@vertaride.bsky.social
Supporting development and democracy initiatives. Analysis, contextualization and strategic support. Current area of focus Ukraine ++
Reposted
Just unbelievable how long we have been explaining this.
We are not “former soviet” similarly to why we don’t say now former Nazi Germany or former Vichy France.
In many countries it was a military occupation by a Soviet regime.
You are erasing pre-occupation history.
Erasing diversity.
We are not “former soviet” similarly to why we don’t say now former Nazi Germany or former Vichy France.
In many countries it was a military occupation by a Soviet regime.
You are erasing pre-occupation history.
Erasing diversity.
January 25, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Just unbelievable how long we have been explaining this.
We are not “former soviet” similarly to why we don’t say now former Nazi Germany or former Vichy France.
In many countries it was a military occupation by a Soviet regime.
You are erasing pre-occupation history.
Erasing diversity.
We are not “former soviet” similarly to why we don’t say now former Nazi Germany or former Vichy France.
In many countries it was a military occupation by a Soviet regime.
You are erasing pre-occupation history.
Erasing diversity.
Reposted
"The current chaos, emblematic of the interregnum between the post World War Two order and a new global order yet to emerge, will probably continue for some time to come."
mickryan.substack.com/p/davos-don-...
mickryan.substack.com/p/davos-don-...
Davos Don Insults Allies, Deterred on Greenland (for now). Ukraine Peace Talks. PLA Purges Persist. The Big Five, 25 January edition
My regular update on war and great power competition. This week: Davos Don, Ukraine peace talks, Fedorov's plan to kill more Russians, PLA purges continue & my Big Five recommended reads.
mickryan.substack.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:11 AM
"The current chaos, emblematic of the interregnum between the post World War Two order and a new global order yet to emerge, will probably continue for some time to come."
mickryan.substack.com/p/davos-don-...
mickryan.substack.com/p/davos-don-...
A poignant speech, that should not be overlooked amongst the coming days and potential ducked responses to 'what do next steps in response to changes look like and are global leaders fundamentally willing to adapt to new realities'.
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
'The old order is not coming back': PM says Canada must 'name reality' and build strength at home
DAVOS SPEECH | Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, says Canada is engaging strategically and 'with open eyes' as the international orders shifts, forcing m...
www.cbc.ca
January 21, 2026 at 10:01 AM
A poignant speech, that should not be overlooked amongst the coming days and potential ducked responses to 'what do next steps in response to changes look like and are global leaders fundamentally willing to adapt to new realities'.
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
An interesting discussion that appropriately encourages continued focus on Ukraine, while juggling the peripheral proverbial curveballs.
www.ft.com/content/a915...
www.ft.com/content/a915...
Greenland: the good, the bad or the ugly?
Alexander Stubb on the possible scenarios facing the Arctic island
www.ft.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:31 PM
An interesting discussion that appropriately encourages continued focus on Ukraine, while juggling the peripheral proverbial curveballs.
www.ft.com/content/a915...
www.ft.com/content/a915...
Reposted
If US threats towards Greenland continue, Europe could refuse to refuel American ships in European ports, require higher payments for the stationing of US troops — or even close US military bases.
US intentions towards Greenland threaten NATO’s future. But European countries are not helpless
US threats to annex Greenland following the attack on Venezuela should be taken seriously. European countries have important leverage they should be prepared to use.
www.chathamhouse.org
January 19, 2026 at 7:00 AM
If US threats towards Greenland continue, Europe could refuse to refuel American ships in European ports, require higher payments for the stationing of US troops — or even close US military bases.
Reposted
Not the sort of letter committed to paper by a well man. "Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace"
January 19, 2026 at 7:04 AM
Not the sort of letter committed to paper by a well man. "Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace"
Reposted
“The president’s obsession with Greenland is especially dangerous because it has no real constituency: Trump is determined to get the island, it seems, only because Denmark and the rest of the world are telling him that he can’t have it.” www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Trump Is Risking a Global Catastrophe
His irrational fixation on Greenland could lead to widespread conflict.
www.theatlantic.com
January 17, 2026 at 4:52 AM
“The president’s obsession with Greenland is especially dangerous because it has no real constituency: Trump is determined to get the island, it seems, only because Denmark and the rest of the world are telling him that he can’t have it.” www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Reposted
In the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement with Denmark, the US unambiguously recognized ‘the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark’ over Greenland. https://bit.ly/4qH0yug
Who owns Greenland?
Denmark’s claim is unimpeachable. In the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement with Denmark, the US unambiguously recognizes ‘the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark’ over Greenland.
bit.ly
January 17, 2026 at 5:00 AM
In the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement with Denmark, the US unambiguously recognized ‘the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark’ over Greenland. https://bit.ly/4qH0yug
Reposted
“There is no longer only a liberal case for a unified continent, but one that is more about strength in numbers against external predators.”
I don’t think these are mutually exclusive at all.
I don’t think these are mutually exclusive at all.
The right will want a United States of Europe
Conservatives will come to see a unified continent as the only defence against America and China
giftarticle.ft.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:42 AM
“There is no longer only a liberal case for a unified continent, but one that is more about strength in numbers against external predators.”
I don’t think these are mutually exclusive at all.
I don’t think these are mutually exclusive at all.
A further discussion that has captured the current wind in the sails of European defence. Can bold ideas be realistically translated to policy and navigate the short comings of previous integrated operational forces (Franco-German Brigade)
@maxbergmann.bsky.social
www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...
@maxbergmann.bsky.social
www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...
Can Europe Keep Ukraine’s Military Afloat without the U.S.? | The Eurofile | CSIS Podcasts
Max and Donatienne discuss recent comments about the creation of a European standing army before turning to a conversation with Michael Kofman about Europe’s role in the war in Ukraine.
www.csis.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:43 PM
A further discussion that has captured the current wind in the sails of European defence. Can bold ideas be realistically translated to policy and navigate the short comings of previous integrated operational forces (Franco-German Brigade)
@maxbergmann.bsky.social
www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...
@maxbergmann.bsky.social
www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...
A worthy listen and discussion, considering the current discussions and posturing. Is a "cooperative divorce" realistic and/or feasible, between Europe and the US?
www.podbean.com/ep/pb-3wtyi-...
@jteurope.bsky.social @akendalltaylor.bsky.social
www.podbean.com/ep/pb-3wtyi-...
@jteurope.bsky.social @akendalltaylor.bsky.social
Europe's Defense Dilemma
Since the invasion of Ukraine, European states have taken major steps to rebuild their defense industrial bases, both to supply Ukraine and to rebuild their own militaries. Europe has been spending he...
www.podbean.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:29 PM
A worthy listen and discussion, considering the current discussions and posturing. Is a "cooperative divorce" realistic and/or feasible, between Europe and the US?
www.podbean.com/ep/pb-3wtyi-...
@jteurope.bsky.social @akendalltaylor.bsky.social
www.podbean.com/ep/pb-3wtyi-...
@jteurope.bsky.social @akendalltaylor.bsky.social
Reposted
“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures . . . We’re not undermining enlargement. We’re enlarging the concept of enlargement”
EU ‘membership-lite’ plan for Ukraine spooks European capitals
Reforms under discussion would tear up accession rules used since cold war to allow Kyiv to join in a potential peace deal
giftarticle.ft.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:36 AM
“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures . . . We’re not undermining enlargement. We’re enlarging the concept of enlargement”
Reposted
"We are in a world of two superpowers, in rising competition with each other. Each says it does not want a war with the other, but the possibility is not zero."
Bronwen Maddox on the threat posed to the international order by US-China tensions.
Watch in full➡️ bit.ly/4pHKSpH
Bronwen Maddox on the threat posed to the international order by US-China tensions.
Watch in full➡️ bit.ly/4pHKSpH
January 16, 2026 at 8:00 AM
"We are in a world of two superpowers, in rising competition with each other. Each says it does not want a war with the other, but the possibility is not zero."
Bronwen Maddox on the threat posed to the international order by US-China tensions.
Watch in full➡️ bit.ly/4pHKSpH
Bronwen Maddox on the threat posed to the international order by US-China tensions.
Watch in full➡️ bit.ly/4pHKSpH
Another well thought through piece by RUSI. Worth reflecting on the concise points outlined from a lesson learned perspective (context interpretation).
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Four Years On – Ten Lessons from Russia’s War in Ukraine
From a conflict expected to be over in days, four years of battle followed Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The first thing to note is that the war is not over yet.
www.rusi.org
January 16, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Another well thought through piece by RUSI. Worth reflecting on the concise points outlined from a lesson learned perspective (context interpretation).
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
While 2026 has started with a whirlwind of reactionary posturing to Trump incoherency and global disruption. It is worth taking stock of frontline realities in Ukraine amidst reporting of the current mainline energy deficiencies across the country.
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 15, 2026
Vladimir Putin continues to demonstrate that he will not be satisfied with a peace settlement that only pertains to Ukraine.
understandingwar.org
January 16, 2026 at 8:05 AM
While 2026 has started with a whirlwind of reactionary posturing to Trump incoherency and global disruption. It is worth taking stock of frontline realities in Ukraine amidst reporting of the current mainline energy deficiencies across the country.
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
Reposted
Morning🧉 listen: @claudmajor.bsky.social explaining German rearmament to the English speaking world.
Global Security Briefing: How Will German Rearmament Shape European Security?
Webseite: globalsecuritybriefing.libsyn.com/how-will-ger...
Mediendatei: traffic.libsyn.com/secure/globa...
Global Security Briefing: How Will German Rearmament Shape European Security?
Webseite: globalsecuritybriefing.libsyn.com/how-will-ger...
Mediendatei: traffic.libsyn.com/secure/globa...
Global Security Briefing: How Will German Rearmament Shape European Security?
Dr Claudia Major joins Neil Melvin to discuss Germany’s rearmament drive and its implications for European and transatlantic security. Germany is undertaking the most significant overhaul of its defen...
globalsecuritybriefing.libsyn.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:41 AM
Morning🧉 listen: @claudmajor.bsky.social explaining German rearmament to the English speaking world.
Global Security Briefing: How Will German Rearmament Shape European Security?
Webseite: globalsecuritybriefing.libsyn.com/how-will-ger...
Mediendatei: traffic.libsyn.com/secure/globa...
Global Security Briefing: How Will German Rearmament Shape European Security?
Webseite: globalsecuritybriefing.libsyn.com/how-will-ger...
Mediendatei: traffic.libsyn.com/secure/globa...
Reposted
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed General Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the country’s military intelligence agency, as his new chief of staff.
Zelenskyy’s reshuffle aims to neutralize political rivals, restore trust – and account for Trump’s unpredictability
The shake-up was essential after corruption scandals. But the new appointments also aim to strengthen Ukraine amid aggressive US foreign policy and an intense Russian assault.
www.chathamhouse.org
January 13, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed General Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the country’s military intelligence agency, as his new chief of staff.
Reposted
Nah. It is making France fear for its political clout in Europe and the world. As @claudmajor.bsky.social says in the piece, that says more about France than it does about Germany.
Germany is boosting its defense spending to levels that its allies can't match — and that's making some of them nervous
Germany’s Growing Military Might Rekindles Old Fears in France
The unease is acute in Paris, where some worry that the continent’s center of political gravity is moving east as Berlin boosts its defense spending to levels its allies can’t match.
bloom.bg
January 13, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Nah. It is making France fear for its political clout in Europe and the world. As @claudmajor.bsky.social says in the piece, that says more about France than it does about Germany.
Reposted
Lawmakers from both parties and houses of Congress have agreed to provide about $653 million to fund Voice of America’s parent agency, rejecting President Trump’s demand to defund the international broadcaster and shut it down.
Congress agrees to fund Voice of America, bucking Trump shutdown order
The Trump administration has tried to eliminate funding for the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees VOA. Appropriators in Congress have had other ideas.
wapo.st
January 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Lawmakers from both parties and houses of Congress have agreed to provide about $653 million to fund Voice of America’s parent agency, rejecting President Trump’s demand to defund the international broadcaster and shut it down.
Reposted
So we have the first Eurobond issuance built on unanimity (as it always requires) but then not with all member-states paying. Wild? Yes also novel - Lucas has got you.
Also this is the first time I see enhanced cooperation and multi speed Europe on a key file.
Hugely important precedent.
Also this is the first time I see enhanced cooperation and multi speed Europe on a key file.
Hugely important precedent.
So what the hell just happened? Two things: Ukraine will get 90 billion euros. And Orbán did not veto that even though he could have.
How so? Short thread:
How so? Short thread:
December 19, 2025 at 10:17 AM
So we have the first Eurobond issuance built on unanimity (as it always requires) but then not with all member-states paying. Wild? Yes also novel - Lucas has got you.
Also this is the first time I see enhanced cooperation and multi speed Europe on a key file.
Hugely important precedent.
Also this is the first time I see enhanced cooperation and multi speed Europe on a key file.
Hugely important precedent.
@maxbergmann.bsky.social, provides a digestible backgrounder of what is at stake today, as EU leaders meet to decide on key trade initiative and UA budget shortfall support via RU asset backed reparation loan.
open.spotify.com/episode/19Ra...
open.spotify.com/episode/19Ra...
Europe’s Make-or-Break Summit
open.spotify.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:46 AM
@maxbergmann.bsky.social, provides a digestible backgrounder of what is at stake today, as EU leaders meet to decide on key trade initiative and UA budget shortfall support via RU asset backed reparation loan.
open.spotify.com/episode/19Ra...
open.spotify.com/episode/19Ra...
Reposted
Pleased to contribute to @global-affairs.bsky.social series reflecting on the US at 250.
I wrote about the US & Europe's unshared futures, & ask whether their future will be based on democracy, human rights & rule of law - or on the nativism the US seeks to export globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
I wrote about the US & Europe's unshared futures, & ask whether their future will be based on democracy, human rights & rule of law - or on the nativism the US seeks to export globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
The Unshared Futures of the United States and Europe
America and Europe have been bound together for more than 250 years. Whose ideology will define their future?
globalaffairs.org
December 17, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Pleased to contribute to @global-affairs.bsky.social series reflecting on the US at 250.
I wrote about the US & Europe's unshared futures, & ask whether their future will be based on democracy, human rights & rule of law - or on the nativism the US seeks to export globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
I wrote about the US & Europe's unshared futures, & ask whether their future will be based on democracy, human rights & rule of law - or on the nativism the US seeks to export globalaffairs.org/commentary/a...
Reposted
An investment firm founded by Jared Kushner wanted to build a $500 million luxury hotel project on the site of a bombed-out Yugoslav military headquarters in Belgrade.
Plans to raze the ruins, however, came to a screeching halt earlier this week.
Plans to raze the ruins, however, came to a screeching halt earlier this week.
Trump hotel project canceled in Serbia after protests, investigation
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has raged against the protests and the prosecutors he blames for halting the project, saying the country was the big loser.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:00 AM
An investment firm founded by Jared Kushner wanted to build a $500 million luxury hotel project on the site of a bombed-out Yugoslav military headquarters in Belgrade.
Plans to raze the ruins, however, came to a screeching halt earlier this week.
Plans to raze the ruins, however, came to a screeching halt earlier this week.
Reposted
Putin said Russia will not back down from its mission to “liberate its historic lands” and predicted the European “swine” backing Kyiv would ultimately lose power, in a speech that showed no readiness to compromise on the goals for his invasion of Ukraine.
w/ @maxseddon.bsky.social @henryjfoy.ft.com
w/ @maxseddon.bsky.social @henryjfoy.ft.com
Vladimir Putin predicts European ‘swine’ backing Ukraine will lose power
Russian president vows to liberate ‘historic lands’ in hardline speech, showing no signs of compromise on invasion goals
www.ft.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Putin said Russia will not back down from its mission to “liberate its historic lands” and predicted the European “swine” backing Kyiv would ultimately lose power, in a speech that showed no readiness to compromise on the goals for his invasion of Ukraine.
w/ @maxseddon.bsky.social @henryjfoy.ft.com
w/ @maxseddon.bsky.social @henryjfoy.ft.com
Reposted
