Diederik Brink
@diederikbrink.bsky.social
Amerikadeskundige | Analyst American Politics | Docent/Lecturer @ De Haagse Hogeschool | https://www.linkedin.com/in/diederikbrink/
Reposted by Diederik Brink
WSJ follows.
“.. Israel briefed the Trump administration on the intelligence, which included a threat to use shoulder-to-air missiles to target Air Force One.
Some of the president’s top aides stayed on .. including .. Marco Rubio.”
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
“.. Israel briefed the Trump administration on the intelligence, which included a threat to use shoulder-to-air missiles to target Air Force One.
Some of the president’s top aides stayed on .. including .. Marco Rubio.”
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
August 11, 2026 at 5:50 PM
WSJ follows.
“.. Israel briefed the Trump administration on the intelligence, which included a threat to use shoulder-to-air missiles to target Air Force One.
Some of the president’s top aides stayed on .. including .. Marco Rubio.”
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
“.. Israel briefed the Trump administration on the intelligence, which included a threat to use shoulder-to-air missiles to target Air Force One.
Some of the president’s top aides stayed on .. including .. Marco Rubio.”
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Reposted by Diederik Brink
De president wordt ontvoerd, het internet ligt plat en militairen vallen de hoofdstad binnen: Taiwan houdt een tiendaagse militaire oefening waarin al deze scenario's aan bod komen. Want de vrees voor oorlog met China is en blijft aanwezig. Hoe groot is de kans dat die binnenkort begint?
Taiwan oefent Chinese invasie, hoe groot is de kans op oorlog?
China's machtsvertoon voor de kust van Taiwan neemt almaar toe. Toch denken experts dat escalatie nog niet aanstaande is.
nos.nl
August 11, 2026 at 6:29 PM
De president wordt ontvoerd, het internet ligt plat en militairen vallen de hoofdstad binnen: Taiwan houdt een tiendaagse militaire oefening waarin al deze scenario's aan bod komen. Want de vrees voor oorlog met China is en blijft aanwezig. Hoe groot is de kans dat die binnenkort begint?
Reposted by Diederik Brink
Dutch know-how may have just tilted the global balance of power. Register for free to get the full picture
Has China obtained the world’s most important machine?
Its Dutch manufacturer is fighting to rebut American claims
bit.ly
July 28, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Dutch know-how may have just tilted the global balance of power. Register for free to get the full picture
Reposted by Diederik Brink
A strategy for the next decade is coming, says Britain’s new prime minister, but in the autumn. Judging by his predecessors, it could well be too late
If Andy Burnham is going to achieve big things, he has to act now
Why the first 100 days really matter
bit.ly
July 28, 2026 at 6:40 AM
A strategy for the next decade is coming, says Britain’s new prime minister, but in the autumn. Judging by his predecessors, it could well be too late
Reposted by Diederik Brink
None of this makes any sense, except as desperate rationalizations from a man who cannot face facts and admit defeat. On the most important questions of war and peace, the president of the United States seems to be losing his grip on reality itself.
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
Trump Does Not Understand the War He Lost
The president’s comments at the G7 summit revealed that he doesn’t understand the war he started—or the words that come out of his own mouth.
www.theatlantic.com
June 17, 2026 at 1:03 AM
None of this makes any sense, except as desperate rationalizations from a man who cannot face facts and admit defeat. On the most important questions of war and peace, the president of the United States seems to be losing his grip on reality itself.
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
Reposted by Diederik Brink
Elon Musk’s DOGE cut the federal government’s screwworm monitoring program, which cost $15 million.
Now, the Trump administration is preparing to spend $1 billion to combat the screwworm outbreak.
Never forget how destructive and downright stupid DOGE was.
Now, the Trump administration is preparing to spend $1 billion to combat the screwworm outbreak.
Never forget how destructive and downright stupid DOGE was.
June 17, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Elon Musk’s DOGE cut the federal government’s screwworm monitoring program, which cost $15 million.
Now, the Trump administration is preparing to spend $1 billion to combat the screwworm outbreak.
Never forget how destructive and downright stupid DOGE was.
Now, the Trump administration is preparing to spend $1 billion to combat the screwworm outbreak.
Never forget how destructive and downright stupid DOGE was.
Reposted by Diederik Brink
For those keen to celebrate America’s birthday but wary of overdoing it, this newspaper recommends something more cerebral than a cage fight on the lawn: reading Alexis de Tocqueville
Tik-Tocqueville
Why “Democracy in America” is worth going back to on the country’s 250th birthday
econ.st
June 12, 2026 at 5:50 PM
For those keen to celebrate America’s birthday but wary of overdoing it, this newspaper recommends something more cerebral than a cage fight on the lawn: reading Alexis de Tocqueville
'Whichever party ultimately gains more seats from the gerrymandering wars, the loser is clear: American democracy. In a maximum-gerrymandering scenario, more than 400 seats in the House could be safe and essentially uncontestable...' www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
The House of Representatives Is Turning Into the Electoral College
Thanks to the Supreme Court, the gerrymandering wars, already awful, are poised to get even worse.
www.theatlantic.com
May 5, 2026 at 8:56 PM
'Whichever party ultimately gains more seats from the gerrymandering wars, the loser is clear: American democracy. In a maximum-gerrymandering scenario, more than 400 seats in the House could be safe and essentially uncontestable...' www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Een mooi en moeilijk verhaal. In het diep gepolariseerde #Amerika staan mensen vaak lijnrecht tegenover elkaar, maar in #Michigan vinden conservatieven en progressieven elkaar juist, over partijgrenzen heen, in de strijd tegen de bouw van datacentra. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/01/u...
Something Liberals and Conservatives Agree On: Hatred of Data Centers
www.nytimes.com
May 1, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Een mooi en moeilijk verhaal. In het diep gepolariseerde #Amerika staan mensen vaak lijnrecht tegenover elkaar, maar in #Michigan vinden conservatieven en progressieven elkaar juist, over partijgrenzen heen, in de strijd tegen de bouw van datacentra. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/01/u...
Reposted by Diederik Brink
Vrijdagavond schoof ik aan bij Café Kockelmann om te praten over het White House Correspondents' Dinner #WHCD #WHCA. Voorafgaand ging het over de gemaakte grappen uit het verleden. Inmiddels weten we dat editie 2026 werd opgeschrikt door een veiligheidsincident. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tppM...
Correspondents' Dinner door de jaren heen
YouTube video by WNL
www.youtube.com
April 27, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Vrijdagavond schoof ik aan bij Café Kockelmann om te praten over het White House Correspondents' Dinner #WHCD #WHCA. Voorafgaand ging het over de gemaakte grappen uit het verleden. Inmiddels weten we dat editie 2026 werd opgeschrikt door een veiligheidsincident. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tppM...
Reposted by Diederik Brink
The Justice Department seems to be going out of its way to avoid saying that Cole Allen didn't fire any weapons at all inside the Washington Hilton — and that the officer hit was most likely hit by friendly fire. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/is-the-jus...
Is the Justice Department lying about Saturday's "shooting"?
A central point of the government's case doesn't add up.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
April 28, 2026 at 2:43 PM
The Justice Department seems to be going out of its way to avoid saying that Cole Allen didn't fire any weapons at all inside the Washington Hilton — and that the officer hit was most likely hit by friendly fire. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/is-the-jus...
Reposted by Diederik Brink
Conservatives want to police how we talk about Donald Trump—while excusing how the president talks about everyone else, Jonathan Chait argues:
Calling Trump a Tyrant Is Not a Call to Violence
Conservatives want to police how we talk about Trump—while excusing how the president talks about everyone else.
bit.ly
April 28, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Conservatives want to police how we talk about Donald Trump—while excusing how the president talks about everyone else, Jonathan Chait argues:
Reposted by Diederik Brink
standing ovation after King Charles sings the praises of NATO and says "that same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine"
April 28, 2026 at 7:34 PM
standing ovation after King Charles sings the praises of NATO and says "that same unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine"
Reposted by Diederik Brink
NEW: Investigators believe alleged WHCD attacker Cole Allen fired a round from his long gun while charging past the security line Saturday.
But they say they don't know yet whether that's the shot that struck a USSS officer in the ballistic vest.
www.politico.com/news/2026/04...
But they say they don't know yet whether that's the shot that struck a USSS officer in the ballistic vest.
www.politico.com/news/2026/04...
April 28, 2026 at 7:42 PM
NEW: Investigators believe alleged WHCD attacker Cole Allen fired a round from his long gun while charging past the security line Saturday.
But they say they don't know yet whether that's the shot that struck a USSS officer in the ballistic vest.
www.politico.com/news/2026/04...
But they say they don't know yet whether that's the shot that struck a USSS officer in the ballistic vest.
www.politico.com/news/2026/04...
Vrijdagavond schoof ik aan bij Café Kockelmann om te praten over het White House Correspondents' Dinner #WHCD #WHCA. Voorafgaand ging het over de gemaakte grappen uit het verleden. Inmiddels weten we dat editie 2026 werd opgeschrikt door een veiligheidsincident. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tppM...
Correspondents' Dinner door de jaren heen
YouTube video by WNL
www.youtube.com
April 27, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Vrijdagavond schoof ik aan bij Café Kockelmann om te praten over het White House Correspondents' Dinner #WHCD #WHCA. Voorafgaand ging het over de gemaakte grappen uit het verleden. Inmiddels weten we dat editie 2026 werd opgeschrikt door een veiligheidsincident. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tppM...
Reposted by Diederik Brink
The White House bunker has never been intended to be a place a president would actually run a crisis from long-term. Why is Trump evidently trying to change that now & build a super-bunker? There's no scenario I can think of where this makes sense—except one: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/the-troubl...
The Trouble with Trump's Bunker and Ballroom
Is he building it to sustain an attack — or the end of democracy?
www.doomsdayscenario.co
April 27, 2026 at 6:10 PM
The White House bunker has never been intended to be a place a president would actually run a crisis from long-term. Why is Trump evidently trying to change that now & build a super-bunker? There's no scenario I can think of where this makes sense—except one: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/the-troubl...
Reposted by Diederik Brink
This is so well done. 👌
April 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM
This is so well done. 👌
Reposted by Diederik Brink
"Like insurgents in Iraq, Iran doesn’t need to win outright; it needs only to endure, using limited force to impose economic and strategic damage. The U.S. and Israel, in contrast, must achieve decisive gains to avoid a strategic loss."
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
The U.S. and Iran Are Fighting a Massively Asymmetrical War
The Strait of Hormuz presents a classic war theater for an insurgency to bog down superior forces.
www.theatlantic.com
March 26, 2026 at 2:12 AM
"Like insurgents in Iraq, Iran doesn’t need to win outright; it needs only to endure, using limited force to impose economic and strategic damage. The U.S. and Israel, in contrast, must achieve decisive gains to avoid a strategic loss."
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...
Reposted by Diederik Brink
Just to be very clear: The Trump DOJ is stealing $1.2 million of your money to gift one of Trump’s cronies, who pled guilty to the crimes he was charged with, and whose suit against the government had already been tossed by a judge.
ABC reports that Mike Flynn’s reward for committing crimes for Trump will be $1.2M.
abcnews.com/US/doj-pay-t...
abcnews.com/US/doj-pay-t...
DOJ to pay ex-Trump adviser Michael Flynn $1M to settle malicious prosecution suit: Sources
The DOJ has reached an agreement with ex-Trump adviser Michael Flynn to pay him roughly $1.2 million to settle claims that he was politically prosecuted, sources say.
abcnews.com
March 25, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Just to be very clear: The Trump DOJ is stealing $1.2 million of your money to gift one of Trump’s cronies, who pled guilty to the crimes he was charged with, and whose suit against the government had already been tossed by a judge.
Reposted by Diederik Brink
How it started. How it's going.
March 21, 2026 at 4:01 AM
How it started. How it's going.
Reposted by Diederik Brink
The Epstein files contain 1.4m emails. Working with independent researchers, we have used AI tools to build a picture of the sex offender’s network. Register for free to read the first such analysis of its kind www.economist.com/interactive/...
Inside Jeffrey Epstein’s network
What 1.4m emails reveal about America’s most notorious sex offender
econ.st
March 16, 2026 at 6:00 AM
The Epstein files contain 1.4m emails. Working with independent researchers, we have used AI tools to build a picture of the sex offender’s network. Register for free to read the first such analysis of its kind www.economist.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Diederik Brink
“Forty-seven years ago, Iran had a revolution that replaced a U.S.-allied monarchy with an anti-American theocracy,” Karim Sadjadpour and Jack Goldstone write. “Today the Islamic Republic of Iran may be on the verge of a counterrevolution.”
Is the Iranian Regime About to Collapse?
Five conditions determine whether revolutions succeed. For the first time since 1979, Iran meets nearly all of them.
bit.ly
January 11, 2026 at 9:15 PM
“Forty-seven years ago, Iran had a revolution that replaced a U.S.-allied monarchy with an anti-American theocracy,” Karim Sadjadpour and Jack Goldstone write. “Today the Islamic Republic of Iran may be on the verge of a counterrevolution.”
Reposted by Diederik Brink
It is a remarkable reversal of his administration’s wariness of foreign entanglement. But it remains unclear how he would secure Venezuela if its army and militias choose to resist
Donald Trump wants to run Venezuela, and dominate the western hemisphere
Snatching Nicolás Maduro and attempting to take control of Venezuela and its oil is an extraordinary display of the new “Donroe doctrine”
econ.st
January 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM
It is a remarkable reversal of his administration’s wariness of foreign entanglement. But it remains unclear how he would secure Venezuela if its army and militias choose to resist
Bericht van President Trump over NYT. De in de VS vallen dit soort Truth Social berichten nauwelijks nog op. Hoe zou je dit in ieder ander land beschrijven? Het is opnieuw druk op de vrije pers. Iedere president mopperde over berichtgeving, maar nooit eerder werden openlijk zulke woorden gebruikt.
December 23, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Bericht van President Trump over NYT. De in de VS vallen dit soort Truth Social berichten nauwelijks nog op. Hoe zou je dit in ieder ander land beschrijven? Het is opnieuw druk op de vrije pers. Iedere president mopperde over berichtgeving, maar nooit eerder werden openlijk zulke woorden gebruikt.
Reposted by Diederik Brink
As a historian I've looked at hundreds of thousands of pages of government documents. And I just have to say that aside from being obviously illegal and clearly suggestive of some major crime, this “redaction” business is not a position in which serious people or serious governments find themselves
There is no basis to withhold these images under the clear terms of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. None.
WOW: The DOJ has DELETED an image from its release of the Epstein files that shows photos of Trump in a drawer.
Yesterday, we noted that this image — file 468 — likely slipped through the cracks while officials were attempting to hide materials pertaining to Trump.
Now, it’s gone.
Yesterday, we noted that this image — file 468 — likely slipped through the cracks while officials were attempting to hide materials pertaining to Trump.
Now, it’s gone.
December 21, 2025 at 9:42 PM
As a historian I've looked at hundreds of thousands of pages of government documents. And I just have to say that aside from being obviously illegal and clearly suggestive of some major crime, this “redaction” business is not a position in which serious people or serious governments find themselves