Nicholas Petre
@nicholaspetre.bsky.social
Media & EU - UK advisor for @RenewEurope. Brussels since 2005. Liberal, European, antique hunter. Views on here are personal.
"In true bubble fashion, the race today is not to build useful products, but to attract the attention of investors, largely by beating competitors at specialized benchmarks only vaguely related to real-world scenarios".
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
There’s An AI Bubble. For Real.
Here’s what the numbers—and a little bit of history—tell us.
open.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:57 PM
"In true bubble fashion, the race today is not to build useful products, but to attract the attention of investors, largely by beating competitors at specialized benchmarks only vaguely related to real-world scenarios".
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
Quite breathtaking story - military grade drones at Dublin airport which flew on the path Zelensky's plane took. The drones reached the flight path of his plane exactly the time it should have been there, but just missed it because Zelensky arrived ahead of schedule:
Four unidentified military-style drones breached no-fly zone to target Zelenskyy's arrival in Dublin
Gardaí are investigating whether the drones took off from land in Dublin or from an undetected ship.
www.thejournal.ie
December 4, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Quite breathtaking story - military grade drones at Dublin airport which flew on the path Zelensky's plane took. The drones reached the flight path of his plane exactly the time it should have been there, but just missed it because Zelensky arrived ahead of schedule:
Amen
We tend to think that keeping the status quo means stability and change means risk. But now the opposite is true: the status quo is instability.
December 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Amen
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
@economist.com his the nail on the head this week. Europe can easily afford to support Ukraine -- and it is not even that costly, as long as all members participate. Joint debt will rope in even the recalcitrant ones.
December 4, 2025 at 6:35 PM
@economist.com his the nail on the head this week. Europe can easily afford to support Ukraine -- and it is not even that costly, as long as all members participate. Joint debt will rope in even the recalcitrant ones.
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
“Europe is losing confidence, sinking into fatalism and justifying its passivity with the soothing thought that it has no real choice, as its cards are weak. Besides, in the long run, things will work out. Just wait for the U.S. midterms.”
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe’s psychology of weakness
It’s time the EU ditched its failing strategy of “react, hope, repeat.”
www.politico.eu
December 1, 2025 at 9:43 PM
“Europe is losing confidence, sinking into fatalism and justifying its passivity with the soothing thought that it has no real choice, as its cards are weak. Besides, in the long run, things will work out. Just wait for the U.S. midterms.”
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
This play. This passage. Simply the best ever – or at lesst most succinct – defence and justification for the very idea of Civilisation ever written.
This is why we’re here. Because of what this means. And because someone can put it into words like this.
open.substack.com/pub/benjamin...
This is why we’re here. Because of what this means. And because someone can put it into words like this.
open.substack.com/pub/benjamin...
We shed as we pick up.
[farewell to the master]
open.substack.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:50 PM
This play. This passage. Simply the best ever – or at lesst most succinct – defence and justification for the very idea of Civilisation ever written.
This is why we’re here. Because of what this means. And because someone can put it into words like this.
open.substack.com/pub/benjamin...
This is why we’re here. Because of what this means. And because someone can put it into words like this.
open.substack.com/pub/benjamin...
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
New post: Labour’s Brexit stance is as untenable as their tax pledge
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/labo...
As public perception and econometric estimates of the damage caused by Brexit rise, Labour's refusal to discuss rejoining the EU's customs union or single market means more self harm.
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/labo...
As public perception and econometric estimates of the damage caused by Brexit rise, Labour's refusal to discuss rejoining the EU's customs union or single market means more self harm.
Labour’s Brexit stance is as untenable as their tax pledge
In my last post about the prospect of Labour breaking its tax pledge, I did something I don’t often do, which is indulge in some ‘I told y...
mainlymacro.blogspot.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:07 AM
New post: Labour’s Brexit stance is as untenable as their tax pledge
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/labo...
As public perception and econometric estimates of the damage caused by Brexit rise, Labour's refusal to discuss rejoining the EU's customs union or single market means more self harm.
mainlymacro.blogspot.com/2025/11/labo...
As public perception and econometric estimates of the damage caused by Brexit rise, Labour's refusal to discuss rejoining the EU's customs union or single market means more self harm.
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
"At the other end of the continent from pussy-footing Britain, Ukraine is fighting for its life." epc.eu/publication/...
Ukraine and the United Kingdom: how the EU should address the challenge of enlargement to the east and west
This paper contrasts the challenges faced by the United Kingdom and Ukraine as they each try to level with the European Union. It recommends a change of methodology to accelerate Ukraine’s accession and overcome a veto.
epc.eu
November 11, 2025 at 11:38 AM
"At the other end of the continent from pussy-footing Britain, Ukraine is fighting for its life." epc.eu/publication/...
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
“The far right can only govern if the centre right cooperates”, @carolinedegruyter.bsky.social says. “Everyone claims the voters shift to the far right but it is a rightward shift of the political parties.”
Europe is the elephant in the room in the Dutch elections - as in many other national elections, @carolinedegruyter.bsky.social says at election night at Dutch embassy in Berlin tonight
October 29, 2025 at 7:20 PM
“The far right can only govern if the centre right cooperates”, @carolinedegruyter.bsky.social says. “Everyone claims the voters shift to the far right but it is a rightward shift of the political parties.”
👏👏👏
De positieve krachten hebben gewonnen! Ik wil voor alle Nederlanders aan de slag, want dit is het land van ons allemaal!
October 30, 2025 at 12:32 AM
👏👏👏
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
The European Right-wing anti-migrant politicians and influencers who enthusiastically support Netanyahu are backing an Israeli government whose actions will end up pushing 100s of 000s of forcibly displaced Gaza refugees into the EU
"The 38-page prospectus seen by The Washington Post envisions at least a temporary relocation of all of Gaza’s more than 2 million population, either through what it calls “voluntary” departures ... or into restricted, secured zones inside the enclave during reconstruction."
Illegal. Insane.
Illegal. Insane.
August 31, 2025 at 12:43 PM
The European Right-wing anti-migrant politicians and influencers who enthusiastically support Netanyahu are backing an Israeli government whose actions will end up pushing 100s of 000s of forcibly displaced Gaza refugees into the EU
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
In just the past week or so, Russia has bombed a US factory in Ukraine, bombed an EU office in Ukraine, and jammed the navigation system on a plane carrying the EU president, forcing the pilots to land using paper maps.
Putin does not want peace. He will keep pushing until we fight back.
Putin does not want peace. He will keep pushing until we fight back.
September 1, 2025 at 11:42 AM
In just the past week or so, Russia has bombed a US factory in Ukraine, bombed an EU office in Ukraine, and jammed the navigation system on a plane carrying the EU president, forcing the pilots to land using paper maps.
Putin does not want peace. He will keep pushing until we fight back.
Putin does not want peace. He will keep pushing until we fight back.
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
Very succinct WSJ summary of the staggering migration shock that successive Tory governments inflicted on Britain as they tried to mitigate and hide the economic consequences of the Brexit disaster
August 28, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Very succinct WSJ summary of the staggering migration shock that successive Tory governments inflicted on Britain as they tried to mitigate and hide the economic consequences of the Brexit disaster
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
A day of shame for the UK. A political party proposes mass deportations and the response from other political parties is not to condemn this as going further than even Mosley or the National Front.
No10 spokesman not prepared to criticise anything about Farage speech today.
Not his description of "invasion", not his prediction that the UK on brink of civil war, not plans to pay the Taliban or Iran to take back migrants, or indeed to rule out doing so themselves.
Not his description of "invasion", not his prediction that the UK on brink of civil war, not plans to pay the Taliban or Iran to take back migrants, or indeed to rule out doing so themselves.
August 26, 2025 at 12:56 PM
A day of shame for the UK. A political party proposes mass deportations and the response from other political parties is not to condemn this as going further than even Mosley or the National Front.
“It was a splendid autumn day, the leaves were falling, and as they fell they seemed to say: make haste, time is passing.”
Uncertain times. But it seems likely how to bring Ukraine into EU quickly will feature prominently this autumn.
Uncertain times. But it seems likely how to bring Ukraine into EU quickly will feature prominently this autumn.
Well, this is still the case. And even more urgent now. www.epc.eu/publication/...
How to fast-track Ukraine’s membership of the European Union
On 28 February 2022, four days after Putin’s full-scale invasion and while Russian tanks were only a few kilometres from Kyiv, Ukraine applied to join the European Union. President Zelensky asked for a “new special procedure” to facilitate EU membership for his country. Later that month, Zelensky was invited to a meeting of EU leaders. On 24 June, the European Council accepted Ukraine, along with Moldova, as a candidate country. The EU was reacting with unprecedented alacrity after years of standstill. The last enlargement (Croatia) had taken place as long ago as 2013, and the candidacy of other Western Balkan states had stalled.
www.epc.eu
August 19, 2025 at 10:29 PM
“It was a splendid autumn day, the leaves were falling, and as they fell they seemed to say: make haste, time is passing.”
Uncertain times. But it seems likely how to bring Ukraine into EU quickly will feature prominently this autumn.
Uncertain times. But it seems likely how to bring Ukraine into EU quickly will feature prominently this autumn.
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
Israeli media reports that the cabinet is gearing up to instruct the IDF to occupy all parts of the Gaza Strip.
The implications are a severe escalation of the carnage, starvation, and ethnic cleansing.
UK+EU sanctions should preempt this catastrophe - not respond to it belatedly.
The implications are a severe escalation of the carnage, starvation, and ethnic cleansing.
UK+EU sanctions should preempt this catastrophe - not respond to it belatedly.
August 4, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Israeli media reports that the cabinet is gearing up to instruct the IDF to occupy all parts of the Gaza Strip.
The implications are a severe escalation of the carnage, starvation, and ethnic cleansing.
UK+EU sanctions should preempt this catastrophe - not respond to it belatedly.
The implications are a severe escalation of the carnage, starvation, and ethnic cleansing.
UK+EU sanctions should preempt this catastrophe - not respond to it belatedly.
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
Trump's 25 per cent India tariff is obnoxious and yet another gift to China. He's punishing poorer countries more than richer ones and alienating the global south. Stupidity doesn't cover the damage Trump is doing.
July 30, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Trump's 25 per cent India tariff is obnoxious and yet another gift to China. He's punishing poorer countries more than richer ones and alienating the global south. Stupidity doesn't cover the damage Trump is doing.
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
Extraordinary how much of the media is essentially trying to incite rioting now. Not just legitimise or normalise but actively encourage. It is, of course, unlikely to kick off anywhere near them.
July 27, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Extraordinary how much of the media is essentially trying to incite rioting now. Not just legitimise or normalise but actively encourage. It is, of course, unlikely to kick off anywhere near them.
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
Making it contingent a ceasefire is bizarre: why would Palestinian statehood be less valid just because Israel wasn’t in the process of killing Palestinians?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
UK will recognise Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to Gaza ceasefire and other conditions - live updates
Starmer says the UK will take the step at a UN meeting unless Israel makes
www.bbc.co.uk
July 29, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Making it contingent a ceasefire is bizarre: why would Palestinian statehood be less valid just because Israel wasn’t in the process of killing Palestinians?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
Never forget the russian atrocities committed against the people of Mariupol — a beautiful city turned into a graveyard.
July 19, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Never forget the russian atrocities committed against the people of Mariupol — a beautiful city turned into a graveyard.
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
A very useful analysis, as always from Steve. It gives a clear and focused explanation of the proposed UK-France deal, including potential legal issues. Very well worth reading.
Is the UK/France migration deal legal?
Some thoughts from me, on the @ukandeu.bsky.social blog - ukandeu.ac.uk/the-uk-franc...
Some thoughts from me, on the @ukandeu.bsky.social blog - ukandeu.ac.uk/the-uk-franc...
The UK-France migration deal: is it legal? - UK in a changing Europe
Professor Steve Peers considers the UK-France migration deal announced during Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the UK in June. He outlines several key issues that could cause legal complications in it...
ukandeu.ac.uk
July 15, 2025 at 9:52 PM
A very useful analysis, as always from Steve. It gives a clear and focused explanation of the proposed UK-France deal, including potential legal issues. Very well worth reading.
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
"From 2019-2024, Reform received more than 90% of its funding, £2.3 million, from individuals and companies linked to polluting industries and climate science denial.
"Bringing this information to the attention of voters 'was the only message to significantly reduce willingness to vote for Reform'"
"Bringing this information to the attention of voters 'was the only message to significantly reduce willingness to vote for Reform'"
New research reveals the best attack lines to use against Reform
How to stop Farage...
open.substack.com
July 15, 2025 at 9:05 PM
"From 2019-2024, Reform received more than 90% of its funding, £2.3 million, from individuals and companies linked to polluting industries and climate science denial.
"Bringing this information to the attention of voters 'was the only message to significantly reduce willingness to vote for Reform'"
"Bringing this information to the attention of voters 'was the only message to significantly reduce willingness to vote for Reform'"
European capabilities and effective deterrence are what matters, not spending targets picked out of the air.
"Instead of beginning to reckon with the reality that the United States is less politically committed to European security, NATO and European leaders have decided to pretend that nothing has changed."
New analysis on the #NATOsummit by @maxbergmann.bsky.social ⏬
www.csis.org/analysis/nat...
New analysis on the #NATOsummit by @maxbergmann.bsky.social ⏬
www.csis.org/analysis/nat...
NATO’s “Brain Death” in The Hague
At the 2025 NATO Summit, allies pledged to raise defense spending to 5 percent of GDP. But spending targets alone ignore deeper issues. Europe must shift its focus to building capable, integrated mili...
www.csis.org
June 25, 2025 at 9:27 PM
European capabilities and effective deterrence are what matters, not spending targets picked out of the air.
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
Not that I'm pessimistic, but my tracker for UK-EU reset legal agreements runs out to the end of 2029
Unlikely to see the core elements (SPS, ETS, YES, Electricity) all in place even by next year
PDF with clicky links: bit.ly/UshGraphic141
1/
Unlikely to see the core elements (SPS, ETS, YES, Electricity) all in place even by next year
PDF with clicky links: bit.ly/UshGraphic141
1/
June 4, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Not that I'm pessimistic, but my tracker for UK-EU reset legal agreements runs out to the end of 2029
Unlikely to see the core elements (SPS, ETS, YES, Electricity) all in place even by next year
PDF with clicky links: bit.ly/UshGraphic141
1/
Unlikely to see the core elements (SPS, ETS, YES, Electricity) all in place even by next year
PDF with clicky links: bit.ly/UshGraphic141
1/
Reposted by Nicholas Petre
"Brooke Nichols, an associate professor of global health at Boston University, has estimated that these cuts have already resulted in about 300,000 deaths, most of them of children, and will most likely lead to significantly more by the end of the year."
Opinion | Elon Musk’s Legacy Is Disease, Starvation and Death
www.nytimes.com
May 30, 2025 at 9:11 AM
"Brooke Nichols, an associate professor of global health at Boston University, has estimated that these cuts have already resulted in about 300,000 deaths, most of them of children, and will most likely lead to significantly more by the end of the year."