Toby Vogel ๐ช๐บ
@tobyvogel.bsky.social
Third-country national in Brussels writing on EU policies and politics, Balkans, migration, democracy, information manipulation. Former journalist (RFE/RL, European Voice).
Co-founder, Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social.
Views personal
Co-founder, Democratization Policy Council @dpcglobal.bsky.social.
Views personal
Pinned
Toby Vogel ๐ช๐บ
@tobyvogel.bsky.social
ยท Jul 20
Scrap the asylum systemโand build something better
Rich countries need to separate asylum from labour migration
www.economist.com
Late to this but @economist.com published an editorial that is factually wrong, misleading (not to say manipulative) and presents a convoluted argument about how to build a better international protection system โ essentially by scrapping international protection.
First, a couple of facts.
First, a couple of facts.
R.I.P., Washington Post books section. Required โ and instructive โ reading for decades, killed off by a tech bro billionaire who has dozens of millions to bribe the President but no money to keep one of the best newspapers in the world going.
February 4, 2026 at 2:31 PM
R.I.P., Washington Post books section. Required โ and instructive โ reading for decades, killed off by a tech bro billionaire who has dozens of millions to bribe the President but no money to keep one of the best newspapers in the world going.
Unsurprisingly, Politico completely missed the story: the story is Lajฤรกk, not ล efฤoviฤ.
February 4, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Unsurprisingly, Politico completely missed the story: the story is Lajฤรกk, not ล efฤoviฤ.
...was essentially a Kremlin PsyOps, clearly the Slovak angle deserves a closer look.
(Here is Lajฤรกk boasting about his honorary degree from MGIMO in 2018.)
english.mgimo.ru/news/lajcak
(Here is Lajฤรกk boasting about his honorary degree from MGIMO in 2018.)
english.mgimo.ru/news/lajcak
February 4, 2026 at 9:17 AM
...was essentially a Kremlin PsyOps, clearly the Slovak angle deserves a closer look.
(Here is Lajฤรกk boasting about his honorary degree from MGIMO in 2018.)
english.mgimo.ru/news/lajcak
(Here is Lajฤรกk boasting about his honorary degree from MGIMO in 2018.)
english.mgimo.ru/news/lajcak
I have no idea what all this amounts to, and I'm not an investigative journalist. (For good English-language coverage of Lajฤรกk's emerging links to Epstein, check out the Slovak Spectator.) But given recent accusations that the entire Epstein saga...
spectator.sme.sk/politics-and...
spectator.sme.sk/politics-and...
News digest: โI feel like an idiot,โ Lajฤรกk tells radio after Epstein file release
A Foreignersโ Police change, a Slovak death in Switzerland and a new trail to Krivรกล.
spectator.sme.sk
February 4, 2026 at 9:17 AM
I have no idea what all this amounts to, and I'm not an investigative journalist. (For good English-language coverage of Lajฤรกk's emerging links to Epstein, check out the Slovak Spectator.) But given recent accusations that the entire Epstein saga...
spectator.sme.sk/politics-and...
spectator.sme.sk/politics-and...
He also uses the opportunity โ an interview with Slovak Radio โ to peddle Kremlin talking points, for example about the self-harm the EU is allegedly inflicting with its sanctions against Russia.
www.sme.sk/domov/c/lajc...
www.sme.sk/domov/c/lajc...
February 4, 2026 at 9:17 AM
He also uses the opportunity โ an interview with Slovak Radio โ to peddle Kremlin talking points, for example about the self-harm the EU is allegedly inflicting with its sanctions against Russia.
www.sme.sk/domov/c/lajc...
www.sme.sk/domov/c/lajc...
On January 31, Lajฤรกk was made to resign as diplomatic adviser to Slovak prime minister Fico over the Epstein revelations. But even in his only public comments so far he's still playing dumb about Epstein. Remember, they met in 2017, years after Epstein's conviction.
February 4, 2026 at 9:17 AM
On January 31, Lajฤรกk was made to resign as diplomatic adviser to Slovak prime minister Fico over the Epstein revelations. But even in his only public comments so far he's still playing dumb about Epstein. Remember, they met in 2017, years after Epstein's conviction.
...together at MGIMO in Moscow before both returning to Slovakia, joining the Communist Party and the foreign service. (ล efฤoviฤ's official Commission CV omits his time in Moscow, 1985-90.)
Lajฤรกk was almost immediately posted back to Moscow.
Lajฤรกk was almost immediately posted back to Moscow.
commission.europa.eu
February 4, 2026 at 9:17 AM
...together at MGIMO in Moscow before both returning to Slovakia, joining the Communist Party and the foreign service. (ล efฤoviฤ's official Commission CV omits his time in Moscow, 1985-90.)
Lajฤรกk was almost immediately posted back to Moscow.
Lajฤรกk was almost immediately posted back to Moscow.
But today, ล efฤoviฤ is clearly not amused by Lajฤรกk's indiscretion. He told reporters through a spokesperson "If Miroslav Lajฤรกk mentioned my name, it was for his own purposes with which I had nothing to do."
Now a bit of context. ล efฤoviฤ and Lajฤรกk go way back; in the late 1980s they studied...
Now a bit of context. ล efฤoviฤ and Lajฤรกk go way back; in the late 1980s they studied...
February 4, 2026 at 9:17 AM
But today, ล efฤoviฤ is clearly not amused by Lajฤรกk's indiscretion. He told reporters through a spokesperson "If Miroslav Lajฤรกk mentioned my name, it was for his own purposes with which I had nothing to do."
Now a bit of context. ล efฤoviฤ and Lajฤรกk go way back; in the late 1980s they studied...
Now a bit of context. ล efฤoviฤ and Lajฤรกk go way back; in the late 1980s they studied...
Lajฤรกk suggests to Epstein he'd like to replace ล efฤoviฤ in the college of commissioners, jokingly claiming that this is why he supports his candidacy for president. Given what a careerist Lajฤรกk is, this might even be true.
February 4, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Lajฤรกk suggests to Epstein he'd like to replace ล efฤoviฤ in the college of commissioners, jokingly claiming that this is why he supports his candidacy for president. Given what a careerist Lajฤรกk is, this might even be true.
Lajฤรกk, Slovakia's foreign minister at the time, tells Epstein about ล efฤoviฤ when the latter โ then as now a European commissioner โ announces he's running for president of Slovakia, in early 2019. (He lost, and Epstein went to prison.)
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov
February 4, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Lajฤรกk, Slovakia's foreign minister at the time, tells Epstein about ล efฤoviฤ when the latter โ then as now a European commissioner โ announces he's running for president of Slovakia, in early 2019. (He lost, and Epstein went to prison.)
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
There is only one reference to Maroลก ล efฤoviฤ in the published Epstein files, and it occurs in the context of Miroslav Lajฤรกk plotting his own future. (Lajฤรกk has a history of leaving posts early to make a step up.) This article curiously omits the content of Lajฤรกk's message to Epstein.
EU trade chief ล efฤoviฤ rejects Epstein involvement
โI did not authorize, request or agree to anyone mentioning my name to Jeffrey Epstein,โ Maroลก ล efฤoviฤ says via European Commission spokesperson.
www.politico.eu
February 4, 2026 at 9:17 AM
There is only one reference to Maroลก ล efฤoviฤ in the published Epstein files, and it occurs in the context of Miroslav Lajฤรกk plotting his own future. (Lajฤรกk has a history of leaving posts early to make a step up.) This article curiously omits the content of Lajฤรกk's message to Epstein.
(And yes, I realize they're trash and that the Lajฤรกk piece seems to be entirely based on an interview he gave to Slovak Radio, but they could've called up his Wikipedia page, no?)
February 4, 2026 at 6:55 AM
(And yes, I realize they're trash and that the Lajฤรกk piece seems to be entirely based on an interview he gave to Slovak Radio, but they could've called up his Wikipedia page, no?)
...his EU career ("...served as Slovak foreign minister in multiple Fico governments between 2009 and 2020")?
The article about Lajฤรกk literally doesn't mention his EU jobs at all.
What's going on here?
The article about Lajฤรกk literally doesn't mention his EU jobs at all.
What's going on here?
Slovak adviser who resigned over Epstein texts says he feels like a โfoolโ
Miroslav Lajฤรกk communicated with Jeffrey Epstein when he served as a foreign minister in Slovakia.
www.politico.eu
February 4, 2026 at 6:50 AM
...his EU career ("...served as Slovak foreign minister in multiple Fico governments between 2009 and 2020")?
The article about Lajฤรกk literally doesn't mention his EU jobs at all.
What's going on here?
The article about Lajฤรกk literally doesn't mention his EU jobs at all.
What's going on here?
Why is Politico downplaying Lajฤรกk's role in the Epstein files and in the EU?
And why does another piece published at the same time, which gives Lajฤรกk space to defend himself, again entirely elide...
And why does another piece published at the same time, which gives Lajฤรกk space to defend himself, again entirely elide...
February 4, 2026 at 6:50 AM
Why is Politico downplaying Lajฤรกk's role in the Epstein files and in the EU?
And why does another piece published at the same time, which gives Lajฤรกk space to defend himself, again entirely elide...
And why does another piece published at the same time, which gives Lajฤรกk space to defend himself, again entirely elide...
...reference describing him as a "fellow Slovak politician." But Lajฤรกk was the EU's envoy to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2007-09 and managing director for Europe in the EU's diplomatic service in 2010-12. In 2020-25, he was the EU's negotiator in the Serbia-Kosovo talks.
EU trade chief ล efฤoviฤ rejects Epstein involvement
โI did not authorize, request or agree to anyone mentioning my name to Jeffrey Epstein,โ Maroลก ล efฤoviฤ says via European Commission spokesperson.
www.politico.eu
February 4, 2026 at 6:50 AM
...reference describing him as a "fellow Slovak politician." But Lajฤรกk was the EU's envoy to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2007-09 and managing director for Europe in the EU's diplomatic service in 2010-12. In 2020-25, he was the EU's negotiator in the Serbia-Kosovo talks.
Very odd piece in Politico Europe purportedly examining the Epstein files from an EU angle. The piece is almost entirely focused on trade commissioner ล efฤoviฤ, who credibly denies ever having met Epstein. But on Miroslav "I love Lavrov" Lajฤรกk, it has nothing to say beyond a brief...
February 4, 2026 at 6:50 AM
Very odd piece in Politico Europe purportedly examining the Epstein files from an EU angle. The piece is almost entirely focused on trade commissioner ล efฤoviฤ, who credibly denies ever having met Epstein. But on Miroslav "I love Lavrov" Lajฤรกk, it has nothing to say beyond a brief...
Indeed
I was vaguely aware he'd drifted to the right, and there was of course the whole polemic surrounding Oleanna in the early 90s, but I had no idea he'd gone all-out MAGA since then
Still, brilliant movie ๐คทโโ๏ธ
I was vaguely aware he'd drifted to the right, and there was of course the whole polemic surrounding Oleanna in the early 90s, but I had no idea he'd gone all-out MAGA since then
Still, brilliant movie ๐คทโโ๏ธ
February 3, 2026 at 2:29 PM
Indeed
I was vaguely aware he'd drifted to the right, and there was of course the whole polemic surrounding Oleanna in the early 90s, but I had no idea he'd gone all-out MAGA since then
Still, brilliant movie ๐คทโโ๏ธ
I was vaguely aware he'd drifted to the right, and there was of course the whole polemic surrounding Oleanna in the early 90s, but I had no idea he'd gone all-out MAGA since then
Still, brilliant movie ๐คทโโ๏ธ
Rewatched The Spanish Prisoner last night for the first time since seeing it in New York in 1997 and it was as brilliant as it was back then.
Then I googled David Mamet.
Yikes
Then I googled David Mamet.
Yikes
February 3, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Rewatched The Spanish Prisoner last night for the first time since seeing it in New York in 1997 and it was as brilliant as it was back then.
Then I googled David Mamet.
Yikes
Then I googled David Mamet.
Yikes
*the New York Times Pitchbot - but you all got that
February 2, 2026 at 6:00 PM
*the New York Times Pitchbot - but you all got that
And - not going to lie - the New York Pitchbot
February 2, 2026 at 5:16 PM
And - not going to lie - the New York Pitchbot
You know, when I just saw the headline and kicker - before I'd seen the byline - I already thought of Moyn.
February 2, 2026 at 5:15 PM
You know, when I just saw the headline and kicker - before I'd seen the byline - I already thought of Moyn.
Breaking: dude who dresses like a Nazi turns out to be a Nazi
Bovino Is Said to Have Mocked Prosecutorโs Jewish Faith on Call With Lawyers www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/u...
Bovino Is Said to Have Mocked Prosecutorโs Jewish Faith on Call With Lawyers
www.nytimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Breaking: dude who dresses like a Nazi turns out to be a Nazi
There's a line in The Diplomat that goes something like, those who are seeking power are exactly the wrong people to exercise it (I'm paraphrasing). Lajcak is exactly that type โ never on his current job but always thinking of his next move.
January 31, 2026 at 6:02 PM
There's a line in The Diplomat that goes something like, those who are seeking power are exactly the wrong people to exercise it (I'm paraphrasing). Lajcak is exactly that type โ never on his current job but always thinking of his next move.
Of course we had no idea of the Epstein link, but for those interested in context (and ancient history):
Why Miroslav Lajฤรกk is the wrong choice for EU envoy
The EU could blow up the Kosovo-Serbia negotiations' reset. Should Miroslav Lajฤรกk indeed be appointed, the two senior EU diplomats dealing with Kosovo would both come from the small minority of membe...
euobserver.com
January 31, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Of course we had no idea of the Epstein link, but for those interested in context (and ancient history):
That also jumped out at me...
January 27, 2026 at 8:54 AM
That also jumped out at me...