member since 16 Feb 2026 12:12
Police stormed a quiet Gelderland village in response to the shooting and officials have yet to release details on what triggered the overnight violence.
Spain and Greece are two of the countries that are less than enthousiastic about European re-armament and support for Ukraine. And Italy’s Meloni is key in strengthening the far right movement in wider Europe.
Hitting targets in Southern Europe would have the effect of strengthening NATO and EU unity and resolve.
The fact that Russia is still looking to hit strategic targets in these countries, would fit the assessments of other intelligence agencies, that the Kremlin has initiated staging operations in preparation of a potential large scale confrontation with NATO.
For context, when they say LGBT tolerance has dropped, its dropped to the level it was in 2008. So its not the overall level of tolerance that’s worrying, but the fact that it dropped so radically in such a short period of time.
I suspect the numbers reflect the influence of social media and right wing extremism. The influence of the manosphere is pretty evident. But I suspect the numbers also reflect the anti-‘woke’ sentiments being stirred up by right wing extremist parties like the PVV and the FVD. Even the more convential right wing party, the VVD, is constantly crusading against ‘woke’.
Because of that the LGBT community often ends up in the crosshairs of right wing extremist politicians.
Russia is escalating its hybrid attacks on NATO.
Dutch politicians have often laughed away foreign accusations of being a narco state, but in truth the Netherlands’ problems with organized crime and drug trafficking are becoming harder and harder to ignore. This incident puts the spotlight on a problem that is probably only going to get worse in the foreseeable future.
I expected them to vote as much. Iceland is a tiny country that relies mainly on fishing. And it’s not like the smaller mainland European nations, who heavily rely on their larger neighbors for trade and defense.
The vote also seems to have been prompted by fears of US aggression. Iceland is already in NATO so (on paper) it benefits from collective defense. Joining the EU might cement defense commitments by mainland countries, but Iceland will still need to invest heavily in national defense for that to realistically protect them from a belligerent America.
Trump: “Putin personally promised me that he wouldn’t attack NATO. And I believe him”
Putin: busy attacking NATO through assassinations, covert sabotage, armed drones and cyberwarfare
I like the photo they chose to share along with the article. The look on Trump’s face is one I recognize. Its of someone faking a though attitude.
That’s the one thing people should learn about Trump. If you peel away his impulsivity, temper tantrums and complete incompetence at government, what you’re left with is a showman.
Trump is all about theatrics. The insults, the intimidation and the threats all mask the fact that he’s playing with an empty hand. The meeting with Xi, the war with Iran and now this spat with Carney, they all revealed his empty hand.
This is the beginning of the end for Trump’s foreign policy. Maybe even for Trump himself.
Prior to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the US had been busy arming Ukraine, to help deter Russian aggression. Had the re-armament continued, then Ukraine would eventually have been able to push Russia out of the Donbas. So the reason for launching a full scale invasion at that time, was probably to win a decisive victory over Ukraine, while it was still ‘weak’. If left unanswered, Russia would’ve risked and eventually humiliating defeat in the Donbas.
We’re kind if in the same boat now. Europe has spent 30 years effectively disarming itself and outsourcing its defense to the US. Meanwhile, the US is trying to get out of its commitments to help defend Europe, while simultaneously having depleted its strategic stockpiles of advanced missiles and interceptors.
If ever there was an ideal moment for Russia to attack Europe, then its right now, before we finally get out sh%t together and finish re-arming ourselves.