Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 2hThe UK-EU relationship is like a bad rom-com. The UK broke up with the EU. The EU was shocked and sad about it. But soon realized there was a lot about the UK that was annoying (opt outs, hostility to federalism, America’s poodle) and they moved on. 1/2 2193
Reposted by Max BergmannNoah Barkin @noahbarkin.bsky.social · 27/09/2026It's unnerving for the EU to watch Xi Jinping being feted in Washington at a time when the bloc is veering towards a trade conflict with China. My comments to @scmpnews.bsky.social www.scmp.com/economy/glob...scmp.comWhy Xi’s US trip leaves Europe relieved by trade truce – but wary of the futureThe summit in Washington eases near-term uncertainty over rare earths, but analysts fear the bloc could have less say over decisions shaping its economic interests. 0115
Reposted by Max BergmannManuel Müller @manuelmueller.foederalist.eu · 24/09/2026That juxtaposition of "a Europe of nation states, a Europe capable of being a genuine global power" is striking. Does he truly believe these things are positively correlated? How does he think such an EU would function? Or is it just that after so many years I still haven't got used to cakeism? 1323
Reposted by Max BergmannCSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 22/09/2026On The #Eurofile: Max + Lexi discuss Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union address. Plus, Emily Benson joins the show with an update on uneasy state of U.S.-EU tech relations. Full episode below. @maxbergmann.bsky.social @lexi-linafelter.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=abSq...youtube.comThe (Associate) European Union and a Transatlantic Tech UpdateYouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies 011
Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Gross outcome. France makes it really hard to defend France. 1395
Reposted by Max BergmannBecca Wasser @beccawasser.bsky.social · 21/09/2026The Iran war is rapidly eating US readiness. The blockade is tying up the fleet, forces are stretched, maintenance deferred, and critical munitions are running low — all risking the US military being less prepared for future crises. My research in @bloomberg.com: www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202... 128427
Reposted by Max BergmannAlex Hern @hern.bsky.social · 21/09/2026One of those things you don’t notice until it’s pointed out 3468
Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Congrats to all those who celebrate the end of DC summer 180
Reposted by Max BergmannCSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 21/09/2026The summit will not fail because expectations have been whittled down to almost nothing. Beijing would likely prefer a long list of deliverables and Washington a shorter list, but neither has much ambition for path-breaking arrangements, writes Scott Kennedy. Read: bit.ly/4ymgFlzbit.lyThe U.S.-China Summit: Too Big and Too Small to FailScott Kennedy argues that although the Trump-Xi summit will likely extend the current period of stability, the gap between the convening’s limited ambitions and the growing challenges facing the world... 171
Reposted by Max BergmannAndrew Chakhoyan 🇺🇦 @andrewchak.bsky.social · 18/09/2026russian culture manifests itself This is a polling station, in case you are wondering, in what moscow wants you to call an “election” 1422794
Reposted by Max BergmannJames Ball @jamesrball.com · 18/09/2026Isn't this the deal the US has had over Greenland since WW2? It sounds *awfully* similar to the existing security arrangement. 1312729
Reposted by Max BergmannWessel van Rensburg @wildebees.bsky.social · 18/09/2026The Eurofile podcast is very good again. @maxbergmann.bsky.social with Emily Benson on the latest re transatlantic tech. Here is a summary and the odd disagreement. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-a… 1/12podcasts.apple.comThe (Associate) European Union and a Transatlantic Tech UpdatePodcast Episode · The Eurofile · September 17 · 43m 151
Reposted by Max BergmannIan Bond @cerianbond.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Just over 24 hours to go! If QMV makes you go "OMG", you can't resist a good trilogue & you read the OJEU while drinking your morning OJ, this may be the job for you 0197
Reposted by Max BergmannIan Bond @cerianbond.bsky.social · 16/09/2026It's not an election, it's a Special Political Operation. I'm baffled by the Western commentators who act as though Putin is on tenterhooks, waiting to see whether his war of aggression against Ukraine has cost him votes in Nakhuygrad South-West. @andrewchak.bsky.social offers an antidote... 416639
Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 16/09/2026The State of the European Union feels like some bizarro future Sci-fi world. Modern space-age parliament, a leader that shuffles between three languages, and a speech that sanely and astutely assesses issues, lays out ideas and weirdly acknowledges climate change and supports democracy. Terrifying! 3576
Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 16/09/2026static.klipy.comThe Wonder Years - Fred Savage and GirlALT: The Wonder Years - Fred Savage and Girl 191
Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 16/09/2026It looks like the EU and Canada are going steady. 1182
Reposted by Max BergmannSimone Tagliapietra @tagliapietra.bsky.social · 16/09/2026SOTEU speeches represent a good indicator of Europe's policy priorities. Here it is a quick overview of how priority areas have evolved since 2020. Tomorrow at 14:00-15:00 CET we will unpack the speech with Bruegel colleagues in a live podcast - link here: www.bruegel.org/event/sound-... 1169
Reposted by Max BergmannChristian Odendahl @codendahl.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Greek finance minister Pierrakakis encourages Germany to undertake reforms. The country had „enormous potential“. 🧑🍳💋 www.handelsblatt.com/cmsid/100253...handelsblatt.comHandelsblatt 815454
Reposted by Max BergmannGideon Rachman @gideonrachman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026My new book; out on October 22nd 5609
Reposted by Max BergmannUlrike Franke @rikefranke.eu · 12/09/2026And another one www.dw.com/en/bulgaria-...dw.comBulgaria: Fire at factory making munitions for UkraineBulgarian authorities are investigating a fire at a munitions factory for links to an explosion at a similar facility in August. Arms maker EMCO says no human error was involved, as investigators look... 214659
Reposted by Max BergmannMatthew Yglesias @mattyglesias.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Global War on Terror 1 was craaaaazy www.slowboring.com/p/911-was-a-... 2363
Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 11/09/2026But regulating tech will just create loads of bureaucratic red tape, making it much costlier and time-consuming to destroy humanity. 2323
Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 11/09/2026EU money buying American weapons for Ukraine. Whatever it takes. 1358
Reposted by Max BergmannJanis Kluge @jakluge.de · 09/09/2026Lots of gas stations in Russia sell only diesel. 0527
Reposted by Max BergmannJanis Kluge @jakluge.de · 09/09/2026Russian gasoline prices reached a new all-time high last week, according to Rosstat. 413024
Reposted by Max BergmannCSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 09/09/2026Brussels is back! @maxbergmann.bsky.social + @ottosvendsen.bsky.social discuss Iceland's EU accession vote, Elbridge Colby's visit to NATO, and Ratcliffe's surprise Moscow trip. Plus, @henryjfoy.ft.com maps out the EU's packed fall agenda. Listen to The #Eurofile: www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...csis.orgBrussels is Back: the EU's Autumn Agenda with Henry Foy | The Eurofile | CSIS PodcastsMax and Otto discuss discuss the week's biggest transatlantic stories before turning to a conversation with Henry Foy, Brussels Bureau Chief at the Financial Times, to map out the EU's packed fall age... 052
Reposted by Max BergmannMujtaba Rahman @mijrahman.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Contextual point given the Saxony-Anhalt result: the AfD has no plausible route to federal power. In France, unless Le Pen radically alters her economic platform (unlikely) she will struggle to get to 50%+1 on 2 May The EU tends to be more resilient than consensus suggests 1010633
Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 06/09/2026This is just such great news for Sweden www.theatlantic.com/science/2026...theatlantic.comThe Netherlands Will Never Be Rid of Louisiana CrawfishWhat will it take for the Dutch to eat them? 1121
Reposted by Max BergmannWessel van Rensburg @wildebees.bsky.social · 04/09/2026This, The Eurofile, is one of the best podcasts for the grand view on matters European politics. And this particular episode is excellent with @henryjfoy.ft.com from the FT. Congrats to @maxbergmann.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-e…podcasts.apple.comBrussels is Back: the EUPodcast Episode · The Eurofile · 3 September · 40min 292
Reposted by Max BergmannJanis Kluge @jakluge.de · 04/09/2026Russian oil & gas revenues fell in August. The Iran war led to a small revenue bump this year, but no windfall. Domestic gasoline subsidies ate up a big portion of the price effect. 16512
Reposted by Max BergmannFinbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 01/09/2026I've been off for a bit so am catching up on EU-China trade war - here's what we missed: A negotiating team led by Denis Redonnet is in Beijing this morning for talks with Ling Ji at Mofcom. Online talks through Aug delivered no major breakthroughs A timeline of what changed: 193
Reposted by Max BergmannStanley Pignal @spignal.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Just as Trump was readying for a second term last year, I wrote on "Why Canada should join the EU". Mark Carney will be visiting Brussels soon to attend Ursula von der Leyen's "State of the Union" speech -- something not even EU leaders do! www.economist.com/europe/2025/...economist.comWhy Canada should join the EUEurope needs space and resources, Canada needs people. Let’s deal 312134
Reposted by Max BergmannJeremy Cliffe @jeremycliffe.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Interesting read on the post-Trump "new right" and its Schmittian civilizationism. Including this warning for Europe that belies wishful thinking about a post-2028 return to Atlanticist business as usual ⬇️ www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state... 1123
Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 18/08/2026Me book writing this August.static.klipy.comShawshank Crawling Through Dark TunnelALT: Shawshank Crawling Through Dark Tunnel 030
Reposted by Max BergmannMinna Ålander 🌻 @alanderminna.bsky.social · 16/08/2026There’s a tendency in northeastern Europe to complain about southern Europe, and especially about Italy and Spain - that they ”don’t get it” re: the Russian threat etc. But in Latvia it was Italians and in Romania Spaniards who shot down drones. 1123354
Reposted by Max BergmannCSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 06/08/2026Operation Epic Fury is the U.S.'s most munitions-intensive military campaign in decades. @tomkarako.bsky.social & Mark Cancian discuss the state of U.S. stockpiles, replenishment challenges, & what depleted inventories mean for deterrence, allies, & future conflicts. Watch: bit.ly/45KRqfMyoutube.comMunitions Shortages After Epic FuryYouTube video by Center for Strategic & International Studies 1143
Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Art exhibits in big international airports should be a thing… what a great way to kill an hour! 1220
Reposted by Max BergmannCSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 03/08/2026Germany's China Problem: What Can Europe Do About It? @sandertordoir.bsky.social joins @maxbergmann.bsky.social on The #Eurofile to discuss how surging Chinese exports impact Europe's economic model –– and whether Brussels has the tools and political will to push back. www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...csis.orgGermany's China Problem: What Can Europe Do About It? | The Eurofile | CSIS PodcastsMax sits down with Sander Tordoir, Chief Economist at the Centre for European Reform. They dig into whether Brussels has the tools and political will to push back on Beijing, and how one October deadl... 041
Reposted by Max BergmannNathalie Tocci @nathalietocci.bsky.social · 04/08/2026With Russia at the door and the US backing away, Europe has to build its own ‘way of war’. But even in a Europe-focused Nato 3.0, Washington would still want to call the shots. We need an insurance policy. My piece @guardian www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comWith Russia at the door and the US backing away, Europe has to build its own ‘way of war’Even in a Europe-focused Nato 3.0, Washington would still want to call the shots. We need an insurance policy, says Guardian Europe columnist Nathalie Tocci 34412
Reposted by Max BergmannNoah Barkin @noahbarkin.bsky.social · 04/08/2026“We are experiencing a China Shock 2.0," says Tanja Gönner of the BDI. "It is affecting not just individual sectors, but the industrial economy as a whole: through dependencies on CRMs, a significantly undervalued currency, state-induced overcapacity …” www.handelsblatt.com/politik/konj...handelsblatt.comDeutsche Wirtschaft: China-Konkurrenz belastet laut BDI die WirtschaftDer wirtschaftliche Druck lastet auf allen: Von außen als auch von innen ist die deutsche Wirtschaft einem harten Stresstest ausgesetzt. Brauchen wir mehr Widerstandsfähigkeit? 2176
Reposted by Max BergmannFinbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 04/08/2026An industry in crisis: VW confirmed 100,000 job cuts on July 24, Audi lowered revenue guide 8% July 27, Porsche extended its program to roughly 9,000 positions by 2035, BMW launched 8,000-place voluntary redundancy scheme July 29, Mercedes posted 22% EBIT rise on falling revenue 12312
Reposted by Max BergmannFinbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Perfect Brussels response: EU warns FIFA World Cup sell-off could breach competition laweuractiv.comEU warns FIFA World Cup sell-off could breach competition law | EuractivThe reported scheme to effectively auction off the World Cup could breach EU rules, commissioner warns 33312
Reposted by Max Bergmannmsnegovaya.bsky.social @msnegovaya.bsky.social · 28/07/2026On the #RussianRoulette, @maxbergmann.bsky.social & I spoke with @drjademcglynn.bsky.social about how the war is reshaping Russian public opinion & what those shifts mean for the Kremlin.We also discussed other news from Melnichenko's Economist interview to Ukraine's military leadership changes. 1/2csis.orgRussian Attitudes Are Shifting as the War’s Effects Come HomeUkraine's long-range strikes on Russian refineries combine military and economic pressure in ways previous shocks did not. While unlikely to transform public opinion, they raise the Kremlin's domestic... 161
Reposted by Max BergmannFinbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 28/07/2026German officials are working behind the scenes to identify Chinese economic vulnerabilities that they could exploit if the EU finds itself in a trade war with Beijing Berlin is informally mapping China’s weaknesses by analysing trade flows, supply chains and company-level data 46318
Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Deep thought. If America hadn't blocked Tony Blair's effort at St. Malo to create EU defense (an EU rapid reaction force), I don't think Brexit happens. The UK would have been a pillar and leader in EU defense, shifting the frame in Britain about what the EU was about. 4244
Reposted by Max BergmannChristian Odendahl @codendahl.bsky.social · 24/07/2026The winning design. 🇪🇺💶 311602507
Reposted by Max BergmannNahal Toosi @nahaltoosi.bsky.social · 23/07/2026Ran into @maxbergmann.bsky.social at the #EUdefense summit (or forum?!), and asked him to share why such events matter these days: 031
Reposted by Max BergmannFinbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 23/07/2026Both Kaja Kallas and Wang Yi attended this week's Asean forum in the Philippines. But they did not meet and Wang has left for the SCO summit. Now more than a year since they met properly, in Brussels. They briefly spoke at last year's Asean forum, but nothing meaningful 1122
Reposted by Max BergmannStanley Pignal @spignal.bsky.social · 23/07/2026EU agrees 21st sanctions package but at great cost: allowing Greek shipping firms (essentially one firm) to keep exporting Russian LNG. My read: While this exemption may help Mitsotakis at home, it will severely dent the PM's hopes of landing a top EU job one day. Memories are long in Brussels. 25713