Rudy Ruitenberg
@rudyruitenberg.bsky.social
Journalist in France writing about business, defense @defensenews.bsky.social, wine @decanter.com, with a special interest in technology, science, climate, weather, agriculture, nature. On occasion teach at Sciences Po Journalism School.
As far as NATO’s top military command is concerned, all the political upheaval around #Greenland remains noise for now. www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Top NATO commanders standing by for policy guidance on Arctic mission
Grynkewich said NATO’s military headquarters has “a ton of expertise” that could be used to organize an Arctic mission.
www.defensenews.com
January 23, 2026 at 1:24 PM
As far as NATO’s top military command is concerned, all the political upheaval around #Greenland remains noise for now. www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Champagne shipments fell for a third year in 2025, with both domestic and international demand falling as the #wine industry goes through a rough patch. Still, take a longer view, and #Champagne has been a tremendous success for #France.
winegraphs.eu/2026/01/21/c...
winegraphs.eu/2026/01/21/c...
Champagne shipments fall for third year in 2025 to 5-year low - Wine Graphs
Champagne demand has been under pressure due to changing drinking habits and competition from cheaper sparkling wines such as Prosecco, as well as the broader
winegraphs.eu
January 21, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Champagne shipments fell for a third year in 2025, with both domestic and international demand falling as the #wine industry goes through a rough patch. Still, take a longer view, and #Champagne has been a tremendous success for #France.
winegraphs.eu/2026/01/21/c...
winegraphs.eu/2026/01/21/c...
French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin’s New Year’s address ticks off Venezuela, Greenland, Iran, Ukraine and Russia’s signalling with Oreshnick, all in the space of 10 days: « Welcome to 2026. »
January 20, 2026 at 4:25 PM
French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin’s New Year’s address ticks off Venezuela, Greenland, Iran, Ukraine and Russia’s signalling with Oreshnick, all in the space of 10 days: « Welcome to 2026. »
Target for 600 drones/month seems significant until you consider @renaultgoup.bsky.social cites Le Mans vehicle-chassis production capacity of 1.3m units/yr. Probably room to expand if needed.
French carmaker Renault to produce long-range drones for French forces www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
French carmaker Renault to produce long-range drones for French forces www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
French carmaker Renault to produce long-range drones for French forces
From Twingo to drones, French carmaker Renault plans to have a new unmanned aerial model in its lineup, destined for the French armed forces.
www.defensenews.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Target for 600 drones/month seems significant until you consider @renaultgoup.bsky.social cites Le Mans vehicle-chassis production capacity of 1.3m units/yr. Probably room to expand if needed.
French carmaker Renault to produce long-range drones for French forces www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
French carmaker Renault to produce long-range drones for French forces www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
#Defense tech was on fire in 2025, and VC funding will stay strong in 2026, according to PitchBook and CB Insights. The U.S. took most of the money, but number of deals funded rose faster in Europe.
Defense tech startups had their best funding year ever in 2025 www.defensenews.com/industry/202...
Defense tech startups had their best funding year ever in 2025 www.defensenews.com/industry/202...
Defense tech startups had their best funding year ever in 2025
In 2026, defense-tech startups will have to prove to investors they can turn funding into actual production at scale, one analyst said.
www.defensenews.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:39 PM
#Defense tech was on fire in 2025, and VC funding will stay strong in 2026, according to PitchBook and CB Insights. The U.S. took most of the money, but number of deals funded rose faster in Europe.
Defense tech startups had their best funding year ever in 2025 www.defensenews.com/industry/202...
Defense tech startups had their best funding year ever in 2025 www.defensenews.com/industry/202...
Reposted by Rudy Ruitenberg
Costly own goal: US import #tariffs primarily impact the domestic economy, with 96% of the costs being borne by importers & consumers in 🇺🇸 rather than foreign exporters, according to new research by @julianhi.nz, @aaron-lohmann.bsky.social, @hendrikmahlkow.com & Anna Vorwig👇
America's own goal: Americans pay almost entirely for Trump’s tariffs
Contrary to US government rhetoric, the cost of US import tariffs are not borne by foreign exporters. Instead, they hit the American economy itself. Importers and consumers in the US bear 96 percent o...
www.kielinstitut.de
January 19, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Costly own goal: US import #tariffs primarily impact the domestic economy, with 96% of the costs being borne by importers & consumers in 🇺🇸 rather than foreign exporters, according to new research by @julianhi.nz, @aaron-lohmann.bsky.social, @hendrikmahlkow.com & Anna Vorwig👇
Reposted by Rudy Ruitenberg
China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies.
If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.
Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. (1/2)
If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.
Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. (1/2)
January 17, 2026 at 9:11 PM
China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among Allies.
If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.
Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. (1/2)
If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO.
Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity. (1/2)
Reposted by Rudy Ruitenberg
"There is an assumption in the United States that Europe is incapable of reversing its dependence on U.S. technology," writes @erep.csis.org's Emily Benson. But could the United States' current focus on Greenland change this?
More: www.csis.org/analysis/why...
More: www.csis.org/analysis/why...
January 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
"There is an assumption in the United States that Europe is incapable of reversing its dependence on U.S. technology," writes @erep.csis.org's Emily Benson. But could the United States' current focus on Greenland change this?
More: www.csis.org/analysis/why...
More: www.csis.org/analysis/why...
There we go. Now what, Europe?
Trump says 8 European countries will be charged a 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland
apnews.com/article/denm...
Trump says 8 European countries will be charged a 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland
apnews.com/article/denm...
Trump says 8 European countries will be charged a 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland
President Donald Trump says he'll charge a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight European countries because of opposition to U.S. control of Greenland.
apnews.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:07 PM
There we go. Now what, Europe?
Trump says 8 European countries will be charged a 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland
apnews.com/article/denm...
Trump says 8 European countries will be charged a 10% tariff for opposing US control of Greenland
apnews.com/article/denm...
Reposted by Rudy Ruitenberg
BREAKING: A full-scale airlift is running around the clock, transporting troops and military equipment to Greenland.
The operation is extensive, “beyond anything we’ve tried before,” a source tells DR. Danish F-35 fighter planes and warships from European allies involved.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
The operation is extensive, “beyond anything we’ve tried before,” a source tells DR. Danish F-35 fighter planes and warships from European allies involved.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
Stor operation i gang: Fly strømmer til Grønland med europæiske soldater
I flere døgn har militære transportfly fløjet i pendulfart mellem Danmark og Grønland. Fredag aften landede et stort antal soldater i Nuuk.
www.dr.dk
January 16, 2026 at 7:10 PM
BREAKING: A full-scale airlift is running around the clock, transporting troops and military equipment to Greenland.
The operation is extensive, “beyond anything we’ve tried before,” a source tells DR. Danish F-35 fighter planes and warships from European allies involved.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
The operation is extensive, “beyond anything we’ve tried before,” a source tells DR. Danish F-35 fighter planes and warships from European allies involved.
www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
As called earlier this week by some of the European geopolitical analysts...
apnews.com/article/denm...
apnews.com/article/denm...
Trump says he may punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back the US controlling Greenland
U.S. President Donald Trump says he may punish countries with tariffs if they don’t back the U.S. controlling Greenland. Trump didn't provide details Friday.
apnews.com
January 16, 2026 at 6:58 PM
As called earlier this week by some of the European geopolitical analysts...
apnews.com/article/denm...
apnews.com/article/denm...
Macron covered a lot in his New Year's address of the troops, but this seems a big one, warning local defense firms that France may buy more European. Mere signaling or was GlobalEye a first step?
Macron puts local defense firms on notice France may buy European www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Macron puts local defense firms on notice France may buy European www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Macron puts local defense firms on notice France may buy European
The French president said the country's defense companies shouldn't get too comfy, as neighbor nations move faster with certain technologies.
www.defensenews.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Macron covered a lot in his New Year's address of the troops, but this seems a big one, warning local defense firms that France may buy more European. Mere signaling or was GlobalEye a first step?
Macron puts local defense firms on notice France may buy European www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Macron puts local defense firms on notice France may buy European www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
For people who care about security in all its forms, this is a pretty big deal as well. Look at that spike in the past three years - and sustained in 2025 despite the transition back to neutral/La Niña conditions. #climate defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/global-and-e...
Global and European temperatures in 2025 ranked as the third-highest on record, Copernicus report finds
Global temperatures in 2025 ranked as the third-highest on record, according to data from EU's Copernicus Global Climate Highlights report published today. This year sat just 0.01°C below the levels s...
defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu
January 15, 2026 at 3:15 PM
For people who care about security in all its forms, this is a pretty big deal as well. Look at that spike in the past three years - and sustained in 2025 despite the transition back to neutral/La Niña conditions. #climate defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/global-and-e...
After decades of investors most ignoring or even actively avoiding #defense, inflows (and valuations) post Feb 2022 have been massive, and Europe's privately-owned firms would like their share.
Czechoslovak Group plans stock-market listing amid Europe defense boom www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Czechoslovak Group plans stock-market listing amid Europe defense boom www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Czechoslovak Group plans stock-market listing amid Europe defense boom
The family-owned defense firm is seeking a valuation of about €30 billion, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the deal.
www.defensenews.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:47 AM
After decades of investors most ignoring or even actively avoiding #defense, inflows (and valuations) post Feb 2022 have been massive, and Europe's privately-owned firms would like their share.
Czechoslovak Group plans stock-market listing amid Europe defense boom www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Czechoslovak Group plans stock-market listing amid Europe defense boom www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Europe scrambles to design a security response for the Arctic, which may allow NATO members to find out fairly quickly whether there are real U.S. concerns to address.
Europeans trumpet Arctic defense in bid to soften US Greenland claims www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Europeans trumpet Arctic defense in bid to soften US Greenland claims www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Europeans trumpet Arctic defense in bid to soften US Greenland claims
To many Europeans, the most urgent threat to Greenland right now seems not to be China, Russia or North Korea but rather their longtime U.S. ally.
www.defensenews.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Europe scrambles to design a security response for the Arctic, which may allow NATO members to find out fairly quickly whether there are real U.S. concerns to address.
Europeans trumpet Arctic defense in bid to soften US Greenland claims www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Europeans trumpet Arctic defense in bid to soften US Greenland claims www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
France 2025 #wine volume forecast to recover from last year's disaster (my wine-growing neighbors in Pouilly-sur-Loire AOC had no grapes at all, and they were not alone) though still not a large crop. Burgundy, Champagne, Loire look good for now, next update Sept. 9 www.decanter.com/wine-news/fr...
French harvest 2025: Volumes to jump as Burgundy, Champagne recover - Decanter
French harvest 2025: Predictions of between 40 and 42.5 million hectolitres, as Burgundy, Champagne and the Loire recover from adverse weather last year
www.decanter.com
August 11, 2025 at 2:04 PM
France 2025 #wine volume forecast to recover from last year's disaster (my wine-growing neighbors in Pouilly-sur-Loire AOC had no grapes at all, and they were not alone) though still not a large crop. Burgundy, Champagne, Loire look good for now, next update Sept. 9 www.decanter.com/wine-news/fr...
France confirms it proposed overhauling cooperation on FR-DE-ES Future Combat Air System based on `strengthening industrial leadership' - @dassaultaviation.bsky.social has been vocal about this / France asks FCAS partners to ‘rethink’ work share on fighter project www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
France asks FCAS partners to ‘rethink’ work share on fighter project
“The principle and details of this redesigned cooperation are currently being discussed with the partners," French armaments agency DGA told Defense News.
www.defensenews.com
July 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
France confirms it proposed overhauling cooperation on FR-DE-ES Future Combat Air System based on `strengthening industrial leadership' - @dassaultaviation.bsky.social has been vocal about this / France asks FCAS partners to ‘rethink’ work share on fighter project www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Reposted by Rudy Ruitenberg
Raytheon says rocket-motor squeeze still constrains missile output - https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/06/24/raytheon-says-rocket-motor-squeeze-still-constrains-missile-output/
Raytheon says rocket-motor squeeze still constrains missile output
“It’s not just about the constraint for demand today, it’s very much more about the increased demand we see in the future,” one company executive said.
www.defensenews.com
June 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Raytheon says rocket-motor squeeze still constrains missile output - https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/06/24/raytheon-says-rocket-motor-squeeze-still-constrains-missile-output/
French Navy boss Vaujour spoke about how the @marinenationale.bsky.social applies drones, including an amphibious assault conducted with UAVs and USVs, and uses and limitations of underwater gliders.
French Navy tests unmanned beach assault, expands drone tactics www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
French Navy tests unmanned beach assault, expands drone tactics www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
French Navy tests unmanned beach assault, expands drone tactics
In the exercise called Dragoon Fury, the French Navy used its amphibious helicopter carrier Tonnerre as a drone platform.
www.defensenews.com
May 27, 2025 at 12:17 PM
French Navy boss Vaujour spoke about how the @marinenationale.bsky.social applies drones, including an amphibious assault conducted with UAVs and USVs, and uses and limitations of underwater gliders.
French Navy tests unmanned beach assault, expands drone tactics www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
French Navy tests unmanned beach assault, expands drone tactics www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
#Burgundy #wine property prices in 2024 shrugged off the malaise that weighed on vineyard values elsewhere in France including #Bordeaux. Average Côte-d’Or prices rose for a 28th year to top €1 m/ha for the 1st time.
Burgundy vineyard prices set new records in 2024 www.decanter.com/wine/burgund...
Burgundy vineyard prices set new records in 2024 www.decanter.com/wine/burgund...
Burgundy vineyard prices set new records in 2024 - Decanter
Burgundy vineyard: Côte-d’Or vineyard prices rose 11% last year to a record, even as the average cost in France to buy a hectare of vines declined
www.decanter.com
May 27, 2025 at 9:41 AM
#Burgundy #wine property prices in 2024 shrugged off the malaise that weighed on vineyard values elsewhere in France including #Bordeaux. Average Côte-d’Or prices rose for a 28th year to top €1 m/ha for the 1st time.
Burgundy vineyard prices set new records in 2024 www.decanter.com/wine/burgund...
Burgundy vineyard prices set new records in 2024 www.decanter.com/wine/burgund...
France moves Polaris naval exercise to the Atlantic. Scenario (?): hybrid attacks on Brest, Cherbourg ports → amphibious ops on English coast → naval battle → landing on French Atlantic coast
France kicks of high-intensity naval exercise targeting Atlantic ports www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
France kicks of high-intensity naval exercise targeting Atlantic ports www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
France kicks of high-intensity naval exercise targeting Atlantic ports
Adm. Nicolas Vaujour, the French Navy commander since September 2023, has been seeking to harden the force and strengthen its immediate combat capability.
www.defensenews.com
May 12, 2025 at 2:49 PM
France moves Polaris naval exercise to the Atlantic. Scenario (?): hybrid attacks on Brest, Cherbourg ports → amphibious ops on English coast → naval battle → landing on French Atlantic coast
France kicks of high-intensity naval exercise targeting Atlantic ports www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
France kicks of high-intensity naval exercise targeting Atlantic ports www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
The Danish model for Ukraine still going strong in 2025, including spending a significant amount of windfall profits from frozen Russian assets.
Denmark to spend €830 million on Ukrainian defense on behalf of EU www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Denmark to spend €830 million on Ukrainian defense on behalf of EU www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
www.defensenews.com
May 9, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The Danish model for Ukraine still going strong in 2025, including spending a significant amount of windfall profits from frozen Russian assets.
Denmark to spend €830 million on Ukrainian defense on behalf of EU www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Denmark to spend €830 million on Ukrainian defense on behalf of EU www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Another year of lower #wine consumption in 2024 as inflation hits spending, but production drop creates a degree of market equilibrium: both the lowest since 1961. Price trends and trade value indicate there's no wine-sector crisis at the global level, OIV DG says
www.decanter.com/wine-news/gl...
www.decanter.com/wine-news/gl...
Global wine consumption falls to six-decade low as inflation bites - Decanter
Global wine consumption fell 3.3% last year to the lowest in more than six decades, with inflation weighing on purchasing power
www.decanter.com
April 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Another year of lower #wine consumption in 2024 as inflation hits spending, but production drop creates a degree of market equilibrium: both the lowest since 1961. Price trends and trade value indicate there's no wine-sector crisis at the global level, OIV DG says
www.decanter.com/wine-news/gl...
www.decanter.com/wine-news/gl...
@dassaultaviation.bsky.social CEO was bleak on working w/ Airbus on FCAS. “I don’t want to sound arrogant at all, but whose capabilities do I need other than my own to make a combat aircraft?”
Dassault CEO strikes dark tone on Europe’s sixth-gen fighter progress www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Dassault CEO strikes dark tone on Europe’s sixth-gen fighter progress www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Dassault CEO strikes dark tone on Europe’s sixth-gen fighter progress
Trappier's view contrasts with that of Airbus, which cited "strong progress" in a statement.
www.defensenews.com
April 11, 2025 at 9:56 AM
@dassaultaviation.bsky.social CEO was bleak on working w/ Airbus on FCAS. “I don’t want to sound arrogant at all, but whose capabilities do I need other than my own to make a combat aircraft?”
Dassault CEO strikes dark tone on Europe’s sixth-gen fighter progress www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
Dassault CEO strikes dark tone on Europe’s sixth-gen fighter progress www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
If either Safran-MBDA or Thales-ArianeGroup manage to field a tactical rocket artillery capability by the middle of next year, that would offer a 100% EU-developed alternative to HIMARS/PULS/Chunmoo
France plans to test homemade HIMARS alternative by mid-2026 www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
France plans to test homemade HIMARS alternative by mid-2026 www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
France plans to test homemade HIMARS alternative by mid-2026
French officials have tasked two industry teams with developing options, while a foreign purchase is also still in the cards.
www.defensenews.com
April 10, 2025 at 11:12 AM
If either Safran-MBDA or Thales-ArianeGroup manage to field a tactical rocket artillery capability by the middle of next year, that would offer a 100% EU-developed alternative to HIMARS/PULS/Chunmoo
France plans to test homemade HIMARS alternative by mid-2026 www.defensenews.com/global/europ...
France plans to test homemade HIMARS alternative by mid-2026 www.defensenews.com/global/europ...