The EU thread

[grumbler]

It looks like Spain instructed state backed companies from using Palantir technology.

It's a start.

[The Minsky Moment]

It looks like Spain instructed state backed companies from using Palantir technology.

It's a start.

Next step: keep it away from the hobbits.

[crazy canuck]

There's a Pippen in every crowd

[Jacob]

Next step: keep it away from the hobbits.

Well it seems like Burnham is reviewing the UK's involvement, and I know Denmark is pulling out as well... so I guess it depends on who you think are the hobbits?

[crazy canuck]

Next step: keep it away from the hobbits.

Well it seems like Burnham is reviewing the UK's involvement, and I know Denmark is pulling out as well... so I guess it depends on who you think are the hobbits?

I could be wrong but I think the reference was to people being drawn to use it despite governmental decrees not to

[grumbler]

Next step: keep it away from the hobbits.

Well it seems like Burnham is reviewing the UK's involvement, and I know Denmark is pulling out as well... so I guess it depends on who you think are the hobbits?

MM's comment was a joke based on Pippin looking into Sauraman's palantir in LOTR.

[Syt]

There's a Pippen in every crowd

Didn't know the 1990s Chcago Bulls were Hobbits.

[Jacob]

Next step: keep it away from the hobbits.

Well it seems like Burnham is reviewing the UK's involvement, and I know Denmark is pulling out as well... so I guess it depends on who you think are the hobbits?

MM's comment was a joke based on Pippin looking into Sauraman's palantir in LOTR.

Yes.

I was trying to give people an opportunity to extend the metaphor/ joke, but it didn't work out.

[The Minsky Moment]

I have to say, that between Palantir and Anduril, America has a surplus of dickish billionaire militarists, dedicated to expressing their love for Tolkien's work by shitting all over everything that he stood for.

[Sheilbh]

Thank you! I am so confused by how wildly they have misread/misunderstood Tolkien. It is bamboozling. There is no greater argument for the need of a healthy humanities education (such as learning to read) than the existence of "Palantir" founded by someone who likes Tolkien.

[Syt]

https://www.elysee.fr/en/emmanuel-macron/2026/07/13/joint-declaration-on-the-establishment-of-the-integrated-anti-ballistic-missile-coalition

Joint Declaration on the Establishment of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition.
Posted on 13 July 2026

We, the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom recognizing the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles and the increasing importance of defence capabilities for the security of the European continent, announce today the initiation of the establishment of a purely defensive Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition.  We express our support for its Flagship Project to work at pace to develop an Anti-Ballistic capability.

We believe that the protection of Europe requires a global solution of integrated missile defence architecture to deter and defeat future missile threats — developed through collective effort, technological openness, and trusted industrial cooperation. It will complement existing ballistic missile defence systems, including sovereign European solutions already acquired, or to be acquired by participating countries. By bringing together our defence industrial base, our research, and our operational experience, we aim to build a shared antiballistic missile capacity for Europe and support relevant contributory activities. We do this not against any people, but in defence of our own.

We acknowledge the unique experience of Ukraine, gained in defence against Russia's war of aggression.

Through this Declaration, we aim to establish common operational requirements, joint technical working groups, clear governance mechanisms, and a roadmap towards the Coalition's first operational capabilities — in line with our respective constitutional arrangements and international obligations.

We will seek to support joint research and development activities under the Flagship Project, including by exploring appropriate opportunities for funding and promote enhanced data and information exchange.

The founding members of the Coalition are Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
The Coalition remains open to other nations that share its principles and objectives.

[Sheilbh]

On EU stuff - I see that eight countries (correctly) blocked Serbia from opening the next set of acquis for accession. Enjoyed this summary:

[mongers]

https://www.elysee.fr/en/emmanuel-macron/2026/07/13/joint-declaration-on-the-establishment-of-the-integrated-anti-ballistic-missile-coalition

Joint Declaration on the Establishment of the Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition.
Posted on 13 July 2026

We, the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom recognizing the growing threat posed by ballistic missiles and the increasing importance of defence capabilities for the security of the European continent, announce today the initiation of the establishment of a purely defensive Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition.  We express our support for its Flagship Project to work at pace to develop an Anti-Ballistic capability.

We believe that the protection of Europe requires a global solution of integrated missile defence architecture to deter and defeat future missile threats — developed through collective effort, technological openness, and trusted industrial cooperation. It will complement existing ballistic missile defence systems, including sovereign European solutions already acquired, or to be acquired by participating countries. By bringing together our defence industrial base, our research, and our operational experience, we aim to build a shared antiballistic missile capacity for Europe and support relevant contributory activities. We do this not against any people, but in defence of our own.

We acknowledge the unique experience of Ukraine, gained in defence against Russia's war of aggression.

Through this Declaration, we aim to establish common operational requirements, joint technical working groups, clear governance mechanisms, and a roadmap towards the Coalition's first operational capabilities — in line with our respective constitutional arrangements and international obligations.

We will seek to support joint research and development activities under the Flagship Project, including by exploring appropriate opportunities for funding and promote enhanced data and information exchange.

The founding members of the Coalition are Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
The Coalition remains open to other nations that share its principles and objectives.

This system will prove pivotal in keeping Europe safe from 2057 onwards.

[Jacob]

Nine EU countries are pressuring the EU to cut funding to IOC (and other international sports bodies) because they're letting Russia compete again:

Sports ministers from nine countries are urging EU Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef to cut EU funding to the International Olympic Committee over its decision last week to lift the ban on the Russian Olympic Committee.

The IOC imposed broad restrictions on Russian athletes after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But in recent months, Russian athletes have been welcomed back to several international sporting competitions, prompting backlash from Ukraine and its allies.

In a letter published Tuesday by Sweden's permanent representation to the EU, the ministers urged Micallef to "ensure that organisations whose actions are inconsistent with the values of the European Union do not benefit from EU support."

...

The letter also calls for withdrawing EU funding from World Aquatics and the International Gymnastics Federation, both of which have lifted their bans on Russian athletes.

https://www.politico.eu/article/9-eu-countries-push-defund-olympics-russian-re-entry/

[HVC]

Good.