Eduardo Gasca
@typingpaws.bsky.social
‘No thing under the sun is new’ Ecclesiastes 1:9 ~ MPhil on History of Political Thought. Observer of current events. Political liberal, advocate of a stronger and more assertive EU as beacon of democracy and the rule of law. Ukraine supporter.
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
Feels like something cracked today in the transatlantic alliance. Europeans have been swallowing their pride, bitting their tongues, and bending the knee. That strategy may have bought them time but it has now clearly failed. It also had a major cost - it has made the WH think Europe will cave. 1/
January 18, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Feels like something cracked today in the transatlantic alliance. Europeans have been swallowing their pride, bitting their tongues, and bending the knee. That strategy may have bought them time but it has now clearly failed. It also had a major cost - it has made the WH think Europe will cave. 1/
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
The EU in December could have seized Russia's reserves. It didn't. This after years of mixed messages on Ukraine: ignoring transshipments, weak sanctions and abetting Russia's shadow fleet. Actions have consequences. There's a price to pay for weakness...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/a-dark-day...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/a-dark-day...
January 18, 2026 at 1:27 PM
The EU in December could have seized Russia's reserves. It didn't. This after years of mixed messages on Ukraine: ignoring transshipments, weak sanctions and abetting Russia's shadow fleet. Actions have consequences. There's a price to pay for weakness...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/a-dark-day...
robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/a-dark-day...
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
I second this initiative
🙅
🙅
January 17, 2026 at 6:17 PM
I second this initiative
🙅
🙅
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
“Palantir is working on a tool for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that populates a map with potential deportation targets, brings up a dossier on each person, and provides a “confidence score” on the person’s current address,”
Report: ICE Using Palantir Tool That Feeds On Medicaid Data
ICE is using a Palantir tool that uses Medicaid and other government data to stalk people for arrest. This is exactly the kind of data privacy abuse that EFF has been warning about.
www.eff.org
January 17, 2026 at 7:59 AM
“Palantir is working on a tool for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that populates a map with potential deportation targets, brings up a dossier on each person, and provides a “confidence score” on the person’s current address,”
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
"We’re actually seeing new super PACs being established. One of them has already committed to spending $100 million in the midterms. And we’re seeing politicians and candidates speaking very frankly about wanting to install pro-crypto candidates"
more here:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
more here:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
How Crypto Is Used for Political Corruption
This new source of money is giving the administration unprecedented new powers.
www.theatlantic.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:32 PM
"We’re actually seeing new super PACs being established. One of them has already committed to spending $100 million in the midterms. And we’re seeing politicians and candidates speaking very frankly about wanting to install pro-crypto candidates"
more here:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
more here:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
The other crisis gripping Iran at the moment: acute water shortages linked to decades of complete mismanagement of natural resources now exacerbated by severe droughts due to climate change. Early example of how climate crisis may affect political and social stability.
How ‘day zero’ water shortages in Iran are fuelling protests
Supply failures are dramatic example of way climate crisis threatens basic human needs – and with it political stability
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:01 PM
The other crisis gripping Iran at the moment: acute water shortages linked to decades of complete mismanagement of natural resources now exacerbated by severe droughts due to climate change. Early example of how climate crisis may affect political and social stability.
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
“This tribe hopes to ward off multiple catastrophes at once by following its trusted method: wait until adversaries act, then respond feebly.
… All have been rigorously trained to think inside the box.”
Not sure whether I should nod along, or feel seen. By @simonkuper.bsky.social
… All have been rigorously trained to think inside the box.”
Not sure whether I should nod along, or feel seen. By @simonkuper.bsky.social
The impotence of Europe’s governing elite
From Brussels to Moldova, the men in blue suits know they’re in trouble. But what are they going to do about it?
giftarticle.ft.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:45 AM
“This tribe hopes to ward off multiple catastrophes at once by following its trusted method: wait until adversaries act, then respond feebly.
… All have been rigorously trained to think inside the box.”
Not sure whether I should nod along, or feel seen. By @simonkuper.bsky.social
… All have been rigorously trained to think inside the box.”
Not sure whether I should nod along, or feel seen. By @simonkuper.bsky.social
At some point you have to draw a line: 'The world is becoming harsher, more transactional and less forgiving of weakness. Europe’s response must be to grow up: in other words to recognise that playing for time and acquiescing only increases its vulnerability'.
Greenland is Europe’s credibility litmus test – it must show Trump that aggression carries a price | Fabian Zuleeg
In the new dog-eat-dog world order, appeasement doesn’t work. Time for the EU to grow up, says Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the European Policy Centre
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:55 PM
At some point you have to draw a line: 'The world is becoming harsher, more transactional and less forgiving of weakness. Europe’s response must be to grow up: in other words to recognise that playing for time and acquiescing only increases its vulnerability'.
Authoritarian regimes, like in the case of Iran, are getting more sophisticated and selective when implementing internet blackouts. Good explainer below.
Iran’s internet shutdown is chillingly precise and may last some time
Experts note the blackout is unprecedented in its extent but also selective, allowing some government communications
www.theguardian.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Authoritarian regimes, like in the case of Iran, are getting more sophisticated and selective when implementing internet blackouts. Good explainer below.
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
👇
If the US continues to make threats, European countries could refuse to refuel American ships in European ports, require higher payments for the stationing of US troops — or even close US military bases entirely.
US intentions towards Greenland threaten NATO’s future. But European countries are not helpless
US threats to annex Greenland following the attack on Venezuela should be taken seriously. European countries have important leverage they should be prepared to use.
www.chathamhouse.org
January 11, 2026 at 12:46 PM
👇
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
“Restoring Venezuela’s oil industry is completely unrealistic in the short term and might not be in America’s economic and geopolitical interests at all,” Rogé Karma argues.
Big Oil Knows That Trump’s Venezuela Plans Are Delusional
The president’s thinking is stuck in the 1980s.
bit.ly
January 11, 2026 at 1:15 PM
“Restoring Venezuela’s oil industry is completely unrealistic in the short term and might not be in America’s economic and geopolitical interests at all,” Rogé Karma argues.
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
The transformation of ICE into a type of national police force, backed, in some cases, by soldiers from the National Guard, has been covered as immigration story—but these forces are reshaping democracy for all of us.
Listen to 'Autocracy in America' here:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
Listen to 'Autocracy in America' here:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
Federal Agents Are Violating the Rights of Americans
ICE and the National Guard are acting with impunity.
www.theatlantic.com
January 10, 2026 at 9:10 AM
The transformation of ICE into a type of national police force, backed, in some cases, by soldiers from the National Guard, has been covered as immigration story—but these forces are reshaping democracy for all of us.
Listen to 'Autocracy in America' here:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
Listen to 'Autocracy in America' here:
www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/202...
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
'This is already the Putin model: authoritarian rule that enables smash-and-grab oligarchy by those in the regime’s good favor. Trump is making it unusually explicit that in this sphere of influence, Trump-approved oligarchs will be enriched"
newrepublic.com/article/2049... via @newrepublic.com
newrepublic.com/article/2049... via @newrepublic.com
Trump Blurts Out Dark Truth About Venezuela Plan—and About MAGA Voters
To some critics, it’s about plunder. To others, it’s about hemispheric hegemony. Actually, it’s about both.
newrepublic.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:19 PM
'This is already the Putin model: authoritarian rule that enables smash-and-grab oligarchy by those in the regime’s good favor. Trump is making it unusually explicit that in this sphere of influence, Trump-approved oligarchs will be enriched"
newrepublic.com/article/2049... via @newrepublic.com
newrepublic.com/article/2049... via @newrepublic.com
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
It's as if America toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003 and then put Qusay in charge. "There is no sign that the United States’ demands include less repression. Instead the regime is taking the opportunity to crack down." www.economist.com/the-americas...
The Venezuelan regime is rapidly consolidating its grip on power
The democratic opposition is left out in the cold
www.economist.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:52 AM
It's as if America toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003 and then put Qusay in charge. "There is no sign that the United States’ demands include less repression. Instead the regime is taking the opportunity to crack down." www.economist.com/the-americas...
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
January 5, 2026 at 6:50 AM
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
European accounts on X are reporting that they are being shadowbanned after Christmas
January 5, 2026 at 12:14 AM
European accounts on X are reporting that they are being shadowbanned after Christmas
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
Spain is held up as Europe's success story these days, but it's not. Strong growth is mostly just about massive immigration, which lifts headline GDP. Once you control for that by looking at per capita GDP, Spain is little better than Italy. Nothing ever changes on the periphery...
January 3, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Spain is held up as Europe's success story these days, but it's not. Strong growth is mostly just about massive immigration, which lifts headline GDP. Once you control for that by looking at per capita GDP, Spain is little better than Italy. Nothing ever changes on the periphery...
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
try to make sense of it
So fmr Honduran President Hernandez voluntarily surrendered, and was duly extradited, tried and convicted for drug trafficking, and Trump pardoned him 6w ago.
And this morning, Trump illegally attacks Venezuela and abducts its president and his wife purportedly to try them for drug trafficking.
And this morning, Trump illegally attacks Venezuela and abducts its president and his wife purportedly to try them for drug trafficking.
January 3, 2026 at 12:46 PM
try to make sense of it
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
Pantone just updated their Color Of The Year
December 20, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Pantone just updated their Color Of The Year
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
The Eastern Defense Line against Russia is starting to be built very soon as three Baltic States with support of Poland and EU agreed to start dismantling old-Russian gauge rail tracks.
Kaliningrad Crisis Explodes — Putin Furious After EU’s Sudden Strike!
YouTube video by Rachel Maddow Postcards
youtu.be
December 21, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The Eastern Defense Line against Russia is starting to be built very soon as three Baltic States with support of Poland and EU agreed to start dismantling old-Russian gauge rail tracks.
Reposted by Eduardo Gasca
Facing an economic spiral and depleted conventional forces, Vladimir Putin is entering a window of maximum danger. We must prepare not for a resurgent Russia but for a desperate one: 2026 will be the year of hybrid escalation.
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Russia is Losing – Time for Putin's 2026 Hybrid Escalation
2025 offered the most generous potential off-ramp for Vladimir Putin. He rejected it.
www.rusi.org
December 21, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Facing an economic spiral and depleted conventional forces, Vladimir Putin is entering a window of maximum danger. We must prepare not for a resurgent Russia but for a desperate one: 2026 will be the year of hybrid escalation.
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...