Anders Åslund
@andersaslund.bsky.social
Economist & author, specializing in the economics of Eastern Europe, especially Russia & Ukraine.
How Trump has changed US foreign policy:
1. The US no longer supports democracies but autocracies.
2. The US no longer fights corruption & kleptocracy but supports & shields them.
3. The US has in effect ended all US-led military alliances in substance, though not formally. /1
1. The US no longer supports democracies but autocracies.
2. The US no longer fights corruption & kleptocracy but supports & shields them.
3. The US has in effect ended all US-led military alliances in substance, though not formally. /1
November 6, 2025 at 3:08 PM
How Trump has changed US foreign policy:
1. The US no longer supports democracies but autocracies.
2. The US no longer fights corruption & kleptocracy but supports & shields them.
3. The US has in effect ended all US-led military alliances in substance, though not formally. /1
1. The US no longer supports democracies but autocracies.
2. The US no longer fights corruption & kleptocracy but supports & shields them.
3. The US has in effect ended all US-led military alliances in substance, though not formally. /1
Anne Krueger: "Trump’s divide-and-rule tactics have shattered the postwar multilateral order. ...America’s major trading partners must form a new coalition capable of upholding the principles that the World Trade Organization..."
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/m...
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/m...
The Case for a Multilateral Trade Organization Without America
Anne O. Krueger calls for joint action to keep multilateralism alive and counter the America's divide-and-rule tactics.
www.project-syndicate.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Anne Krueger: "Trump’s divide-and-rule tactics have shattered the postwar multilateral order. ...America’s major trading partners must form a new coalition capable of upholding the principles that the World Trade Organization..."
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/m...
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/m...
Wall Street Journal: "President Trump on Wednesday blamed Tuesday’s Republican election defeats on the government shutdown and the fact that he wasn’t on the ballot. If he really believes this, the GOP is heading for bigger problems in 2026."
www.wsj.com/opinion/2025...
www.wsj.com/opinion/2025...
Opinion | Trump Really Was on the Ballot
The magnitude of the GOP rout is a bad sign for holding Congress in the midterms.
www.wsj.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Wall Street Journal: "President Trump on Wednesday blamed Tuesday’s Republican election defeats on the government shutdown and the fact that he wasn’t on the ballot. If he really believes this, the GOP is heading for bigger problems in 2026."
www.wsj.com/opinion/2025...
www.wsj.com/opinion/2025...
We need an explanation why many top Trump officials have moved into the security of military forts here in Washington.
Are they so afraid for their security? Why?
Or are they preparing for Trump's imposition or the Insurrection Act or some other state of emergency?
Are they so afraid for their security? Why?
Or are they preparing for Trump's imposition or the Insurrection Act or some other state of emergency?
November 6, 2025 at 2:35 AM
We need an explanation why many top Trump officials have moved into the security of military forts here in Washington.
Are they so afraid for their security? Why?
Or are they preparing for Trump's imposition or the Insurrection Act or some other state of emergency?
Are they so afraid for their security? Why?
Or are they preparing for Trump's imposition or the Insurrection Act or some other state of emergency?
Trump has stopped all US aid to Ukraine, both financial & military.
Everything suggests, notably his own words, that he supports Putin's war of aggression in Ukraine.
How can any Ukrainian-American who still supports Trump watch yourself in the mirror?
Trump is Ukraine's enemy.
Everything suggests, notably his own words, that he supports Putin's war of aggression in Ukraine.
How can any Ukrainian-American who still supports Trump watch yourself in the mirror?
Trump is Ukraine's enemy.
November 6, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Trump has stopped all US aid to Ukraine, both financial & military.
Everything suggests, notably his own words, that he supports Putin's war of aggression in Ukraine.
How can any Ukrainian-American who still supports Trump watch yourself in the mirror?
Trump is Ukraine's enemy.
Everything suggests, notably his own words, that he supports Putin's war of aggression in Ukraine.
How can any Ukrainian-American who still supports Trump watch yourself in the mirror?
Trump is Ukraine's enemy.
I am happily surprised that 3 conservative supreme court justices raised objections against Trump's absurd "emergency" tariffs. let me once again go through the main arguments:
1. There is no emergency, only a trade deficit that the US has had for decades = no change. /1
1. There is no emergency, only a trade deficit that the US has had for decades = no change. /1
November 5, 2025 at 10:55 PM
I am happily surprised that 3 conservative supreme court justices raised objections against Trump's absurd "emergency" tariffs. let me once again go through the main arguments:
1. There is no emergency, only a trade deficit that the US has had for decades = no change. /1
1. There is no emergency, only a trade deficit that the US has had for decades = no change. /1
Ukraine is facing a critical scarcity of funding in the first half of 2026.
The EU NEEDS to come up with serious financing at its December Council meeting. Otherwise Ukraine is in dire straits.
Trump is doing nothing for Ukraine, not giving a cent, since he supports Putin.
The EU NEEDS to come up with serious financing at its December Council meeting. Otherwise Ukraine is in dire straits.
Trump is doing nothing for Ukraine, not giving a cent, since he supports Putin.
November 5, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Ukraine is facing a critical scarcity of funding in the first half of 2026.
The EU NEEDS to come up with serious financing at its December Council meeting. Otherwise Ukraine is in dire straits.
Trump is doing nothing for Ukraine, not giving a cent, since he supports Putin.
The EU NEEDS to come up with serious financing at its December Council meeting. Otherwise Ukraine is in dire straits.
Trump is doing nothing for Ukraine, not giving a cent, since he supports Putin.
Last night saw a democratic sweep in the US.
To me, it was a great relief that the opposition is still allowed to win in the US.
Will that be the case also in the mid-term elections in November 2026?
I don't know, but the election yesterday gave me new hope.
To me, it was a great relief that the opposition is still allowed to win in the US.
Will that be the case also in the mid-term elections in November 2026?
I don't know, but the election yesterday gave me new hope.
November 5, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Last night saw a democratic sweep in the US.
To me, it was a great relief that the opposition is still allowed to win in the US.
Will that be the case also in the mid-term elections in November 2026?
I don't know, but the election yesterday gave me new hope.
To me, it was a great relief that the opposition is still allowed to win in the US.
Will that be the case also in the mid-term elections in November 2026?
I don't know, but the election yesterday gave me new hope.
Kyiv Post has provided a nice report on our discussion on the Russian economy at the Hudson Institute yesterday.
The US now gives nothing to Ukraine & the EU has not stepped up sufficiently as yet. It needs to seize the Russian frozen state assets.
www.kyivpost.com/post/63334
The US now gives nothing to Ukraine & the EU has not stepped up sufficiently as yet. It needs to seize the Russian frozen state assets.
www.kyivpost.com/post/63334
Europe Must Step Up to Close $100B Funding Gap for Kyiv, US Panel Warns
US support has ended and EU funding has stalled, forcing Ukraine to rely on a failing “war economy” in Moscow that is degrading, analysts tell the Hudson Institute.
www.kyivpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Kyiv Post has provided a nice report on our discussion on the Russian economy at the Hudson Institute yesterday.
The US now gives nothing to Ukraine & the EU has not stepped up sufficiently as yet. It needs to seize the Russian frozen state assets.
www.kyivpost.com/post/63334
The US now gives nothing to Ukraine & the EU has not stepped up sufficiently as yet. It needs to seize the Russian frozen state assets.
www.kyivpost.com/post/63334
Min book, "Sovjet som det verkligen var" har just kommit ut. Den handlar om mina upplevelser som svensk diplomat i Moskva 1984-87 när perestrojkan började. Hoppas Ni finner den intressant!
www.bokus.com/bok/97891732...
www.bokus.com/bok/97891732...
Sovjet som det verkligen var av Anders Åslund (Bok)
Anders Åslund blev något så märkligt som ekonomisk rådgivare till den ryska regeringen när Sovjetunionen föll samman 1991. Landet tänktes då gå från kommunistisk planekonomi till västlig marknadse...
www.bokus.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Min book, "Sovjet som det verkligen var" har just kommit ut. Den handlar om mina upplevelser som svensk diplomat i Moskva 1984-87 när perestrojkan började. Hoppas Ni finner den intressant!
www.bokus.com/bok/97891732...
www.bokus.com/bok/97891732...
The main enemy of Ukraine in the West is Trump.
Yet, Ukrainian-Americans are traditionally republicans & for that reason they support Trump, although they became republicans because the GOP supported Ukraine.
How dumb can you get?!
Yet, Ukrainian-Americans are traditionally republicans & for that reason they support Trump, although they became republicans because the GOP supported Ukraine.
How dumb can you get?!
October 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The main enemy of Ukraine in the West is Trump.
Yet, Ukrainian-Americans are traditionally republicans & for that reason they support Trump, although they became republicans because the GOP supported Ukraine.
How dumb can you get?!
Yet, Ukrainian-Americans are traditionally republicans & for that reason they support Trump, although they became republicans because the GOP supported Ukraine.
How dumb can you get?!
The federal government raised $195 billion in customs duties in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, according to the final Monthly Treasury Statement of FY 2025.
That is tiny, 0.6% of US 2025 GDP.
Trump's talk about trillions in tariff revenues=lies.
www.fiscal.treasury.gov/files/report...
That is tiny, 0.6% of US 2025 GDP.
Trump's talk about trillions in tariff revenues=lies.
www.fiscal.treasury.gov/files/report...
www.fiscal.treasury.gov
October 27, 2025 at 9:02 PM
The federal government raised $195 billion in customs duties in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, according to the final Monthly Treasury Statement of FY 2025.
That is tiny, 0.6% of US 2025 GDP.
Trump's talk about trillions in tariff revenues=lies.
www.fiscal.treasury.gov/files/report...
That is tiny, 0.6% of US 2025 GDP.
Trump's talk about trillions in tariff revenues=lies.
www.fiscal.treasury.gov/files/report...
"Saab is prepared to open a final-assembly plant in Ukraine as part of a proposed deal for Kyiv to buy up to 150 Gripen fighter jets, according to the Swedish defence group’s chief executive."
www.ft.com/content/9ab0...
www.ft.com/content/9ab0...
Saab ready to open plant in Ukraine for Gripen fighter jets
Kyiv agrees to buy up to 150 aircraft from the Swedish defence company
www.ft.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:35 PM
"Saab is prepared to open a final-assembly plant in Ukraine as part of a proposed deal for Kyiv to buy up to 150 Gripen fighter jets, according to the Swedish defence group’s chief executive."
www.ft.com/content/9ab0...
www.ft.com/content/9ab0...
Hitler was preoccupied with building his "Volkshalle" (People's Hall) = Ballroom. This was his top priority.
The Berliners complained quietly:
"We have no bacon, no fat, no eggs, but Hitler has his Reich Chancellery!"
www.nytimes.com/1944/02/20/a...
The Berliners complained quietly:
"We have no bacon, no fat, no eggs, but Hitler has his Reich Chancellery!"
www.nytimes.com/1944/02/20/a...
Hitler's Dream Palace (Published 1944)
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Hitler was preoccupied with building his "Volkshalle" (People's Hall) = Ballroom. This was his top priority.
The Berliners complained quietly:
"We have no bacon, no fat, no eggs, but Hitler has his Reich Chancellery!"
www.nytimes.com/1944/02/20/a...
The Berliners complained quietly:
"We have no bacon, no fat, no eggs, but Hitler has his Reich Chancellery!"
www.nytimes.com/1944/02/20/a...
How Trump has aggravated Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine:
1. Trump stopped all financial & military assistance to Ukraine in January 2025.
2. He posed no conditions or sanctions on Russia until mid-October, effectively encouraging Putin's aggression. /1
1. Trump stopped all financial & military assistance to Ukraine in January 2025.
2. He posed no conditions or sanctions on Russia until mid-October, effectively encouraging Putin's aggression. /1
October 26, 2025 at 5:43 PM
How Trump has aggravated Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine:
1. Trump stopped all financial & military assistance to Ukraine in January 2025.
2. He posed no conditions or sanctions on Russia until mid-October, effectively encouraging Putin's aggression. /1
1. Trump stopped all financial & military assistance to Ukraine in January 2025.
2. He posed no conditions or sanctions on Russia until mid-October, effectively encouraging Putin's aggression. /1
"In July, three analysts who worked in INR’s Russia-Eurasia group were fired. Another analyst resigned."
In my experience, State Department's INR is the best of US intelligence. Therefore, Trump had them sacked.
Trump is an enemy of the US.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
In my experience, State Department's INR is the best of US intelligence. Therefore, Trump had them sacked.
Trump is an enemy of the US.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Exclusive | State Department Intelligence Agency Dissented Over Putin’s Appetite for Peace
The Central Intelligence Agency had a more positive assessment of the Russian leader’s willingness to talk.
www.wsj.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
"In July, three analysts who worked in INR’s Russia-Eurasia group were fired. Another analyst resigned."
In my experience, State Department's INR is the best of US intelligence. Therefore, Trump had them sacked.
Trump is an enemy of the US.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
In my experience, State Department's INR is the best of US intelligence. Therefore, Trump had them sacked.
Trump is an enemy of the US.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Trump's destruction of US science & research is proceeding apace:
Axios: "Harvard is cutting Ph.D. admission slots in sciences by 75% and in humanities by 60%, the Harvard Crimson reported this past week."
Why is Trump so anti-American?
Axios: "Harvard is cutting Ph.D. admission slots in sciences by 75% and in humanities by 60%, the Harvard Crimson reported this past week."
Why is Trump so anti-American?
October 26, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Trump's destruction of US science & research is proceeding apace:
Axios: "Harvard is cutting Ph.D. admission slots in sciences by 75% and in humanities by 60%, the Harvard Crimson reported this past week."
Why is Trump so anti-American?
Axios: "Harvard is cutting Ph.D. admission slots in sciences by 75% and in humanities by 60%, the Harvard Crimson reported this past week."
Why is Trump so anti-American?
Incredible! "Trump to raise tariffs on Canada by 10% over Ontario’s Reagan ad"
The US has elected a baby man as president & he behaves accordingly.
The US needs to sort out its political system so that it can promote a competent leader.
www.ft.com/content/8e90...
The US has elected a baby man as president & he behaves accordingly.
The US needs to sort out its political system so that it can promote a competent leader.
www.ft.com/content/8e90...
Trump to raise tariffs on Canada by 10% over Ontario’s Reagan ad
US president was angered by a television advertisement quoting former president’s disdain for import levies
www.ft.com
October 26, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Incredible! "Trump to raise tariffs on Canada by 10% over Ontario’s Reagan ad"
The US has elected a baby man as president & he behaves accordingly.
The US needs to sort out its political system so that it can promote a competent leader.
www.ft.com/content/8e90...
The US has elected a baby man as president & he behaves accordingly.
The US needs to sort out its political system so that it can promote a competent leader.
www.ft.com/content/8e90...
Trump proves that it is impossible to cooperate with him:
1. He lies all the time.
2. He changes his mind all the time.
3. He is nearly unable to make any agreement.
4. If he makes an agreement (USMCA), he breaks it.
5. Trump recognizes no international law.
1. He lies all the time.
2. He changes his mind all the time.
3. He is nearly unable to make any agreement.
4. If he makes an agreement (USMCA), he breaks it.
5. Trump recognizes no international law.
October 25, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Trump proves that it is impossible to cooperate with him:
1. He lies all the time.
2. He changes his mind all the time.
3. He is nearly unable to make any agreement.
4. If he makes an agreement (USMCA), he breaks it.
5. Trump recognizes no international law.
1. He lies all the time.
2. He changes his mind all the time.
3. He is nearly unable to make any agreement.
4. If he makes an agreement (USMCA), he breaks it.
5. Trump recognizes no international law.
When will the republicans realize that Trump is not very smart, a low IQ person?
He has probably such a complex that makes him allege that other people have low IQ, while it is obvious that he is the problem.
He has probably such a complex that makes him allege that other people have low IQ, while it is obvious that he is the problem.
October 25, 2025 at 12:33 AM
When will the republicans realize that Trump is not very smart, a low IQ person?
He has probably such a complex that makes him allege that other people have low IQ, while it is obvious that he is the problem.
He has probably such a complex that makes him allege that other people have low IQ, while it is obvious that he is the problem.
Ukraine & the Ukrainians will not give up. For them, Russia's war of aggression is existential. Their choice is to fight or flee their land.
For Russia this is just a wasteful war. It is existential only for one man: Putin.
The natural end to Putin's war is that he loses power.
For Russia this is just a wasteful war. It is existential only for one man: Putin.
The natural end to Putin's war is that he loses power.
October 25, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Ukraine & the Ukrainians will not give up. For them, Russia's war of aggression is existential. Their choice is to fight or flee their land.
For Russia this is just a wasteful war. It is existential only for one man: Putin.
The natural end to Putin's war is that he loses power.
For Russia this is just a wasteful war. It is existential only for one man: Putin.
The natural end to Putin's war is that he loses power.
I just walked around the White House. The whole area is closed off. I could not see the White House anywhere. Lots of police & barricades.
It must be possible to see the White House from tall buildings around it.
Has Trump managed to become embarrassed?!
It must be possible to see the White House from tall buildings around it.
Has Trump managed to become embarrassed?!
a live look this morning at the demolished East Wing of the White House
October 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
I just walked around the White House. The whole area is closed off. I could not see the White House anywhere. Lots of police & barricades.
It must be possible to see the White House from tall buildings around it.
Has Trump managed to become embarrassed?!
It must be possible to see the White House from tall buildings around it.
Has Trump managed to become embarrassed?!
I just walked around the White House. The whole area is closed off. I could not see the White House anywhere. Lots of police & barricades.
It must be possible to see the White House from tall buildings around it.
Has Trump managed to become embarrassed?!
It must be possible to see the White House from tall buildings around it.
Has Trump managed to become embarrassed?!
a live look this morning at the demolished East Wing of the White House
October 23, 2025 at 6:52 PM
I just walked around the White House. The whole area is closed off. I could not see the White House anywhere. Lots of police & barricades.
It must be possible to see the White House from tall buildings around it.
Has Trump managed to become embarrassed?!
It must be possible to see the White House from tall buildings around it.
Has Trump managed to become embarrassed?!
DTEK, Ukraine's biggest private energy company: "On 19th October russia has attacked DTEK mine while 192 of our miners have been working underground.
All colleagues have been safely evacuated."
All colleagues have been safely evacuated."
October 22, 2025 at 3:53 PM
DTEK, Ukraine's biggest private energy company: "On 19th October russia has attacked DTEK mine while 192 of our miners have been working underground.
All colleagues have been safely evacuated."
All colleagues have been safely evacuated."
A few comments on Trump's dealings with Ukraine:
1. He turned against Zelensky when Zelenky refused to falsify evidence against the Bidens.
2. At that time, Trump & Giuliani worked with men such as Andriy Derkach that US intelligence verified as belonging to Russia intelligence
1. He turned against Zelensky when Zelenky refused to falsify evidence against the Bidens.
2. At that time, Trump & Giuliani worked with men such as Andriy Derkach that US intelligence verified as belonging to Russia intelligence
October 21, 2025 at 9:41 PM
A few comments on Trump's dealings with Ukraine:
1. He turned against Zelensky when Zelenky refused to falsify evidence against the Bidens.
2. At that time, Trump & Giuliani worked with men such as Andriy Derkach that US intelligence verified as belonging to Russia intelligence
1. He turned against Zelensky when Zelenky refused to falsify evidence against the Bidens.
2. At that time, Trump & Giuliani worked with men such as Andriy Derkach that US intelligence verified as belonging to Russia intelligence