Mardanz
@mardanz.bsky.social
Reposted by Mardanz
2024: can Europe defend itself ALONGSIDE America?
2025: can Europe defend itself WITHOUT America?
2026: can Europe defend itself AGAINST America?
2025: can Europe defend itself WITHOUT America?
2026: can Europe defend itself AGAINST America?
January 18, 2026 at 10:12 AM
2024: can Europe defend itself ALONGSIDE America?
2025: can Europe defend itself WITHOUT America?
2026: can Europe defend itself AGAINST America?
2025: can Europe defend itself WITHOUT America?
2026: can Europe defend itself AGAINST America?
Reposted by Mardanz
Fascinating theory of international sovereignty Stephen, but I think I've heard it before and the Great Khan was more charismatic in his delivery.
January 17, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Fascinating theory of international sovereignty Stephen, but I think I've heard it before and the Great Khan was more charismatic in his delivery.
Reposted by Mardanz
Europeans shouldn’t panic about Donald Trump’s threats toward Greenland. They should act—fast and visibly—to raise the costs of any annexation attempt. They can play “Arctic hold‘em” – with ten European cards 👇
https://bit.ly/45AQ3kr
https://bit.ly/45AQ3kr
January 16, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Europeans shouldn’t panic about Donald Trump’s threats toward Greenland. They should act—fast and visibly—to raise the costs of any annexation attempt. They can play “Arctic hold‘em” – with ten European cards 👇
https://bit.ly/45AQ3kr
https://bit.ly/45AQ3kr
Reposted by Mardanz
EU tech simplification push mirrors big tech’s agenda, lobby trackers warn
EU tech simplification push mirrors big tech’s agenda, lobby trackers warn
Corporate Europe Observatory and Lobby Control also suggest tech companies are looking to the far-right for backing
dlvr.it
January 14, 2026 at 5:17 AM
EU tech simplification push mirrors big tech’s agenda, lobby trackers warn
Reposted by Mardanz
Every person, and every organization, with even the weakest functioning moral compass, should have left three years ago.
Leaving X is long overdue.
Leaving X is long overdue.
January 14, 2026 at 2:29 AM
Every person, and every organization, with even the weakest functioning moral compass, should have left three years ago.
Leaving X is long overdue.
Leaving X is long overdue.
Reposted by Mardanz
Breaking NYT:
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
U.S. Attacked Boat With Aircraft That Looked Like a Civilian Plane
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Breaking NYT:
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
Reposted by Mardanz
Reposted by Mardanz
What can history teach us about what happens when a populist strongman with an idiosyncratic taste for low interest rates undermines central bank independence?
January 12, 2026 at 1:44 AM
What can history teach us about what happens when a populist strongman with an idiosyncratic taste for low interest rates undermines central bank independence?
Reposted by Mardanz
”a broader psychological anxiety hamstrings European leaders: an inability to contemplate going it alone — without US support or even against US wishes — where “it” means not just Ukraine and wider security, but technology and the economy.
This inferiority complex is unwarranted.”
YES
This inferiority complex is unwarranted.”
YES
Europe should embrace the idea of going it alone ft.trib.al/zVWWKZs | opinion
Europe should embrace the idea of going it alone
The more the EU has to pay for ingratiation with Trump, the less convincing its strategic rationale for doing so
ft.trib.al
January 11, 2026 at 8:43 PM
”a broader psychological anxiety hamstrings European leaders: an inability to contemplate going it alone — without US support or even against US wishes — where “it” means not just Ukraine and wider security, but technology and the economy.
This inferiority complex is unwarranted.”
YES
This inferiority complex is unwarranted.”
YES
Reposted by Mardanz
UK Prime Minister Starmer seeks support for international X ban
UK Prime Minister Starmer seeks support for international X ban
Canada already ruled out a potential ban but Australia's prime minister was sterner in his rebuke of Grok, calling the AI-generated sexualised images "completely abhorrent"
dlvr.it
January 11, 2026 at 2:35 PM
UK Prime Minister Starmer seeks support for international X ban
Reposted by Mardanz
This is spot on. X is not primarily a social media platform anymore. It's a power space for America's neo-royalty, and other governments are afraid of Trump's anger if they leave.
That's why "our government communications now happen on a deepfake porn site", and nobody does anything.
That's why "our government communications now happen on a deepfake porn site", and nobody does anything.
X Is a Power Problem, Not a Platform Problem
my analysis of current events
connectedplaces.online/reports/a-po...
my analysis of current events
connectedplaces.online/reports/a-po...
January 10, 2026 at 4:05 PM
This is spot on. X is not primarily a social media platform anymore. It's a power space for America's neo-royalty, and other governments are afraid of Trump's anger if they leave.
That's why "our government communications now happen on a deepfake porn site", and nobody does anything.
That's why "our government communications now happen on a deepfake porn site", and nobody does anything.
Reposted by Mardanz
I can't believe I'm posting this video - but we actually have to have a conversation about the real world implications of America going to war over Greenland.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
January 11, 2026 at 2:44 AM
I can't believe I'm posting this video - but we actually have to have a conversation about the real world implications of America going to war over Greenland.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
Let me walk you through it. It doesn't turn out well for us.
Reposted by Mardanz
I wrote up my analysis of what Ross's movements and actions reveal about whether or not he had a "reasonable belief that he was in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury" (the legal standard). I list 7 crucial moments that suggest he did not. asharangappa.substack.com/p/friday-rou...
Friday Round Up! 1/9/26
It was a bad shoot.
asharangappa.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 5:57 PM
I wrote up my analysis of what Ross's movements and actions reveal about whether or not he had a "reasonable belief that he was in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury" (the legal standard). I list 7 crucial moments that suggest he did not. asharangappa.substack.com/p/friday-rou...
Reposted by Mardanz
African mercenary Francis, who for some reason chose to fight in the Russian army, has suddenly “upgraded” from infantryman to disposable kamikaze.
January 9, 2026 at 3:31 PM
African mercenary Francis, who for some reason chose to fight in the Russian army, has suddenly “upgraded” from infantryman to disposable kamikaze.
Reposted by Mardanz
trump accidentally making a persuasive case for expropriating a certain unruly settler nation in the americas
Trump on Greenland: “The fact that they landed a boat there 500 years ago doesn’t mean they own the land.”
January 9, 2026 at 9:45 PM
trump accidentally making a persuasive case for expropriating a certain unruly settler nation in the americas
Reposted by Mardanz
Again what European leader is calling Trump and pulling a Mark Carney???
Elbows out, Europe. Or else this really could get out of control. And it would mean the end of NATO. Time to escalate to deescalate.
Elbows out, Europe. Or else this really could get out of control. And it would mean the end of NATO. Time to escalate to deescalate.
Trump: "I'm a fan of Denmark too. They've been very nice to me. But the fact that they had a boat land there [Greenland] 500 years ago doesn't mean they own the land. I'm sure we had lots of boats go there also."
January 9, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Again what European leader is calling Trump and pulling a Mark Carney???
Elbows out, Europe. Or else this really could get out of control. And it would mean the end of NATO. Time to escalate to deescalate.
Elbows out, Europe. Or else this really could get out of control. And it would mean the end of NATO. Time to escalate to deescalate.
Reposted by Mardanz
Well, I hope John Roberts is proud of himself. Who could’ve thought giving a power hungry madman king-like powers would make him behave like one?
‘I don’t need international law’: Trump says power constrained only by ‘my own morality’
‘I don’t need international law’: Trump says power constrained only by ‘my own morality’
President says morality ‘the only thing that can stop me’ in New York Times interview on limits to his authority
Donald Trump has said ‘I don’t need international law” and that his power is limited only by his “own morality”.
In a new interview with the New York Times, Trump said the only constraint to his power as president of the US is “my own morality, my own mind”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Well, I hope John Roberts is proud of himself. Who could’ve thought giving a power hungry madman king-like powers would make him behave like one?
Reposted by Mardanz
🚨 NEW VIDEO 👇🏽This puts an end to all the lies. Horrific.
They were having a calm exchange seconds before he murdered Renee Good, and she was barely moving and clearly avoiding him.
Stop the lies.
They were having a calm exchange seconds before he murdered Renee Good, and she was barely moving and clearly avoiding him.
Stop the lies.
January 9, 2026 at 6:12 PM
🚨 NEW VIDEO 👇🏽This puts an end to all the lies. Horrific.
They were having a calm exchange seconds before he murdered Renee Good, and she was barely moving and clearly avoiding him.
Stop the lies.
They were having a calm exchange seconds before he murdered Renee Good, and she was barely moving and clearly avoiding him.
Stop the lies.
Reposted by Mardanz
Counterpoint: It’s deeply irresponsible for any administration to tacitly encourage the people it serves to be active on an unregulated, surveilled platform, run by an erratic, capricious individual . Find better ways to reach people
Government should stay on X despite the Grok scandal, Keir Starmer's former communications director has said
James Lyons, who worked at TikTok before serving in Downing St, told PolHome podcast The Rundown that quitting Elon Musk's platform would leave a "vacuum" for Labour's rivals to fill
James Lyons, who worked at TikTok before serving in Downing St, told PolHome podcast The Rundown that quitting Elon Musk's platform would leave a "vacuum" for Labour's rivals to fill
Government Shouldn’t Quit X Over Grok Scandal, Says Former No10 Comms Director
The government should not quit X as doing so would leave a 'vacuum' for its political rivals to fill, Keir Starmer's former communications director...
www.politicshome.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:21 AM
Counterpoint: It’s deeply irresponsible for any administration to tacitly encourage the people it serves to be active on an unregulated, surveilled platform, run by an erratic, capricious individual . Find better ways to reach people
Reposted by Mardanz
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...
Reposted by Mardanz
I reached out to more than three dozen X advertisers, xAI investors, politicians, and government agencies about the growing library of sexualized deepfakes generated with Grok—now including Renee Good. I only heard back from four, with three declining to comment.
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-deepf...
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-deepf...
Why isn't there a bigger Grok boycott?
Advertisers, politicians, and investors are still all-in on X, despite a sexual abuse crisis.
spitfirenews.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:04 PM
I reached out to more than three dozen X advertisers, xAI investors, politicians, and government agencies about the growing library of sexualized deepfakes generated with Grok—now including Renee Good. I only heard back from four, with three declining to comment.
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-deepf...
spitfirenews.com/p/grok-deepf...
Reposted by Mardanz
The main aim should be to deter Trump by raising the prospective domestic political price by increasing the likelihood that (some) Republicans break ranks. Trump shouldn't be able to take over Greenland without killing Danes and Brits and Germans
This is where Europe has to draw a red line. No flattery, no vague language. We cannot prevent Trump from taking Greenland by force but if he does, he needs to pay a steep price
"U.S. officials in recent days have presented a U.S. move against Greenland as an increasingly concrete possibility in conversations with European counterparts, said a senior European diplomat" www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
January 7, 2026 at 11:29 AM
The main aim should be to deter Trump by raising the prospective domestic political price by increasing the likelihood that (some) Republicans break ranks. Trump shouldn't be able to take over Greenland without killing Danes and Brits and Germans
Reposted by Mardanz
After the Cold War, the US itself closed or sharply downsized many military facilities in Greenland, including Sondrestrom Air Base and early-warning radar sites. Denmark remained a loyal ally, and did not object to US presence. Claims of Danish security neglect are fallacious.
January 7, 2026 at 4:25 AM
After the Cold War, the US itself closed or sharply downsized many military facilities in Greenland, including Sondrestrom Air Base and early-warning radar sites. Denmark remained a loyal ally, and did not object to US presence. Claims of Danish security neglect are fallacious.
Reposted by Mardanz
All the coverage of the "digital euro" drives me nuts. The idea that we need "an electronic equivalent to cash: a digital currency that works in stores, online and in peer-to-peer transactions" sounds novel until you realise... we already have it! WE HAVE DIGITAL EUROS PEOPLE! THEY EXIST!
January 5, 2026 at 8:38 AM
All the coverage of the "digital euro" drives me nuts. The idea that we need "an electronic equivalent to cash: a digital currency that works in stores, online and in peer-to-peer transactions" sounds novel until you realise... we already have it! WE HAVE DIGITAL EUROS PEOPLE! THEY EXIST!
Reposted by Mardanz
Let's be real: Trump is not going to war with Russia over Estonia, Finland or Romania. If Putin attacks, we're on our own
January 7, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Let's be real: Trump is not going to war with Russia over Estonia, Finland or Romania. If Putin attacks, we're on our own