Tobias Merkendorf
@tmkdf.bsky.social
Parenting and Pedaling
Rugby and IP laws
Washing and Warmachines
Cold war temperate climate kid
Giggling Cardbox
Master of pillow forts
Calculated mediocrity
Somewhere on the fringes of the lowlands and industrial wastes of the Ruhr.
Rugby and IP laws
Washing and Warmachines
Cold war temperate climate kid
Giggling Cardbox
Master of pillow forts
Calculated mediocrity
Somewhere on the fringes of the lowlands and industrial wastes of the Ruhr.
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
Right on cue, here are the push alerts from the 3 major newspapers lmao
January 21, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Right on cue, here are the push alerts from the 3 major newspapers lmao
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
Some Europeans will be reassured by this, and wind down the (cautious) assertiveness of recent days.
But it shows that displays of European resolve move Trump in ways that the misguided sycophancy of previous 12 months never did. It's a reason to press forward, not pull back.
But it shows that displays of European resolve move Trump in ways that the misguided sycophancy of previous 12 months never did. It's a reason to press forward, not pull back.
Trump on NATO: "We never ask for anything, and we never got anything. We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be frankly unstoppable. But I won't do that. Okay?"
January 21, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Some Europeans will be reassured by this, and wind down the (cautious) assertiveness of recent days.
But it shows that displays of European resolve move Trump in ways that the misguided sycophancy of previous 12 months never did. It's a reason to press forward, not pull back.
But it shows that displays of European resolve move Trump in ways that the misguided sycophancy of previous 12 months never did. It's a reason to press forward, not pull back.
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
Say what you will about Hitler, at least he knew which countries he was invading.
January 21, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Say what you will about Hitler, at least he knew which countries he was invading.
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
One thing’s quite clear: Mark Rutte might well be the worst ever SG of NATO
January 21, 2026 at 2:21 PM
One thing’s quite clear: Mark Rutte might well be the worst ever SG of NATO
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
Thinly veiled threat to Europe on Greenland:
"They have a choice. You can say 'yes', and we will be very appreciative, or you can say 'no', and we will remember"
"They have a choice. You can say 'yes', and we will be very appreciative, or you can say 'no', and we will remember"
January 21, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Thinly veiled threat to Europe on Greenland:
"They have a choice. You can say 'yes', and we will be very appreciative, or you can say 'no', and we will remember"
"They have a choice. You can say 'yes', and we will be very appreciative, or you can say 'no', and we will remember"
Huch. Ich habe herausgefunden dass der kleine Bruder eines Grundschulfreundes einen Sicherheitspolitik-Podcast mit Peter Tauber betreibt…
@wimimachtlehre.bsky.social hülf.
@wimimachtlehre.bsky.social hülf.
January 21, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Huch. Ich habe herausgefunden dass der kleine Bruder eines Grundschulfreundes einen Sicherheitspolitik-Podcast mit Peter Tauber betreibt…
@wimimachtlehre.bsky.social hülf.
@wimimachtlehre.bsky.social hülf.
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
"For now, the ACI is less a bazooka than a waterlogged firecracker. I have heard European officials claim that its mere existence is sufficient deterrent against attacks. But that’s not how deterrence works. If no one believes that you will use a weapon against him, no one will fear it."
“Most Americans don’t agree with Mr. Trump’s trying to buy Greenland, and many more oppose the idea of taking it by force. Fantasies deflate quickly once real costs become obvious, but it is impossible for Europe to impose costs without incurring risks itself.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/o...
Opinion | Europe Has a Bazooka. Time to Use It.
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:42 PM
"For now, the ACI is less a bazooka than a waterlogged firecracker. I have heard European officials claim that its mere existence is sufficient deterrent against attacks. But that’s not how deterrence works. If no one believes that you will use a weapon against him, no one will fear it."
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
EU chief says Europe needs to abandon caution after US treasury secretary calls Denmark ‘irrelevant’ – Europe live
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
EU chief says Europe needs to abandon caution after US treasury secretary calls Denmark ‘irrelevant’ – Europe live
Scott Bessent replied to a question on Danish investments by saying that ‘Denmark’s investment in US treasury bonds, like Denmark itself, is irrelevant’
www.theguardian.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:20 AM
EU chief says Europe needs to abandon caution after US treasury secretary calls Denmark ‘irrelevant’ – Europe live
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
The scary thing about the Greenland crisis: there's really no off ramp, other than Trump himself
The Danes have been offering to collaborate on Arctic security for over 1yr. The US hasn't engaged
Hence the goal of EU leaders to get Trump to understand the domestic & intn'l costs of pressing ahead
The Danes have been offering to collaborate on Arctic security for over 1yr. The US hasn't engaged
Hence the goal of EU leaders to get Trump to understand the domestic & intn'l costs of pressing ahead
January 21, 2026 at 8:15 AM
The scary thing about the Greenland crisis: there's really no off ramp, other than Trump himself
The Danes have been offering to collaborate on Arctic security for over 1yr. The US hasn't engaged
Hence the goal of EU leaders to get Trump to understand the domestic & intn'l costs of pressing ahead
The Danes have been offering to collaborate on Arctic security for over 1yr. The US hasn't engaged
Hence the goal of EU leaders to get Trump to understand the domestic & intn'l costs of pressing ahead
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
We will need to talk about US presence in Europe. And it would be good if we Europeans drove the discussion and didn’t wait for the other shoe to drop.
www.reuters.com/world/us-cut...
www.reuters.com/world/us-cut...
US to cut roughly 200 NATO positions, sources say
The move could intensify concerns in Europe about Washington's commitment to the alliance.
www.reuters.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:19 AM
We will need to talk about US presence in Europe. And it would be good if we Europeans drove the discussion and didn’t wait for the other shoe to drop.
www.reuters.com/world/us-cut...
www.reuters.com/world/us-cut...
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
"Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu."
Recht hat er.
Quelle: Kanadas Premierminister in Davos
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/spee...
Recht hat er.
Quelle: Kanadas Premierminister in Davos
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/spee...
“Principled and pragmatic: Canada’s path” Prime Minister Carney addresses the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting
Thank you, Larry.It’s a pleasure – and a duty – to be with you at this turning point for Canada and for the world.Today, I’ll talk about the rupture in the world order, the end of a nice story, and th...
www.pm.gc.ca
January 21, 2026 at 9:12 AM
"Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu."
Recht hat er.
Quelle: Kanadas Premierminister in Davos
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/spee...
Recht hat er.
Quelle: Kanadas Premierminister in Davos
www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/spee...
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
The Telegraph suddenly waking and sitting bolt upright
January 21, 2026 at 9:02 AM
The Telegraph suddenly waking and sitting bolt upright
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
This moment of global change is fraught with dangers.
And Europe must be ready to change even faster.
To become more independent. For its own future.
And Europe must be ready to change even faster.
To become more independent. For its own future.
January 21, 2026 at 8:55 AM
This moment of global change is fraught with dangers.
And Europe must be ready to change even faster.
To become more independent. For its own future.
And Europe must be ready to change even faster.
To become more independent. For its own future.
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
- The Times, June 1812
This is a great speech, but its also completely insane that the Prime Minister of Canada needs to call for coordinated global resistance to American tyranny.
The Carney speech is worth reading in full: globalnews.ca/news/1162087...
January 21, 2026 at 8:47 AM
- The Times, June 1812
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
It is going to be extremely interesting today, when Trump speaks at Davos. I can only say that I hope for an absolutely deranged Trump. It will cause an absolute chaos in Davos, but this is needed for the last sleeping European who thinks that this is just another episode. It is not. This is Trump.
January 21, 2026 at 8:54 AM
It is going to be extremely interesting today, when Trump speaks at Davos. I can only say that I hope for an absolutely deranged Trump. It will cause an absolute chaos in Davos, but this is needed for the last sleeping European who thinks that this is just another episode. It is not. This is Trump.
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
Fascinating how tone deaf US political elites have been towards European anger.
From Newsom among Dems who failed to beat Trump berating Euro diplomacy, Schumer rattling out domestic guff to Graham and Bessent telling Euros to stop being hysterical. Just speeds up European rejection of America
From Newsom among Dems who failed to beat Trump berating Euro diplomacy, Schumer rattling out domestic guff to Graham and Bessent telling Euros to stop being hysterical. Just speeds up European rejection of America
Thought-provoking piece by @lewisgoodall.com. He argues that the US under Trump is no longer from the UK perspective a
- military ally (Greenland)
- strategic ally (Russia/Ukraine)
- political ally (NSS calling for empowering far-right in Europe)
- economic ally (tariffs)
- military ally (Greenland)
- strategic ally (Russia/Ukraine)
- political ally (NSS calling for empowering far-right in Europe)
- economic ally (tariffs)
The Valueless Presidency
America is no longer Europe's ally. Stop bleating about NATO. It's already gone.
open.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:47 AM
Fascinating how tone deaf US political elites have been towards European anger.
From Newsom among Dems who failed to beat Trump berating Euro diplomacy, Schumer rattling out domestic guff to Graham and Bessent telling Euros to stop being hysterical. Just speeds up European rejection of America
From Newsom among Dems who failed to beat Trump berating Euro diplomacy, Schumer rattling out domestic guff to Graham and Bessent telling Euros to stop being hysterical. Just speeds up European rejection of America
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
Man stelle sich vor, Europa hätte sich durch massive Dekarbonisierung unabhängiger von Erdgas gemacht, als es festgestellt hat, wie leicht es durch Russland erpressbar war
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Fears grow over Europe’s soaring dependence on US gas imports
American LNG was meant to be a safe alternative to Russian gas. That’s no longer a given, with transatlantic relations in crisis.
www.politico.eu
January 21, 2026 at 5:46 AM
Man stelle sich vor, Europa hätte sich durch massive Dekarbonisierung unabhängiger von Erdgas gemacht, als es festgestellt hat, wie leicht es durch Russland erpressbar war
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
![Auf der Grafik steht als Überschrift „choose your fighter“ vor einem schwarzen Hintergrund. Darunter ist ein Foto von Katharina Dröge auf der rechten Seite zu sehen. Daneben ist eine Europaflagge zu sehen. Auf einer Sprechblase steht: „„Die Europäische Union ist viel stärker [...], als sie selbst denkt“ darunter steht „vs.“ und darunter sieht man ein Bild von Jens Spahn auf der linken Seite, neben ihm ein großes Bild von Donald Trump, darüber eine Sprechblase mit der Schrift: „Jens Spahn im Interview: „Und ja, da hat Donald Trump einen Punkt““.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gi7573wiyvohbq22j4vjedye/bafkreibmfi4nl4auj2em56zyr2qvqxpvjnag7sssvkxch4jsbyhqcqrszu@jpeg)
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
"In a world of great power rivalry, the countries in between have a choice – compete with each other for favour, or to combine to create a third path with impact."
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Davos 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Davos 2026
January 20, 2026 at 11:07 PM
"In a world of great power rivalry, the countries in between have a choice – compete with each other for favour, or to combine to create a third path with impact."
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Davos 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney
Davos 2026
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
This is not an outlier, or right/left positioning. The USA have lost trust across the entire German population on an unprecedented scale. This will likely have a long-term and possible even immediate effect on the decision-making processes within German politics.
January 20, 2026 at 10:51 PM
This is not an outlier, or right/left positioning. The USA have lost trust across the entire German population on an unprecedented scale. This will likely have a long-term and possible even immediate effect on the decision-making processes within German politics.
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
It would be trivially easy to purge these ghouls from anything related to national security, just start drug-testing them
This is so funny after the incessant ads from Palantir about empowering, not replacing the American worker.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Palantir CEO Says AI to Make Large-Scale Immigration Obsolete
Artificial intelligence will displace so many jobs that it will eliminate the need for mass immigration, according to Palantir Technologies Inc. Chief Executive Officer Alex Karp.
www.bloomberg.com
January 21, 2026 at 1:12 AM
It would be trivially easy to purge these ghouls from anything related to national security, just start drug-testing them
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
Amazing moment on French TV. A French judge explains how Trump sent people from the US Embassy basically trying to intimidate her during Le Pen's trial for embezzlement - something they've done to other judges around the world.
January 20, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Amazing moment on French TV. A French judge explains how Trump sent people from the US Embassy basically trying to intimidate her during Le Pen's trial for embezzlement - something they've done to other judges around the world.
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
“It is building the coalitions that work, issue by issue, with partners who share enough common ground to act together.”
Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.
The Carney doctrine
Open comment thread on the PM's Davos speech
paulwells.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:01 PM
“It is building the coalitions that work, issue by issue, with partners who share enough common ground to act together.”
Reposted by Tobias Merkendorf
There is one kind of method to the madness in Trump's unhinged claims:
He throws so much shit at the world at once, it's easy to forget it all is mad and each part needs to be opposed.
Divide attention among a bunch of mad shit to slip something else through be eat the radar.
He throws so much shit at the world at once, it's easy to forget it all is mad and each part needs to be opposed.
Divide attention among a bunch of mad shit to slip something else through be eat the radar.
January 20, 2026 at 4:53 PM
There is one kind of method to the madness in Trump's unhinged claims:
He throws so much shit at the world at once, it's easy to forget it all is mad and each part needs to be opposed.
Divide attention among a bunch of mad shit to slip something else through be eat the radar.
He throws so much shit at the world at once, it's easy to forget it all is mad and each part needs to be opposed.
Divide attention among a bunch of mad shit to slip something else through be eat the radar.