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Otto Svendsen

@ottosvendsen.bsky.social
211 followers 351 following 12 posts

Associate Fellow at CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program. Dane in DC. European defense, transatlantic affairs, the Arctic. Views my own.

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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 07/07/2026
As NATO meets in Ankara amid transatlantic strain, European allies must present the Trump administration with a burden-shifting roadmap, put its defense industry on a wartime footing, and advance NATO-EU cooperation by addressing Turkey’s role in European defense. Read: bit.ly/4fkprcm
bit.ly
Make the Ankara Summit About European Defense Autonomy
As NATO meets in Ankara amid transatlantic strain, European allies must present the Trump administration with a burden-shifting roadmap, put its defense industry on a wartime footing, and advance NATO...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 06/07/2026
"The Ankara summit is, in all likelihood, Europe's last opportunity to shape an orderly transition of responsibility for the defense of Europe—rather than have one imposed on it by a revisionist Washington." ✍️ @ottosvendsen.bsky.social + @maxbergmann.bsky.social www.csis.org/analysis/mak...
csis.org
Make the Ankara Summit About European Defense Autonomy
As NATO meets in Ankara amid transatlantic strain, European allies must present the Trump administration with a burden-shifting roadmap, put its defense industry on a wartime footing, and advance NATO...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 31/03/2026
"The Iran war has made abundantly clear that demand for U.S. production has increased dramatically and that the United States will not be able to meet it, leaving Ukraine and Europe increasingly vulnerable," writes @erep.csis.org experts. Learn more: bit.ly/4taDYLO
csis.org
Europe Needs an ASAP Program for Air Defense
The U.S.-Iran war has exposed the fragility of Western air defense stockpiles. Europe must launch a crash program to scale up its own missile manufacturing before supply shortages leave Ukraine and th...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 01/04/2026
European production is not a divergence from U.S. interests but a prerequisite for burden shifting in which Europe takes more responsibility for its own defense and pressure on depleted U.S. stockpiles is relieved. ✍️ Analysis by @maxbergmann.bsky.social @ottosvendsen.bsky.social + Jon Burchell:
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 26/03/2026
Europe needs its own air defense industrial base. A new "ASAP for Air Defense" — channeling EU funds into IRIS-T, SAMP/T, and NASAMS to cut dependence on U.S. suppliers — could be the answer. Full analysis below. @maxbergmann.bsky.social @ottosvendsen.bsky.social www.csis.org/analysis/eur...
csis.org
Europe Needs an ASAP Program for Air Defense
The U.S.-Iran war has exposed the fragility of Western air defense stockpiles. Europe must launch a crash program to scale up its own missile manufacturing before supply shortages leave Ukraine and th...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 25/03/2026
European production is not a divergence from U.S. interests, but a prerequisite for burden shifting. @maxbergmann.bsky.social @ottosvendsen.bsky.social + Jon Burchell explore how Europe can take responsibility for its own defense & relieve pressure on U.S. stockpiles: www.csis.org/analysis/eur...
csis.org
Europe Needs an ASAP Program for Air Defense
The U.S.-Iran war has exposed the fragility of Western air defense stockpiles. Europe must launch a crash program to scale up its own missile manufacturing before supply shortages leave Ukraine and th...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 25/03/2026
"If Europe cannot reliably secure a supply of interceptors from the United States, it must rapidly improve its capacity to produce them itself," writes @erep.csis.org. Read the full report: www.csis.org/analysis/europe-needs-…
csis.org
Europe Needs an ASAP Program for Air Defense
The U.S.-Iran war has exposed the fragility of Western air defense stockpiles. Europe must launch a crash program to scale up its own missile manufacturing before supply shortages leave Ukraine and th...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Steven Everts @sbeverts.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Europe pays twice: First directly through higher energy prices. Second, through the lifeline this gives to Putin whose economy was on the ropes. We may a third or fourth time if there are attacks on EU soil and migratory flows. Not our war, but indeed also our problem.
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 12/03/2026
Today, CSIS announces retired Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, the 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been named our next CEO, succeeding John Hamre, who announced last year that he will retire after 26 years of transformational leadership. Read more: bit.ly/4b383Ha
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Foreign Affairs @foreignaffairs.com · 11/03/2026
The EU should assume a larger role in “funding and organizing European troops—that is, serving as Europe’s Pentagon,” argues @maxbergmann.bsky.social. Empowering the EU in this way need not “spell the end of NATO or national militaries.”
foreignaffairs.com
Europe Needs an Army
Only collective defense can protect the continent.
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 01/03/2026
Europe can't just spend more on Ukraine. It needs to spend smarter. Astrid Chevreuil, @ottosvendsen.bsky.social + @maxbergmann.bsky.social outline four priorities for building a force capable of deterring future Russian aggression. Full piece below. www.csis.org/analysis/how...
csis.org
How Europe Can Build Ukraine’s Future Force
As U.S. military aid to Ukraine winds down, Europe must move beyond crisis response to lead Ukraine's long-term defense—establishing strategic coherence, hedging against U.S. disengagement, defining U...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Sander Tordoir @sandertordoir.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
EU Leaders meet tomorrow to discuss measures to lift Europe's anaemic growth rate. But the summit risks turning into a nothing burger. EU Leaders have cherry-picked a macroeconomically meaningless simplification agenda from the Draghi report New oped. 1/ www.politico.eu/article/euro...
politico.eu
Europe is chasing the wrong fix for its growth crisis
The continent’s old growth model no longer works in today’s world. And EU leaders need a plan that matches the scale of this shift.
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Otto Svendsen @ottosvendsen.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Greenland PM: "If we have to choose between the US and Denmark at this moment, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO, the Kingdom of Denmark, and the EU" www.dr.dk/nyheder/indl...
dr.dk
Jens-Frederik Nielsen: Vi vælger Kongeriget Danmark
Efter den seneste tids uro siger Grønlands regeringschef, at fremtiden er hos Danmark og ikke USA.
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
POLITICO Europe @politico.eu · 12/01/2026
European Union Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has said the bloc should consider establishing a standing military force of 100,000 troops and overhaul the political processes governing defense.
politico.eu
EU may need 100,000-strong army, says defense commissioner
Andrius Kubilius says the EU needs to reform the way it handles defense at the political level, too — and that the U.K. should get a seat at the table.
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Stanley Pignal @spignal.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
It's like someone saying "the only flights linking New York and Brussels are on US airlines. We must therefore invent space rockets to break this monopoly!" No, you could just... get a European airline to launch a New York-Brussels route. It would be enormously simpler.
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Minna Ålander 🌻 @alanderminna.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
It seems to have become a regular holiday feature in the Swedish newspaper SvD to publish long and dreamy articles about a Nordic union (they even got a name for it: Norden). Among the nice things we could have they list Jens Stoltenberg as a federal chancellor
svd.se
2028-scenariot: Nordisk stat inväntar rysk attack
Allt fler talar om ett enat Norden. Men hur skulle en nordisk förbundsstat se ut? Monarki eller republik? Stormakt eller lilleputt? SvD utforskar en gammal tankelek som tycks bli allt mer verklig.
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Sander Tordoir @sandertordoir.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
It's a totally unfair acronym because the fault will lie squarely with the member-states, not the EU. But then again Brussels does fit in some ways....
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Sander Tordoir @sandertordoir.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Spot on. Moment of truth for Paris and Rome. Is France serious about strategic autonomy or is it just a vacuous talking point once Europe hits real trade-offs? And is Italy with Europe and Ukraine or Moscow and Washington?
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Andrius Kubilius @andriuskubilius.ec.europa.eu · 14/12/2025
Impressive analysis by @csis.org (from Washington D.C.) of the challenges to European defence: “How Europe can defend itself with less America”. 1/3 ⬇️ www.csis.org/analysis/how...
csis.org
How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America
A potential U.S. force posture reduction in Europe will leave the continent vulnerable to further Russian aggression. Europe needs a bold action plan to mitigate capability gaps and ensure deterrence ...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Daniel Fiott @danielfiott.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
27 years ago to the day, 4 December 1998, France and the UK signed the St Malo Declaration. Its aims are as noble today as they were back in the relative calm of the late 90s. What have we done to truly strengthen European defence since 1998? www.cvce.eu/content/publ...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 03/12/2025
Today at 5 p.m. ET, CSIS president and CEO John Hamre hosts a fireside chat with NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang on securing U.S. leadership in AI. Register here to watch the discussion: www.csis.org/events/nvidi...
csis.org
NVIDIA’s Jensen Huang on Securing American Leadership on AI | CSIS Events
Please join CSIS president and CEO Dr. John J. Hamre for a fireside chat with NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang on securing U.S. leadership in AI.
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Eric Adamson @eadamson91.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Swedish foreign minister on the disproportionate amount of Nordic support given to Ukraine, vs rest of NATO.
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Andrea Rotter @andrearotter.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Must-read 👉🏻 A new CSIS report by @maxbergmann.bsky.social & Otto Hastrup Svendsen outlines 5 key tasks #Europeans should undertake to defend themselves with less #America & deter further #Russian aggression www.csis.org/analysis/how...
csis.org
How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America
A potential U.S. force posture reduction in Europe will leave the continent vulnerable to further Russian aggression. Europe needs a bold action plan to mitigate capability gaps and ensure deterrence ...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 10/11/2025
Watch | @maxbergmann.bsky.social discusses the current role of the U.S. military in Europe’s ability to defend itself, the vulnerabilities that could result from a significant reduction of U.S. forces, and what must be done to address them. www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhQj... 
youtube.com
How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America
With the war in Ukraine ongoing and a potential drawdown of U.S. forces in Europe on the Horizon, European leaders are facing renewed pressure to strengthen ...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Daniel Fiott @danielfiott.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
As usual, @maxbergmann.bsky.social and @ottosvendsen.bsky.social are asking all the right questions! Give this new report by them for @csis.org on “How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America”. Timely stuff! Read: www.csis.org/analysis/how...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Tom Nuttall @tomnuttall.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Eurobonds for Ukraine, say we. www.economist.com/leaders/2025...
economist.com
Why funding Ukraine is a giant opportunity for Europe
The bill will be huge. It is also a historic bargain
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 15/10/2025
A significant reduction of US forces in Europe could leave the continent exposed to Russian aggression. @maxbergmann.bsky.social @ottosvendsen.bsky.social offer a bold plan to close capability gaps and sustain deterrence with limited US involvement. Learn more below: www.csis.org/analysis/how...
csis.org
How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America
A potential U.S. force posture reduction in Europe will leave the continent vulnerable to further Russian aggression. Europe needs a bold action plan to mitigate capability gaps and ensure deterrence ...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
🚨New report ahead of US force posture review. There needs to be a revolution in European military affairs. It's great Europeans are spending more. But they are neglecting the deeper reforms needed for Europe to defend itself with (potentially much) less America. We offer some ideas... 1/
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Anton Gerashchenko @antongerashchenko.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen: "We do not want either a conflict or a war with Russia. No one in Europe wants that. There is only one aggressive party, and that is Russia… If we do not dare to stand up for ourselves&do what needs to be done,we will simply be too easy a target at some point”
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Sander Tordoir @sandertordoir.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
On a recent podcast with @maxbergmann.bsky.social, the CSIS crew discusses Europe's efforts to rig up a trade grand strategy as the US and China smash the global trading order. "It's Complicated: A Status Update on EU Trade, Mercosur, and The State of the Union" www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...
csis.org
It's Complicated: A Status Update on EU Trade, Mercosur, and The State of the Union feat. Sander Tordoir and Federico Steinberg | The Eurofile | CSIS Podcasts
Max and Donatienne are back from summer vacation with a preview of European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address to European Parliament this week, and a conversation ...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Jason Davidson @profjwdavidson.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Turns out, threatening allies is bad for business. www.politico.eu/article/denm...
politico.eu
Loss for Trump as Denmark chooses Franco-Italian air defense system over US Patriots
The decision comes after the U.S. president threatened to annex Greenland.
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 26/08/2025
This evening, @korea.csis.org hosted His Excellency Lee Jae Myung, President of the Republic of Korea, for an address on foreign policy and U.S.-Korea relations following his White House meeting with President Donald J. Trump. Read his remarks here: www.csis.org/analysis/sta...
csis.org
Statesmen's Forum: His Excellency Lee Jae Myung, President of the Republic of Korea
The CSIS Korea Chair welcomed South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for an address on U.S.-Korea relations following his White House meeting with President Donald J. Trump, marking President Lee's firs...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 23/08/2025
Have burning questions about the #EU, #NATO, or what’s going on in European politics? ✍️ We want to hear from YOU on #Eurofile! 📤 Send your Questions to erep@csis.org or reply below 🎙️ Hosts @maxbergmann.bsky.social & @donatienneruy.bsky.social are ready
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Jim Goldgeier @jimgoldgeier.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
Truly unnecessary and unfortunate. NATO setting itself up for another major effort to avoid a Trump blowup. Earlier alliance history did not have annual summits. Let’s go back to that.
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CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 01/08/2025
🌐 NEW: As the dust settles in Scotland, what stands out about the EU-US trade deal? @maxbergmann.bsky.social & @donatienneruy.bsky.social discuss: 🔹 What's next for transatlantic trade? 🔹 Has Brussels dodged the worst of US tariffs? 🎧 Tune in to #TheEurofile below: www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...
csis.org
Europe Bends the Knee on Trade and Previewing Denmark’s EU Presidency with Lykke Friis | The Eurofile | CSIS Podcasts
Max and Donatienne discuss last week’s EU-US trade deal announcement, and Max talks with Lykke Friis, director of the Copenhagen-based think tank Europa, about Denmark’s presidency of the European Uni...
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Daniel Fiott @danielfiott.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
A test: if the bad trade deal was a necessary evil in order to maintain the US security guarantee, then, in order to ensure that Europe is stronger moving forward, member states will have zero problems in implementing ALL of the “#Draghi” and “#Letta” conclusions and agreeing to the next MFF?
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Noah Barkin @noahbarkin.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Enjoyed talking EU-China relations in the Trump era with @maxbergmann.bsky.social www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...
csis.org
The Looming US-EU Trade Collision and a Preview of the EU-China Summit with Noah Barkin | The Eurofile | CSIS Podcasts
Max and Otto discuss President Trump’s latest tariff threats and the timid European response.
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CSIS | Center for Strategic & International Studies @csis.org · 17/07/2025
CSIS mourns the loss of our Chief Communications Officer, Andrew Schwartz. For 20 years, he led with vision and integrity, shaping how CSIS engaged the world. His leadership, mentorship, and legacy in strategic communications will have a lasting impact Full Statement: www.csis.org/analysis/mem...
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Minna Ålander 🌻 @alanderminna.bsky.social · 16/07/2025
Wrote a little love letter to Denmark 🫶🇩🇰 In good Nordic style, I of course had to dunk on them a little. But the main point is: if all European countries were more like Denmark, Ukraine and Europe would be in a very different place now. On the Europe Dispatch with @phillipspobrien.bsky.social
open.substack.com
Small State Power: Be Like Denmark
In this week’s Europe Dispatch, Minna Ålander writes about how Denmark is showing that even small states can punch far above their weight and lead by example.
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Lucas Guttenberg @lucasguttenberg.bsky.social · 14/07/2025
Very good example of EU budget-related cheap talk by the Swedish PM: First, here are all the things I want more money for. Second, I am not ready to pay more. Third, this means other things become less important - but I won’t tell you which ones and where I would cut.
politico.eu
The next EU budget cannot be business as usual
The bloc must rethink and reprioritize in order to seize opportunities and tackle the new challenges we face today.
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Jason Davidson @profjwdavidson.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
@ottosvendsen.bsky.social and @maxbergmann.bsky.social with a solid debate on whether the Hague summit was a success on the most recent edition of the Eurofile www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...
csis.org
NATO’s Brain Death in the Hague and the State of the UK Economy with Professor Sarah Hall | The Eurofile | CSIS Podcasts
Max and Otto discuss last week’s NATO summit in The Hague, and Donatienne talks with Sarah Hall, 1931 Professor of Geography and Fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge University, about the state of t...
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Reposted by Otto Svendsen
Sander Tordoir @sandertordoir.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
Denmark, that just started its presidency of the European Union, is getting serious. Buy-European, at scale. Could not have thought of a better country to take the rotating presidency of the EU at this moment in time.
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Minna Ålander 🌻 @alanderminna.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
It was thanks to the Nordic group pressure that also Sweden and Norway put much more money on the table last and this year, thanks to Denmark’s massive aid making them look ridiculous. And the one thing that’s important among us in the Nordics is not to look worse than the others…
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Minna Ålander 🌻 @alanderminna.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
There’s one country in Europe that really sticks out in its leadership by example and by punching above its weight: Denmark.
united24media.com
Denmark Becomes First Country to Host Ukrainian Defense Industry
Denmark becomes the first nation to host Ukrainian defense production facilities, strengthening ties and cooperation in defense technologies with Ukraine.
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CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 04/07/2025
🎧 NEW: #NATO met in The Hague—and European allies opened their wallets. 🎙️@maxbergmann.bsky.social & special guest co-host @ottosvendsen.bsky.social break down the 5% spending target + Max's commentary, "NATO's 'Brain Death' in the Hague." Tune in HERE: www.csis.org/podcasts/eur...
csis.org
NATO’s Brain Death in the Hague and the State of the UK Economy with Professor Sarah Hall | The Eurofile | CSIS Podcasts
Max and Otto discuss last week’s NATO summit in The Hague, and Donatienne talks with Sarah Hall, 1931 Professor of Geography and Fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge University, about the state of t...
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CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department @geopolitics.csis.org · 03/07/2025
On Tuesday, July 8th, at 12:00 PM ET @erep.csis.org will be hosting an in-person discussion on Denmark's role in European and Transatlantic security. Link to register below: www.csis.org/events/denma...
csis.org
Denmark’s Role in European and Transatlantic Security | CSIS Events
Please join Troels Lund Poulsen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Denmark and Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, for a hybrid event featuring a conversation…
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Aslak Berg @aslak.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Time for us, as a continent, to drink from the poisoned chalice and admit that the Americans were right all along about air-conditioning.
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Nahal Toosi @nahaltoosi.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
NEW COLUMN: I got a bunch of SCOOPy details about the effect of the Trump-Rubio changes at the National Security Council. So if you were surprised by that Pentagon AUKUS review, well, there's a reason: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
politico.com
Trump’s National Security Council is Flailing
Fewer meetings, more top-down demands and worries some officials may go rogue are upending the system.
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CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program @erep.csis.org · 02/07/2025
EVENT: Please join the @CSIS Europe, Russia, and Eurasia program on Tuesday, July 8th, at 12:00 PM EDT for an in-person discussion on Denmark's role in European and Transatlantic security. Link to register👉 www.csis.org/events/denma...
csis.org
Denmark’s Role in European and Transatlantic Security | CSIS Events
Please join Troels Lund Poulsen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Denmark and Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, for a hybrid event featuring a conversation ...
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Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
My take on the NATO summit. Lots of unintended consequences with Europeans agreeing to something that few intend to deliver on. NATO ignoring its major challenge, fighting together as Europe with less US. That requires deep reforms, not vague spending pledges. www.csis.org/analysis/nat...
csis.org
NATO’s “Brain Death” in The Hague
At the 2025 NATO Summit, allies pledged to raise defense spending to 5 percent of GDP. But spending targets alone ignore deeper issues. Europe must shift its focus to building capable, integrated mili...
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