alina
@ramshackle78.bsky.social
EM doc. Politics nerd 🇷🇴🇬🇧🇫🇷
European at core
Into military stuff nowadays, out of necessity
European at core
Into military stuff nowadays, out of necessity
Reposted by alina
Many cite desertion figures to point at a crisis in the Ukrainian army. Our team, Frontelligence Insight, after consulting with mobilization officers and reviewing data, found that while desertions are high, the actual numbers are lower than quoted:
frontelligence.substack.com/p/inside-ukr...
frontelligence.substack.com/p/inside-ukr...
Inside Ukraine’s Desertion Crisis: Analysis and Numbers
Debate about Ukrainian soldiers who go absent without leave and about desertion has intensified, but the scale of the problem is still widely misunderstood.
frontelligence.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Many cite desertion figures to point at a crisis in the Ukrainian army. Our team, Frontelligence Insight, after consulting with mobilization officers and reviewing data, found that while desertions are high, the actual numbers are lower than quoted:
frontelligence.substack.com/p/inside-ukr...
frontelligence.substack.com/p/inside-ukr...
Reposted by alina
Reuters reached out to everyone that Trump or his subordinates singled out publicly for retribution, and reviewed hundreds of official orders, directives and public records. The result: the most comprehensive accounting yet of his campaign of payback.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
www.reuters.com/investigates...
November 27, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Reuters reached out to everyone that Trump or his subordinates singled out publicly for retribution, and reviewed hundreds of official orders, directives and public records. The result: the most comprehensive accounting yet of his campaign of payback.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
www.reuters.com/investigates...
Reposted by alina
This used to be Politics 101, but we've become so confused about what parliamentary democracy is that it's now regarded as some kind of humiliation if elected representatives get to influence policy.
More of this, please!
More of this, please!
November 27, 2025 at 10:52 PM
This used to be Politics 101, but we've become so confused about what parliamentary democracy is that it's now regarded as some kind of humiliation if elected representatives get to influence policy.
More of this, please!
More of this, please!
HASTILY??
I mean sure, Belgium would be more than happy to keep milking tax revenues from Euroclear's windfall profits on those frozen assets.
I can even understand they want things in writing.
But this is not in good faith
I mean sure, Belgium would be more than happy to keep milking tax revenues from Euroclear's windfall profits on those frozen assets.
I can even understand they want things in writing.
But this is not in good faith
November 27, 2025 at 11:18 PM
HASTILY??
I mean sure, Belgium would be more than happy to keep milking tax revenues from Euroclear's windfall profits on those frozen assets.
I can even understand they want things in writing.
But this is not in good faith
I mean sure, Belgium would be more than happy to keep milking tax revenues from Euroclear's windfall profits on those frozen assets.
I can even understand they want things in writing.
But this is not in good faith
A live issue not just for Poland but for all the other European countries that bought lots South Korean kit because the kit came fast & with promise of in-country production in the future
"South Korea has greatly benefited from arms exports to Poland. To maintain this momentum, South Korea needs to adapt to the evolving European defence market and pursue a partnership-based approach that considers Poland’s interests more broadly." koreaonpoint.org/articles/art...
A Maturity Test for the Poland-South Korea Partnership
Key Takeaways:- While swift deliveries of K2 tanks and K9 howitzers successfully opened the European market for South Korea, the resulting $10 billion trade deficit has shifted Poland's focus toward d
koreaonpoint.org
November 27, 2025 at 10:31 PM
A live issue not just for Poland but for all the other European countries that bought lots South Korean kit because the kit came fast & with promise of in-country production in the future
Now these things happen when you try new things. But if they weren't so smug and full of hype it would easier to forgive.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Exclusive | ‘We Do Fail … a Lot’: Defense Startup Anduril Hits Setbacks With Weapons Tech
The company’s products have had breakdowns and safety issues, documents show.
www.wsj.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Now these things happen when you try new things. But if they weren't so smug and full of hype it would easier to forgive.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Reposted by alina
Relaxed attitude? Is this supposed to refer to regulations? Because it's literally the number one concern of Spaniards when asked about it.
If Britons were to look at Spain, they would see a rapidly growing economy with a relaxed attitude to immigration—in both respects a sharp contrast to their own land. Yet the two share similarities
Which country is most similar to Britain?
Clue: none of the ones its politicians obsess over
econ.st
November 27, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Relaxed attitude? Is this supposed to refer to regulations? Because it's literally the number one concern of Spaniards when asked about it.
Reposted by alina
Total population of Finland is 5.6 million, by the way.
Those 🇫🇮Finns who have completed their conscription service, “regardless of rank, [will have] to carry on as reservists until age 65.
Over a 5-year period, the change is projected to boost the number of reservists by around 125,000 members, bringing the total to approximately one million by 2031.”
Over a 5-year period, the change is projected to boost the number of reservists by around 125,000 members, bringing the total to approximately one million by 2031.”
Finland's Defence Committee supports increasing reservist numbers
The change would expand Finland's military reserve to around a million people by the year 2031.
yle.fi
November 27, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Total population of Finland is 5.6 million, by the way.
Top 1% and even big chunks of top 10% are not public sector employees clearly
Nice dataviz from the ONS showing median wealth split by category at different points of the distribution: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
November 27, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Top 1% and even big chunks of top 10% are not public sector employees clearly
Great war/peace gaming from Caracas Chronicle!
Pair it up with view from US. Ryan Berg (CSIS) who they're interviewing thinks that USS Gerald R. Ford won't be there past Jan, i.e the reason for which it was brought there needs to happen by then.
That Chekhov's Gun needs to go off
pca.st/7v8592xa
Pair it up with view from US. Ryan Berg (CSIS) who they're interviewing thinks that USS Gerald R. Ford won't be there past Jan, i.e the reason for which it was brought there needs to happen by then.
That Chekhov's Gun needs to go off
pca.st/7v8592xa
November 27, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Great war/peace gaming from Caracas Chronicle!
Pair it up with view from US. Ryan Berg (CSIS) who they're interviewing thinks that USS Gerald R. Ford won't be there past Jan, i.e the reason for which it was brought there needs to happen by then.
That Chekhov's Gun needs to go off
pca.st/7v8592xa
Pair it up with view from US. Ryan Berg (CSIS) who they're interviewing thinks that USS Gerald R. Ford won't be there past Jan, i.e the reason for which it was brought there needs to happen by then.
That Chekhov's Gun needs to go off
pca.st/7v8592xa
This will make Poland the operator of largest Apache fleet outside the U.S. And these Apache are quite high end specced & will go well the Abrams, Himars, Patriots and F-35 that Poland is getting
News here is the delivery schedule.
boeing.mediaroom.com/2025-11-26-B...
News here is the delivery schedule.
boeing.mediaroom.com/2025-11-26-B...
Boeing to Build 96 AH-64E Apache Helicopters for Poland
- Deliveries are expected to begin in 2028 - Poland is the 19th global operator of the Apache, and will have the largest fleet outside of the U.S. MESA, Ariz., Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing...
boeing.mediaroom.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:06 PM
This will make Poland the operator of largest Apache fleet outside the U.S. And these Apache are quite high end specced & will go well the Abrams, Himars, Patriots and F-35 that Poland is getting
News here is the delivery schedule.
boeing.mediaroom.com/2025-11-26-B...
News here is the delivery schedule.
boeing.mediaroom.com/2025-11-26-B...
Rheinmetall already has a €200mil order backlog for these HERO loitering munitions from 8 European countries.
Germany likely first customer to get them but deliveries should start 2026
en.defence-ua.com/news/rheinme...
Germany likely first customer to get them but deliveries should start 2026
en.defence-ua.com/news/rheinme...
Rheinmetall to Begin Production of Hundreds of Israeli HERO Strike Drones for NATO | Defense Express
Israeli HERO kamikaze UAVs are now being produced in Europe by the German defense company Rheinmetall and are actively being procured by NATO countries
en.defence-ua.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Rheinmetall already has a €200mil order backlog for these HERO loitering munitions from 8 European countries.
Germany likely first customer to get them but deliveries should start 2026
en.defence-ua.com/news/rheinme...
Germany likely first customer to get them but deliveries should start 2026
en.defence-ua.com/news/rheinme...
Reposted by alina
On the surface, Eurozone growth looks pretty decent all things considered. But when looking under the hood, the picture worsens considerably:
- Ireland (4% of the EZ) accounts for 40% of growth
- Spain (10%) accounts for 20%
- Half of the Eurozone is growing at 0.5% or below
- Ireland (4% of the EZ) accounts for 40% of growth
- Spain (10%) accounts for 20%
- Half of the Eurozone is growing at 0.5% or below
November 25, 2025 at 11:49 AM
On the surface, Eurozone growth looks pretty decent all things considered. But when looking under the hood, the picture worsens considerably:
- Ireland (4% of the EZ) accounts for 40% of growth
- Spain (10%) accounts for 20%
- Half of the Eurozone is growing at 0.5% or below
- Ireland (4% of the EZ) accounts for 40% of growth
- Spain (10%) accounts for 20%
- Half of the Eurozone is growing at 0.5% or below
I'm glad people are writing more about how totally a freerider Ireland is on defence & security. Though Ireland has been doing this for years & years (because you know it's next to France & UK)
It's especially galling given the huge fiscal space from all those US tech/pharma corporate tax windfalls
It's especially galling given the huge fiscal space from all those US tech/pharma corporate tax windfalls
November 27, 2025 at 8:24 PM
I'm glad people are writing more about how totally a freerider Ireland is on defence & security. Though Ireland has been doing this for years & years (because you know it's next to France & UK)
It's especially galling given the huge fiscal space from all those US tech/pharma corporate tax windfalls
It's especially galling given the huge fiscal space from all those US tech/pharma corporate tax windfalls
Reposted by alina
The "don't have an extra kid if you can't afford it" brigade get awfully upset when you suggest they don't stay in their £2m house if they can't afford it, don't they?
November 27, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The "don't have an extra kid if you can't afford it" brigade get awfully upset when you suggest they don't stay in their £2m house if they can't afford it, don't they?
Reposted by alina
Yeah but day one was a bit extreme. Especially going from the other extreme that UK is on this currently which is 2y.
OECD median is 3 months. 6 months is reasonable.
Dismissal for discriminatory reasons is still day one, even now
OECD median is 3 months. 6 months is reasonable.
Dismissal for discriminatory reasons is still day one, even now
Flagship policy that would have given workers right to claim unfair dismissal after their first day on the job is to be ditched by government in favour of a six month-threshold (down from current 24) 👇 www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
Government to ditch day-one unfair dismissal policy from workers’ rights bill
Flagship Labour plan to be replaced with six-month threshold after Peter Kyle vows to not let businesses ‘lose’ under new law
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Yeah but day one was a bit extreme. Especially going from the other extreme that UK is on this currently which is 2y.
OECD median is 3 months. 6 months is reasonable.
Dismissal for discriminatory reasons is still day one, even now
OECD median is 3 months. 6 months is reasonable.
Dismissal for discriminatory reasons is still day one, even now
Moms FTW is my takeaway from this.
But also we clearly need more, much more coming out movies
But also we clearly need more, much more coming out movies
Young voters are now 3x as likely to report having been estranged from their parents for an extended period of time than voters over the age of 65.
Parental estrangement is uncorrelated with partisanship and is concentrated among low-turnout independents.
Parental estrangement is uncorrelated with partisanship and is concentrated among low-turnout independents.
November 27, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Moms FTW is my takeaway from this.
But also we clearly need more, much more coming out movies
But also we clearly need more, much more coming out movies
Another good news in sovereign space domain awareness, this time from the UK.
Space, is one those 'enablers' where Europe still depends a lot on US but is making great strides to reduce this dependency.
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/star...
Space, is one those 'enablers' where Europe still depends a lot on US but is making great strides to reduce this dependency.
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/star...
Startup Spaceflux secures key role in UK civil/defense space tracking effort - Breaking Defense
Spaceflux data is being provided to the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) jointly managed by the UK Defence Ministry and the UK Space Agency.
breakingdefense.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Another good news in sovereign space domain awareness, this time from the UK.
Space, is one those 'enablers' where Europe still depends a lot on US but is making great strides to reduce this dependency.
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/star...
Space, is one those 'enablers' where Europe still depends a lot on US but is making great strides to reduce this dependency.
breakingdefense.com/2025/11/star...
The other Artic and space thing happening today.
Whilst putatively about earth observation and communications this will no doubt be used for coast-guard, SAR and defence-adjacent purposes across the high-north side of the Arctic.
It's part of the same security-tilt from ESA as the Poland thing
Whilst putatively about earth observation and communications this will no doubt be used for coast-guard, SAR and defence-adjacent purposes across the high-north side of the Arctic.
It's part of the same security-tilt from ESA as the Poland thing
We've signed a letter of intent with Norway to advance the prospect of a new ESA Arctic Space Centre to be hosted in Tromsø 🌍❄️
@josefaschbacher.esa.int @esaearth.esa.int
@josefaschbacher.esa.int @esaearth.esa.int
ESA and Norway explore possibility of Arctic Space Centre
The European Space Agency has signed a letter of intent with Norway to advance the prospect of a new ESA Arctic Space Centre to be hosted in Tromsø.
www.esa.int
November 27, 2025 at 7:11 PM
The other Artic and space thing happening today.
Whilst putatively about earth observation and communications this will no doubt be used for coast-guard, SAR and defence-adjacent purposes across the high-north side of the Arctic.
It's part of the same security-tilt from ESA as the Poland thing
Whilst putatively about earth observation and communications this will no doubt be used for coast-guard, SAR and defence-adjacent purposes across the high-north side of the Arctic.
It's part of the same security-tilt from ESA as the Poland thing
This is the first step in the implementation of ESA 2040 Strategy so not a one-off.
The ERS (European Resilience from Space) program now gets proper initial funding and also make a huge shift to using space applications for non-aggressive defence purposes.
ERS might further increase in 2026
The ERS (European Resilience from Space) program now gets proper initial funding and also make a huge shift to using space applications for non-aggressive defence purposes.
ERS might further increase in 2026
22.1 billion euros subscribed.
A record.
A first.
And a clear message that Europe is serious about space and that @esa.int is the agency it trusts to deliver.
A historic Ministerial. A united Europe. A stronger ESA.
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
A record.
A first.
And a clear message that Europe is serious about space and that @esa.int is the agency it trusts to deliver.
A historic Ministerial. A united Europe. A stronger ESA.
www.esa.int/About_Us/Cor...
ESA Member States commit to largest contributions at Ministerial
The largest contributions in the history of the European Space Agency, €22.1 bn, have been approved at its Council meeting at Ministerial level in Bremen, ...
www.esa.int
November 27, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This is the first step in the implementation of ESA 2040 Strategy so not a one-off.
The ERS (European Resilience from Space) program now gets proper initial funding and also make a huge shift to using space applications for non-aggressive defence purposes.
ERS might further increase in 2026
The ERS (European Resilience from Space) program now gets proper initial funding and also make a huge shift to using space applications for non-aggressive defence purposes.
ERS might further increase in 2026
We can do stuff in Europe: a Lithuanian start-up (Astrolight) with funding from ESA, is building an Optical Ground Station with Denmark being project manager and it will serve much more than just NATO purposes.
Expect a lot more of this stuff after the big budget increase that ESA got today at CM25
Expect a lot more of this stuff after the big budget increase that ESA got today at CM25
⚡️“A new base being built by NATO countries in Greenland will use incredibly narrow laser beams to ensure fast & voluminous data download from satellites, as Western nations move to secure comms from disruption by adversaries such as 🇷🇺 Russia or 🇨🇳 China, the company behind the project told Newsweek.”
New NATO allies' Arctic laser base will counter Russia and China
A new laser base in Greenland will download data from satellites, as NATO seeks to protect communications from Russia and China.
www.newsweek.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:50 PM
We can do stuff in Europe: a Lithuanian start-up (Astrolight) with funding from ESA, is building an Optical Ground Station with Denmark being project manager and it will serve much more than just NATO purposes.
Expect a lot more of this stuff after the big budget increase that ESA got today at CM25
Expect a lot more of this stuff after the big budget increase that ESA got today at CM25
This is only happening NOW??? 10y into Trump's appearance on the international scene?
He was just as much of a threat to the peace and security of Europe from the beginning.
The only thing new now is that he is starting to look like one of those White Walkers
He was just as much of a threat to the peace and security of Europe from the beginning.
The only thing new now is that he is starting to look like one of those White Walkers
November 27, 2025 at 6:40 PM
This is only happening NOW??? 10y into Trump's appearance on the international scene?
He was just as much of a threat to the peace and security of Europe from the beginning.
The only thing new now is that he is starting to look like one of those White Walkers
He was just as much of a threat to the peace and security of Europe from the beginning.
The only thing new now is that he is starting to look like one of those White Walkers
Gary Kasparov not mixing words at the Halifax Security Forum
"For 4 years, Ukraine has been fighting for the whole of Europe. NATO was created to fight one war — not to go to Afghanistan, not to go to Syria — one war: to save free Europe from Russian aggression'
@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social
"For 4 years, Ukraine has been fighting for the whole of Europe. NATO was created to fight one war — not to go to Afghanistan, not to go to Syria — one war: to save free Europe from Russian aggression'
@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social
November 27, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Gary Kasparov not mixing words at the Halifax Security Forum
"For 4 years, Ukraine has been fighting for the whole of Europe. NATO was created to fight one war — not to go to Afghanistan, not to go to Syria — one war: to save free Europe from Russian aggression'
@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social
"For 4 years, Ukraine has been fighting for the whole of Europe. NATO was created to fight one war — not to go to Afghanistan, not to go to Syria — one war: to save free Europe from Russian aggression'
@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social