Niccolò Machiavelli

What would Machiavelli say about what is happening right now to reopen the government?

Media’s suck-up moment - Fearing political retribution & strained by new business challenges, outlets that once covered Trump with skepticism — & in many cases, disdain — are lining up to kiss the ring - Stark contrast to the resistance media era from 2016 axios.com/2024/12/23/tru…

Content is king... Is this statement still true? This newsletter is launching Monday... with a focus on #digitaldiplomacy, politics, tech, and the media space. 👉 bit.ly/kingornot

Who's surprised that Twitter/X is no longer the only platform for world leaders? "The governments and leaders of 106 countries are on TikTok and 87 have set up accounts on Threads," explains @luefkens @DigiTips in this must read #digitaldiplomacy report. digitips.ch/social-media-r…

How Americans view the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Hamas, and China and Taiwan pewrsr.ch/4dzw5Zo

Machiavellian

I have always been a student of Niccollo Machiavelli as a youth and I don’t understand why none of these idiots who envy my bravery don’t get it.

He who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived.

You have to believe in yourself.

“These are the heroes of WCK. These 7 beautiful souls were killed by the IDF in a strike as they were returning from a full day's mission. Their smiles, laughter, and voices are forever embedded in our memories.” - Erin Gore, CEO. Read more: wck.org/news/honoring-…

Did you know that the inspiration for the phrase "All men are created equal"—included in the Declaration of Independence—came from Italian Philip Mazzei? Today we celebrate the 208th anniversary of his death.

“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.” ― Niccolò Machiavelli

In 1500 Machiavelli was sent on a diplomatic mission to King Louis XII of France by the Republic of Florence. His task was to secure French support for Florence against their rival city state, Pisa. Machiavelli's mission took him to the heart of European politics and gave him a firsthand look at the royal intrigues of the time. During his stay in France, Machiavelli not only conducted diplomatic negotiations but also observed the workings of the French monarchy and its court. He became acquainted with influential figures and learned valuable lessons about statecraft, power, and… maybe diplomacy. Well, When you want to understand the intricacies of how people become master manipulators, you must delve into the wisdom of Renaissance high-class human behavior. And throughout history, some individuals honed their skills in influencing others and shaping perceptions. These lessons are timeless. So, when I want to grasp the art of persuasion, I immerse myself in the teachings of that era, learning from the masters of influence. Because let’s be honest, in terms of human manipulation, do you think there was someone better than a person of the Florentine high class, during the Renaissance? I mean, how else can one hope to leave a legacy, especially in the realm of political trickery? Hahaha. —A letter crafted in the spirit of Machiavelli. Available for subscribers before the 5th of January, it assess an individual's susceptibility to influence, adding depth to the strategy of shaping another's thoughts and actions.

"Language alone protects us from the scariness of things with no names. Language alone is meditation." - 1993 Literature laureate Toni Morrison in her #NobelPrize lecture.

Today we celebrated our new Nobel Prize laureates in Stockholm and Oslo. Take a look at some exclusive moments from the festivities. What was your favourite moment?

Did you notice anything about the xAI Grok leadership team? … All men! All of them… x.ai

hamas supports genocide but doesn’t have the capacity. israel has the capacity but not the intention.

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It's a big day for France — #BastilleDay! Bonne fête nationale to our friends @FrenchAmbUS, @franceintheus, their consulates, and all those celebrating France's national day! 🥳🇪🇺🇫🇷 @EUAmbUS