Christian Thiels
@christianthiels.bsky.social
Civil Servant in Defence 🇩🇪 | he/him | 4mer Journalist & Spoxperson | No official German MoD account | personal views only | RP&FAV ≠ I agree
🦊🐿️🦅🦉🐦⬛🌳🐕🦺🦝 📷 🏃 🏍️🌱
Nature lover & ambitious (but rather amateurish) wildlife photographer Nikon D850/D5600
95%Vegan
🦊🐿️🦅🦉🐦⬛🌳🐕🦺🦝 📷 🏃 🏍️🌱
Nature lover & ambitious (but rather amateurish) wildlife photographer Nikon D850/D5600
95%Vegan
Pinned
Good morning and a totally tremendous Tuesday everybody. Let's start the day with a healthy breakfast - just like the squirrels in our garden.
[📷Nikon D850 f/7,1 1/200 460mm ISO 4000]
[📷Nikon D850 f/7,1 1/200 460mm ISO 4000]
A very intriguing combination
As part of Rheinmetall's CMD 2025 presentation, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger has just announced that the first Skyranger 35 SPAAG mounted on the Leopard 1 chassis will be delivered to #Ukraine as early as next week.
1/2
1/2
November 18, 2025 at 10:05 AM
A very intriguing combination
"A group of 18 young lawmakers in Merz’s conservative bloc are threatening to stop a pension reform bill put forth by the coalition, arguing the benefits pledged in the agreement aren’t sustainable and 'cannot be justified to the younger generation'."
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
Germany’s Merz confronts conservative rebellion over pension reform
Young politicians in the chancellor’s own conservative bloc are threatening to scupper his coalition’s pension plan — testing the durability of his relatively weak government.
www.politico.eu
November 18, 2025 at 10:02 AM
"A group of 18 young lawmakers in Merz’s conservative bloc are threatening to stop a pension reform bill put forth by the coalition, arguing the benefits pledged in the agreement aren’t sustainable and 'cannot be justified to the younger generation'."
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/germ...
"Violence has increased across the occupied West Bank as Palestinian farmers try to harvest their olive trees before the end of the season, in the face of a concerted campaign of harassment by groups of armed and aggressive Israeli settlers."
@theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
@theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
‘They have total impunity’: West Bank settler violence surges after Gaza ceasefire
UN logs 260 attacks in October alone, its highest monthly tally, as settlers attack farmers and burn olive trees
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:38 AM
"Violence has increased across the occupied West Bank as Palestinian farmers try to harvest their olive trees before the end of the season, in the face of a concerted campaign of harassment by groups of armed and aggressive Israeli settlers."
@theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
@theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
"The Moscow-installed head of the parts of Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk controlled by Russia said on Tuesday that 'an unprecedented' Ukrainian overnight attack damaged two thermal power plants, leaving many settlements without electricity."
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/ukrain...
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/ukrain...
www.reuters.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:37 AM
"The Moscow-installed head of the parts of Ukraine's eastern region of Donetsk controlled by Russia said on Tuesday that 'an unprecedented' Ukrainian overnight attack damaged two thermal power plants, leaving many settlements without electricity."
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/ukrain...
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/ukrain...
"Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Monday that an explosion which damaged a railway line helping to supply close ally Ukraine was an 'unprecedented act of sabotage'."
@en.afp.com
uk.news.yahoo.com/polish-pm-de...
@en.afp.com
uk.news.yahoo.com/polish-pm-de...
Polish PM denounces 'sabotage' of railway supply line to Ukraine
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Monday that an explosion which damaged a railway line helping to supply close ally Ukraine was an "unprecedented act of sabotage".The damage, which authorities h...
uk.news.yahoo.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:33 AM
"Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Monday that an explosion which damaged a railway line helping to supply close ally Ukraine was an 'unprecedented act of sabotage'."
@en.afp.com
uk.news.yahoo.com/polish-pm-de...
@en.afp.com
uk.news.yahoo.com/polish-pm-de...
"US funding cuts imperil global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer"
@cnn.com
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/17/h...
@cnn.com
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/17/h...
US funding cuts imperil global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer | CNN
Maina Modu, an immunization officer in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, lost his wife, Hauwa, to cervical cancer in 2011. She was one of the 349,000 women globally who die from the preventable canc...
edition.cnn.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:27 AM
"US funding cuts imperil global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer"
@cnn.com
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/17/h...
@cnn.com
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/17/h...
"A 6-0 thrashing of Slovakia on Monday completed Germany’s recovery from a shocking start to group play as the four-time champion maintained its proud record of always qualifying for the World Cup."
@apnews.com
apnews.com/article/germ...
@apnews.com
apnews.com/article/germ...
Germany and Netherlands reach the World Cup after big wins in final qualifiers
A 6-0 thrashing of Slovakia in Leipzig has completed Germany’s recovery from a shocking start to group play and the four-time champion has maintained its proud record of always qualifying for the Worl...
apnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:26 AM
"A 6-0 thrashing of Slovakia on Monday completed Germany’s recovery from a shocking start to group play as the four-time champion maintained its proud record of always qualifying for the World Cup."
@apnews.com
apnews.com/article/germ...
@apnews.com
apnews.com/article/germ...
China & Taiwan Update, November 17, 2025
@thestudyofwar.bsky.social
understandingwar.org/research/chi...
@thestudyofwar.bsky.social
understandingwar.org/research/chi...
November 18, 2025 at 5:25 AM
China & Taiwan Update, November 17, 2025
@thestudyofwar.bsky.social
understandingwar.org/research/chi...
@thestudyofwar.bsky.social
understandingwar.org/research/chi...
Emma Meijer - your name, your face, your fate will never be forgotten. 🕯️
18 November 1914 | A Dutch Jewish woman, Emma Meijer, was born in Oldenzaal.
In September 1943 she was deported to #Auschwitz. She did not survive.
---
Learn about the fate of Jews deported from the German-occupied Netherlands to Auschwitz: http://lekcja.auschwitz.org/32_en/
In September 1943 she was deported to #Auschwitz. She did not survive.
---
Learn about the fate of Jews deported from the German-occupied Netherlands to Auschwitz: http://lekcja.auschwitz.org/32_en/
November 18, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Emma Meijer - your name, your face, your fate will never be forgotten. 🕯️
November 18, 2025 at 5:22 AM
November 17, 2025 Ukraine
Situation report - @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
Situation report - @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
November 18, 2025 at 5:19 AM
November 17, 2025 Ukraine
Situation report - @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
Situation report - @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @criticalthreats.bsky.social
understandingwar.org/research/rus...
Good morning and a totally tremendous Tuesday everybody. Let's start the day with a healthy breakfast - just like the squirrels in our garden.
[📷Nikon D850 f/7,1 1/200 460mm ISO 4000]
[📷Nikon D850 f/7,1 1/200 460mm ISO 4000]
November 18, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Good morning and a totally tremendous Tuesday everybody. Let's start the day with a healthy breakfast - just like the squirrels in our garden.
[📷Nikon D850 f/7,1 1/200 460mm ISO 4000]
[📷Nikon D850 f/7,1 1/200 460mm ISO 4000]
Reposted by Christian Thiels
🇬🇧The British International Institute for Strategic Studies has prepared infographics on Russian sabotage in Europe in 2018-2025🇬🇧
Russia is waging an unconventional war on Europe.
This unconventional war began to escalate in 2022
Courtesy of bsky.app/profile/bric...
Russia is waging an unconventional war on Europe.
This unconventional war began to escalate in 2022
Courtesy of bsky.app/profile/bric...
November 17, 2025 at 3:02 PM
🇬🇧The British International Institute for Strategic Studies has prepared infographics on Russian sabotage in Europe in 2018-2025🇬🇧
Russia is waging an unconventional war on Europe.
This unconventional war began to escalate in 2022
Courtesy of bsky.app/profile/bric...
Russia is waging an unconventional war on Europe.
This unconventional war began to escalate in 2022
Courtesy of bsky.app/profile/bric...
Little doubt as to who is behind that, one might think.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk says a rail track in eastern Poland was damaged in an act of sabotage using explosives.
The broken line was discovered on Sunday morning during an inspection of the Warsaw-Dęblin line. Tusk said a second attempt to damage the rail line had also been identified.
The broken line was discovered on Sunday morning during an inspection of the Warsaw-Dęblin line. Tusk said a second attempt to damage the rail line had also been identified.
November 17, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Little doubt as to who is behind that, one might think.
"Kyiv's commitment to purchase the Rafales was included in a letter of intent signed by President Macron and President Zelenskyy upon the latter's arrival at a military airport near Paris. The deliveries are projected to be made over the next 10 years."
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
France plans to supply Ukraine with up to 100 Rafale fighter jets
Kyiv looks to beef up air force.
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 12:36 PM
"Kyiv's commitment to purchase the Rafales was included in a letter of intent signed by President Macron and President Zelenskyy upon the latter's arrival at a military airport near Paris. The deliveries are projected to be made over the next 10 years."
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/fran...
Reposted by Christian Thiels
⚓️„🇷🇺 Russia claims to have suspended its plans to establish a naval base in Sudan, ending its hopes for a presence “east of Suez.”
The Kremlin initially brokered the deal to build the naval base back in 2017 during then-dictator Omar al-Bashir’s rule.“
The Kremlin initially brokered the deal to build the naval base back in 2017 during then-dictator Omar al-Bashir’s rule.“
Russia Suspends Red Sea Base Plans as Sudan War Rages
Russia claims to have suspended its plans to establish a naval base in Sudan, ending its hopes for a presence “east of Suez.”The Kremlin initially br...
maritime-executive.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:23 PM
⚓️„🇷🇺 Russia claims to have suspended its plans to establish a naval base in Sudan, ending its hopes for a presence “east of Suez.”
The Kremlin initially brokered the deal to build the naval base back in 2017 during then-dictator Omar al-Bashir’s rule.“
The Kremlin initially brokered the deal to build the naval base back in 2017 during then-dictator Omar al-Bashir’s rule.“
"The European Commission offered major guarantees for its €140 billion loan to Ukraine in a bid to reassure Belgium that it would not be left alone to face any legal or financial blowback from using Russian assets held on Belgian soil."
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/docu...
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/docu...
EU Commission pledges to protect Belgium over Russian assets
Brussels offers concessions to wary Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever over €140 billion Ukraine loan.
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 12:33 PM
"The European Commission offered major guarantees for its €140 billion loan to Ukraine in a bid to reassure Belgium that it would not be left alone to face any legal or financial blowback from using Russian assets held on Belgian soil."
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/docu...
@politico.eu
www.politico.eu/article/docu...
"Europe is ramping up defense spending. But one issue has largely been neglected -- how to move military equipment from one country to another as quickly as possible in the case of conflict."
@rferl.org.web.brid.gy h/t @drugdesigns.bsky.social
www.rferl.org/a/eu-militar...
@rferl.org.web.brid.gy h/t @drugdesigns.bsky.social
www.rferl.org/a/eu-militar...
Is The EU Edging Closer To A 'Military Schengen?'
Europe is ramping up defense spending. But one issue has largely been neglected -- how to move military equipment from one country to another as quickly as possible in the case of conflict.
www.rferl.org
November 17, 2025 at 12:26 PM
"Europe is ramping up defense spending. But one issue has largely been neglected -- how to move military equipment from one country to another as quickly as possible in the case of conflict."
@rferl.org.web.brid.gy h/t @drugdesigns.bsky.social
www.rferl.org/a/eu-militar...
@rferl.org.web.brid.gy h/t @drugdesigns.bsky.social
www.rferl.org/a/eu-militar...
Recommended reading
A veteran 🇩🇰 Danish pilot, Bjarne Cæsar Skinnerup, describes notable changes aboard 🇷🇺 shadow fleet ships:
„Russian men in what look like military uniforms walking around breathing down the necks of the pilots. Important papers mysteriously disappearing. Lack of cooperation and dismissive tone…“
1/
„Russian men in what look like military uniforms walking around breathing down the necks of the pilots. Important papers mysteriously disappearing. Lack of cooperation and dismissive tone…“
1/
November 17, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Recommended reading
Zelensky has arrived in Paris for an official visit. During the trip, Ukraine and France are expected to sign an agreement on the supply of air defense systems, military aircraft, and missiles — part of a broader effort to strengthen Ukraine’s long-term defense capabilities.
November 17, 2025 at 9:56 AM
ICYMI: "One year after the US presidential election, the Trump administration is not just disrupting transatlantic ties; it is actually redefining them around a different political idea."
@ecfr.eu (Nov 13)
ecfr.eu/article/how-...
@ecfr.eu (Nov 13)
ecfr.eu/article/how-...
How Europeans can go beyond “limiting unpredictability” and respond to the MAGA doctrine
European leaders must draw up their alternative to the MAGA doctrine and drive deeper integration in the EU…
ecfr.eu
November 17, 2025 at 6:12 AM
ICYMI: "One year after the US presidential election, the Trump administration is not just disrupting transatlantic ties; it is actually redefining them around a different political idea."
@ecfr.eu (Nov 13)
ecfr.eu/article/how-...
@ecfr.eu (Nov 13)
ecfr.eu/article/how-...
"Communist candidate Jeannette Jara and far-right opponent Jose Antonio Kast came first and second in Chile's hotly contested presidential election. They will face off in a runoff on December 14." DW
www.dw.com/en/chile-far...
www.dw.com/en/chile-far...
Chile: Far-left, far-right candidates proceed to runoff vote – DW – 11/17/2025
Communist candidate Jeannette Jara and far-right opponent Jose Antonio Kast came first and second in Chile's hotly contested presidential election. They will face off in a runoff on December 14.
www.dw.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:08 AM
"Communist candidate Jeannette Jara and far-right opponent Jose Antonio Kast came first and second in Chile's hotly contested presidential election. They will face off in a runoff on December 14." DW
www.dw.com/en/chile-far...
www.dw.com/en/chile-far...
"Greece has signed a deal with Ukraine to supply US-origin liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the country amid the crippling of its energy infrastructure from Russian strikes."
@theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
@theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Ukraine war briefing: Greece signs deal to supply gas to Kyiv over ‘difficult’ winter
Agreement comes as Volodymyr Zelenskyy starts European tour aimed at shoring up Ukrainian energy supply and defences. What we know on day 1,363
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:07 AM
"Greece has signed a deal with Ukraine to supply US-origin liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the country amid the crippling of its energy infrastructure from Russian strikes."
@theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
@theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
"Ecuadoran voters roundly rejected the return of US military bases to the country in a referendum Sunday, a major political blow to Trump-friendly President Daniel Noboa."
@en.afp.com
today.rtl.lu/news/world/a...
@en.afp.com
today.rtl.lu/news/world/a...
Foreign military bases: Ecuador voters reject return of US military bases
today.rtl.lu
November 17, 2025 at 5:03 AM
"Ecuadoran voters roundly rejected the return of US military bases to the country in a referendum Sunday, a major political blow to Trump-friendly President Daniel Noboa."
@en.afp.com
today.rtl.lu/news/world/a...
@en.afp.com
today.rtl.lu/news/world/a...
"President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States may open talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who faces escalating pressure from Washington amid a massive U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean."
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:01 AM
"President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States may open talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who faces escalating pressure from Washington amid a massive U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean."
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
@reuters.com
www.reuters.com/world/americ...