Trump’s tech bros are being framed by Brussels as an existential threat to the EU, and the situation is far more complex than a simple trade war. The core issue isn’t just tariffs on steel and aluminum; it’s a calculated attempt to undermine the EU’s regulatory power, specifically its efforts to control disinformation and rein in the power of tech giants. This isn’t merely about economics; it’s a fight for regulatory sovereignty.
This isn’t a new phenomenon, however. The influence of these powerful tech companies, fueled by right-wing political movements across the globe, has been steadily eroding democratic processes for years.… Continue reading
A Chinese-crewed cargo ship, the Hongtai, was detained by Taiwanese authorities following the severing of a subsea telecom cable near Penghu. The Togolese-registered vessel, operating under a flag of convenience and with Chinese funding, was intercepted and escorted to Taiwan for investigation. While the cause remains undetermined, the incident is being treated as a potential national security matter, with the possibility of intentional sabotage under consideration. The crew is currently being questioned, and the investigation is ongoing.
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Germany’s Inspector of the Navy, Vice Adm. Jan Christian Kaack, announced that multiple German warships were recently sabotaged, with damage affecting “more than one unit.” This follows a report detailing metal shavings deliberately placed in the engine of the new corvette, Emden, potentially causing significant damage. Kaack cited a growing and urgent threat from Russia, though he did not explicitly attribute responsibility for the sabotage. The incidents come amid a series of suspected attacks against German and allied infrastructure, prompting heightened security concerns.
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Rostelecom, Russia’s state-controlled telecoms giant, reported damage to its Baltic Sea underwater cable caused by an “external impact.” Repair efforts are underway, with the company assuring that service disruptions to consumers have been avoided. This incident follows a series of similar cable cuts in the Baltic, prompting accusations of Russian-orchestrated hybrid warfare against Ukraine’s Western allies. The nature of the “external impact” remains unconfirmed.
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NATO’s Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Innovation, Hybrid, and Cyber, James Appathurai, confirmed a foiled Russian plot to assassinate Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, highlighting it as one of several attacks targeting European defense leaders. Appathurai detailed Russia’s escalating hybrid warfare campaign against the West, employing methods such as online recruitment of operatives to conduct sabotage and destabilizing actions. This campaign, he stressed, predates the Ukraine war and is integrated into broader Kremlin strategy, encompassing political interference and infrastructure damage. He urged a unified European response and a “wartime mindset” to counter this persistent aggression.
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A severed undersea fiber optic cable connecting Latvia and Sweden, located within Sweden’s exclusive economic zone, prompted a joint investigation by Latvian and Swedish authorities, with NATO’s assistance. A Latvian patrol boat inspected a suspicious vessel, while two others remain under investigation for potential involvement in the damage. While the cable sustained significant damage, LVRTC assures that service disruptions to end-users are minimal due to alternative routes. This incident follows a series of similar attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, prompting NATO’s “Baltic Sentry” mission to protect the region.
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Lithuania’s Public Security Service (VST) has initiated heightened security measures at crucial power infrastructure, including the LitPol Link and NordBalt cable, ahead of the Baltic states’ planned disconnection from the Russian power grid on February 8th. This expedited security transition, originally slated for April, involves deploying advanced anti-drone systems and specialized weaponry to counter potential Russian retaliation. The enhanced security is in response to recent suspected sabotage incidents targeting Baltic Sea energy and telecommunications infrastructure, viewed as part of Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics. The move is deemed vital for Lithuania’s energy and national security, bolstering its independence from Russian energy supplies.
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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk revealed Russia’s alleged plan to conduct global acts of sabotage, including targeting airlines with “air terror.” This claim, made alongside Ukrainian President Zelensky, highlights Warsaw’s assertion that Russia is waging hybrid warfare against Western nations supporting Ukraine. These accusations follow previous allegations of Russian involvement in a deadly Azerbaijani airliner crash and plots to place incendiary devices on cargo planes. Poland has already taken action, arresting individuals linked to sabotage and closing a Russian consulate.
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Accusations of Russian involvement in attacks on European transportation infrastructure are mounting. These range from alleged sabotage of railways and GPS jamming to the recent downing of an Azerbaijani passenger jet, mirroring the 2014 MH17 tragedy. While Russia denies responsibility, multiple countries have voiced concerns about a pattern of hybrid warfare tactics employed by Moscow. The Kremlin’s response to these accusations has consistently been denial.
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The Belize-flagged Russian cargo vessel *Vasily Shukshin* spent three and a half weeks loitering near Taiwan’s Fangshan undersea cable landing station before inexplicably returning to Russia. This activity, noted by maritime analyst Ray Powell, follows recent concerns regarding potential Russian sabotage of undersea communication cables. While the Taiwan Coast Guard reported no cable damage, the incident heightens anxieties about Russian capabilities to disrupt critical infrastructure. Experts warn of the significant economic and communication consequences should such sabotage occur.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker