Rob Schoof
@robschoof.bsky.social
Commentator & reporter @NRC.nl
International desk | War in Ukraine | Not related to former Dutch PM | Views mine
📍Haarlem, The Netherlands 🇪🇺
International desk | War in Ukraine | Not related to former Dutch PM | Views mine
📍Haarlem, The Netherlands 🇪🇺
Pinned
Reposted by Rob Schoof
Corruption is the story. www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Trump Is Trying to Legalize Corruption by Abusing His Pardon Power
Donald Trump is abusing the Constitution and the president's pardon power to try to legalize corruption, letting a string of loyalists off the hook.
www.rollingstone.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Corruption is the story. www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Rob Schoof
⚡️ Update: Trump has 'his own vision' on resolving the war, different from Ukraine's perspective, Zelensky says.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine is not considering the possibility of ceding territory to Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine is not considering the possibility of ceding territory to Russia.
No agreement on Donbas yet, Zelensky says as he visits London to discuss US-led peace efforts with European leaders
"There are visions of the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine — and we don't have a unified view on Donbas," Zelensky told Bloomberg regarding the latest discussions on the peace plan for Ukraine.
kyivindependent.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:32 PM
⚡️ Update: Trump has 'his own vision' on resolving the war, different from Ukraine's perspective, Zelensky says.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine is not considering the possibility of ceding territory to Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine is not considering the possibility of ceding territory to Russia.
"The National Security Strategy's entire section on Europe reads as if it were written by far-right trolls."
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Trump’s national security strategy slams Europe, not Russia
The White House lays out an approach making clear America no longer leads the free world.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
"The National Security Strategy's entire section on Europe reads as if it were written by far-right trolls."
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Rob Schoof
🇷🇺🇨🇳 A Russian liquefied natural gas export facility delivered its first shipment to #China since being sanctioned by the US in January, the latest sign of increased energy cooperation between Beijing and Moscow.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Archive: archive.is/JY4b4
#russia
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Archive: archive.is/JY4b4
#russia
Russian LNG Plant in Baltics Sends First Sanctioned Gas to China
A Russian liquefied natural gas export facility delivered its first shipment to China since being sanctioned by the US in January, the latest sign of increased energy cooperation between Beijing and M...
www.bloomberg.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:23 AM
🇷🇺🇨🇳 A Russian liquefied natural gas export facility delivered its first shipment to #China since being sanctioned by the US in January, the latest sign of increased energy cooperation between Beijing and Moscow.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Archive: archive.is/JY4b4
#russia
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Archive: archive.is/JY4b4
#russia
Reposted by Rob Schoof
Every day, more crimes making Richard Nixon’s presidency-ending ones look like harmless grade school pranks. We’ve totally lost the plot as a country.
Trump rages that Henry Cuellar didn’t pay him back for a pardon by switching parties, blasting Cuellar for a “lack of LOYALTY.”
In other words, Trump admits he was trying to use his pardon power to buy Republicans a House seat.
In other words, Trump admits he was trying to use his pardon power to buy Republicans a House seat.
December 7, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Every day, more crimes making Richard Nixon’s presidency-ending ones look like harmless grade school pranks. We’ve totally lost the plot as a country.
Reposted by Rob Schoof
84 years ago today: Pearl Harbor, the culmination and consequence of two decades of retreat into isolationism, nationalism, nativism, protectionism, and a refusal to defend democracy and confront the dictators.
We have started down that path again.
conversationswithbillkristol.org/conversation...
We have started down that path again.
conversationswithbillkristol.org/conversation...
Robert Kagan: Trump's Foreign Policy & The New World Disorder
On Trump’s foreign policy and the new world disorder
conversationswithbillkristol.org
December 7, 2025 at 1:26 PM
84 years ago today: Pearl Harbor, the culmination and consequence of two decades of retreat into isolationism, nationalism, nativism, protectionism, and a refusal to defend democracy and confront the dictators.
We have started down that path again.
conversationswithbillkristol.org/conversation...
We have started down that path again.
conversationswithbillkristol.org/conversation...
Reposted by Rob Schoof
Calling for regime change in Europe and supporting far-right forces also undermines the transatlantic alliance.
The EU's pursuit of its green agenda and enforcement of tech rules against U.S. firms is undermining the transatlantic alliance, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State warned.
Top US official says EU regulation ‘undermines’ NATO ties
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Europe’s policy agenda was hurting its credibility in Washington.
www.politico.eu
December 6, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Calling for regime change in Europe and supporting far-right forces also undermines the transatlantic alliance.
Reposted by Rob Schoof
🇺🇸🇺🇦 The Reagan National Defense Survey, released Thursday, found that 64% of Americans favor sending lethal aid to support Kyiv’s government, up 9% points from last year and the highest proportion since February 2022, - NYP
December 6, 2025 at 9:51 AM
🇺🇸🇺🇦 The Reagan National Defense Survey, released Thursday, found that 64% of Americans favor sending lethal aid to support Kyiv’s government, up 9% points from last year and the highest proportion since February 2022, - NYP
"Most of the document consists of bombast, sycophancy, lies, inconsistencies, and grotesque self-contradictions." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump’s Security Strategy Is Incoherent Babble
But mixed in with the ranting are three valuable points.
www.theatlantic.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:34 AM
"Most of the document consists of bombast, sycophancy, lies, inconsistencies, and grotesque self-contradictions." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
This would have been front page news for weeks in a different era.
December 6, 2025 at 8:55 AM
This would have been front page news for weeks in a different era.
Reposted by Rob Schoof
BREAKING: According to Markwayne Mullin, Trump ended a *ninth* war overnight and is now working on ending a 10th!
December 5, 2025 at 3:25 PM
BREAKING: According to Markwayne Mullin, Trump ended a *ninth* war overnight and is now working on ending a 10th!
Reposted by Rob Schoof
"Trump, in his way, is as much of a wolf as Putin. Europe has run out of excuses to pretend otherwise". My Swamp Notes with @martinsandbu.ft.com on why Europe must make those frozen Russian assets work for Ukraine. The time for that is now. as.ft.com/r/9144c41b-7...
Europe’s fateful moment
[FREE TO READ] The EU faces a historic choice: whether or not to unlock frozen Russian assets and save the Ukrainian war effort
as.ft.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"Trump, in his way, is as much of a wolf as Putin. Europe has run out of excuses to pretend otherwise". My Swamp Notes with @martinsandbu.ft.com on why Europe must make those frozen Russian assets work for Ukraine. The time for that is now. as.ft.com/r/9144c41b-7...
Reposted by Rob Schoof
The United States is now not only pro-Russia, it is also taking a stand against Europe, and has a clear objective to meddle in European affairs. The U.S. will support European patriotic parties (pro-Russia fascists). The U.S. with its current regime is an enemy of a free Europe.
December 5, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The United States is now not only pro-Russia, it is also taking a stand against Europe, and has a clear objective to meddle in European affairs. The U.S. will support European patriotic parties (pro-Russia fascists). The U.S. with its current regime is an enemy of a free Europe.
De regering-Trump heeft de nieuwe Amerikaanse buitenlandvisie op papier gezet. Die gaat uit van een wereld van machtsblokken, waarin idealisme is ingeruild voor pacten en transacties. En: Europa zoekt het maar uit. www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Met zijn nationale veiligheidsstrategie kiest Trump voor negentiende-eeuwse invloedssferen, overgoten met een rechts-populistische saus
Amerikaanse veiligheidsstrategie: De regering-Trump heeft de nieuwe Amerikaanse buitenlandvisie op papier gezet. Die gaat uit van een wereld van machtsblokken, waarin idealisme is ingeruild voor pacte...
www.nrc.nl
December 5, 2025 at 2:27 PM
De regering-Trump heeft de nieuwe Amerikaanse buitenlandvisie op papier gezet. Die gaat uit van een wereld van machtsblokken, waarin idealisme is ingeruild voor pacten en transacties. En: Europa zoekt het maar uit. www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...
Reposted by Rob Schoof
The Ukraine war was never about just territory or NATO.
It was also about what happens if a nuclear power starts carving up a non-nuclear neighbor—and how the U.S. would respond.
Here's how U.S. fecklessness set the stage for nuclear proliferation around the world:
www.wsj.com/opinion/a-ba...
It was also about what happens if a nuclear power starts carving up a non-nuclear neighbor—and how the U.S. would respond.
Here's how U.S. fecklessness set the stage for nuclear proliferation around the world:
www.wsj.com/opinion/a-ba...
Opinion | A Bad Ukraine Deal Could Spur Nuclear Proliferation
From Warsaw to Seoul, allies are asking if they can rely on the U.S. to protect them against aggression.
www.wsj.com
December 5, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The Ukraine war was never about just territory or NATO.
It was also about what happens if a nuclear power starts carving up a non-nuclear neighbor—and how the U.S. would respond.
Here's how U.S. fecklessness set the stage for nuclear proliferation around the world:
www.wsj.com/opinion/a-ba...
It was also about what happens if a nuclear power starts carving up a non-nuclear neighbor—and how the U.S. would respond.
Here's how U.S. fecklessness set the stage for nuclear proliferation around the world:
www.wsj.com/opinion/a-ba...
Reposted by Rob Schoof
You'd think us violating Irish neutrality in an apparent attempt to assassinate Zelensky by forcing his plane to crash would be bigger news.
For the Irish for a start.
For the Irish for a start.
December 5, 2025 at 10:25 AM
You'd think us violating Irish neutrality in an apparent attempt to assassinate Zelensky by forcing his plane to crash would be bigger news.
For the Irish for a start.
For the Irish for a start.
Reposted by Rob Schoof
Anyone who cares about Europe's future and loathes Putin should want this plan to succeed. It's the single most important decision Europe can take for its own defence and Ukraine's survival. America is lost. www.ft.com/content/3c23...
Brussels floats ‘emergency’ powers to raise €210bn from Russian assets
Contentious proposal to fund Ukraine would mark watershed moment for EU
www.ft.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Anyone who cares about Europe's future and loathes Putin should want this plan to succeed. It's the single most important decision Europe can take for its own defence and Ukraine's survival. America is lost. www.ft.com/content/3c23...
Reposted by Rob Schoof
Trump's national security strategy puts great emphasis on "competence and merit" and "civilizational advantage". This administration personifies the opposites.
December 5, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Trump's national security strategy puts great emphasis on "competence and merit" and "civilizational advantage". This administration personifies the opposites.
Reposted by Rob Schoof
The Trump administration released its latest National Security Strategy--and one thing that can be said is that there is no more pretending. It’s a plan to weaken European unity, to make Europe MAGA, to force Europe to take economic dictation by the USA…. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
The New US National Security Strategy
Trump Says Openly That the US Wants to Dominate Europe and Make it MAGA
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:08 AM
The Trump administration released its latest National Security Strategy--and one thing that can be said is that there is no more pretending. It’s a plan to weaken European unity, to make Europe MAGA, to force Europe to take economic dictation by the USA…. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Reposted by Rob Schoof
OTD in 1994 Russia signed the Budapest memo, guaranteeing Ukraine's territorial integrity in exchange for their nukes, 44 Ukrainian Tu-22 heavy bombers and 1,068 Kh-55 cruise missiles.
Which have been fired at Ukraine in this war.
Which have been fired at Ukraine in this war.
December 5, 2025 at 7:33 AM
OTD in 1994 Russia signed the Budapest memo, guaranteeing Ukraine's territorial integrity in exchange for their nukes, 44 Ukrainian Tu-22 heavy bombers and 1,068 Kh-55 cruise missiles.
Which have been fired at Ukraine in this war.
Which have been fired at Ukraine in this war.
Reposted by Rob Schoof
This is a million times worse than anything Hunter Biden was accused of doing in even the most fevered right-wing conspiracy dream
UPDATE: Trump Jr.-backed startup receives $620 million Pentagon loan
In October, Popular Information reported that the Pentagon awarded a contract to Unusual Machines, an obscure drone company that President Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., joined as an advisor in Novemb...
popular.info
December 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
This is a million times worse than anything Hunter Biden was accused of doing in even the most fevered right-wing conspiracy dream
Reposted by Rob Schoof
Ukraine is under pressure. EU is next for the Russian savages. But hey, let's fret and whine about every single penny needed to defend Ukraine and EU. Let's really screw things up even more. The EU nations should be ashamed of themselves for their useless behavior.
www.politico.eu/article/belg...
www.politico.eu/article/belg...
How Belgium handed Putin an unexpected victory
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is unmoved in his opposition to a raid on Moscow’s funds held in a Brussels bank to support a loan to Ukraine.
www.politico.eu
December 4, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Ukraine is under pressure. EU is next for the Russian savages. But hey, let's fret and whine about every single penny needed to defend Ukraine and EU. Let's really screw things up even more. The EU nations should be ashamed of themselves for their useless behavior.
www.politico.eu/article/belg...
www.politico.eu/article/belg...
Reposted by Rob Schoof
Palantir CEO Says Making War Crimes Constitutional Would Be Good for Business
Palantir CEO Says Making War Crimes Constitutional Would Be Good for Business
Alex Karp vows to use his "whole influence" on immigration and defense policy.
gizmodo.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Palantir CEO Says Making War Crimes Constitutional Would Be Good for Business
Reposted by Rob Schoof
“It will take continuing defiance of this violent regime—and not just a year from now in the midterms—to limit Trump's hostility to the law, escalating retribution toward perceived enemies, & attraction to murderous dictators and other rich & powerful people.” www.americaamerica.news/p/hello-911-...
“Hello, 911? A Violent Man Is Holding Our Country Hostage"
Trump's sadism and lawless hostility were knowable before he retook office. Can America ever overcome its attraction to violent demagogues?
www.americaamerica.news
December 3, 2025 at 8:18 PM
“It will take continuing defiance of this violent regime—and not just a year from now in the midterms—to limit Trump's hostility to the law, escalating retribution toward perceived enemies, & attraction to murderous dictators and other rich & powerful people.” www.americaamerica.news/p/hello-911-...
Reposted by Rob Schoof
Mike Johnson, second in line to the presidency and its role as commander-in-chief, has spent the last two months repeatedly claiming not to have heard of various big news topics including the ongoing, nearly two-dozen strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. Either he's lying or ignorant.
RAJU: If defenseless survivors were killed, would that constitute a violation of the laws of war?
MIKE JOHNSON: I'm not going to prejudge any of that. I was pretty busy yesterday. I didn't follow a lot of the news.
MIKE JOHNSON: I'm not going to prejudge any of that. I was pretty busy yesterday. I didn't follow a lot of the news.
December 3, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Mike Johnson, second in line to the presidency and its role as commander-in-chief, has spent the last two months repeatedly claiming not to have heard of various big news topics including the ongoing, nearly two-dozen strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. Either he's lying or ignorant.