Ralph Janik
@ralphjanik.com
| International Law | EU | International Relations
| Assistant Professor @SFU Vienna
| everything is political
| Assistant Professor @SFU Vienna
| everything is political
Pinned
Ralph Janik
@ralphjanik.com
· Nov 16
Ok @mikeschmitt.bsky.social made me realise there was no proper international humanitarian law starter pack so I’ve created my first one. It is far from being complete so please feel free to mention yourself and/or others who should be included!
go.bsky.app/N6Bw1E7
go.bsky.app/N6Bw1E7
In a somewhat normal world, this emphatic praise from Putin would cost Witkoff his job. But then again, Witkoff would never have gotten the job he has. But we don’t live in a somewhat normal world.
"President Putin of Russia on Thursday defended President Trump’s special envoy against accusations of pro-Kremlin bias, calling him “an intelligent man” who is properly representing the position of his country and leader." For sure, Vlad.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/w...
Putin Defends Witkoff Against Accusations of Pro-Russia Bias
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:44 PM
In a somewhat normal world, this emphatic praise from Putin would cost Witkoff his job. But then again, Witkoff would never have gotten the job he has. But we don’t live in a somewhat normal world.
international law from hell (ie a bullshit argument)
🤡🥴"Now it's legally impossible to reach an agreement with Ukraine," – Putin.
"Although Russia wants to reach an agreement with Ukraine,"
"Although Russia wants to reach an agreement with Ukraine,"
November 27, 2025 at 4:02 PM
international law from hell (ie a bullshit argument)
I hate ChatGPT. Students use it all the time, even for MA theses.
I can't prove it, no one can. But you can "feel" it if something is written by AI, something is weird. Maybe it's the lack of detail, the superficial wording, the sometimes strange formulations, I don't know. But I do know it sucks.
I can't prove it, no one can. But you can "feel" it if something is written by AI, something is weird. Maybe it's the lack of detail, the superficial wording, the sometimes strange formulations, I don't know. But I do know it sucks.
November 27, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I hate ChatGPT. Students use it all the time, even for MA theses.
I can't prove it, no one can. But you can "feel" it if something is written by AI, something is weird. Maybe it's the lack of detail, the superficial wording, the sometimes strange formulations, I don't know. But I do know it sucks.
I can't prove it, no one can. But you can "feel" it if something is written by AI, something is weird. Maybe it's the lack of detail, the superficial wording, the sometimes strange formulations, I don't know. But I do know it sucks.
"US" doesn't mean "the US" for Trump or Witkoff. It means themselves and themselves only.
1/Senior US official caught coaching Russia on how to massage Trump on Ukraine deal. Why? Because we are entering a new international order based not in state interests but clique interests. Welcome to neo-royalism.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukra...
www.bloomberg.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:36 PM
"US" doesn't mean "the US" for Trump or Witkoff. It means themselves and themselves only.
you can measure freedom with a simple question: What happens if you insult the most powerful men in your country?
Nothing? Years in jail? Death penalty?
Nothing? Years in jail? Death penalty?
It's fairly obvious that president Erdoğan does not want to see Demirtaş walk free.
The prosecutor seeks 7-year sentence for him for "insulting the president" - a crime that should not exist
The prosecutor seeks 7-year sentence for him for "insulting the president" - a crime that should not exist
🔴 Selahattin Demirtaş'a "Cumhurbaşkanına hakaret" suçundan 7 yıla kadar hapis istemi
www.dokuz8haber.net/selahattin-d...
www.dokuz8haber.net/selahattin-d...
November 27, 2025 at 1:26 PM
you can measure freedom with a simple question: What happens if you insult the most powerful men in your country?
Nothing? Years in jail? Death penalty?
Nothing? Years in jail? Death penalty?
Turkey is not interested in an expanding Russian empire right at its doorstep. Little has changed since the Crimea war in that regard.
Turkey’s Defense Ministry says it’s open to sending troops to Ukraine as part of an international mission, if three conditions are met: a full ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, a clearly defined peacekeeping mandate, and a fair division of responsibilities among participating nations.
November 27, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Turkey is not interested in an expanding Russian empire right at its doorstep. Little has changed since the Crimea war in that regard.
"While Driscoll ideologically aligns more with Vance, who believes the Ukraine war is distracting from domestic problems, he also often speaks highly about how Ukraine’s military has fought the war, particularly its ability to adapt under fire."
President Trump has enlisted JD Vance’s Yale classmate—Army Secretary Dan Driscoll—to handle high-stakes diplomacy in the Ukraine war peace talks.
The JD Vance Classmate Emerging as a Key Player in Talks to End the Ukraine War
President Trump has enlisted Army Secretary Dan Driscoll to handle high-stakes diplomacy in the administration’s push to find a peace deal.
on.wsj.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM
"While Driscoll ideologically aligns more with Vance, who believes the Ukraine war is distracting from domestic problems, he also often speaks highly about how Ukraine’s military has fought the war, particularly its ability to adapt under fire."
"Both [Ukraine and Russia] are stuck in this horrific war. Putin's determined to win the war one way or another. If it is not on the battlefield, then some other way. And this is it: winning in the information war and winning over the US president and his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to get what he wants."
Fiona Hill: 'The US is giving Russia tremendous influence over Europe'
According to the former Trump adviser, 'This White House wants Ukraine to capitulate to Russian demands to end this war, without proper consideration of all the factors at play.'
www.lemonde.fr
November 27, 2025 at 9:08 AM
"Both [Ukraine and Russia] are stuck in this horrific war. Putin's determined to win the war one way or another. If it is not on the battlefield, then some other way. And this is it: winning in the information war and winning over the US president and his envoy, Steve Witkoff, to get what he wants."
"Guillou, you see, has been sanctioned by the United States, putting him on a 15,000-strong list alongside al-Qaida terrorists, drug cartels and Vladimir Putin. Why? Because alongside two other judges ... he approved arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu"
This French judge approved Netanyahu’s arrest warrant. Now Trump is targeting him | Owen Jones
Three ICC judges have been put on a sanctions list with terrorists after approving an arrest warrant for Israel’s prime minister. This is the charade of the ‘rules-based order’, says Guardian columnis...
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:52 AM
"Guillou, you see, has been sanctioned by the United States, putting him on a 15,000-strong list alongside al-Qaida terrorists, drug cartels and Vladimir Putin. Why? Because alongside two other judges ... he approved arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu"
I still can't believe that this man is the 26th United States secretary of health and human services. I just can't.
www.youtube.com/shorts/HSMf9...
www.youtube.com/shorts/HSMf9...
No RFK, Wi-Fi Does Not Cause Cancer
YouTube video by MedPage Today
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I still can't believe that this man is the 26th United States secretary of health and human services. I just can't.
www.youtube.com/shorts/HSMf9...
www.youtube.com/shorts/HSMf9...
there are still many Western or other "experts" who treat Mearsheimer like a credible voice on Russia's war against Ukraine. He might have written some interesting articles or books. But that didn't prevent him from uttering sheer and dangerous nonsense.
Meanwhile, Mearsheimer unlocks new levels of unhinged Kremlin propaganda every day--now absurdly calling Ru's invasion of a non-NATO member "a NATO invasion of Ru". His newest gem is going on my undergraduate lecture entitled "5 reasons why Ru's invasion of Ukraine is NOT NATO's fault"
November 26, 2025 at 3:34 PM
there are still many Western or other "experts" who treat Mearsheimer like a credible voice on Russia's war against Ukraine. He might have written some interesting articles or books. But that didn't prevent him from uttering sheer and dangerous nonsense.
"Wenn Christsein mehr Kritik auslöst als Christenverfolgung, dann stimmt etwas nicht in der öffentlichen Debatte", so Ministerin Plakolm vor Kurzem.
Bitte wann wurde jemand in Österreich dafür kritisiert, Christ zu sein? Und selbst wenn, wo löst das bitte mehr Kritik aus als Christenverfolgung?
Bitte wann wurde jemand in Österreich dafür kritisiert, Christ zu sein? Und selbst wenn, wo löst das bitte mehr Kritik aus als Christenverfolgung?
Plakolm und Kirchenvertreter betonen Bedeutung von Religionsfreiheit
Ministerin Plakolm, MIssio-Nationaldirektor Wallner und Vertreter orientalischer Kirchen mahnen Einsatz für Religionsfreiheit ein - Bundeskanzleramt verweist auf 380 Millionen betroffene Christinnen u...
www.kathpress.at
November 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM
"Wenn Christsein mehr Kritik auslöst als Christenverfolgung, dann stimmt etwas nicht in der öffentlichen Debatte", so Ministerin Plakolm vor Kurzem.
Bitte wann wurde jemand in Österreich dafür kritisiert, Christ zu sein? Und selbst wenn, wo löst das bitte mehr Kritik aus als Christenverfolgung?
Bitte wann wurde jemand in Österreich dafür kritisiert, Christ zu sein? Und selbst wenn, wo löst das bitte mehr Kritik aus als Christenverfolgung?
so viel Geld für so wenig. In Österreich ist es ja schon eine Kunst, keine Förderung zu bekommen.
Erste Förderung angeklickt bei der "Digitalen Transformationsförderung" für Medien
Medium: Woman
Titel: "Automatisierung von Standardaufgaben in Redaktion und Vertrieb"
Förderung: 122.903 Euro
Medium: Woman
Titel: "Automatisierung von Standardaufgaben in Redaktion und Vertrieb"
Förderung: 122.903 Euro
November 26, 2025 at 2:22 PM
so viel Geld für so wenig. In Österreich ist es ja schon eine Kunst, keine Förderung zu bekommen.
"our [the United States']previous success as a democratic country causes our democratic defenses to be weak in the moment we need them most"
ryandenos.substack.com/p/paradoxes-...
ryandenos.substack.com/p/paradoxes-...
Paradoxes in the Defense of Democracy
Remarks on “The State of Democracy in Trump’s America: Year One”
ryandenos.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:18 PM
"our [the United States']previous success as a democratic country causes our democratic defenses to be weak in the moment we need them most"
ryandenos.substack.com/p/paradoxes-...
ryandenos.substack.com/p/paradoxes-...
der Merch-Shop im österreichischen Parlament braucht dringend ein Buch zur Neutralität finde ich
November 26, 2025 at 1:29 PM
der Merch-Shop im österreichischen Parlament braucht dringend ein Buch zur Neutralität finde ich
ein Defensivbündnis zweier neutrale Staaten wäre ein herrliches Verfassungs-Oxymoron
November 26, 2025 at 1:10 PM
ein Defensivbündnis zweier neutrale Staaten wäre ein herrliches Verfassungs-Oxymoron
I talk about 9/11 every year when teaching international law: war on terror, torture, self-defence against non-state actors, you name it. At the beginning, the students remembered, although not well. Then they were too young. Then, they weren't even born. Soon their parents will have been too young.
November 26, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I talk about 9/11 every year when teaching international law: war on terror, torture, self-defence against non-state actors, you name it. At the beginning, the students remembered, although not well. Then they were too young. Then, they weren't even born. Soon their parents will have been too young.
Es gibt Konsequenzen in Form einer Feststellung, dass die Verpflichtungen nach römischem Statut verletzt wurden. Das ist nicht viel, I know. Aber man erinnere sich: Der römische Strafgerichtshof wurde zu einer Zeit geschaffen, als Staaten stolz darauf waren, Kriegsverbrechen zu ahnden. Das war mal.
Morgen treffen einander Putin und Orban in Budapest. Die ungarische Polizei müsste den russischen Präsidenten (IStGh-Verurteilung) wohl festnehmen. Warum sieht diese übergeordnete Instanz keine Konsequenzen vor, wenn ein Mitgliedsland seiner Verpflichtung nicht nachkommt? @ralphjanik.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Es gibt Konsequenzen in Form einer Feststellung, dass die Verpflichtungen nach römischem Statut verletzt wurden. Das ist nicht viel, I know. Aber man erinnere sich: Der römische Strafgerichtshof wurde zu einer Zeit geschaffen, als Staaten stolz darauf waren, Kriegsverbrechen zu ahnden. Das war mal.
if Austria wasn't a landlocked country our navy would have no vessels at all
Despite these high stakes, Ireland has no dedicated intelligence agency, just four working navy vessels and the smallest defence budget in the EU. In fact, the only thing the Irish navy can do when it spots a suspicious ship lurking is say “hello”.
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 PM
if Austria wasn't a landlocked country our navy would have no vessels at all
spontaineously had to think of the "I knew one day I’d have to watch powerful men burn the world down – I just didn’t expect them to be such losers" @theguardian.com article
November 25, 2025 at 10:09 PM
spontaineously had to think of the "I knew one day I’d have to watch powerful men burn the world down – I just didn’t expect them to be such losers" @theguardian.com article
Reposted by Ralph Janik
Everything about this might be the saddest thing I’ve ever seen
November 24, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Everything about this might be the saddest thing I’ve ever seen
"European countries flourished under this umbrella—they built robust welfare states and became the world’s largest trading bloc and America’s closest economic partner.
That geopolitical consensus is now history."
That geopolitical consensus is now history."
How Europeans can go beyond “limiting unpredictability” and respond to the MAGA doctrine: 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 25, 2025 at 9:25 PM
"European countries flourished under this umbrella—they built robust welfare states and became the world’s largest trading bloc and America’s closest economic partner.
That geopolitical consensus is now history."
That geopolitical consensus is now history."
neue #Rechtpolitisch Podcastfolge: Ich habe mit Professorin Anuscheh Farahat über 10 Jahre Fluchtherbst 2015 gesprochen, über die böse EMRK, den bösen EGMR, über die Kooperation mit den Taliban (!) oder die Frage, was vom Recht auf Asyl noch übrig ist (wenig).
open.spotify.com/episode/4zxc...
open.spotify.com/episode/4zxc...
Flüchtlingsrecht im Wandel (mit Prof. Anuscheh Farahat/Uni Wien)
open.spotify.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:20 PM
neue #Rechtpolitisch Podcastfolge: Ich habe mit Professorin Anuscheh Farahat über 10 Jahre Fluchtherbst 2015 gesprochen, über die böse EMRK, den bösen EGMR, über die Kooperation mit den Taliban (!) oder die Frage, was vom Recht auf Asyl noch übrig ist (wenig).
open.spotify.com/episode/4zxc...
open.spotify.com/episode/4zxc...