Ilze Vilka
@vilcene.bsky.social
“If you ever need someone to turn a simple chat into an in-depth investigation, I'm your person!” | Economics, Economic Security, Behavioral Economics, Development
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
Lithuania declares state of emergency over smuggling balloons launched from Belarus
The designation will help government agencies coordinate and, if needed, deploy military units to counter threats to air traffic and public safety.
The designation will help government agencies coordinate and, if needed, deploy military units to counter threats to air traffic and public safety.
Lithuania declares state of emergency over smuggling balloons launched from Belarus
The Lithuanian government has declared a state of emergency in response to numerous balloons carrying contraband that are being launched from Belarus. The balloons are disrupting air traffic and posin...
theins.press
December 9, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Lithuania declares state of emergency over smuggling balloons launched from Belarus
The designation will help government agencies coordinate and, if needed, deploy military units to counter threats to air traffic and public safety.
The designation will help government agencies coordinate and, if needed, deploy military units to counter threats to air traffic and public safety.
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
What the US is doing to Europe it is also doing to its one time allies in the Indo-Pacific. There is one rule of action for the US government now. If you are a democracy, you will be abandoned; if you are a dictatorship, you will be praised and supported.
Japan has urged the US to give Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi more public support after expressing frustration at the level of backing she received following comments about Taiwan that enraged China: on.ft.com/4ppLWPW
Japan frustrated at Trump administration’s silence over row with China
Tokyo asks US to be more vocal in its support after Beijing reacted furiously to prime minister’s comments about Taiwan
on.ft.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:01 AM
What the US is doing to Europe it is also doing to its one time allies in the Indo-Pacific. There is one rule of action for the US government now. If you are a democracy, you will be abandoned; if you are a dictatorship, you will be praised and supported.
Pēc JRT “Stāsts par Parsifālu” domāju, cik vienkārši būtu risināt problēmas, ja politiķu stulbumam varētu pretī likt citātu: “Tu taču esi stulbs kā vista. Ej prom.” Un tas politiķis to tiešām sadzirdētu un aizietu no amata. Ehhh.
December 9, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Pēc JRT “Stāsts par Parsifālu” domāju, cik vienkārši būtu risināt problēmas, ja politiķu stulbumam varētu pretī likt citātu: “Tu taču esi stulbs kā vista. Ej prom.” Un tas politiķis to tiešām sadzirdētu un aizietu no amata. Ehhh.
Russia’s government has no solution for human dignity or basic well-being. Why bother, declare that the “problem” requiring sacrifice is an outside threat? Feed the sheeple a permanent war narrative, distract from domestic failure. Thanks to Steve Rosenberg for another clear digest of Kremlin logic.
One of today’s Russian papers suggests that “The Russian army may take advantage of the cooling of the United States to the Ukraine issue...experts predict the possible opening of two new fronts.” #ReadingRussia
Today's Russian papers: blaming Europe, crumbling infrastructure
YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg
youtu.be
December 9, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Russia’s government has no solution for human dignity or basic well-being. Why bother, declare that the “problem” requiring sacrifice is an outside threat? Feed the sheeple a permanent war narrative, distract from domestic failure. Thanks to Steve Rosenberg for another clear digest of Kremlin logic.
I wish there were a law allowing only one kind of armament - patience. But the security dilemma and the tragedy of international politics mean that, as long as rogue states exist, such a law is impossible.
#ThoughtOfTheDay
#ThoughtOfTheDay
December 9, 2025 at 8:38 AM
I wish there were a law allowing only one kind of armament - patience. But the security dilemma and the tragedy of international politics mean that, as long as rogue states exist, such a law is impossible.
#ThoughtOfTheDay
#ThoughtOfTheDay
Šodienas jautājumā par algu pieaugumu valsts sektorā ministrs teica “vidēji 6%”,bet nespēja pateikt, cik no tā veido aizsardzības sektors. Ja Saeimas algas ir piesaistītas vidējam valsts pārvaldē, tad sanāk, ka deputāti sev algas palielina aizsardzības prioritātes kāpuma dēļ? Diezgan neveikli.
December 9, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Šodienas jautājumā par algu pieaugumu valsts sektorā ministrs teica “vidēji 6%”,bet nespēja pateikt, cik no tā veido aizsardzības sektors. Ja Saeimas algas ir piesaistītas vidējam valsts pārvaldē, tad sanāk, ka deputāti sev algas palielina aizsardzības prioritātes kāpuma dēļ? Diezgan neveikli.
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
Europe Needs A New Union
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
Europe Needs A New Union
It’s time for a “North-Eastern federation” as a bulwark against Russia.
open.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Europe Needs A New Union
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
open.substack.com/pub/persuasi...
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
Like you, I am exhausted. "The point of modern propaganda isn't only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth." - Garry Kasparov #sensemaking
December 7, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Like you, I am exhausted. "The point of modern propaganda isn't only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth." - Garry Kasparov #sensemaking
No consequences for Putin’s aggression = encouragement. Russia strategically normalises its killings, expands its “хотелки”, and uses fake peace talks as cover. Every day the world hesitates, Putin hears: “Go on.”
December 6, 2025 at 10:30 AM
No consequences for Putin’s aggression = encouragement. Russia strategically normalises its killings, expands its “хотелки”, and uses fake peace talks as cover. Every day the world hesitates, Putin hears: “Go on.”
Imagine a Martian watching last night’s Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilians and forming first impressions of humans. How did a world with the UN,international law & the laws of war end up normalising one authoritarian nobody killing civilians for years without consequences?
The system is broken.
The system is broken.
December 6, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Imagine a Martian watching last night’s Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilians and forming first impressions of humans. How did a world with the UN,international law & the laws of war end up normalising one authoritarian nobody killing civilians for years without consequences?
The system is broken.
The system is broken.
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
My answers in English in an interview for a German newspaper (online version will be published a little later):
- I think Trump's initiative demonstrates the absolute inadequacy of his administration's expertise on modern Russia: they fundamentally don't understand what they're dealing with.
1/8
- I think Trump's initiative demonstrates the absolute inadequacy of his administration's expertise on modern Russia: they fundamentally don't understand what they're dealing with.
1/8
December 4, 2025 at 12:54 PM
My answers in English in an interview for a German newspaper (online version will be published a little later):
- I think Trump's initiative demonstrates the absolute inadequacy of his administration's expertise on modern Russia: they fundamentally don't understand what they're dealing with.
1/8
- I think Trump's initiative demonstrates the absolute inadequacy of his administration's expertise on modern Russia: they fundamentally don't understand what they're dealing with.
1/8
Budžets apstiprināts, tātad arī deputātu algas. Bet, kā tiek aprēķināta Saeimas deputāta alga? Kāpēc tik liela starpība pret vidējo algu?(Att.sarkanā koef. cik reizes vairāk saņem Saeimas deputāts pret vidējo). Vai tas daļēji izskaidro, kāpēc sabiedrības uzticēšanās politiķiem ir tik zema?
December 5, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Budžets apstiprināts, tātad arī deputātu algas. Bet, kā tiek aprēķināta Saeimas deputāta alga? Kāpēc tik liela starpība pret vidējo algu?(Att.sarkanā koef. cik reizes vairāk saņem Saeimas deputāts pret vidējo). Vai tas daļēji izskaidro, kāpēc sabiedrības uzticēšanās politiķiem ir tik zema?
Some days I wonder if Putin has ever considered the radical life hack of… just not killing people. Wild concept, I know. Might slightly improve the vibe of the entire planet.
www.bbc.com/news/live/cr...
www.bbc.com/news/live/cr...
Putin 'morally responsible' for 'unsurvivable' Novichok poisoning of Dawn Sturgess, inquiry finds
An inquiry into Ms Sturgess' death in 2018 came after an attempt to poison an ex-Russian double agent living in Salisbury.
www.bbc.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Some days I wonder if Putin has ever considered the radical life hack of… just not killing people. Wild concept, I know. Might slightly improve the vibe of the entire planet.
www.bbc.com/news/live/cr...
www.bbc.com/news/live/cr...
Today all eyes are on India. By limiting economic support that enables Russia’s war, India can strengthen its position as a global actor committed to stability and peace. It’s a shame that an international war criminal is travelling freely and discussing business opportunities.
December 4, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Today all eyes are on India. By limiting economic support that enables Russia’s war, India can strengthen its position as a global actor committed to stability and peace. It’s a shame that an international war criminal is travelling freely and discussing business opportunities.
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
Above:
Putin:
In Ukraine, we are acting in a surgical manner, carefully. This is not a war in the direct, modern sense of the word.
Below:
Russia's "surgical manner" destroying a city somewhere on the frontlines.
Putin:
In Ukraine, we are acting in a surgical manner, carefully. This is not a war in the direct, modern sense of the word.
Below:
Russia's "surgical manner" destroying a city somewhere on the frontlines.
December 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Above:
Putin:
In Ukraine, we are acting in a surgical manner, carefully. This is not a war in the direct, modern sense of the word.
Below:
Russia's "surgical manner" destroying a city somewhere on the frontlines.
Putin:
In Ukraine, we are acting in a surgical manner, carefully. This is not a war in the direct, modern sense of the word.
Below:
Russia's "surgical manner" destroying a city somewhere on the frontlines.
The World’s First Kremlin Trick-Proof Peace Formula:
1.Make Putin stop shooting.
2.Remove every Russian soldier from Ukraine.
3.Stop military investment,weapons production,recruiting.
4.Then talk.
Skip 1–3 and Step 4 is just another guided tour of Kremlin illusions ending in the next Kremlin trick.
1.Make Putin stop shooting.
2.Remove every Russian soldier from Ukraine.
3.Stop military investment,weapons production,recruiting.
4.Then talk.
Skip 1–3 and Step 4 is just another guided tour of Kremlin illusions ending in the next Kremlin trick.
December 1, 2025 at 11:35 PM
The World’s First Kremlin Trick-Proof Peace Formula:
1.Make Putin stop shooting.
2.Remove every Russian soldier from Ukraine.
3.Stop military investment,weapons production,recruiting.
4.Then talk.
Skip 1–3 and Step 4 is just another guided tour of Kremlin illusions ending in the next Kremlin trick.
1.Make Putin stop shooting.
2.Remove every Russian soldier from Ukraine.
3.Stop military investment,weapons production,recruiting.
4.Then talk.
Skip 1–3 and Step 4 is just another guided tour of Kremlin illusions ending in the next Kremlin trick.
Soviets called Americans stupid and gullible. Funny how Russians know Putin wants no peace, but some Western leaders don’t get the joke.
December 1, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Soviets called Americans stupid and gullible. Funny how Russians know Putin wants no peace, but some Western leaders don’t get the joke.
Russia could just keep fighting vodka, not neighbours.
I suspect they’re still in a WWII delirium. Their actions do not stem from human values but look more like a prolonged delirium.
🔗 www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-arti...
I suspect they’re still in a WWII delirium. Their actions do not stem from human values but look more like a prolonged delirium.
🔗 www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-arti...
Russia Ran Out of Vodka Celebrating The End of WW2, They Showed The World How To Party | War History Online
On May 9, 1945, at 1:10 AM, the citizens of the Soviet Union heard on the radio that Nazi Germany had signed the act of unconditional surrender, which
www.warhistoryonline.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Russia could just keep fighting vodka, not neighbours.
I suspect they’re still in a WWII delirium. Their actions do not stem from human values but look more like a prolonged delirium.
🔗 www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-arti...
I suspect they’re still in a WWII delirium. Their actions do not stem from human values but look more like a prolonged delirium.
🔗 www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-arti...
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
Rosneft's net profit for Q1-Q3 2025 dropped by 70,1% to 277 billion rubles. Revenue dropped by 17,8% to 6,28 trillion rubles. Among the reasons they cite for this is the increased cost to defende their facilities from attacks...
www.kommersant.ru/doc/8247753
www.kommersant.ru/doc/8247753
Чистая прибыль «Роснефти» за девять месяцев сократилась на 70%
Подробнее на сайте
www.kommersant.ru
November 28, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Rosneft's net profit for Q1-Q3 2025 dropped by 70,1% to 277 billion rubles. Revenue dropped by 17,8% to 6,28 trillion rubles. Among the reasons they cite for this is the increased cost to defende their facilities from attacks...
www.kommersant.ru/doc/8247753
www.kommersant.ru/doc/8247753
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
We are in a bizarre moment of diplomatic history. The purported "peace plan" that appeared a few days ago begins in Russian unreality and American weakness. Demanding everything of Ukraine and nothing of Russia, its purpose is imperialism and profiteering.
snyder.substack.com/p/russian-un...
snyder.substack.com/p/russian-un...
Russian Unreality and American Weakness
Notes from a bizarre moment of diplomatic history
snyder.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:41 PM
We are in a bizarre moment of diplomatic history. The purported "peace plan" that appeared a few days ago begins in Russian unreality and American weakness. Demanding everything of Ukraine and nothing of Russia, its purpose is imperialism and profiteering.
snyder.substack.com/p/russian-un...
snyder.substack.com/p/russian-un...
Reposted by Ilze Vilka
🚨A federal judge dismissed cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/p...
Federal judge dismissed indictments against Letitia James and James Comey | CNN Politics
A federal judge dismissed the indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday.
www.cnn.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:51 PM
🚨A federal judge dismissed cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/p...