Jeff Rathke
@jeffrathke.bsky.social
Pres. American-German Institute; ex-diplomat; ex-CSIS; Pittsburgher
A real treat to be third in line for grand opening of the Princeton Art Museum and greeted by the Director!
October 31, 2025 at 9:11 PM
A real treat to be third in line for grand opening of the Princeton Art Museum and greeted by the Director!
Donald Trump: May 13, 2025, Riyadh:
July 19, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Donald Trump: May 13, 2025, Riyadh:
State Dept breaking new ground - visa revocation/restrictions on a foreign judge, “his allies on the court” and immediate family members b/c they’re prosecuting a coup attempt in Brazil.
Will it be used against other foreign officials — eg in France b/c of conviction of Le Pen?
Will it be used against other foreign officials — eg in France b/c of conviction of Le Pen?
July 19, 2025 at 12:10 AM
State Dept breaking new ground - visa revocation/restrictions on a foreign judge, “his allies on the court” and immediate family members b/c they’re prosecuting a coup attempt in Brazil.
Will it be used against other foreign officials — eg in France b/c of conviction of Le Pen?
Will it be used against other foreign officials — eg in France b/c of conviction of Le Pen?
Via Moritz Rödle on the other side : SPD Caucus leader Mützenich announces he will yield his role to Lars Klingbeil
February 23, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Via Moritz Rödle on the other side : SPD Caucus leader Mützenich announces he will yield his role to Lars Klingbeil
I lived in Moscow during that period as an American diplomat charged with reporting on Russian politics. Susan Glasser @sbg1.bsky.social describes the eerie similarities:
February 21, 2025 at 1:36 AM
I lived in Moscow during that period as an American diplomat charged with reporting on Russian politics. Susan Glasser @sbg1.bsky.social describes the eerie similarities:
ominous passage in readout of Rubio-Lavrov mtg
What is “mutual geopolitical interest” of the US w/ Putin’s Russia?
The geopolitical ambitions of Putin are clear, outlined in Dec 2021 RUS draft treaties: US out of EUR, rollback of NATO to 1997 borders
What is “mutual geopolitical interest” of the US w/ Putin’s Russia?
The geopolitical ambitions of Putin are clear, outlined in Dec 2021 RUS draft treaties: US out of EUR, rollback of NATO to 1997 borders
February 18, 2025 at 1:15 PM
ominous passage in readout of Rubio-Lavrov mtg
What is “mutual geopolitical interest” of the US w/ Putin’s Russia?
The geopolitical ambitions of Putin are clear, outlined in Dec 2021 RUS draft treaties: US out of EUR, rollback of NATO to 1997 borders
What is “mutual geopolitical interest” of the US w/ Putin’s Russia?
The geopolitical ambitions of Putin are clear, outlined in Dec 2021 RUS draft treaties: US out of EUR, rollback of NATO to 1997 borders
In essence VP Vance’s two speeches last week were just the dance remix of a succinct statement he made in September 2024
youtu.be/HrgmwtpAsWc?...
www.happyscribe.com/public/shawn...
youtu.be/HrgmwtpAsWc?...
www.happyscribe.com/public/shawn...
February 17, 2025 at 8:10 PM
In essence VP Vance’s two speeches last week were just the dance remix of a succinct statement he made in September 2024
youtu.be/HrgmwtpAsWc?...
www.happyscribe.com/public/shawn...
youtu.be/HrgmwtpAsWc?...
www.happyscribe.com/public/shawn...
The lineup today at the Met is slightly different but no less exquisite, @peterpaulrubens.bsky.social
January 19, 2025 at 12:56 AM
The lineup today at the Met is slightly different but no less exquisite, @peterpaulrubens.bsky.social
Already happened - but probably will be resurrected in the new context…
January 4, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Already happened - but probably will be resurrected in the new context…
Impt post. The risks of politicized USG media/mismanagement are real, would weaken US int’l influence/credibility.
Can USG media be turned on US audiences? There are legal barriers, esp. Smith-Mundt Act. Would require change of law to target US pop’n directly. Or Congress/courts to turn blind eye.
Can USG media be turned on US audiences? There are legal barriers, esp. Smith-Mundt Act. Would require change of law to target US pop’n directly. Or Congress/courts to turn blind eye.
December 12, 2024 at 5:17 AM
Impt post. The risks of politicized USG media/mismanagement are real, would weaken US int’l influence/credibility.
Can USG media be turned on US audiences? There are legal barriers, esp. Smith-Mundt Act. Would require change of law to target US pop’n directly. Or Congress/courts to turn blind eye.
Can USG media be turned on US audiences? There are legal barriers, esp. Smith-Mundt Act. Would require change of law to target US pop’n directly. Or Congress/courts to turn blind eye.
But will it win votes? Recent public opinion survey indicates big plurality of Germans favor stronger Western military support for UKR.
Scholz’s play for the “peace” vote is not just tactically questionable, but imputes a cavalier adventurism to his opponent not supported by facts.
Scholz’s play for the “peace” vote is not just tactically questionable, but imputes a cavalier adventurism to his opponent not supported by facts.
November 30, 2024 at 9:56 PM
But will it win votes? Recent public opinion survey indicates big plurality of Germans favor stronger Western military support for UKR.
Scholz’s play for the “peace” vote is not just tactically questionable, but imputes a cavalier adventurism to his opponent not supported by facts.
Scholz’s play for the “peace” vote is not just tactically questionable, but imputes a cavalier adventurism to his opponent not supported by facts.
Scholz is a uniquely unpopular incumbent by German standards and his government’s approval rating is low. The one area where Scholz’s disadvantage is smallest is in personal perceptions of him vs CDU chief Merz - if Germans could vote directly for the Chancellor, Scholz is only slightly behind Merz
November 30, 2024 at 9:32 PM
Scholz is a uniquely unpopular incumbent by German standards and his government’s approval rating is low. The one area where Scholz’s disadvantage is smallest is in personal perceptions of him vs CDU chief Merz - if Germans could vote directly for the Chancellor, Scholz is only slightly behind Merz
Chanc. Scholz is in desperate position < 3 mo. before early elections: coalition collapsed - no majority in Bundestag to pass 2025 budget. Scholz’s SPD is in 3rd place in the polls, and they trail opposition CDU/CSU by a mile (16% to 32% in the most favorable recent poll).
So why this tack? Brief 🧵
So why this tack? Brief 🧵
November 30, 2024 at 9:27 PM
Chanc. Scholz is in desperate position < 3 mo. before early elections: coalition collapsed - no majority in Bundestag to pass 2025 budget. Scholz’s SPD is in 3rd place in the polls, and they trail opposition CDU/CSU by a mile (16% to 32% in the most favorable recent poll).
So why this tack? Brief 🧵
So why this tack? Brief 🧵
Wonderful night in NYC recognizing Martin Daum and enjoying the sounds of Portland’s Pink Martini!
November 13, 2024 at 2:10 AM
Wonderful night in NYC recognizing Martin Daum and enjoying the sounds of Portland’s Pink Martini!
Sec Blinken and German FM Baerbock conversation today on Gaza and Red Sea 👇🏻
December 16, 2023 at 12:12 AM
Sec Blinken and German FM Baerbock conversation today on Gaza and Red Sea 👇🏻
fIREHOSE, Ragin' Full On, 1986
November 7, 2023 at 8:36 PM
fIREHOSE, Ragin' Full On, 1986
European Commission President von der Leyen speaking at Hudson Institute this afternoon on the eve of U.S.-EU Summit with President Biden.
US and Europe have a duty to shape the future together, she begins…
US and Europe have a duty to shape the future together, she begins…
October 19, 2023 at 8:12 PM
European Commission President von der Leyen speaking at Hudson Institute this afternoon on the eve of U.S.-EU Summit with President Biden.
US and Europe have a duty to shape the future together, she begins…
US and Europe have a duty to shape the future together, she begins…
Terrific to celebrate the opening of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center at the heart of the capital. Great to see this formidable presence in Washington for on of the world’s great universities
October 19, 2023 at 2:28 PM
Terrific to celebrate the opening of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center at the heart of the capital. Great to see this formidable presence in Washington for on of the world’s great universities