Stanley Pignal
@spignal.bsky.social
Charlemagne columnist & Brussels bureau chief, The Economist.
Past stints in Paris, Mumbai, London. Français. Personal feed.
Bio 👇. https://medium.com/@spignal/stanley-pignal-bio-2acd9b705ceb
[email protected]
Past stints in Paris, Mumbai, London. Français. Personal feed.
Bio 👇. https://medium.com/@spignal/stanley-pignal-bio-2acd9b705ceb
[email protected]
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
Using the well-reputed (and so far accurate) Weyand snapshot barometer, the EU–India deal could be classified as a good one
January 28, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Using the well-reputed (and so far accurate) Weyand snapshot barometer, the EU–India deal could be classified as a good one
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
Early reviews are in:
‘Even if they showed this on a plane, people would still walk out’
‘Even if they showed this on a plane, people would still walk out’
January 28, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Early reviews are in:
‘Even if they showed this on a plane, people would still walk out’
‘Even if they showed this on a plane, people would still walk out’
If you are among those who said "EU GDP was the same size as US GDP in 2008, but then fell to a much lower level", that means you were comparing GDP at current exchange rates.
Logically, you thus have to cheer the fact that EU GDP climbed 2% in one single day today (because USD has fallen 2%)
Logically, you thus have to cheer the fact that EU GDP climbed 2% in one single day today (because USD has fallen 2%)
January 27, 2026 at 9:07 PM
If you are among those who said "EU GDP was the same size as US GDP in 2008, but then fell to a much lower level", that means you were comparing GDP at current exchange rates.
Logically, you thus have to cheer the fact that EU GDP climbed 2% in one single day today (because USD has fallen 2%)
Logically, you thus have to cheer the fact that EU GDP climbed 2% in one single day today (because USD has fallen 2%)
I'm sceptical Europe can replace many American big tech products, like Gmail or Nvidia chips. But Teams, oh man, there is nobody that can make a product that works as badly as bloody Teams.
France announced today it’s phasing out Teams, Zoom, etc. to be replaced with a French/European solution called Visio. The data is hosted on Outscale. Transcripts and subtitles are also handled by French providers. The target is set on 2027 for government agencies.
January 26, 2026 at 7:34 PM
I'm sceptical Europe can replace many American big tech products, like Gmail or Nvidia chips. But Teams, oh man, there is nobody that can make a product that works as badly as bloody Teams.
India, North Korea, China and France -- really the only countries that can put together a military parade worth having. The camels are a fantastic touch.
Long live India.
Long live the friendship between Europe and India.
🇪🇺🇮🇳
Long live the friendship between Europe and India.
🇪🇺🇮🇳
January 26, 2026 at 7:15 PM
India, North Korea, China and France -- really the only countries that can put together a military parade worth having. The camels are a fantastic touch.
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
MAGA military geniuses are talking about Minnesota protestors like they are the Iraqi insurgency, the Taliban, and the Viet Cong all rolled into one.
January 26, 2026 at 5:10 PM
MAGA military geniuses are talking about Minnesota protestors like they are the Iraqi insurgency, the Taliban, and the Viet Cong all rolled into one.
Minus 18 degrees centigrade coming up for Murmansk this week. Hasn't had power for four days. That might sharpen a few minds as to what the Russian government is squandering the natural resource bonanza on.
Meanwhile in the 9th largest economy of the world... "region without power for the fourth consecutive day" www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Power Blackout Hits Russian Arctic Region After Aging Grid Fails
Russia’s Arctic cities of Murmansk and Severomorsk, along with surrounding areas, are without power for a fourth day after aging infrastructure failed amid freezing temperatures.
www.bloomberg.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Minus 18 degrees centigrade coming up for Murmansk this week. Hasn't had power for four days. That might sharpen a few minds as to what the Russian government is squandering the natural resource bonanza on.
A military officer bearing a European Union flag -- both a sign of the times but also will raise a fair few questions back in Europe. A few EU leaders would no doubt have liked to see officers flying 27 national flags instead...
Good to see a contingent representing the European Union, led by Colonel Spruijt acting on behalf of the EU Military Staff, at the #RepublicDay parade.
January 26, 2026 at 11:56 AM
A military officer bearing a European Union flag -- both a sign of the times but also will raise a fair few questions back in Europe. A few EU leaders would no doubt have liked to see officers flying 27 national flags instead...
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
The narcissistic hubris that emanates from Washington makes any enduring alliance impossible, even one as storied as NATO.
Europe has begun to grieve the alliance—but it must also adapt
Europe has begun to grieve the alliance—but it must also adapt
Europe’s five stages of grief for the transatlantic alliance
From denial to bargaining to acceptance that the world has changed
econ.st
January 26, 2026 at 11:40 AM
The narcissistic hubris that emanates from Washington makes any enduring alliance impossible, even one as storied as NATO.
Europe has begun to grieve the alliance—but it must also adapt
Europe has begun to grieve the alliance—but it must also adapt
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
My Charlemagne column this week: REQUIEM
The Atlantic alliance, storied as it might be, is increasingly unworthy of the name. It is dead, or dying.
Europe is going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression -- and soon acceptance.
www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
The Atlantic alliance, storied as it might be, is increasingly unworthy of the name. It is dead, or dying.
Europe is going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression -- and soon acceptance.
www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
Europe’s five stages of grief for the transatlantic alliance
From denial to bargaining to acceptance that the world has changed
www.economist.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:46 PM
My Charlemagne column this week: REQUIEM
The Atlantic alliance, storied as it might be, is increasingly unworthy of the name. It is dead, or dying.
Europe is going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression -- and soon acceptance.
www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
The Atlantic alliance, storied as it might be, is increasingly unworthy of the name. It is dead, or dying.
Europe is going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression -- and soon acceptance.
www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
What are the options for the World Cup, assuming it can't be held in America? Move it all to Canada/Mexico or find a completely new country? Surely a whole bunch of European countries can accommodate relatively easily.
January 24, 2026 at 10:18 PM
What are the options for the World Cup, assuming it can't be held in America? Move it all to Canada/Mexico or find a completely new country? Surely a whole bunch of European countries can accommodate relatively easily.
The very same people ordering untrained federal agents to shoot at protesters have very strong thoughts about how Europe should be run.
Maybe they should think less about Europe and more about Minnesota.
Maybe they should think less about Europe and more about Minnesota.
January 24, 2026 at 8:09 PM
The very same people ordering untrained federal agents to shoot at protesters have very strong thoughts about how Europe should be run.
Maybe they should think less about Europe and more about Minnesota.
Maybe they should think less about Europe and more about Minnesota.
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
ICE is now responsible for 66% of the homicides in Minneapolis this year.
January 24, 2026 at 4:51 PM
ICE is now responsible for 66% of the homicides in Minneapolis this year.
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
It is posited that humans facing the loss of a loved one go through five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance.
Europe has gone through all five—for its alliance with America
Europe has gone through all five—for its alliance with America
Europe’s five stages of grief for the transatlantic alliance
From denial to bargaining to acceptance that the world has changed
econ.st
January 24, 2026 at 6:20 AM
It is posited that humans facing the loss of a loved one go through five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance.
Europe has gone through all five—for its alliance with America
Europe has gone through all five—for its alliance with America
Reposted by Stanley Pignal
Ah - an Economist reader then.
Bessent said he disliked the food in Davos so much that he’d “rather start eating bugs and insects — if that’s not already what it is.”
Next time, Bessent added, he’ll just bring his own popcorn.
Next time, Bessent added, he’ll just bring his own popcorn.
January 23, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Ah - an Economist reader then.
I have three heretical thoughts about books:
- Time spent browsing in bookshops is mostly wasted
- Books make for terrible gifts. Don't give books.
- There are vastly more interesting things to put on living-room shelves than books
Come at me! Add to the list!
A 🧵 for book-lovers
- Time spent browsing in bookshops is mostly wasted
- Books make for terrible gifts. Don't give books.
- There are vastly more interesting things to put on living-room shelves than books
Come at me! Add to the list!
A 🧵 for book-lovers
January 23, 2026 at 10:10 AM
I have three heretical thoughts about books:
- Time spent browsing in bookshops is mostly wasted
- Books make for terrible gifts. Don't give books.
- There are vastly more interesting things to put on living-room shelves than books
Come at me! Add to the list!
A 🧵 for book-lovers
- Time spent browsing in bookshops is mostly wasted
- Books make for terrible gifts. Don't give books.
- There are vastly more interesting things to put on living-room shelves than books
Come at me! Add to the list!
A 🧵 for book-lovers
Mark Carney's speechwriters > JD Vance's speechwriters
Vance on the economy:
"You don't turn the Titanic around overnight"
"You don't turn the Titanic around overnight"
January 22, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Mark Carney's speechwriters > JD Vance's speechwriters
This may be a small thing to point out, but if 10 Downing Street or the Élysée put out a misleading, AI-altered news picture on their social media feeds, there would be resignations going quite far up.
January 22, 2026 at 6:09 PM
This may be a small thing to point out, but if 10 Downing Street or the Élysée put out a misleading, AI-altered news picture on their social media feeds, there would be resignations going quite far up.
Looks even more badass on the big screen (of the EU summit)
January 22, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Looks even more badass on the big screen (of the EU summit)
Zelensky attacking Europe seems incredibly unwise to me. Criticising your main remaining ally just as it is figuring out how to send you €90bn??
Europeans aren't Trump, so won't react in a huff. But this will absolutely help the cause of those who think Europe is being taken for granted by Kyiv.
Europeans aren't Trump, so won't react in a huff. But this will absolutely help the cause of those who think Europe is being taken for granted by Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used much of his speech in Davos to lambast European inaction over the war in Ukraine.
“What’s missing, time or political will? Too often in Europe, something is more urgent.”
Follow along on our live blog: www.politico.eu/article/mani...
“What’s missing, time or political will? Too often in Europe, something is more urgent.”
Follow along on our live blog: www.politico.eu/article/mani...
January 22, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Zelensky attacking Europe seems incredibly unwise to me. Criticising your main remaining ally just as it is figuring out how to send you €90bn??
Europeans aren't Trump, so won't react in a huff. But this will absolutely help the cause of those who think Europe is being taken for granted by Kyiv.
Europeans aren't Trump, so won't react in a huff. But this will absolutely help the cause of those who think Europe is being taken for granted by Kyiv.
My Charlemagne column this week: REQUIEM
The Atlantic alliance, storied as it might be, is increasingly unworthy of the name. It is dead, or dying.
Europe is going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression -- and soon acceptance.
www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
The Atlantic alliance, storied as it might be, is increasingly unworthy of the name. It is dead, or dying.
Europe is going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression -- and soon acceptance.
www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
Europe’s five stages of grief for the transatlantic alliance
From denial to bargaining to acceptance that the world has changed
www.economist.com
January 22, 2026 at 2:46 PM
My Charlemagne column this week: REQUIEM
The Atlantic alliance, storied as it might be, is increasingly unworthy of the name. It is dead, or dying.
Europe is going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression -- and soon acceptance.
www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
The Atlantic alliance, storied as it might be, is increasingly unworthy of the name. It is dead, or dying.
Europe is going through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression -- and soon acceptance.
www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
After 16 years of recycling the previous year's picture for my accreditation, the EU has decided that, yeah, time for a refresh. Can't see much difference myself.
January 22, 2026 at 2:28 PM
After 16 years of recycling the previous year's picture for my accreditation, the EU has decided that, yeah, time for a refresh. Can't see much difference myself.
I swear they are going to put Emmanuel Macron's aviator Ray-Bans in the "strategic autonomy" wing of Louvre, right next to Charles de Gaulle's "képi" hat and the French nuclear bomb.
January 21, 2026 at 9:00 PM
I swear they are going to put Emmanuel Macron's aviator Ray-Bans in the "strategic autonomy" wing of Louvre, right next to Charles de Gaulle's "képi" hat and the French nuclear bomb.
Just showing off. Deservedly.
IF ONLY THERE WAS A SNAPPY ACRONYM
January 21, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Just showing off. Deservedly.
What's the European word for TACO?
January 21, 2026 at 8:20 PM
What's the European word for TACO?