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Paul T. Levin

@paultlevin.bsky.social
3.9K followers 999 following 4.3K posts

Director of the Stockholm University Institute for Turkish Studies. Managing Director Consortium for European Symposia on Turkey. Docent (Assoc. Prof.) of and pontificator on international relations. Opinionated. Painter.

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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 6h
He also argues for the kind of asymmetric response that @johnsjoholm.bsky.social and I do in our recent proposal for a European hybrid warfare strategy: “Maybe if there is a cyber attack … on a German bank, the lights need to go off in the Moscow Metro.”
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 7h
Good interview with Peter Rough, Senior Fellow and Director of the Hudson Institute’s Center on Europe and Eurasia, in which he argues that Russian hybrid attacks on Europe are likely to continue until we find a way to, wait for it, raise the costs for Putin to continue.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
The current leadership of the United States of America treats international relations as opportunities for personal enrichment and “trolling libs.” They are not serious, but the consequences of their actions are. People are paying with their lives in the Middle East and in Europe.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Gotta love the Poles. Polish President Donald Tusk, speaking of absolutely no one in particular: “Everyone who for whatever reason—treason, stupidity, money—wants to weaken Ukraine in its confrontation with Russia is acting clearly against its own nation’s sovereignty and security.”
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
We shouldn’t make Russia out to be more powerful than it is, but the greater danger is the reverse. For too long, Europe’s attitude towards Russia’s war on democracy and stability in the West was based on a belief that we are more resilient than we in fact are.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
He’s talking about what a fiscal infusion from lifted sanctions could do for Russian troops in the future, not any current successes. (He also, helpfully, makes the link to how Trump’s decisions will help Russia hurt America’s friends & longstanding allies, like the UK.)
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
They are not just giddy, they are very clear about what this means for Russia and what it means for the Western alliance. This is the payoff for the KGB investment that begun in the 1980s. Any remaining Republicans on the Hill who still care about America need to stop this.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
If you think that I am exaggerating or that my anger at Trump’s betrayal of America’s friends is over the top, I really recommend you to watch the whole clip of Kremlin propagandists from @juliadavisnews.bsky.social.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
On the one hand, the amount that could be exported is so small that it will not lower diesel prices. On the other hand, even limited exports will help a cash strapped Russia make drones with which to kill more children & prolong the war. Three more kids were killed this morning in Zaporizhzhia.
Pryluky, October 7.Pryluky, October 7.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Yesterday was Vladimir Putin’s birthday. He got two gifts: His forces killed five children in Ukraine (including three one-year-old-boys) for a total of at least 32 dead, and his friend Donald Trump called him, to congratulate, one presumes.
A rescue worker at the scene of the Russian deadly missile attack on Pryluky, Chernihiv Oblast, on Oct. 7, 2026. (Viacheslav Chaus / Telegram)Ukrainian firefighter pulls an injured 3-year-old child from the rubble of her Pruluky, Ukraine apartment, after it was hit by a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile on the morning of October 7, 2026. Image source - Ukrainian government
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Speaking as someone who used to live in LA, it would be easier to dismiss this as jokes if he wasn’t at the same time the only President who has shown himself actually willing to let Americans suffer in catastrophes just because they live in states that didn’t vote for him.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
We always knew Putin has been plagued by a longing for the days of yore.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
How it started. How it’s going.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
In my article, I explained why capitulation would not give us peace. It just shows Putin that his threats against us work. paultlevin.substack.com/p/capitulati...
A picture of Putin with a cunning smile on his lips, and the caption: “Putin PROMISES that if we just stop supporting Ukraine, everything will be fine.”
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Here’s what Dugin just posted on X. The European Surrender Party (AfD and le Pen’s RN etc) wants us to give in to Russia’s blackmail, but if you pay once, you’re on the hook. The blackmailer always comes back for more.
Screenshot of a post on X by Alexander Dugin from 30/09/2026 containing the following threat:

“Give us Ukraine and you will be alive. And safe. We will stop there. Otherwise the things will be unpredictable.”
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Thousands of identical/similar messages from supposed Swedes are apparently being spread on X rn: “I’m Swedish and Russia is not my enemy.” As an actual Swede, my reply to the obvious bot-driven info op is that if you don’t want me to be your enemy, then stop attacking my country.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
If you turn that argument 180 degrees around, it is valid. When Ukrainian drones hit residential buildings in Russia, thats usually due to EW. Russia OTOH has no hesitation about targeting civilians. In Kherson, they can do it using FPV drones with cameras at close range, so they do.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Sån tur att man fortfarande kan ta del av Agnes Wolds alla kloka råd i SRs arkiv.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
One of the big questions of our time is how AI can/should be governed. Without global governance, competing firms and countries risk racing to the bottom. Don't miss Johannes Geith's new policy brief for the Stockholm Center on Global Governance on this! www.su.se/english/divi...
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I give you: nightmares! (Also, Turkmenbashi wants his artist back.)
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Dessutom samarbetar C och V redan i ett 30-tal kommuner utan att det skett några kommunistiska revolutioner eller terroristattacker av kommunala Hamasceller. Inte ännu i alla fall. www.sverigesradio.se/play/artikel...
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Few images encapsulate how fundamentally different this US administration is to all previous ones as well as this graph does. It shows both how it disregards due process in favor of rewarding loyalty and partisanship and how cruel and callous it is.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
For more background, we published a policy brief on this precise topic in 2024, written by Burcu Binboğa. She noted that “the environmental and human health consequences [of the EU’s export of waste to Turkey] are largely unaddressed.” www.su.se/english/divi...
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
The ruling coalition in Sweden loses its majority according to the main exit poll. The Sweden Democrats shrink 3.3 points to 17.2%. If the poll is correct, the opposition alliance would get 51.3%. The main question is if they can agree on whether the Left (V) gets the ministerial posts they demand.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
And to go to bed to this?
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I don’t know, is it mad to want to wake up to this?
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Me setting up shop in the library of the Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul the other day. Few better places to work. #libraries
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Moron: Claude, I want to harm the cause of Palestinians. What insensitive action could I take that would generate the most resentment possible? Keep in mind that I want nothing good to come out of it for Palestinians, but it should increase American’s hatred of their flag. Claude: Here’s an idea…
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
For the sake of the argument, let’s say we accept the narrative that generous immigration has created problems in the West. The hard demographic reality is still that there is basically no way we maintain our standard of living in view of a growing elderly population without immigration.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
AfD just won in Saxony-Anhalt and polling for the Bundestag look grim, as does second round polling in France. (Light blue is AfD.) We are not as resilient as we think.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I don’t know about Socialism, Anders. I see what you are saying, but I think it’s closer to Idiocracy.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Islamistiska Hizb ut-Tahrir är i farten igen, med flygblad som uppmuntrar människor i Stockholmsförorter att inte rösta. En vän i Husby skickade bilder på vad hon fick i postfacket i dörren. Kanske inget jätteproblem då det är en liten grupp, men inte heller jättebra.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Someone didn’t listen and pushed me over the edge.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Don’t be the one to push me over the edge! Please don’t go to open.substack.com/pub/paultlevin and subscribe!
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Absolutely pathetic. Obsequious Google Maps vs Apple Maps in Europe. I’m of a mind to boycott Google.
Apple Maps shows only “Lake Ontario” in Europe.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
💯. The Swedish-Finnish defense initiative that I posted about the other day is a good example of what could and should be done. But none of us have nuclear weapons. Sweden is seeking closer cooperation with France for that, but 🇫🇷 may soon be led by this Russian asset.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
The withdrawal of U.S. forces from Europe COULD perhaps be done in a manner that doesn’t harm American interests. The amount of damage that this administration’s approach to Europe (and other allies) IS actually doing even without a major withdrawal is beyond measure.+
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
He also thanks his Swedish counterpart for the speed with which the Finnish request was handled. “In other NATO countries bordering Russia, similar territorial surveillance arrangements managed by NATO have taken several years to establish. We were able to accomplish this in just a few months.”
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
I think that I can think of one European country that might disagree with this assessment.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Possibly the next President of France, ladies and gentlemen. By the same logic, we may need to reevaluate Saddam Hussein, who was so popular that he received 100% of the vote in the 2002 Iraqi elections!+
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
First of all, if the war ends, it may be WITH diplomacy but not BECAUSE of it. Putin chooses to continue this war not because Zelenskyy refuses to “talk” with him. The actual track record of talks, real or proposed is not one of rejected overtures from Putin…+
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Kevin Roberts of the Heritage Foundation accurately sums up how I view him and his co-conspirators in the administration.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Of course, that has never worked. Putin won't stop if we show him that his attacks on us work. The other choice is to accept that we're in an asymmetric war & actually start deterring aggression by striking back. Not HOPE Putin stops, but MAKE him stop. And we have to do this alone, without 🇺🇸.+
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Europe has a choice: We can give in, sacrifice a free & democratic 🇺🇦, & see if appeasement gets better results against Putin now than it did in Chechnya, Transnistria, Georgia, Crimea, or Donbas. This is explicitly what Putin says he wants. "Just stop helping 🇺🇦 and you'll be fine. Trust me..." +
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
You think I'm exaggerating? The 🇷🇺n leadership doesn't care. It sees Europe being AT WAR with 🇷🇺. Not a conventional war, but an asymmetric one. Experts on 🇷🇺 doctrine say it sees a continuum between hybrid & conventional, & the current escalation gets us closer to the latter. +
Screenshot from Russian propaganda outlet Pravda. Russian Diplomat: "the fact that NATO is now directly involved in the war against Russia ... brings us very close to this conflict. ... I think they've already crossed all the red lines, and if this continues, it's only a matter of time."
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
ICYMI, this particular reaction by Greenland authorities is to an American company, Greenland Energy, putting drilling equipment on Østgrønland on Greenland without permission, in an apparent effort to create facts on the ground.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
A tip for Democrats: Be against war: Blast Trump for waging war on Iran, kidnapping Maduro, stealing Venezuela's oil, & running it like a colony. Blast the GOP for the Iraq War. But don't be Neville Chamberlain. Blast Putin for waging war on Ukraine & vow to help the victim. Fight the fascists.
OG ANTIFA: US soldiers in a landing vessel on D-Day, about to go fight fascists, not by talking to them.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Europe has really stepped up and is now compensating for the complete lack of US support. That means that if the US were to return to its earlier levels of support, Ukraine would have double the amount of aid. That could finally break Russia's back & end the war.+ www.kielinstitut.de/fileadmin/Da...
Two graphs from the Kiehl Institute's latest report, showing that Europe has now fully compensated for the complete absence of US support to Ukraine, both in terms of military aid and when it comes to financial and humanitarian aid.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
In this case, it may be a combination of legal changes in Spain & a Moroccan decision to punish Spain for improving relations with Algeria. I’m not an expert on the region so I’ll leave it to others to determine the causes. But simply dismissing concerns as “fascist” is not productive.
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Paul T. Levin @paultlevin.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
America, defending freedom of n... Ok, scratch that.
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