Reposted by Simon B.-M.
Trump is trying to force US oil companies to rebuild Venezuelan oil fields that are too expensive to invest in at current crude prices while a full blown energy revolution is happening with cheap solar and electrification growing exponentially.
This is a dying empire shit.
This is a dying empire shit.
a lot of interesting revelations between the lines of this story www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 4, 2026 at 1:34 AM
Trump is trying to force US oil companies to rebuild Venezuelan oil fields that are too expensive to invest in at current crude prices while a full blown energy revolution is happening with cheap solar and electrification growing exponentially.
This is a dying empire shit.
This is a dying empire shit.
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
Es braucht auf jedenfall *irgendetwas* was die Kosten für Invasion Grönlands für die USA massiv erhöht - etwas was im Vorfeld bekannt ist, glaubwürdig durchhaltbar ist und klar kommuniziert ist, bzw. sogar als Automatismus ausgelöst wird in dem Fall der Fälle.
Die EU sollte in Zusammenarbeit mit der regionalen Regierung Grönlands und Kanada überlegen wer wieviele Truppen stationiert, um einen Angriff zu verhindern.
January 4, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Es braucht auf jedenfall *irgendetwas* was die Kosten für Invasion Grönlands für die USA massiv erhöht - etwas was im Vorfeld bekannt ist, glaubwürdig durchhaltbar ist und klar kommuniziert ist, bzw. sogar als Automatismus ausgelöst wird in dem Fall der Fälle.
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
NB this piece is from a couple of months ago - published in October - but certainly it’s very interesting context.
"Senior Venezuelan government officials, led by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez...have quietly promoted a series of initiatives in recent months aimed at presenting themselves to Washington as a “more acceptable” alternative to Nicolás Maduro’s regime...funneled through intermediaries in Qatar."
Exclusive: Venezuelan leaders offered U.S. a path to stay in power without Maduro
Delcy and Jorge Rodríguez used Doha backchannels to offer Washington a 'Cartel Light' plan for a managed Venezuela transition that keeps chavismo in power.
www.miamiherald.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:11 AM
NB this piece is from a couple of months ago - published in October - but certainly it’s very interesting context.
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
Moulton: "When we had briefings on Venezuela, we asked, 'Are you going to invade the country?' We were told no. 'Do you plan to put troops on the ground?' We were told no. 'Do you intend regime change in VZ?' We were told no. So in a sense, we have been briefed, we've just been completely lied to"
January 3, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Moulton: "When we had briefings on Venezuela, we asked, 'Are you going to invade the country?' We were told no. 'Do you plan to put troops on the ground?' We were told no. 'Do you intend regime change in VZ?' We were told no. So in a sense, we have been briefed, we've just been completely lied to"
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
Trump's audacious and probably illegal capture of a Venezuelan leader of doubtful legality suggests he believes he has the right to intervene, i.e. grab what he wants, anywhere in the western hemisphere. Europe, already worried by Trump's Greenland rhetoric, has been warned
January 3, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Trump's audacious and probably illegal capture of a Venezuelan leader of doubtful legality suggests he believes he has the right to intervene, i.e. grab what he wants, anywhere in the western hemisphere. Europe, already worried by Trump's Greenland rhetoric, has been warned
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
The president of Venezuela must be held legally accountable for his crimes, which the Supreme Court forbids to happen for the president of the US, who recently pardoned the president of Honduras for similar crimes.
January 3, 2026 at 12:11 PM
The president of Venezuela must be held legally accountable for his crimes, which the Supreme Court forbids to happen for the president of the US, who recently pardoned the president of Honduras for similar crimes.
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
100% seriously, European leaders and Commission officials should plan on the basis that the US might do this to them too, about Greenland, about tech regulation, about “Christian values”, about “free speech”, whatever.
Fucking hell.
Think the referance to US Law Enforcement here is quite telling as well: a huge extension of how far the US feels its laws reach.
Apparently its fine to now attack and kidnap a head of state because of 'US law'. Fucking hell.
Think the referance to US Law Enforcement here is quite telling as well: a huge extension of how far the US feels its laws reach.
Apparently its fine to now attack and kidnap a head of state because of 'US law'. Fucking hell.
Trump says Maduro is in US custody.
January 3, 2026 at 9:59 AM
100% seriously, European leaders and Commission officials should plan on the basis that the US might do this to them too, about Greenland, about tech regulation, about “Christian values”, about “free speech”, whatever.
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
Two questions:
1. Do we still have a War Powers Act, which prevents a president from carrying out military aggression without Congress’s consent?
2. Do we still have a Congress?
1. Do we still have a War Powers Act, which prevents a president from carrying out military aggression without Congress’s consent?
2. Do we still have a Congress?
January 3, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Two questions:
1. Do we still have a War Powers Act, which prevents a president from carrying out military aggression without Congress’s consent?
2. Do we still have a Congress?
1. Do we still have a War Powers Act, which prevents a president from carrying out military aggression without Congress’s consent?
2. Do we still have a Congress?
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
“Putin is like the Wizard of Oz: scary and thunderous but eventually revealed as the little man behind the curtain, obsessed with levers, smoke, and his own voice. The moment the curtain moves, the magic disappears.”
www.kyivpost.com/opinion/67259
www.kyivpost.com/opinion/67259
Opinion: Putin’s Threats to Europe: Anatomy of a Great Deception
Putin’s bluff relies on his opponent not looking at the cards, as he seeks to turn Europe’s insecurity into his own projection of strength.
www.kyivpost.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:33 PM
“Putin is like the Wizard of Oz: scary and thunderous but eventually revealed as the little man behind the curtain, obsessed with levers, smoke, and his own voice. The moment the curtain moves, the magic disappears.”
www.kyivpost.com/opinion/67259
www.kyivpost.com/opinion/67259
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
It's New Year, so time to look back and forward. These are 10 things I think we need to recognise in 2026. It’s a response to what I think are profoundly damaging mistaken assumptions I’ve heard and read from practitioners, journalists, and analysts in 2025. Warning: very long🧵
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
It's New Year, so time to look back and forward. These are 10 things I think we need to recognise in 2026. It’s a response to what I think are profoundly damaging mistaken assumptions I’ve heard and read from practitioners, journalists, and analysts in 2025. Warning: very long🧵
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
Trump may be extreme in all sorts of ways, but looking at the last 30 years of US politics, there’s no reason to think of Trump as an anomaly.
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Trump may be extreme in all sorts of ways, but looking at the last 30 years of US politics, there’s no reason to think of Trump as an anomaly.
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
Sobering but necessary read. The USA has changed sides. That is the reality of the situation.
Phillips O'Brien: 2025 In Review: The Year The US Changed Sides open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
2025 In Review: The Year The US Changed Sides
Amongst many stories, one stands out
open.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Sobering but necessary read. The USA has changed sides. That is the reality of the situation.
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
« Le pouvoir russe, une fusion entre KGB et crime organisé » : exilé depuis trois ans, Dmitry Glukhovsky décrit pourquoi Vladimir Poutine, président mais aussi « capitaliste numéro un » de la Russie, a besoin de déstabiliser les régimes démocratiques à ses portes.
www.mediapart.fr/journal/inte...
www.mediapart.fr/journal/inte...
Dmitry Glukhovsky : « Le pouvoir russe, une fusion entre KGB et crime organisé »
L’auteur de la trilogie « Metro » décrit pourquoi Vladimir Poutine, président mais aussi « capitaliste numéro un » de la Russie, a besoin de déstabiliser les régimes démocratiques à ses portes. Exilé…
www.mediapart.fr
December 31, 2025 at 1:12 PM
« Le pouvoir russe, une fusion entre KGB et crime organisé » : exilé depuis trois ans, Dmitry Glukhovsky décrit pourquoi Vladimir Poutine, président mais aussi « capitaliste numéro un » de la Russie, a besoin de déstabiliser les régimes démocratiques à ses portes.
www.mediapart.fr/journal/inte...
www.mediapart.fr/journal/inte...
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
#bestofblaetter: www.blaetter.de/ausgabe/2025...
»Noch nie in der Geschichte hat eine kleine Gruppe von Menschen so viel Macht akkumuliert wie die Hyperreichen von heute. Man kann durchaus behaupten: Die Welt nähert sich einer globalen Diktatur der Superreichen.«
»Noch nie in der Geschichte hat eine kleine Gruppe von Menschen so viel Macht akkumuliert wie die Hyperreichen von heute. Man kann durchaus behaupten: Die Welt nähert sich einer globalen Diktatur der Superreichen.«
Globales Elend und die Diktatur der Superreichen
Sie düsen in Privatjets um die Welt, um Immobilien und Konzernketten an sich zu reißen. Sie kaufen ganze Landschaften und Inseln, um sich dort im größten Luxus abzukapseln. Sie übernehmen…
www.blaetter.de
December 31, 2025 at 12:02 PM
#bestofblaetter: www.blaetter.de/ausgabe/2025...
»Noch nie in der Geschichte hat eine kleine Gruppe von Menschen so viel Macht akkumuliert wie die Hyperreichen von heute. Man kann durchaus behaupten: Die Welt nähert sich einer globalen Diktatur der Superreichen.«
»Noch nie in der Geschichte hat eine kleine Gruppe von Menschen so viel Macht akkumuliert wie die Hyperreichen von heute. Man kann durchaus behaupten: Die Welt nähert sich einer globalen Diktatur der Superreichen.«
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
Im Übrigen bin ich der Meinung, man kann die AfD nicht oft genug mit der NSDAP vergleichen und ihre Führungspersonen nicht oft genug Faschisten nennen. Hier sind 1108 Seiten Argumente gegen die Normalisierung der Menschenwürde-, Rechtsstaat- und Demokratie-Verächter:
www.spiegel.de/politik/deut...
www.spiegel.de/politik/deut...
(S+) AfD ist rechtsextrem: Hier sind die Belege des Verfassungsschutzes
Auf 1108 Seiten führt der Verfassungsschutz Belege auf, die zeigen sollen: Die gesamte AfD ist rechtsextrem. Der SPIEGEL hat die interne Analyse interaktiv aufbereitet. Welche Politiker mit welchen Au...
www.spiegel.de
December 31, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Im Übrigen bin ich der Meinung, man kann die AfD nicht oft genug mit der NSDAP vergleichen und ihre Führungspersonen nicht oft genug Faschisten nennen. Hier sind 1108 Seiten Argumente gegen die Normalisierung der Menschenwürde-, Rechtsstaat- und Demokratie-Verächter:
www.spiegel.de/politik/deut...
www.spiegel.de/politik/deut...
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
"Was wäre also zu tun in Europa, mit einem US-Präsidenten als Feind im eigenen Bett? Über die fehlende Kraft zur Einigkeit zu jammern, ist billig und zu wenig. Die EU-Schwäche kommt daher, dass die EU-Kommission unter Präsidentin Ursula von der Leyen sowie die
www.derstandard.at/s...
1/4
www.derstandard.at/s...
1/4
Höchste Zeit für die Schaffung der Vereinigten Staaten von Europa
2025 hat gezeigt, dass für Europa die besten Zeiten unter der Schutzmacht USA vorbei sind. Die EU-Staaten müssen den nächsten großen Schritt zur Integration wagen
www.derstandard.at
December 30, 2025 at 7:00 AM
"Was wäre also zu tun in Europa, mit einem US-Präsidenten als Feind im eigenen Bett? Über die fehlende Kraft zur Einigkeit zu jammern, ist billig und zu wenig. Die EU-Schwäche kommt daher, dass die EU-Kommission unter Präsidentin Ursula von der Leyen sowie die
www.derstandard.at/s...
1/4
www.derstandard.at/s...
1/4
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
“Putin believes Europe will surrender due to the absence of political will.”
— Garry Kasparov
— Garry Kasparov
December 30, 2025 at 7:13 PM
“Putin believes Europe will surrender due to the absence of political will.”
— Garry Kasparov
— Garry Kasparov
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
Pu's cheap lying stunt exposed the uselessness of any US security guarantees to Ukraine (or to NATO members fwiw). If Trump believes the aggressor immediately and unconditionally without any evidence, Pu can accuse Ukraine of violating the terms of any peace settlement and voila, no help from the US
🤥 Residents of Valdai in Russia's Novgorod Oblast say they neither saw nor heard any drone strikes or air defence activity on the night of 28-29 December, despite Russian authorities' claims of a drone attack on Russian leader Vladimir Putin's residence.
December 30, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Pu's cheap lying stunt exposed the uselessness of any US security guarantees to Ukraine (or to NATO members fwiw). If Trump believes the aggressor immediately and unconditionally without any evidence, Pu can accuse Ukraine of violating the terms of any peace settlement and voila, no help from the US
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
Cannot agree more. And the lack of ability to recognise the end of the USSR as liberating for societies harmed by Soviet imperialism is a result of decades of marginalization of the perspectives of the very same affected populations. This calls for major long-overdue changes in how knowledge is made
On the 34th anniversary of the end of the USSR, I’m reposting my article from earlier this year, which argued that we should have understood the moment as liberation rather than only as collapse: www.eurozine.com/liberation-n...
Liberation, not collapse
The fall of the Berlin Wall, and not the human chain across the Baltics, is emblematic of 1989. But what if this show of unity had become iconic of communism’s disintegration? Could acknowledging East...
www.eurozine.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Cannot agree more. And the lack of ability to recognise the end of the USSR as liberating for societies harmed by Soviet imperialism is a result of decades of marginalization of the perspectives of the very same affected populations. This calls for major long-overdue changes in how knowledge is made
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
I wrote this in 2018 but it’s worse now. We’ve created our own version of Russian oligarchy and corruption.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Convergence Is Worse Than Collusion
Trump and Putin share many more goals than just Trump’s election.
www.theatlantic.com
December 28, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I wrote this in 2018 but it’s worse now. We’ve created our own version of Russian oligarchy and corruption.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
These talks will fail, just like all the previous ones. They’ll fail because Trump is not serious about putting pressure on Russia. And once they’ll fail, he’ll blame Ukraine and announce further cuts in support. None of this will change until the Europeans decide they actually want Ukraine to win.
So to sum it up - what I got 2 days ago is correct - US claims ownership of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Russia runs it and sells energy to Ukraine. That’s why Trump mentioned the “cheap prices”
Guarantees are on the Europeans. And if this doesn’t work, Trump says, “they’ll just keep dying”.
Guarantees are on the Europeans. And if this doesn’t work, Trump says, “they’ll just keep dying”.
December 28, 2025 at 10:29 PM
These talks will fail, just like all the previous ones. They’ll fail because Trump is not serious about putting pressure on Russia. And once they’ll fail, he’ll blame Ukraine and announce further cuts in support. None of this will change until the Europeans decide they actually want Ukraine to win.
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
The Greenland precedent would then be used by a US government pursuing hemispheric imperialism to press claims against Canada, Mexico and Caricom states
December 28, 2025 at 9:39 AM
The Greenland precedent would then be used by a US government pursuing hemispheric imperialism to press claims against Canada, Mexico and Caricom states
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
"The emergence of the post-literacy world is accompanied by the rise of Medieval Peasant Brain, a mental soup of superstition and magical thinking bolstered by tech-enabled information bubbles."
2025 in review: hegemonic suicide, medieval peasant brain, and other highlights from a very long year
hegemon.substack.com/p/2025-hegem...
hegemon.substack.com/p/2025-hegem...
2025: Hegemonic Suicide and Other Innovations
Every generation, on reaching middle age, begins to see the world around them in decline in order to habituate themselves to their own decay.
hegemon.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:25 PM
"The emergence of the post-literacy world is accompanied by the rise of Medieval Peasant Brain, a mental soup of superstition and magical thinking bolstered by tech-enabled information bubbles."
Reposted by Simon B.-M.
En 2026, l'état du monde sera défini par l'interaction entre un ancien KGBiste rêvant d'immortalité et d'un Empire de mille ans, et un corrompu pris dans un tentaculaire réseau pédophile, les deux rêvant de miner des bitcoins avec l'électricité de la plus centrale nucléaire d'Europe, Zaporijia (1)
December 27, 2025 at 6:09 PM
En 2026, l'état du monde sera défini par l'interaction entre un ancien KGBiste rêvant d'immortalité et d'un Empire de mille ans, et un corrompu pris dans un tentaculaire réseau pédophile, les deux rêvant de miner des bitcoins avec l'électricité de la plus centrale nucléaire d'Europe, Zaporijia (1)