Matt Steinglass
@mattsteinglass.bsky.social
Europe correspondent for The Economist. Please don’t kill me
Pinned
Thomas Pynchon, the greatest Californian novelist, wrote in his first novel “V.” of a mad society that built its city at the lip of a volcano which annihilated it every hundred years, but always rebuilt immediately in the same place
“Even if a more Ukraine-friendly deal gets past Mr Trump, it will almost certainly be blocked by Russia; and any deal acceptable to Russia is likely to be voted down by an increasingly sceptical Ukrainian parliament.”
Ukraine survives another crisis with Donald Trump
A deal in Geneva salvages relations with America. It might not last
economist.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:19 PM
“Even if a more Ukraine-friendly deal gets past Mr Trump, it will almost certainly be blocked by Russia; and any deal acceptable to Russia is likely to be voted down by an increasingly sceptical Ukrainian parliament.”
Wrote this about what it feels like these days hearing Russian on the streets of Europe, and my sense of irritation and anxiety as a lover of the language involuntary wondering about the political sympathies of anyone I hear speaking it. view.e.economist.com?qs=4abffee59...
The Economist
view.e.economist.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Wrote this about what it feels like these days hearing Russian on the streets of Europe, and my sense of irritation and anxiety as a lover of the language involuntary wondering about the political sympathies of anyone I hear speaking it. view.e.economist.com?qs=4abffee59...
Capitalism is just a giant conspiracy to make stuff people want and then sell it to them
November 24, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Capitalism is just a giant conspiracy to make stuff people want and then sell it to them
I have a lot of sympathy for Arnon Grunberg who, like me, has come to usually dislike first-person journalism and yet, like me, often ends up doing it bc it’s what comes most naturally and what people these days want to read. www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Arnon Grunberg wil weten hoe na Auschwitz de genocide in Gaza kon gebeuren
Schrijver Arnon Grunberg vraagt zich af of er een lijn loopt van de Holocaust naar de genocide in Gaza. Hij reist naar Tel Aviv, waar hij zich afvraagt: hoe kon het zionisme zo ontaarden?
www.nrc.nl
November 24, 2025 at 11:24 AM
I have a lot of sympathy for Arnon Grunberg who, like me, has come to usually dislike first-person journalism and yet, like me, often ends up doing it bc it’s what comes most naturally and what people these days want to read. www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Must remember to ask about this next time I’m in The Hauge
November 23, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Must remember to ask about this next time I’m in The Hauge
A movie that takes place where you’re from
November 23, 2025 at 9:07 PM
A movie that takes place where you’re from
Mijn krant bejubelt deze week Aruba! Het eiland heeft iets bereikt waar China nog van droomt: verdubbeling van de gemiddelde inkomst binnen 15 jaar, vanaf een startpunt die al hoger was dan waar China nu zit.
economist.com/finance-and-...
economist.com/finance-and-...
Can the Chinese economy match Aruba’s?
Xi Jinping has lofty goals for 2035. But China faces a real problem
economist.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Mijn krant bejubelt deze week Aruba! Het eiland heeft iets bereikt waar China nog van droomt: verdubbeling van de gemiddelde inkomst binnen 15 jaar, vanaf een startpunt die al hoger was dan waar China nu zit.
economist.com/finance-and-...
economist.com/finance-and-...
Reposted by Matt Steinglass
What should Europe do to reassert itself? It can still be tough with China. And its countries can make better use of the power they have, by integrating their economies
To avoid crushing change, Europe must take control of its destiny
If it does not, China will exploit the continent’s weaknesses
econ.st
November 23, 2025 at 10:20 AM
What should Europe do to reassert itself? It can still be tough with China. And its countries can make better use of the power they have, by integrating their economies
With Russia invading the democratic world, it seems like a misallocation of resources to send America’s armed young men to abuse immigrants and escorts politicians’ girlfriends, but what do I know www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
Patel Under Scrutiny for Use of SWAT Teams to Protect His Girlfriend
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:58 PM
With Russia invading the democratic world, it seems like a misallocation of resources to send America’s armed young men to abuse immigrants and escorts politicians’ girlfriends, but what do I know www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/u...
Good essay
this week's newsletter is titled "aren't you tired of feeling insane all the time?" and I think it speaks for itself
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
it is also free to read
youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
November 23, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Good essay
I am often awed by the ability of seasoned politicians and diplomats to find ways to take things that seem hard and clear and turn them flexible and vague. This can be used for bad or for good, but it is a needed tool in the kit
Ok this is big. Sen. Rounds iterates that, per Rubio, Thursday is a deadline to begin negotiations — not a deadline for Ukraine to accept the deal. There is no threat of revoking intelligence sharing or ending arms shipments from the administration, he says.
November 22, 2025 at 11:06 PM
I am often awed by the ability of seasoned politicians and diplomats to find ways to take things that seem hard and clear and turn them flexible and vague. This can be used for bad or for good, but it is a needed tool in the kit
Reposted by Matt Steinglass
Senator Wicker 🇺🇸🇺🇦
This so-called ‘peace plan’ has real problems, and I am highly skeptical it will achieve peace. Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to war criminal Putin.
The size and disposition of Ukraine’s armed forces is a sovereign choice for its government and people.
This so-called ‘peace plan’ has real problems, and I am highly skeptical it will achieve peace. Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to war criminal Putin.
The size and disposition of Ukraine’s armed forces is a sovereign choice for its government and people.
November 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Senator Wicker 🇺🇸🇺🇦
This so-called ‘peace plan’ has real problems, and I am highly skeptical it will achieve peace. Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to war criminal Putin.
The size and disposition of Ukraine’s armed forces is a sovereign choice for its government and people.
This so-called ‘peace plan’ has real problems, and I am highly skeptical it will achieve peace. Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to war criminal Putin.
The size and disposition of Ukraine’s armed forces is a sovereign choice for its government and people.
Reposted by Matt Steinglass
Must read: @mattgertz.bsky.social on the Orbanization of the press:
The bottom line is Trump doesn’t want a free and open press. He wants a press that is nice to him, that will protect him from negative stories, that will give him fawning coverage.
www.publicnotice.co/p/matt-gertz...
The bottom line is Trump doesn’t want a free and open press. He wants a press that is nice to him, that will protect him from negative stories, that will give him fawning coverage.
www.publicnotice.co/p/matt-gertz...
The Orbanization of the American press
"The really unnerving thing is Trump using state power to influence who a company gets sold to," Matt Gertz tells us.
www.publicnotice.co
November 22, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Must read: @mattgertz.bsky.social on the Orbanization of the press:
The bottom line is Trump doesn’t want a free and open press. He wants a press that is nice to him, that will protect him from negative stories, that will give him fawning coverage.
www.publicnotice.co/p/matt-gertz...
The bottom line is Trump doesn’t want a free and open press. He wants a press that is nice to him, that will protect him from negative stories, that will give him fawning coverage.
www.publicnotice.co/p/matt-gertz...
Vinden anderen het ook gênant als mensen vaak “zeker” zeggen waar “ja” voldoende is?
November 22, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Vinden anderen het ook gênant als mensen vaak “zeker” zeggen waar “ja” voldoende is?
Reposted by Matt Steinglass
It matters that our agreements with the Netherlands are being implemented very promptly. The Prime Minister noted that one of the energy packages – various equipment, including transformers – is already on its way to Ukraine.
November 22, 2025 at 12:38 PM
It matters that our agreements with the Netherlands are being implemented very promptly. The Prime Minister noted that one of the energy packages – various equipment, including transformers – is already on its way to Ukraine.
Reposted by Matt Steinglass
🇳🇱🇺🇦 Zelensky: I had a good conversation with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof.
We exchanged views on the diplomatic situation and on the opportunities that have now arisen.
We exchanged views on the diplomatic situation and on the opportunities that have now arisen.
November 22, 2025 at 12:38 PM
🇳🇱🇺🇦 Zelensky: I had a good conversation with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof.
We exchanged views on the diplomatic situation and on the opportunities that have now arisen.
We exchanged views on the diplomatic situation and on the opportunities that have now arisen.
Reposted by Matt Steinglass
Vandaag schuift Schoof aan bij Oekraïne-overleg van 12-tal leiders, op uitnodiging van Europees Raadsvoorzitter Costa.
November 22, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Vandaag schuift Schoof aan bij Oekraïne-overleg van 12-tal leiders, op uitnodiging van Europees Raadsvoorzitter Costa.
Nixon goes to Chinatown
November 21, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Nixon goes to Chinatown
Regret to inform that Raoul Peck’s “Orwell 2+2=5” is an interminable jumble of often self-contradictory leftist mishmash, an almost entirely wasted opportunity to think about how the Orwellian frame does or doesn’t fit the X/Palantir/MAGA moment
November 21, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Regret to inform that Raoul Peck’s “Orwell 2+2=5” is an interminable jumble of often self-contradictory leftist mishmash, an almost entirely wasted opportunity to think about how the Orwellian frame does or doesn’t fit the X/Palantir/MAGA moment
Unacceptable anti-Asian discrimination
November 21, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Unacceptable anti-Asian discrimination
Reposted by Matt Steinglass
Professor ended a lecture today with “I wish you all safety and peace, the kind of peace that doesn’t infringe on Ukraine’s interests”
November 21, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Professor ended a lecture today with “I wish you all safety and peace, the kind of peace that doesn’t infringe on Ukraine’s interests”
Views should not be taken seriously just because Elon Musk paid a programmer to insert them into a lot of people’s brains
November 21, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Views should not be taken seriously just because Elon Musk paid a programmer to insert them into a lot of people’s brains
Reposted by Matt Steinglass
Our new cover story is on the threat posed to German and Europe by China’s industrial model and its decision to exploit its stranglehold on chips/rare earths. Based on my reporting from Berlin and a trot around the Mittelstand in the Black Forest.
economist.com/briefing/202...
economist.com/briefing/202...
Chinese regulations and competition are panicking European manufacturers
Recent curbs on computer chips and rare earths are feeding broader fears about deindustrialisation
economist.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Our new cover story is on the threat posed to German and Europe by China’s industrial model and its decision to exploit its stranglehold on chips/rare earths. Based on my reporting from Berlin and a trot around the Mittelstand in the Black Forest.
economist.com/briefing/202...
economist.com/briefing/202...
It’s misleading that we refer to crazy diplomatic initiatives as “drug deals”, drug deals tend to be very specific, enforceable and realistic
November 21, 2025 at 9:04 AM
It’s misleading that we refer to crazy diplomatic initiatives as “drug deals”, drug deals tend to be very specific, enforceable and realistic
Reposted by Matt Steinglass
Trump is calling for the six Democratic lawmakers who urged the military not to follow any illegal orders to be arrested, and he’s reposting replies saying they should be hanged and calling them terrorists.
November 20, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Trump is calling for the six Democratic lawmakers who urged the military not to follow any illegal orders to be arrested, and he’s reposting replies saying they should be hanged and calling them terrorists.