Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Democratization Policy Council

Toby Vogel 🇪🇺 @tobyvogel.bsky.social · Aug 15

The latest from @dpcglobal.bsky.social colleague @valeryperry.bsky.social, on today's Putin-Trump meeting

Valery Perry @valeryperry.bsky.social · Aug 15

As we wait to see what will unfold in Alaska today, beware of Sharpie geopolitics in a world that requires complexity… I explore this idea more in the latest DPC blog:

www.democratizationpolicy.org/sharpie-geop...

“Sharpie Geopolitics” in a Time of Complexity – Democratization Policy Council

www.democratizationpolicy.org

1 1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Jul 8

"Vučić’s increasingly brutal repression of peaceful protests has put the EU’s policy at an inflection point..." Latest by @tobyvogel.bsky.social and @kurtbassuener.bsky.social for @euobserver.com
www.euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

The EU's fence-sitting as Serbia's Vučić steps up violent state repression

The EU choosing “stability” in the current moment means de facto endorsement of violent repression in Serbia. The EU’s timid messaging has in fact encouraged Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić to step...

www.euobserver.com

1 1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · May 3

bsky.app/profile/dpcg...

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

1/ Canadians have demonstrated their commitment to sovereignty & dignity, but also the profound impact of Trump’s policy & rhetoric. www.democratizationpolicy.org/canadians-le...

Canadians Lead the Way – Democratization Policy Council

www.democratizationpolicy.org

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · May 3

3/ But voters in Canada and Australia (where citizens are obliged to vote) decided to shun division for solidarity in an unsettled world.

1 2

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · May 3

2/ It remains to be seen how coordinated these democracies will be as they face democratic challenge from without and within.

1 2

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · May 3

1/ Another sign that voters in the democracies are repelled by what they see in the US under Trump. Democratic solidarity is not hubbed in Washington anymore. apnews.com/article/aust...

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wins a second 3-year term

Anthony Albanese has claimed victory as the first Australian prime minister to win a second consecutive term in 21 years.

apnews.com

1 3 3

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

17/ Unless and until Americans brake and reverse his agenda, Europe+ has to make its own arrangements, wrenching though that may be. Canada leads the way.

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

16/ As Foreign Minister Joly underscored, the people with the power to stop Trump are Americans. After his first 100 days, it seems increasingly clear that they are recognizing the danger as well, not only to their neighbors, but themselves and their rights. abcnews.go.com/Politics/ame...

Most Americans oppose Trump 3rd term, taking control of Greenland and Canada: POLL

The poll finds that Americans widely oppose the U.S. trying to take control of Canada and Greenland, sending U.S. citizens to foreign prisons and a third Trump term.

abcnews.go.com

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

15/ The opportunity for Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin and others to rally to the challenge is clear. At the moment those with the most to lose from authoritarianism - Canadians and Greenlanders, along with Ukrainians - have demonstrated the strongest clarity of vision. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Greenland PM says island not a piece of property after Trump threats

Jens-Frederick Nielsen says the island must "stand together" with Denmark during a highly symbolic visit to Copenhagen.

www.bbc.com

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

14/ The call for solidarity from Canadians is one that Europe+ - the remaining democratic world - must heed. This will demand creativity, popular solidarity within and among democracies, and crucially leadership.

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

13/ Countries that recognize the importance of democratic values for not only prosperity and rights, but individual dignity, would do well to recognize the need for far greater coordinated action to withstand the multifaceted threats to liberal movements and the kleptocracy that comes with them.

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

12/ Europe+ should take this opportunity to maintain and strengthen the values that have enabled economic and social development for decades, in the face of a tide of self-dealing authoritarianism worldwide. www.democratizationpolicy.org/the-twilight...

The Twilight of the West and the Need for a Europe+ – Democratization Policy Council

www.democratizationpolicy.org

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

11/ Europe+ needs now to demonstrate a similar recognition of this changed world. The will to straddle and hedge remains strong, as NATO SG Mark Rutte demonstrates. This is unequal to the moment. www.npr.org/2025/04/28/n...

NATO chief calls for more defense spending from Europe and Canada

President Trump has long been a critic of NATO and believes Europe does not contribute enough to its own defense. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte agrees, and says 'that is going to happen.'

www.npr.org

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

10/ This can provide a boost to Europe+ and hopefully provide momentum for resistance against the illiberal spasm that is doing so much harm to so many.

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

9/ Canada has demonstrated it's possible to resist and adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining the values that have consistently made it a global magnet.

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

8/ Voters now reinforced her conclusion. Nowhere in the democratic world has the breach - driven by Trump - elicited so clear a response. This includes redoubled commitment to Canada's ties to democracies in Europe, the Pacific, the Western hemisphere, & Africa. www.policymagazine.ca/as-the-world...

As the World Recoils, Canada Votes in the Shadow of a Rogue President - Policy Magazine

By Jeremy Kinsman

www.policymagazine.ca

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

7/ The tectonic ruction of Trump's disruption-by-design has generated adjustment throughout the democratic world, but Canada's has been deepest, most resolute, and profound. Foreign Minister @melaniejolycan.bsky.social demonstrated this three weeks ago at a NATO meeting.
substack.com/@canadianres...

Canadian Resisters on Substack

Melanie Jolie is saying how the rest of the world feels. It’s over, American influence is dying right before our eyes.

substack.com

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

6/ ...his direct confrontation with steadfast allies, partners, and the international system which the US hitherto championed.

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

5/ This electoral result has wider implications, being the starkest popular reaction thus far in the democratic world to Trump's performative cruelty and assault on democratic norms at home, together with...

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

4/ Trump's levying tariffs and open advocacy of annexing Canada as "the 51st state" were decisive for Canadian voters, who deemed Carney, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England Governor, the safer pair of hands, given the nature of the threat to the country's economy and independence.

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

3/ Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party will return to power for a fourth straight term. This despite having been down double digits in polls just months ago against the opposition Conservatives, led by challenger Pierre Poilievre. newsinteractives.cbc.ca/elections/po...

Poll Tracker

If an election were held today, who would win? The CBC News Poll Tracker is your guide to following the polls. Get the latest numbers and analysis on where the political parties stand from Éric Grenie...

newsinteractives.cbc.ca

1

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

2/ They have centered democratic values as part of their national self-respect; Europe & others need to follow their lead in this new global reality.

1 2

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Apr 29

1/ Canadians have demonstrated their commitment to sovereignty & dignity, but also the profound impact of Trump’s policy & rhetoric. www.democratizationpolicy.org/canadians-le...

Canadians Lead the Way – Democratization Policy Council

www.democratizationpolicy.org

1 2 3

Reposted by Democratization Policy Council

Kurt Bassuener @kurtbassuener.bsky.social · Apr 2

My latest blog post for @dpcglobal.bsky.social - The Fear, Patronage, and Inat Politics of Trump 2.0
www.democratizationpolicy.org/the-fear-pat...

The Fear, Patronage, and “Inat Politics” of Trump 2.0 – Democratization Policy Council

www.democratizationpolicy.org

2 1 2

Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social · Mar 21

3/ The question of whether an order should be given to act – be it to support local authorities, or to undertake an arrest directly (in coordination with the High Representative) – is a policy judgement call. But it is far from legally precluded by the UN or EU mandates.