Sjoerd
@sjoerdsvi.bsky.social
Dutch guy interested in Dutch and global politics and supporting Ukraine.
Reposted by Sjoerd
We need to be very careful about using the word "peace" today or to talk about "ending the war". What we will see most likely is Putin and Trump agreeing to a deal that might bring a temporary ceasefire, before Putin rearms and tries again to take over Ukraine. It wont be peace.
August 15, 2025 at 5:42 AM
We need to be very careful about using the word "peace" today or to talk about "ending the war". What we will see most likely is Putin and Trump agreeing to a deal that might bring a temporary ceasefire, before Putin rearms and tries again to take over Ukraine. It wont be peace.
Reposted by Sjoerd
In today’s Vatnik Soup, I’ll discuss the state of X in May 2025. Since its acquisition by Elon Musk, this platform has rapidly transformed into his personal political tool and a breeding ground for hate speech and disinformation.
1/22
1/22
May 6, 2025 at 10:11 AM
In today’s Vatnik Soup, I’ll discuss the state of X in May 2025. Since its acquisition by Elon Musk, this platform has rapidly transformed into his personal political tool and a breeding ground for hate speech and disinformation.
1/22
1/22
Reposted by Sjoerd
Putin wants an energy/infrastructure only ceasefire. A sign that these attacks by Ukraine are having real impact and he's worried by then. Ukraine should consider rejecting Putin's selective ceasefire and get something broader than helps Ukraine.
March 18, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Putin wants an energy/infrastructure only ceasefire. A sign that these attacks by Ukraine are having real impact and he's worried by then. Ukraine should consider rejecting Putin's selective ceasefire and get something broader than helps Ukraine.
Reposted by Sjoerd
📄 NEW: "Forget The Budget Battle – The Debt Ceiling Is the One to Watch" Democrats face a significant hurdle with the upcoming debt ceiling standoff, coming as soon as May. And they have an important opportunity to shape the outcome. My latest.
america2.news/forget-the-b...
america2.news/forget-the-b...
Forget The Budget Battle – The Debt Ceiling Is the One to Watch
Democrats face a significant hurdle with the upcoming debt ceiling standoff. And they have an important opportunity to shape the outcome.
america2.news
March 17, 2025 at 5:34 PM
📄 NEW: "Forget The Budget Battle – The Debt Ceiling Is the One to Watch" Democrats face a significant hurdle with the upcoming debt ceiling standoff, coming as soon as May. And they have an important opportunity to shape the outcome. My latest.
america2.news/forget-the-b...
america2.news/forget-the-b...
Reposted by Sjoerd
🧵 I want to follow up this earlier thread by examining why the USA finds itself in the state it does at the moment; the process of disordered discourse capturing state institutions and how it inevitably results in a slide towards authoritarianism, a process we're seeing unfold before our very eyes.
What we’re witnessing in America is what happens when disordered discourse captures a political party, then the state itself. The Republican Party was the first to fall - abandoning truth for conspiracy, ideology for grievance, and policy for performative outrage.
March 12, 2025 at 7:28 PM
🧵 I want to follow up this earlier thread by examining why the USA finds itself in the state it does at the moment; the process of disordered discourse capturing state institutions and how it inevitably results in a slide towards authoritarianism, a process we're seeing unfold before our very eyes.
Reposted by Sjoerd
Hi All, I released the first part of my weekend update early (it’s all free) because what we are seeing is so extreme it needs to be said now. The USA is now openly admitting to helping Russia kill Ukrainians. Indeed, Trump seems to be enjoying it. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Weekend Update #123: The Week The USA Started Killing Ukrainians
Part 1: The Trump Plan to Damage Ukraine and Help Russia
open.substack.com
March 8, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Hi All, I released the first part of my weekend update early (it’s all free) because what we are seeing is so extreme it needs to be said now. The USA is now openly admitting to helping Russia kill Ukrainians. Indeed, Trump seems to be enjoying it. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Sjoerd
(🧵) How Elon Musk betrayed America: a thread from a Musk biographer and former federal criminal investigator.
Please share widely, here and elsewhere. This will be long.
Author bio: www.sethabramson.net/bio
Latest book: sethabramson.substack.com/p/proof-of-d...
Please share widely, here and elsewhere. This will be long.
Author bio: www.sethabramson.net/bio
Latest book: sethabramson.substack.com/p/proof-of-d...
March 4, 2025 at 12:17 AM
(🧵) How Elon Musk betrayed America: a thread from a Musk biographer and former federal criminal investigator.
Please share widely, here and elsewhere. This will be long.
Author bio: www.sethabramson.net/bio
Latest book: sethabramson.substack.com/p/proof-of-d...
Please share widely, here and elsewhere. This will be long.
Author bio: www.sethabramson.net/bio
Latest book: sethabramson.substack.com/p/proof-of-d...
Reposted by Sjoerd
Ever since Feb 2022, @michaeldweiss.bsky.social and I have been regularly consulting with an Estonian analyst "Karl" to get his assessments about where the war is going. Karl is known for his sober and non-alarmist analysis.
Here is Karl's latest. 👇👇
Here is Karl's latest. 👇👇
December 19, 2024 at 5:24 PM
Ever since Feb 2022, @michaeldweiss.bsky.social and I have been regularly consulting with an Estonian analyst "Karl" to get his assessments about where the war is going. Karl is known for his sober and non-alarmist analysis.
Here is Karl's latest. 👇👇
Here is Karl's latest. 👇👇
Reposted by Sjoerd
Here it is: my viral Bluesky thread significantly expanded into a full essay. Hope you will share it with anyone you think might be interested.
The Truth About Musk, From His Biographer
A viral Bluesky thread introduced tens of thousands around the world to a first glimpse of a forthcoming biography of Elon Musk. Here—in a single essay—is some of what the world just learned.
sethabramson.substack.com
December 14, 2024 at 10:40 PM
Here it is: my viral Bluesky thread significantly expanded into a full essay. Hope you will share it with anyone you think might be interested.
Reposted by Sjoerd
Hi All, Just sent out a post that uses actual Trump quotes to show just exactly what he is saying about Russia and Ukraine--and its really not good. He is doing everything possible to shore up Russia, and telegraph that Ukraine aid is being cut. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Trump Whispering and Ukraine
Look at what he is actually saying, not what you hope he is saying
open.substack.com
December 11, 2024 at 9:57 AM
Hi All, Just sent out a post that uses actual Trump quotes to show just exactly what he is saying about Russia and Ukraine--and its really not good. He is doing everything possible to shore up Russia, and telegraph that Ukraine aid is being cut. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Sjoerd
Given this week’s events Assad's regime is finished & it’s a race to Damascus. The Russian position in Syria, and MENA region writ large is consequently in deep trouble, because of Syria’s importance as a logistics hub for Russian operations. Short thread. 1/
December 7, 2024 at 6:54 PM
Given this week’s events Assad's regime is finished & it’s a race to Damascus. The Russian position in Syria, and MENA region writ large is consequently in deep trouble, because of Syria’s importance as a logistics hub for Russian operations. Short thread. 1/
Reposted by Sjoerd
Latest in @TheAtlantic. I never wanted to write. The Biden Administration was given an unexpected opportunity to make the world a safer, more democratic place after the Russian full scale invasion of Ukraine. However they failed and made the world more dangerous. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
How Biden Made a Mess of Ukraine
He treated the conflict as a crisis to be managed, not a war to be won.
www.theatlantic.com
November 30, 2024 at 11:25 AM
Latest in @TheAtlantic. I never wanted to write. The Biden Administration was given an unexpected opportunity to make the world a safer, more democratic place after the Russian full scale invasion of Ukraine. However they failed and made the world more dangerous. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Sjoerd
I feel like not enough people know that Elon Musk first became wealthy by being so awful at running a company that his own management team mutinied when he went on his honeymoon; his own board of directors then fired him; and his replacement then turned the company into PayPal.
1/
1/
November 24, 2024 at 5:38 PM
I feel like not enough people know that Elon Musk first became wealthy by being so awful at running a company that his own management team mutinied when he went on his honeymoon; his own board of directors then fired him; and his replacement then turned the company into PayPal.
1/
1/
Reposted by Sjoerd
Revolting mob rule, Stalinist, Maoist, fascist, call it what you want, it is disgusting, with the power of the state and social media to mobilize the US version of China's Red Guard to target civil servants, professionals doing their job.
Gift article. Please repost.
www.wsj.com/tech/musk-un...
Gift article. Please repost.
www.wsj.com/tech/musk-un...
Musk Unleashes Online Army on Federal Workers. ‘A Tough Way to Find Out She’s Losing Her Job.’
As Trump efficiency czar, the billionaire is targeting employees by name on X—sparking pushback.
www.wsj.com
November 23, 2024 at 2:25 PM
Revolting mob rule, Stalinist, Maoist, fascist, call it what you want, it is disgusting, with the power of the state and social media to mobilize the US version of China's Red Guard to target civil servants, professionals doing their job.
Gift article. Please repost.
www.wsj.com/tech/musk-un...
Gift article. Please repost.
www.wsj.com/tech/musk-un...
Reposted by Sjoerd
It’s a mistake to think Elon Musk’s fans like him DESPITE him being a mediocre sociopath instead of BECAUSE.
Revolting mob rule, Stalinist, Maoist, fascist, call it what you want, it is disgusting, with the power of the state and social media to mobilize the US version of China's Red Guard to target civil servants, professionals doing their job.
Gift article. Please repost.
www.wsj.com/tech/musk-un...
Gift article. Please repost.
www.wsj.com/tech/musk-un...
Musk Unleashes Online Army on Federal Workers. ‘A Tough Way to Find Out She’s Losing Her Job.’
As Trump efficiency czar, the billionaire is targeting employees by name on X—sparking pushback.
www.wsj.com
November 23, 2024 at 7:25 PM
It’s a mistake to think Elon Musk’s fans like him DESPITE him being a mediocre sociopath instead of BECAUSE.
Reposted by Sjoerd
The problem with pieces like this, which are countless, is the prevailing media assumption that left-of-center Americans need constant corrective instruction about how to be in and engage with the world, whereas right-of-center Americans are simply to be observed in awe, like rainbows or mountains.
Opinion - The problem with Bluesky: It won’t broaden our horizons: In the wake of Donald Trump’s election win, the social-media platform has enjoyed a surge of new users looking for an alternative to Elon Musk’s X. But will it be useful, if it just creates an echo chamber for the left?
The problem with Bluesky: It won’t broaden our horizons
In the wake of Donald Trump’s election win, the social-media platform has enjoyed a surge of new users looking for an alternative to Elon Musk’s X. But will it be useful, if it just creates an echo chamber for the left?
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 22, 2024 at 4:41 PM
The problem with pieces like this, which are countless, is the prevailing media assumption that left-of-center Americans need constant corrective instruction about how to be in and engage with the world, whereas right-of-center Americans are simply to be observed in awe, like rainbows or mountains.
Reposted by Sjoerd
Elite Acquiescence and Treacherous “Normalcy” All Around Us
What are the reasons behind the pervasive tendency among ostensibly anti-MAGA elites to accommodate authoritarian power and preemptively signal compliance with Trumpism?
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵1/
What are the reasons behind the pervasive tendency among ostensibly anti-MAGA elites to accommodate authoritarian power and preemptively signal compliance with Trumpism?
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵1/
Elite Acquiescence and Treacherous “Normalcy” All Around Us
What are the reasons behind the pervasive tendency among ostensibly anti-MAGA elites to accommodate authoritarian power and preemptively signal compliance with Trumpism?
thomaszimmer.substack.com
November 22, 2024 at 2:01 PM
Elite Acquiescence and Treacherous “Normalcy” All Around Us
What are the reasons behind the pervasive tendency among ostensibly anti-MAGA elites to accommodate authoritarian power and preemptively signal compliance with Trumpism?
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵1/
What are the reasons behind the pervasive tendency among ostensibly anti-MAGA elites to accommodate authoritarian power and preemptively signal compliance with Trumpism?
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵1/
Reposted by Sjoerd
Do you know how much CEO pay has skyrocketed since 1978?
100%? 500%?
Try 1,085%
Meanwhile, the $7.25/hr fed. minimum wage hasn't budged in 15 years and the tipped min. wage has been $2.13/hr since 1991.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
100%? 500%?
Try 1,085%
Meanwhile, the $7.25/hr fed. minimum wage hasn't budged in 15 years and the tipped min. wage has been $2.13/hr since 1991.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
November 21, 2024 at 7:01 PM
Do you know how much CEO pay has skyrocketed since 1978?
100%? 500%?
Try 1,085%
Meanwhile, the $7.25/hr fed. minimum wage hasn't budged in 15 years and the tipped min. wage has been $2.13/hr since 1991.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
100%? 500%?
Try 1,085%
Meanwhile, the $7.25/hr fed. minimum wage hasn't budged in 15 years and the tipped min. wage has been $2.13/hr since 1991.
This is what I mean when I say the system is rigged.
Reposted by Sjoerd
Soft launching something tonight.
The American collapse was avoidable, but we failed to meet the moment. Now, we need to preserve our democratic values in a rapidly changing world. America 2.0 is all about what comes next. Join us.
america2.news/welcome-to-a...
The American collapse was avoidable, but we failed to meet the moment. Now, we need to preserve our democratic values in a rapidly changing world. America 2.0 is all about what comes next. Join us.
america2.news/welcome-to-a...
Welcome to America 2.0
The American collapse was avoidable, but we failed to meet the moment. Now, we need to preserve our democratic values in a rapidly changing world. America 2.0 is all about what comes next. Join us.
america2.news
November 18, 2024 at 10:44 PM
Soft launching something tonight.
The American collapse was avoidable, but we failed to meet the moment. Now, we need to preserve our democratic values in a rapidly changing world. America 2.0 is all about what comes next. Join us.
america2.news/welcome-to-a...
The American collapse was avoidable, but we failed to meet the moment. Now, we need to preserve our democratic values in a rapidly changing world. America 2.0 is all about what comes next. Join us.
america2.news/welcome-to-a...
Reposted by Sjoerd
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce an American businessman and social media figure, Elon Musk (@elonmusk). He's best-known for being the wealthiest man in the world, running companies like Tesla Inc., SpaceX and Twitter, and for parroting Kremlin's propaganda narratives.
1/23
1/23
November 19, 2024 at 1:51 PM
In today's #vatniksoup, I'll introduce an American businessman and social media figure, Elon Musk (@elonmusk). He's best-known for being the wealthiest man in the world, running companies like Tesla Inc., SpaceX and Twitter, and for parroting Kremlin's propaganda narratives.
1/23
1/23
Reposted by Sjoerd
1000 days of avoidable tragedy. 1000 days of lost time. 1000 days of sacrifice and heroism of Ukraine's best and bravest. 1000 days of defiance against 1000 days of terror. 1000 days too many. And if we stick with our current failed strategy, the next 1000 days might be worse.
November 19, 2024 at 11:05 AM
1000 days of avoidable tragedy. 1000 days of lost time. 1000 days of sacrifice and heroism of Ukraine's best and bravest. 1000 days of defiance against 1000 days of terror. 1000 days too many. And if we stick with our current failed strategy, the next 1000 days might be worse.
Reposted by Sjoerd
Hier kun je realtime de groei van #bluesky zien bcounter.nat.vg
Bcounter
Almost-real-time Bluesky user count
bcounter.nat.vg
November 18, 2024 at 11:22 PM
Hier kun je realtime de groei van #bluesky zien bcounter.nat.vg
Reposted by Sjoerd
Our follower base is growing rapidly, so a warm welcome to all new followers on BlueSky! Will you help us make our account as visible as possible by reposting this message?
➡️ Do you want to be updated daily on the news about the war in #Ukraine. Follow us and discuss topics in the comment section.
➡️ Do you want to be updated daily on the news about the war in #Ukraine. Follow us and discuss topics in the comment section.
November 14, 2024 at 9:25 PM
Our follower base is growing rapidly, so a warm welcome to all new followers on BlueSky! Will you help us make our account as visible as possible by reposting this message?
➡️ Do you want to be updated daily on the news about the war in #Ukraine. Follow us and discuss topics in the comment section.
➡️ Do you want to be updated daily on the news about the war in #Ukraine. Follow us and discuss topics in the comment section.
Reposted by Sjoerd
When world leaders ask Ukraine to negotiate they are explicitly telling them to surrender. Any notion that Putin can be negotiated with is born from malice and stupidity. The only negotiation Putin has left is his boarding pass on the river Acheron.
November 18, 2024 at 9:53 PM
When world leaders ask Ukraine to negotiate they are explicitly telling them to surrender. Any notion that Putin can be negotiated with is born from malice and stupidity. The only negotiation Putin has left is his boarding pass on the river Acheron.