Elisabeth Braw
@elisabethbraw.bsky.social
Atlantic Council, Foreign Policy, Politico Europe. Author of The Defender's Dilemma (2022), Goodbye Globalization (2024) and Undersea War (2026). Geopolitics & globalisation/greyzone aggression/total defence/societal resilience. Own views
The Yantar directing lasers at UK pilots:
It's certainly like a deliberate provocation in waters that have numerous undersea installations.
The point of the provocation: well, there are several possibilities.
www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...
It's certainly like a deliberate provocation in waters that have numerous undersea installations.
The point of the provocation: well, there are several possibilities.
www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...
Russian spy ship aims lasers at RAF pilots tracking it near UK waters
We see you, John Healey tells Putin, as he calls for a new era of ‘hard power’ after surveillance vessel is spotted loitering off Scotland
www.thetimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The Yantar directing lasers at UK pilots:
It's certainly like a deliberate provocation in waters that have numerous undersea installations.
The point of the provocation: well, there are several possibilities.
www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...
It's certainly like a deliberate provocation in waters that have numerous undersea installations.
The point of the provocation: well, there are several possibilities.
www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...
She's back (very) near UK waters, the research vessel Yantar.
And not just that, Defence Secretary John Healey says she has 'directed lasers at our pilots'.
Research, provocation or both?
news.sky.com/story/russia...
And not just that, Defence Secretary John Healey says she has 'directed lasers at our pilots'.
Research, provocation or both?
news.sky.com/story/russia...
November 19, 2025 at 10:59 AM
She's back (very) near UK waters, the research vessel Yantar.
And not just that, Defence Secretary John Healey says she has 'directed lasers at our pilots'.
Research, provocation or both?
news.sky.com/story/russia...
And not just that, Defence Secretary John Healey says she has 'directed lasers at our pilots'.
Research, provocation or both?
news.sky.com/story/russia...
Thank you
A very important piece from @elisabethbraw.bsky.social on the toll Russian grey zone ops are taking on our societies and what to do about it. I recommend it to everyone (no paywall):
Russia's fast-growing greyzone aggression has many guises.
One factor unites them: they're costing the companies/organisations/cities/agencies attacked a lot of money.
Russia is trying to bleed us dry. Building resilience is vital.
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Me @politico.eu. No paywall.
One factor unites them: they're costing the companies/organisations/cities/agencies attacked a lot of money.
Russia is trying to bleed us dry. Building resilience is vital.
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Me @politico.eu. No paywall.
November 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Thank you
Russia's fast-growing greyzone aggression has many guises.
One factor unites them: they're costing the companies/organisations/cities/agencies attacked a lot of money.
Russia is trying to bleed us dry. Building resilience is vital.
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Me @politico.eu. No paywall.
One factor unites them: they're costing the companies/organisations/cities/agencies attacked a lot of money.
Russia is trying to bleed us dry. Building resilience is vital.
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Me @politico.eu. No paywall.
November 5, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Russia's fast-growing greyzone aggression has many guises.
One factor unites them: they're costing the companies/organisations/cities/agencies attacked a lot of money.
Russia is trying to bleed us dry. Building resilience is vital.
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Me @politico.eu. No paywall.
One factor unites them: they're costing the companies/organisations/cities/agencies attacked a lot of money.
Russia is trying to bleed us dry. Building resilience is vital.
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Me @politico.eu. No paywall.
Your friendly reminder that this week is Norway's Self Preparedness Week.
A week-long reminder (with instructions) of how everyone can contribute to national resilience.
This is how to do it.
A week-long reminder (with instructions) of how everyone can contribute to national resilience.
This is how to do it.
October 29, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Your friendly reminder that this week is Norway's Self Preparedness Week.
A week-long reminder (with instructions) of how everyone can contribute to national resilience.
This is how to do it.
A week-long reminder (with instructions) of how everyone can contribute to national resilience.
This is how to do it.
The Nord Stream saga's dramatic turns continue.
Now an Italian court has approved Serhii K's extradition to Germany.
A lot hinges on what he tells the German court (whenever that happens).
www.dw.com/en/italian-c...
Now an Italian court has approved Serhii K's extradition to Germany.
A lot hinges on what he tells the German court (whenever that happens).
www.dw.com/en/italian-c...
Italian court approves extradition in Nord Stream case – DW – 10/27/2025
A court in Italy has given the go-ahead to extradite a Ukrainian suspect to Germany over the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage. The gas delivery route was long seen as a symbol of Germany's overrelia...
www.dw.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:21 AM
The Nord Stream saga's dramatic turns continue.
Now an Italian court has approved Serhii K's extradition to Germany.
A lot hinges on what he tells the German court (whenever that happens).
www.dw.com/en/italian-c...
Now an Italian court has approved Serhii K's extradition to Germany.
A lot hinges on what he tells the German court (whenever that happens).
www.dw.com/en/italian-c...
GPS interference in the Baltic Sea region (and elsewhere) is reaching extraordinary levels.
That has implications for air travel everywhere.
A truly sinister form of aggression. The world's law-abiding nations should call out the perpetrators.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/27/a...
That has implications for air travel everywhere.
A truly sinister form of aggression. The world's law-abiding nations should call out the perpetrators.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/27/a...
Who Is Messing With Airplane GPS Worldwide?
A wave of global interference threatens air safety.
foreignpolicy.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:33 AM
GPS interference in the Baltic Sea region (and elsewhere) is reaching extraordinary levels.
That has implications for air travel everywhere.
A truly sinister form of aggression. The world's law-abiding nations should call out the perpetrators.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/27/a...
That has implications for air travel everywhere.
A truly sinister form of aggression. The world's law-abiding nations should call out the perpetrators.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/27/a...
Sweden established a new global trend with In Case of Crisis or War.
Now it's about to publish a corresponding leaflet directed at businesses.
What a great idea - especially since greyzone aggression directly targets the private sector.
www.politico.eu/article/swed...
(Me @politico.eu)
Now it's about to publish a corresponding leaflet directed at businesses.
What a great idea - especially since greyzone aggression directly targets the private sector.
www.politico.eu/article/swed...
(Me @politico.eu)
October 27, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Sweden established a new global trend with In Case of Crisis or War.
Now it's about to publish a corresponding leaflet directed at businesses.
What a great idea - especially since greyzone aggression directly targets the private sector.
www.politico.eu/article/swed...
(Me @politico.eu)
Now it's about to publish a corresponding leaflet directed at businesses.
What a great idea - especially since greyzone aggression directly targets the private sector.
www.politico.eu/article/swed...
(Me @politico.eu)
What great news: Ukraine will buy 150 (!) Gripen E fighter jets.
It's a fantastic aircraft, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after his historic meeting with Ulf Kristersson today.
Sweden has steadfastly supported Ukraine ever since Russia's full-scale invasion.
Allies at work.
It's a fantastic aircraft, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after his historic meeting with Ulf Kristersson today.
Sweden has steadfastly supported Ukraine ever since Russia's full-scale invasion.
Allies at work.
October 22, 2025 at 4:41 PM
What great news: Ukraine will buy 150 (!) Gripen E fighter jets.
It's a fantastic aircraft, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after his historic meeting with Ulf Kristersson today.
Sweden has steadfastly supported Ukraine ever since Russia's full-scale invasion.
Allies at work.
It's a fantastic aircraft, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after his historic meeting with Ulf Kristersson today.
Sweden has steadfastly supported Ukraine ever since Russia's full-scale invasion.
Allies at work.
The pioneering greenhouse-gas reduction treaty for shipping has failed.
Here's more about it in a report from earlier this year www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/u...
(Part of @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social's Maritime Threats initiative.)
Here's more about it in a report from earlier this year www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/u...
(Part of @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social's Maritime Threats initiative.)
October 17, 2025 at 5:12 PM
The pioneering greenhouse-gas reduction treaty for shipping has failed.
Here's more about it in a report from earlier this year www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/u...
(Part of @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social's Maritime Threats initiative.)
Here's more about it in a report from earlier this year www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/u...
(Part of @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social's Maritime Threats initiative.)
Reposted by Elisabeth Braw
Columnist @elisabethbraw.bsky.social explains the verdict of a pivotal trial involving three officers in charge of a shadow tanker that sabotaged undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland last year.
Anchors Away
Finland’s failure to convict Russian crew clears the way for more cable-cutting attacks.
foreignpolicy.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Columnist @elisabethbraw.bsky.social explains the verdict of a pivotal trial involving three officers in charge of a shadow tanker that sabotaged undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland last year.
Thank you @stathiosb.bsky.social
Excellent ideas. ‘Social clubs with a purpose’ can function effectively in parallel to the armed forces when a nation-state is at war. They can meet the need now to begin engaging a large segment of the population in defence of shared values such as democratic governance or European sovereignty.
October 14, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Thank you @stathiosb.bsky.social
Reposted by Elisabeth Braw
The Finnish prosecutors in the Eagle S showed gutsiness and innovative thinking in two crucial aspects:
- The matter of jurisdiction
- The matter of the crew's intent to damage the cables
We'll see more of this.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/f...
Me @foreignpolicy.com
- The matter of jurisdiction
- The matter of the crew's intent to damage the cables
We'll see more of this.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/f...
Me @foreignpolicy.com
Anchors Away
Finland’s failure to convict Russian crew clears the way for more cable-cutting attacks.
foreignpolicy.com
October 12, 2025 at 12:09 PM
The Finnish prosecutors in the Eagle S showed gutsiness and innovative thinking in two crucial aspects:
- The matter of jurisdiction
- The matter of the crew's intent to damage the cables
We'll see more of this.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/f...
Me @foreignpolicy.com
- The matter of jurisdiction
- The matter of the crew's intent to damage the cables
We'll see more of this.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/f...
Me @foreignpolicy.com
The Finnish prosecutors in the Eagle S showed gutsiness and innovative thinking in two crucial aspects:
- The matter of jurisdiction
- The matter of the crew's intent to damage the cables
We'll see more of this.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/f...
Me @foreignpolicy.com
- The matter of jurisdiction
- The matter of the crew's intent to damage the cables
We'll see more of this.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/f...
Me @foreignpolicy.com
Anchors Away
Finland’s failure to convict Russian crew clears the way for more cable-cutting attacks.
foreignpolicy.com
October 12, 2025 at 12:09 PM
The Finnish prosecutors in the Eagle S showed gutsiness and innovative thinking in two crucial aspects:
- The matter of jurisdiction
- The matter of the crew's intent to damage the cables
We'll see more of this.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/f...
Me @foreignpolicy.com
- The matter of jurisdiction
- The matter of the crew's intent to damage the cables
We'll see more of this.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/10/f...
Me @foreignpolicy.com
Ask what your gym can do for your country.
Gen Z-ers are fit - and in a Bowling Alone era, many also join gyms to make friends.
Imagine if we had national resilience organisations they could join. It would be a win-win.
on.ft.com/4hdCLyQ (Me @financialtimes.com. No paywall.)
Gen Z-ers are fit - and in a Bowling Alone era, many also join gyms to make friends.
Imagine if we had national resilience organisations they could join. It would be a win-win.
on.ft.com/4hdCLyQ (Me @financialtimes.com. No paywall.)
October 11, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Ask what your gym can do for your country.
Gen Z-ers are fit - and in a Bowling Alone era, many also join gyms to make friends.
Imagine if we had national resilience organisations they could join. It would be a win-win.
on.ft.com/4hdCLyQ (Me @financialtimes.com. No paywall.)
Gen Z-ers are fit - and in a Bowling Alone era, many also join gyms to make friends.
Imagine if we had national resilience organisations they could join. It would be a win-win.
on.ft.com/4hdCLyQ (Me @financialtimes.com. No paywall.)
Russia's shadow fleet is dual-use: many vessels don't just transport sanctioned oil but have other uses too (think surveillance, threatening cables).
One group knows a lot about them: Danish pilots. We should listen to them.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/02/r... (Me @foreignpolicy.com)
One group knows a lot about them: Danish pilots. We should listen to them.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/02/r... (Me @foreignpolicy.com)
Russia’s Shadow Fleet Is Doing More Than Sanctions-Busting
In the Baltic, Russian-linked vessels are suspected of spying and sabotage.
foreignpolicy.com
October 3, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Russia's shadow fleet is dual-use: many vessels don't just transport sanctioned oil but have other uses too (think surveillance, threatening cables).
One group knows a lot about them: Danish pilots. We should listen to them.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/02/r... (Me @foreignpolicy.com)
One group knows a lot about them: Danish pilots. We should listen to them.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/10/02/r... (Me @foreignpolicy.com)
Helsinki District Court's judgment in the pivotal Eagle S case:
- The court says it lacks jurisdiction
- But it also says the three seafarers perpetrated "aggravated criminal damage".
There are lots of implications. We won't have seen the last suspicious cable/pipeline incident.
- The court says it lacks jurisdiction
- But it also says the three seafarers perpetrated "aggravated criminal damage".
There are lots of implications. We won't have seen the last suspicious cable/pipeline incident.
October 3, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Helsinki District Court's judgment in the pivotal Eagle S case:
- The court says it lacks jurisdiction
- But it also says the three seafarers perpetrated "aggravated criminal damage".
There are lots of implications. We won't have seen the last suspicious cable/pipeline incident.
- The court says it lacks jurisdiction
- But it also says the three seafarers perpetrated "aggravated criminal damage".
There are lots of implications. We won't have seen the last suspicious cable/pipeline incident.
Such a book is indeed in its way...
Let's see what else may transpire between now and the publication next year.
Let's see what else may transpire between now and the publication next year.
I have an uncomfortable feeling that at some point this report will feature in a book. The sentence will read: “In fact a committee of MPs had drawn attention to the vulnerability of the UK’s subsea cables a year before the attack took place.”
It has been published: the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy's report on undersea cables.
It was a privilege to be involved in the inquiry and see some of my suggestions picked up by the committee.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt5901/jt...
It was a privilege to be involved in the inquiry and see some of my suggestions picked up by the committee.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt5901/jt...
September 19, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Such a book is indeed in its way...
Let's see what else may transpire between now and the publication next year.
Let's see what else may transpire between now and the publication next year.
It has been published: the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy's report on undersea cables.
It was a privilege to be involved in the inquiry and see some of my suggestions picked up by the committee.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt5901/jt...
It was a privilege to be involved in the inquiry and see some of my suggestions picked up by the committee.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt5901/jt...
September 19, 2025 at 8:13 AM
It has been published: the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy's report on undersea cables.
It was a privilege to be involved in the inquiry and see some of my suggestions picked up by the committee.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt5901/jt...
It was a privilege to be involved in the inquiry and see some of my suggestions picked up by the committee.
publications.parliament.uk/pa/jt5901/jt...
What constitutes an act of war these days?
The people defining this crucial issue are...underwriters.
The trial of Serhii K will be of enormous significance for them - and indeed for everyone.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/17/n...
(Me @foreignpolicy.com. Gift link.)
The people defining this crucial issue are...underwriters.
The trial of Serhii K will be of enormous significance for them - and indeed for everyone.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/17/n...
(Me @foreignpolicy.com. Gift link.)
What Is War? Ask an Underwriter.
Correctly defining conflict has high stakes in the insurance industry.
foreignpolicy.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:51 AM
What constitutes an act of war these days?
The people defining this crucial issue are...underwriters.
The trial of Serhii K will be of enormous significance for them - and indeed for everyone.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/17/n...
(Me @foreignpolicy.com. Gift link.)
The people defining this crucial issue are...underwriters.
The trial of Serhii K will be of enormous significance for them - and indeed for everyone.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/17/n...
(Me @foreignpolicy.com. Gift link.)
A few days ago, Poland released an "in case of crisis or war" leaflet.
It turned out to be prescient, what with Russian drones crossing into Poland last night.
It turned out to be prescient, what with Russian drones crossing into Poland last night.
September 10, 2025 at 8:39 AM
A few days ago, Poland released an "in case of crisis or war" leaflet.
It turned out to be prescient, what with Russian drones crossing into Poland last night.
It turned out to be prescient, what with Russian drones crossing into Poland last night.
Intently watching the Red Sea region for any announcements regarding the cable cuts.
Were the cuts intentional? A massively unfortunate accident?
The world of cables has truly taken turbulent turns since I began writing Undersea War.
www.techradar.com/pro/microsof...
Were the cuts intentional? A massively unfortunate accident?
The world of cables has truly taken turbulent turns since I began writing Undersea War.
www.techradar.com/pro/microsof...
Microsoft Azure services see major disruption after Red Sea cables cut
Azure and other services are experiencing disruptions
www.techradar.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Intently watching the Red Sea region for any announcements regarding the cable cuts.
Were the cuts intentional? A massively unfortunate accident?
The world of cables has truly taken turbulent turns since I began writing Undersea War.
www.techradar.com/pro/microsof...
Were the cuts intentional? A massively unfortunate accident?
The world of cables has truly taken turbulent turns since I began writing Undersea War.
www.techradar.com/pro/microsof...
Taiwan's new Zero Day Attack television series:
Brilliant entertainment - and the attacks (including sea blockade, disruption of the financial system etc) are very close to reality.
That makes the show educational too.
Lots of countries need a show like this.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/29/t...
Brilliant entertainment - and the attacks (including sea blockade, disruption of the financial system etc) are very close to reality.
That makes the show educational too.
Lots of countries need a show like this.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/29/t...
Can TV Help Prepare for Invasion?
Taiwan’s “Zero Day Attack” sets an example other threatened states can follow.
foreignpolicy.com
August 30, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Taiwan's new Zero Day Attack television series:
Brilliant entertainment - and the attacks (including sea blockade, disruption of the financial system etc) are very close to reality.
That makes the show educational too.
Lots of countries need a show like this.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/29/t...
Brilliant entertainment - and the attacks (including sea blockade, disruption of the financial system etc) are very close to reality.
That makes the show educational too.
Lots of countries need a show like this.
foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/29/t...
The UK (and other countries) should do like Sweden, which has just begun teaching national security (total defence, to be precise) in secondary schools.
Investing in defence equipment is good. But teenagers' minds have even more potential.
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Me @thetimes.com
Investing in defence equipment is good. But teenagers' minds have even more potential.
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Me @thetimes.com
August 28, 2025 at 8:54 AM
The UK (and other countries) should do like Sweden, which has just begun teaching national security (total defence, to be precise) in secondary schools.
Investing in defence equipment is good. But teenagers' minds have even more potential.
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Me @thetimes.com
Investing in defence equipment is good. But teenagers' minds have even more potential.
www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Me @thetimes.com
Another cheap Chinese EV is coming to the European market.
Chinese EVs are cheap partly because they use LFP batteries.
We seem doomed to dependence on China.
But: Europe now has its very own LFP factory - in Norway.
www.politico.eu/article/norw...
Me @politico.eu
Chinese EVs are cheap partly because they use LFP batteries.
We seem doomed to dependence on China.
But: Europe now has its very own LFP factory - in Norway.
www.politico.eu/article/norw...
Me @politico.eu
August 25, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Another cheap Chinese EV is coming to the European market.
Chinese EVs are cheap partly because they use LFP batteries.
We seem doomed to dependence on China.
But: Europe now has its very own LFP factory - in Norway.
www.politico.eu/article/norw...
Me @politico.eu
Chinese EVs are cheap partly because they use LFP batteries.
We seem doomed to dependence on China.
But: Europe now has its very own LFP factory - in Norway.
www.politico.eu/article/norw...
Me @politico.eu