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by Nicolai von Ondarza

nvondarza.bsky.social
This should be embraced by Europeans - a US moving from wanting to stifle European autonomy to US Defence secretary declaring “We remain clear-eyed about the fact the most effective deterrents to Russian aggression are: number one, a lethal, capable, and European-led Nato"
irishtimes.com
The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 8h
US says ‘European-led’ Nato must deter Russia and aid Ukraine
US says ‘European-led’ Nato must deter Russia and aid Ukraine
Pete Hegseth indicated US would ‘impose costs’ on Russia if Ukraine war does not end
www.irishtimes.com
1 1 14

Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

irishtimes.com
US says ‘European-led’ Nato must deter Russia and aid Ukraine
US says ‘European-led’ Nato must deter Russia and aid Ukraine
Pete Hegseth indicated US would ‘impose costs’ on Russia if Ukraine war does not end
www.irishtimes.com

Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza, Iikka Korhonen

jakluge.de
How many Russian soldiers have died in the war against Ukraine? I made my own estimate based on regional budget data. The results are very close to those of Mediazona's "200" project, even though they use an entirely different data source.
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by Nicolai von Ondarza

nvondarza.bsky.social
Likely another EUCO declaration at EU-26 incoming, with no lifting of the formal Hungarian veto in sight:
jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social
Jorge Liboreiro @jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social · 11h
The latest #EUCO conclusions praise Ukraine's efforts to advance accession negotiations and express readiness to open three clusters:
- Fundamentals
- Internal market
- External relations

However, the entire process remains firmly blocked by Hungary.
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Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza, Steve Peers

jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social
The latest #EUCO conclusions praise Ukraine's efforts to advance accession negotiations and express readiness to open three clusters:
- Fundamentals
- Internal market
- External relations

However, the entire process remains firmly blocked by Hungary.
2 3 8

by Nicolai von Ondarza

nvondarza.bsky.social
Well, except in Indiana Jones. There they were always really into ancient batshit pagan and/or christian mythology ;)
16

by Nicolai von Ondarza

nvondarza.bsky.social
Me too. Though the longer statement sounds much more conditional / calling for alignment on sanctions and more tempo with reforms than this social media post:
www.euractiv.com
4

Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

lscazzieri.bsky.social
5) My main recommendation is that Europeans should lean into and take ownership of the transition, and shift from a mindset of tactical adjustments to one of genuine strategic adaptation.
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by Nicolai von Ondarza

nvondarza.bsky.social
Robotaxis on the way to Europe. Wondern when/if/how European carmakers will respond and how quickly they come to EU cities (asking from Berlin).
techmeme.com
Techmeme @techmeme.com · 17h
Waymo plans to launch a fully driverless robotaxi service in London, starting in 2026, its first European launch; human-supervised cars will first collect data (Andrew J. Hawkins/The Verge)

Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
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by Nicolai von Ondarza — Reposted by Robert C. Richards

nvondarza.bsky.social
Fascinating analysis how German parties extended their reach via Tiktok in the elections this year - with particuarly the far-right and the far-left profiting:
cendt.de
Christian Endt @cendt.de · 19h
Neu: Wir haben modelliert, wie groß der Einfluss von Tiktok auf die Bundestagswahl war. Demnach haben Linke und AfD stark profitiert, Grüne und Union verloren. Es geht jeweils um hunderttausende Stimmen. @zeit.de
www.zeit.de/politik/deut...
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Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

techmeme.com
Waymo plans to launch a fully driverless robotaxi service in London, starting in 2026, its first European launch; human-supervised cars will first collect data (Andrew J. Hawkins/The Verge)

Main Link | Techmeme Permalink
5 7

Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

cendt.de
Neu: Wir haben modelliert, wie groß der Einfluss von Tiktok auf die Bundestagswahl war. Demnach haben Linke und AfD stark profitiert, Grüne und Union verloren. Es geht jeweils um hunderttausende Stimmen. @zeit.de
www.zeit.de/politik/deut...
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Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

jeremycliffe.bsky.social
On the international stage there’s always been a tension between Macron’s personalist Gaullo-Mitterrandism & his Delors-ite Europeanism. He has never resolved it, and the result is a series of unfinished/abandoned building sites.

I wrote about the tension here:
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
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Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

swp-intsecurity.bsky.social
📢 Zum 01.01.2026 suchen wir zwei Wissenschaftler:innen für das vom BMVg geförderte Forschungsprojekt
„Rückkehr des militärischen Wettbewerbs – Deutschlands Sicherheit zwischen russischer Bedrohung und transatlantischer Ungewissheit“

🕒Vollzeit | befristet bis 31.12.2027
💼E 14 TVöD
📅Frist: 01.11.2025
Wissenschaftler:innen (d/m/w)
Wir suchen zum 1. Januar 2026 zweiWissenschaftler:innen (d/m/w)für das vom BMVg geförderte Forschungsprojekt »Die Rückkehr des militärischen...
www.swp-berlin.org
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by Steve Peers — Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

stevepeers.bsky.social
On today's meeting of home affairs ministers - including mutual recognition of return decisions, and returns to Syria
euractiv.com
Euractiv @euractiv.com · 1d
EU countries clash over migration solidarity plan
EU countries clash over migration solidarity plan
The EU’s new migration plan is already running into resistance, as capitals clash over who should take in asylum seekers
dlvr.it
3 14

Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza, Steve Peers

euractiv.com
EU countries clash over migration solidarity plan
EU countries clash over migration solidarity plan
The EU’s new migration plan is already running into resistance, as capitals clash over who should take in asylum seekers
dlvr.it
1 1 1

by Nicolai von Ondarza

nvondarza.bsky.social
Yes, reconfiguring France's Russia policy and the reach out to CEE certainly was important. But 'steady management of France in the EU' should not be enough for a politician who started his Presidency with a walk to the EUropean hymn and the ambition to 'renew Europe'.
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by Nicolai von Ondarza

nvondarza.bsky.social
You can probably argue that none of them failed only because of Macron, and that he lacked stronger support especially in the early years from Merkel.

But a tragedy of history might be that despite framing himself as European, no major European advancement can be tied to Macron.
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by Nicolai von Ondarza — Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

nvondarza.bsky.social
The story for his major EU initiatives is also not great:
- Sorbonne speech/agenda (largely wiffed away)
- Conference on the Future of Europe (went nowhere)
- European Intervention Initiative (mostly dead?)
- European Political Community (alive as diplomatic speed dating)
spignal.bsky.social
Stanley Pignal @spignal.bsky.social · 1d
Macron did three notable economic reforms since 2017:
- modest changes to the labour code
- levying wealth tax just on real estate
- move pension age from 62 to 64

Now the pension age increase will be "paused" and there will be a tax on the rich.

Doesn't leave an awful lot for 8+ years in power.
2 5 21

Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

spignal.bsky.social
Macron did three notable economic reforms since 2017:
- modest changes to the labour code
- levying wealth tax just on real estate
- move pension age from 62 to 64

Now the pension age increase will be "paused" and there will be a tax on the rich.

Doesn't leave an awful lot for 8+ years in power.
3 5 26

by Nicolai von Ondarza

nvondarza.bsky.social
I was pleasently surprised when I applied for a UK university that they accepted a US High School diploma as proof of English competence...

Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza, Steve Peers

helenebismarck.bsky.social
Deep breath. My publisher @johnmurrays.bsky.social informs me that my book about 🇬🇧,
"Fantastic Kingdom“
which will come out in June 2026,
is now available to pre-order, and that @waterstones.bsky.social is offering a 25% preorder discount this week.
www.waterstones.com/book/fantast...
Fantastic Kingdom by Helene von Bismarck | Waterstones
Buy Fantastic Kingdom by Helene von Bismarck from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.
www.waterstones.com
19 64 200

Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

siliconrepublic.bsky.social
SpaceX’s Starship – the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built – had a successful hour-long test flight yesterday (13 October). Here's the recap.
Another successful test as SpaceX plans for next-gen Starship
SpaceX’s Starship – the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built – had a successful hour-long test flight yesterday.
www.siliconrepublic.com
1 1

Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

wernertyann.bsky.social
Rede von Premier Lecornu vor der Nationalversammlung: drei große Schritte in Richtung Kompromiss.

Sein Vorschlag:
- Aussetzen der Rentenreform bis zur Präsidentschaftswahl 2027
- Außergewöhnlicher Beitrag der Wohlhabenden im Haushaltsjahr 2026
- Keine Nutzung des umstrittenen Artikels 49.3
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by Nicolai von Ondarza

nvondarza.bsky.social
The 'Drone Wall' is dead, long live the 'European Drone Defence Initiative':
andrewramsaygray.bsky.social
Andrew Gray @andrewramsaygray.bsky.social · 1d
Updated story: Drone wall is changing. Get ready for EDDI - European Drone Defence Initiative.
EU Commission proposes expanding 'drone wall' plan to protect more areas, sources say
The European Commission has proposed expanding an initiative for a "drone wall" on Europe's eastern flank to protect all of the continent after some regions said they felt left out, two EU officials and an EU diplomat told Reuters on Tuesday.
www.reuters.com
2 2 9

by Nicolai von Ondarza

nvondarza.bsky.social
Should also be of interest for a wider European audience - excellent summary by @nicolange.bsky.social on the public hearing of German intelligence services and their assessment regarding Russian influence/hybrid operations in Germany and amongst European allies:
nicolange.bsky.social
Nico Lange @nicolange.bsky.social · 1d
Die 10 wichtigsten Punkte aus der öffentlichen Anhörung der Nachrichtendienste BND, BfV und MAD: 🧵
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Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza, Christian Odendahl

andrewramsaygray.bsky.social
Updated story: Drone wall is changing. Get ready for EDDI - European Drone Defence Initiative.
EU Commission proposes expanding 'drone wall' plan to protect more areas, sources say
The European Commission has proposed expanding an initiative for a "drone wall" on Europe's eastern flank to protect all of the continent after some regions said they felt left out, two EU officials and an EU diplomat told Reuters on Tuesday.
www.reuters.com
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Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

nicolange.bsky.social
Die 10 wichtigsten Punkte aus der öffentlichen Anhörung der Nachrichtendienste BND, BfV und MAD: 🧵
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by Nicolai von Ondarza

nvondarza.bsky.social
Thought-provoking thread. By coincidence, this summer I read the sequel to the 3 bodY problem (The dark forest) whose main theme is how humanity deals with 'defeatism'.

I felt strongly reminded of today's Euro-pessimism that strongly shapes today's discourse on the EU's future.
fbermingham.bsky.social
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 1d
New - Europe’s 3-body problem: collapsing global order sparks hunt for new trajectory

I got to write about one of my favourite Chinese sci-fi novels. Europe, realising it can’t fix systemic chaos, is instead trying to shift its own orbit.
Europe’s 3-body problem: collapsing global order sparks hunt for new trajectory
Some are sceptical the EU’s talk of ‘economic security’ can translate into action, but there are early signs that may be changing.
www.scmp.com
2 2 15

Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza

fbermingham.bsky.social
New - Europe’s 3-body problem: collapsing global order sparks hunt for new trajectory

I got to write about one of my favourite Chinese sci-fi novels. Europe, realising it can’t fix systemic chaos, is instead trying to shift its own orbit.
Europe’s 3-body problem: collapsing global order sparks hunt for new trajectory
Some are sceptical the EU’s talk of ‘economic security’ can translate into action, but there are early signs that may be changing.
www.scmp.com
3 20 58

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