Marc Thys

Tel Aviv by night. Shelter. Again.

Samen met @generalmarc.bsky.social uitgenodigd op de Nederlandse ambassade in België voor een gedachtewisseling over defensiebeleid en de defensie-industrie.

Bedankt voor de hartelijke ontvangst. Altijd waardevol om inzichten te delen, zeker in aanloop naar de NAVO-top.

22 nieuwe nederzettingen op Westelijke Jordaanoever: "Israël is bezig met annexatie" | VRT NWS: nieuws Israël heeft 22 nieuwe Joodse nederzettingen op de bezette Westelijke Jordaanoever goedgekeurd. Het is de grootste uitbreiding van nederzettingen op de Westelijke Jordaanoever in tientallen jaren. Vol...

Israëlische regering heeft werkelijk lak aan alle internationale rechtsregels.

22 nieuwe nederzettingen op Westelijke Jordaanoever: "Israël is bezig met annexatie"
vrtnws.be/p.M9MwM7Q8M

🇺🇦 Zelensky: "We do not have enough pressure. The US is involved, but not 100%. Other states, such as China or other states of the Global South, are holding back. Putin is clinging to his place. We will have a just peace, but perhaps only after Putin!"

🫣

Waarom zou Iran kernwapens willen? Wanneer is een land een volwaardige kernwapenstaat? Meer ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Twee heerlijke dagen Den Haag met boeiende gesprekken en keynotes over “Vrede in tijden van oorlog” onder meer op de prachtige Belgische residentie en Clingendael. Dank je wel, kolonel Jo Heylens voor de schitterende organisatie. @generalmarc.bsky.social

VS-minister Hegseth beschuldigt "ontevreden ex-medewerkers" en media over nieuw informatielek in chatgroep

Zal hij ontslagen worden bij de volgende fout teveel, of sneller?

VS-minister Hegseth beschuldigt "ontevreden ex-medewerkers" en media over nieuw informatielek in chatgroep
www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/20...

Wait until a couple hundred thousand with guns & booze return home & start wondering what they fought for. But, if you start an illegal invasion of your neighbour, nurture execution & abuse of POWs, as well as the murder, rape and kidnapping of civilians, there will be blow back on Russian society.

023 - Marc Thys BEL34 · Episode

Voor onderweg over het reilen en zeilen in de wereld. 👇👇👇

open.spotify.com/episode/3bqM...

Erg veel tenenkrommende denkfouten. Klopt ook niet.

Open brief aan de VRT: ‘Jullie hanteren een terminologie die de oorlogstaal normaliseert en banaliseert’

Seems like a good idea to me also for European Defence Forces.

Amerikaanse minister van Defensie ontkent lekken van militaire plannen in groepschat: "Journalist The Atlantic is bedrieglijk"

Iemand spreekt de waarheid niet.

Amerikaanse minister van Defensie ontkent lekken van militaire plannen in groepschat: "Journalist The Atlantic is bedrieglijk"
www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/20...

🔥 Russia: Downtown Moscow on fire.

‼️"The only one who wants the war to continue is Russia, there has been an unconditional ceasefire proposal since March 11, but it is Russia that continues all this. But every night and every day it inflicts cynical strikes," — Zelensky

Two Years in NATO, Finland is Searching for a Plan B Just two years after joining NATO and forging an alliance with the United States, Finland finds itself compelled to consider alternative plans to ensure its security.

"Just two years after joining NATO and forging an alliance with the United States, Finland finds itself compelled to consider alternative plans to ensure its security."
@rusi.bsky.social
rusi.org/explore-our-...

POV: journalists and analysts calling a policy idea in EU defence “new” when it’s been buried in proposed legislation for months and months…

Ukrainian long-range drone successfully completes 3,000-kilometer test, Zelensky says President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 17 in his evening address that a Ukrainian long-range drone has successfully completed testing, demonstrating its ability to fly 3,000 kilometers (1,864...

The development of a Ukrainian indigenous long-range strike capability, previously something only superpower could do, is one of the big developments of this war. 1/2
kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-dr...

Update from the Polish President

Nieuwe legerbasis in Vlaanderen komt in Aalter (en dus niet in Geraardsbergen)

Basis Ursel is vooral unieke kans voor landmacht: dichtbij Antwerpen/Gent. Ruimte voor materieel en doorvoer.

Nieuwe legerbasis in Vlaanderen komt in Aalter (en dus niet in Geraardsbergen)
www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/20...

🇺🇦🐝 Ukrainian company Vyriy Drone has presented the first serial batch of FPV drones made entirely of Ukrainian components.

❗️The cost of one drone is ~$720, but thanks to the localization of production, it was possible to reduce the price to a level of similar Chinese models.

Is dit een strategisch vitaal bedrijf voor ons land, of niet? Verkopen aan de hoogste bieder of overheid stukje aankopen?

Colruyts zetten West-Vlaamse 'bewakingsagent van de zee' Geoxyz te koop

Na een week afwezigheid sluipt 'Vrede in tijden van oorlog' van @jensfranssen.bsky.social & @generalmarc.bsky.social terug in de top-10 non-fictie van Standaard Boekhandel.
Haalde u dit spraakmakende @ertsberg.bsky.social boek al in huis? 2de druk!
www.standaardboekhandel.be/p/vrede-in-t...

These strategies demonstrate Russia’s preference for pragmatic, interest-driven negotiations where power dynamics, not legal agreements, determine outcomes. (10/10)

8. Avoiding Direct Concessions
•Russia rarely concedes openly; instead, it seeks indirect ways to shift the burden of compromise onto the other party.
•Example: SALT I & II Treaties—Russia limited nuclear stockpiles but ensured it could continue developing other strategic weapons. (9/10)

7. Pressure & Escalation as a Bargaining Tool
•Russia frequently escalates tensions before negotiations to increase its leverage.
•Example: Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)—Soviet deployment of missiles in Cuba forced the U.S. into negotiations on nuclear disarmament.(8/10)

6. Multi-Layered Negotiation Approach
•Russia negotiates at multiple levels, engaging different actors in parallel to maximize flexibility.
•Example: Syria Conflict (2015–Present)—Russia negotiated with Turkey, Iran, and the U.S. separately to maintain influence.(7/10)

5. Use of Ambiguity & Open-Ended Agreements
•Russian negotiators often push for vague agreements that allow for multiple interpretations.
•Example: Budapest Memorandum (1994)—Russia agreed to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty but later claimed the agreement was non-binding. (6/10)

4. Negotiating from a Position of Strength
•Russia prefers to negotiate only when it has leverage or a strong bargaining position.
•Example: Georgian War (2008)—Russia only engaged in talks after achieving military objectives in Georgia.(5/10)

3. Divide & Conquer Strategy
•Russia frequently exploits divisions among its adversaries to weaken their collective negotiating position.
•Example: Nord Stream Gas Deals—Russia used energy diplomacy to create rifts among EU states, weakening their stance on sanctions. (4/10)