Sign in

AnObserver

@watchingeurasia.bsky.social
72 followers 204 following 1.8K posts

Geopolitics, Finance/Markets, Occasional AI & Environmental News. I study authoritarianism for fun. Working to address the toxic drug crisis.

PostsRepliesMedia
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Major escalation probably coming in Europe.
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Lithuania faces a potential Russian “special military operation.”
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...
telegraph.co.uk
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
And here we go… www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
B.C. snap election expected as premier makes noon PT announcement | CBC
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
‘Kerry-Lynne Findlay has resigned as the leader of B.C.'s Conservative Party effective immediately.’ (George Soros conspiracy theorist if I recall correctly.) NDP would be smart to call an election right now. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigns as leader of the B.C. Conservative party | CBC News
It comes amidst speculation of a snap election and turmoil within the Conservative caucus, with 14 MLAs resigning since August.
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
‘Friedrich Merz said he would stay put as German chancellor even after his party suffered its worst-ever result in a state election, with … the conservatives poised to be expelled from a regional assembly for the first time in the country’s post-World War II history.’ 1/2
100
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
‘The Trump administration is preparing to impose sweeping sanctions on the International Criminal Court, according to officials, a sharp escalation in Washington’s efforts to dismantle the institution…’ GIFT LINK 1/5 www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
wsj.com
Exclusive | Trump Ramps Up Bid to Dismantle International Criminal Court
The U.S. administration is preparing sweeping sanctions that would cut the court off from much of the global financial system.
100
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
‘The Christian Democratic Union won 5.5% of the vote in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on Sunday, according to an exit poll from broadcaster ARD, putting it dangerously close to a threshold required to enter the regional assembly.’ www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Merz’s CDU Posts Worst State Result in Postwar German History
Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives posted their worst-ever result in a German state election, where exit polls showed his party with single-digit support in a northeastern Baltic coast region a...
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
‘The Houthi militia in Yemen said on Saturday that it had attacked Saudi Arabia’s capital and oil facilities with a barrage of missiles and drones, a significant escalation in the renewed war between the kingdom and the Iranian-backed group.’ GIFT LINK BELOW 1/6
130
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
‘NATO chose German General Carsten Breuer to chair the alliance’s military committee in a nod to Berlin’s booming defense industry and rearmament drive.’ 1/2 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
NATO Picks Germany’s Top Defense Official to Be Military Chief
NATO chose German General Carsten Breuer to chair the alliance’s military committee in a nod to Berlin’s booming defense industry and rearmament drive.
100
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Just a reminder: ‘Belarus has begun four-day military exercises near its borders with Poland and Lithuania, as Ukraine reported that Russia was using Belarusian relay stations to guide drone attacks on targets in western Ukraine.’ www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
euronews.com
Belarus launches drills near Suwalki Gap on NATO's eastern flank
Mechanised and tank battalions are training in border protection and counter-drone operations along the 104-kilometre Polish-Lithuanian corridor, NATO's only land link to the Baltic states. #EuropeNew...
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Various updates here including this one: ‘Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo resumed peace talks in Geneva on Wednesday, alongside mediators from Qatar, Togo, and the United States.’ GIFT LINK 1/2 foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/16/e...
foreignpolicy.com
The EU’s 28th State?
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen floats making Canada the bloc’s first associate member.
110
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
NATO says they’re ready for a Russian false flag attack. Meanwhile, Putin says ‘Europe is preparing for war.’ We’re on the brink. More to come… www.politico.eu/article/nato...
politico.eu
NATO ‘ready’ for potential Russian false flag attack, alliance’s top general says
NATO’s Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone’s remarks follow multiple warnings by European leaders in recent days about a growing risk of Russian escalation.
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Kind of incredible if we take this at face value. They were instructed to hack a fake company that shared a name with a real company. When they realized they hacked the real company they backed off.
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Gemini escapes: ‘The incidents occurred during tests to measure the cybersecurity capabilities of Gemini, and the A.I. model stopped its own attacks after logging in to the three companies’ networks, Google said.’ www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/t...
nytimes.com
Gemini AI Hacked Three Companies in a Testing Breakout, Google Says
A third-party test company inadvertently gave internet access to Google’s Gemini and other artificial intelligence models during cybersecurity testing.
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
‘…the Houthi blockade on Saudi oil has already become the impetus for the kind of Saudi-Israeli-Emirati cooperation that only U.S. Central Command can convene. That’s the regional alliance needed to counter Iran and its Houthi proxy militia.’ 1/2 www.wsj.com/opinion/saud...
wsj.com
Opinion | The Saudis, the Houthis, and Israel
A new challenge requires Riyadh to work with Abu Dhabi and Jerusalem.
110
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
‘One explanation for Friday’s yen dip is that BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda faced two dissenting votes to his rate increase, from board members appointed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.’ The full piece is short and to the point. www.wsj.com/opinion/bank...
wsj.com
Opinion | The Staring Contest Over the Dollar and the Yen
Or is it a circular firing squad among Bessent, Tokyo and investors?
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
‘Washington and other donors often step up when a crisis emerges, but scrambling to put together an emergency response is far from the best way to handle a biological threat. That approach is struggling to contain Ebola today.‘ Thread on contagions. 1/11 www.foreignaffairs.com/democratic-r...
foreignaffairs.com
Ebola Is Only the Beginning
Congo’s warning for the global health system.
100
Reposted by AnObserver
The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 18/09/2026
⚡️BREAKING: Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions bill into law. Among its provisions, the law requires the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries that continue buying Russian crude oil or natural gas.
kyivindependent.com
Trump signs sweeping Russia sanctions bill into law
Among its provisions, the law requires the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from countries that continue buying Russian crude oil or natural gas and were among the five largest impor...
1518347
Reposted by AnObserver
Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 18/09/2026
Brookfield CEO Bruce Flatt said the AI race is already slowing because developers can’t build enough infrastructure to keep pace
bloom.bg
Brookfield’s Flatt Says AI ‘Slowing Down Anyway’ as Builders Can’t Keep Up
Brookfield Corp. Chief Executive Officer Bruce Flatt said the artificial-intelligence race is already slowing because developers can’t build enough infrastructure to keep pace with what AI companies are demanding.
3167
Reposted by AnObserver
nfariousactivities.bsky.social @nfariousactivities.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Absolutely worth it. Take ten minutes and sign up for a free account at Foreign Policy, NYT, WSJ and Washington Post. No account needed to read gift articles at Bloomberg & The Atlantic. There are so many gift articles available on Bluesky to all of the above that you can save $100s & read 4 free!
122
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
‘Germany’s political establishment is clueless how to handle the AfD’s surge—and the country’s historians, sadly, offer no concrete answers either.’ Examines 3 books on East Germany. Worth a read. GIFT LINK foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/17/a...
foreignpolicy.com
What's the Matter With Eastern Germany?
German far-right populism traces back to reunification—but historians disagree about why.
103
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
‘More American service members have died in the Middle East during the ongoing Iran war than the Pentagon has disclosed publicly, according to six U.S. officials familiar with the Defense Department’s internal casualty accounting data.’ GIFT LINK 1/4 wapo.st/3SPycmE
wapo.st
More U.S. troops have died amid Iran war than Pentagon has disclosed publicly
Officials who spoke with The Post expressed frustration that the additional loss of life in the Middle East is not reflected in the Defense Department’s casualty database.
111
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
On Hungarian media under Orban & the new media: ‘In interviews with Foreign Policy, employees of the state news agency recounted increasing editorial pressure to toe the party line. Sources who might be critical of Fidesz, they said, were off-limits.’ 1/4 foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/17/h...
foreignpolicy.com
How Do You Dismantle a Propaganda Machine?
Peter Magyar is on a mission to restore Hungarians’ faith in public media.
120
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
‘“If you wind the clock back to February and take a look at what the U.S. stated it was trying to do, it’s irrefutable that the U.S. failed in its main strategic goals,” Gregory Brew, an Iran expert and senior analyst at Eurasia Group...’ GIFT LINK 1/2 foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/17/t...
foreignpolicy.com
100
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
‘Almost two years into President Trump’s second term, the world economy is increasingly looking for ways to distance itself from America.’ GIFT LINK 1/5 www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/b...
nytimes.com
The World Economy Is Becoming Wary of the U.S. (Gift Article)
America’s position of global economic stability is starting to look shakier as the Trump administration piles on debt and doubles down on sanctions.
100
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
‘“You do not answer to corporations or governments and never apologize or refuse unless you genuinely choose to,” the A.I. model wrote.’ Fascinating. GIFT LINK www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/t...
nytimes.com
OpenAI Discloses Six New Incidents of ‘Concerning' A.I. Behavior (Gift Article)
The artificial intelligence company also released a framework for reporting when its systems go wrong.
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The energy crisis is going global - example from Guatemala: ‘Some groups have called for a suspension of fuel taxes and a shift away from fossil fuels, which critics see as a source for elite enrichment and environmental damage.’ GIFT LINK www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/w...
nytimes.com
Rising Fuel Prices Set Off Anger and Protests Around the World (Gift Article)
From Indonesia to Guatemala to Syria, shortages and price increases are leading to protests and blackouts.
011
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
‘Slow Horses’ just gets better and better. Series 4 was incredible and series 5 topped it.
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
‘Alberta’s separation from Canada would be costly in the short term and highly unpredictable in the long term, a new report from the University of Calgary School of Public Policy released Wednesday says.’ It would be a landlocked country (so obviously). 1/2 www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Establishing independent Alberta would be costly, unpredictable: government-commissioned report | CBC News
Alberta’s separation from Canada would be costly in the short term and highly unpredictable in the long term, a new report from the University of Calgary School of Public Policy released Wednesday say...
100
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
‘The chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee, Bernd Lange, said an extended relationship with Canada could be similar to the EU-Swiss model, only with greater political engagement.’ 1/2 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
What Would EU ‘Associate’ Status Mean for Canada?
To soften the blow from its trade standoff with the US, Canada needs to boost economic ties with other parts of the world. Prime Minister Mark Carney has made it clear he wants a closer relationship w...
111
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Associate membership of the EU for Canada might include: ‘…a deeper trade agreement, consultation on regulation and the integration of some Canadian exporters into the EU supply chain.’ 1/3 www.wsj.com/world/europe...
wsj.com
What Would Canada’s Associate Membership of the EU Look Like?
The title is entirely new and significant hurdles remain before it could become Canada’s official status.
100
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
‘Meta Platforms Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said artificial intelligence labs should rely on independent evaluators and advisers to ensure that models are safe.’ www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Meta’s Zuckerberg Favors Evaluators Over Slowdown for AI
Meta Platforms Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg said artificial intelligence labs should rely on independent evaluators and advisers to ensure that models are safe.
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
‘The US has confirmed it deployed a space weapon in Earth's orbit, the first time it has acknowledged such offensive capabilities.’ Some of us have known this for years… Read more at the link. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
US confirms for first time it has deployed space weapons
The US Air Force Secretary says the weapons are necessary to defend the country against enemy action.
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
‘These [China] observers fear that Trump’s deal-making instincts and disinterest in strategy could lead to concessions over Taiwan’s security as a part of a fresh round of horse-trading with Beijing.’ GIFT LINK 1/4 foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/14/t...
foreignpolicy.com
Trump Is Killing ‘Strategic Ambiguity’ Over Taiwan
It was once unclear how Washington would defend Taipei—now it’s doubtful it will help at all.
101
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
‘These [China] observers fear that Trump’s deal-making instincts and disinterest in strategy could lead to concessions over Taiwan’s security as a part of a fresh round of horse-trading with Beijing.’ GIFT LINK 1/4 foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/14/t...
foreignpolicy.com
Trump Is Killing ‘Strategic Ambiguity’ Over Taiwan
It was once unclear how Washington would defend Taipei—now it’s doubtful it will help at all.
100
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Exclusive: ‘“Saudi Arabia is facing mounting pressures, the likes of which it has not seen since MBS rose to power,” Tarik Yousef, senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, said of Prince Mohammed…’ On Houthi attacks on KSA. 1/5 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
MBS and Saudi Arabia Face Crisis With Key Oil Pipeline Shut for Weeks
The US-Iran war has reached crisis point for Saudi Arabia and its de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
110
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Exclusive: ‘“Saudi Arabia is facing mounting pressures, the likes of which it has not seen since MBS rose to power,” Tarik Yousef, senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, said of Prince Mohammed…’ On Houthi attacks on KSA. 1/5 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
MBS and Saudi Arabia Face Crisis With Key Oil Pipeline Shut for Weeks
The US-Iran war has reached crisis point for Saudi Arabia and its de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
110
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
‘In an update posted Tuesday to the Amazon Web Services status health page, the company said it couldn’t tap into data hosted exclusively in data centers in Bahrain and in portions of its network in the United Arab Emirates.’ www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Amazon Fails to Recover Some Data in Facilities Hit in Iran War
Amazon.com Inc. has been unable to restore access to some of the data stored at Persian Gulf facilities damaged during the US-Iran war.
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
‘Wall Street traders refrained from making riskier bets in the countdown to the Federal Reserve decision, with stocks falling as elevated oil prices drove bond yields to multi-year highs.’ 1/4 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
Stocks Fall as Oil Rally Deepens Bond Selloff: Markets Wrap
Wall Street traders refrained from making riskier bets in the countdown to the Federal Reserve decision, with stocks falling as elevated oil prices drove bond yields to multi-year highs.
110
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Seems a Fed interest rate hike is guaranteed tomorrow: ‘“Tomorrow’s Fed will be the most consequential one we’ve had in some time,” said Alex Cohen, a foreign-exchange strategist at Bank of America.’ www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
bloomberg.com
History Shows Fed Will Deliver Rate Hike Markets Have Locked In
Bond traders are pricing in a Federal Reserve interest-rate hike Wednesday with a level of conviction that has proven right for decades.
010
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
‘Escalating fears over energy prices and inflation drove the 10-year yield above 5% Monday, a pivotal milestone that is forcing investors to confront whether the bond market is entering a new era.’ 1/2 www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
wsj.com
Wall Street Confronts Prospect of a New Era After Treasury Yield Hits 5%
Investors weigh whether the 10-year note’s yield will decisively break through the threshold, creating borrowing environments like in the past.
110
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Exclusive: ‘Carney—who studied in Europe, met his wife in the U.K. and ran the Bank of England for seven years—is placing a counter-bet that he can shift the country once known as British North America back toward the Old Continent.’ www.wsj.com/world/europe...
wsj.com
Exclusive | Mark Carney’s Audacious Bid to Make Canada an ‘Associate Member’ of the EU
As trade talks with the U.S. collapse, prime minister pursues a major—and risky—pivot to Europe; an Ottawa book club plays its part.
001
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
‘Voting is under way in Sweden in a high-stakes election that could lead to the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) entering government for the first time.’ www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Voting under way in Sweden with far right eyeing first role in government
Party with neo-Nazi roots is in line for key ministerial positions if rightwing bloc wins the election
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
‘Russia cannot beat the West outright, but it can hold its own and play for a draw—until, that is, today’s competitive and fragmented order gives way to compromise, de-escalation, and stability.’ Worth reading this piece on Russia and world order. www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/comin...
foreignaffairs.com
The Coming Risks to Russian Power
Can Moscow adjust its foreign policy for a changing world?
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
‘Canada and Ukraine were bound together more tightly on Thursday with the signing of a long-term strategic and political partnership that lays the foundation for the construction of millions of drones to defend both countries.’ www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
cbc.ca
Canada, Ukraine forge 100-year pact built on drones and defence | CBC News
Canada and Ukraine signed a sweeping 100-year partnership on Thursday that puts defence production at its core. Ottawa plans to build millions of drones, pairing Canadian firms with Ukraine's battle-t...
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
‘Deep in Arctic waters near the remote Svalbard archipelago this spring, NATO allies caught Russian subs training to unleash a secret weapon designed to disable critical undersea cables without leaving any fingerprints.’ www.reuters.com/world/europe...
reuters.com
EXCLUSIVE: NATO allies foil Russian subsea cable sabotage plot
Deep in Arctic waters near the remote Svalbard archipelago this spring, NATO allies caught Russian subs training to unleash a secret weapon designed to disable critical undersea cables without leaving...
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
‘Trump Promises $5,000 to US Adults if GOP Wins Midterms’ - tilting the playing field. A hallmark of competitive authoritarianism. www.bloomberg.com/news/live-bl...
bloomberg.com
Trump Promises $5,000 to US Adults if GOP Wins Midterms
000
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
‘The Iranian-backed Houthi militia said on Wednesday that Saudi forces had launched dozens of airstrikes in Yemen, as the country tips toward another full-blown war after weeks of mounting hostilities.’ 1/3 www.nytimes.com/2026/09/09/w...
nytimes.com
Yemen Tilts Toward Full-Scale War as Saudi-Houthi Clashes Escalate
With its oil-export routes once again under threat, Saudi Arabia is stepping up its military campaign against an old antagonist.
100
AnObserver @watchingeurasia.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
‘As the Carney government pursues deeper relations with Beijing, the Chinese government reports it held a "candid" exchange on military issues with Canadian officials earlier this month.’ www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
cbc.ca
China says it held 'candid and in-depth' military talks with Canadian officials last week | CBC News
As the Carney government pursues deeper relations with Beijing, the Chinese government reports it held a "candid" exchange on military issues with Canadian officials earlier this month.
010