Gulf Stream Blues

Gulf Stream Blues, written by a Brussels-based journalist, explores European politics and life, focusing on the continent's move towards autonomy, challenges in liberal democracy, EU governance complexities, and the impact of nationalism. It offers insights into EU-US relations, the consequences of climate policies, and the dynamics of EU enlargement.

European Politics EU-US Relations Liberal Democracy Nationalism in Europe EU Governance and Leadership Climate Policy and Environmental Action EU Enlargement and Geopolitics Media Representation and Bias Regional Languages in the EU Global Electoral Trends

The hottest Substack posts of Gulf Stream Blues

And their main takeaways

A Trump presidency could unite Europe - in obedience

59 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Far-right International relations Populism Sovereignty
  1. If Trump wins again, it could boost far-right parties in Europe. These parties are gaining popularity but not as much as Trump in the U.S.
  2. Some European leaders think a Trump presidency could shock Europe into becoming more independent. However, there's skepticism about whether this will really happen.
  3. It's likely that Europe's far-right might come together in support of Trump rather than against him, which could strengthen their power and influence.

The EU Parliament's right-wing 'Venezuela coalition'

79 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political alliances Far-right Immigration
  1. The center-right European Peoples Party (EPP) is leaning towards the far-right, creating a coalition despite previous promises to avoid such alliances.
  2. A recent controversial vote awarded the Sakharov Prize to Venezuelan opposition leaders, showing the growing collaboration between the EPP and far-right parties.
  3. There's concern that if the EPP continues forming alliances with the far right, it could lead to a stronger right-wing coalition in the European Parliament.

How would the EU react to a second US coup attempt?

59 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections International relations Democracy Political Leadership
  1. The EU is anxious about the upcoming US election and how the results could affect their political stability. They are worried about a possible repeat of Trump's refusal to concede and the chaos that could follow.
  2. EU leaders might face a tough choice on whether to recognize a win for Kamala Harris if Trump doesn't concede. This could create divisions within Europe, especially with leaders like Viktor Orban supporting Trump.
  3. If Trump attempts another coup, the EU’s response will be complicated. Many European countries rely on the US for security, leaving them unsure about how to react to a potential US dictatorship.

EU set to embrace migrant offshoring hubs at today's summit

39 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics Migration policy Political Reforms International relations
  1. The EU is considering offshore migrant hubs to deport asylum seekers faster. This is a change from their previous stance that deemed such actions illegal.
  2. Leaders like Italy's Prime Minister Meloni support this approach, aimed at sending migrants to countries like Albania, which are not part of the EU.
  3. There are mixed opinions among EU countries about this plan, with some fearing it may violate international law and not effectively address the root migration issues.

Will Belgium become Europe's next hard-right government?

19 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics Political Systems European Politics Federalism Nationalism
  1. Belgium is experiencing a rise in far-right politics, similar to trends in Italy and the Netherlands. This means more far-right parties could gain power in Europe.
  2. The New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) has been the largest party in Belgium for years, advocating for more regional control and less federal influence. They want a system where regions manage their own taxes.
  3. Belgium's complicated political system is affecting its unity, with ongoing debates about taxation and regional independence. Many believe the country functions more like separate states instead of a united nation.
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Has the EU president grown a spine?

39 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🌍 World Politics European Union Leadership International relations Political critique
  1. Ursula von der Leyen showed strong leadership in a recent speech, criticizing Hungary's leader directly. This marks a shift from her earlier deferential style.
  2. The EU needs a bold leader who can challenge national leaders and push for collective progress. Having a president who can be a 'bully' might help the EU gain strength on the global stage.
  3. There's uncertainty if this new assertiveness is permanent or just a one-time event. It's still unclear if von der Leyen will continue to act independently now that she's secured her position.

Nationalists ousted in Poland: a game-changer for the EU

833 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
  1. Nationalists ousted in Poland in recent elections.
  2. The change in government in Poland is considered a game-changer for the EU.
  3. Polish voters rejected far-right nationalists in favor of liberal democracy.

Europe must prepare for a post-American world

218 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
  1. Europe needs to prepare for the possibility of a post-American world, assuming Trump will win the presidency again.
  2. European leaders have kept citizens unaware of their dependence on the US for security and prosperity.
  3. Europe should take steps to transform NATO into a Europe-only defense tool with EU involvement to ensure readiness for potential future scenarios.

Why the US media gets the EU so wrong

119 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
  1. Misinterpretations of the EU by the US media are common due to a lack of understanding about how the EU operates.
  2. Mainstream American news outlets may sensationalize stories about the EU because they assume their audience lacks knowledge about EU governance.
  3. Relying on accurate sources and understanding the nuances of international politics can help prevent the spread of misinformation.

Farmers get the world, climate gets the shaft

99 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
  1. Farmers protests in Europe cause concessions by the European Commission to suspend significant greening provisions in the Common Agricultural Policy.
  2. EU leaders, including von der Leyen, show a willingness to give in to violent protests against climate action while condemning violent protests for climate action.
  3. The political dynamics and pressure within the EU risk potentially abandoning climate goals to satisfy rightward public drift, raising concerns among environmental campaigners about the future of climate policies under von der Leyen's leadership.

2024: the year democracy is voted out?

119 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
  1. 2024 will see an unprecedented number of elections worldwide, putting democracy to the test.
  2. Key elections in countries like the US, EU, India, and Russia may determine the rise of nationalist autocracy.
  3. There is a growing global trend of people losing faith in liberal democracy and turning towards authoritarianism, posing a threat to established democratic norms.

Time to move beyond Twitter

218 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
  1. Twitter has pros and cons for public discourse
  2. Consider moving to Substack for more nuanced content
  3. Share a different perspective on European politics and policy

An overdose of Atlanticism has put Europeans at risk

178 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
  1. European reliance on the United States for defense is a major risk.
  2. The current dominant ideology of Atlanticism in Europe may not be sustainable.
  3. Europe needs to consider the concept of European Sovereignty as a potential solution.

The EU's very German president

119 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
  1. The EU's president, Ursula von der Leyen, faced backlash for unfreezing funds for Hungary, leading to concerns about her leadership decisions.
  2. Von der Leyen's leadership style reflects a strong German influence, which could be seen as problematic for her European role.
  3. Von der Leyen's response to the Gaza conflict has raised questions about her ability to represent a unified EU stance on foreign policy issues.

The EU is not a bloc

158 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
  1. The EU is not a bloc; it is a confederation or union
  2. Media misrepresentation of the EU as a 'bloc' can lead to public confusion
  3. Referring to the EU as a 'bloc' overlooks its complexity and unique position in the world

Europe braces for economic war with America

59 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
  1. European Central Bank chief warns about potential economic threats and advises Europe to be prepared
  2. Europe needs to reduce its dependency on the United States to mitigate risks in case of an economic war
  3. Past trade conflicts with the US have shown the importance of EU completing the single market and integrating financial markets

What does the Dutch far-right victory really mean?

79 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
  1. Geert Wilders' far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) did well in the Dutch election but winning doesn't guaranteed power.
  2. The rise of far-right parties in Europe is concerning for liberal democracy, but coalitions in the Netherlands might prevent them from governing.
  3. The surge of far-right parties in Europe is being closely watched, especially in neighboring countries like Belgium. The increased influence of far-right parties in Europe is a reflection of a broader challenge to liberal democracy.

Could the EU enlarge itself to death?

79 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
  1. A floated EU Commission proposal to grant candidate status to Georgia is reigniting concerns that EU enlargement may weaken the union.
  2. The differences between Moldova and Georgia highlight the complexities of EU accession based on geography, politics, and history.
  3. EU accession can be used geopolitically, raising concerns about the balance of power, the sustainability of a larger union, and the true end goal of the European confederation.

The European Council should not have a president

99 implied HN points • 07 Sep 23
  1. The role of the European Council President is not well-defined and has led to ineffective leadership
  2. The title 'president' creates confusion as it implies more power and authority than the role actually holds
  3. Changing the title to 'chairperson' and redefining expectations could improve the function of the role and avoid unnecessary power struggles

Why the EU president won't fire her rogue commissioner

59 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
  1. In the EU system, commissioners cannot be easily fired like in a national government.
  2. There are political sensitivities and structural problems preventing the EU president from firing a rogue commissioner.
  3. The EU commissioner system is complex with issues around national influence and handling rogue commissioners.

Granada summit: two decades of EU accession false promises

59 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
  1. EU accession promises should not be used for geopolitical goals
  2. Concerns about Ukraine joining the EU stem from demographic and geographical challenges
  3. EU's history with Turkey shows caution is needed in expanding membership

Is the EU about to get a hard-right president?

19 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
  1. There is a potential rise of far-right groups in the EU parliament following the upcoming elections, making it challenging to appoint a centrist Commission President.
  2. The far-right groups such as ECR and ID are gaining traction and could unite to become the largest political group in the European Parliament.
  3. Having a hard-right EU president could significantly impact climate legislation, relationships with the US, and the overall stability of the liberal world order.

Is von der Leyen running for a second term?

39 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
  1. The European Commission President is appointed through an indirect process involving the European Council and the European Parliament.
  2. The Spitzenkandidat system for selecting the President faced challenges, leading to uncertainty and lack of citizen engagement.
  3. Von der Leyen's potential second term is influenced by her party, the Green Deal, and the need to navigate political dynamics within the EU.

Is Ukraine the new Vietnam?

19 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
  1. Is Ukraine being compared to Vietnam by Russia's spy chief?
  2. Vietnam is experiencing rapid growth and energy, noted in Da Nang.
  3. American politicians' failure to admit mistakes in the Vietnam War led to many deaths.

Will Sanchez stay in power by promising Catalans things he can’t deliver?

39 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
  1. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez may hold onto power by allying with Catalan separatists.
  2. Sanchez is making promises to Catalan separatists, such as requesting Catalan as an official EU language, that might not be fulfilled.
  3. The situation in Catalonia is complex, with historical and cultural factors influencing the independence debate and negotiations with Madrid.

Would Catalan open the floodgates to an EU cacophony?

19 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
  1. EU countries rejected the request to establish Catalan, Basque, and Galician as official EU languages, citing the need for further study on costs and implications.
  2. The debate over regional languages becoming official at the EU level questions how central nation-states should be in the EU's functioning.
  3. Concerns exist that granting official EU status to Catalan, Basque, and Galician could lead to a domino effect of other regional languages seeking the same recognition.

Debunking the myth of UK and US media's 'neutral gaze'

2 HN points • 22 Aug 23
  1. US and UK-based media often portray themselves as neutral observers, but they have inherent biases.
  2. Mainstream media's narratives can shape perceptions in Europe and beyond, impacting how news is viewed globally.
  3. There is a need for more diverse perspectives in journalism to provide a more balanced and nuanced view of international news.

Iberia in political disarray

0 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
  1. Two prominent EU Left prime ministers are caught in scandals with European implications.
  2. Protests erupted in Spain over an amnesty deal for Catalan independence organizers.
  3. The fall of the Portuguese Prime Minister is affecting EU job predictions and injecting uncertainty.

Indonesia eyes another 'death of democracy'

0 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
  1. 2024 is the biggest election year in world history with 90 countries holding elections and half the world's population eligible to vote
  2. In Indonesia, upcoming presidential election on Valentine's Day is a choice between a military strongman and candidates committed to democracy
  3. Polling in Indonesia indicates people are leaning towards the strongman, despite arguments about preserving democracy