Thanks for this excellent presentation and discussion, @wahlforschung.thorstenfaas.de Thorsten Fass! As you say, it holds up and I benefited from re-watching it today with a view to the shifting political dynamics in Germany and the elections still to come this year.
Memorable story by @benjudah.bsky.social. The last sentence is for the ages foglioeuropeo.ilfoglio.it/en/the-truth...
Former top DOGE official in his mid-twenties named head of Pentagon AI efforts.
"Kliger, in social media posts between October 2024 and January 2025, has voiced controversial views and reposted content from white supremacist Nick Fuentes and self-described misogynist Andrew Tate."
Chancellor Merz's visit to the White House this week demonstrated the emerging political balance between Europe and the US and the impact of the distinctions that the chancellor sketched out a few weeks earlier at #MSC2026, writes @jeffrathke.bsky.social:
When the interviewer tells you multiple times that your comments are "interesting," you wonder if it's a euphemism. What do you think, @deutschewelle.dw.com ? Form your own judgment starting at the 7-minute mark...
@amgerinst.bsky.social
www.dw.com/en/the-day-w...
Ahead of Chancellor Merz's meeting at the White House, @jeffrathke.bsky.social told Reuters that Iran is likely to be a focal point of their discussion: www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Really important. The kernel of a European SNOWCAT, the NATO scheme under which European air forces practice supporting and enabling nuclear-armed strike missions with conventional air power?
Merz: I will meet with President Trump in Washington on Tuesday to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East. I am in close contact with partners in Europe, Israel, and the region. Now is not the time for finger-pointing, but for unity and joint action.
Great talking with Philipp Thomeczek about Germany's other populist party, the BSW -- have a listen!
DPA quotes Merz as saying:
"I know that my predecessors visited China on a regular basis... we should also resume the German-Chinese government consultations, which were interrupted by the change of government in Berlin and the pandemic."
Merz to Xi:
"We are two of the world's three largest industrial nations. This is a great responsibility. But it is also a great opportunity"
Xi to Merz: “The more turbulent & complex the world becomes, the more China & Germany need to strengthen strategic communication and strategic mutual trust"
Pure tariff chaos from the US administration. No one can make sense of it anymore — only open questions and growing uncertainty for the EU and other US trading partners (1/3)
A few thoughts on possible US-Iran conflict (1/11):
Next week Friedrich Merz will embark on his first visit to China since taking office. The vibes, as they say, will be off. My piece on a relationship that has become a lot more complicated in recent years. www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
This is one of things that sounds great in a speech, but given that the EU couldn't even deliver a response of its own to Trump's tariffs, the idea that it would be able to do it with a sprawling and diverse group of countries feels fanciful at best.
wow
👇
Einige Passagen der Rubio-Rede hätten von Björn Höcke geschrieben werden können. „…von Schuld und Scham gefesselt“ passt in die Reihe mit Höcke‘s „Denkmal der Schande“ Formulierung
Gestern durfte ich mit @sarananni.bsky.social , @nicolekoenig.bsky.social + @helgaschmidt.bsky.social die Ergebnisse der MSC 2026 diskutieren. Danke an die Petra-Kelly-Stiftung und @margaretebause.bsky.social für die Einladung, und an Birgit Frank für Moderation
www.youtube.com/live/Yru_cr7...
Hab‘ die Ehre gehabt, mit @ndr.de die Ergebnisse der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz zu diskutieren - vielen Dank für die Einladung!
: „Rubios Botschaft war die gleiche wie die von Vance, besser verpackt”
www.ndr.de/nachrichten/... www.ndr.de/nachrichten/...
@nicolange.bsky.social hat recht - gute Folge des @annewill.bsky.social -Podcasts, sehr hörenswert
Habe mich riesig gefreut! Danke an das Politikteil für die Einladung!
Outstanding and timely report from @noahbarkin.bsky.social and his Rhodium Group colleagues - a must-read for those interested in German and European economic relations with China 👇
Poles no longer trusting the US for protection is a really big story. 27% of respondents see EU states as main source of assistance in emergency vs 15% the Americans. That said nearly 25% say Poland cannot on either US or EU states.
h/t @euractiv.com
Moskau versucht, den Friedensprozess durch Korruption zu zerstören: Ein Mega‑Wirtschaftspaket soll die USA vom geopolitischen Gegner zum Geschäftspartner machen. Wer vermeintlich Milliarden oder "Billionen" verdienen kann, stellt keine Sicherheitsgarantien mehr. 1/
FT exclusive:
“The US state department is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities across Europe to disseminate Washington’s policy positions and challenge perceived threats to free speech.”
via @annasophiegross.bsky.social and colleagues
A real change in how Germany approaches the EU is happening. Berlin used to prioritise the unity of the 27 and now seems much more open towards coalitions of the willing.
Next step is initiative by Finance minister Klingenbeil to build an avant-garde with 🇫🇷🇵🇱🇮🇹🇳🇱🇪🇸:
The mother of all diversification partnerships.
My @tagesspiegel.de piece (in 🇩🇪) on the meaning of India-EU trade agreement.
Congratulations on everyone on both sides who worked hard to close the deal(s).
Real work of making the most of this historic opportunity starts now.
