Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Europe hunts for chokepoints it can weaponise in a new age of economic warfare

2 4

Reposted by Abe Newman

Dr Sari Arho Havrén @sariarhohavren.bsky.social · 16h

“How can we move from a reactive attitude to a proactive attitude, one where we are not just trying to protect ourselves against weaknesses, but where we are also leveraging our strength?”

Superb reporting from @fbermingham.bsky.social once again 3/3

www.scmp.com/news/china/a...

Bureaucrats look for leverage against coercion from Beijing and Washington but what would it take for Brussels to act?

www.scmp.com

1 4 11

Reposted by Abe Newman

Henry Farrell @himself.bsky.social · 19h

This jibes with @abenewman.bsky.social and my writing, but goes much, much deeper than we have done on the bureaucratic transformation of State.

Dean Jackson @dwj88.bsky.social · 20h

A secret meeting with X. A senior State Dept. advisor just out of college. The VP's speech in Munich. Pressure on European regulators.

What do they share? They're all part of an agenda to turn the transatlantic alliance into a far right international:

www.techpolicy.press/trumps-state...

Trump’s State Department Wants to Use Tech Policy to Remake Europe In Its Image | TechPolicy.Press

Tech policy is a key part of the Trump administration's dramatic project to replace the US's traditional European alliances, Dean Jackson writes.

www.techpolicy.press

20 35

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 19h

12/A deeper take on the stakes. Digital clash between US and Europe goes to heart of debates on the future of democracy in the West.
bsky.app/profile/dwj8...

Dean Jackson @dwj88.bsky.social · 20h

A secret meeting with X. A senior State Dept. advisor just out of college. The VP's speech in Munich. Pressure on European regulators.

What do they share? They're all part of an agenda to turn the transatlantic alliance into a far right international:

www.techpolicy.press/trumps-state...

Trump’s State Department Wants to Use Tech Policy to Remake Europe In Its Image | TechPolicy.Press

Tech policy is a key part of the Trump administration's dramatic project to replace the US's traditional European alliances, Dean Jackson writes.

www.techpolicy.press

2 6

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 22h

Latest Transatlantic Tremors: The Copenhagen Summit, Elections in Europe and another French Government Crisis
open.substack.com/pub/transatl...

10/06 The Copenhagen Summit, Elections in Europe and another French Government Crisis

photo by Razvan Mirel on Unsplash

open.substack.com

4

Reposted by Abe Newman

bluenote1866.bsky.social @bluenote1866.bsky.social · 1d

This whole thread.

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

8/Looks increasingly like Macron is not a one off but the start of a cascade. EU announces AI plan to reduce tech dependence.
the-decoder.com/the-eu-plans...

The EU plans a new AI strategy to cut its reliance on US and Chinese technology

Brussels is preparing to launch a new AI strategy aimed at strengthening Europe's digital independence and reducing its reliance on the US and China.

The MNC‐Coalition Paradox: Issue Salience, Foreign Firms and the General Data Protection Regulation

1 6

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 1d

11/US pressure backfired before. It looked like Silicon Valley lobbying would weaken EU privacy rules (GDPR) but then Snowden happened and privacy advocates gained the upper hand.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1...

While the EU takes on an increasingly global regulatory role, we have only a limited understanding of how or when foreign firms influence EU regulation. Multinational Corporations (MNCs) have many of....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

1 1 8

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 1d

10/US intervention comes at a key time for future of Europe's digital debate as key legislation up for review. European deregulatory forces had been pushing for loosening of rules. Given backlash to US pressure, however, this might not be as simple as it once looked.
www.politico.eu/article/batt...

The battle over the EU’s Big Tech rules begins. Here are 5 fights to watch.

The European Union’s digital competition rules, loathed by U.S. President Donald Trump, are being reviewed to see what’s working and what’s not.

www.politico.eu

1 1 7

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 1d

The coming AI slowdow…

Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 1d

GOLDMAN: “.. Our client conversations heading into the quarter have centered once again around the durability of AI
capex spending ..

“.. Analyst estimates imply hyperscaler capex growth will slow from 75% in 3Q to 42% in 4Q and 20% in 2026 ..”

2 8

Reposted by Abe Newman

Alucard (悪魔城下町) @akumajoukamachi.bsky.social · 2d

This one! But please see the whole thread:

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

7/End result: Macron calls for a new enlightenment -- the end of dependence on US social media. Not because of economic argument (level playing fields) but because dependence threatens national security. Hate to say I told you so but @himself.bsky.social and I did.
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.

The EU plans a new AI strategy to cut its reliance on US and Chinese technology

1 1 7

Reposted by Abe Newman

SE Gyges @segyges.bsky.social · 2d

"why doesn't Europe have its own Silicon Valley" increasingly looks like a question of existential import

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

8/Looks increasingly like Macron is not a one off but the start of a cascade. EU announces AI plan to reduce tech dependence.
the-decoder.com/the-eu-plans...

Brussels is preparing to launch a new AI strategy aimed at strengthening Europe's digital independence and reducing its reliance on the US and China.

7 10 100

Reposted by Abe Newman

Jon Scherdin @jonscherdin.bsky.social · 2d

Good thread

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

1/Striking speech by Macron: The future of European democracy depends on taking back its digital information space. A remarkable turn from Silicon Valley as source of enlightenment to being a purveyor of slop. And the stakes aren't just ad revenue but the nation.
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.

2 5

Reposted by Abe Newman

Terri @terriclarke.bsky.social · 2d

🧵:

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

1/Striking speech by Macron: The future of European democracy depends on taking back its digital information space. A remarkable turn from Silicon Valley as source of enlightenment to being a purveyor of slop. And the stakes aren't just ad revenue but the nation.
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.

Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy

8 17

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

9/ Again was is remarkable about EU/Macron is fear that dependence on these digital systems is not just economic but the threat of weaponization.
a.co/d/bl8Ukig

Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy [Farrell, Henry, Newman, Abraham] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Underground Empire: How America Weaponized the World Economy

a.co

1 16 44

Reposted by Abe Newman

Stephen Boyd @stephenboydippr.bsky.social · 2d

Essential @abenewman.bsky.social thread on an important - and hopefully catalytic - speech

bsky.app/profile/aben...

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

1/Striking speech by Macron: The future of European democracy depends on taking back its digital information space. A remarkable turn from Silicon Valley as source of enlightenment to being a purveyor of slop. And the stakes aren't just ad revenue but the nation.
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.

3 7

Reposted by Abe Newman

Paul Nadeau @pauljnadeau.bsky.social · 2d

Read the whole thread, but Macron's right. Cynics will point to the economic argument ("Europe wants its own firms to dominate!") and they're not entirely wrong, but with the
@financialtimes.com's recent bit about social media use declining, it's an opportune time for Macron to press the case

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

7/End result: Macron calls for a new enlightenment -- the end of dependence on US social media. Not because of economic argument (level playing fields) but because dependence threatens national security. Hate to say I told you so but @himself.bsky.social and I did.
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.

1 13 42

Reposted by Abe Newman

Scoutprime @scoutprime.bsky.social · 2d

Thread

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

1/Striking speech by Macron: The future of European democracy depends on taking back its digital information space. A remarkable turn from Silicon Valley as source of enlightenment to being a purveyor of slop. And the stakes aren't just ad revenue but the nation.
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.

The EU plans a new AI strategy to cut its reliance on US and Chinese technology

1 4

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

8/Looks increasingly like Macron is not a one off but the start of a cascade. EU announces AI plan to reduce tech dependence.
the-decoder.com/the-eu-plans...

Brussels is preparing to launch a new AI strategy aimed at strengthening Europe's digital independence and reducing its reliance on the US and China.

3 24 97

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

7/End result: Macron calls for a new enlightenment -- the end of dependence on US social media. Not because of economic argument (level playing fields) but because dependence threatens national security. Hate to say I told you so but @himself.bsky.social and I did.
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.

«Enshittification» : la nouvelle doctrine de l'Empire américain | Le Grand Continent

3 30 99

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

6/It is not just US government and the Valley that has shifted. Third parties -- the Bolsonaros/Farages of the world. They see that they can plead their case in DC and get pressure on their home governments. US coercion deployed to remake home information spaces.
legrandcontinent.eu/fr/2025/09/2...

Le plan de l’administration Trump pour faire du reste du monde un vassal d’extrême droite — et les moyens pour le déjouer. Une pièce de doctrine signée Henry Farrell et Abraham Newman.

legrandcontinent.eu

1 13 45

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

5/And much of Silicon Valley has become complicit. Cozying up to the US government. This might help the Valley at home but it further undermines its position globally. See Macron speech.
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...

The Brewing Transatlantic Tech War

How Silicon Valley got entangled in geopolitics—and lost.

www.foreignaffairs.com

2 16 64

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

4/But hat process has now been coupled with US power. The US government uses dependencies to coerce states. At first, this seemed legitimate as targets were terrorism/nuclear proliferation. But increasingly, it is about free speech and democracy.
www.wired.com/story/enshit...

The Enshittification of American Power

First Google and Facebook, then the world. Under Trump 2.0, US statecraft is starting to mimic the worst tendencies of Big Tech.

www.wired.com

1 16 58

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

3/Why the turn against Silicon Valley. First and foremost, the business model. As Cory Doctorow argues -- enshittification. They lure you in, get you hooked, and then feed on attention.
www.ft.com/content/5efa...

Enshittification by Cory Doctorow — a manifesto for fixing the internet

The writer-activist argues that online platforms are getting worse, fast — and proposes radical regulation as the cure

www.ft.com

2 14 69

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

2/"We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks that are controlled either by large American entrepreneurs or large Chinese companies, whose interests are not at all the survival or proper functioning of our democracies."
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.

1 31 99

Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d

1/Striking speech by Macron: The future of European democracy depends on taking back its digital information space. A remarkable turn from Silicon Valley as source of enlightenment to being a purveyor of slop. And the stakes aren't just ad revenue but the nation.
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...

“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.