Stathios Ballas
@stathiosb.bsky.social
Citizen
• Worker Rights, Workplace Safety & Fair Pay
• Principles of Democratic Governance
• the Common Weal
• Unabashed globalist
* εὐδαιμονία
* Stop Cruelty to Animals *
Transnational Issues & Perspectives
🇬🇷🇺🇸🇨🇦
• Worker Rights, Workplace Safety & Fair Pay
• Principles of Democratic Governance
• the Common Weal
• Unabashed globalist
* εὐδαιμονία
* Stop Cruelty to Animals *
Transnational Issues & Perspectives
🇬🇷🇺🇸🇨🇦
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
US approves potential $9 billion sale of Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia reut.rs/3Ofonvh
US approves potential $9 billion sale of Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia
The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of Patriot interceptor missiles and related equipment to Saudi Arabia for an estimated cost of $9 billion, the Pentagon said on Friday.
reut.rs
January 31, 2026 at 1:01 AM
US approves potential $9 billion sale of Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia reut.rs/3Ofonvh
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Once again, the only way the actions of Trump and his supporters makes sense is if you accept that they have no intention of willingly giving up power, regardless of what happens in any democratic process.
January 30, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Once again, the only way the actions of Trump and his supporters makes sense is if you accept that they have no intention of willingly giving up power, regardless of what happens in any democratic process.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Or how about this headline — “American citizen arrested without cause after exercising his Constitutional rights.” Very important that government propaganda not become the default framing.
Don Lemon has been taken into custody after anti-ICE confrontation in St. Paul, Minnesota, earlier this month. https://cnn.it/4roAO6t
January 30, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Or how about this headline — “American citizen arrested without cause after exercising his Constitutional rights.” Very important that government propaganda not become the default framing.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
When I saw the news of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort's arrest for reporting on a protest, my immediate thought was this is exactly what happens in Russia. My latest... olgalautman.substack.com/p/don-lemon-...
Don Lemon and Georgia Fort Arrested for Reporting — Russia’s Playbook in America
When I saw the news this morning that Don Lemon and Georgia Fort had been arrested, my first thought was this is what happens in Russia, and the decades I spent documenting how the Kremlin dismantled ...
olgalautman.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:22 PM
When I saw the news of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort's arrest for reporting on a protest, my immediate thought was this is exactly what happens in Russia. My latest... olgalautman.substack.com/p/don-lemon-...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Today, the @iaeaorg.bsky.social Board of Governors convened to discuss grave concerns about nuclear safety in Ukraine. On behalf of 11 other Board Members, our Permanent Representative Peter Potman outlined the impact of Russia's targeted attacks and requested a detailed risk assessment. 1/2
January 30, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Today, the @iaeaorg.bsky.social Board of Governors convened to discuss grave concerns about nuclear safety in Ukraine. On behalf of 11 other Board Members, our Permanent Representative Peter Potman outlined the impact of Russia's targeted attacks and requested a detailed risk assessment. 1/2
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Poland has signed an agreement for a new anti-drone system that it claims will be the first of its kind in Europe.
The network is intended to protect Poland’s eastern borders, where last September Russian drones entered Polish airspace in an unprecedented incursion.
The network is intended to protect Poland’s eastern borders, where last September Russian drones entered Polish airspace in an unprecedented incursion.
Poland signs contract for anti-drone system in wake of Russian incursions
notesfrompoland.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Poland has signed an agreement for a new anti-drone system that it claims will be the first of its kind in Europe.
The network is intended to protect Poland’s eastern borders, where last September Russian drones entered Polish airspace in an unprecedented incursion.
The network is intended to protect Poland’s eastern borders, where last September Russian drones entered Polish airspace in an unprecedented incursion.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Journalist Don Lemon gearresteerd
JUST IN: The former CNN anchor has said he was not demonstrating, but reporting as a journalist, during the interruption of a service inside a St. Paul church earlier this month.
Federal agents arrest Don Lemon over Minnesota church protest
The former CNN anchor has said he was not demonstrating, but reporting as a journalist, during the interruption of a service inside a St. Paul church earlier this month.
bit.ly
January 30, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Journalist Don Lemon gearresteerd
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Yesterday, we held a great discussion on future-proofing EU enlargement against foreign malign influence in the Western Balkans, 🇺🇦 & 🇲🇩. Many thanks to our partner @gppi.bsky.social and to the panel with @milanninberlin.bsky.social, former PM Gavrilita, the Foreign Office, Lura Pollozhani & ... /1
January 30, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Yesterday, we held a great discussion on future-proofing EU enlargement against foreign malign influence in the Western Balkans, 🇺🇦 & 🇲🇩. Many thanks to our partner @gppi.bsky.social and to the panel with @milanninberlin.bsky.social, former PM Gavrilita, the Foreign Office, Lura Pollozhani & ... /1
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
South Korea, Japan defence ministers agree to upgrade cooperation reut.rs/4qVBSz0
South Korea, Japan defence ministers agree to upgrade cooperation
The defence ministers of South Korea and Japan agreed on Friday to upgrade defence cooperation and plan to work together in incorporating artificial intelligence and unmanned weapon systems, South Korea's Defence Ministry said.
reut.rs
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 AM
South Korea, Japan defence ministers agree to upgrade cooperation reut.rs/4qVBSz0
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
L'armée israélienne a annoncé vendredi avoir mené des frappes aériennes et "éliminé trois terroristes" sortis d'un souterrain dans le sud de la bande de Gaza, dans un nouvel incident illustrant la fragilité de la trêve.
➡️ u.afp.com/S2UN
➡️ u.afp.com/S2UN
January 30, 2026 at 8:14 AM
L'armée israélienne a annoncé vendredi avoir mené des frappes aériennes et "éliminé trois terroristes" sortis d'un souterrain dans le sud de la bande de Gaza, dans un nouvel incident illustrant la fragilité de la trêve.
➡️ u.afp.com/S2UN
➡️ u.afp.com/S2UN
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
US warships deployed to the Middle East.
AFP Infographic of the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, its destroyer escorts and other naval vessels that have been deployed to the Middle East, according to a US official
AFP Infographic of the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, its destroyer escorts and other naval vessels that have been deployed to the Middle East, according to a US official
January 30, 2026 at 8:14 AM
US warships deployed to the Middle East.
AFP Infographic of the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, its destroyer escorts and other naval vessels that have been deployed to the Middle East, according to a US official
AFP Infographic of the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, its destroyer escorts and other naval vessels that have been deployed to the Middle East, according to a US official
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Russia is increasing its propaganda efforts in Africa with aim of convincing populations to join the Russian military.
In Equatorial Guinea on Africa’s Atlantic coast, Russia organized a screening of the propaganda film Blockadny Diary, framed as a historical story about World War II–era Leningrad.
In Equatorial Guinea on Africa’s Atlantic coast, Russia organized a screening of the propaganda film Blockadny Diary, framed as a historical story about World War II–era Leningrad.
January 30, 2026 at 8:11 AM
Russia is increasing its propaganda efforts in Africa with aim of convincing populations to join the Russian military.
In Equatorial Guinea on Africa’s Atlantic coast, Russia organized a screening of the propaganda film Blockadny Diary, framed as a historical story about World War II–era Leningrad.
In Equatorial Guinea on Africa’s Atlantic coast, Russia organized a screening of the propaganda film Blockadny Diary, framed as a historical story about World War II–era Leningrad.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
There is no reason any of these men need any of this gear. This entire situation is not only dangerous and illegal. It is absurd and stupid.
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Video: How Battlefield Tech Was Used in Minneapolis
Our reporter Thomas Gibbons-Neff, who deployed twice to Afghanistan as a Marine and later was our Kabul bureau chief, looks at the battlefield technology used for an immigration arrest at a home in Mi...
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:19 AM
There is no reason any of these men need any of this gear. This entire situation is not only dangerous and illegal. It is absurd and stupid.
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
“Donald Trump a déclaré, jeudi 29 janvier, que les Etats-Unis allaient retirer la certification d’avions Bombardier canadiens ainsi qu’à « tous les aéronefs fabriqués au Canada » en rétorsion de certificats « refusés » par Ottawa pour des avions américains.”
Donald Trump dit retirer la certification d’avions Bombardier et « tous les aéronefs fabriqués au Canada »
Donald Trump dit retirer la certification d’avions Bombardier et « tous les aéronefs fabriqués au Canada »
Le président américain affirme riposter au refus du Canada d’octroyer la certification à des avions et jets Gulfstream et menace d’imposer à Ottawa des droits de douane de « 50 % sur tous les aéronefs vendus aux Etats-Unis ».
www.lemonde.fr
January 30, 2026 at 3:30 AM
“Donald Trump a déclaré, jeudi 29 janvier, que les Etats-Unis allaient retirer la certification d’avions Bombardier canadiens ainsi qu’à « tous les aéronefs fabriqués au Canada » en rétorsion de certificats « refusés » par Ottawa pour des avions américains.”
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Donald Trump dit retirer la certification d’avions Bombardier et « tous les aéronefs fabriqués au Canada »
Donald Trump dit retirer la certification d’avions Bombardier et « tous les aéronefs fabriqués au Canada »
Le président américain affirme riposter au refus du Canada d’octroyer la certification à des avions et jets Gulfstream et menace d’imposer à Ottawa des droits de douane de « 50 % sur tous les aéronefs vendus aux Etats-Unis ».
www.lemonde.fr
January 30, 2026 at 2:11 AM
Donald Trump dit retirer la certification d’avions Bombardier et « tous les aéronefs fabriqués au Canada »
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Written from inside a dark, freezing #Kyiv, POLITICO’s Ukraine correspondent Veronika Melkozerova’s "Survival guide to the Kremlin’s winter of terror in Kyiv" is painfully literal (link below).
Kyiv is enduring one of its harshest winters since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
Kyiv is enduring one of its harshest winters since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
January 29, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Written from inside a dark, freezing #Kyiv, POLITICO’s Ukraine correspondent Veronika Melkozerova’s "Survival guide to the Kremlin’s winter of terror in Kyiv" is painfully literal (link below).
Kyiv is enduring one of its harshest winters since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
Kyiv is enduring one of its harshest winters since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Die Polizei und der Paketdienstleister DHL warnen derzeit vor einer Betrugsmasche mit gefälschten Paket-Benachrichtigungskarten. Vor allem in Südbrandenburg warnen sich aktuell Nutzer über soziale Netzwerke. Worauf ihr achten solltet: rbburl.de/dhlbetrug
January 29, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Die Polizei und der Paketdienstleister DHL warnen derzeit vor einer Betrugsmasche mit gefälschten Paket-Benachrichtigungskarten. Vor allem in Südbrandenburg warnen sich aktuell Nutzer über soziale Netzwerke. Worauf ihr achten solltet: rbburl.de/dhlbetrug
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
🔍Dans cet article, Armand Zorn, Président adjoint du groupe parlementaire SPD au Bundestag, explique pourquoi la souveraineté numérique doit être une priorité politique et économique pour l'UE.
🔗 À lire ici : confrontations.org/la-souverain...
(1/2)
🔗 À lire ici : confrontations.org/la-souverain...
(1/2)
January 28, 2026 at 4:18 PM
🔍Dans cet article, Armand Zorn, Président adjoint du groupe parlementaire SPD au Bundestag, explique pourquoi la souveraineté numérique doit être une priorité politique et économique pour l'UE.
🔗 À lire ici : confrontations.org/la-souverain...
(1/2)
🔗 À lire ici : confrontations.org/la-souverain...
(1/2)
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Japan tracked four Chinese warships transiting a strategic waterway near Okinawa, a move that followed U.S.-Philippine military drills near a contested South China Sea atoll that drew complaints from Beijing.
www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
Chinese warship sail near Okinawa after US-Philippine drills in South China Sea
Japan tracked four Chinese warships in a strait near Okinawa, a move that followed U.S.-Philippine military drills near a contested South China Sea atoll.
www.stripes.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Japan tracked four Chinese warships transiting a strategic waterway near Okinawa, a move that followed U.S.-Philippine military drills near a contested South China Sea atoll that drew complaints from Beijing.
www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
www.stripes.com/theaters/asi...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
“[There’s] a strategic need for Germany to quickly rebuild its defence industrial base. Yet, despite the increased demand and funding, German defence industries are struggling to scale production quickly, exposing capability gaps that endanger both national defence and NATO commitments.”
Germany and South Korea should create a systematic, resilient partnership, enabling both countries to better navigate global defence market competition, writes @ericballbach.bsky.social @swp-asia.bsky.social: www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
The K(orea)-Factor in the Zeitenwende
South Korea and the Rebuilding of Germany’s Defence Industrial Base
www.swp-berlin.org
January 28, 2026 at 9:43 PM
“[There’s] a strategic need for Germany to quickly rebuild its defence industrial base. Yet, despite the increased demand and funding, German defence industries are struggling to scale production quickly, exposing capability gaps that endanger both national defence and NATO commitments.”
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
From what I have just learned, what the Americans are proposing is even worse—totally in the russians' interest—than what this FT article suggests (sorry I can't give details).
Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise.
Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise.
From the outset, many of us have been saying Trump is fully in Putin's pocket.
Here's another demonstration.
Ceding territory is tantamount to giving russia carte blanche to continue its crimes & increase insecurity throughout Europe.
And who can believe in any US promise?
www.ft.com/content/8ca0...
Here's another demonstration.
Ceding territory is tantamount to giving russia carte blanche to continue its crimes & increase insecurity throughout Europe.
And who can believe in any US promise?
www.ft.com/content/8ca0...
US links security guarantees for Ukraine to peace deal ceding territory
Washington signalled Kyiv would receive more backing after any withdrawal from the Donbas, say people familiar with talks
www.ft.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:02 PM
From what I have just learned, what the Americans are proposing is even worse—totally in the russians' interest—than what this FT article suggests (sorry I can't give details).
Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise.
Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise.
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Why Europe Needs A New Social Federalism
Why Europe Needs A New Social Federalism
As empires grab resources and discard international law, the EU must forge a new social federalism—or become a vassal.
www.socialeurope.eu
January 29, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Why Europe Needs A New Social Federalism
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
Meanwhile in Russia: state TV's experts explained that Moscow is trying to trick Trump into unfreezing Russia's assets, to be used for reconstruction on the territories they want to take from Ukraine. They've admitted there is no chance of a peace deal.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOx_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOx_...
State TV pundits explain what Russia hopes to get out of the negotiations
YouTube video by Russian Media Monitor
www.youtube.com
January 25, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Meanwhile in Russia: state TV's experts explained that Moscow is trying to trick Trump into unfreezing Russia's assets, to be used for reconstruction on the territories they want to take from Ukraine. They've admitted there is no chance of a peace deal.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOx_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOx_...
Reposted by Stathios Ballas
"For more than 80 years, the US was the pre-eminent ally of Europe. The end of that alliance has seemed unthinkable, but it has nevertheless arrived, and wishing that things were different will not bring the alliance back to life." I wrote for @cepa.org on a post-US West. cepa.org/article/a-we...
A West Without America
The world is becoming a more troubled and dangerous place. Europe’s rift with the US must produce a new security deal for the West.
cepa.org
January 28, 2026 at 7:11 PM
"For more than 80 years, the US was the pre-eminent ally of Europe. The end of that alliance has seemed unthinkable, but it has nevertheless arrived, and wishing that things were different will not bring the alliance back to life." I wrote for @cepa.org on a post-US West. cepa.org/article/a-we...
“Europeans are the world’s chief pessimists. They lack faith in the EU’s ability to deal on equal terms with the US or China and worry about Russian aggression and nuclear weapons.”
ecfr.eu/publication/...
ecfr.eu/publication/...
How Trump is making China great again—and what it means for Europe – European Council on Foreign Relations
A post-Western world is learning to love China, while Europeans are starting to fear America.
ecfr.eu
January 29, 2026 at 4:45 AM
“Europeans are the world’s chief pessimists. They lack faith in the EU’s ability to deal on equal terms with the US or China and worry about Russian aggression and nuclear weapons.”
ecfr.eu/publication/...
ecfr.eu/publication/...