Ulrike Franke
@rikefranke.bsky.social
Senior Fellow at European Council on Foreign Relations. #Drone politics PhD @ox.ac.uk. Previously at, and now teaching @SciencesPo.bsky.social. Writes about all things #Germany #Defence #miltech. Podcast host at @SicherheitsPod.de & LeCollimateur
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Ulrike Franke
@rikefranke.bsky.social
· Sep 24
Ulrike Franke erklärt Sicherheitspolitik wie keine andere. Was wir von ihr lernen können
Ulrike Franke ist eine der bekanntesten Sicherheitsexperten im deutschsprachigen Raum. Sie prophezeit das Schlechte und hofft auf das Gute. Europa kann viel von ihr lernen. Ein Porträt.
www.nzz.ch
A few thoughts on the new US national security strategy that was released today.
🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 9:49 AM
A few thoughts on the new US national security strategy that was released today.
🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
🧵
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
Turns out the real civilizational erasure was the climate change we kept pretending doesn't exist along the way.
US national security strategy.
Something sure is unrecognisable here, but it’s not Europe.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Something sure is unrecognisable here, but it’s not Europe.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Turns out the real civilizational erasure was the climate change we kept pretending doesn't exist along the way.
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
US national security strategy.
Something sure is unrecognisable here, but it’s not Europe.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Something sure is unrecognisable here, but it’s not Europe.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 5:06 AM
US national security strategy.
Something sure is unrecognisable here, but it’s not Europe.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Something sure is unrecognisable here, but it’s not Europe.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
“An Irish navy ship spotted up to five drones operating near the flight path of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s aircraft as he arrived for a state visit to Ireland on Monday, Irish and Ukrainian media reported.”
Ukraine war briefing: drones reportedly spotted near Zelenskyy flight path on Dublin trip
Irish navy ship spotted suspicious drones near the flight path of Zelenskyy’s aircraft as he landed on Monday in Ireland, local media reported. What we know on day 1,3811
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:12 AM
“An Irish navy ship spotted up to five drones operating near the flight path of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s aircraft as he arrived for a state visit to Ireland on Monday, Irish and Ukrainian media reported.”
US national security strategy.
Something sure is unrecognisable here, but it’s not Europe.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Something sure is unrecognisable here, but it’s not Europe.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 5:06 AM
US national security strategy.
Something sure is unrecognisable here, but it’s not Europe.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Something sure is unrecognisable here, but it’s not Europe.
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
“Everyone talks about Europe, but everyone pursues their own national interests. It would make sense to create something like a “military Airbus”: a joint European company for military high-tech, such as fighter jets, that would make Europe competitive with the US.”
dokdoc.eu/2025/11/27/g...
dokdoc.eu/2025/11/27/g...
„Große Rüstungsprojekte lassen sich mit Frankreich nicht realisieren.“ - dokdoc.eu
Die Bundeswehr hat vor wenigen Tagen ihr 70. Jubiläum gefeiert. Zu diesem Anlass hat dokdoc mit Sönke Neitzel über die Lage der Truppe, notwendige Reformen, deutsch-französische Großprojekte und Europ...
dokdoc.eu
December 4, 2025 at 10:12 AM
“Everyone talks about Europe, but everyone pursues their own national interests. It would make sense to create something like a “military Airbus”: a joint European company for military high-tech, such as fighter jets, that would make Europe competitive with the US.”
dokdoc.eu/2025/11/27/g...
dokdoc.eu/2025/11/27/g...
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
FCAS started out as a project to bring France and Germany together, but quickly turned into the opposite.
This week, I tried to explain in *two* articles what is going on.
For ECFR: 👇
For WPR: www.worldpoliticsreview.com/fcas-europe-...
This week, I tried to explain in *two* articles what is going on.
For ECFR: 👇
For WPR: www.worldpoliticsreview.com/fcas-europe-...
The trouble with FCAS: Why Europe’s fighter jet project is not taking off
The disagreement over the Franco-German-Spanish fighter aircraft system, FCAS, shows that when it comes to building a European defence industry, political will is not enough…
ecfr.eu
December 4, 2025 at 3:25 PM
FCAS started out as a project to bring France and Germany together, but quickly turned into the opposite.
This week, I tried to explain in *two* articles what is going on.
For ECFR: 👇
For WPR: www.worldpoliticsreview.com/fcas-europe-...
This week, I tried to explain in *two* articles what is going on.
For ECFR: 👇
For WPR: www.worldpoliticsreview.com/fcas-europe-...
Couldn’t have said it better… 😄
@wiegold.de on the idea of creating a “Germany-wide anti-drone umbrella”.
augengeradeaus.net/2025/12/mini...
@wiegold.de on the idea of creating a “Germany-wide anti-drone umbrella”.
augengeradeaus.net/2025/12/mini...
December 4, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Couldn’t have said it better… 😄
@wiegold.de on the idea of creating a “Germany-wide anti-drone umbrella”.
augengeradeaus.net/2025/12/mini...
@wiegold.de on the idea of creating a “Germany-wide anti-drone umbrella”.
augengeradeaus.net/2025/12/mini...
FCAS started out as a project to bring France and Germany together, but quickly turned into the opposite.
This week, I tried to explain in *two* articles what is going on.
For ECFR: 👇
For WPR: www.worldpoliticsreview.com/fcas-europe-...
This week, I tried to explain in *two* articles what is going on.
For ECFR: 👇
For WPR: www.worldpoliticsreview.com/fcas-europe-...
The trouble with FCAS: Why Europe’s fighter jet project is not taking off
The disagreement over the Franco-German-Spanish fighter aircraft system, FCAS, shows that when it comes to building a European defence industry, political will is not enough…
ecfr.eu
December 4, 2025 at 3:25 PM
FCAS started out as a project to bring France and Germany together, but quickly turned into the opposite.
This week, I tried to explain in *two* articles what is going on.
For ECFR: 👇
For WPR: www.worldpoliticsreview.com/fcas-europe-...
This week, I tried to explain in *two* articles what is going on.
For ECFR: 👇
For WPR: www.worldpoliticsreview.com/fcas-europe-...
I don’t know details of this system or company but this type of naval drone is exactly what is needed right now! Good development.
www.eweek.com/news/greysha...
www.eweek.com/news/greysha...
Greyshark Robots Begin Undersea Cable Patrol
An autonomous underwater robot called Greyshark is joining NATO’s subsea defenses, patrolling undersea cables as Europe races to protect vital links.
www.eweek.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:40 AM
I don’t know details of this system or company but this type of naval drone is exactly what is needed right now! Good development.
www.eweek.com/news/greysha...
www.eweek.com/news/greysha...
This is a good interview with Sönke Neitzel. I particularly liked his answer to the dreaded question of “is the Bundeswehr able to defend us/NATO?” @landrycharrier.bsky.social
dokdoc.eu/2025/11/27/g...
(German and English in alt text )
dokdoc.eu/2025/11/27/g...
(German and English in alt text )
December 4, 2025 at 10:32 AM
This is a good interview with Sönke Neitzel. I particularly liked his answer to the dreaded question of “is the Bundeswehr able to defend us/NATO?” @landrycharrier.bsky.social
dokdoc.eu/2025/11/27/g...
(German and English in alt text )
dokdoc.eu/2025/11/27/g...
(German and English in alt text )
“Everyone talks about Europe, but everyone pursues their own national interests. It would make sense to create something like a “military Airbus”: a joint European company for military high-tech, such as fighter jets, that would make Europe competitive with the US.”
dokdoc.eu/2025/11/27/g...
dokdoc.eu/2025/11/27/g...
„Große Rüstungsprojekte lassen sich mit Frankreich nicht realisieren.“ - dokdoc.eu
Die Bundeswehr hat vor wenigen Tagen ihr 70. Jubiläum gefeiert. Zu diesem Anlass hat dokdoc mit Sönke Neitzel über die Lage der Truppe, notwendige Reformen, deutsch-französische Großprojekte und Europ...
dokdoc.eu
December 4, 2025 at 10:12 AM
“Everyone talks about Europe, but everyone pursues their own national interests. It would make sense to create something like a “military Airbus”: a joint European company for military high-tech, such as fighter jets, that would make Europe competitive with the US.”
dokdoc.eu/2025/11/27/g...
dokdoc.eu/2025/11/27/g...
“There has never been a case in living memory of a US Sec of State missing a regular NATO meeting without good reason. …Of course, the welfare of the Western world does not depend on a single meeting. ... The episode would be negligible if it did not reflect the malaise between America and Europe.”
Gibt es die Nato noch? Ohne Führungsrolle der USA verliert die Allianz an Kraft
Erstmals seit Jahrzehnten schwänzt ein amerikanischer Aussenminister ein Nato-Treffen. Das Signal ist klar und beabsichtigt: Amerika hat andere Prioritäten als die Sicherheit unseres Kontinents.
www.nzz.ch
December 4, 2025 at 6:18 AM
“There has never been a case in living memory of a US Sec of State missing a regular NATO meeting without good reason. …Of course, the welfare of the Western world does not depend on a single meeting. ... The episode would be negligible if it did not reflect the malaise between America and Europe.”
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
“A fighter jet project without the fighter jet—while this sounds like the perfect metaphor for the state of Europe’s defence abilities, it could well be the only way to salvage the project.” - me, on the latest FCAS rumours
ecfr.eu/article/the-...
ecfr.eu/article/the-...
The trouble with FCAS: Why Europe’s fighter jet project is not taking off
The disagreement over the Franco-German-Spanish fighter aircraft system, FCAS, shows that when it comes to building a European defence industry, political will is not enough…
ecfr.eu
December 3, 2025 at 7:40 PM
“A fighter jet project without the fighter jet—while this sounds like the perfect metaphor for the state of Europe’s defence abilities, it could well be the only way to salvage the project.” - me, on the latest FCAS rumours
ecfr.eu/article/the-...
ecfr.eu/article/the-...
“A fighter jet project without the fighter jet—while this sounds like the perfect metaphor for the state of Europe’s defence abilities, it could well be the only way to salvage the project.” - me, on the latest FCAS rumours
ecfr.eu/article/the-...
ecfr.eu/article/the-...
The trouble with FCAS: Why Europe’s fighter jet project is not taking off
The disagreement over the Franco-German-Spanish fighter aircraft system, FCAS, shows that when it comes to building a European defence industry, political will is not enough…
ecfr.eu
December 3, 2025 at 7:40 PM
“A fighter jet project without the fighter jet—while this sounds like the perfect metaphor for the state of Europe’s defence abilities, it could well be the only way to salvage the project.” - me, on the latest FCAS rumours
ecfr.eu/article/the-...
ecfr.eu/article/the-...
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
SCOOP: Sources tell me Donald Trump's name was added to the exterior of the US Institute of Peace building ahead of Thursday's peace agreement signing between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which will be held inside the building. Confirming if it's been officially renamed.
December 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
SCOOP: Sources tell me Donald Trump's name was added to the exterior of the US Institute of Peace building ahead of Thursday's peace agreement signing between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which will be held inside the building. Confirming if it's been officially renamed.
Ukraine-proven drone systems are now increasingly in use with western armed forces.
defence-blog.com/ukraine-test...
defence-blog.com/ukraine-test...
Ukraine‑tested Nightmare FPV approved for U.S. military operations
Renegade UxS has confirmed that its Nightmare FPV drone platform is now officially listed on the U.S. government's BLUE UAS Cleared List, making it available for use by American military units under t...
defence-blog.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Ukraine-proven drone systems are now increasingly in use with western armed forces.
defence-blog.com/ukraine-test...
defence-blog.com/ukraine-test...
“Each FLM 136, also known as Lucas, costs $35,000, according to Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for Central Command. The MQ-9 Reaper drones cost an estimated $16 million”
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Pentagon Deploys New Kamikaze Drone Copied From Iranian Design
An American defense company, SpektreWorks, has produced a cheap drone that is similar to Iran’s Shahed device.
www.wsj.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
“Each FLM 136, also known as Lucas, costs $35,000, according to Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for Central Command. The MQ-9 Reaper drones cost an estimated $16 million”
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
“The Defense Department is announcing Task Force Scorpion Strike, a squadron of low-cost unmanned systems built by an Arizona-based defense company, SpektreWorks, as the U.S. military’s first one-way attack drone unit based in the Middle East.”
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Pentagon Deploys New Kamikaze Drone Copied From Iranian Design
An American defense company, SpektreWorks, has produced a cheap drone that is similar to Iran’s Shahed device.
www.wsj.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
“The Defense Department is announcing Task Force Scorpion Strike, a squadron of low-cost unmanned systems built by an Arizona-based defense company, SpektreWorks, as the U.S. military’s first one-way attack drone unit based in the Middle East.”
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
I know people get excited about this Buy European proposal (sigh), but this is the important bit:
"The measure would apply only to the use of public money, such as procurement contracts and state-backed loans and grants." www.ft.com/content/b020...
"The measure would apply only to the use of public money, such as procurement contracts and state-backed loans and grants." www.ft.com/content/b020...
Brussels pushes for 70% of critical goods to be ‘made in Europe’
Policy would force EU companies to buy certain products domestically in an effort to cut reliance on China
www.ft.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:42 AM
I know people get excited about this Buy European proposal (sigh), but this is the important bit:
"The measure would apply only to the use of public money, such as procurement contracts and state-backed loans and grants." www.ft.com/content/b020...
"The measure would apply only to the use of public money, such as procurement contracts and state-backed loans and grants." www.ft.com/content/b020...
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
We found these claims annoying for different reasons, ranging from them being technically inaccurate to politically dubious. So we got our heads together and wrote a paper that weaves together history of ideas, AI research and critical discourse studies as applied to political claims.
December 3, 2025 at 10:30 AM
We found these claims annoying for different reasons, ranging from them being technically inaccurate to politically dubious. So we got our heads together and wrote a paper that weaves together history of ideas, AI research and critical discourse studies as applied to political claims.
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
At least for me, this was a very insightful episode. Hope you feel the same way!
Pour ce nouvel épisode du "Casque et la plume", Olivier Schmitt, Ulrike Franke et Elie Tenenbaum débattent des plans de paix pour l'Ukraine, mais aussi de la polémique autour du discours du chef d'état-major des Armées et du retour du service militaire.
www.lerubicon.org/collimateur-...
www.lerubicon.org/collimateur-...
Appréhender la menace russe. De l'Ukraine au retour du service militaire [Le Casque et la Plume #16]
Pour ce nouvel épisode du "Casque et la plume", Olivier Schmitt, Ulrike Franke et Elie Tenenbaum débattent des plans de paix pour l'Ukraine, mais aussi de la polémique autour du discours du chef d'éta...
www.lerubicon.org
December 2, 2025 at 4:03 PM
At least for me, this was a very insightful episode. Hope you feel the same way!
Reposted by Ulrike Franke
If it were steel works we would have a government bailout plan, yet losing thousands of jobs at unis is met with a shrug. & unlike steelworks universities were profitable when they had foreign students.
You are killing the golden goose… one of our best exports…
HOW IS THIS HELPING GROWTH?!
You are killing the golden goose… one of our best exports…
HOW IS THIS HELPING GROWTH?!
Every sympathy for University of Essex (and pressures facing them) but this is very bad news for Southend.
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Essex university to cut 400 jobs as overseas student numbers plummet
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... Essex university to cut 400 jobs as overseas student numbers plummet
Essex university to cut 400 jobs as overseas student numbers plummet
Roles to be lost are part of wave of redundancy programmes across UK’s higher education sector
giftarticle.ft.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:14 AM
If it were steel works we would have a government bailout plan, yet losing thousands of jobs at unis is met with a shrug. & unlike steelworks universities were profitable when they had foreign students.
You are killing the golden goose… one of our best exports…
HOW IS THIS HELPING GROWTH?!
You are killing the golden goose… one of our best exports…
HOW IS THIS HELPING GROWTH?!