Boris Staal
@bwrs89.bsky.social
PhD candidate at University of Amsterdam | Historian | Russian revolutionary history | Eastern Europe.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Reposted by Boris Staal
@TheEconomist goes all in to service their Russian master.
January 10, 2026 at 12:07 PM
@TheEconomist goes all in to service their Russian master.
Reposted by Boris Staal
The Norwegian Nobel Prize committee has been forced to make a statement, declaring that the prize cannot be transferred.
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
January 10, 2026 at 9:15 AM
The Norwegian Nobel Prize committee has been forced to make a statement, declaring that the prize cannot be transferred.
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
Reposted by Boris Staal
I mean sure, but you know who else helped? Germany. Germany's behaviour during the 2-year long carnage in Gaza also helped. You cannot pick and choose. International law is not a menu. You have to respect it. Always. Otherwise it breaks down and then we're where we are now. #IntLaw #Germany
GERMAN PRESIDENT STEINMEIER:
“.. the United States has broken with the values that it helped to establish ..
“.. we have now moved beyond the stage where we can lament the lack of respect for international law or the erosion of the international order; we are far beyond that, I believe.”
“.. the United States has broken with the values that it helped to establish ..
“.. we have now moved beyond the stage where we can lament the lack of respect for international law or the erosion of the international order; we are far beyond that, I believe.”
January 9, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Reposted by Boris Staal
Kyiv is currently entirely without power and heating after today’s attack. Authorities urged people to leave the city if they can. This is a humanitarian disaster, in case anyone didn’t know
January 9, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Kyiv is currently entirely without power and heating after today’s attack. Authorities urged people to leave the city if they can. This is a humanitarian disaster, in case anyone didn’t know
Reposted by Boris Staal
Not everyone believed me when I wrote that Trump wants Greenland becuase it would make him feel important, but that's what he told the NYT:
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:56 AM
Not everyone believed me when I wrote that Trump wants Greenland becuase it would make him feel important, but that's what he told the NYT:
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
When asked why he needed to possess the territory, he said: “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success"
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/u...
Begrip voor het aan je laars lappen van internationaal recht. Het verbaast al niet eens meer.
Van Weel overtuigt Kamer: begrip voor ingrijpen VS in narcostaat Venezuela
Van Weel overtuigt Kamer: begrip voor ingrijpen VS in narcostaat Venezuela
Een meerderheid in de Tweede Kamer is het met de minister eens dat een harde veroordeling van de Amerikaanse regering nu niet helpt.
nos.nl
January 8, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Begrip voor het aan je laars lappen van internationaal recht. Het verbaast al niet eens meer.
Reposted by Boris Staal
Just days into 2026, the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked protests around the US.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
How to Protest Safely in the Age of Surveillance
Law enforcement has more tools than ever to track your movements and access your communications. Here’s how to protect your privacy if you plan to protest.
www.wired.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Just days into 2026, the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked protests around the US.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
Reposted by Boris Staal
Renee Nicole Good was killed yesterday by an ICE officer in Minneapolis—now her family has to cope not only with their loss “but with a campaign designed to justify her killing,” Adam Serwer argues:
First the Shooting. Then the Lies.
The Trump administration has perfected the smear campaign.
bit.ly
January 8, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Renee Nicole Good was killed yesterday by an ICE officer in Minneapolis—now her family has to cope not only with their loss “but with a campaign designed to justify her killing,” Adam Serwer argues:
Reposted by Boris Staal
Europe’s failure to condemn Trump’s illegal aggression in Venezuela isn’t just wrong – it’s stupid | Nathalie Tocci
Europe’s failure to condemn Trump’s illegal aggression in Venezuela isn’t just wrong – it’s stupid | Nathalie Tocci
The more European countries act as colonies, unable and unwilling to stand up to Trump, the more they’ll be treated as such, says Guardian Europe columnist Nathalie Tocci
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:04 AM
Europe’s failure to condemn Trump’s illegal aggression in Venezuela isn’t just wrong – it’s stupid | Nathalie Tocci
Reposted by Boris Staal
In Opinion
President Trump “is pushing our country toward an international crisis without valid reasons,” the editorial board writes after the U.S. attack on Venezuela was announced on Saturday. “If Mr. Trump wants to argue otherwise, the Constitution spells out what he must do: Go to Congress.”
President Trump “is pushing our country toward an international crisis without valid reasons,” the editorial board writes after the U.S. attack on Venezuela was announced on Saturday. “If Mr. Trump wants to argue otherwise, the Constitution spells out what he must do: Go to Congress.”
Opinion | Trump’s Attack on Venezuela Is Illegal and Unwise
We know that Mr. Trump’s warmongering violates the law.
nyti.ms
January 3, 2026 at 2:05 PM
In Opinion
President Trump “is pushing our country toward an international crisis without valid reasons,” the editorial board writes after the U.S. attack on Venezuela was announced on Saturday. “If Mr. Trump wants to argue otherwise, the Constitution spells out what he must do: Go to Congress.”
President Trump “is pushing our country toward an international crisis without valid reasons,” the editorial board writes after the U.S. attack on Venezuela was announced on Saturday. “If Mr. Trump wants to argue otherwise, the Constitution spells out what he must do: Go to Congress.”
Reposted by Boris Staal
Yes, Trump is the January 6th president, not only because of his own actions since that day, but because his coordinated, violent attack on democracy appealed to people who hate the US and its institutions, and because they now staff his administration.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
Opinion | Trump Is the Jan. 6 President
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:22 AM
Yes, Trump is the January 6th president, not only because of his own actions since that day, but because his coordinated, violent attack on democracy appealed to people who hate the US and its institutions, and because they now staff his administration.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/o...
Reposted by Boris Staal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared to wish Russian President Vladimir Putin dead, saying “May he perish” in a Christmas Eve address.
December 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared to wish Russian President Vladimir Putin dead, saying “May he perish” in a Christmas Eve address.
Reposted by Boris Staal
Hallo Streisandeffect
So, Bari Weiss decided to shelve a planned "60 Minutes" story titled "Inside CECOT," but the report has reached a worldwide audience anyway. Blame Canada, or thank Canada. Here's what seems to have happened... www.cnn.com/2025/12/22/m...
December 23, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Hallo Streisandeffect
Reposted by Boris Staal
Vrijgelaten Palestijnse gevangenen vertellen over foltering en seksueel misbruik in Israëlische gevangenissen. "Mijn cliënt vroeg me om niet meer te komen, want rondom elk bezoekje werd hij mishandeld", zegt advocaat Ben Marmarelli.
Israël foltert en verkracht Palestijnse gevangenen – en bijna niemand mag hen bezoeken
Palestijnse gevangenen: Vrijgelaten Palestijnse gevangenen vertellen over foltering en seksueel misbruik in Israëlische gevangenissen. „Mijn cliënt vroeg me om niet meer te komen, want rondom elk bezoekje werd hij mishandeld”, zegt advocaat Ben Marmarelli.
www.nrc.nl
December 23, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Vrijgelaten Palestijnse gevangenen vertellen over foltering en seksueel misbruik in Israëlische gevangenissen. "Mijn cliënt vroeg me om niet meer te komen, want rondom elk bezoekje werd hij mishandeld", zegt advocaat Ben Marmarelli.
Reposted by Boris Staal
On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, I speak to Casey Michel @cjcmichel.bsky.social about his new report for The Atlantic Council deconstructing the false narratives Russia has used to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine.
www.powervertical.org/2025/12/19/m...
www.powervertical.org/2025/12/19/m...
MYTHS, NARRATIVES, AND WAR
powervertical · MYTHS, NARRATIVES, AND WAR Russia’s war against Ukraine is many things: it’s a war of choice, it’s an illegal war of aggression, and it’s a colonial war. But…
www.powervertical.org
December 20, 2025 at 12:36 AM
On The Power Vertical Podcast this week, I speak to Casey Michel @cjcmichel.bsky.social about his new report for The Atlantic Council deconstructing the false narratives Russia has used to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine.
www.powervertical.org/2025/12/19/m...
www.powervertical.org/2025/12/19/m...
Reposted by Boris Staal
@kujo4pm.bsky.social reviews Cécile Desprairies’ "The Propagandist" and Lea Ypi’s "Indignity", arguing that while literature can bridge history and memory, it carries an inherent risk: histories vulnerable to erasure are also vulnerable to fabrication.
ceureviewofbooks.com/longread/fra...
ceureviewofbooks.com/longread/fra...
Fraught but exciting: Using fiction to bridge history with memory - CEU Review of Books
Kurt Johnson reviews Cécile Desprairies’s semi-autobiographical novel The Propagandist and Lea Ypi’s Indignity: A Life Reimagined, arguing that while literature can bridge history and memory, it carri...
ceureviewofbooks.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM
@kujo4pm.bsky.social reviews Cécile Desprairies’ "The Propagandist" and Lea Ypi’s "Indignity", arguing that while literature can bridge history and memory, it carries an inherent risk: histories vulnerable to erasure are also vulnerable to fabrication.
ceureviewofbooks.com/longread/fra...
ceureviewofbooks.com/longread/fra...
Reposted by Boris Staal
Zelensky waarschuwt voor verslappig nu Rusland alweer voorstellen afschiet en de eisen opschroeft.
www.volkskrant.nl/cs-bc3b3c66/
www.volkskrant.nl/cs-bc3b3c66/
Zelensky waarschuwt in Den Haag voor ‘verslapping’ nu Rusland alweer voorstellen afschiet
President Volodymyr Zelensky zei dinsdag te hopen dat het bij zijn volgende bezoek aan Nederland vrede is in Oekraïne. Dat er echter geen zicht is op een akkoord, maakte Rusland duidelijk door waarbor...
www.volkskrant.nl
December 17, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Zelensky waarschuwt voor verslappig nu Rusland alweer voorstellen afschiet en de eisen opschroeft.
www.volkskrant.nl/cs-bc3b3c66/
www.volkskrant.nl/cs-bc3b3c66/
Reposted by Boris Staal
Wow! This truly is HUGE! 😲
It is now solely up to the EU to keep Orbán in check, to prevent Russian or Turkish situations, as both Russia and U.S. will only intervene on Orbán’s behalf.
It is now solely up to the EU to keep Orbán in check, to prevent Russian or Turkish situations, as both Russia and U.S. will only intervene on Orbán’s behalf.
💥📉 A fresh bombshell poll in Hungary by a reputable pollster shows Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz trailing opposition leader Péter Magyar’s TISZA, 36–53. Despite throwing everything at Magyar in recent weeks, the gap has only widened.
Just four months to go until Hungary's parliamentary election.
Just four months to go until Hungary's parliamentary election.
December 17, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Wow! This truly is HUGE! 😲
It is now solely up to the EU to keep Orbán in check, to prevent Russian or Turkish situations, as both Russia and U.S. will only intervene on Orbán’s behalf.
It is now solely up to the EU to keep Orbán in check, to prevent Russian or Turkish situations, as both Russia and U.S. will only intervene on Orbán’s behalf.
Reposted by Boris Staal
"Als de tegenpartij en hun buitenlandse beschermers weigeren deel te nemen aan inhoudelijke gesprekken, zal Rusland zijn historische gebieden militair bevrijden."
Onder die 'historische gebieden' valt heel Oekraïne. Kyiv, Charkiv en Odesa zijn allemaal 'historisch Russisch', voor Poetin.
Onder die 'historische gebieden' valt heel Oekraïne. Kyiv, Charkiv en Odesa zijn allemaal 'historisch Russisch', voor Poetin.
Президент России
www.special.kremlin.ru
December 17, 2025 at 12:37 PM
"Als de tegenpartij en hun buitenlandse beschermers weigeren deel te nemen aan inhoudelijke gesprekken, zal Rusland zijn historische gebieden militair bevrijden."
Onder die 'historische gebieden' valt heel Oekraïne. Kyiv, Charkiv en Odesa zijn allemaal 'historisch Russisch', voor Poetin.
Onder die 'historische gebieden' valt heel Oekraïne. Kyiv, Charkiv en Odesa zijn allemaal 'historisch Russisch', voor Poetin.
Reposted by Boris Staal
How many more such "stand-ups" does Putin have to give, and how many more civilians must die in Ukraine before the U.S. administration realizes that Russia does not want to end the war?
December 17, 2025 at 12:11 PM
How many more such "stand-ups" does Putin have to give, and how many more civilians must die in Ukraine before the U.S. administration realizes that Russia does not want to end the war?
Reposted by Boris Staal
The Russian dictator delivered his usual "stand-up" about the goals of the "special military operation" and openly stated that if Russia’s terms are not accepted (which essentially amount to Ukraine’s capitulation), Russian forces will continue this war.
December 17, 2025 at 12:11 PM
The Russian dictator delivered his usual "stand-up" about the goals of the "special military operation" and openly stated that if Russia’s terms are not accepted (which essentially amount to Ukraine’s capitulation), Russian forces will continue this war.
Reposted by Boris Staal
So far Russia has accumulated 350-360 thousand combat-ready troops in Belarus with more incoming between 2026 and 2027.
December 16, 2025 at 5:48 PM
So far Russia has accumulated 350-360 thousand combat-ready troops in Belarus with more incoming between 2026 and 2027.
Reposted by Boris Staal
If we can't even identify our enemies then how can we fight them?
Trump's National Security Strategy is the longest suicide note in American history
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump's National Security Strategy is the longest suicide note in American history
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Longest Suicide Note in American History
The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy targets liberal democracy itself.
www.theatlantic.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:59 PM
If we can't even identify our enemies then how can we fight them?
Trump's National Security Strategy is the longest suicide note in American history
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump's National Security Strategy is the longest suicide note in American history
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Boris Staal
President Zelenskyy: "look at Russia's history since 1991, from then until today. Russia has changed. It has been poor and rich, it has gone from oligarchy to dictatorship, but one thing has remained the same: it keeps bringing war and hatred.
December 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM
President Zelenskyy: "look at Russia's history since 1991, from then until today. Russia has changed. It has been poor and rich, it has gone from oligarchy to dictatorship, but one thing has remained the same: it keeps bringing war and hatred.
Reposted by Boris Staal
Just sent out this free piece. Its being said that what Trump is doing with Putin is similar to what FDR did with Stalin at Yalta. Nothing could be further from the truth. Trump could easily weaken a dictatorship and strengthen a democracy if he wanted. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
What The US Is Doing To Ukraine Is Far Worse Than Yalta
How the great GOP bugbear of the past puts Trump to shame.
open.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Just sent out this free piece. Its being said that what Trump is doing with Putin is similar to what FDR did with Stalin at Yalta. Nothing could be further from the truth. Trump could easily weaken a dictatorship and strengthen a democracy if he wanted. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...