Marcel Dirsus
@marceldirsus.com
Political scientist and author of How Tyrants Fall: And How Nations Survive. Writing The Hundred, a politics newsletter. www.marceldirsus.com
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Marcel Dirsus
@marceldirsus.com
· Dec 4
In case you missed it: I started a podcast named The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus. You can listen to it on YouTube, Spotify, Apple or wherever else you get your podcasts. It's about war and dictators and geopolitics etc
My one prediction for 2026 is that Germany's annual nuke debate is going to be extra insane this year
January 8, 2026 at 11:47 AM
My one prediction for 2026 is that Germany's annual nuke debate is going to be extra insane this year
"So I had to go to places like Singapore and Malaysia and effectively threaten shipping companies and energy companies and banks with sanctions unless they cut ties with Iran. And I'll tell you, that that is a very awkward conversation to have as an American official."
youtu.be/OhI17ztUvzY
youtu.be/OhI17ztUvzY
How the US Weaponized the Global Economy | Edward Fishman
YouTube video by The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus
youtu.be
January 8, 2026 at 10:47 AM
"So I had to go to places like Singapore and Malaysia and effectively threaten shipping companies and energy companies and banks with sanctions unless they cut ties with Iran. And I'll tell you, that that is a very awkward conversation to have as an American official."
youtu.be/OhI17ztUvzY
youtu.be/OhI17ztUvzY
I went to Tommy's Diner in Columbus, Ohio to talk to real Americans. What they want more than anything else is war with Denmark
January 7, 2026 at 5:28 PM
I went to Tommy's Diner in Columbus, Ohio to talk to real Americans. What they want more than anything else is war with Denmark
U.S. to Control Venezuela Oil Sales ‘Indefinitely,’ Energy Secretary Says
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/b...
U.S. to Control Venezuela Oil Sales ‘Indefinitely,’ Energy Secretary Says
www.nytimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 3:28 PM
U.S. to Control Venezuela Oil Sales ‘Indefinitely,’ Energy Secretary Says
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/b...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/b...
Anyway if you're interested in international politics you should subscribe to my new podcast. Today's episode is about America's economic warfare. Watch on YouTube below or search for "The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus" on Spotify & Apple 🙏
youtu.be/OhI17ztUvzY
youtu.be/OhI17ztUvzY
How the US Weaponized the Global Economy | Edward Fishman
YouTube video by The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus
youtu.be
January 7, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Anyway if you're interested in international politics you should subscribe to my new podcast. Today's episode is about America's economic warfare. Watch on YouTube below or search for "The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus" on Spotify & Apple 🙏
youtu.be/OhI17ztUvzY
youtu.be/OhI17ztUvzY
Just search for "The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus" on your preferred platform. And then, for good luck and a wonderful year, hit subscribe 🙏
January 7, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Just search for "The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus" on your preferred platform. And then, for good luck and a wonderful year, hit subscribe 🙏
Not to brag or anything but as you can see in the first 10 seconds of the video, I've figured out how to make things appear on screen. Singapore! Malaysia! Books! But if you're like me and you prefer listening to podcasts rather than watching them, you can also find the podcast on Spotify and Apple
January 7, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Not to brag or anything but as you can see in the first 10 seconds of the video, I've figured out how to make things appear on screen. Singapore! Malaysia! Books! But if you're like me and you prefer listening to podcasts rather than watching them, you can also find the podcast on Spotify and Apple
Money makes the world go round and there's almost no big problem in international relations that doesn't involve economic warfare of some kind. This week in the podcast, I talk to New York Times bestselling author Edward Fishman to find out how it all works. Watch below:
youtu.be/OhI17ztUvzY?...
youtu.be/OhI17ztUvzY?...
How the US Weaponized the Global Economy | Edward Fishman
YouTube video by The Next Best with Marcel Dirsus
youtu.be
January 7, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Money makes the world go round and there's almost no big problem in international relations that doesn't involve economic warfare of some kind. This week in the podcast, I talk to New York Times bestselling author Edward Fishman to find out how it all works. Watch below:
youtu.be/OhI17ztUvzY?...
youtu.be/OhI17ztUvzY?...
"There is no sign that the United States’ demands include less repression. Instead the regime is taking the opportunity to crack down."
www.economist.com/the-americas...
www.economist.com/the-americas...
The Venezuelan regime is rapidly consolidating its grip on power
The democratic opposition is left out in the cold
www.economist.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:56 AM
"There is no sign that the United States’ demands include less repression. Instead the regime is taking the opportunity to crack down."
www.economist.com/the-americas...
www.economist.com/the-americas...
And when we do, we should probably let them know that all our economies will go up in flames if they go through with it
January 7, 2026 at 11:49 AM
And when we do, we should probably let them know that all our economies will go up in flames if they go through with it
We can't beat the United States, but Trump isn't invulnerable. Our least bad option are sane(ish) Republicans unwilling to kill 200 or 300 or 400 allied soldiers to conquer Nuuk. Those are the people we should be talking to right now
January 7, 2026 at 11:46 AM
We can't beat the United States, but Trump isn't invulnerable. Our least bad option are sane(ish) Republicans unwilling to kill 200 or 300 or 400 allied soldiers to conquer Nuuk. Those are the people we should be talking to right now
I've always said we need to flatter Trump to buy time & support for Ukraine but at some point we have to stand up for ourselves and try to deter him. But yes if he goes through with it anyway and his coalition doesn't fracture, we're not going to wage war against the United States. It is what it is
January 7, 2026 at 11:40 AM
I've always said we need to flatter Trump to buy time & support for Ukraine but at some point we have to stand up for ourselves and try to deter him. But yes if he goes through with it anyway and his coalition doesn't fracture, we're not going to wage war against the United States. It is what it is
Is this a terrible option? Yes, all of this is completely insane. It might be that Trump goes through dead Danes to take over Greenland and Republicans are fine with it. I think they would break, but who even knows at this point. Anything could happen
January 7, 2026 at 11:33 AM
Is this a terrible option? Yes, all of this is completely insane. It might be that Trump goes through dead Danes to take over Greenland and Republicans are fine with it. I think they would break, but who even knows at this point. Anything could happen
The main aim should be to deter Trump by raising the prospective domestic political price by increasing the likelihood that (some) Republicans break ranks. Trump shouldn't be able to take over Greenland without killing Danes and Brits and Germans
This is where Europe has to draw a red line. No flattery, no vague language. We cannot prevent Trump from taking Greenland by force but if he does, he needs to pay a steep price
"U.S. officials in recent days have presented a U.S. move against Greenland as an increasingly concrete possibility in conversations with European counterparts, said a senior European diplomat" www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
January 7, 2026 at 11:29 AM
The main aim should be to deter Trump by raising the prospective domestic political price by increasing the likelihood that (some) Republicans break ranks. Trump shouldn't be able to take over Greenland without killing Danes and Brits and Germans
This is where Europe has to draw a red line. No flattery, no vague language. We cannot prevent Trump from taking Greenland by force but if he does, he needs to pay a steep price
"U.S. officials in recent days have presented a U.S. move against Greenland as an increasingly concrete possibility in conversations with European counterparts, said a senior European diplomat" www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
White House floats military option for Greenland, rattling Denmark and NATO
The rhetoric follows a dramatic U.S. raid in Venezuela and revives Trump’s long-standing focus on Greenland, transforming diplomatic discussions into fears of coercion. But U.S. military posture there...
www.washingtonpost.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:12 AM
This is where Europe has to draw a red line. No flattery, no vague language. We cannot prevent Trump from taking Greenland by force but if he does, he needs to pay a steep price
Trump rolls some dice once a week and whatever he lands on instantly becomes the most important thing in the world for tens of millions of people. We MUST bomb Nigeria! If we don't get Greenland we can NEVER be safe again! APOCALYPSE! HELL! DEATH!
January 7, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Trump rolls some dice once a week and whatever he lands on instantly becomes the most important thing in the world for tens of millions of people. We MUST bomb Nigeria! If we don't get Greenland we can NEVER be safe again! APOCALYPSE! HELL! DEATH!
Reposted by Marcel Dirsus
some people love quoting "the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must." That was Athens saying that at the height of its empire. Few of those people seem to remember what happened to Athens the very next year.
January 6, 2026 at 5:14 PM
some people love quoting "the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must." That was Athens saying that at the height of its empire. Few of those people seem to remember what happened to Athens the very next year.
Let's be real: Trump is not going to war with Russia over Estonia, Finland or Romania. If Putin attacks, we're on our own
January 7, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Let's be real: Trump is not going to war with Russia over Estonia, Finland or Romania. If Putin attacks, we're on our own
Spare a thought for the China hawks that joined this administration thinking that they could take on Beijing but are now busy planning for war against Denmark or Indonesia or whatever else is next. Thoughts and prayers 🙏
January 6, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Spare a thought for the China hawks that joined this administration thinking that they could take on Beijing but are now busy planning for war against Denmark or Indonesia or whatever else is next. Thoughts and prayers 🙏
See when people like this say that America has never engaged in imperialism, I can't tell whether they've genuinely never opened a history book or whether they're just trying to please the boss. What is it?
KERNEN: Europeans are talking about it almost being like Vladimir Putin and Ukraine.
JEFF LANDRY: I disagree. When has the United States engaged in imperialism? Never. Europe has engaged in imperialism. The reason the Danish have Greenland is because of imperialism.
JEFF LANDRY: I disagree. When has the United States engaged in imperialism? Never. Europe has engaged in imperialism. The reason the Danish have Greenland is because of imperialism.
January 6, 2026 at 5:03 PM
See when people like this say that America has never engaged in imperialism, I can't tell whether they've genuinely never opened a history book or whether they're just trying to please the boss. What is it?
"In its third full day, a widespread power failure in Berlin resulting from an arson attack started to tug on the nerves of tens of thousands of people making do without heat, electricity, cellphone service and warm food or drinks."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/w...
Thousands in Berlin Go Days Without Power and Cell Service After Cables Are Set on Fire
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:42 PM
"In its third full day, a widespread power failure in Berlin resulting from an arson attack started to tug on the nerves of tens of thousands of people making do without heat, electricity, cellphone service and warm food or drinks."
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/w...
Reposted by Marcel Dirsus
„Meist landen Diktatoren im Gefängnis, im Grab oder im Exil. Jemand wie Maduro weiß das.“
Der Politikwissenschaftler Marcel Dirsus darüber, was das Maduro-Kidnapping für Diktatoren weltweit heißt.
@marceldirsus.com
@alisaschllnbrg.bsky.social
@jalenz.bsky.social
www.zeit.de/kultur/2026-...
Der Politikwissenschaftler Marcel Dirsus darüber, was das Maduro-Kidnapping für Diktatoren weltweit heißt.
@marceldirsus.com
@alisaschllnbrg.bsky.social
@jalenz.bsky.social
www.zeit.de/kultur/2026-...
Marcel Dirsus: "Diktaturen sind leichter zu stürzen"
Der Politikwissenschaftler Marcel Dirsus erforscht, wie Diktatoren entmachtet werden. Er erklärt, welche Schlüsse andere Länder aus der Entführung von Maduro ziehen.
www.zeit.de
January 6, 2026 at 4:34 PM
„Meist landen Diktatoren im Gefängnis, im Grab oder im Exil. Jemand wie Maduro weiß das.“
Der Politikwissenschaftler Marcel Dirsus darüber, was das Maduro-Kidnapping für Diktatoren weltweit heißt.
@marceldirsus.com
@alisaschllnbrg.bsky.social
@jalenz.bsky.social
www.zeit.de/kultur/2026-...
Der Politikwissenschaftler Marcel Dirsus darüber, was das Maduro-Kidnapping für Diktatoren weltweit heißt.
@marceldirsus.com
@alisaschllnbrg.bsky.social
@jalenz.bsky.social
www.zeit.de/kultur/2026-...
Holidays are over, new podcast episode tomorrow:
January 6, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Holidays are over, new podcast episode tomorrow: