"Swapping American dominance of the western hemisphere for Chinese dominance of east Asia would be the deal of the century. For China." @gideonrachman.bsky.social on the wild scenes of the Donroe Doctrine: as.ft.com/r/3d92b5c5-3...

This week marks exactly 50 years since the release of the #BobDylan album #Desire, in january 1976. An incredible album with some legendary tracks that still resonate today.

President of #Finland 🇫🇮 on a state visit to #Netherlands 🇳🇱 A country combi that to me will always be associated with legendary Jari #Litmanen, the greatest 🇫🇮 football player ever, who had his glory days in mid-1990s with @afcajax.bsky.social Amsterdam, winning the Champions League in 1995.

De Italiaans-Zwitserse politicoloog Giuliano da Empoli kent de internationale politiek van binnen en buiten. Tot zijn frustratie reageert Europa verkeerd op het Amerikaanse buitenlandbeleid: ‘Europa mist strategische intelligentie.’

Terugkeer naar 0,7% bni OS in Jetten-bontebal stuk. @tomjanmeeus.bsky.social : “diplomaten & ondernemers vragen er nadrukkelijk om”. “Soft power kan van levensbelang zijn”, en “Internationale samenwerking is een urgent nationaal belang.” www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...

New @clingendael.bsky.social report on human rights abuses in Mozambican 🇲🇿 province Cabo Delgado. Especially in 2019-21, it was a living hell, with atrocities committed by Islamist Al Shabaab and MOZ 🇲🇿 army. Remarkable that things improved notably since the arrival of Rwandan 🇷🇼 troops in 2021.

Nu Trump het concept van ‘het Westen’ heeft opgeblazen zit er ook voor NL 🇳🇱 niets anders op dan elders houvast te zoeken”, zo stelt @nrc commentaar. www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...

Without significant changes, “the multilateral system as it exists will crumble,” warns President of Finland Alexander Stubb. And “the alternatives are much worse: spheres of influence, chaos, and disorder.”

Great interview with Ha-Joon Chang on Indian 🇮🇳 economy and the challenge of industrialisation. “Without international trade, there will be no economic development. But that is not the same as free trade.” frontline.thehindu.com/interviews/i...

"Africa must avoid resuming its historic role as only an exporter of natural resources with little added value. By leveraging emerging policy space, regional platforms like the AfCFTA, and ambitious industrial strategies, the continent can chart a new course toward shared prosperity."

Today marks exactly 25 years since the #murder of #journalist Carlos Cardoso, in Maputo, #Mozambique 🇲🇿 His career coincided with first decades of MOZ independence, drawn up in this great book. Cardoso deserves to be remembered as a hero of investigative journalism in Southern Africa.

A very important graph! The good news: pace of poverty reduction was phenomenal during 2000-2020. Mostly on account of econ growth & transformation in Asia. Since then, poverty reduction has stalled. Key to future progress will be unlocking economic transformation & industrialization in Africa.

For @foreignpolicy.com I did a deep dive on Brazil's effort to keep climate cooperation alive despite highly adverse geopolitics. While some have said the U.S. retreat on this issue creates an opening for China, Brazil is also flexing its voice as a middle power and raising 🧵

Great listen. Very relevant for EU, given the need to listen better to Global South: @afrobarometer.bsky.social is an essential channel for doing so. Its CEO Asunka points out that #Jobs is the predominant concern of Africa's citizens. open.spotify.com/episode/4Krw...

Interview met China 🇨🇳 expert Dan Wang, auteur. An 'Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future'. "Wie zegt dat Chinese industrie alleen groot is geworden door overheidssubsidies en tech-diefstal onderschat de Chinezen" www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...

Very true: the world is not short of climate commitments. What is missing is the ability to deliver fast, fair & durable progress. That is why investing in #state #capacity to work on implementation, through effective country platforms, is so essential.

In a multipolar world, Europe has enough clout to tilt the balance of influence one way or another. The Trump administration’s war on climate give it reasons to seek a green pact with China. But there are geopolitical conditions for such a pact to emerge. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/e...

Some hard truths here in leadup to AU-EU summit in Luanda 🇦🇴 “Long-standing underlying causes of tension in the relationship are skilfully concealed behind empty slogans of equity, shared values & common interest. This tends to perpetuate perception that these summits operate in a parallel universe”

Worrying to see EU leaders pull out of Latin American summit in Colombia 🇨🇴, apparently in part out of fear of angering Trump. The opposite is needed in current geopolitical context: strengthening relations with the Global South. See: www.adviesraadinternationalevraagstukken.nl/site/binarie...

Looking forward to reading Dani Rodrik's new book, 'Shared Prosperity in a Fractured World: a New Economics for the Middle Class, Global Poor and Our Climate'. He is calling for an updated version of industrial policies: more experimental, iterative and place-based, with sub-national governments.

Trump 🇺🇲 threatens Nigeria 🇳🇬 with military action over violence against Christians - on.ft.com/4qBlpjs @FT "Some Nigerians compared the issue of alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria with criticisms of South Africa, which Trump has falsely accused of pursuing a genocide against Afrikaner farmers"

Africa takes lead in emerging market rally as ‘real’ assets attract investors - on.ft.com/436ZpDd via @FT Booming African stock markets, in countries like 🇿🇦 RSA 🇲🇦 MOR 🇳🇬 NGA & 🇰🇪 KEN

Unprecedented violence in Tanzania 🇹🇿, which had been largely peaceful since independence early 1960s. "Hundreds are feared dead after authorities shot protesters in cities around the country in days after election" Sounds a bit like situation in Mozambique 🇲🇿 last Dec. on.ft.com/4hGjW7E via @FT

Jihadis encircle Mali’s capital as they close in on power - on.ft.com/3LDVd7M via @FT

Verademing vergeleken met tv-debatten, dit geopolitiek debat met 6 partijen, georganiseerd door @geopolitieknu.bsky.social. Brede overeenstemming op stelling over samenwerking met mondiale Zuiden, al lopen ideeën over wat precies en vooral ‘hoe’ nog uiteen. Recent AIV advies kan daarbij helpen! 👇

De #Nexperia zaak toont hoe diep geopolitieke spanningen 🇺🇸 / 🇨🇳 inmiddels reiken in NL economie. Goede illustratie van het onwenselijke #geopolitieke scenario waar AIV advies over Mondiale Zuiden voor waarschuwt: Dat van dominerende #tweestrijd waar andere landen - zoals NL - in worden meegesleept.

The EU should remain cautious as the situation in Madagascar develops, especially given that Randrianirina’s choice of prime minister is already causing some disagreement—but it also needs to stand by the Malagasy people, writes Daria Jankiel @ecfrafrica.bsky.social https://bit.ly/47oBEYt

Reading. www.ft.com/content/e999...

Terechte loftrompet over de magistrale D'Angelo - deze week veel te vroeg overleden. Black Messiah (2014) is één van de beste albums van deze eeuw. Uit NRC artikel: Vele muzikale invloeden 'samengebracht in werkelijk subliem samenspel' op 'een daverend album'. Inderdaad.

Fascinating stats from @afrobarometer.bsky.social on which African countries have the most citizens considering emigrating. At the top: The Gambia, Liberia, Ghana, Cabo Verde, Angola, Sierra Leone. Overall East Africa doing much better than West and Southern Africa.

NL 🇳🇱 moet zich niet mee laten sleuren in conflict tussen VS 🇺🇲 & CHN 🇨🇳, zeggen Vincent Chang en @franspaulvdputten.bsky.social. Komt ook overeen met analyse in recent AIV advies over mondiale Zuiden. www.adviesraadinternationalevraagstukken.nl/documenten/p... www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...

#RIP D’Angelo Passed away today, way too young (51), of pancreatic cancer. Absolute master. Black Messiah (2014) is one of the best albums of the 21st century so far. #DAngelo D’Angelo and The Vanguard - The Charade (Audio) youtu.be/T3CunfPYkME?si…

Leaders of Grenada, Ethiopia, Colombia, DRC, Angola, South Africa, Cabo Verde & Mauritania are in Brussels for VDL's Global Gateway Forum From Europe, as well as commission, PM of Luxembourg and deputy PMs of Poland and Belgium. As an EU diplomat told me today, not a great look!

@nrc.nl over klimaat financiering: "het gevolg is dat steeds groter gat gaapt tussen wat ontwikkelingslanden nodig hebben en wat rijke landen bereid zijn beschikbaar te stellen" AIV advies 2023 blijft actueel: www.adviesraadinternationalevraagstukken.nl/documenten/p... www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...

"Wordt Gaza het kerkhof van het internationaal recht, nu Israel zich amper voor zijn vernietigingscampagne hoeft te verantwoorden?" www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...

Hoe lang gaan we door met het verdacht maken van vredelievende en hoopvolle mensen? Tot dat er alleen nog maar cynici en schreeuwers over zijn? Hoe gaat dit ons ooit helpen? Wat kweken we anders dan haat jegens elkaar? Mogen ajb de welwillende mensen een podium krijgen? Het is al moeilijk genoeg.

NEW: Extraordinary scenes in Amsterdam this afternoon (Sunday, Oct 5). An estimated 250,000 bring the city to a standstill; people all wearing red to show solidarity with Palestine 🇵🇸 (🎥 Ahmed Zantac)

Our op-ed in @projectsyndicate.bsky.social on Restoring Public-Sector Capacity ➡️ www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/w...

"in just 5 years, German automakers' market share in China shrunk from 24.2% (2019) to 14.6% (2024), while Chinese brands increased theirs from 39.2% to 65.2%" In part related to emergence of 'ping ti' culture, focused on 'affordable alternatives' From @ecfr.eu : ecfr.eu/article/know...

Good @restispolitics.bsky.social coverage of Dutch 🇳🇱 politics in lead-up to elections later this month, by @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social & @rory-stewart.bsky.social. Pronunciation remains tricky 😅 with Dick 'Sjoef' Schoof, and Henri 'Bonnenthal' Bontebal open.spotify.com/episode/0Ezs...

Unless the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is renewed, African exporters of agricultural products and light manufactures could face shrinking market access to the United States, undermining prospects for diversification. Full story: ▶️ ow.ly/L3Jw50X4Uyh

This week 40 years ago (1985), Tom Waits' brilliant Rain Dogs album came out. Songs for the strays who lost their way home when the streets got washed clean. A hymn for the drifters, the broken, the outcasts. The sublime title track: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTlk... #tomwaits #raindogs #music 🌧️🐶

What's one of your favorite Bonzo memories or Zeppelin tunes? Remembering John "Bonzo" Bonham, born in Worcestershire, England, on May 31, 1948, who is regarded as one of the greatest rock and roll drummers of all time. Bonham started playing drums at age 5. By age 15, he had a full drum set. In 👇

Todd Moss at Energy for Growth is worth reading on the downside of the African solar panel import boom. It's bad news for the grid, and Africa needs workable grids toddmoss.substack.com/p/africa-nee...

"Een meerderheid van de Nederlandse bevolking vindt volgens de peiling dat Israël genocide pleegt in Gaza. Voor 54 procent is dit het geval, terwijl 12 procent het er mee oneens is." www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...

Ondanks dat dit alles met de politiek te maken heeft, laten we niet alles politiek maken! #LUBACH

Ivoorkust, ‘s werelds grootste cacaoproducent, maakt zich op voor een grote ommezwaai met de invoering van een regionale cacaonorm én de Europese antiboskapwet. Ik reisde naar een van de oudste cacaogebieden in het oosten om te kijken hoe dat gaat. “De Europese wat?” www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...

Mind-blowing statistic in Adam Tooze newsletter. In first 6 months of 2025, China 🇨🇳 installed 256 GW of new #solar #energy capacity. That’s more than twice the rest of the world combined in same period. It's also more than TOTAL installed existing capacity in US 🇺🇸 and 80% of total EU 🇪🇺 capacity

NRC artikel over een van de mooiste voetbalclubs van Duitsland 🇩🇪- St. Pauli uit Hamburg Geen sjeik of rijke zakenman, maar de trouwe supporter als geldschieter: het Duitse St. Pauli wil laten zien dat het ook anders kan": www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/...

Kijtip: dit is echt ontzettend grappig. 'De week van Merijn' Briljante scènes in de aflevering van afgelopen zondag, met name die over gezondheids-tvshow en sensitiviteit in de onderwereld! npo.nl/start/serie/...