Christian Thiels
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christianthiels.bsky.social
Christian Thiels
@christianthiels.bsky.social
8.6K followers 1.2K following 9.1K posts
Civil Servant in Defence 🇩🇪 | he/him | 4mer Journalist & Spoxperson | No official German MoD account | personal views only | RP&FAV ≠ I agree

🦊🐿️🦅🦉🐦‍⬛🌳🐕‍🦺🦝 📷 🏃 🏍️🌱

Nature lover & ambitious (but rather amateurish) wildlife photographer Nikon D850/D5600
95%Vegan
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christianthiels.bsky.social
Christian Thiels @christianthiels.bsky.social · 7h
Have a trouble-free thursday everybody. May your day be as calm and peaceful as our lake on a beautiful late november morning.
[📷Nikon D850 f/11,0 1/250 24mm ISO 2000]
christianthiels.bsky.social
"The United States Army has finalized a $390 million contract modification with BAE Systems to upgrade and deliver additional Bradley A4 infantry fighting vehicles, expanding the service’s fleet of modernized armored platforms."
@defence-blog.com
defence-blog.com/u-s-army-buy...
U.S. Army buys more Bradley A4s from BAE Systems
The United States Army has finalized a $390 million contract modification with BAE Systems to upgrade and deliver additional Bradley A4 infantry fighting vehicles, expanding the service’s fleet of mod...
defence-blog.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:16 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"After a hiatus of nearly 30 years, France is set to announce the reintroduction of military service on Thursday in a further sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin is remapping Europe’s security landscape."
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France joins Europe’s military service bandwagon
Emmanuel Macron’s new scheme is likely to be a voluntary 10-month stint
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 9:13 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"Russia's drones and agents are unleashing attacks across NATO countries and Europe is now doing what would have seemed outlandish just a few years ago: planning how to hit back."
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe thinks the unthinkable: Retaliating against Russia
Countries are looking at joint offensive cyber operations and surprise military drills as Moscow steps up its campaign to destabilize NATO allies.
www.politico.eu
November 27, 2025 at 9:12 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has stressed the importance of adapting to shifts in the geopolitical landscape and changes to Germany's alliances." DW
p.dw.com/p/54JZ7
German defense minister warns 'geopolitical chessboard is changing' – DW – 11/26/2025
p.dw.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:05 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader announced Wednesday that he has authorized the U.S. government to operate inside restricted areas in the Caribbean country to help in its fight against drug trafficking."
@pbsnews.org
www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
Dominican Republic grants U.S. access to restricted areas for its fight against drug trafficking
It is the first major public agreement that the U.S. has struck with a Caribbean nation as it seeks friendly allies to support its attacks against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the region and beyond...
www.pbs.org
November 27, 2025 at 8:03 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"A US group has identified several obscure but potentially key sanctions it says could seriously disrupt Russia’s war effort in Ukraine after last month’s targeting of the Kremlin’s biggest oil firms."
@theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
West is ‘missing obscure sanctions that could set back Russia’s war machine’
US group Dekleptocracy identifies additives for military vehicles’ lubricants and tyres as potential vulnerabilities
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:01 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
ICYMI: "White House envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow next week, the Kremlin said, amid accelerating efforts to cement a US-backed peace proposal that many Ukrainians -- and European leaders -- are wary of."
@rferl.org.web.brid.gy
www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukr...
White House Envoy Witkoff To Head To Moscow Next Week For Ukraine Peace Talks, Kremlin Says
White House envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Moscow next week, the Kremlin said, amid accelerating efforts to cement a US-backed peace proposal that many Ukrainians -- and European leaders -- are wa...
www.rferl.org
November 27, 2025 at 8:00 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"Military officials in Guinea-Bissau said they had seized 'total control' of the coup-prone west African country, arresting its president, closing its borders and suspending its electoral process three days after general elections."
@en.afp.com v @france24.com
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
G.Bissau rocked by coup, president's arrest
Military officials in Guinea-Bissau said they had seized "total control" of the coup-prone west African country Wednesday, arresting its president, closing its borders and suspending its electoral pro...
www.france24.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:59 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
en.afp.com AFP News Agency @en.afp.com · 5h
BREAKING A Turkish court on Thursday acquitted four journalists, including AFP photographer Yasin Akgul, who were on trial over mass demonstrations in Istanbul in March.

The four were arrested several days into the wave of protest sparked by the arrest of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
November 27, 2025 at 7:58 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Wednesday sanctioned a bill that exempts people earning up to 5,000 reais ($940) a month from income taxes, more than doubling the current exemption and meeting a key priority of his 2022 election campaign."
@apnews.com
apnews.com/article/lula...
Brazil’s Lula sanctions an increase in tax exemptions for low-income people
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sanctioned a bill that exempts people earning up to 5,000 reais a month from income taxes.
apnews.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:57 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"A fire that raced through several high-rise buildings in a Hong Kong apartment complex has killed at least 55 people. Rescuers are still searching for the many residents still missing."
@cnn
edition.cnn.com/world/live-n...
Hong Kong fire death toll jumps to 55, with many residents still unaccounted for | CNN
A fire at an apartment complex in the Tai Po neighborhood may be the most deadly in Hong Kong history. Follow for live updates.
edition.cnn.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:55 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said late on Wednesday it has stopped processing all immigration requests relating to Afghan nationals indefinitely, after two National Guard soldiers were shot and critically wounded in Washington."
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
US stops processing Afghan immigration requests after attack near White House
President Donald Trump said that the shooting was "an act of terror," saying the suspect came from Afghanistan in 2021.
www.reuters.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:53 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
Ilsa Strossová - a name, a face, a victim. May your memory be a blessing. 🕯️
auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social Auschwitz Memorial @auschwitzmemorial.bsky.social · 13h
27 November 1905 | A Czech Jewish woman, Ilsa Strossová, was born in Brno.

She was deported to #Auschwitz from #Theresienstadt ghetto on 18 December 1943. She did not survive.
Vintage black and white portrait of a woman resting their chin on their hand, wearing a necklace and a ring. The photograph shows signs of age with some damage on the surface. The name is handwritten across the bottom.
November 27, 2025 at 7:51 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
November 26, 2025 Ukraine
Situation report - @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
Key Takeaways Data on Russian forces’ rate of advance indicates that a Russian military victory in Ukraine is not inevitable, and a rapid Russian seizure of the rest of Donetsk Oblast is not imminent. Recent Russian advances elsewhere on the frontline have largely been opportunistic and exploited seasonal weather conditions. Ukrainian forces have proven effective at constraining Russian advances and conducting successful counteroffensives, particularly when well-staffed and well-equipped. Kremlin officials continue setting conditions to reject any peace deal that does not concede to all of Russia’s maximalist demands. The Kremlin is reportedly concerned that the United States will correctly interpret Russia as unwilling to meaningfully engage in negotiations and accept any peace deal that compromises its ability to achieve its maximalist claims. Recent Ukrainian counterattacks may further delay Russian forces’ seizure of Pokrovsk, though the situation in Pokrovsk remains serious and dynamic at this time. Russia continues setting conditions to deploy active reservists to combat against Ukraine. Russia’s long-range strike campaign is increasingly killing and injuring civilians. Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Hulyaipole. Russian forces recently advanced near Lyman.
November 27, 2025 at 7:50 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
Iran Update, November 26, 2025
@thestudyofwar.bsky.social
understandingwar.org/research/mid...
Key Takeaways 1. Iranian Nuclear Program: A Financial Times investigation unveiled that an Iranian company claimed to possess Western-origin nuclear-related technology, which highlights how Iran continues to adapt its procurement network to advance its nuclear program despite sanctions. 2. Iranian Nuclear Program: Iran has made minimal progress in repairing its three main nuclear sites that were damaged during the Israel-Iran War but has conducted “extensive” clean-up efforts at several nuclear weaponization sites, according to satellite imagery analyzed by the Institute for Science and International Security. The Institute assessed that Iranian clean-up efforts at four nuclear weaponization sites that were struck during the war “may be the prelude to rebuilding or related to sanitization activities.”
November 27, 2025 at 7:48 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
Have a trouble-free thursday everybody. May your day be as calm and peaceful as our lake on a beautiful late november morning.
[📷Nikon D850 f/11,0 1/250 24mm ISO 2000]
November 27, 2025 at 5:41 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"The [U.S.] Navy said late Tuesday it plans to cancel the bulk of the $22 billion Constellation-class guided-missile frigate program dogged by delays and cost overruns." @starsandstripes.bsky.social
www.stripes.com/branches/nav...
Navy plans to end problem-plagued frigate program
Navy Secretary John Phelan announced the service’s plan to cancel the bulk of the $22 billion Constellation-class guided-missile frigate program.
www.stripes.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:21 PM
christianthiels.bsky.social
Russian Occupation Update, November 26, 2025
@thestudyofwar.bsky.social
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
November 26, 2025 at 8:20 PM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"What would Clausewitz say about the quest for peace between Russia and Ukraine?"
@markhertling.bsky.social at @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/letter-fro...
A Letter from Clausewitz to Secretary Rubio
Channeling the author of ‘On War’ on the U.S. pursuit of peace in Ukraine.
www.thebulwark.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:04 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"Fighter jets scrambled over Romania on Nov 25 as Russian drones entered its airspace during an attack on Ukraine. There have been three incursions in the past week, which at one point forced the evacuation of two villages in the Danube Delta."
@rferl.org.web.brid.gy
www.rferl.org/a/romania-uk...
Living With War: Romanian Villagers 'Lie Low' As Russian Drones Buzz Overhead
Fighter jets scrambled over Romania on November 25 as Russian drones entered its airspace during an attack on southern Ukraine. There have been three incursions in the past week, which at one point fo...
www.rferl.org
November 26, 2025 at 8:30 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday started his 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup attempt, to the surprise of many in the South American nation who doubted he would ever end up behind bars."
@apnews.com v @pbsnews.org
www.pbs.org/newshour/wor...
Jair Bolsonaro begins 27-year prison sentence for Brazilian coup attempt
The far-right leader had been under house arrest since August and was taken to federal police headquarters Saturday after trying to break his ankle monitor.
www.pbs.org
November 26, 2025 at 8:29 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"Women have been involved in Ukraine’s drone operations since the early months of the full-scale invasion, but as shortages in the military increase their presence has grown, particularly in FPV (first-person-view) attack units."
@theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
‘Drone operators are hunted. You feel it from your first day’: the female pilots on Ukraine’s frontline
As casualties mount, recruitment is expanding. Three women talk about life in a male-dominated combat environment
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:27 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel had identified the latest remains returned from Gaza as hostage Dror Or, leaving the bodies of two hostages in Gaza as the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement nears a conclusion."
@apnews.com
apnews.com/article/mide...
Israel mourns latest hostage released from Gaza as phase 1 of ceasefire winds down
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel had identified the latest remains returned from Gaza as hostage Dror Or.
apnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:25 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"A Northern Irish council has voted to rename a street in the town of Carrickfergus called after Britain's disgraced former prince Andrew."
@en.afp.com
www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
One of the nameplates still bearing the ex-prince's name was daubed with black paint several months ago, according to residents © Paul Faith
November 26, 2025 at 8:24 AM
christianthiels.bsky.social
"Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday his government will propose $40 billion in additional defence spending over eight years, as the democratic island seeks to deter a potential Chinese invasion."
@en.afp.com
www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te previously laid out plans to boost annual defence spending to more than three percent of GDP next year © I-Hwa Cheng
November 26, 2025 at 8:23 AM