Jeff Rathke
@jeffrathke.bsky.social
Pres. American-German Institute; ex-diplomat; ex-CSIS; Pittsburgher
Three things stand out about the amazing stories in @bloomberg.com today:
1. Leak probably not from a US or RUS source. Note that Bloomberg also published transcript of a conversation in Russian btw 2 senior RUS officials Dmitriyev and Ushakov.
1/
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
1. Leak probably not from a US or RUS source. Note that Bloomberg also published transcript of a conversation in Russian btw 2 senior RUS officials Dmitriyev and Ushakov.
1/
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukra...
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Three things stand out about the amazing stories in @bloomberg.com today:
1. Leak probably not from a US or RUS source. Note that Bloomberg also published transcript of a conversation in Russian btw 2 senior RUS officials Dmitriyev and Ushakov.
1/
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
1. Leak probably not from a US or RUS source. Note that Bloomberg also published transcript of a conversation in Russian btw 2 senior RUS officials Dmitriyev and Ushakov.
1/
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Hab' die Ehre gehabt, bei @zdfde.bsky.social ZDFLive aufzutreten bzgl Russland-Ukriane & Trump-Regierung.
Die Regierung Trump zeigt grosses Verstaendnis fuer die Russischen Forderungen. Diplomatisches Eingreifen von Ukraine und ihre Unterstuetzer: wichtiger denn je.
www.zdf.de/play/magazin...
Die Regierung Trump zeigt grosses Verstaendnis fuer die Russischen Forderungen. Diplomatisches Eingreifen von Ukraine und ihre Unterstuetzer: wichtiger denn je.
www.zdf.de/play/magazin...
Friedensplan für Ukraine: Wie Vance und Rubio um Macht in der US-Regierung ringen
Bei den Friedensverhandlungen für die Ukraine geht es auch um Spannungen in der US-Regierung. Worum es in Washington geht, klärt ZDFheute live.
www.zdf.de
November 25, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Hab' die Ehre gehabt, bei @zdfde.bsky.social ZDFLive aufzutreten bzgl Russland-Ukriane & Trump-Regierung.
Die Regierung Trump zeigt grosses Verstaendnis fuer die Russischen Forderungen. Diplomatisches Eingreifen von Ukraine und ihre Unterstuetzer: wichtiger denn je.
www.zdf.de/play/magazin...
Die Regierung Trump zeigt grosses Verstaendnis fuer die Russischen Forderungen. Diplomatisches Eingreifen von Ukraine und ihre Unterstuetzer: wichtiger denn je.
www.zdf.de/play/magazin...
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
The 28 points would strip Ukraine of its sovereignty and security. It would reward Putin for his aggression and thereby encourage him to go even further. This is unacceptable.
November 23, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The 28 points would strip Ukraine of its sovereignty and security. It would reward Putin for his aggression and thereby encourage him to go even further. This is unacceptable.
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made clear: “This war can only end with Ukraine’s full consent. It cannot be resolved by great powers over the heads of those under attack.” He stressed that Europe must be part of any solution and warned that Ukraine’s defeat would destabilize the entire continent.
November 22, 2025 at 5:41 PM
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made clear: “This war can only end with Ukraine’s full consent. It cannot be resolved by great powers over the heads of those under attack.” He stressed that Europe must be part of any solution and warned that Ukraine’s defeat would destabilize the entire continent.
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
Here is my read of the "peace plan" and how Kirill Dmitriev played the American media to force this thing into being -- with an incompetent White House scrambling to make it seem like this was somehow coordinated and well-planned. open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
“He Must Have Got This From K.”
How a Russian operative used the American media to force a risible “peace deal” into existence
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Here is my read of the "peace plan" and how Kirill Dmitriev played the American media to force this thing into being -- with an incompetent White House scrambling to make it seem like this was somehow coordinated and well-planned. open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
Selten schräg. Selbst wenn (!) man der These folgt, dass mehr Atomwaffen in den Händen der Guten eine gute Sache wären... wer glaubt eigentlich, dass die Europäer dafür von einer Zustimmung zur "Proliferation" der USA abhängig wären, wie dieser Text nahelegt?
“Were Canada, Germany, and Japan to acquire nuclear weapons, they would rebalance global military capabilities in favor of a coalition of states committed to the rules-based system,” argue Moritz Graefrath and Mark Raymond.
America’s Allies Should Go Nuclear
Selective proliferation will strengthen the global order, not end it.
fam.ag
November 20, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Selten schräg. Selbst wenn (!) man der These folgt, dass mehr Atomwaffen in den Händen der Guten eine gute Sache wären... wer glaubt eigentlich, dass die Europäer dafür von einer Zustimmung zur "Proliferation" der USA abhängig wären, wie dieser Text nahelegt?
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
Resilienz und Abschreckung stehen im Fokus der diesjährigen #BSC2025 – mit Schweden als Partnerland. „Es liegt in unserem nationalen Interesse, dass die NATO die stärkste Militärallianz der Welt bleibt“, betonte Staatssekretär von Geyr in seiner Rede. 🔎 diplo.de/2744370
November 20, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Resilienz und Abschreckung stehen im Fokus der diesjährigen #BSC2025 – mit Schweden als Partnerland. „Es liegt in unserem nationalen Interesse, dass die NATO die stärkste Militärallianz der Welt bleibt“, betonte Staatssekretär von Geyr in seiner Rede. 🔎 diplo.de/2744370
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
To jumpstart the economy, Germany needs a new culture of risk, says Holger Schmieding in the latest episode of our Zeitgeist podcast:
Episode 135: Reenergizing the German Economy
The German economy is stagnating, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has promised an autumn of reforms. But are the government’s policies enough to restore competitiveness? Berenberg Chief Economist…
americangerman.institute
November 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM
To jumpstart the economy, Germany needs a new culture of risk, says Holger Schmieding in the latest episode of our Zeitgeist podcast:
Ok, so that just happened...
Heads Up – Military Flyover the White House This Morning - TELL YOUR FRIENDS: www.popville.com/2025/11/head...
Heads Up – Military Flyover the White House This Morning - PoPville
From AlertDC: "The U.S. Military will conduct an Aircraft Flyover in the NCR over the White House on Tuesday, November 18 at approximately 11:08AM." Give your DC friends a heads up, if they don't see ...
www.popville.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Ok, so that just happened...
Great piece from AGI non-resident senior fellow Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger on the AfD, its foreign policy views, and how the party is trying to cultivate ties in the U.S. without changing its closeness to Russia and China. Worth a read! 👇
@amgerinst.bsky.social
@amgerinst.bsky.social
The far-right Alternative for Germany is seeking allies in the U.S., but many of their foreign policy positions do not align with the administration's. Non-Resident Senior Fellow Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger analyzes the AfD's foreign policy balancing act:
The Far-Right Alternative for Germany Seeks Friends in Washington
How Compatible is the AfD’s Foreign Policy with American Interests? Before Friedrich Merz became the chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), he articulated a number of goals, and one …
americangerman.institute
November 18, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Great piece from AGI non-resident senior fellow Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger on the AfD, its foreign policy views, and how the party is trying to cultivate ties in the U.S. without changing its closeness to Russia and China. Worth a read! 👇
@amgerinst.bsky.social
@amgerinst.bsky.social
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
European carmakers are asking suppliers to use parts made outside China
“We had some indications already — questions like, ‘how can you supply me without this dependency on China?’” said the head pf Schaeffler AG’s powertrain & chassis division
“We had some indications already — questions like, ‘how can you supply me without this dependency on China?’” said the head pf Schaeffler AG’s powertrain & chassis division
Nexperia Crunch Sees Carmakers Asking for ‘China-Free’ Supplies
European carmakers are looking into ways to scratch components made with parts from China, spooked by deepening geopolitical spats playing out through chipmaker Nexperia and Beijing’s export controls on rare earths.
www.bloomberg.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:21 PM
European carmakers are asking suppliers to use parts made outside China
“We had some indications already — questions like, ‘how can you supply me without this dependency on China?’” said the head pf Schaeffler AG’s powertrain & chassis division
“We had some indications already — questions like, ‘how can you supply me without this dependency on China?’” said the head pf Schaeffler AG’s powertrain & chassis division
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
1/How to make sense of Saudi-US expose -- golf course licenses and real estate deals for a defense agreement and nuke tech? Enter the world of neo-royalism (www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mxthh...)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/w...
Trump Organization Is Said to Be in Talks on a Saudi Government Real Estate Deal
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:19 PM
1/How to make sense of Saudi-US expose -- golf course licenses and real estate deals for a defense agreement and nuke tech? Enter the world of neo-royalism (www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mxthh...)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/15/w...
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Germany of Standard Missile 6 Block I and Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.5 billion."
media.defense.gov/2025/Nov/14/...
media.defense.gov/2025/Nov/14/...
media.defense.gov
November 14, 2025 at 9:29 PM
"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Germany of Standard Missile 6 Block I and Standard Missile 2 Block IIIC and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.5 billion."
media.defense.gov/2025/Nov/14/...
media.defense.gov/2025/Nov/14/...
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
“We are developing the capacities of targeting, and … we are joining a group of countries that have such capacities," a senior Polish official said.
Poland sets up first-ever military satellite launch
“We are developing the capacities of targeting, and … we are joining a group of countries that have such capacities," a senior Polish official said.
www.defensenews.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:18 PM
“We are developing the capacities of targeting, and … we are joining a group of countries that have such capacities," a senior Polish official said.
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
"At the #agigala in New York, two management giants demonstrate that competition does not mean hostility." Thanks to The Pioneer for highlighting AGI's Global Leadership Award and transatlantic greatness: www.thepioneer.de/originals/th...
November 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM
"At the #agigala in New York, two management giants demonstrate that competition does not mean hostility." Thanks to The Pioneer for highlighting AGI's Global Leadership Award and transatlantic greatness: www.thepioneer.de/originals/th...
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
The United States withdrew from the AWACS replacement program in July, removing the strategic and financial base of the program, the Netherlands’ MoD said.
European NATO countries scrap plan to buy Boeing E-7 Wedgetail AWACS
The United States withdrew from the AWACS replacement program in July, removing the strategic and financial base of the program, the Netherlands’ MoD said.
www.defensenews.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The United States withdrew from the AWACS replacement program in July, removing the strategic and financial base of the program, the Netherlands’ MoD said.
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
Part of a bizarre performance which included comparing himself, “a kind of dissident”, to Kara-Murza sitting next to him (the latter was not happy).
A leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany party said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Russia doesn’t pose a threat to his country — but that Poland potentially does.
AfD leader says Putin poses no threat to Germany, warning instead of Poland
The comments come as mainstream German politicians increasingly portray the far-right party as a fifth column promoting the Kremlin’s interests.
www.politico.eu
November 12, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Part of a bizarre performance which included comparing himself, “a kind of dissident”, to Kara-Murza sitting next to him (the latter was not happy).
Great conversation with Holger Schmieding, Chief Economist at Berenberg, and @amgerinst.bsky.social about the German economy and the policies of Chancellor Merz's government to try to reverse 5+ years of stagnation. Have a listen!
Are the German government’s policies enough to restore the economy’s competitiveness? Listen to the latest episode of #TheZeitgeist podcast with Holger Schmieding: americangerman.institute/podcast/epis...
Episode 135: Reenergizing the German Economy
The German economy is stagnating, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has promised an autumn of reforms. But are the government’s policies enough to restore competitiveness? Berenberg Chief Economist Holger...
americangerman.institute
November 12, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Great conversation with Holger Schmieding, Chief Economist at Berenberg, and @amgerinst.bsky.social about the German economy and the policies of Chancellor Merz's government to try to reverse 5+ years of stagnation. Have a listen!
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
Fact o day: Since the start of 2025, Germany has been running a trade deficit in capital goods with China over a rolling 12-month period. That is a first since records began in 2008.
on.ft.com/4nTHK9z via @financialtimes.com
on.ft.com/4nTHK9z via @financialtimes.com
Can anything halt the decline of German industry?
Europe’s manufacturing champion is in free fall. Economists are suggesting radical steps to save what is left
on.ft.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Fact o day: Since the start of 2025, Germany has been running a trade deficit in capital goods with China over a rolling 12-month period. That is a first since records began in 2008.
on.ft.com/4nTHK9z via @financialtimes.com
on.ft.com/4nTHK9z via @financialtimes.com
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
Die AfD vertritt außenpolitisch regelmäßig russische Interessen. Sie verneint, dass von Putin eine Gefahr für uns ausgeht, obwohl er - für jeden ersichtlich - tagtäglich einen hybriden Krieg gegen Deutschland führt und in unserem Land sabotiert, spioniert und mordet.
November 11, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Die AfD vertritt außenpolitisch regelmäßig russische Interessen. Sie verneint, dass von Putin eine Gefahr für uns ausgeht, obwohl er - für jeden ersichtlich - tagtäglich einen hybriden Krieg gegen Deutschland führt und in unserem Land sabotiert, spioniert und mordet.
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
That’s a lot.
67% of Germans say that “When in doubt, we can and should no longer rely on military assistance from the US.”
Study: www.moreincommon.de/wp-content/u...
67% of Germans say that “When in doubt, we can and should no longer rely on military assistance from the US.”
Study: www.moreincommon.de/wp-content/u...
November 11, 2025 at 6:39 AM
That’s a lot.
67% of Germans say that “When in doubt, we can and should no longer rely on military assistance from the US.”
Study: www.moreincommon.de/wp-content/u...
67% of Germans say that “When in doubt, we can and should no longer rely on military assistance from the US.”
Study: www.moreincommon.de/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
The aircraft will serve to ensure no Russian submarines are able to enter the open Atlantic undetected, German officials said.
New German sub-hunting plane to operate out of Norway, Iceland
The aircraft will serve to ensure no Russian submarines are able to enter the open Atlantic undetected, German officials said.
www.defensenews.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:16 PM
The aircraft will serve to ensure no Russian submarines are able to enter the open Atlantic undetected, German officials said.
Picking up @donmoyn.bsky.social re: Germany and avoiding lapses in budgetary authority. GER Basic Law (constitution) stipulates that in absence of approved budget at the start of year, there is "provisional budgeting" (vorläufige Haushaltsführung) so the govt can meet all legal obligations 1/
I don't want to paint Germany as some utopia, but they have a reasonable welfare state and public employees keep getting paid to provide public services even when political parties are unable to pass a budget. For overseas troops representing American power, our governance weaknesses must stand out.
At the very bottom of the US Army’s “Shutdown Guidance” for troops in Bavaria, there was a “Running list of German support organizations for your kit bags” including various local food banks. @evystadium.bsky.social has more.
Full story by @mjgault.bsky.social here:
www.404media.co/army-tells-s...
Full story by @mjgault.bsky.social here:
www.404media.co/army-tells-s...
November 5, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Picking up @donmoyn.bsky.social re: Germany and avoiding lapses in budgetary authority. GER Basic Law (constitution) stipulates that in absence of approved budget at the start of year, there is "provisional budgeting" (vorläufige Haushaltsführung) so the govt can meet all legal obligations 1/
Reposted by Jeff Rathke
Germany spends €490 million on developing and fielding the DefendAir (formerly SADM) "anti drone" missile. Serial production for the 5 km range class missile envisioned for 2029. Will very likely be integrated on Skyranger.
www.hartpunkt.de/rund-500-mil...
www.hartpunkt.de/rund-500-mil...
Rund 500 Millionen Euro für Entwicklung und Beschaffung von Drohnenabwehrflugkörpern freigegeben
Der Haushaltsausschuss des Bundestages hat in seiner heutigen Sitzung rund 490 Millionen Euro für die Entwicklung und Beschaffung von Drohnenabwehrflugkörpern des Typs DefendAir von MBDA Deutschland f...
www.hartpunkt.de
November 5, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Germany spends €490 million on developing and fielding the DefendAir (formerly SADM) "anti drone" missile. Serial production for the 5 km range class missile envisioned for 2029. Will very likely be integrated on Skyranger.
www.hartpunkt.de/rund-500-mil...
www.hartpunkt.de/rund-500-mil...