is not the problem, because they haven’t attacked Russia.
The size of the Russian Army is a problem for all its neighbors.
The size of the Russian military budget is a problem for all.
📹: euronews
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
This New Yorker piece about Claude is in turns scary and hilarious: www.newyorker.com/ma...
February 11, 2026 at 7:28 AM
This New Yorker piece about Claude is in turns scary and hilarious: www.newyorker.com/ma...
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
NEW: Ukraine has begun planning presidential elections alongside a referendum on any peace deal with Russia, after the Trump administration pressed Kyiv to hold both votes by May 15 or risk losing proposed US security guarantees
w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com @maxseddon.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/50d3...
w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com @maxseddon.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/50d3...
Zelenskyy plans spring elections alongside referendum on peace deal after US push
Trump administration has pressured Ukrainian leader to hold both votes by May 15 or risk losing security guarantees
www.ft.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:31 AM
NEW: Ukraine has begun planning presidential elections alongside a referendum on any peace deal with Russia, after the Trump administration pressed Kyiv to hold both votes by May 15 or risk losing proposed US security guarantees
w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com @maxseddon.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/50d3...
w/ @henryjfoy.ft.com @maxseddon.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/50d3...
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Shots fired.
“Because, as you can imagine, if by chance the German partner were to call into question the joint aircraft project, we would be forced to call into question the joint tank project.” -
Macron in Le Monde
www.lemonde.fr/economie/art...
“Because, as you can imagine, if by chance the German partner were to call into question the joint aircraft project, we would be forced to call into question the joint tank project.” -
Macron in Le Monde
www.lemonde.fr/economie/art...
February 10, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Shots fired.
“Because, as you can imagine, if by chance the German partner were to call into question the joint aircraft project, we would be forced to call into question the joint tank project.” -
Macron in Le Monde
www.lemonde.fr/economie/art...
“Because, as you can imagine, if by chance the German partner were to call into question the joint aircraft project, we would be forced to call into question the joint tank project.” -
Macron in Le Monde
www.lemonde.fr/economie/art...
Gold nuggets in thread: “Germany, …, is central to this hesitation: its democratic history is bound to the US and NATO since 1949, creating an almost existential attachment to the transatlantic bond that slows Europe’s strategic and narrative emancipation – even as the old world falls away”
I had a long chat with Luuk van Middelaar – one of Europe’s sharpest political thinkers – and his verdict is stark: Trump’s 2nd term is blowing up 80 years of transatlantic certainties and dragging the world back into a harsher age of great‑power bargains and spheres of influence
February 10, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Gold nuggets in thread: “Germany, …, is central to this hesitation: its democratic history is bound to the US and NATO since 1949, creating an almost existential attachment to the transatlantic bond that slows Europe’s strategic and narrative emancipation – even as the old world falls away”
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Guess which president fully endorsed this bridge project in 2017, in an agreement where Canada would fully pay for it. A clue: it doesn’t start with an O nor a B.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Trudeau-Trump joint statement affirms confidence in Gordie Howe bridge project | CBC News
During the much anticipated meeting between the two leaders on Monday, Trudeau and Trump issued a joint statement specifically referencing the bridge, saying they "look forward to the expeditious comp...
www.cbc.ca
February 10, 2026 at 1:02 AM
Guess which president fully endorsed this bridge project in 2017, in an agreement where Canada would fully pay for it. A clue: it doesn’t start with an O nor a B.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
Harsh criticism of the US in the report ahead of the Munich Security Conference. The authors describe the Trump admin as authoritarian, saying it has brought the world into an era of "wrecking-ball politics,” and warn that Donald Trump has “a unsettling affinity” for Vladimir Putin.
https://securityconference.org/assets/02_Dokumente/01_Publikationen/2026/MSR2026/Under_Destruction–Munich_Security_Report_2026.pdf
February 9, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Harsh criticism of the US in the report ahead of the Munich Security Conference. The authors describe the Trump admin as authoritarian, saying it has brought the world into an era of "wrecking-ball politics,” and warn that Donald Trump has “a unsettling affinity” for Vladimir Putin.
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
How pray tell does anyone in the UK expect the EU to be flexible at a time when Ursula von der Leyen will have to do a congratulations call to her fourth British Prime Minister?
February 9, 2026 at 2:22 PM
How pray tell does anyone in the UK expect the EU to be flexible at a time when Ursula von der Leyen will have to do a congratulations call to her fourth British Prime Minister?
Reposted by A. R. Steinmark
the questions the story raises are uncomfortable:
Why the hell aren't we doing anything to stop Ru? Why is Europe not introducing a sky shield over Ukrainian cities? Why are we going through the motions of doomed "peace talks" instead of punishing Ru's warmongering?
Why the hell aren't we doing anything to stop Ru? Why is Europe not introducing a sky shield over Ukrainian cities? Why are we going through the motions of doomed "peace talks" instead of punishing Ru's warmongering?
February 8, 2026 at 8:27 PM
the questions the story raises are uncomfortable:
Why the hell aren't we doing anything to stop Ru? Why is Europe not introducing a sky shield over Ukrainian cities? Why are we going through the motions of doomed "peace talks" instead of punishing Ru's warmongering?
Why the hell aren't we doing anything to stop Ru? Why is Europe not introducing a sky shield over Ukrainian cities? Why are we going through the motions of doomed "peace talks" instead of punishing Ru's warmongering?