Kristof Bender
@kristofbender.bsky.social
For a strong & democratic Europe. Balkans, Moldova, Ukraine. Asylum policy, HR
Deputy chairperson European Stability Initiative (ESI), Europe’s Futures @iwm.at
www.kristofbender.eu, www.esiweb.org
Deputy chairperson European Stability Initiative (ESI), Europe’s Futures @iwm.at
www.kristofbender.eu, www.esiweb.org
Pinned
Kristof Bender
@kristofbender.bsky.social
· Sep 19
It can happen very quickly
A long out-of-print book offers insights into the collapse of democracy in Austria’s First Republic. Today it is more relevant than ever.
www.esiweb.org
G.E.R. Gedye lived in Vienna as Central Europe correspondent from 1925-1938. I had the privilege to write about his extraordinary yet forgotten book "Fallen Bastions", describing Austria's descent into dictatorship, for @datum.at. It's now also available in English:
www.esiweb.org/cafe-europe/...
www.esiweb.org/cafe-europe/...
“Our [Serbian] colleagues in the north are often targeted by both sides of the ethnic divide,” says Xhemajl Rexha from the #Kosovo Association of Journalists.
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/21/e...
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/21/e...
‘Easy Targets’: Digital Abuse of Serb Journalists in Kosovo
Serb journalists in Kosovo face death threats, abuse and harassment online if they are perceived to veer too far from official Serbian policy.
balkaninsight.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:24 AM
“Our [Serbian] colleagues in the north are often targeted by both sides of the ethnic divide,” says Xhemajl Rexha from the #Kosovo Association of Journalists.
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/21/e...
balkaninsight.com/2025/11/21/e...
Reposted by Kristof Bender
BREAKING A Turkish court on Thursday acquitted four journalists, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgul, who were on trial over mass demonstrations in Istanbul in March.
The four were arrested several days into the wave of protest sparked by the arrest of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
The four were arrested several days into the wave of protest sparked by the arrest of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
November 27, 2025 at 7:55 AM
BREAKING A Turkish court on Thursday acquitted four journalists, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgul, who were on trial over mass demonstrations in Istanbul in March.
The four were arrested several days into the wave of protest sparked by the arrest of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
The four were arrested several days into the wave of protest sparked by the arrest of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
Reposted by Kristof Bender
We still need to get from a situation where Russia pretends to negotiate to a situation where they need to negotiate.
Extract from my press remarks following today’s informal Foreign Affairs Council ↓
Extract from my press remarks following today’s informal Foreign Affairs Council ↓
November 26, 2025 at 2:54 PM
We still need to get from a situation where Russia pretends to negotiate to a situation where they need to negotiate.
Extract from my press remarks following today’s informal Foreign Affairs Council ↓
Extract from my press remarks following today’s informal Foreign Affairs Council ↓
The FT reports that Polish minister of state assets, Wojciech Balczun, said that “special zones” could be established around infrastructure, also including oil refineries, where state-authorised drones would monitor ground activity and possibly shoot down enemy drones.
www.ft.com/content/ebdd...
www.ft.com/content/ebdd...
Poland plans drone fleet to shield railway from sabotage attacks
Warsaw moves to bolster security after an explosion on a rail line that it blamed on Moscow
www.ft.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:33 AM
The FT reports that Polish minister of state assets, Wojciech Balczun, said that “special zones” could be established around infrastructure, also including oil refineries, where state-authorised drones would monitor ground activity and possibly shoot down enemy drones.
www.ft.com/content/ebdd...
www.ft.com/content/ebdd...
🇺🇦 🇷🇺 🇺🇸
What is the rationale of a peace plan limiting the army strength of the country that has been invaded, but not of the contrary that has invaded its neighbour without provocation, fully against international law?
What is the rationale of a peace plan limiting the army strength of the country that has been invaded, but not of the contrary that has invaded its neighbour without provocation, fully against international law?
November 26, 2025 at 7:18 AM
🇺🇦 🇷🇺 🇺🇸
What is the rationale of a peace plan limiting the army strength of the country that has been invaded, but not of the contrary that has invaded its neighbour without provocation, fully against international law?
What is the rationale of a peace plan limiting the army strength of the country that has been invaded, but not of the contrary that has invaded its neighbour without provocation, fully against international law?
“If people stop identifying with the system, stop believing that there is a better future with this system, we have a problem in democracies”, says Philipp Blom at event on Europe’s future organised by @erstestiftung.org and @stiftunggenshagen.bsky.social in Vienna tonight.
November 25, 2025 at 5:34 PM
“If people stop identifying with the system, stop believing that there is a better future with this system, we have a problem in democracies”, says Philipp Blom at event on Europe’s future organised by @erstestiftung.org and @stiftunggenshagen.bsky.social in Vienna tonight.
Very worrying trend: Only 49% of voters in #Germany say that they categorically rule out voting for #AfD, down from 80% three years ago!
Mainstream politicians will need some courage to tell an inspiring story of why the EU is great and who its enemies are. Just muddling along will not be enough ...
Mainstream politicians will need some courage to tell an inspiring story of why the EU is great and who its enemies are. Just muddling along will not be enough ...
Das ist eine dramatische Entwicklung der Normalisierung. Noch vor drei Jahren lag der Wert derer, die grundsätzlich ausgeschlossen haben, die AfD zu wählen, bei 80 Prozent. Jetzt sind es nur noch die Hälfte aller Befragten.
November 25, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Reposted by Kristof Bender
Yes! A broad majority of the Parliament agrees: the EU must take more action against Orbán!
My report on the rule of law in Hungary was adopted with a majority of 415 votes, urging to take away Orbán's voting rights and to freeze EU funds.
We must stop his breakdown of democracy and human rights.
My report on the rule of law in Hungary was adopted with a majority of 415 votes, urging to take away Orbán's voting rights and to freeze EU funds.
We must stop his breakdown of democracy and human rights.
November 25, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Yes! A broad majority of the Parliament agrees: the EU must take more action against Orbán!
My report on the rule of law in Hungary was adopted with a majority of 415 votes, urging to take away Orbán's voting rights and to freeze EU funds.
We must stop his breakdown of democracy and human rights.
My report on the rule of law in Hungary was adopted with a majority of 415 votes, urging to take away Orbán's voting rights and to freeze EU funds.
We must stop his breakdown of democracy and human rights.
Reposted by Kristof Bender
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Kristof Bender
Independent elections monitors in BiH claim serious instances of fraud at nearly a quarter of all voting sites to replace Bosnian Serb secessionist Dodik as president of the RS entity. The 2022 RS presidency elections too were rerun due to fraud. www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/...
Posmatrači obavijestili CIK o teškom kršenju izbornih pravila: "Porodično glasanje" na 23,7% biračkih mjesta
Koalicija "Pod lupom" objavila je ključne nalaze posmatranja izbornog dana do 12:00h na osnovu izvještaja svojih posmatrača/ica raspoređenih na otprilike svakom...
www.klix.ba
November 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Independent elections monitors in BiH claim serious instances of fraud at nearly a quarter of all voting sites to replace Bosnian Serb secessionist Dodik as president of the RS entity. The 2022 RS presidency elections too were rerun due to fraud. www.klix.ba/vijesti/bih/...
“The settlers had axelike sticks with nails attached. So, they intended to injure us badly or kill us. Thank God we were awake when they came, so we could move away,” Abdullah Awad said. About 15 masked men smashed his house’s windows, doors, solar panels & water tanks.
www.ft.com/content/6bc5...
www.ft.com/content/6bc5...
Surge in Israeli settler violence shakes West Bank
Attacks on Palestinians in the territory spiral to highest level in nearly two decades
www.ft.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:37 AM
“The settlers had axelike sticks with nails attached. So, they intended to injure us badly or kill us. Thank God we were awake when they came, so we could move away,” Abdullah Awad said. About 15 masked men smashed his house’s windows, doors, solar panels & water tanks.
www.ft.com/content/6bc5...
www.ft.com/content/6bc5...
Reposted by Kristof Bender
The focus of European NATO members should be squarely on a clear timetable for burden-shifting in terms of taking over critical enablers for NATO‘s defense posture in Europe from the US. Are we hard at work on this? I hope somewhere in secret this is happening with full force.
November 24, 2025 at 7:17 AM
The focus of European NATO members should be squarely on a clear timetable for burden-shifting in terms of taking over critical enablers for NATO‘s defense posture in Europe from the US. Are we hard at work on this? I hope somewhere in secret this is happening with full force.
Reposted by Kristof Bender
Österreich sollte sich auf sie Abwehr von Drohungen konzentrieren, die wahrscheinlich sind: Angriffe von Drohnen. #Ukraine #SPÖ
Meint der brillante Thomas Nowotny im @derstandard.at
www.derstandard.at/story/300000...
Meint der brillante Thomas Nowotny im @derstandard.at
www.derstandard.at/story/300000...
Drohnen verändern den Krieg – Österreichs Heer muss sich neu ausrichten
Die Lehren aus dem Ukrainekrieg sollten bei der Heeresstrategie stärker bedacht werden – auch wenn man dafür alte Pläne, etwa bei Anschaffungen, über Bord werfen muss
www.derstandard.at
November 24, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Österreich sollte sich auf sie Abwehr von Drohungen konzentrieren, die wahrscheinlich sind: Angriffe von Drohnen. #Ukraine #SPÖ
Meint der brillante Thomas Nowotny im @derstandard.at
www.derstandard.at/story/300000...
Meint der brillante Thomas Nowotny im @derstandard.at
www.derstandard.at/story/300000...
Reposted by Kristof Bender
"German Chancellor Merz told DW that Europe was facing a 'deep threat' to its security architecture as negotiations continue in Geneva over a controversial US plan.
Merz said Ukraine's sovereignty must not be sacrificed as part of any arrangement."
www.dw.com/en/dw-exclus...
Merz said Ukraine's sovereignty must not be sacrificed as part of any arrangement."
www.dw.com/en/dw-exclus...
Merz warns Ukraine's sovereignty is non-negotiable – DW – 11/23/2025
The German chancellor told DW that Europe cannot support elements of a contentious US plan on Ukraine. He also warned that a Thursday deadline set by Donald Trump is not realistic.
www.dw.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:17 AM
"German Chancellor Merz told DW that Europe was facing a 'deep threat' to its security architecture as negotiations continue in Geneva over a controversial US plan.
Merz said Ukraine's sovereignty must not be sacrificed as part of any arrangement."
www.dw.com/en/dw-exclus...
Merz said Ukraine's sovereignty must not be sacrificed as part of any arrangement."
www.dw.com/en/dw-exclus...
@financialtimes.com: "Rubio told senators that the Russians gave the plan to Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, which the US then relayed to the Ukrainians in its role as an intermediary."
(Gift share link, so the first ones should be able to access for free:)
on.ft.com/3Kd8G6b
(Gift share link, so the first ones should be able to access for free:)
on.ft.com/3Kd8G6b
Lawmakers say US secretary of state rowed back on Ukraine peace plan
Senators said Marco Rubio told them that a contentious 28-point proposal was not a Trump administration policy
on.ft.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:18 PM
@financialtimes.com: "Rubio told senators that the Russians gave the plan to Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, which the US then relayed to the Ukrainians in its role as an intermediary."
(Gift share link, so the first ones should be able to access for free:)
on.ft.com/3Kd8G6b
(Gift share link, so the first ones should be able to access for free:)
on.ft.com/3Kd8G6b
Reposted by Kristof Bender
I missed this, from a year ago, but the extreme-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) uses not just clear Nazi aesthetics in its propaganda but also a clear Nazi salute.
By the way, these are the German friends of Trump and the GOP.
By the way, these are the German friends of Trump and the GOP.
November 23, 2025 at 1:37 PM
I missed this, from a year ago, but the extreme-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) uses not just clear Nazi aesthetics in its propaganda but also a clear Nazi salute.
By the way, these are the German friends of Trump and the GOP.
By the way, these are the German friends of Trump and the GOP.
Reposted by Kristof Bender
Marking thirty years since the end of the war in 🇧🇦, I write in the 🇪🇸 daily newspaper @elmundo.es.web.brid.gy about my family’s return as refugees: the checkpoints, the silence, the fear in the car. A fragile country, suspended between a ceasefire and the search for closure.
November 21, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Marking thirty years since the end of the war in 🇧🇦, I write in the 🇪🇸 daily newspaper @elmundo.es.web.brid.gy about my family’s return as refugees: the checkpoints, the silence, the fear in the car. A fragile country, suspended between a ceasefire and the search for closure.
Today 30 years of #Dayton peace agreement. The irresponsibility of a few political leaders not withstanding, let’s celebrate #Bosnia where Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats again leave peacefully together in a complex, yet successful democracy. If you compare it to other post-conflict states, a #miracle.
November 21, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Reposted by Kristof Bender
#Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani set December 28 as the date for an early parliamentary election, after the ruling Vetëvendosje party of Prime Minister Albin Kurti failed to secure enough votes in parliament to form a government.
tvpworld.com/90120904/pre...
tvpworld.com/90120904/pre...
Kosovo’s president sets snap election date
The decision comes after another failed attempt to form a government.
tvpworld.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:33 AM
#Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani set December 28 as the date for an early parliamentary election, after the ruling Vetëvendosje party of Prime Minister Albin Kurti failed to secure enough votes in parliament to form a government.
tvpworld.com/90120904/pre...
tvpworld.com/90120904/pre...
Reposted by Kristof Bender
Ukraine is not, and never has been, a model of clean governance. That is not why the West has spent some $400bn—and counting—to help defend it. Were Western support to falter, the only winner would be Vladimir Putin econ.st/4ieKcGo
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
November 21, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Ukraine is not, and never has been, a model of clean governance. That is not why the West has spent some $400bn—and counting—to help defend it. Were Western support to falter, the only winner would be Vladimir Putin econ.st/4ieKcGo
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
Just look at the graph - employment growth in the #US: Massive contraction since Trump took over. And unemployment hits 4-year high…
on.ft.com/4ifi9GQ
on.ft.com/4ifi9GQ
US adds 119,000 jobs in September but unemployment hits four-year peak
Figures complicate Fed decision on rates next month
on.ft.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Just look at the graph - employment growth in the #US: Massive contraction since Trump took over. And unemployment hits 4-year high…
on.ft.com/4ifi9GQ
on.ft.com/4ifi9GQ
Reposted by Kristof Bender
"The media outlets and tech platforms that settled with Trump chose to give him money because they *wanted* to. They could have fought and won, since Trump’s lawsuits (and his lawyering) are universally terrible."
CNN shows that when media orgs fight Trump, they win
Take this grift and shove it.
www.publicnotice.co
November 19, 2025 at 3:42 PM
"The media outlets and tech platforms that settled with Trump chose to give him money because they *wanted* to. They could have fought and won, since Trump’s lawsuits (and his lawyering) are universally terrible."
“What fuels the Israeli-Palestinian conflict isn’t an objective lack of territory or resources, but false moral certainties produced by oversimplified historical narratives.“ Very interesting and stimulating essay by Yuval Noah Harari.
#Israel #Palestine
Giftlink:
on.ft.com/4pkiyKz
#Israel #Palestine
Giftlink:
on.ft.com/4pkiyKz
Yuval Noah Harari: Only generosity can secure peace between Israelis and Palestinians
Both sides must abandon false moral certainties and oversimplified historical narratives if the cycle of violence is to be broken
on.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:06 AM
“What fuels the Israeli-Palestinian conflict isn’t an objective lack of territory or resources, but false moral certainties produced by oversimplified historical narratives.“ Very interesting and stimulating essay by Yuval Noah Harari.
#Israel #Palestine
Giftlink:
on.ft.com/4pkiyKz
#Israel #Palestine
Giftlink:
on.ft.com/4pkiyKz
Reposted by Kristof Bender
#BBCNews: How realistic is the plan to build a 'drone wall' against Russia?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How realistic is the plan to build a 'drone wall' against Russia?
Drones have been found across Western Europe near airports, military bases and power plants, as part of a suspected programme of 'hybrid warfare'
www.bbc.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 6:33 AM
#BBCNews: How realistic is the plan to build a 'drone wall' against Russia?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Kristof Bender
Funny, how MAGA is *outraged* over someone who is simply a Muslim in the New York City mayor's mansion, but has no comment about a Muslim who is an actual murderer in the White House.
November 16, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Funny, how MAGA is *outraged* over someone who is simply a Muslim in the New York City mayor's mansion, but has no comment about a Muslim who is an actual murderer in the White House.