Dave Keating
@davekeating.substack.com
🇺🇸🇪🇺American by birth, European by choice
Brussels-based journalist www.DaveKeating.net
Find me on Substack: https://davekeating.substack.com/
Brussels-based journalist www.DaveKeating.net
Find me on Substack: https://davekeating.substack.com/
Lesson for Europeans sucking up to Trump - look how much you're getting screwed while Brazil, India & China defy him and end up winning.
"When Macron's like, 'Oh Donald you're a genius'" says Ben Rhodes, "they keep getting the rug pulled from under them"
podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/p...
"When Macron's like, 'Oh Donald you're a genius'" says Ben Rhodes, "they keep getting the rug pulled from under them"
podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/p...
November 27, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Lesson for Europeans sucking up to Trump - look how much you're getting screwed while Brazil, India & China defy him and end up winning.
"When Macron's like, 'Oh Donald you're a genius'" says Ben Rhodes, "they keep getting the rug pulled from under them"
podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/p...
"When Macron's like, 'Oh Donald you're a genius'" says Ben Rhodes, "they keep getting the rug pulled from under them"
podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/p...
In Tuesday's same-sex marriage ruling, the 🇪🇺 high court went as far as it could go given the EU's limited competence over domestic social issues.
What we've ended up is the backstop to the 2015 Obergefell Supreme Court decision, an EU RFMA.
Explained here: davekeating.substack.com/p/the-eu-jus...
What we've ended up is the backstop to the 2015 Obergefell Supreme Court decision, an EU RFMA.
Explained here: davekeating.substack.com/p/the-eu-jus...
November 27, 2025 at 9:58 AM
In Tuesday's same-sex marriage ruling, the 🇪🇺 high court went as far as it could go given the EU's limited competence over domestic social issues.
What we've ended up is the backstop to the 2015 Obergefell Supreme Court decision, an EU RFMA.
Explained here: davekeating.substack.com/p/the-eu-jus...
What we've ended up is the backstop to the 2015 Obergefell Supreme Court decision, an EU RFMA.
Explained here: davekeating.substack.com/p/the-eu-jus...
We're on day 3 of a national strike here in #Belgium.
Unions are protesting the #austerity measures of the new right-wing government in power since last year's election.
New budget cuts were agreed Monday - ending raises indexed at inflation and limiting pensions after long-term sick leave.
Unions are protesting the #austerity measures of the new right-wing government in power since last year's election.
New budget cuts were agreed Monday - ending raises indexed at inflation and limiting pensions after long-term sick leave.
November 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
We're on day 3 of a national strike here in #Belgium.
Unions are protesting the #austerity measures of the new right-wing government in power since last year's election.
New budget cuts were agreed Monday - ending raises indexed at inflation and limiting pensions after long-term sick leave.
Unions are protesting the #austerity measures of the new right-wing government in power since last year's election.
New budget cuts were agreed Monday - ending raises indexed at inflation and limiting pensions after long-term sick leave.
The 🇪🇺high court ruled today EU countries must recognise the same-sex marriages conducted by other member states in their own national law.
There are many questions about the ruling, which could mean that people living in Eastern EU simply need to have a ceremony in the West to be married at home.
There are many questions about the ruling, which could mean that people living in Eastern EU simply need to have a ceremony in the West to be married at home.
November 25, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The 🇪🇺high court ruled today EU countries must recognise the same-sex marriages conducted by other member states in their own national law.
There are many questions about the ruling, which could mean that people living in Eastern EU simply need to have a ceremony in the West to be married at home.
There are many questions about the ruling, which could mean that people living in Eastern EU simply need to have a ceremony in the West to be married at home.
Usually, residency isn't required to obtain a marriage license in an EU country.
So what today's EU's supreme court ruling does is put Eastern EU (and 🇮🇹) in the same gay marriage category as 🇮🇱.
All explained here: davekeating.substack.com/p/the-eu-jus...
So what today's EU's supreme court ruling does is put Eastern EU (and 🇮🇹) in the same gay marriage category as 🇮🇱.
All explained here: davekeating.substack.com/p/the-eu-jus...
November 25, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Usually, residency isn't required to obtain a marriage license in an EU country.
So what today's EU's supreme court ruling does is put Eastern EU (and 🇮🇹) in the same gay marriage category as 🇮🇱.
All explained here: davekeating.substack.com/p/the-eu-jus...
So what today's EU's supreme court ruling does is put Eastern EU (and 🇮🇹) in the same gay marriage category as 🇮🇱.
All explained here: davekeating.substack.com/p/the-eu-jus...
#DigitalOmnibus
The good news: No more (or at least less) of those annoying cookie pop-ups in the EU.
The bad news: Digital rights campaigners say 🇪🇺President Von der Leyen is handing over Europeans' sensitive data to 🇺🇸 in order to appease Trump.
The good news: No more (or at least less) of those annoying cookie pop-ups in the EU.
The bad news: Digital rights campaigners say 🇪🇺President Von der Leyen is handing over Europeans' sensitive data to 🇺🇸 in order to appease Trump.
November 24, 2025 at 1:55 PM
#DigitalOmnibus
The good news: No more (or at least less) of those annoying cookie pop-ups in the EU.
The bad news: Digital rights campaigners say 🇪🇺President Von der Leyen is handing over Europeans' sensitive data to 🇺🇸 in order to appease Trump.
The good news: No more (or at least less) of those annoying cookie pop-ups in the EU.
The bad news: Digital rights campaigners say 🇪🇺President Von der Leyen is handing over Europeans' sensitive data to 🇺🇸 in order to appease Trump.
Here in Paris they are marking the 10th anniversary of the #ParisAgreement, as they digest the disappointing news from Brazil about the outcome of #COP30, which just ended.
November 22, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Here in Paris they are marking the 10th anniversary of the #ParisAgreement, as they digest the disappointing news from Brazil about the outcome of #COP30, which just ended.
European leaders are scrambling today - afraid to publicly criticise the 🇺🇸🇷🇺 peace plan for fear of angering Trump, but behind the scenes terrified of the implications of a US-ordered 🇺🇦surrender.
An emergency 🇪🇺#EUCO summit may be called to figure out what to do.
An emergency 🇪🇺#EUCO summit may be called to figure out what to do.
November 22, 2025 at 8:56 AM
European leaders are scrambling today - afraid to publicly criticise the 🇺🇸🇷🇺 peace plan for fear of angering Trump, but behind the scenes terrified of the implications of a US-ordered 🇺🇦surrender.
An emergency 🇪🇺#EUCO summit may be called to figure out what to do.
An emergency 🇪🇺#EUCO summit may be called to figure out what to do.
My Brussels journey: I sat down with the MyBrussels podcast to talk about how I ended up here (believe it or not, unlike most expats it was on purpose!) and what I love about this city.
Listen here: www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/...
Listen here: www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/...
November 20, 2025 at 11:17 AM
My Brussels journey: I sat down with the MyBrussels podcast to talk about how I ended up here (believe it or not, unlike most expats it was on purpose!) and what I love about this city.
Listen here: www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/...
Listen here: www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/...
🇧🇪Deputy PM Jan Jambon tells #IATAWOCE that Belgium is launching a National Airspace Security Centre in response to recent drone incursions at #BrusselsAirport.
"We must make sure aviation does not become a pawn in geopolitical conflicts."
"We must make sure aviation does not become a pawn in geopolitical conflicts."
November 18, 2025 at 9:36 AM
🇧🇪Deputy PM Jan Jambon tells #IATAWOCE that Belgium is launching a National Airspace Security Centre in response to recent drone incursions at #BrusselsAirport.
"We must make sure aviation does not become a pawn in geopolitical conflicts."
"We must make sure aviation does not become a pawn in geopolitical conflicts."
Britain's far right opposition party has said the UK must leave the European Court of Human Rights (not affiliated with the EU) in order to have tougher migration policy.
But Denmark is also in the ECHR and has been working with it to change its rules. Labour says this is the better way to go.
But Denmark is also in the ECHR and has been working with it to change its rules. Labour says this is the better way to go.
November 17, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Britain's far right opposition party has said the UK must leave the European Court of Human Rights (not affiliated with the EU) in order to have tougher migration policy.
But Denmark is also in the ECHR and has been working with it to change its rules. Labour says this is the better way to go.
But Denmark is also in the ECHR and has been working with it to change its rules. Labour says this is the better way to go.
The UK's Labour government is today announcing a new immigration & asylum policy they say is modelled on that of their centre-left sister party governing Denmark.
But how is Denmark's asylum policy, considered the harshest in 🇪🇺, viewed in Brussels?
But how is Denmark's asylum policy, considered the harshest in 🇪🇺, viewed in Brussels?
November 17, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The UK's Labour government is today announcing a new immigration & asylum policy they say is modelled on that of their centre-left sister party governing Denmark.
But how is Denmark's asylum policy, considered the harshest in 🇪🇺, viewed in Brussels?
But how is Denmark's asylum policy, considered the harshest in 🇪🇺, viewed in Brussels?
Today's 🇪🇺Parliament vote has transformed the government of the EU.
🇪🇺President Von der Leyen's party has abandoned the centrist governing majority. We now have a new coalition driving EU policy.
A huge victory for Meloni, Le Pen, Wilders & Orban
As @alemanno.bsky.social put it today:
🇪🇺President Von der Leyen's party has abandoned the centrist governing majority. We now have a new coalition driving EU policy.
A huge victory for Meloni, Le Pen, Wilders & Orban
As @alemanno.bsky.social put it today:
November 13, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Today's 🇪🇺Parliament vote has transformed the government of the EU.
🇪🇺President Von der Leyen's party has abandoned the centrist governing majority. We now have a new coalition driving EU policy.
A huge victory for Meloni, Le Pen, Wilders & Orban
As @alemanno.bsky.social put it today:
🇪🇺President Von der Leyen's party has abandoned the centrist governing majority. We now have a new coalition driving EU policy.
A huge victory for Meloni, Le Pen, Wilders & Orban
As @alemanno.bsky.social put it today:
MEPs are not impressed with the watered-down Democracy Shield presented by the European Commission today in a proposal which cannot bring itself to even mention any disinformation threats coming from the United States.
They only want to talk about Russia.
They only want to talk about Russia.
November 12, 2025 at 9:52 PM
MEPs are not impressed with the watered-down Democracy Shield presented by the European Commission today in a proposal which cannot bring itself to even mention any disinformation threats coming from the United States.
They only want to talk about Russia.
They only want to talk about Russia.
This fusion of the 🇺🇸🇬🇧 media, evident in this BBC crisis, is something I touch on in my book The Owned Continent, out 1 December.
BBC News made a choice in 2023 to axe BBC World and switch to being based from both London & Washington.
From ex-BBC Lewis Goodall: open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
BBC News made a choice in 2023 to axe BBC World and switch to being based from both London & Washington.
From ex-BBC Lewis Goodall: open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
November 11, 2025 at 3:52 PM
This fusion of the 🇺🇸🇬🇧 media, evident in this BBC crisis, is something I touch on in my book The Owned Continent, out 1 December.
BBC News made a choice in 2023 to axe BBC World and switch to being based from both London & Washington.
From ex-BBC Lewis Goodall: open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
BBC News made a choice in 2023 to axe BBC World and switch to being based from both London & Washington.
From ex-BBC Lewis Goodall: open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
My take on why 🇪🇺President von der Leyen and her centre-right EPP group are playing a dangerous game by planning to ally with the far right next week to pass the deregulation demanded by Trump: davekeating.substack.com/p/von-der-le...
November 8, 2025 at 12:43 PM
My take on why 🇪🇺President von der Leyen and her centre-right EPP group are playing a dangerous game by planning to ally with the far right next week to pass the deregulation demanded by Trump: davekeating.substack.com/p/von-der-le...
IPA, the EU international journalists union, has condemned the firing of an Italian journalist for asking a question in the Commission midday press briefing perceived as critical of Israel.
So far no indication that the Commission pressured Agenzia Nova to fire him.
So far no indication that the Commission pressured Agenzia Nova to fire him.
November 7, 2025 at 11:29 AM
IPA, the EU international journalists union, has condemned the firing of an Italian journalist for asking a question in the Commission midday press briefing perceived as critical of Israel.
So far no indication that the Commission pressured Agenzia Nova to fire him.
So far no indication that the Commission pressured Agenzia Nova to fire him.
Yet another implantation of an item from Project 2025 (which Trump claimed he had nothing to do with):
The resumption of testing nuclear weapons, which has been halted by all countries except North Korea since 1992 (but resumed last week by Russia).
The resumption of testing nuclear weapons, which has been halted by all countries except North Korea since 1992 (but resumed last week by Russia).
October 31, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Yet another implantation of an item from Project 2025 (which Trump claimed he had nothing to do with):
The resumption of testing nuclear weapons, which has been halted by all countries except North Korea since 1992 (but resumed last week by Russia).
The resumption of testing nuclear weapons, which has been halted by all countries except North Korea since 1992 (but resumed last week by Russia).
Exit polls in the Netherlands show the far-right defeated by the pro-EU D66 party in today's national election.
Will it bear out?
Will it bear out?
October 29, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Exit polls in the Netherlands show the far-right defeated by the pro-EU D66 party in today's national election.
Will it bear out?
Will it bear out?
Could the pro-EU D66 party be the surprise winner in today’s Dutch election?
It’s possible in this razor-tight race in which polls show voters may punish far-right PVV for their time in government (even if they come first again, they are likely to lose seats).
open.substack.com/pub/lamatina...
It’s possible in this razor-tight race in which polls show voters may punish far-right PVV for their time in government (even if they come first again, they are likely to lose seats).
open.substack.com/pub/lamatina...
October 29, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Could the pro-EU D66 party be the surprise winner in today’s Dutch election?
It’s possible in this razor-tight race in which polls show voters may punish far-right PVV for their time in government (even if they come first again, they are likely to lose seats).
open.substack.com/pub/lamatina...
It’s possible in this razor-tight race in which polls show voters may punish far-right PVV for their time in government (even if they come first again, they are likely to lose seats).
open.substack.com/pub/lamatina...
#EUCO latest: It looks like leaders have given their assent to the 2040 climate target, in exchange for a commitment by the Commission to continue slashing climate laws to add 'flexibility', and to add a review clause.
link.europa.eu/qV4VDr
link.europa.eu/qV4VDr
October 23, 2025 at 6:04 PM
#EUCO latest: It looks like leaders have given their assent to the 2040 climate target, in exchange for a commitment by the Commission to continue slashing climate laws to add 'flexibility', and to add a review clause.
link.europa.eu/qV4VDr
link.europa.eu/qV4VDr
🇺🇦President @ZelenskyyUa speaking to #EUCO press now, as we wait to see if 🇧🇪Belgium drops its reparations veto.
"I hope that they will make a positive political decision in one way or another to help Ukraine with funds, based on frozen assets," he says.
"I hope that they will make a positive political decision in one way or another to help Ukraine with funds, based on frozen assets," he says.
October 23, 2025 at 2:46 PM
🇺🇦President @ZelenskyyUa speaking to #EUCO press now, as we wait to see if 🇧🇪Belgium drops its reparations veto.
"I hope that they will make a positive political decision in one way or another to help Ukraine with funds, based on frozen assets," he says.
"I hope that they will make a positive political decision in one way or another to help Ukraine with funds, based on frozen assets," he says.
#EUCO defence conclusions now out.
The Commission's white paper gets short shrift and is full of language meant to rule out the EU taking a leadership role on defence.
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
The Commission's white paper gets short shrift and is full of language meant to rule out the EU taking a leadership role on defence.
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
October 23, 2025 at 2:42 PM
#EUCO defence conclusions now out.
The Commission's white paper gets short shrift and is full of language meant to rule out the EU taking a leadership role on defence.
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
The Commission's white paper gets short shrift and is full of language meant to rule out the EU taking a leadership role on defence.
www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...
October 23, 2025 at 10:43 AM