political scientist • PhD Leiden, MPhil Oxford, formerly on the frontlines of EU public diplomacy 💬 security, technology, democracy 🔎 misinformation
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Joined June 2015
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Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
Foreign Ministers of Ireland, Slovenia and Spain, have written to HRVP @kajakallas on the urgent situation in the Middle East.
Read full letter here: gov.ie/en/department-of-fore…
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
I've taught European history for 30 years. Americans have always asked me how the Holocaust was possible, how Germans could have enabled a madman reveling in mass murder to carry out his plans. Now we can see in real time how this is enabled; now we have front-row seats.
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
Whether this happens or not, the clock is ticking: every leader has until 8pm tonight to defend their credibility. Speak out — clearly, unequivocally — or own the silence.
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
⚖🎓 Calling on postgraduate students in international law, young scholars, government officials and lawyers in this field:
The 2026 International Law seminar will be held at @UNGeneva from 29 June to 17 June.
Apply by 17 April ▶️ ilsgeneva.ch
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
Countries that have joined South Africa’s ICJ Genocide case against Israel:
•Belgium
•Ireland
•Spain
•Netherlands
•Iceland
•Mexico
•Chile
•Colombia
•Bolivia
•Brazil
•Cuba
•Belize
•Libya
•Palestine
•Türkiye
•Maldives
Has yours yet?
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
As predicted, a new polling in Italy shows 69.5% of Italians think Italy should follow Spain and deny the use of US military bases on its territory.
Only 15.9% disagree. 14.6% undecided.
There’s latent opposition position against US-Israeli war against Iran, hiding behind the ambivalent stance of most EU governments
Sample: 800. MoE: ±4%.
Source: Eumetro/Piazza Pulita, 3-4 Mar 2026
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
Listen to this upbeat Power&Purpose conversation @A_Sloat and I have with @AranchaGlezLaya ,in which she dismisses the distinction btw optimists&pessimists and tells us why the only meaningful choice is whether to be activist open.spotify.com/episode/4xN…
podcasts.apple.com/podcast/a…
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
US military investigators believe it is likely that US forces were responsible for an apparent strike on an Iranian girls' school that killed scores of children on February 28 but have not yet reached a final conclusion or completed their investigation reut.rs/4d4jqzO
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
France joins Spain in condemning the US-Israeli attack to Iran leaving Merz and von der Leyen look outliers.
Merz’ silence on Trump’s boycott threat to Spain is unforgettable especially as it was easy to challenge: no boycott can actually exist against a custom union and internal market such as the EU
Only one EU leader has dared to directly challenge U.S. President Donald Trump over a war against Iran, calling it unjustified, dangerous and illegal:
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
politico.eu/article/spain-pe…
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
Since 9/11, the US has engaged in three full-scale wars, bombing at least 10 countries under four presidents aje.news/l6yqy3
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
Von der Leyen backs regime change in Iran, contradicting the position of EU national governments, and endorsing Merz’s supportive stance.
2 issues:
- she has no authority to say/do
- she is not even asking the US something in return (Ukraine’s support)
euronews.com/2026/03/01/iran…
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
An Intercept analysis finds that every single Board of Peace member state has been rebuked for human rights violations. interc.pt/4aHt9uw
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
As more Western leaders claim the UN & international law are weak/irrelevant, make no mistake: they did this
Their empty statements, defence of war criminals, complacency, and failure to act consistently on clear findings by UN & int'l law bodies are exactly what brought us here
The leaders of France, Germany and the U.K. issued a far tougher statement on the Iran crisis yesterday than the EU managed just hours earlier.
The episode underscored a familiar pattern: The bloc struggles to speak with one voice.
politico.eu/article/iran-war…
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
US officials skeptical of regime change in Tehran after Khamenei killing, say sources reut.rs/4rKm9TJ reut.rs/4rKm9TJ
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
No surprise that Tehran is escalating strikes on GCC energy & economic infrastructure. After June war & January uprising the regime saw this conflict coming & knows the stakes are existential. Imposing high costs on US, neighbors & the global economy is their survival strategy.
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
Another “preemptive strike”, another violation of international law.
Preemptive force is only legal under a clear, imminent threat; yes, even when dealing with an horrific regime like in Teheran.
What we’re seeing looks less like self-defense and more like regime change by other means.
Yet not a word of condemnation by EU ‘leaders’ despite the huge consequences of this move on their region and people
The latest developments across the Middle East are perilous.
Iran’s regime has killed thousands. Its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, along with support for terror groups, pose a serious threat to global security. The EU has adopted strong sanctions against Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue.
I have spoken to Israel’s Foreign Minister Saar and other ministers in the region. The EU is also coordinating closely with Arab partners to explore diplomatic paths.
Protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority. Our consular network is fully engaged in facilitating departures for EU citizens. Non-essential EU personnel are being withdrawn from the region.
Our Aspides naval mission remains on high alert in the Red Sea and stands ready to help keep the maritime corridor open.
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
What about condemning an illegal military attack, without even the pretence of seeking UN approval, making a mockery of diplomacy? In what ways does all this advance European interests?
The European Parliament has long called for the regime in Iran to dismantle its State instruments of oppression, end its support for proxies of terror, abandon its nuclear ambitions and finally allow its people to be free to choose their own destiny.
The events unfolding in Iran must not lead to a spiral of escalation that could threaten the Middle East, Europe and beyond. The Iranian regime's attacks this morning on GCC countries are inexcusable and unjustifiable.
The regime in Iran must refrain from any further escalation in any targeting of the Gulf States, Israel or European or United States nationals.
We are in close contact with partners in the region to try to find ways forward that protects innocent lives, international law and regional stability.
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
Which developments? The US/Israel aggression? The massacres of dozens of civilians? The risk of Iran retaliating?
Invoking nuclear safety while endorsing policies that endanger millions is not leadership: it's escalation. May EU citizens see what is being signed off in their name
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
Bingeing TikTok reels may be hazardous to your well-being.
71 studies, >98k people: The more short-form videos teens and adults watched, the more they struggled with attention, self-control, and stress and anxiety.
Read a book. Watch a movie. Long live longform.
Sophie L. Vériter retweeted
New WP w/ @IEpolisci colleague @cxlastra: "How skills and motivations affect digital literacy: Experimental evidence from Spanish teens."
