Reposted by Martin Sandbu
@martinsandbu.ft.com on the state of RUS economy
"The picture is clear. The RU economy is under enormous strain, & is running out of resources. ... The message for the west — what remains of it — is that the medicine (sanctions) is working, but the dose should be increased."
100%
#UkrainianView
"The picture is clear. The RU economy is under enormous strain, & is running out of resources. ... The message for the west — what remains of it — is that the medicine (sanctions) is working, but the dose should be increased."
100%
#UkrainianView
Russia is running out of money
Go behind the propaganda, and the intensifying strain is evident
www.ft.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:48 PM
@martinsandbu.ft.com on the state of RUS economy
"The picture is clear. The RU economy is under enormous strain, & is running out of resources. ... The message for the west — what remains of it — is that the medicine (sanctions) is working, but the dose should be increased."
100%
#UkrainianView
"The picture is clear. The RU economy is under enormous strain, & is running out of resources. ... The message for the west — what remains of it — is that the medicine (sanctions) is working, but the dose should be increased."
100%
#UkrainianView
This is how to write a headline. (The wording "inevitable" about ICE-induced violence in the main text is unfortunate though.)
May I advance an example of a good headline in a mainstream media outfit (full disclosure: the one I work for)
The “terrorist” killed by ICE was a mum in her SUV
economist.com/united-state...
The “terrorist” killed by ICE was a mum in her SUV
economist.com/united-state...
The “terrorist” killed by ICE was a mum in her SUV
A killing in Minneapolis is part of a dangerous pattern
economist.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:02 PM
This is how to write a headline. (The wording "inevitable" about ICE-induced violence in the main text is unfortunate though.)
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
Renee Nicole Good was neither armed, nor attacking federal agents, nor even threatening them.
Politicians of character & honor would take this time to reflect, investigate, and prevent anything remotely like this from happening again.
Instead we get: lies, talking points, inflammatory accusations.
Politicians of character & honor would take this time to reflect, investigate, and prevent anything remotely like this from happening again.
Instead we get: lies, talking points, inflammatory accusations.
I am tired of the lies.
Truth exists. This federal officer was clearly not "run over"—as the US president lied. He was not under attack. He was not forced to shoot this US citizen in the face.
Draw the line now. Allowing government murder with impunity will harm all Conservatives, all Liberals.
Truth exists. This federal officer was clearly not "run over"—as the US president lied. He was not under attack. He was not forced to shoot this US citizen in the face.
Draw the line now. Allowing government murder with impunity will harm all Conservatives, all Liberals.
“An ICE officer, fearing for his life, fired defensive shots.” -DHS
January 8, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Renee Nicole Good was neither armed, nor attacking federal agents, nor even threatening them.
Politicians of character & honor would take this time to reflect, investigate, and prevent anything remotely like this from happening again.
Instead we get: lies, talking points, inflammatory accusations.
Politicians of character & honor would take this time to reflect, investigate, and prevent anything remotely like this from happening again.
Instead we get: lies, talking points, inflammatory accusations.
@rikefranke.bsky.social and @sophieintveld.bsky.social are correct. Which means it's extremely urgent for Denmark and its European friends to bring sufficient troops to Greenland now to forestall a fait accompli, provided Greenlandic elected leaders agree.
Exactly this 👇. The US can just leisurely stroll into Greenland. No-one will stop them, there will not be battle. It is more likely the US will arm-twist Greenland and Europe into "negotiations", which serve only to legitimise their move.
“And then, what?”
I don’t think we need to discuss military invasion scenarios of Greenland - the US doesn’t need to do that. They might just declare Greenland is theirs now. And then what? My comments from yesterday.
Full interview www.welt.de/politik/ausl...
I don’t think we need to discuss military invasion scenarios of Greenland - the US doesn’t need to do that. They might just declare Greenland is theirs now. And then what? My comments from yesterday.
Full interview www.welt.de/politik/ausl...
January 8, 2026 at 11:56 AM
@rikefranke.bsky.social and @sophieintveld.bsky.social are correct. Which means it's extremely urgent for Denmark and its European friends to bring sufficient troops to Greenland now to forestall a fait accompli, provided Greenlandic elected leaders agree.
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
This is also a field test.
If the press lets them muddy the waters on executing a woman in Minneapolis despite multiple witnesses and video recordings clearly depicting what happened, the message they'll take away is that there's nothing they can't get away with.
Nothing.
If the press lets them muddy the waters on executing a woman in Minneapolis despite multiple witnesses and video recordings clearly depicting what happened, the message they'll take away is that there's nothing they can't get away with.
Nothing.
January 8, 2026 at 11:47 AM
This is also a field test.
If the press lets them muddy the waters on executing a woman in Minneapolis despite multiple witnesses and video recordings clearly depicting what happened, the message they'll take away is that there's nothing they can't get away with.
Nothing.
If the press lets them muddy the waters on executing a woman in Minneapolis despite multiple witnesses and video recordings clearly depicting what happened, the message they'll take away is that there's nothing they can't get away with.
Nothing.
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
Disgraceful article by BBC News. It's abundantly clear from the videos what happened. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
US immigration officer fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis
Trump says the woman was attempting to run over ICE agents. Local leaders disagree.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Disgraceful article by BBC News. It's abundantly clear from the videos what happened. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
Good to see. Now more, please.
January 7, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Good to see. Now more, please.
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
Indeed, still highly recommended for everyone, especially politicians and policymakers. The book not only provides a clear analysis of an important cause of social discontent, but also, exceptionally, concrete solutions. Five stars.
January 7, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Indeed, still highly recommended for everyone, especially politicians and policymakers. The book not only provides a clear analysis of an important cause of social discontent, but also, exceptionally, concrete solutions. Five stars.
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
California wants to tax billionaires with a 5% wealth tax and the CEO of Nvidia, who would have to pay $8 billion on his $163 billion fortune, says it like it is:
that's perfectly fine! 🧵
that's perfectly fine! 🧵
January 7, 2026 at 1:47 PM
California wants to tax billionaires with a 5% wealth tax and the CEO of Nvidia, who would have to pay $8 billion on his $163 billion fortune, says it like it is:
that's perfectly fine! 🧵
that's perfectly fine! 🧵
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
English speaking newspapers don’t seem to have picked up on Trump administration threats of sanctions against judges in current appeals case involving Marine LePen’s indictment regarding European Parliament fund embezzling which could cost her the right to run for president next year.
Affaire des assistants parlementaires du FN : le président du tribunal de Paris met en garde contre une éventuelle « ingérence » américaine avant le procès en appel
Affaire des assistants parlementaires du FN : le président du tribunal de Paris met en garde contre une éventuelle « ingérence » américaine avant le procès en appel
A partir du 13 janvier et jusqu’à la mi-février, la cheffe de file de l’extrême droite, Marine Le Pen, et onze autres prévenus vont être jugés par la cour d’appel de Paris, soupçonnés d’avoir détourné l’argent du Parlement européen au seul profit du parti.
www.lemonde.fr
January 6, 2026 at 8:31 PM
English speaking newspapers don’t seem to have picked up on Trump administration threats of sanctions against judges in current appeals case involving Marine LePen’s indictment regarding European Parliament fund embezzling which could cost her the right to run for president next year.
Glad to see this still resonates - not outdated five eventful years after it was published.
Finished this excellent book by @martinsandbu.ft.com
Truly recommend it as a manual for these most difficult times.
Truly recommend it as a manual for these most difficult times.
January 7, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Glad to see this still resonates - not outdated five eventful years after it was published.
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
A really rewarding read by @martinsandbu.ft.com
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Why your AI companion is not your friend
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Why your AI companion is not your friend
Why your AI companion is not your friend
First, tech companies usurped the meaning of ‘friends’ and ‘connection’ — now they are coming for ‘companionship’
giftarticle.ft.com
December 28, 2025 at 9:02 PM
A really rewarding read by @martinsandbu.ft.com
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Why your AI companion is not your friend
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Why your AI companion is not your friend
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
Finished this excellent book by @martinsandbu.ft.com
Truly recommend it as a manual for these most difficult times.
Truly recommend it as a manual for these most difficult times.
January 5, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Finished this excellent book by @martinsandbu.ft.com
Truly recommend it as a manual for these most difficult times.
Truly recommend it as a manual for these most difficult times.
What to make of the EU decision on funding for Ukraine? It is a good outcome in my opinion. Here is why:
December 19, 2025 at 4:12 PM
What to make of the EU decision on funding for Ukraine? It is a good outcome in my opinion. Here is why:
This is a good point. As is the whole thread.
One additional point on politics: Without the very strong push especially from Berlin for the use of the Russian assets, Orbán would most likely not have agreed to this lesser-evil solution from his (and Putin‘s) perspective. The threat was real, and he caved.
So what the hell just happened? Two things: Ukraine will get 90 billion euros. And Orbán did not veto that even though he could have.
How so? Short thread:
How so? Short thread:
December 19, 2025 at 12:04 PM
This is a good point. As is the whole thread.
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
One additional point on politics: Without the very strong push especially from Berlin for the use of the Russian assets, Orbán would most likely not have agreed to this lesser-evil solution from his (and Putin‘s) perspective. The threat was real, and he caved.
So what the hell just happened? Two things: Ukraine will get 90 billion euros. And Orbán did not veto that even though he could have.
How so? Short thread:
How so? Short thread:
December 19, 2025 at 11:51 AM
One additional point on politics: Without the very strong push especially from Berlin for the use of the Russian assets, Orbán would most likely not have agreed to this lesser-evil solution from his (and Putin‘s) perspective. The threat was real, and he caved.
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
🇪🇺⚖️🇵🇱 Revenge is a dish best served cold (and after five years). Moments ago, CJEU, in the case Commission v. Poland, found that the Polish Constitutional Tribunal has not only violated EU law with its anti-EU rulings, but also was (is) not an independent court established properly by law. 1/
December 18, 2025 at 9:04 AM
🇪🇺⚖️🇵🇱 Revenge is a dish best served cold (and after five years). Moments ago, CJEU, in the case Commission v. Poland, found that the Polish Constitutional Tribunal has not only violated EU law with its anti-EU rulings, but also was (is) not an independent court established properly by law. 1/
Stephen is spot on. This should be obvious. Of course we need to enforce laws and control borders, but that's because unenforced laws are not laws and a border is only a border if it's controlled - not because otherwise people will unwittingly turn into the racists that they otherwise wouldn't be.
The kind of person who would rightly go 'sorry, are you insane? What does a kosher delicatessen in Golders Green have to do with the Gaza war?' going 'well, look, if someone from Afghanistan gets on a boat, you can't expect people not to start being racist towards black Britons', and vice versa:
Bondi attacks show old hatreds are flourishing again
A permissive environment has been created in which Israel is conflated with all Jews, everywhere
www.ft.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Stephen is spot on. This should be obvious. Of course we need to enforce laws and control borders, but that's because unenforced laws are not laws and a border is only a border if it's controlled - not because otherwise people will unwittingly turn into the racists that they otherwise wouldn't be.
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
Don't steal pies this Christmas.
December 16, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Don't steal pies this Christmas.
This is correct and useful, except for 3 things:
- the money is not in fact a lot for the EU, a 20tn/year economy. A few % of GDP would let Ukr win
- even simpler is of course to force Russia to pay, ie transfer its holdings to Ukr
- the rep loan still leaves EU governments fiscally on the hook
- the money is not in fact a lot for the EU, a 20tn/year economy. A few % of GDP would let Ukr win
- even simpler is of course to force Russia to pay, ie transfer its holdings to Ukr
- the rep loan still leaves EU governments fiscally on the hook
Is Germany again dragging its feet and undermining a "simple" solution to the Ukraine financing problem, instead pushing the ubercomplex reparations loan?
It's a tempting eurocrisis reflex that if only there were a will in Berlin, there would be a better way.
But there isn't. Here is why:
It's a tempting eurocrisis reflex that if only there were a will in Berlin, there would be a better way.
But there isn't. Here is why:
December 16, 2025 at 10:24 AM
This is correct and useful, except for 3 things:
- the money is not in fact a lot for the EU, a 20tn/year economy. A few % of GDP would let Ukr win
- even simpler is of course to force Russia to pay, ie transfer its holdings to Ukr
- the rep loan still leaves EU governments fiscally on the hook
- the money is not in fact a lot for the EU, a 20tn/year economy. A few % of GDP would let Ukr win
- even simpler is of course to force Russia to pay, ie transfer its holdings to Ukr
- the rep loan still leaves EU governments fiscally on the hook
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
"On ad-tech and AI, Google must implement EU-equivalent transparency and anti-self-preferencing obligations in South Africa and extend any future EU or US structural remedies within six months of implementation" #BrusselsEffectForReal
South Africa’s Competition Commission wrapped its digital media inquiry with enforceable agreements with Google, Meta, TikTok and Microsoft. There were real gains for publishers—yet big structural problems in ad-tech, AI training, and platform power remain, writes Michael Markovitz.
A Pragmatic Win, Not a Structural Fix, in South Africa’s Deal with Big Tech | TechPolicy.Press
Michael Markovitz details South Africa’s Competition Commission deal with global platforms to support the country's media.
buff.ly
December 15, 2025 at 10:02 AM
"On ad-tech and AI, Google must implement EU-equivalent transparency and anti-self-preferencing obligations in South Africa and extend any future EU or US structural remedies within six months of implementation" #BrusselsEffectForReal
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
Spot on. Moment of truth for Paris and Rome.
Is France serious about strategic autonomy or is it just a vacuous talking point once Europe hits real trade-offs?
And is Italy with Europe and Ukraine or Moscow and Washington?
Is France serious about strategic autonomy or is it just a vacuous talking point once Europe hits real trade-offs?
And is Italy with Europe and Ukraine or Moscow and Washington?
Often, Berlin is the main veto player when it comes to decisive EU action. But this week, for once, Berlin is a key driver of getting both the reparations loan and Mercosur over the finish line.
This time, the EU's ability to act act fully hinges on Rome's and Paris's will to jump.
This time, the EU's ability to act act fully hinges on Rome's and Paris's will to jump.
December 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Spot on. Moment of truth for Paris and Rome.
Is France serious about strategic autonomy or is it just a vacuous talking point once Europe hits real trade-offs?
And is Italy with Europe and Ukraine or Moscow and Washington?
Is France serious about strategic autonomy or is it just a vacuous talking point once Europe hits real trade-offs?
And is Italy with Europe and Ukraine or Moscow and Washington?
The EU has taken the gloves off internally by forcing through an indefinite freeze of Russian state assets over Hungary's objections. It should learn from that boss move that it can succeed by flexing more muscle internationally too. www.ft.com/content/3dc7...
Brussels is finally flexing its muscle on Russian assets
The EU’s economic security depends on turning itself into more of a power player
www.ft.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:19 PM
The EU has taken the gloves off internally by forcing through an indefinite freeze of Russian state assets over Hungary's objections. It should learn from that boss move that it can succeed by flexing more muscle internationally too. www.ft.com/content/3dc7...
Reposted by Martin Sandbu
In case anyone at the DOJ reads my feed, I want to offer a little patriotic help to you in your search for the headquarters of Antifa.
It's in Arlington National Cemetery.
It's in Arlington National Cemetery.
December 11, 2025 at 4:46 PM
In case anyone at the DOJ reads my feed, I want to offer a little patriotic help to you in your search for the headquarters of Antifa.
It's in Arlington National Cemetery.
It's in Arlington National Cemetery.