Jason Davidson
@profjwdavidson.bsky.social
Non-Resident Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council/ Prof at U of Mary Washington
Research on NATO/ Transatlantic Security
Racing cyclist
Research on NATO/ Transatlantic Security
Racing cyclist
Pinned
What explains the transatlantic rift? It’s all about threat perception.
NATO allies’ differing threat perceptions provide the backdrop for what could be a contentious summit in The Hague this month.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
Some like to divide NATO allies into "good" ones who spend a lot on defense and "bad" ones/free riders who don't.
I argue in this @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social essay that differences in threat perception explain spending differences.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
I argue in this @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social essay that differences in threat perception explain spending differences.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-at...
Trump's doubling down on the "civilizational erasure" is terrible for NATO cohesion and trust in the US. The good news is that in most European countries a Trump endorsement of the far right would hurt those parties rather than help them.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Trump thrashes European leaders in wide-ranging interview: ‘I think they’re weak’
In an interview with POLITICO, the president offered no reassurance to America's allies about Russia and vowed to reshape their politics.
www.politico.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Trump's doubling down on the "civilizational erasure" is terrible for NATO cohesion and trust in the US. The good news is that in most European countries a Trump endorsement of the far right would hurt those parties rather than help them.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Lest anyone out there think that European allies will respond to the NSS with unity around European defense....
www.avvenire.it/politica/cro...
www.avvenire.it/politica/cro...
Crosetto: «La Nato si trasformi per garantire la pace»
Il ministro della Difesa con Avvenire parla di Putin, Alleanza Atlantica e Usa. E di natalità: l'Europa è vecchia e stanca, propongo zero tasse per chi h...
www.avvenire.it
December 9, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Lest anyone out there think that European allies will respond to the NSS with unity around European defense....
www.avvenire.it/politica/cro...
www.avvenire.it/politica/cro...
Reposted by Jason Davidson
My assessment of the Trump national security strategy: "it sees the United States’ adversaries as partners in that war, but it does not see how much U.S. power relies on the voluntary assistance of other countries."
The Only War the White House Is Ready for Is Culture War
The new U.S. National Security Strategy is a moral and strategic disaster.
foreignpolicy.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
My assessment of the Trump national security strategy: "it sees the United States’ adversaries as partners in that war, but it does not see how much U.S. power relies on the voluntary assistance of other countries."
Reposted by Jason Davidson
GMF President, Dr Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer, spoke with NPR about how the U.S. is reshaping relations with longtime allies in Europe.
🔗 Listen to the full interview: www.npr.org/2025/12/08/n...
🔗 Listen to the full interview: www.npr.org/2025/12/08/n...
December 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM
GMF President, Dr Alexandra de Hoop Scheffer, spoke with NPR about how the U.S. is reshaping relations with longtime allies in Europe.
🔗 Listen to the full interview: www.npr.org/2025/12/08/n...
🔗 Listen to the full interview: www.npr.org/2025/12/08/n...
Another excellent episode of World Review with @ivodaalder.bsky.social
I found the final bit on the NSS particularly useful
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
I found the final bit on the NSS particularly useful
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
Putin Says No, Boat Strike in the Caribbean, Trump Berates Europe
Podcast Episode · World Review with Ivo Daalder · 12/05/2025 · 56m
podcasts.apple.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Another excellent episode of World Review with @ivodaalder.bsky.social
I found the final bit on the NSS particularly useful
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
I found the final bit on the NSS particularly useful
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
JD Vance's courting of tech billionaires (esp. as he plans for the '28 Republican nomination contest) provides a compelling explanation for the language on Europe in the new National Security Strategy.
icds.ee/en/trump_sil...
@armida.bsky.social
icds.ee/en/trump_sil...
@armida.bsky.social
Trump, Silicon Valley, and Europe’s Far-right - International Centre for Defence and Security
A new transatlantic alliance is forming. The old partnership was based on advancing liberal democracy, upholding the rules-based international order, and a security contract between the US and Europe....
icds.ee
December 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
JD Vance's courting of tech billionaires (esp. as he plans for the '28 Republican nomination contest) provides a compelling explanation for the language on Europe in the new National Security Strategy.
icds.ee/en/trump_sil...
@armida.bsky.social
icds.ee/en/trump_sil...
@armida.bsky.social
Reposted by Jason Davidson
Trump's national security strategy is out and some of the Europe sections are shocking. "...the growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed
gives cause for great optimism."
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
gives cause for great optimism."
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Trump's national security strategy is out and some of the Europe sections are shocking. "...the growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed
gives cause for great optimism."
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
gives cause for great optimism."
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Jason Davidson
The NSS signals 2 big shifts for Europe
1. Europe will handle its own security now. They take the 5% commitment literally.
2. US plans lots of political interference to back the far right. This is what "restoring Europe’s civilizational self-confidence and Western identity" means.
Buckle up.
1. Europe will handle its own security now. They take the 5% commitment literally.
2. US plans lots of political interference to back the far right. This is what "restoring Europe’s civilizational self-confidence and Western identity" means.
Buckle up.
December 5, 2025 at 12:37 PM
The NSS signals 2 big shifts for Europe
1. Europe will handle its own security now. They take the 5% commitment literally.
2. US plans lots of political interference to back the far right. This is what "restoring Europe’s civilizational self-confidence and Western identity" means.
Buckle up.
1. Europe will handle its own security now. They take the 5% commitment literally.
2. US plans lots of political interference to back the far right. This is what "restoring Europe’s civilizational self-confidence and Western identity" means.
Buckle up.
This is an important point and it will contribute to further tension in the transatlantic relationship BUT I think it remains to be seen how much the ideas in this section of the document will actually matter in terms of what US diplomats do on a daily basis.
What struck me most on Europe wasn’t the focus on value, freedom of speech etc - again, very similar to Vance’s Munich speech - but how activist it is. This is about directly trying to influence what is going on in Europe:
December 5, 2025 at 1:13 PM
This is an important point and it will contribute to further tension in the transatlantic relationship BUT I think it remains to be seen how much the ideas in this section of the document will actually matter in terms of what US diplomats do on a daily basis.
Reposted by Jason Davidson
In absolutely shocking news, it turns out that it’s difficult to have your cake and eat it too.
Top US official berates Europe over cutting American industry out of defense buildup
Washington is unhappy that some European arms programs limit U.S. participation.
www.politico.eu
December 5, 2025 at 1:08 PM
In absolutely shocking news, it turns out that it’s difficult to have your cake and eat it too.
Reposted by Jason Davidson
The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy was released overnight in the US. What are the administration’s apparent priorities pertaining to Europe? I’ve pulled out the key points from the 29-page document.
PDF: www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
PDF: www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy was released overnight in the US. What are the administration’s apparent priorities pertaining to Europe? I’ve pulled out the key points from the 29-page document.
PDF: www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
PDF: www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Had a wonderful time with an excellent team (headed by @jteurope.bsky.social) representing the @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social at the Spanish Foreign Ministry.
December 4, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Had a wonderful time with an excellent team (headed by @jteurope.bsky.social) representing the @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social at the Spanish Foreign Ministry.
Reposted by Jason Davidson
Really something to think that one man--Donald Trump--is letting his minions freelance the fate of not one but two countries' citizens (Ukraine and Venezuela), and those minions don't agree on much but most want to sell out one and bomb the other, and the world is reduced to tantrum management.
One man -- Marco Rubio -- serves this country as both National Security Adviser and Secretary of State.
And he was nowhere near the drafting of that Ukraine 'peace plan,' which was instead devised by the president's real-estate buddy and his son-in-law.
🎁
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
And he was nowhere near the drafting of that Ukraine 'peace plan,' which was instead devised by the president's real-estate buddy and his son-in-law.
🎁
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
November 25, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Really something to think that one man--Donald Trump--is letting his minions freelance the fate of not one but two countries' citizens (Ukraine and Venezuela), and those minions don't agree on much but most want to sell out one and bomb the other, and the world is reduced to tantrum management.
Almost a year into the Trump administration and Marco Rubio does something useful.
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Rubio changes the tack of Trump’s Ukraine negotiations after week of chaos
The administration’s shifting messaging on Ukraine underscores Trump’s preference for non-traditional policy coordination
www.politico.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Almost a year into the Trump administration and Marco Rubio does something useful.
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Reposted by Jason Davidson
Extraordinary step. Pentagon, under pretext of "good order and discipline", threatens to recall to duty and court-martial Senator Mark Kelly, a retired naval officer, after he recorded a video telling troops they could refuse illegal orders. Dangerous & authoritarian.
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
Sen. Mark Kelly faces Pentagon investigation for making video on refusing 'unlawful orders'
The Defense Department suggested that the investigation of the Arizona Democrat Kelly stems from urging military members to refuse to follow unlawful orders.
www.cnbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Extraordinary step. Pentagon, under pretext of "good order and discipline", threatens to recall to duty and court-martial Senator Mark Kelly, a retired naval officer, after he recorded a video telling troops they could refuse illegal orders. Dangerous & authoritarian.
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
I increasingly believe that US defense firms may be the most important advocates for better US treatment of its allies.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/w...
Are Fighter Jets Canada’s ‘Bargaining Chip’ in Trade Talks?
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:04 PM
I increasingly believe that US defense firms may be the most important advocates for better US treatment of its allies.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/w...
Reposted by Jason Davidson
This, by @giacgrassi.bsky.social, remains one of the simplest and best climate visuals
November 23, 2025 at 9:30 PM
This, by @giacgrassi.bsky.social, remains one of the simplest and best climate visuals
Reposted by Jason Davidson
Children killed by Russians in #Ternopil.
On November 19, Russian terrorists attacked residential buildings in Ternopil,killing 34 people.Six more people are considered missing, including one child.
The six kids who will never become adults because Russia killed them:
On November 19, Russian terrorists attacked residential buildings in Ternopil,killing 34 people.Six more people are considered missing, including one child.
The six kids who will never become adults because Russia killed them:
November 24, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Children killed by Russians in #Ternopil.
On November 19, Russian terrorists attacked residential buildings in Ternopil,killing 34 people.Six more people are considered missing, including one child.
The six kids who will never become adults because Russia killed them:
On November 19, Russian terrorists attacked residential buildings in Ternopil,killing 34 people.Six more people are considered missing, including one child.
The six kids who will never become adults because Russia killed them:
I highly recommend the most recent edition of World Review with @ivodaalder.bsky.social podcast. In addition to lively debate and excellent analysis, they've got new intro music!
www.ivodaalder.com/world-review...
www.ivodaalder.com/world-review...
World Review Podcast — Ivo Daalder
A weekly podcast featuring leading journalists from around the world discussing the week’s news. World Review with Ivo Daalder brings you diverse perspectives on emerging global stories every Friday m...
www.ivodaalder.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:54 AM
I highly recommend the most recent edition of World Review with @ivodaalder.bsky.social podcast. In addition to lively debate and excellent analysis, they've got new intro music!
www.ivodaalder.com/world-review...
www.ivodaalder.com/world-review...
Reposted by Jason Davidson
Some notable things in what's being called the "Trump peace plan" but which could not have been more clearly written in Moscow if it came with a 2 for 1 deal on tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet. 🧵
November 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Some notable things in what's being called the "Trump peace plan" but which could not have been more clearly written in Moscow if it came with a 2 for 1 deal on tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet. 🧵
Important push back from Capitol Hill on Trump admin moves to scale back the US' role in Europe.
November 21, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Important push back from Capitol Hill on Trump admin moves to scale back the US' role in Europe.