Edward Hunter Christie
@ehunterchristie.bsky.social
Political and Strategic Affairs Former NATO official PhD VUB & Royal Military Academy of Belgium Views my own
1-2 CSIS colleagues, @msnegovaya.bsky.social, @maxbergmann.bsky.social and others, firm up the case for a key concern I've had for 2+ years: if fighting in Ukraine stops, the Russian defence industry will continue production at wartime intensity, meaning a very rapid build-up for new aggression.
It is frankly mind-boggling that the United States, after 47 years of conflict with the Iranian regime, has such a faulty conception of the latter’s character, and therefore no coherent theory of victory. How is that possible? (The expertise is available.) It did not happen with the Soviet Union.
1-3 Lindsey Graham was a flawed friend, but a friend nonetheless, for Ukraine and for Europe. Many American colleagues disliked him. From the MAGA right and Progressives as a symbol of neo-conservatism to mainstream objections to his apparent spinelessness within a MAGA-captured Republican Party.
Shocking. The Japanese colleagues need to get their act together. European counterparts should stand ready to help them. No ego please. Just results. We know Tokyo has its heart in the right place.
Euromaidan Press@euromaidanpress.bsky.social · 3w agoNYT: Russia's GRU used a Tokyo Aeroflot office—10 minutes from Japan's national police HQ—to funnel banned electronics to weapons factories. Japanese parts appear in around 90% of Russian missiles and drones, Ukraine says. euromaidanpress.com/2026/07/13/r...
If we go back to the Strait of Hormuz being closed, the resulting supply shock - for reasonable estimates of the price elasticity of demand - could take Brent to $125, which was the peak in March and April. Inventory drawdowns haven't changed that number... robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/how-much-w...
1-4 This could have been a much more informative piece of journalism. A pity it cuts towards just a battle of narratives, which it then fails to illuminate. Politico had access to multiple Russian POWs of African origin. The question: were they manipulated or are they in it for the money?
POLITICO Europe@politico.eu · 3w agoPrisoners of war from Africa have become evidence for an argument Ukraine is making across the continent: That Moscow is drawing African citizens into the war and using them as expendable manpower. But the POWs themselves complicate that message.
Far-right wins in major European powers will devastate their defense export pipelines. Security-sensitive frontline nations like Finland will refuse to buy weapons from pro-Russian regimes. Following Denmark’s snub of US Patriot batteries over Trump, regional buyers will abandon populists
A crucial development. And there'll be more to come in terms of strike systems at ranges of well above 2000 km, from Ukraine and from other Europeans too. Moscow will have to strongly correct its behaviour if it wants to preserve essential industrial capabilities. Peace. Through. Strength.
ChrisO_wiki@chriso-wiki.bsky.social · 4w ago1/ Ukrainian drone manufacturer Fire Point's announcement that it has extended its FP-1 drone's range to 3,400 km (2,100 miles) is prompting alarm among Russian warbloggers. One notes that this puts many strategically vital industrial sites in Siberia within range. ⬇️
Ukraine hitting strategic targets. Russia hitting apartment blocks full of sleeping people. They are not the same.
We are a silly continent. And a weak one. Every damn election, especially in Central Europe, we have to wonder whether the next government is going to be: - bend-over submissive to Moscow, à la Orban or Fico, or - uncritically pro-Israel, regardless of whether Israel is drunk or sober, or - both
Mark Chadbourn@chadbourn.bsky.social · last mo.The new Right Wing government of Slovenia has revoked its recognition of Palestine and will move its embassy to Jerusalem, according to Israeli Minister Eli Cohen.
There’s no such thing as a free launch.
Robert Reich@rbreich.bsky.social · last mo.Just 10 days after the SpaceX IPO, the stock has plunged and the average investor has seen most of their initial gains disappear. And don't forget: rules protecting investors from volatile new stocks were gutted — at SpaceX's behest. The universe's largest Ponzi scheme?
The deeper reality about Carlson's politics is that he is pro-fascist, a historical revisionist in that same direction, and very Kremlin friendly. If it were up to him, large powers would always be allowed to have their way. His would be a world of might makes right.
Sharon 🪳🌹@sharonk.bsky.social · last mo.sorry what
A 40-day campaign to compel Moscow to behave? Other European governments should join this effort. Come on, Kremlin, it's just a matter of giving up on ambitions you never needed, popping a few guys that are harmful (Putin, Lavrov, etc.), letting go of financial reserves that are already frozen.
TVP World@tvpworld.bsky.social · last mo.Read more⤵️
The French navy boarded an oil tanker off the coast of Sicily in what President Emmanuel Macron described as a new European move against Russia’s shadow fleet and vessels accused of helping Moscow evade sanctions.
France boards ‘shadow fleet’ tanker
The operation was France’s fifth interception of a suspected Russian “shadow fleet” tanker.
tvpworld.com
Ukraine expects to sign more than 160 reconstruction agreements worth over €10 billion at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk. The EU also announced fresh support, including a €3.2 billion loan tranche and new funding for Ukraine’s drone production. www.kyivpost.com/post/78967
Fascinating. Ukraine's drone success is a global story, and it goes beyond military applications, as illustrated below: Honduras wants to buy Ukrainian drones to help fight drug trafficking.
Géopolitique@geopolitique.bsky.social · last mo.Le Honduras prévoit d'acheter des drones à l'Ukraine dans le cadre de ses efforts pour lutter contre le trafic de drogue et renforcer la sécurité des frontières, a déclaré lundi le président Nasry Asfura.
NEW: Ukrainian forces are conducting a strike campaign to deny Russia’s ability to sustain logistics and transport fuel across the Kerch Strait. Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar062126
Actually, one boundary in matters of state is to refrain from withdrawing honours and decorations in all but the clearest cases of hostility or dishonour. In reality, Zelensky is a hero of historical and European-wide, if not global, importance. The withdrawal makes Warsaw look petty.
MAKS 26 👀🇺🇦@maks23.bsky.social · 2mo ago🇵🇱❗️🇺🇦 The President of Poland took away the Order of the White Eagle from Zelensky "There are boundaries in Polish-Ukrainian relations that cannot be crossed," said Nawrocki, explaining his decision.
The body language says it all. Whatever one may think of her other political positions, good on Meloni for literally standing up to Trump.
Hoodlum 🇺🇸@nothoodlum.bsky.social · 2mo ago“I don’t know why the President of the US behaves like this toward his allies. It’s not the first time. It is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and the US, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence.” - Italy PM Giorgia Meloni
Besides the barbaric essence of the contemporary russian state, and in addition to the cattle-like obedience of the provincial russian, we also have to contend with the callous detachment from any reality and any sense of responsibility on the part of russia's privileged classes.
Olena Halushka@halushka.bsky.social · 2mo ago"The smell of burning is in the air, black smoke is in the sky. Qs keep running through my mind: Why these drone raids? Who was bothered by this oil refinery that supplied Muscovites w gasoline? I have no answers. It all looks like an attempt to drag Moscow into the war btw Ukraine and russia."
Belgium to hand over additional F-16s to Ukraine ✔️ www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/202...
Belgium to transfer seven F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and preparing to hand over entire fleet
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has unveiled plans to supply F-16 fighter jets to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
pravda.com.ua
I'll confess to similar language last year in reference to Trump’s russia "policy". (My variant referred to the hot dog.) In the current Iran case, however, we're seeing an American climbdown from a starting point of reckless aggression and adventurism. So this is very different.
Б'єрнберт@bjornbert.bsky.social · 2mo agoIt’s official: The US has stolen the role from the French as surrender monkeys. Hamberder eating surrender monkeys?
Trump last night: Praises Putin to the New York Times and promises to bully Ukraine (again) into handing over more land and people to Russia. Putin last night:
This morning scrolling Bluesky, there is nothing at all in my feed about Putin’s barbaric attack on the Ukraine’s holiest site, the UNESCO protected Lavra so I’m posting this here.
ZELENSKYY: Today, I signed decree establishing new special day, Day of Unmanned Systems Forces. June 11 will be the day of our respect and gratitude to USF. In just one year, USF grouping has struck Russian targets worth nearly $40 billion.
Ukraine's UGVs did 50k missions since January as mass adoption surges. They're credited with 30% fewer casualties. However, many Ukrainian units don't know how to best procure or use these machines. Brigades are writing the doctrine for UGVs on the battlefield. euromaidanpress.com/2026/06/10/a...
As UGV adoption soars, Ukraine must write the playbook for saving soldiers’ lives
Number of units using UGVs doubled from 117 to 230 in six months
euromaidanpress.com
An international cabal of treasonous fascist grifters would be my spelling out.
Sam Freedman@samfr.bsky.social · 2mo agoWe need leaders who can spell out what's happening clearly and with force.
