The tariff dispute over Greenland will not affect NATO's cohesion, says German FM Johann Wadephul on German TV. - There is absolutely no doubt that the United States stands fully behind the alliance, NATO and Europe's defense, he concludes. A level of ascertainty that raises questions.

Eva Leopold@evaleopold.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Sweden's Commander-in-Chief recently expressed the NATO agreement (specifically Art 5) is valid until otherwise announced; that other discussions only benefit the Kremlin and Putin. This is a problematic approach. Given current uncertainties, it should be expected all possible scenarios are analyzed

Maybe taxing the rich would benefit both democracy and the environment?

More Perfect Union@moreperfectunion.bsky.social · 7mo ago

The top 10% now account for nearly half of all consumer spending.

Syria announces ceasefire agreement with Kurd-led SDF after heavy fighting https://aje.news/ojit4f

Sweden's Commander-in-Chief recently expressed the NATO agreement (specifically Art 5) is valid until otherwise announced; that other discussions only benefit the Kremlin and Putin. This is a problematic approach. Given current uncertainties, it should be expected all possible scenarios are analyzed

Max Bergmann@maxbergmann.bsky.social · 7mo ago

What European leaders have been most nervous about is the US pulling back on NATO or Ukraine… but how can Europe trust the US will come to its defense if its trying to seize territory from a NATO country. They can’t. So why cave to keep a security commitment that is not real. 6/

I believe this is already in motion. Even though the press conference with Danish FM Løkke Rasmussen and Norwegian FM Barth Eide today showed ministers acting with restraint and reiterating already announced positions, it's quite clear sharper countermeasures are being prepared in the background.

Minna Ålander 🌻@alanderminna.bsky.social · 7mo ago

A key point here in an excellent thread by @maxbergmann.bsky.social: Continuing with the grovelling strategy, distasteful to the European publics from the start, would likely have a domestic political cost to European leaders. It’s time for a strong response now. Enough is enough.

#Trump and #Greenland: Statement by Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom www.government.se/statements/2...

President Macron will request use of the EU's anti-coercive instrument – ​​the so-called trade bazooka, the president's staff informed AFP. This will require a qualified majority among EU countries after the Commission has presented a final proposal.

"A Unicef spokesperson, James Elder, said more than 100 children had been killed in the territory since the ceasefire came into force in October." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

Newborn baby becomes eighth to die of hypothermia in Gaza this winter

Despite the ceasefire, more than 100 children have died in the territory since October

theguardian.com

Mafia takeover of America complete. Trump has told countries that want to serve on his Gaza Board of Peace they will have to pay $1 billion to be permanent members.

Trump Wants Nations to Pay $1 Billion to Stay on His Peace Board

The Trump administration is asking countries that want a permanent spot on his new Board of Peace to contribute at least $1 billion.

bloomberg.com

- It clearly shows that sending European troops to Greenland has helped, he says.

“A landmark transatlantic trade deal will not be approved by EU lawmakers after U.S. President Donald Trump hit European countries with new tariffs as part of his efforts to wrest control of Greenland from Denmark” www.politico.eu/article/eu-u...

EU-US trade deal ‘on hold’ after new Trump tariffs

The pact, designed to avoid hefty tariffs on European exports, cannot be passed in light of Washington’s threats against Greenland, lawmakers say.

politico.eu

🧵 Reactions to Trump's threats on increased tariffs: - Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson "will not be blackmailed" and "will always stand up for my country and for our allied neighbors." - European Council President Antonio Costa is coordinating a joint EU response.

Uproar among Norwegian academics, politicians and the public and demands for the Nobel Committee to be reformed following the choice of laureate Maria Corina Machados and her recent actions. "She is unworthy of the prize," says Janne Haaland Matláry, professor of political science, to Swedish TV.

NEW and WOW: Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, and Canada are sending troops to Greenland amid continued threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to annex the territory, multiple outlets reported. www.newsweek.com/greenland-ge...

Germany, other NATO allies sending troops to Greenland amid Trump threats

Trump said Wednesday anything less than U.S. control of Greenland would be "unacceptable" in a warning to NATO allies about Arctic security.

newsweek.com

Danish analysts consider the high-level working group a Danish proposition and its creation a sort of success for Denmark.

Eva Leopold@evaleopold.bsky.social · 7mo ago

FM Løkke Rasmussen: - Our perspectives differ - Wants security issues to be handled within current circumstances - Creation of high-level working group with the US - It's clear that Trump wants to possess Greenland - We agreed to disagree Greenland FM Vivian Motzfeldt: - A way to move forward

FM Løkke Rasmussen: - Our perspectives differ - Wants security issues to be handled within current circumstances - Creation of high-level working group with the US - It's clear that Trump wants to possess Greenland - We agreed to disagree Greenland FM Vivian Motzfeldt: - A way to move forward

Eva Leopold@evaleopold.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Denmark's FM, Løkke Rasmussen, is spotted looking relieved after the meeting in the US today and gave the Danish ambassador a fist bump. What that means remains to be seen.

NEW: DANISH FORCES ARE MANDATED TO FIRE BACK IF U.S. ATTACKS GREENLAND Trump says Greenland is defended by dog sleds (true). But under royal decree, Denmark’s small military presence must put up a fight if attacked. theintercept.com/2026/01/14/t...

Danish Forces Are Mandated to Fire Back if U.S. Attacks Greenland

Trump says Greenland is defended by dog sleds (true). But under royal decree, Denmark’s small military presence must put up a fight if attacked.

theintercept.com

Denmark's FM, Løkke Rasmussen, is spotted looking relieved after the meeting in the US today and gave the Danish ambassador a fist bump. What that means remains to be seen.

It has just been reported that Sweden will send Swedish military personnel to Greenland.

⚠️ Update: #Iran has now been offline for 120 hours. Despite some phone calls now connecting, there is no secure way to communicate and the general public remain cut off from the outside world. What footage makes it through shows extensive use of force against civilians 📵

Det är anmärkningsvärt att myndighetschefer samtalar om valpåverkan av främmande makt och helt utelämnar USA. Kontroversiella uttalanden av företrädare för USA:s regering och administrationens tämligen aggressiva hållning gentemot Europa, bl a presenterad i säkerhetsstrategin, borde vara av intresse

Eva Leopold@evaleopold.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Magnus Hjort, GD MPF, och Charlotte von Essen, chef Säpo, håller under Folk och Försvar anföranden och diskuterar informationskrig och påverkansoperationer, särskilt i samband med valåret 2026. Mkt foukus på Ryssland. USA nämns inte alls.

Magnus Hjort, GD MPF, och Charlotte von Essen, chef Säpo, håller under Folk och Försvar anföranden och diskuterar informationskrig och påverkansoperationer, särskilt i samband med valåret 2026. Mkt foukus på Ryssland. USA nämns inte alls.

"“The Palestinian state is being erased from the table not with slogans but with actions,” is something you might expect a critic of the plan to say but no, this is the explicit point of this settlement, as expressed by none other than Bezalel Smotrich

Israel clears final hurdle to start settlement construction that would cut the West Bank in two

Israel has cleared the final hurdle before starting construction on a controversial settlement project near Jerusalem that would effectively cut the West Bank in two.

apnews.com

It is worth noting that the bazaar merchants, who are now participating in the protests, played a crucial role in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. The current unrest began in the bazaar with merchants frustrated by economic hardship.

"NATO staff are watering down language around climate, gender and diversity as a precaution to avoid retaliation by the Trump administration" "Phrases dealing with climate, women and security have been rephrased in new NATO legislation drafted by its committees and working groups" Lost for words.

Revealed: NATO downplays climate and gender language to appease Trump

The U.S. president has gone on the warpath against DEI and the alliance is falling into line, according to three people familiar with the matter.

politico.eu

Apropå diskussion och uttalanden av t ex Andrius Kubilius, EU-kommissionär med ansvar för försvar och rymdfrågor, under Folk och Försvar.

Eva Leopold@evaleopold.bsky.social · 7mo ago

"Sverige behöver på olika sätt stärka sin strategiska autonomi, på egen hand och tillsammans med en kärna av EU- och Natoländer." Det finns en viss ironi i att de optioner som nu diskuteras är samma som de som framfördes av dem som önskade en fördjupad diskussion/analys inför en ev Nato-anslutning.

The same meeting when Trump read a secret note out loud just after Marco Rubio slipped it to him — causing an awkward moment.

Egypt signs renewable energy deals worth $1.8 billion www.reuters.com/sustainabili...

Egypt signs renewable energy deals worth $1.8 billion

Egypt has signed renewable energy deals worth a combined $1.8 billion, state TV reported on Sunday.

reuters.com

"Iran’s leadership faced mounting pressure early Saturday as unrest spread despite a nationwide internet blackout, with security forces accused of intensifying a crackdown while prominent opposition figures called for a decisive escalation of the protest." @en.afp.com today.rtl.lu/news/world/n...

The Norwegian Nobel Prize committee has been forced to make a statement, declaring that the prize cannot be transferred. It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become