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John R. Deni

@johnrdeni.bsky.social

1.4K followers 112 following 945 posts

Research Professor at PME institution, Senior Nonresident Fellow at Atlantic Council, Associate Nonresident Fellow at NATO Defense College. Author of Coalition of the unWilling and unAble. Views are my own.

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John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 20h

Germany’s Merz visits Kyiv amid fears of ‘hardest’ winter in war www.politico.eu/article/germ...

Germany’s Merz visits Kyiv amid fears of ‘hardest’ winter in war

The visit has been overshadowed by heavy Russian attacks on Kyiv as well as tensions over Ukraine’s EU membership prospects

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

EU nails down five defense priority areas to channel common spending www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

defensenews.com

EU nails down five defense priority areas to channel common spending

Drones, counter-drone tech, air defense, seabed defense and eastern flank protection top the EU's list of desired capability areas.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

UK’s Healey puts defense in focus for reindustrialization push www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

defensenews.com

UK’s Healey puts defense in focus for reindustrialization push

British government leaders are converging around the message that the defense sector will be key in energizing the nation's anemic growth.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi liberates 3 more settlements, inflicts 2,000 Russian losses, 3rd Army Corps announces kyivindependent.com/ukraines-ope...

kyivindependent.com

Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi liberates 3 more settlements, inflicts 2,000 Russian losses, 3rd Army Corps announces

The villages of Ridkodub, Nove, and Katerynivka were liberated amid newly-reported territorial gains of 51 square kilometers.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

No clearer sign of the unease across Europe regarding the strength of America's commitment: "UK offers nuclear umbrella to Finland and other JEF members" defence24.com/geopolitics/...

UK offers nuclear umbrella to Finland and other JEF members

Within the framework of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), the United Kingdom will offer Finland and other member states of the group military protection through the use of nuclear weapons.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

This is unfortunate and shortsighted, IMO. Tenure attracts excellent civilian faculty, which in turn leads to excellent academic institutions, which produce excellent military and civilian leaders.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Signs Directive Halting Tenured Civilian Positions at U.S. Military Service Academies www.war.gov/News/Release...

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

And in today's 'You Can't Make This Up' category, the winner is: "Trump Offered to Sell Arms to China, U.S. Ambassador Says" www.nytimes.com/2026/09/27/u...

Trump Offered to Sell Arms to China, U.S. Ambassador Says

President Trump made the offer to Xi Jinping, China’s leader, said David Perdue, the ambassador to China. The White House later said the U.S. had no plans for such a sale.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Better late than never: "Trump administration obligates $307M for military aid to Ukraine" www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

defensenews.com

Trump administration obligates $307M for military aid to Ukraine

The Trump administration has made legally binding commitments to spend almost all of the $400 million Congress approved for military aid to Ukraine.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

UK general takes command of NATO’s Joint Force Command in the US (JFC Norfolk) www.nato.int/en/news-and-...

UK general takes command of NATO’s Joint Force Command in the US

On Thursday (24 September 2026), General Nick Perry assumed command of Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFC Norfolk) in the United States. General Perry succeeds US Navy Vice Admiral Doug Perry, who led J...

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Rare good news for Merz as Germany’s growth outlook jumps www.politico.eu/article/germ...

Rare good news for Merz as Germany’s growth outlook jumps

But leading German economists warned of more trouble ahead, including rapidly rising debt levels.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Least surprising headline of the day...

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

A sign of how desperate German auto manufacturers have become -- they're finally willing to push back against China's trade practices, risking the repercussions for their own operations in China.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Yes, please: "Germany wants to manufacture American PAC-3 interceptors to help meet global demand" www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

defensenews.com

Germany wants to manufacture American PAC-3 interceptors to help meet global demand

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has lobbied U.S. defense leaders to allow the production of PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles in Germany.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

German defense minister sees smooth sailing in parliament for his record defense budget www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

defensenews.com

German defense minister sees smooth sailing in parliament for his record defense budget

Pistorius is asking lawmakers to approve nearly €140 billion ($160 billion) for defense next year, a record sum.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

"...the action effectively guts the institute since only two master sergeants and a vacant lieutenant colonel position will remain authorized. 'So technically CASI will still exist, just without the researchers or the director'."

Reposted by John R. Deni

Minor Spear Carrier @tyrellmayfield.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

CHASER. www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/se...

washingtontimes.com

Air Force shuts down think tank on China’s military

The Air Force is closing down a strategic think tank that produces detailed, open-source reports on Chinese military air, space and cyber warfare capabilities, according to the service branch.

Reposted by John R. Deni

Minor Spear Carrier @tyrellmayfield.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

SHOT

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Great essay by Roger McDermott on what/how RU is learning from its war against UKR: "NATO is measuring Russian adaptation the wrong way" breakingdefense.com/2026/09/nato... I've heard @massdara.bsky.social make similar points.

breakingdefense.com

NATO is measuring Russian adaptation the wrong way - Breaking Defense

For NATO, reproducibility should become a distinct measure of Russian military capability, driving how the alliance plans for the future.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Inside the secret race to become NATO’s next top general www.politico.eu/article/nato...

Inside the secret race to become NATO’s next top general

Germany’s Carsten Breuer and Canada’s Jennie Carignan are battling it out to become to next chair of NATO’s military committee.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

First German F-35 rolls off the line breakingdefense.com/2026/09/firs...

breakingdefense.com

First German F-35 rolls off the line - Breaking Defense

German defense minister Boris Pistorius called the F-35 “a promise that Germany will step up to defend itself and defend its allies.”

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Lockheed Martin gets first batch of Patriot interceptor parts from General Motors www.defensenews.com/industry/202...

defensenews.com

Lockheed Martin gets first batch of Patriot interceptor parts from General Motors

In an "extraordinary" 22-day turnaround, Lockheed Martin received its first shipment of critical components from General Motors for Patriot interceptors.

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John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Trump says progress made toward establishing US Army base in Poland www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Trump says progress made toward establishing US Army base in Poland

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that progress is being made toward establishing a US Army base in Poland, ‌crediting "the bold leadership" of Polish President Karol Nawrocki.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The Armored Sarcophagus Saving Ukrainian Soldiers www.theatlantic.com/internationa...

theatlantic.com

The Armored Sarcophagus Saving Ukrainian Soldiers

Unmanned ground vehicles are conducting once-impossible medical evacuations along Ukraine’s front lines.

Reposted by John R. Deni

Minor Spear Carrier @tyrellmayfield.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

This is your periodic reminder that the National School Lunch Program feeds 30M children for $18B a year. breakingdefense.com/2026/09/iran...

breakingdefense.com

Iran war costs: $38B, plus $2-3B per month going forward, CBO says - Breaking Defense

The Congressional Budget Office reported it would take "at least five years" to rebuild American munitions inventories.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Russia neighbor Finland to join French-led nuclear deterrent initiative for Europe www.stripes.com/theaters/eur...

Russia neighbor Finland to join French-led nuclear deterrent initiative for Europe

Finland will join a French-led effort to strengthen Europe’s nuclear deterrent.

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John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

NATO jets shoot down drone over Lithuanian airspace after it flew in from Belarus kyivindependent.com/nato-shoots-...

kyivindependent.com

NATO jets shoot down drone over Lithuanian airspace after it flew in from Belarus

"With Russia intensifying its aggression against Ukraine, such readiness is vital for our region. Together with our NATO Allies, Lithuania will defend its airspace," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nause...

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Yes, more of this, including along Finland's border with RU, the forests of southeastern Estonia, northeastern Romania near the border with Moldova, and Türkiye's Black Sea coast -- creating strategic and operational dilemmas for Putin.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Polish minister proposes drills near Kaliningrad to draw Russian troops from Ukraine www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

defensenews.com

Polish minister proposes drills near Kaliningrad to draw Russian troops from Ukraine

NATO allies could hold drills near Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave in an attempt to push Moscow to draw troops from Ukraine, Poland's top diplomat proposed.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Polish prime minister: Poland to develop its own Starlink www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

defensenews.com

Polish prime minister: Poland to develop its own Starlink

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the project will pave the way for the launch of a Starlink-like system for the nation.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Rafael, Lower Saxony and Aurelius to develop Volkswagen site in Germany breakingdefense.com/2026/09/rafa...

breakingdefense.com

Rafael, Lower Saxony and Aurelius to develop Volkswagen site in Germany - Breaking Defense

The agreement, if completed, would give Rafael a new production site in Germany, at a Volkswagen location slated to close.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Inside the Battle to Save One Pioneering General From Hegseth’s Purge www.nytimes.com/2026/09/06/u...

The Battle to Save General Donahue From Hegseth’s Army Purge

Gen. Christopher T. Donahue’s vision for fighting future wars won him powerful supporters around the world. Could they save his career?

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Meloni breaks Italy’s post-war political record. [On average, post-WWII ITA govts have lasted 14 months] www.euractiv.com/news/meloni-...

Meloni breaks Italy’s post-war political record | Euractiv

Faltering reforms and a growing nationalist right could complicate the prime minister’s path to re-election

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John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Army awards first-ever laser production contract to AV, with $465M value breakingdefense.com/2026/09/army...

breakingdefense.com

Army awards first-ever laser production contract to AV, with $465M value - Breaking Defense

“One of the key exciting components of this particular production program is introducing production-directed energy for the first time in the nation's history,” AV’s vice president of directed-energy ...

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Sweden signs French warship order to boost defense www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

defensenews.com

Sweden signs French warship order to boost defense

Sweden signed an order for four Naval Group frigates during a ceremony in Stockholm attended by French President Emmanuel Macron.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Russia is running out of cash due to its war in Ukraine: report www.defensenews.com/global/europ...

defensenews.com

Russia is running out of cash due to its war in Ukraine: report

Russia’s war spending pushed the state to the brink of running out of cash this spring, according to a Bloomberg report, as Russian leaders double down.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Estonian lawmaker calls US questionnaire to NATO ‘unnecessary stress test’ breakingdefense.com/2026/08/esto...

breakingdefense.com

Estonian lawmaker calls US questionnaire to NATO 'unnecessary stress test' - Breaking Defense

“It is critically important for us in this time, a time of not living in peace time ... that both in words and deeds to not make any steps to create an image that would indicate to Moscow or Beijing t...

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Taiwan’s government proposed its highest level of military spending ever, sending a signal that it's ready to buy more U.S. weapons www.wsj.com/world/china/... via @wsj.com

Taiwan Floats Record Defense Budget, Sending Message to U.S. and China

The new budget sends a signal that Taiwan is investing in self-defense and is ready to buy more U.S. weapons.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Army picks Hanwha’s wheeled K9 for self-propelled howitzer prototypes breakingdefense.com/2026/08/army...

breakingdefense.com

Army picks Hanwha’s wheeled K9 for self-propelled howitzer prototypes - Breaking Defense

Today’s decision comes after decades of fits and starts to find a new mobile howitzer, including the ill-fated Crusader, Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon and Extended Range Cannon Artillery.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Their takeaway? Europe is far more important to the U.S. economy today than China, and threats to stability and security in Europe represent a grave threat to our economy, the American way of life, and hence vital U.S. interests. This is why we still need NATO today. 6/6

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

If you add in the UK, trade in goods and services with Europe ($1.816 trillion) is nearly three times that with China ($659 billion); meanwhile, when it comes to debt, the EU and the UK together ($2.9 trillion) hold more than four times as much U.S. debt as China ($6.84 billion). 5/

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John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Were their rankings correct? As you can see, they were far off -- in reality, Europe is tops in both categories, while China (their top choice for both) ranks 4th for trade and 4th among our foreign debt holders. 4/

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John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

First, rank order the top seven U.S. trade partners (in goods and services); and second, rank order the top seven foreign holders of U.S. debt. 3/

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John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I began by conducting a nonscientific survey of this group -- comprised of mostly seasoned and certainly well-informed educators -- on economic ties. I asked them two questions. 2/

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John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Today, I had the pleasure and honor to deliver a professional development presentation to about thirty high school social studies teachers of Frederick County Public Schools on the state of the transatlantic relationship. 1/

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

So calling a country an ally/partner but then treating them like an adversary doesn't actually earn you any friends? I'm shocked, truly shocked. www.politico.com/newsletters/...

Elbridge Colby’s Southeast Asia pitch falls flat

Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby swung through Southeast Asia this week pitching a vision of “true partnership” with the region. So far, he’s not getting a lot of takers.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time visited the remote southern Kuril Islands in Russia’s far east on Thursday, a chilly archipelago that Japan claims as its own. www.wsj.com/world/asia/r... via @wsj.com

Putin’s Visit to Disputed Island Adds to Pressure on Japan

The friction highlights the growing displeasure among Japan’s nuclear-armed neighbors at Tokyo’s plans to boost its defense capabilities.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Army fires community tackling four ‘capability gaps,’ including magazine depth breakingdefense.com/2026/08/army...

breakingdefense.com

Army fires community tackling four ‘capability gaps,’ including magazine depth - Breaking Defense

Brig. Gen. Robert Mikesh, charged with offensive fires, detailed a quadruple challenge — energetics and propulsion, targeting and seekers, the industrial base and “munitions breadth and depth.”

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Massive explosion rocks Italian ammunition plant that produces artillery for Ukraine kyivindependent.com/massive-expl...

kyivindependent.com

Massive explosion rocks Italian ammunition plant that produces artillery for Ukraine

The factory is operated by KNDS Ammo Italy, a subsidiary of the French-German defense firm KNDS. The facility produces artillery shells supplied to Ukraine via European partners.

John R. Deni @johnrdeni.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin could try to test NATO’s resolve with a limited assault on an allied country in the next few years, according to new U.S. intelligence reports www.wsj.com/world/europe... via @wsj.com

Exclusive | U.S. Intel Finds Putin Could Test NATO’s Resolve With Limited Incursion

The new assessment updates past forecasts that Russia’s leader wouldn’t provoke the alliance during the Ukraine war.