Robert
@robertl95.bsky.social
Dutchman in Berlin📍| Слава Україні! 🇺🇦 | Data Analytics |
An excellent read on the shifting views in the country I now call home.
While Germany is often berated for how little it is doing, the country is truly undergoing a momentous shift in its perception of its own military and its role in the world.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
While Germany is often berated for how little it is doing, the country is truly undergoing a momentous shift in its perception of its own military and its role in the world.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
The New German War Machine
After World War II, Germany embraced pacifism as a form of atonement. Now the country is arming itself again.
www.theatlantic.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:01 PM
An excellent read on the shifting views in the country I now call home.
While Germany is often berated for how little it is doing, the country is truly undergoing a momentous shift in its perception of its own military and its role in the world.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
While Germany is often berated for how little it is doing, the country is truly undergoing a momentous shift in its perception of its own military and its role in the world.
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
@kajakallas.bsky.social said it before, so did @anneapplebaum.bsky.social it's how the Soviets before and Russia now negotiate and view the world. Everything is seen as weakness and submission, except for a show of strength!
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Putin Lives by a Code Trump Doesn’t Understand
Where Trump sees a deal, Putin sees submission.
www.theatlantic.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:45 AM
@kajakallas.bsky.social said it before, so did @anneapplebaum.bsky.social it's how the Soviets before and Russia now negotiate and view the world. Everything is seen as weakness and submission, except for a show of strength!
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
www.theatlantic.com/internationa...
Essential reading! A clear summary of the past and vision for the future by Stubb.
Eastern European voices (Finland included, as I always joke with a friend there) are crucial right now. They speak from experience yet remain grossly undervalued.
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Eastern European voices (Finland included, as I always joke with a friend there) are crucial right now. They speak from experience yet remain grossly undervalued.
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
The West’s Last Chance
How to build a new global order before it’s too late.
www.foreignaffairs.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Essential reading! A clear summary of the past and vision for the future by Stubb.
Eastern European voices (Finland included, as I always joke with a friend there) are crucial right now. They speak from experience yet remain grossly undervalued.
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Eastern European voices (Finland included, as I always joke with a friend there) are crucial right now. They speak from experience yet remain grossly undervalued.
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
I truly hope Europe is waking up more than it lets on. Wargames are a good sign.
"The wargame in November offered a glimpse of the alliance’s likely future as President Donald Trump reduces US deployments in Europe .. defending the continent largely without the US."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"The wargame in November offered a glimpse of the alliance’s likely future as President Donald Trump reduces US deployments in Europe .. defending the continent largely without the US."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
NATO Is Preparing to Confront Russia With Limited US Support
The worst-case scenario is now a possible one: European troops fighting off an invasion largely alone
www.bloomberg.com
December 7, 2025 at 10:45 AM
I truly hope Europe is waking up more than it lets on. Wargames are a good sign.
"The wargame in November offered a glimpse of the alliance’s likely future as President Donald Trump reduces US deployments in Europe .. defending the continent largely without the US."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"The wargame in November offered a glimpse of the alliance’s likely future as President Donald Trump reduces US deployments in Europe .. defending the continent largely without the US."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
As always, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes"
It's essential to listen to the people with first-hand knowledge of the past. As Sir Braithwaite, a former British ambassador, said "I certainly keep open the possibility that Putin could suddenly disappear”
inews.co.uk/news/world/u...
It's essential to listen to the people with first-hand knowledge of the past. As Sir Braithwaite, a former British ambassador, said "I certainly keep open the possibility that Putin could suddenly disappear”
inews.co.uk/news/world/u...
I was the UK's last Soviet Union ambassador - here's how Putin can lose
These are dangerous times for Putin, according to Sir Rodric Braithwaite, a former British diplomat who has seen firsthand how Russia can unexpectedly turn on apparently powerful leaders
inews.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 10:35 AM
As always, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes"
It's essential to listen to the people with first-hand knowledge of the past. As Sir Braithwaite, a former British ambassador, said "I certainly keep open the possibility that Putin could suddenly disappear”
inews.co.uk/news/world/u...
It's essential to listen to the people with first-hand knowledge of the past. As Sir Braithwaite, a former British ambassador, said "I certainly keep open the possibility that Putin could suddenly disappear”
inews.co.uk/news/world/u...
Reposted by Robert
Poland‘s Vice President Radoslaw Sikorski absolutely torches Elon Musk.
December 6, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Poland‘s Vice President Radoslaw Sikorski absolutely torches Elon Musk.
Reposted by Robert
I may be overdoing it with the optimism, but I think it’s good to have if black on white. Makes it easier for (or forces) European politicians to adjust.
Also, the policy spelled out in the strategy to interfere in European affairs for the benefit of the far right hopefully backfires.
Also, the policy spelled out in the strategy to interfere in European affairs for the benefit of the far right hopefully backfires.
The headline, the main takeaway from a European viewpoint is this:
The transatlantic relationship as we know it is over. Yes, we kinda knew this. But this is now official US White House policy. Not a sppech, not a statement. The West as it used to be no longer exists.
The transatlantic relationship as we know it is over. Yes, we kinda knew this. But this is now official US White House policy. Not a sppech, not a statement. The West as it used to be no longer exists.
December 5, 2025 at 10:14 AM
I may be overdoing it with the optimism, but I think it’s good to have if black on white. Makes it easier for (or forces) European politicians to adjust.
Also, the policy spelled out in the strategy to interfere in European affairs for the benefit of the far right hopefully backfires.
Also, the policy spelled out in the strategy to interfere in European affairs for the benefit of the far right hopefully backfires.
Reposted by Robert
A few thoughts on the new US national security strategy that was released today.
🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 9:49 AM
A few thoughts on the new US national security strategy that was released today.
🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Robert
"Theoretically, by doing the right things, in 10 years Ukraine’s GDP could surpass Russia’s GDP." - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with Fox News.
December 3, 2025 at 9:13 AM
"Theoretically, by doing the right things, in 10 years Ukraine’s GDP could surpass Russia’s GDP." - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with Fox News.
Reposted by Robert
'Freuding had once been able to text American defense officials “day and night,” he said, but lately communication with his counterparts in Washington had been “cut off, really cut off.”' www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
The New German War Machine
After World War II, Germany embraced pacifism as a form of atonement. Now the country is arming itself again.
www.theatlantic.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:20 PM
'Freuding had once been able to text American defense officials “day and night,” he said, but lately communication with his counterparts in Washington had been “cut off, really cut off.”' www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...
Reposted by Robert
Can’t decide who this is worse for, the EU or the UK. But the real looser, of course, is European defence. So all of us.
on.ft.com/4pb0xP6
UK talks to join EU defence fund break down
on.ft.com/4pb0xP6
UK talks to join EU defence fund break down
UK talks to join EU defence fund break down
Discussions fail after Britain refuses to pay billions of euros in fees
on.ft.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Can’t decide who this is worse for, the EU or the UK. But the real looser, of course, is European defence. So all of us.
on.ft.com/4pb0xP6
UK talks to join EU defence fund break down
on.ft.com/4pb0xP6
UK talks to join EU defence fund break down
Maybe that's why the BBC removed the first sentence of @rutgerbregman.com's speech. This is simply corrupt, not "openly corrupt".
Great, and very necessary reporting by the @wsj.com, it's essential reading!
Great, and very necessary reporting by the @wsj.com, it's essential reading!
"By dangling multibillion-dollar rare-earth and energy deals, Moscow could reshape the economic map of Europe—while driving a wedge between America and its traditional allies"
Read this excellent @wsj.com account of the business deals behind the "peace"negotiations
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Read this excellent @wsj.com account of the business deals behind the "peace"negotiations
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
www.wsj.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Maybe that's why the BBC removed the first sentence of @rutgerbregman.com's speech. This is simply corrupt, not "openly corrupt".
Great, and very necessary reporting by the @wsj.com, it's essential reading!
Great, and very necessary reporting by the @wsj.com, it's essential reading!
Reposted by Robert
Hier de context die ik onlangs schetste over Jermak en het grote corruptieschandaal, voor @platformraam.nl
Zelensky's macht wankelt door corruptie binnen zijn eigen kring
platformraam.nl
November 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Hier de context die ik onlangs schetste over Jermak en het grote corruptieschandaal, voor @platformraam.nl
Important research by @ftm.nl, @tagesanzeiger.bsky.social, @papertrailmedia.de, @expressense.bsky.social, @derstandard.at, @vsquare.bsky.social, @meduza.io and the Estonian Delfi shows how little remains unpoliticized in Russia; what we've seen with sports before we can now see with the Red Cross.
Door de modder kruipen, wapens in elkaar zetten en drones besturen: zo zien Russische militaire wedstrijden voor kinderen eruit. Mede georganiseerd door regionale afdelingen van het Russische Rode Kruis. Toch ontvangen ze jaarlijks miljoenen van de internationale organisatie.
Hoe het Kremlin het Russische Rode Kruis overneemt
Van oorsprong is het Rode Kruis neutraal. Toch geeft de Russische afdeling militaire training aan kinderen, maakt het gebruik van propagandanetwerken en is het actief in het bezette Oekraïne. Financie...
www.ftm.nl
November 25, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Important research by @ftm.nl, @tagesanzeiger.bsky.social, @papertrailmedia.de, @expressense.bsky.social, @derstandard.at, @vsquare.bsky.social, @meduza.io and the Estonian Delfi shows how little remains unpoliticized in Russia; what we've seen with sports before we can now see with the Red Cross.
Reposted by Robert
This story should be covered waaaaayy more than it is.
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
Nicolas Guillou, French ICC judge sanctioned by the US: 'You are effectively blacklisted by much of the world's banking system'
Six judges and three prosecutors at the International Criminal Court have been sanctioned by the Trump administration. In an interview with Le Monde, Guillou discusses the impact of these measures on ...
www.lemonde.fr
November 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
This story should be covered waaaaayy more than it is.
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
Reposted by Robert
"The president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner"
Something something Hunter Biden something something
Immediate, presidency-ending, unprecedentedly corrupt & nepotistic scandal for any president since Truman. Buried and totally normalized in paragraph 11.
Something something Hunter Biden something something
Immediate, presidency-ending, unprecedentedly corrupt & nepotistic scandal for any president since Truman. Buried and totally normalized in paragraph 11.
November 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
"The president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner"
Something something Hunter Biden something something
Immediate, presidency-ending, unprecedentedly corrupt & nepotistic scandal for any president since Truman. Buried and totally normalized in paragraph 11.
Something something Hunter Biden something something
Immediate, presidency-ending, unprecedentedly corrupt & nepotistic scandal for any president since Truman. Buried and totally normalized in paragraph 11.
Reposted by Robert
Although the scale of this is still to be assessed, this is the inevitable outcome of the monetization of the algorithm. Rage-bait becomes a personal revenue model. Nothing about this should be a surprise.
NEWS: I spent the past 24 hours going through major MAGA accounts on Twitter, and a bombshell development has become clear: most of the right-wing ecosphere is being fed propaganda from foreign actors.
This impacts elections. This impacts discourse. This is major. Subscribe to support my work:
This impacts elections. This impacts discourse. This is major. Subscribe to support my work:
NEWS: Major MAGA Accounts on Twitter Exposed as Foreign Actors
A stunning development over the past 24 hours.
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Although the scale of this is still to be assessed, this is the inevitable outcome of the monetization of the algorithm. Rage-bait becomes a personal revenue model. Nothing about this should be a surprise.
Reposted by Robert
I wrote about the fake account blowup on X this weekend. A genuine post-truth nightmare and proof that these companies have polluted their platforms so thoroughly and traded reality for profit that they've undermined the very idea of what the internet is supposed to be.
That MAGA Account Might Be a Troll From Pakistan
How X blew up its own platform with a new location feature
www.theatlantic.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I wrote about the fake account blowup on X this weekend. A genuine post-truth nightmare and proof that these companies have polluted their platforms so thoroughly and traded reality for profit that they've undermined the very idea of what the internet is supposed to be.
Reposted by Robert
This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump Has a Recipe for War and Corruption, Not Peace
Who would benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:11 AM
This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Robert
Bellingcat’s contact email has always been a magnet for people with fairly unusual views; paranoid delusions, sprawling conspiracies, the works. But recently, the pattern has shifted, we’re seeing more and more emails clearly written with ChatGPT.
November 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Bellingcat’s contact email has always been a magnet for people with fairly unusual views; paranoid delusions, sprawling conspiracies, the works. But recently, the pattern has shifted, we’re seeing more and more emails clearly written with ChatGPT.
Reposted by Robert
‘Ik verwijt mezelf dat ik een lafaard ben.’ Deze Oekraïense man verstopt zich thuis, uit vrees voor mobilisatie. Ik mocht langskomen.
(nu met gift-link 🎁)
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
(nu met gift-link 🎁)
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
‘Ik verwijt mezelf dat ik een lafaard ben.’ Deze Oekraïense man verstopt zich thuis, uit vrees voor mobilisatie
Oorlog in Oekraïne: Sinds hij een keer door een mobilisatieteam staande werd gehouden op straat, leeft A. ondergedoken. De angst om gewond te raken verlamt hem. „Ik ben niet zo’n geharde vent. Ik voel...
www.nrc.nl
November 19, 2025 at 10:13 AM
‘Ik verwijt mezelf dat ik een lafaard ben.’ Deze Oekraïense man verstopt zich thuis, uit vrees voor mobilisatie. Ik mocht langskomen.
(nu met gift-link 🎁)
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
(nu met gift-link 🎁)
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Reposted by Robert
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Reposted by Robert
"academic publishing is dominated by profit-oriented, multinational companies for whom scientific knowledge is a commodity to be sold back to the academic community who created it... The dominant four collectively generated... $12 billion in profits between 2019 and 2024."
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 AM
"academic publishing is dominated by profit-oriented, multinational companies for whom scientific knowledge is a commodity to be sold back to the academic community who created it... The dominant four collectively generated... $12 billion in profits between 2019 and 2024."
Reposted by Robert
Ships carrying Russian oil are increasingly hiding final destination in bid to escape US sanctions
• On paper, amount of Russian oil heading to China and India appears to be falling steeply
• Yet huge quantities of oil on vessels hiding final destination suggests exports to China and India continue
• On paper, amount of Russian oil heading to China and India appears to be falling steeply
• Yet huge quantities of oil on vessels hiding final destination suggests exports to China and India continue
November 17, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Ships carrying Russian oil are increasingly hiding final destination in bid to escape US sanctions
• On paper, amount of Russian oil heading to China and India appears to be falling steeply
• Yet huge quantities of oil on vessels hiding final destination suggests exports to China and India continue
• On paper, amount of Russian oil heading to China and India appears to be falling steeply
• Yet huge quantities of oil on vessels hiding final destination suggests exports to China and India continue
Amazing to see Western F-16s being used to their full potential. It really makes you wonder how much more equipment we have sitting around ‘just in case.’ That ‘just in case’ moment is already here, and the more Ukraine can halt Russian advances, the fewer resources we'll ultimately need later.
Ukrainian F-16 technicians work non-stop, even under Russian strikes.
They prepare the fighter jets for missions, servicing the aircraft several times a day and enabling dozens of sorties from a single airfield.
"We are ready to stay awake through the night if it means destroying the enemy.
They prepare the fighter jets for missions, servicing the aircraft several times a day and enabling dozens of sorties from a single airfield.
"We are ready to stay awake through the night if it means destroying the enemy.
November 17, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Amazing to see Western F-16s being used to their full potential. It really makes you wonder how much more equipment we have sitting around ‘just in case.’ That ‘just in case’ moment is already here, and the more Ukraine can halt Russian advances, the fewer resources we'll ultimately need later.