I get in on UK now... Japan... gosh, I hope not but I am very afraid that is the underlying truth.
I presume the concern is governments banning apps left and right so a federated repository will be mostly immune from that. But you are right, technologically is not as straight forward.
What surprised me is that F-Droid is avoided by many FOSS enthusiasts (due to signing it themselves so delayed updates and potential tampering). Aurora is great but 100% on Google's merci and Google frequently cuts its winds. Did not know Aptoide was community based... have to check it out.
You really don't know how researches work... they get to be in multiple projects globally, specially when working in a university... that is why of the name. Besides, the US is highly sensitive with confidential information and for the most ridiculous things you need a "security clearance" that he will never get even the most basic one. Today, most on the spying is not done presentially within the target country, let alone with such a prominent position.
I don't think is that... the EU happily come to "rescue" Uyghurs from Beijing, or Kosovars from Belgrade, or Chechens from Moscow... the pattern I find is always to support Washington DC. For sure, you have much more chances of success by standing with the US (till now at least), but tens and tens of countries... that is not a normal statistical curve! And Corbin's expulsion doubt US had anything to do with it.
One thing you said lighted my mind though, countries that committed genocide are very into Israel today though... well, no Belgium though... it is complicated I guess, not a normal curve though.
The colonial abuses of 2 centuries ago were not recorded for most to see. Most recently, from blaming Spain for the sinking of the Maine to blame 9/11 on Afghanistan and Iraq the press got away with it, but now sources are so varied it is hard to suppress the reality any longer. True, we are less likely to protest in streets for change (I blame social media), but no one now trust the system and their arguments either. As we won't protest, we won't also join any army to fight in a foreign land for any cause. This will eventually corrode the system from within... just wait for a mayor financial crisis.
What puzzles me is not US, the lobbies are very strong and the media gets funded by well know institutions... but why the EU? Why Japan? Why even the UK since financial contribution is capped... how virtually every single one leader is blind or worse? Even calling for an investigation is outrageous for them!!!
China, for sure, has spies,... who doesn't. But the overwhelming majority of these cases tend to be non factual. Causes like fearmongering, departmental rivalries, someone wanted a medal, gathering prisoners for exchange, setting example, etc... are usually what is behind this. If I were a Chinese researcher, no matter the area of expertise, I would leave the US... and this is not Trump! This is the current US policy that all sides subscribe to.
Independently of one thinks of the invasion (yes invasion!) of Russia in Ukraine, any potential "peacekeeping" force should not only behave in an exemplary manner but also avoid any appearance of bias, in order to maintain the highest standards of integrity and reputation. Keir Starmer's army, let alone Macron's, sorry to say, I think does not fit that... UN or from non belligerent parties is the only option.
I find it pathetic. If politicians wanted to stop these violation they could. If I have a restaurant in town and the antitrust penalties is, by law, a maximum of 10% of my profits... considering a court ruling takes some 5-7 years that is an actual some 2% fine. What incentive is that from me to get rid of all my competition in town!? I would not stop my illegal practices even if fines where 10 times that!!
If we take its actual definition; far-right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist, countries like Cuba for sure fits the bill. Now Cuba is authoritarian (and normal since they are in permanent and genuine threat from its neighbor) and probably that is not what is in your mind. Latin America is, as many as you pointed out, no ideal... but most countries there at least lacks of a strong government to enforce things (for better or worse) so, in a turbulent world, it is indeed a better bet. I think, for the time being, Spain has proven to be resilient to authoritarianism and even the voters of "extreme" parties are not that extreme themselves! In Latin America, Mexico is proven to have an amazing leadership (today, I consider it the best worldwide) so unlikely to change overnight. Colombia, Chile and Uruguay seems promising too.
No much. He would have to declare if conflict of interest or to IRS. But strong feeling that is not the case. Again, if evidence was there, the FBI and even Trump would be all over with the evidence. This guy, probably had no even Confidential Security Clearance (lowest one). The only thing I can think of is industrial espionage but those are brought by the injured party and goes to a normal judicial channel... nothing indicates that is the case here.