Chris Powers
@chrispowerseu.bsky.social
Outgoing Defence editor @euractiv.com - and keen follower of 🇪🇺-🇯🇵 & 🇪🇺-🇺🇦 relations.
Opinions mine only.
📚 🏊♂️ ☕️
Signal: chrispowers.92
Opinions mine only.
📚 🏊♂️ ☕️
Signal: chrispowers.92
A Commission staffer said to me at the end of 2025 that we (media) need to stop calling the Anti-Coercion Instrument a ‘bazooka’ or ‘nuclear option’ as it makes it harder to deploy.
Now it’s:
- Time to debate using it
- Time for media to explain and analyse it responsibly
Now it’s:
- Time to debate using it
- Time for media to explain and analyse it responsibly
January 19, 2026 at 10:11 PM
A Commission staffer said to me at the end of 2025 that we (media) need to stop calling the Anti-Coercion Instrument a ‘bazooka’ or ‘nuclear option’ as it makes it harder to deploy.
Now it’s:
- Time to debate using it
- Time for media to explain and analyse it responsibly
Now it’s:
- Time to debate using it
- Time for media to explain and analyse it responsibly
Reposted by Chris Powers
Over on the other place, the man credited with conceiving of the anti-coercion instrument says now is the time to use it
January 19, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Over on the other place, the man credited with conceiving of the anti-coercion instrument says now is the time to use it
Reposted by Chris Powers
Now confirmed: the extraordinary summit of EU leaders to address the Greenland crisis will take place in Brussels on Thursday, 22 January.
It will start, quite unusually, at 19.00 CET.
It will start, quite unusually, at 19.00 CET.
January 19, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Now confirmed: the extraordinary summit of EU leaders to address the Greenland crisis will take place in Brussels on Thursday, 22 January.
It will start, quite unusually, at 19.00 CET.
It will start, quite unusually, at 19.00 CET.
Waiting to hear the Roman quotes De Wever will deploy to turn Trump around ^^
Le Roi Philippe et Bart De Wever vont rencontrer Donald Trump à Davos
Le Roi Philippe et Bart De Wever vont rencontrer Donald Trump à Davos
Une rencontre entre le Roi Philippe, le premier ministre Bart De Wever et le président américain Donald Trump figure à l'agenda du Forum économique mondial de Davos ce mercredi.
www.lecho.behttps
January 19, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Waiting to hear the Roman quotes De Wever will deploy to turn Trump around ^^
Reposted by Chris Powers
There are two ways this can go for Europe.
1) Trump's escalation (threatening at NATO ally) creates a strong enough reaction domestically that the limits of Trumpian excess are established.
2) There are no limits.
Neither of these is good. But 1) would buy Europe a bit of time.
1) Trump's escalation (threatening at NATO ally) creates a strong enough reaction domestically that the limits of Trumpian excess are established.
2) There are no limits.
Neither of these is good. But 1) would buy Europe a bit of time.
January 19, 2026 at 8:10 AM
There are two ways this can go for Europe.
1) Trump's escalation (threatening at NATO ally) creates a strong enough reaction domestically that the limits of Trumpian excess are established.
2) There are no limits.
Neither of these is good. But 1) would buy Europe a bit of time.
1) Trump's escalation (threatening at NATO ally) creates a strong enough reaction domestically that the limits of Trumpian excess are established.
2) There are no limits.
Neither of these is good. But 1) would buy Europe a bit of time.
Reposted by Chris Powers
Europeans deserve safer digital spaces and real alternatives to US-based platforms.
We urge the Commission to:
- Invest in European tech initiatives.
- Support the development of user-focused, European-owned networks.
- Guarantee robust data portability rights for all users.
We urge the Commission to:
- Invest in European tech initiatives.
- Support the development of user-focused, European-owned networks.
- Guarantee robust data portability rights for all users.
EU-Kommission: EU-Abgeordnete fordern nach Grok-Skandal eigenes europäisches Netzwerk
Mehr als 50 EU-Abgeordnete haben sich in einem offenen Brief an die EU-Kommission gewandt. Sie solle in europäische Alternativen zu US-Netzwerken wie X investieren.
www.zeit.de
January 19, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Europeans deserve safer digital spaces and real alternatives to US-based platforms.
We urge the Commission to:
- Invest in European tech initiatives.
- Support the development of user-focused, European-owned networks.
- Guarantee robust data portability rights for all users.
We urge the Commission to:
- Invest in European tech initiatives.
- Support the development of user-focused, European-owned networks.
- Guarantee robust data portability rights for all users.
January 19, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by Chris Powers
Iceland is a trusted partner and close friend of the EU.
I had a timely exchange with Iceland's Foreign Minister Gunnarsdóttir on the future of our relations.
We agreed to stay in close contact as we address our changing geopolitical environment in these turbulent times.
I had a timely exchange with Iceland's Foreign Minister Gunnarsdóttir on the future of our relations.
We agreed to stay in close contact as we address our changing geopolitical environment in these turbulent times.
January 19, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Iceland is a trusted partner and close friend of the EU.
I had a timely exchange with Iceland's Foreign Minister Gunnarsdóttir on the future of our relations.
We agreed to stay in close contact as we address our changing geopolitical environment in these turbulent times.
I had a timely exchange with Iceland's Foreign Minister Gunnarsdóttir on the future of our relations.
We agreed to stay in close contact as we address our changing geopolitical environment in these turbulent times.
Can’t imagine who this was about
January 18, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Can’t imagine who this was about
Reposted by Chris Powers
2024: can Europe defend itself ALONGSIDE America?
2025: can Europe defend itself WITHOUT America?
2026: can Europe defend itself AGAINST America?
2025: can Europe defend itself WITHOUT America?
2026: can Europe defend itself AGAINST America?
January 18, 2026 at 10:12 AM
2024: can Europe defend itself ALONGSIDE America?
2025: can Europe defend itself WITHOUT America?
2026: can Europe defend itself AGAINST America?
2025: can Europe defend itself WITHOUT America?
2026: can Europe defend itself AGAINST America?
Reposted by Chris Powers
I'm seeing calls for European countries to jointly boycott the World Cup in the United States. In the 2022 quarter finals, five of the eight qualified teams were European.
Can football accomplish what diplomacy cannot?
Can football accomplish what diplomacy cannot?
January 17, 2026 at 8:52 PM
I'm seeing calls for European countries to jointly boycott the World Cup in the United States. In the 2022 quarter finals, five of the eight qualified teams were European.
Can football accomplish what diplomacy cannot?
Can football accomplish what diplomacy cannot?
Reposted by Chris Powers
EPP chair Manfred Weber says EP will not approve EU US tariff deal
"The EPP is in favour of the EU–U.S. trade deal, but given Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage. The 0% tariffs on U.S. products must be put on hold."
"The EPP is in favour of the EU–U.S. trade deal, but given Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage. The 0% tariffs on U.S. products must be put on hold."
January 17, 2026 at 8:13 PM
EPP chair Manfred Weber says EP will not approve EU US tariff deal
"The EPP is in favour of the EU–U.S. trade deal, but given Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage. The 0% tariffs on U.S. products must be put on hold."
"The EPP is in favour of the EU–U.S. trade deal, but given Donald Trump’s threats regarding Greenland, approval is not possible at this stage. The 0% tariffs on U.S. products must be put on hold."
Reposted by Chris Powers
European Union lawmakers are poised to block approval of the EU’s trade deal with the US over President Donald Trump’s vow to impose tariffs on countries that supported Greenland in the face of American threats.
EU Set to Halt US Trade Deal Over Trump’s Latest Tariff Threat
European Union lawmakers are poised to block approval of the EU’s trade deal with the US over President Donald Trump’s vow to impose tariffs on countries that supported Greenland in the face of American threats.
bloom.bg
January 17, 2026 at 8:55 PM
European Union lawmakers are poised to block approval of the EU’s trade deal with the US over President Donald Trump’s vow to impose tariffs on countries that supported Greenland in the face of American threats.
Reposted by Chris Powers
"Furthermore, the EU should be prepared to deploy targeted and proportionate countermeasures. The activation of the EU Anti-Coercion Instrument should be explicitly considered, as it was designed precisely for situations of economic intimidation of this nature."
January 17, 2026 at 9:15 PM
"Furthermore, the EU should be prepared to deploy targeted and proportionate countermeasures. The activation of the EU Anti-Coercion Instrument should be explicitly considered, as it was designed precisely for situations of economic intimidation of this nature."
Reposted by Chris Powers
America’s hunger for Greenland is tearing NATO apart
economist.com/europe/2026/...
economist.com/europe/2026/...
America’s hunger for Greenland is tearing NATO apart
Donald Trump could gain an island and lose a continent
economist.com
January 17, 2026 at 8:59 PM
America’s hunger for Greenland is tearing NATO apart
economist.com/europe/2026/...
economist.com/europe/2026/...
Reposted by Chris Powers
Renew Europe leader Valérie Hayer says Trump's 10% tariff announcement is "unacceptable":
"These announcements follow many other agressive actions towards the EU. Therefore, it is now time to move from reliance to deterrence. Consequently, Renew Europe cannot vote the EU-US Turnberry trade deal."
"These announcements follow many other agressive actions towards the EU. Therefore, it is now time to move from reliance to deterrence. Consequently, Renew Europe cannot vote the EU-US Turnberry trade deal."
January 17, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Renew Europe leader Valérie Hayer says Trump's 10% tariff announcement is "unacceptable":
"These announcements follow many other agressive actions towards the EU. Therefore, it is now time to move from reliance to deterrence. Consequently, Renew Europe cannot vote the EU-US Turnberry trade deal."
"These announcements follow many other agressive actions towards the EU. Therefore, it is now time to move from reliance to deterrence. Consequently, Renew Europe cannot vote the EU-US Turnberry trade deal."
Reposted by Chris Powers
UK statement
January 17, 2026 at 7:40 PM
UK statement
Reposted by Chris Powers
If you listen very carefully, you can hear Charles de Gaulle screaming I BLOODY TOLD YOU SO from some rural French cemetery.
January 17, 2026 at 5:59 PM
If you listen very carefully, you can hear Charles de Gaulle screaming I BLOODY TOLD YOU SO from some rural French cemetery.
Reposted by Chris Powers
Danois plutôt qu’Américains : les Groenlandais ne veulent pas perdre leurs avantages d’Européens
Danois plutôt qu’Américains : les Groenlandais ne veulent pas perdre leurs avantages d’Européens - RTBF Actus
www.rtbf.be
January 17, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Danois plutôt qu’Américains : les Groenlandais ne veulent pas perdre leurs avantages d’Européens
Reposted by Chris Powers
European leaders vowed to stay united as President Trump threatened to impose fresh tariffs until Denmark agrees to sell Greenland in an unprecedented escalation. Von der Leyen says EU will uphold its sovereignty. #EuropeNews
EU vows coordinated response to Trump’s Greenland tariff threat
European leaders vowed to stay united as President Trump threatened to impose fresh tariffs until Denmark agrees to sell Greenland in an unprecedented escalation. Von der Leyen says EU will uphold its sovereignty.
l.euronews.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:11 PM
European leaders vowed to stay united as President Trump threatened to impose fresh tariffs until Denmark agrees to sell Greenland in an unprecedented escalation. Von der Leyen says EU will uphold its sovereignty. #EuropeNews
Reposted by Chris Powers
Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. They are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole.
January 17, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law. They are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole.
📚 New English-language bookshop coming to Brussels 📚
The excellent Passa Porta is expanding to sell books in English next door from perhaps as soon as April reports @brusselstimes.com – exciting!
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels-2/1...
The excellent Passa Porta is expanding to sell books in English next door from perhaps as soon as April reports @brusselstimes.com – exciting!
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels-2/1...
Read all about it! New English bookshop to open in Brussels
One of Brussels' beloved bookshops is beginning a new chapter and will open an English-language store this spring.
www.brusselstimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:45 AM
📚 New English-language bookshop coming to Brussels 📚
The excellent Passa Porta is expanding to sell books in English next door from perhaps as soon as April reports @brusselstimes.com – exciting!
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels-2/1...
The excellent Passa Porta is expanding to sell books in English next door from perhaps as soon as April reports @brusselstimes.com – exciting!
www.brusselstimes.com/brussels-2/1...
Reposted by Chris Powers
X’s AI undressing minors, women through photo edits sparks outrage
X’s AI undressing minors, women through photo edits sparks outrage
French politicians are leading a charge to investigate “sexual offences”
dlvr.it
January 2, 2026 at 4:39 PM
X’s AI undressing minors, women through photo edits sparks outrage
Good news that the Commission cares about our hearts. 🫀
But it seems not all organs are so lucky – namely, lungs 🫁
But it seems not all organs are so lucky – namely, lungs 🫁
December 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Good news that the Commission cares about our hearts. 🫀
But it seems not all organs are so lucky – namely, lungs 🫁
But it seems not all organs are so lucky – namely, lungs 🫁