Director Europe, Russia, Eurasia @csis. Host EuroFile/RussianRoulette. Fmr State Department (PM/T/SP). Dad, husband. Largely at @maxbergmann.bsky.social
Washington DC
Joined June 2009
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Max Bergmann retweeted
SpaceX Investor @GerberKawasaki tells me he’s not only “disgusted…from a humanity perspective” by restrictions on Starlink in Ukraine, but also: “…they've given everybody a reason not to use Starlink, that Starlink isn't reliable for national security for anybody but Trump.”
Max Bergmann retweeted
A major achievement of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2026 has been stabilizing the frontline, creating the conditions for localized counterattacks while inflicting relatively high rates of attrition on Russian forces. This has been enabled by a more flexible defensive posture under the new commander-in-chief. Unmanned warfare, including mid-range strike systems, has played an important role in all of this, helping degrade Russian combat power. Recent restrictions have reduced the effectiveness of a core element of Ukraine’s defense system. Unless this is resolved quickly, Ukraine risks losing hard-won gains from 2026, not to mention the impact on its cities and critical infrastructure.
Max Bergmann retweeted
True. Imagine if the CEO of Boeing during WW2 ensured that his bombers, which included the B17 and B29, could only fly over allies and not enemy countries. The excuse making over the Starlink issue is pathetic and overflowing in moral cowardice.
Max Bergmann retweeted
“But a person familiar with the situation said Musk talked to multiple senior administration officials, including with Trump, before imposing the new speed cap, which Ukrainian officials said had allowed Russian missiles to evade their defenses.” wsj.com/world/ukraine-starli…
Max Bergmann retweeted
Henry Foy is back on The #Eurofile to break down the Brussels media landscape. Learn what makes journalism in Brussels unique, what it takes to cover Europe's capital, and what it reveals — both about the city and the EU itself.
🎧 @HenryJFoy @maxbergmann
youtube.com/watch?v=Cqnk6f-d…
Max Bergmann retweeted
I've heard similar anecdotes from other exercises with NATO militaries with Ukrainian drone teams. The NATO force often takes heavy losses on the first day, but then quickly adapts on the subsequent days of the exercise. The write ups in the media often fail to mention these adaptations or the specific conditions of the exercise, which limits the ways the forces can operate.
In a U.S. Army war game in Germany, Ukrainian drone pilots playing the enemy caused about 70% of an American tank brigade’s losses in the first three days. Three days later, that figure was under 30%.
defence-blog.com/ukrainian-d…
The long term significance of this for the trustworthiness of American companies is just so bad. The US (govt or company) is cutting Ukraine off from something they are paying for, in a time of war, directly causing death and destruction.
But Europe, please buy American.
Max Bergmann retweeted
But diesel
Russians are murderers. In broad daylight, in the central park of Nova Vodolaha, Kharkiv region, they struck with a drone. There were families with children there.
Six people lost their lives, including two children. A one-year-old was killed in a stroller. Another victim was an 11-year-old girl.
14 people were injured, six of them children. Rescuers are giving first aid to the victims and checking the area for explosives.
This was an attack on children with no conceivable military purpose. My sincere condolences to the families and loved ones. There are no words for this pain.
Max Bergmann retweeted
"One senior Ukrainian official and two Ukrainian military officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, say Hegseth is holding up supplies of Patriot missiles, which Ukraine relies on to intercept ballistic missiles." kyivindependent.com/its-sign…
Max Bergmann retweeted
WSJ editorial: “When the election is over there needs to be a bipartisan reckoning for Mr. Trump’s budding alliance with the Kremlin against Ukraine, Europe and American interests.”
wsj.com/opinion/to-russia-wi…
Max Bergmann retweeted
The days when others took care of Europe’s security are not coming back.
Things will not work themselves out.
And simply talking geopolitics will not make us a geopolitical power.
Europe can no longer afford to be naive.
Time is running out. The stakes are high.
We either step up or get stepped over.
Max Bergmann retweeted
This is golf gentrification like I’ve never seen. Hains Point has been a quintessential muni course for the people, for decades. A duffers course. Hardpan but affordable. Accessible. Communal. Local. Urban. DC has so few affordable golf options. Washington didn’t ask for this.
New: Trump says that East Potomac Golf Course will close on Nov 15 for the redesign by Tom Fazio.
“Restoration work will begin on the Fazio Design on November 15th, when the old Course will be closed to play. The new Course will be opened in approximately 15 months.”
This comes as there is a heated legal dispute right now about whether the government can redesign the course.
Max Bergmann retweeted
It's been a good week for Putin. In recent days, Trump has:
* Struck a diesel deal lifting some sanctions
* Restricted Starshield for Ukraine
* Cut intel warnings of Russian missile launches against Ukraine for several days
* Canceled Lindsey Graham sanctions
* Demanded Ukraine dump Zelensky
* Absolved Russia for helping Iran fight the US
* Pushed Europe to resume buying Russian gas
Max Bergmann retweeted
So much wrong with this beyond aligning with Russia. Two significant & morally reprehensible lies stand out:
1. "Zelenskyy is using Diesel Refineries in Russia as a target, knowing that these attacks are seriously hurting the world diesel markets, including those in the United States."
2. "Zelenskyy doesn't care, and frankly, with all of the money that Europe is famously giving him, and that Crooked Joe Biden gave him in the past, he doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did."
Max Bergmann retweeted
Looks like what runners and cyclists feared could come true: Trump’s plans for a new golf course at East Potomac Park seem to eliminate the existing three-mile roads that circles the island. It’s a popular destination for running, riding, and driving access to Hains Point.
New: Trump says that East Potomac Golf Course will close on Nov 15 for the redesign by Tom Fazio.
“Restoration work will begin on the Fazio Design on November 15th, when the old Course will be closed to play. The new Course will be opened in approximately 15 months.”
This comes as there is a heated legal dispute right now about whether the government can redesign the course.
Max Bergmann retweeted
This gets difficult. 🇺🇸 threatens action against Europe if it restricts Starlink, but at the same time Starlink restricts use for the defence of a European country 🇺🇦. Europe needs sovereignty - not submission.
US threatens Europe over Starlink restrictions ft.trib.al/0KUTiUQ
