Okabeep
@okabeep.bsky.social
Mostly lurking OSINT or global news/politics. May occasionally do some geolocation, make hot takes, or post something mildly amusing.
Reposted by Okabeep
France to ban officials from using American video conference tools including Zoom and Teams.
France to ban officials from US video tools including Zoom, Teams
The government wants staff to shun Silicon Valley and shift to its home-grown Visio platform instead.
www.politico.eu
January 27, 2026 at 8:24 PM
France to ban officials from using American video conference tools including Zoom and Teams.
Reposted by Okabeep
Weird statement by Rutte. First, it is obviously wrong. Given time and the necessary investments, Europe can of course defend itself without U.S.
And second: Why undermine European deterrence like that? This message increases the risk that Putin will try to exploit the current fracture in NATO.
And second: Why undermine European deterrence like that? This message increases the risk that Putin will try to exploit the current fracture in NATO.
“If anyone thinks here ... that the European Union or Europe as a whole can defend itself without the U.S., keep on dreaming,” he told lawmakers on the European Parliament’s defense and foreign affairs committees. “You can't.”
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe can’t defend itself without the US, NATO’s Rutte warns
The EU should stop dreaming of creating a European pillar for NATO and continue to build ties with the U.S. despite Trump, the alliance secretary-general said.
www.politico.eu
January 27, 2026 at 6:15 AM
Weird statement by Rutte. First, it is obviously wrong. Given time and the necessary investments, Europe can of course defend itself without U.S.
And second: Why undermine European deterrence like that? This message increases the risk that Putin will try to exploit the current fracture in NATO.
And second: Why undermine European deterrence like that? This message increases the risk that Putin will try to exploit the current fracture in NATO.
Reposted by Okabeep
I know that when I say uncomfortable things about US actions, both toward allies and internally, I lose some support from conservative circles in the U.S. But that doesn’t matter to me, because being on the right side of history and standing with the Americans who stood with us is far more important
January 25, 2026 at 6:03 AM
I know that when I say uncomfortable things about US actions, both toward allies and internally, I lose some support from conservative circles in the U.S. But that doesn’t matter to me, because being on the right side of history and standing with the Americans who stood with us is far more important
Reposted by Okabeep
The video also shows that the agent who fired the shots drew his weapon as the other agent, wearing a grey jacket, removed the victim’s handgun from the holster in his waistband.
January 24, 2026 at 10:06 PM
The video also shows that the agent who fired the shots drew his weapon as the other agent, wearing a grey jacket, removed the victim’s handgun from the holster in his waistband.
Reposted by Okabeep
The agent grabs his arm, startling him and causing him to fire one round. After being shot, the victim attempts to get up and is able to do so because the other agents release him, having also been startled. The shooting agent then fires rounds two, three, and four at the victim.
January 24, 2026 at 10:06 PM
The agent grabs his arm, startling him and causing him to fire one round. After being shot, the victim attempts to get up and is able to do so because the other agents release him, having also been startled. The shooting agent then fires rounds two, three, and four at the victim.
Reposted by Okabeep
🧵The final agent to enter the frame approaches the agent who fired the shots from behind. During this approach, he accidentally grabs the other agent’s left arm. This leads the agent to believe that someone is trying to grab his weapon, causing him to discharge the first shot.
January 24, 2026 at 10:06 PM
🧵The final agent to enter the frame approaches the agent who fired the shots from behind. During this approach, he accidentally grabs the other agent’s left arm. This leads the agent to believe that someone is trying to grab his weapon, causing him to discharge the first shot.
Reposted by Okabeep
For years, American conservatives have preached about the 2nd Amendment, open carry, and federal authority, yet when a US citizen is shot by federal law enforcement, they rush to conclusions before any investigation has even begun. It has always been about hollow partisanship
January 24, 2026 at 7:31 PM
For years, American conservatives have preached about the 2nd Amendment, open carry, and federal authority, yet when a US citizen is shot by federal law enforcement, they rush to conclusions before any investigation has even begun. It has always been about hollow partisanship
Reposted by Okabeep
Treat the US government and ICE claims like you'd treat a Russian government claim after they've shot down an airliner or bombed a hospital. America 2026.
January 24, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Treat the US government and ICE claims like you'd treat a Russian government claim after they've shot down an airliner or bombed a hospital. America 2026.
Reposted by Okabeep
Looks very likely that the man killed by ICE was disarmed by an ICE agent prior to being shot several times.
An agent walks away with a handgun that matches the handgun the man was carrying.
An agent walks away with a handgun that matches the handgun the man was carrying.
January 24, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Looks very likely that the man killed by ICE was disarmed by an ICE agent prior to being shot several times.
An agent walks away with a handgun that matches the handgun the man was carrying.
An agent walks away with a handgun that matches the handgun the man was carrying.
Reposted by Okabeep
Imagine going back 15 years and telling Republicans this:
One day, you will cheer federal agents for killing people who were carrying firearms while exercising their Second Amendment rights.
One day, you will cheer federal agents for killing people who were carrying firearms while exercising their Second Amendment rights.
January 24, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Imagine going back 15 years and telling Republicans this:
One day, you will cheer federal agents for killing people who were carrying firearms while exercising their Second Amendment rights.
One day, you will cheer federal agents for killing people who were carrying firearms while exercising their Second Amendment rights.
Reposted by Okabeep
The brilliance of Carney's "Sign in the Window" speech was that he was not attacking totalitarianism, but the hypocrisy of liberal democracies. It's about how we pretended to believe the fiction of a rules-based international order because it was convenient—and that time has come to be honest.
“The system’s power comes not from its truth but from everyone’s willingness to perform as if it were true.”
Mark Carney explains how totalitarianism works.
The lesson couldn’t be more clear: do not obey in advance. That is how freedom erodes and dignity disappears.
Mark Carney explains how totalitarianism works.
The lesson couldn’t be more clear: do not obey in advance. That is how freedom erodes and dignity disappears.
January 22, 2026 at 8:24 AM
The brilliance of Carney's "Sign in the Window" speech was that he was not attacking totalitarianism, but the hypocrisy of liberal democracies. It's about how we pretended to believe the fiction of a rules-based international order because it was convenient—and that time has come to be honest.
Reposted by Okabeep
/2. After the 9/11 attacks, the United States activated Article 5 of NATO, calling for help and support. Allies responded. During the war in Afghanistan, coalition countries other than the U.S. lost around 1,100–1,200 of their soldiers.
January 22, 2026 at 2:13 PM
/2. After the 9/11 attacks, the United States activated Article 5 of NATO, calling for help and support. Allies responded. During the war in Afghanistan, coalition countries other than the U.S. lost around 1,100–1,200 of their soldiers.
Reposted by Okabeep
/thread/
There is an ongoing debate about the current size of the Russian AFV fleet, losses it has taken, new production level storage+reactivation, etc.
Here is my take on the topic
There is an ongoing debate about the current size of the Russian AFV fleet, losses it has taken, new production level storage+reactivation, etc.
Here is my take on the topic
January 22, 2026 at 4:10 PM
/thread/
There is an ongoing debate about the current size of the Russian AFV fleet, losses it has taken, new production level storage+reactivation, etc.
Here is my take on the topic
There is an ongoing debate about the current size of the Russian AFV fleet, losses it has taken, new production level storage+reactivation, etc.
Here is my take on the topic
Reposted by Okabeep
My Republican colleagues must take notice:
The U.S. cannot base foreign policy on whether or not a president gets a prize.
This is pathetic.
It is petty and dangerous narcissism — behavior we might expect from a spoiled child, not the leader of a democratic nation.
The U.S. cannot base foreign policy on whether or not a president gets a prize.
This is pathetic.
It is petty and dangerous narcissism — behavior we might expect from a spoiled child, not the leader of a democratic nation.
Breaking News: President Trump told Norway’s prime minister that one reason he’s pushing to acquire Greenland is because he didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Denied Peace Prize, Trump Tells Norway He’ll Push for Greenland
In a text message, President Trump told Norway’s prime minister he no longer felt obliged to “think purely of Peace” and that the world would not be secure until America controlled the island.
nyti.ms
January 19, 2026 at 9:47 PM
My Republican colleagues must take notice:
The U.S. cannot base foreign policy on whether or not a president gets a prize.
This is pathetic.
It is petty and dangerous narcissism — behavior we might expect from a spoiled child, not the leader of a democratic nation.
The U.S. cannot base foreign policy on whether or not a president gets a prize.
This is pathetic.
It is petty and dangerous narcissism — behavior we might expect from a spoiled child, not the leader of a democratic nation.
Reposted by Okabeep
In a letter to multiple European ambassadors today, President Trump says that because Norway failed to give him a Nobel Peace Prize, “I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace”
The letter goes on to demand “complete and total control of Greenland.”
The letter goes on to demand “complete and total control of Greenland.”
January 19, 2026 at 6:16 AM
In a letter to multiple European ambassadors today, President Trump says that because Norway failed to give him a Nobel Peace Prize, “I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace”
The letter goes on to demand “complete and total control of Greenland.”
The letter goes on to demand “complete and total control of Greenland.”
Reposted by Okabeep
“Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace” - Trump in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Norway
January 19, 2026 at 6:56 AM
“Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace” - Trump in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Norway
Reposted by Okabeep
Reposted by Okabeep
Trump can put a million-percent tariffs on Denmark, and it still doesn't change the answer about Greenland. There are only two possible endings to this bizarre story. Either Trump gives up, or else he goes through with a military invasion.
January 17, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Trump can put a million-percent tariffs on Denmark, and it still doesn't change the answer about Greenland. There are only two possible endings to this bizarre story. Either Trump gives up, or else he goes through with a military invasion.
Reposted by Okabeep
Saying this without judging religions or ideological beliefs as such, I find a dark amusement in watching millions who claim to be devout Christians and defenders of traditional family values cheer for the death of a woman, strip protections from the needy, separate families, and celebrate wars
January 9, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Saying this without judging religions or ideological beliefs as such, I find a dark amusement in watching millions who claim to be devout Christians and defenders of traditional family values cheer for the death of a woman, strip protections from the needy, separate families, and celebrate wars
Reposted by Okabeep
Reposted by Okabeep
When I said last year that the average American MAGA supporter closely resembles a Russian vatnik in both mindset and ideology, I meant it seriously.
January 5, 2026 at 5:01 AM
When I said last year that the average American MAGA supporter closely resembles a Russian vatnik in both mindset and ideology, I meant it seriously.
@anderspucknielsen.dk is as spot on and succinct as always. It shouldn't be possible, but most commentators (shockingly, even European commentators) seem to be understating or missing entirely how fundamentally different US foreign policy is from what we have come to expect.
youtu.be/9T4hx4KjyQ8
youtu.be/9T4hx4KjyQ8
Trump’s attack on Venezuela signals a new era of U.S. imperialism
YouTube video by Anders Puck Nielsen
youtu.be
January 4, 2026 at 6:18 PM
@anderspucknielsen.dk is as spot on and succinct as always. It shouldn't be possible, but most commentators (shockingly, even European commentators) seem to be understating or missing entirely how fundamentally different US foreign policy is from what we have come to expect.
youtu.be/9T4hx4KjyQ8
youtu.be/9T4hx4KjyQ8
Reposted by Okabeep
Chairman JCOS: “Months of planning…”
soooo not an imminent threat justifying self-defense
soooo not an imminent threat justifying self-defense
January 3, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Chairman JCOS: “Months of planning…”
soooo not an imminent threat justifying self-defense
soooo not an imminent threat justifying self-defense
Reposted by Okabeep
There are huge risks the US is walking into around Venezuela that could lead to scenarios I outlined below 5 weeks ago
But as with any dictatorship, Maduro's weak internal legitimacy made him and Venezuela vulnerable to external military intervention
bsky.app/profile/aphc...
But as with any dictatorship, Maduro's weak internal legitimacy made him and Venezuela vulnerable to external military intervention
bsky.app/profile/aphc...
Plausible worst case scenario with Venezuela in four steps:
1. Rubio and Venezuelan exiles sell the idea of decapitation strikes against Maduro to Trump as the one big thing that solves Venezuela, cartels and Cuba for the US.
1. Rubio and Venezuelan exiles sell the idea of decapitation strikes against Maduro to Trump as the one big thing that solves Venezuela, cartels and Cuba for the US.
January 3, 2026 at 10:54 AM
There are huge risks the US is walking into around Venezuela that could lead to scenarios I outlined below 5 weeks ago
But as with any dictatorship, Maduro's weak internal legitimacy made him and Venezuela vulnerable to external military intervention
bsky.app/profile/aphc...
But as with any dictatorship, Maduro's weak internal legitimacy made him and Venezuela vulnerable to external military intervention
bsky.app/profile/aphc...
Reposted by Okabeep
It’s possible to hold both views at once: that Maduro was a tin-pot dictator who deserved to be removed from power, and that unauthorised military action to depose a foreign head of state is a troubling development. Especially given Trump’s rhetoric towards other nations.
January 3, 2026 at 12:11 PM
It’s possible to hold both views at once: that Maduro was a tin-pot dictator who deserved to be removed from power, and that unauthorised military action to depose a foreign head of state is a troubling development. Especially given Trump’s rhetoric towards other nations.