Kristof Bender
@kristofbender.bsky.social
For a strong & democratic Europe. Balkans, Moldova, Ukraine. Asylum policy, HR
Deputy chairperson European Stability Initiative (ESI), Europe’s Futures @iwm.at
www.kristofbender.eu, www.esiweb.org
Deputy chairperson European Stability Initiative (ESI), Europe’s Futures @iwm.at
www.kristofbender.eu, www.esiweb.org
Very interesting debate about #neutrality, #security, and #deterrence in #Vienna. Neutrality does not protect. Look at Belgium, Finland, the Baltics ahead of WWII.
We in #Austria urgently need an open and frank debate about Austria‘s enemies, threats and Austria‘s role in Europe‘s defence.
We in #Austria urgently need an open and frank debate about Austria‘s enemies, threats and Austria‘s role in Europe‘s defence.
October 22, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Very interesting debate about #neutrality, #security, and #deterrence in #Vienna. Neutrality does not protect. Look at Belgium, Finland, the Baltics ahead of WWII.
We in #Austria urgently need an open and frank debate about Austria‘s enemies, threats and Austria‘s role in Europe‘s defence.
We in #Austria urgently need an open and frank debate about Austria‘s enemies, threats and Austria‘s role in Europe‘s defence.
Demonstration in front of #ViennaMigrationConference. Was asked not to attend. I will disagree with a lot that will be said, but how can we contribute to the improvement of #asylum policy if we refuse to talk to politicians of mainstream parties, European Commission, UNHCR, Danish Refugee Council?
October 21, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Demonstration in front of #ViennaMigrationConference. Was asked not to attend. I will disagree with a lot that will be said, but how can we contribute to the improvement of #asylum policy if we refuse to talk to politicians of mainstream parties, European Commission, UNHCR, Danish Refugee Council?
#Austria second from the bottom: only 60% believe that Austria has benefitted from #EU membership.
I remember well how Austria
looked like in the early 1990s, in particular close to its Eastern borders, and know how it looks now. How can we fail so dramatically at telling this huge success story?!
I remember well how Austria
looked like in the early 1990s, in particular close to its Eastern borders, and know how it looks now. How can we fail so dramatically at telling this huge success story?!
October 1, 2025 at 2:47 PM
In the age of AI, I wonder if the Nobel Foundation should not consider adding a Nobel Prize for courageous machines fighting for universal values.
I already have a candidate:
I already have a candidate:
September 27, 2025 at 1:37 PM
In the age of AI, I wonder if the Nobel Foundation should not consider adding a Nobel Prize for courageous machines fighting for universal values.
I already have a candidate:
I already have a candidate:
What is needed:
Agree on a clear course. Without delay.
Communicate plainly what will follow if it happens again.
And if it does, act.
Words are not enough.
Agree on a clear course. Without delay.
Communicate plainly what will follow if it happens again.
And if it does, act.
Words are not enough.
September 23, 2025 at 1:50 PM
What is needed:
Agree on a clear course. Without delay.
Communicate plainly what will follow if it happens again.
And if it does, act.
Words are not enough.
Agree on a clear course. Without delay.
Communicate plainly what will follow if it happens again.
And if it does, act.
Words are not enough.
#EuropeFuture.Forum about to kick off in #Warsaw.
Treacherous times - everyone is concerned, sees many challenges we are not prepared for. Yet Central Europe looks so charming and peaceful as it could not change. And yet we know there are a dozen issues which at any moment could change everything.
Treacherous times - everyone is concerned, sees many challenges we are not prepared for. Yet Central Europe looks so charming and peaceful as it could not change. And yet we know there are a dozen issues which at any moment could change everything.
September 16, 2025 at 7:11 AM
#EuropeFuture.Forum about to kick off in #Warsaw.
Treacherous times - everyone is concerned, sees many challenges we are not prepared for. Yet Central Europe looks so charming and peaceful as it could not change. And yet we know there are a dozen issues which at any moment could change everything.
Treacherous times - everyone is concerned, sees many challenges we are not prepared for. Yet Central Europe looks so charming and peaceful as it could not change. And yet we know there are a dozen issues which at any moment could change everything.
Our cool and crazy generation X …
August 31, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Our cool and crazy generation X …
On this day 50 yrs ago 35 countries from East & West signed the #HelsinkiFinalAct, pledging to respect the inviolability of borders and the protection of fundamental freedoms. While the non-binding act contributed to the fall of communism, its role became obsolete by #Russia‘s wars of aggression.
August 1, 2025 at 2:52 PM
On this day 50 yrs ago 35 countries from East & West signed the #HelsinkiFinalAct, pledging to respect the inviolability of borders and the protection of fundamental freedoms. While the non-binding act contributed to the fall of communism, its role became obsolete by #Russia‘s wars of aggression.
"If the Europeans fail to act effectively... and the axis of Russia, China & North Korea wins... who will believe in — or trust — those who claim to uphold freedom and democracy when they are prepared to shrug as these ideals are brutally expunged on their very borders."
www.ft.com/content/b9d7...
www.ft.com/content/b9d7...
July 23, 2025 at 10:43 AM
"If the Europeans fail to act effectively... and the axis of Russia, China & North Korea wins... who will believe in — or trust — those who claim to uphold freedom and democracy when they are prepared to shrug as these ideals are brutally expunged on their very borders."
www.ft.com/content/b9d7...
www.ft.com/content/b9d7...
There are still traumata for some, disagreements on how to remember the war. But differences are addressed through politics. Inter-ethnic violence is very low. Possibly the largest challenge is the exodus of the young, a view widely shared from local politicians to Travnik's Orthodox priest.
July 18, 2025 at 12:46 PM
There are still traumata for some, disagreements on how to remember the war. But differences are addressed through politics. Inter-ethnic violence is very low. Possibly the largest challenge is the exodus of the young, a view widely shared from local politicians to Travnik's Orthodox priest.
A few days in #CentralBosnia w/ my colleague @adicerimagic.bsky.social. One of the areas most affected by the war, Central Bosnia is again a genuinely multi-ethnic region, w/ Bosniaks & Bosnian Croats working together, hanging out together, running the cantonal & municipal administrations together.
July 18, 2025 at 12:46 PM
A few days in #CentralBosnia w/ my colleague @adicerimagic.bsky.social. One of the areas most affected by the war, Central Bosnia is again a genuinely multi-ethnic region, w/ Bosniaks & Bosnian Croats working together, hanging out together, running the cantonal & municipal administrations together.
The #Srebrenica Memorial Centre in Potocari is well done. But also weird. It stands in the middle of Republika Srpska (RS), Bosnia's Serb dominated entity. It has many visitors: 143,000 last year, but hardly any Serbs from RS. Wondering what can be done to reach this perhaps most important audience.
July 16, 2025 at 5:52 AM
The #Srebrenica Memorial Centre in Potocari is well done. But also weird. It stands in the middle of Republika Srpska (RS), Bosnia's Serb dominated entity. It has many visitors: 143,000 last year, but hardly any Serbs from RS. Wondering what can be done to reach this perhaps most important audience.
The 30 year #Srebrenica genocide commemoration is over. With the tens of thousands of visitors all gone, Srebrenica is continuing its slow death. Old people die and both Bosniak and Serb youth leaves, lacking opportunities and perspective. 1/2
July 14, 2025 at 9:53 AM
The 30 year #Srebrenica genocide commemoration is over. With the tens of thousands of visitors all gone, Srebrenica is continuing its slow death. Old people die and both Bosniak and Serb youth leaves, lacking opportunities and perspective. 1/2
Last days in #Bosnia w/ ESI colleagues showing a group of 🇩🇪managers around in Central Bosnia and Sarajevo. Many discussions how this society repeatedly managed to overcome attacks on its multi-confessional and multi-ethnic traditions. Serious #EU accession process would be key
to keep it that way.
to keep it that way.
June 23, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Not many reasons to celebrate for #Croatia ‘s opposition parties at local elections that finished with run-offs last weekend. But Možemo! (we can!) mayor Tomislav Tomaševic won reelection with 58% in #Zagreb runoff - despite the “Tomašević loser leave” slogan painted at the Art Pavillion (zoom in).
June 6, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Former 🇱🇹 foreign minister @glandsbergis.bsky.social flips the argument and says his country (and Europe as a whole) would be better off with security guarantees FROM Ukraine.
Indeed, we, Ukraine, Europe‘s best fighting force, and the EU, the centre of the democratic world, very much need each other.
Indeed, we, Ukraine, Europe‘s best fighting force, and the EU, the centre of the democratic world, very much need each other.
June 3, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Former 🇱🇹 foreign minister @glandsbergis.bsky.social flips the argument and says his country (and Europe as a whole) would be better off with security guarantees FROM Ukraine.
Indeed, we, Ukraine, Europe‘s best fighting force, and the EU, the centre of the democratic world, very much need each other.
Indeed, we, Ukraine, Europe‘s best fighting force, and the EU, the centre of the democratic world, very much need each other.
Still fascinated by recent trip to #Helsinki. Maybe most impressed by the city library Oodi with all its labs, sound studios, meeting rooms, sewing machines and print facilities. Visit if you get the chance!
May 29, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Still fascinated by recent trip to #Helsinki. Maybe most impressed by the city library Oodi with all its labs, sound studios, meeting rooms, sewing machines and print facilities. Visit if you get the chance!
Dear fellow Europeans in 🇷🇴 and 🇵🇱. The union is far from perfect, but it‘s the best shot we have for a peaceful, secure and democratic future. Please don‘t mess it up! (It‘s already difficult enough.)
May 18, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Dear fellow Europeans in 🇷🇴 and 🇵🇱. The union is far from perfect, but it‘s the best shot we have for a peaceful, secure and democratic future. Please don‘t mess it up! (It‘s already difficult enough.)
Congratulations to the winners of the Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence, open to journalists from CEE and SEE, supported by @erstestiftung.org: Zuza Nazaruk, Ioana Louloudi & Lina Kapetaniou and @zuzanavlasata.bsky.social. Their award-winning stories soon at balkaninsight.com/fellowship-f...
May 17, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Congratulations to the winners of the Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence, open to journalists from CEE and SEE, supported by @erstestiftung.org: Zuza Nazaruk, Ioana Louloudi & Lina Kapetaniou and @zuzanavlasata.bsky.social. Their award-winning stories soon at balkaninsight.com/fellowship-f...
It will be tight at the second round of #Romania ‘s elections on coming Sunday, suggests @paulaerizanu.bsky.social
May 14, 2025 at 5:44 AM
It will be tight at the second round of #Romania ‘s elections on coming Sunday, suggests @paulaerizanu.bsky.social
The ESI team introduced a group of nearly 100 German entrepreneurs and managers to #Bosnia and Herzegovina. We showed them #Sarajevo and #Mostar, discussed Bosnia as a highly successful post-conflict society, talked about war crimes justice, current challenges and the future of Bosnia and #Europe.
May 11, 2025 at 11:27 AM