Eva Leopold
@evaleopold.bsky.social
Political Scientist. Analyst. Writer. Researcher. IR. MENA. Iraq. HR. World affairs.
By necessity, some Swedish politics.
By necessity, some Swedish politics.
Pinned
Eva Leopold
@evaleopold.bsky.social
· Dec 7
Residents in the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, are coming out onto the streets to celebrate as the Assad regime leaves and opposition forces arrive.
#Syria 🇸🇾
(🎥Credit: Step News Agency)
#Syria 🇸🇾
(🎥Credit: Step News Agency)
If this indeed is the end of the Assad regime, it is difficult not to reflect on all the death, suffering and destruction that have taken place since the peaceful protests began in connection with the so-called Arab Spring. Much could have been very different.
The tariff dispute over Greenland will not affect NATO's cohesion, says German FM Johann Wadephul on German TV.
- There is absolutely no doubt that the United States stands fully behind the alliance, NATO and Europe's defense, he concludes.
A level of ascertainty that raises questions.
- There is absolutely no doubt that the United States stands fully behind the alliance, NATO and Europe's defense, he concludes.
A level of ascertainty that raises questions.
Sweden's Commander-in-Chief recently expressed the NATO agreement (specifically Art 5) is valid until otherwise announced; that other discussions only benefit the Kremlin and Putin. This is a problematic approach. Given current uncertainties, it should be expected all possible scenarios are analyzed
What European leaders have been most nervous about is the US pulling back on NATO or Ukraine… but how can Europe trust the US will come to its defense if its trying to seize territory from a NATO country. They can’t. So why cave to keep a security commitment that is not real. 6/
January 18, 2026 at 8:18 PM
The tariff dispute over Greenland will not affect NATO's cohesion, says German FM Johann Wadephul on German TV.
- There is absolutely no doubt that the United States stands fully behind the alliance, NATO and Europe's defense, he concludes.
A level of ascertainty that raises questions.
- There is absolutely no doubt that the United States stands fully behind the alliance, NATO and Europe's defense, he concludes.
A level of ascertainty that raises questions.
Maybe taxing the rich would benefit both democracy and the environment?
The top 10% now account for nearly half of all consumer spending.
January 18, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Maybe taxing the rich would benefit both democracy and the environment?
Reposted by Eva Leopold
Syria announces ceasefire agreement with Kurd-led SDF after heavy fighting https://aje.news/ojit4f
January 18, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Syria announces ceasefire agreement with Kurd-led SDF after heavy fighting https://aje.news/ojit4f
Sweden's Commander-in-Chief recently expressed the NATO agreement (specifically Art 5) is valid until otherwise announced; that other discussions only benefit the Kremlin and Putin. This is a problematic approach. Given current uncertainties, it should be expected all possible scenarios are analyzed
What European leaders have been most nervous about is the US pulling back on NATO or Ukraine… but how can Europe trust the US will come to its defense if its trying to seize territory from a NATO country. They can’t. So why cave to keep a security commitment that is not real. 6/
January 18, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Sweden's Commander-in-Chief recently expressed the NATO agreement (specifically Art 5) is valid until otherwise announced; that other discussions only benefit the Kremlin and Putin. This is a problematic approach. Given current uncertainties, it should be expected all possible scenarios are analyzed
I believe this is already in motion. Even though the press conference with Danish FM Løkke Rasmussen and Norwegian FM Barth Eide today showed ministers acting with restraint and reiterating already announced positions, it's quite clear sharper countermeasures are being prepared in the background.
A key point here in an excellent thread by @maxbergmann.bsky.social:
Continuing with the grovelling strategy, distasteful to the European publics from the start, would likely have a domestic political cost to European leaders. It’s time for a strong response now. Enough is enough.
Continuing with the grovelling strategy, distasteful to the European publics from the start, would likely have a domestic political cost to European leaders. It’s time for a strong response now. Enough is enough.
Trump tariffing countries over Greenland is a test. If Europe just swallows it and tries to move on, it increases the odds of the WH thinking it can seize Greenland without consequences. Europe therefore has to respond.
Euro publics have had enough and want their leaders to push back 2/
Euro publics have had enough and want their leaders to push back 2/
January 18, 2026 at 5:13 PM
I believe this is already in motion. Even though the press conference with Danish FM Løkke Rasmussen and Norwegian FM Barth Eide today showed ministers acting with restraint and reiterating already announced positions, it's quite clear sharper countermeasures are being prepared in the background.
Reposted by Eva Leopold
#Trump and #Greenland: Statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom
www.government.se/statements/2...
www.government.se/statements/2...
Statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom
As members of NATO, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise „Arct...
www.government.se
January 18, 2026 at 3:19 PM
#Trump and #Greenland: Statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom
www.government.se/statements/2...
www.government.se/statements/2...
President Macron will request use of the EU's anti-coercive instrument – the so-called trade bazooka, the president's staff informed AFP. This will require a qualified majority among EU countries after the Commission has presented a final proposal.
January 18, 2026 at 2:51 PM
President Macron will request use of the EU's anti-coercive instrument – the so-called trade bazooka, the president's staff informed AFP. This will require a qualified majority among EU countries after the Commission has presented a final proposal.
Reposted by Eva Leopold
"A Unicef spokesperson, James Elder, said more than 100 children had been killed in the territory since the ceasefire came into force in October." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Newborn baby becomes eighth to die of hypothermia in Gaza this winter
Despite the ceasefire, more than 100 children have died in the territory since October
www.theguardian.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:18 PM
"A Unicef spokesperson, James Elder, said more than 100 children had been killed in the territory since the ceasefire came into force in October." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Reposted by Eva Leopold
Mafia takeover of America complete. Trump has told countries that want to serve on his Gaza Board of Peace they will have to pay $1 billion to be permanent members.
Trump Wants Nations to Pay $1 Billion to Stay on His Peace Board
The Trump administration is asking countries that want a permanent spot on his new Board of Peace to contribute at least $1 billion.
www.bloomberg.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Mafia takeover of America complete. Trump has told countries that want to serve on his Gaza Board of Peace they will have to pay $1 billion to be permanent members.
Reposted by Eva Leopold
- It clearly shows that sending European troops to Greenland has helped, he says.
January 17, 2026 at 9:25 PM
- It clearly shows that sending European troops to Greenland has helped, he says.
Reposted by Eva Leopold
“A landmark transatlantic trade deal will not be approved by EU lawmakers after U.S. President Donald Trump hit European countries with new tariffs as part of his efforts to wrest control of Greenland from Denmark” www.politico.eu/article/eu-u...
EU-US trade deal ‘on hold’ after new Trump tariffs
The pact, designed to avoid hefty tariffs on European exports, cannot be passed in light of Washington’s threats against Greenland, lawmakers say.
www.politico.eu
January 17, 2026 at 9:21 PM
“A landmark transatlantic trade deal will not be approved by EU lawmakers after U.S. President Donald Trump hit European countries with new tariffs as part of his efforts to wrest control of Greenland from Denmark” www.politico.eu/article/eu-u...
🧵 Reactions to Trump's threats on increased tariffs:
- Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson "will not be blackmailed" and "will always stand up for my country and for our allied neighbors."
- European Council President Antonio Costa is coordinating a joint EU response.
- Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson "will not be blackmailed" and "will always stand up for my country and for our allied neighbors."
- European Council President Antonio Costa is coordinating a joint EU response.
January 17, 2026 at 9:25 PM
🧵 Reactions to Trump's threats on increased tariffs:
- Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson "will not be blackmailed" and "will always stand up for my country and for our allied neighbors."
- European Council President Antonio Costa is coordinating a joint EU response.
- Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson "will not be blackmailed" and "will always stand up for my country and for our allied neighbors."
- European Council President Antonio Costa is coordinating a joint EU response.
Uproar among Norwegian academics, politicians and the public and demands for the Nobel Committee to be reformed following the choice of laureate Maria Corina Machados and her recent actions. "She is unworthy of the prize," says Janne Haaland Matláry, professor of political science, to Swedish TV.
‘Total lack of respect’ for Peace Prize | Norway's News in English — www.newsinenglish.no
www.newsinenglish.no
January 16, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Uproar among Norwegian academics, politicians and the public and demands for the Nobel Committee to be reformed following the choice of laureate Maria Corina Machados and her recent actions. "She is unworthy of the prize," says Janne Haaland Matláry, professor of political science, to Swedish TV.
Reposted by Eva Leopold
NEW and WOW: Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, and Canada are sending troops to Greenland amid continued threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to annex the territory, multiple outlets reported. www.newsweek.com/greenland-ge...
Germany, other NATO allies sending troops to Greenland amid Trump threats
Trump said Wednesday anything less than U.S. control of Greenland would be "unacceptable" in a warning to NATO allies about Arctic security.
www.newsweek.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:59 PM
NEW and WOW: Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, and Canada are sending troops to Greenland amid continued threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to annex the territory, multiple outlets reported. www.newsweek.com/greenland-ge...
Danish analysts consider the high-level working group a Danish proposition and its creation a sort of success for Denmark.
FM Løkke Rasmussen:
- Our perspectives differ
- Wants security issues to be handled within current circumstances
- Creation of high-level working group with the US
- It's clear that Trump wants to possess Greenland
- We agreed to disagree
Greenland FM Vivian Motzfeldt:
- A way to move forward
- Our perspectives differ
- Wants security issues to be handled within current circumstances
- Creation of high-level working group with the US
- It's clear that Trump wants to possess Greenland
- We agreed to disagree
Greenland FM Vivian Motzfeldt:
- A way to move forward
Denmark's FM, Løkke Rasmussen, is spotted looking relieved after the meeting in the US today and gave the Danish ambassador a fist bump. What that means remains to be seen.
January 14, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Danish analysts consider the high-level working group a Danish proposition and its creation a sort of success for Denmark.
FM Løkke Rasmussen:
- Our perspectives differ
- Wants security issues to be handled within current circumstances
- Creation of high-level working group with the US
- It's clear that Trump wants to possess Greenland
- We agreed to disagree
Greenland FM Vivian Motzfeldt:
- A way to move forward
- Our perspectives differ
- Wants security issues to be handled within current circumstances
- Creation of high-level working group with the US
- It's clear that Trump wants to possess Greenland
- We agreed to disagree
Greenland FM Vivian Motzfeldt:
- A way to move forward
Denmark's FM, Løkke Rasmussen, is spotted looking relieved after the meeting in the US today and gave the Danish ambassador a fist bump. What that means remains to be seen.
January 14, 2026 at 7:10 PM
FM Løkke Rasmussen:
- Our perspectives differ
- Wants security issues to be handled within current circumstances
- Creation of high-level working group with the US
- It's clear that Trump wants to possess Greenland
- We agreed to disagree
Greenland FM Vivian Motzfeldt:
- A way to move forward
- Our perspectives differ
- Wants security issues to be handled within current circumstances
- Creation of high-level working group with the US
- It's clear that Trump wants to possess Greenland
- We agreed to disagree
Greenland FM Vivian Motzfeldt:
- A way to move forward
Reposted by Eva Leopold
NEW: DANISH FORCES ARE MANDATED TO FIRE BACK IF U.S. ATTACKS GREENLAND
Trump says Greenland is defended by dog sleds (true). But under royal decree, Denmark’s small military presence must put up a fight if attacked.
theintercept.com/2026/01/14/t...
Trump says Greenland is defended by dog sleds (true). But under royal decree, Denmark’s small military presence must put up a fight if attacked.
theintercept.com/2026/01/14/t...
Danish Forces Are Mandated to Fire Back if U.S. Attacks Greenland
Trump says Greenland is defended by dog sleds (true). But under royal decree, Denmark’s small military presence must put up a fight if attacked.
theintercept.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:16 PM
NEW: DANISH FORCES ARE MANDATED TO FIRE BACK IF U.S. ATTACKS GREENLAND
Trump says Greenland is defended by dog sleds (true). But under royal decree, Denmark’s small military presence must put up a fight if attacked.
theintercept.com/2026/01/14/t...
Trump says Greenland is defended by dog sleds (true). But under royal decree, Denmark’s small military presence must put up a fight if attacked.
theintercept.com/2026/01/14/t...
Denmark's FM, Løkke Rasmussen, is spotted looking relieved after the meeting in the US today and gave the Danish ambassador a fist bump. What that means remains to be seen.
January 14, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Denmark's FM, Løkke Rasmussen, is spotted looking relieved after the meeting in the US today and gave the Danish ambassador a fist bump. What that means remains to be seen.
It has just been reported that Sweden will send Swedish military personnel to Greenland.
January 14, 2026 at 4:09 PM
It has just been reported that Sweden will send Swedish military personnel to Greenland.
Reposted by Eva Leopold
⚠️ Update: #Iran has now been offline for 120 hours.
Despite some phone calls now connecting, there is no secure way to communicate and the general public remain cut off from the outside world.
What footage makes it through shows extensive use of force against civilians 📵
Despite some phone calls now connecting, there is no secure way to communicate and the general public remain cut off from the outside world.
What footage makes it through shows extensive use of force against civilians 📵
January 13, 2026 at 4:36 PM
⚠️ Update: #Iran has now been offline for 120 hours.
Despite some phone calls now connecting, there is no secure way to communicate and the general public remain cut off from the outside world.
What footage makes it through shows extensive use of force against civilians 📵
Despite some phone calls now connecting, there is no secure way to communicate and the general public remain cut off from the outside world.
What footage makes it through shows extensive use of force against civilians 📵
Det är anmärkningsvärt att myndighetschefer samtalar om valpåverkan av främmande makt och helt utelämnar USA. Kontroversiella uttalanden av företrädare för USA:s regering och administrationens tämligen aggressiva hållning gentemot Europa, bl a presenterad i säkerhetsstrategin, borde vara av intresse
January 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Det är anmärkningsvärt att myndighetschefer samtalar om valpåverkan av främmande makt och helt utelämnar USA. Kontroversiella uttalanden av företrädare för USA:s regering och administrationens tämligen aggressiva hållning gentemot Europa, bl a presenterad i säkerhetsstrategin, borde vara av intresse
Magnus Hjort, GD MPF, och Charlotte von Essen, chef Säpo, håller under Folk och Försvar anföranden och diskuterar informationskrig och påverkansoperationer, särskilt i samband med valåret 2026. Mkt foukus på Ryssland. USA nämns inte alls.
January 13, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Magnus Hjort, GD MPF, och Charlotte von Essen, chef Säpo, håller under Folk och Försvar anföranden och diskuterar informationskrig och påverkansoperationer, särskilt i samband med valåret 2026. Mkt foukus på Ryssland. USA nämns inte alls.
Reposted by Eva Leopold
"“The Palestinian state is being erased from the table not with slogans but with actions,” is something you might expect a critic of the plan to say but no, this is the explicit point of this settlement, as expressed by none other than Bezalel Smotrich
Israel clears final hurdle to start settlement construction that would cut the West Bank in two
Israel has cleared the final hurdle before starting construction on a controversial settlement project near Jerusalem that would effectively cut the West Bank in two.
apnews.com
January 12, 2026 at 6:57 PM
"“The Palestinian state is being erased from the table not with slogans but with actions,” is something you might expect a critic of the plan to say but no, this is the explicit point of this settlement, as expressed by none other than Bezalel Smotrich
It is worth noting that the bazaar merchants, who are now participating in the protests, played a crucial role in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. The current unrest began in the bazaar with merchants frustrated by economic hardship.
'The scale of the unrest now gripping Iran is the largest since the demonstrations of 2009; some veteran Iran-watchers reckon the protests are the biggest since the overthrow of the shah in 1979' www.economist.com/middle-east-...
As protests surge, the Iranian regime’s options are narrowing
Iran’s fate depends on who has more staying power: its ruler or its people
www.economist.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:00 PM
It is worth noting that the bazaar merchants, who are now participating in the protests, played a crucial role in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. The current unrest began in the bazaar with merchants frustrated by economic hardship.
"NATO staff are watering down language around climate, gender and diversity as a precaution to avoid retaliation by the Trump administration"
"Phrases dealing with climate, women and security have been rephrased in new NATO legislation drafted by its committees and working groups"
Lost for words.
"Phrases dealing with climate, women and security have been rephrased in new NATO legislation drafted by its committees and working groups"
Lost for words.
Revealed: NATO downplays climate and gender language to appease Trump
The U.S. president has gone on the warpath against DEI and the alliance is falling into line, according to three people familiar with the matter.
www.politico.eu
January 12, 2026 at 10:40 AM
"NATO staff are watering down language around climate, gender and diversity as a precaution to avoid retaliation by the Trump administration"
"Phrases dealing with climate, women and security have been rephrased in new NATO legislation drafted by its committees and working groups"
Lost for words.
"Phrases dealing with climate, women and security have been rephrased in new NATO legislation drafted by its committees and working groups"
Lost for words.