Pavlov's Dog

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized the Finland-Norway call with Vladimir Putin, saying the initiative had not been coordinated with other EU partners. She said Europe must preserve unity and avoid individual diplomatic initiatives. #Europe

After decades of the party avoiding explicit morality, Democratic midterm candidates are speaking of good and evil, @galbeckerman.bsky.social argues. He examines a new book by Susan Neiman, “Call It Evil,” and the potential for a moral realignment:

📉 Russia has fallen out of the top three thermal coal exporters, slipping to fourth place. In 2026, its shipments declined by 18.6% to 42.5 million tonnes, - Kommersant Analysts attribute the downturn to weakening demand, competition from Mongolia, and rising transportation costs.

“Rather than simply push false claims at his rallies or target voters his administration claims should not be on the rolls, Mr. Trump moved to pre-emptively challenge the certification of Alaska’s Senate election if the Republican candidate narrowly loses.” www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/u...

❗️GUR: The situation in the Kherson Oblast TOT - the invaders are displacing the Ukrainian population and importing Russians Unbearable living conditions are created for Ukrainians and they are forcibly displaced, often with illegal deprivation of housing and other private property.

Nothing says "the media manufactured the Russia hoax" than going on a hunting trip with one Russian oligarch right after another Russian oligarch had paid for your wedding.

Donald Trump Jr. spent time hunting in Mongolia this summer with Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev. ​Reports reveal that Trump Jr. arrived in Mongolia in late August, where he was joined by Kremlev and oligarch Artur Martirosov, who flew in from Kazakhstan. The group spent two

Days together, supported by Kremlev’s staff of chefs, drivers, and local guides. ​Records show the US Embassy in Mongolia spent $18,715 on hotel accommodations for a Secret Service detail stationed there from August 23 to September 6. (What does "mah tax dollar" crowd thinks of that, i wonder?)

Industry has always played an essential supporting role in war, but companies now find themselves on the front lines. How should modern companies think about this world of warfare? A CSIS report offers a guide to help companies navigate the fog of conflict. Read: https://bit.ly/4jDl8vr

The Classic Learning Test is trying to replace the SAT and ACT, @rosehorowitch.bsky.social writes. She reports on why red states are adopting the CLT at an astonishing rate—and why the test may be lowering standards for students:

"Well, Donald Trump sure looks like he’s woken a sleeping giant here in our politics." trib.al/6kK9oEE

It's almost time. You have the power to make a choice for America. youtu.be/ub9bkPRfU_w

A Russian special forces commander has complained that NATO-made drones are being tested on the front line against Moscow’s troops. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry partially confirmed the claim in July. www.kyivpost.com/post/88298

Putin told Finnish and Norwegian leaders in a call that Russia would not abandon its goal of seizing the entire Donbas, Reuters reported, citing a source close to the Kremlin.

Polish FM Radosław Sikorski: "There is a myth that has been successfully planted in the West that Russia always wins. But things don't always go their way. They lost the Crimean War. They lost the war against Japan. They emerged from World War I with their tails between their legs.

They lost the invasion of Poland. They lost Afghanistan. And they lost the Cold War. So things can turn out very differently."

Zelenskyy discussed de-escalation, the cessation of Russian strikes on the energy sector, and preparations for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the US, and Russia in November with the leaders of Finland and Norway.

Trump’s “only real, authentic pleasure is in cruelty…It is that cruelty, and the delight it brings them, that binds his most ardent supporters to him, in shared scorn for those they hate and fear: immigrants, black voters, feminists and treasonous white men…” www.nytimes.com/2026/10/25/o...

Russia and Ukraine begin local ceasefire in frontline city ft.trib.al/gwqsPjy

It feels like they’re closing with chaos instead of with strength. And you’re starting to see it in how they’re approaching the final ad spend in the race, and also what they’re doing with his time. I think they are in a form of panic now. trib.al/4E3wm7r

Why is potash driving the Trump administration to engage with Lukashenka's regime, and what implications does this have for the EU? It is difficult to see how a US–Belarus deal could result in meaningful changes in global potash flows, writes Mari Paine.

We need to get money out of politics. Let's start with Elon Musk. Full story in reply.

The US is set to ease requirements on oil and gas operations to curb methane emissions in a new climate rollback.

As Israelis go to vote, many are “trembling for the future of their country, no matter which candidate they prefer,” @gcaw.bsky.social reports.

The winner of today’s election will determine not only the future of Israeli democracy but also its approach to Gaza and the West Bank, its relationship with the U.S., and its standing abroad. Dahlia Scheindlin will join FP Live on Oct. 29 to discuss what comes next. Register here:

Alex Turner, our defence editor, analyses whether America intentionally withheld intelligence from Ukraine

⚡️Ukrainian postal service forms private air defense force, shoots down Russian drones. Ukrainian postal company Nova Poshta has started its own air defense force and shot down Russian attack drones targeting their facilities, Vyacheslav Klymov, co-owner of the Nova group of companies, shared.

Rubio touring Texas with Trump as the president rallies supporters politi.co/4ByaNaQ

1/ Saturday's Ukrainian attack on Omsk in Siberia, at a distance of over 2,500 km, is causing fresh angst among Russian warbloggers over the poor performance of Russia's air defences. "[We're being hit] further and deeper," one complains. ⬇️ bsky.app/profile/kyiv...

International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, Full Enquiry - ohchr.org/sites/default/… It concludes that Russia’s deliberate attacks on civilian energy infrastructure constitute war crimes, and the systematic suffering inflicted on civilians amounts to crimes against humanity.

‚Die Generalität des deutschen Heeres ist zu einer mehrtägigen Erkundung eventueller Einsatzräume deutscher Divisionen und Brigaden an die östlichen Grenzen des NATO-Gebiets aufgebrochen.‘: faznet.go.link/l219a www.faz.net/aktuell/poli...

Latest piece. If the Dems take control of Congress, the first investigation (after corruption) has to be about the use of AI in US warfare. American tech executives have placed themselves in a pernicious situation and we need to understand what happened. phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/the-first-...

🤦‍♂️Russian diesel heads to US aboard tanker under EU sanctions

⚡️️ Norway, Finland call Putin ahead of potential Abu Dhabi peace talks. "The outcome of this war will have a direct impact on our and the broader European security. Ending the war requires direct discussions," said Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

⚡️Finnish and Norwegian leaders call Putin afterwards, Zelenskyy

⚡️️ 302,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded by Ukrainian drones since January, Defense Ministry says. The highest number of casualties Ukrainian drones inflicted on the Russian military was recorded in March, with almost 34,000 soldiers killed or irrecoverably wounded.

⚡️ Update: Denmark slams Norway-Finland call with Putin. «I actually don’t know what the two countries think can be achieved with this. I think we should stand together and speak with one voice,» Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.

⁉️Finnish president speaks about talks with Zelenskyy after call with Putin

While Trump is blocking delivery of air defenses that European nations purchased for Europe his piece of shit son is on a several day hunting trip with one of Putin's cronies, the same obe that paid for the Trump family's 2-day island party. It's all incredible and MAGA will cheer for more.

⚡️ NATO Brigade in Latvia launches 'most extensive' deployment exercises, Latvian army says. The Resolute Reforger 2026 exercises, scheduled from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2, will involve about 3,000 soldiers and 1,000 units of equipment, moving on roads and railways, according to the Latvian army.

Zelensky says the US restored full intelligence support for Ukraine and lifted Starshield restrictions. He says the main unresolved issue is the shortage of air-defense systems. Military limits and neutrality are off the table, while territory can only be discussed by leaders. #Ukraine

Zero movement in two years: Zelensky again says territorial questions can be discussed only by the presidents, Russia can't dictate Ukraine’s security guarantees, & limits on its army/neutrality are off the table. US has long proposed “land swaps,” he adds, but Kyiv won't exchange territory.

⚡️Zelensky details expectations for upcoming trilateral peace talks with Russia, US. Before a meeting between Zelensky, Vladimir Putin, and Donald Trump can take place, technical talks among the three countries' negotiating teams must be held first, said Zelensky.

After conceding defeat in Serbia's parliamentary election, Vučić predicted that the winning Student List would sanction Russia by spring. But the movement explicitly promised in September to preserve Serbia's no-sanctions policy. t.me/stranaua/252...

With the defeat of Orban and Vucic, the bipartisan backlash against the Trump administration's alignment with the Kremlin over NATO allies and Ukraine, and the failure of Russia's attempt to advance on the battlefield, Putin's not having his best year. www.rferl.org/a/serbia-vot...

NEW: Ukrainian forces are making slow but tactically significant gains in the Oleksandrivka direction that may later threaten Russian logistics and efforts in the Oleksandrivka and Hulyaipole directions over the long term. Read more: isw.pub/UkrWar102526

Germany is spending hundreds of billions of euros to rebuild its military and revive its economy. But can rearmament deliver lasting growth without a stronger strategy for innovation? warontherocks.com/2026/10/guns...

⚡Drone reportedly strikes business center in Russia's Voronezh as fires break out across city.

Iran is betting that Gulf capitals will start seeing American bases as liabilities, not protection. Some Gulf leaders may already agree. warontherocks.com/tehran-is-a-...

💀Russia loses 1,990 soldiers and 18 artillery systems over past day