Dr Gina van Raphael
@aliagvr.bsky.social
Political Anthropologist｜IR: Diplomacy, Authoritarian Rule｜Arab/Saudi Studies — Historiography, Ethnography, Tribe)｜US Policy Intersection | Non Exec Dir UKG | NRS
Religious people are less intelligent than atheists, according to analysis of scores of scientific studies stretching back over decades Study found 'a reliable negative relation between intelligence and religiosity' in 53 out of 63 studies www.independent.co.uk/news/science...
Religious people are less intelligent than atheists, according to
Study found 'a reliable negative relation between intelligence and religiosity' in 53 out of 63 studies
independent.co.uk
Neoliberalism in a nutshell. UEFA on FIFA's proposal: “The moment external investors acquire ownership interests ... football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. ... Every decision is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders.”
'Today, you don’t have to look far or dig deep to see the ambient influence of “The Turner Diaries” on the far right. You need just to spend a little time in the online world of the richest man on the planet, Elon Musk' www.nytimes.com/2026/07/29/o...
Opinion | Elon Musk Is a Menace to Society
Why does the owner of X get a pass for what he says and does there?
nytimes.com
This is mad. Political history has shown a consistent pendulum swing, and the US is so far right, going left is inevitable. Watch Europe: the UK is the canary in your coal-mine, and we just went farther left. The far right is melting. The US will too; wonderful that Mona Charen's will see it.
The Bulwark@thebulwark.com · 2w agoThe vibes may be exciting, but if Democrats are going to win this year and in 2028, they must reject the DSA. If you’re tempted by a democratic socialist this year, think of what use Republicans will make of these victories, and ask whether you want to do favors for fascists.
New PM, same old media: Burnham is now simultaneously being accused of spending money he hasn't got on the policies he announces *and* not spending enough money on the policies he announces.
@gabrielzucman.bsky.social—watched your superb interview with R Stewart and A Campbell. Brilliant, and shocking to see RS visibly pained by your expert solutions (he, not an economist). I calculated ~5 yrs ago that minimum wage in the US in 1960 (w/90% top tax) was $1 per hr. Adj to today: $38.
How very Nazi. I’m shocked, I tell you.
PEIPolitical 🇨🇦@peipolitical.bsky.social · 3w agoMiller: "It's not a coincidence that when you look at these violent Antifa demonstrations not one of the people that is demonstrating looks like a normal person. Not one looks normal. They're all deformed in some way in their appearance, in their dress, in their mannerism." #cdnpoli
The incredible Professor John Esposito, Georgetown University, died today. His legacy is immense, and to those of us who knew and worked with him, he will be deeply missed. The world has lost one of the giants of academia. 💔 His life, captured here 2 years ago: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFwd...
The Legacy of John Esposito
YouTube video by ACMCU (ACMCU)
youtube.com
Hard to separate Graham from Ben Gvir at this point in their orgiastic ecstasy over more dead bodies.
Look, Count Binface is an Oxford graduate IRL, and has written for Yes Minister, In The Thick Of It, Have I Got News For You, for John Oliver and Armando Iannucci. Farage never went to university — an unlike Count Binface, never intended to be a joke. This is England: may Count Binface win! 🗑️
Best for Britain@bestforbritain.org · 4w agoSo refreshing to hear a politician actually answer the questions
Would you like us to take it back now? We're on stand-by. 🔥🔥 (The England football team has already infiltrated.)
Hoodlum 🇺🇸@nothoodlum.bsky.social · 4w agoMore craziness going on at the White House.
This is one hell of a photo. Prize winning, surely.
Patricia Zengerle@reuterszengerle.bsky.social · last mo.Members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front on the DC Metro on July 4.
It was 100F on July 4th, 1919. Woodrow Wilson was President. "An international peace parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, huge crowds on the Ellipse, and the biggest Fourth Washington had ever seen." Source: Washington Evening Star, Jul 5, 1919, p8 / Library of Congress
Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · last mo.Fox correspondent from Trump's empty fair: "The heat is certainly keeping the crowds at bay"
It was 100F on July 4th, 1919. Woodrow Wilson was President. "An international peace parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, huge crowds on the Ellipse, and the biggest Fourth Washington had ever seen." Source: Washington Evening Star, Jul 5, 1919, p8 / Library of Congress
Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · last mo.Fox correspondent from Trump's empty fair: "The heat is certainly keeping the crowds at bay"
Michael Wahid Hanna argues that efforts to scale back US entanglements in the Middle East will be disrupted by Saudi-UAE tensions, and that the best way to to limit their rivalry would be to push for peace in Sudan. @mwhanna.crisisgroup.org @justsecurity.org www.justsecurity.org/143966/growi...
A New Middle East Security Order Must Address the Growing Saudi-UAE Rift
There are steps the United States can take to prevent the Saudi-UAE relationship from deteriorating further.
justsecurity.org
This 👇 is the real Prince Harry! What a legend. (And what's with the Americans here picking on his looks? Handsome man playing a handsome game.)
Fabrizio Romano (MIRROR)@fabrizioromano.yopro20.com · last mo.🚨👑 OFFICIAL: Harry Kane becomes England ALL TIME TOP SCORER at the World Cup with 11 goals. 💥 Gary Lineker’s record has been broken. 🏴
Of my three different universities, I most regret the uni of Exeter. Reputation stellar but staff and student support? Dreadful. Already lost most of my colleagues post Covid. No shortage of £. But leadership? Well, those MBAs need more!
The UK's (almost certain) incoming new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, lists "Viva la Quinta Brigada" — the anti-fascist song written by the Irishman ☘️ Christy Moore — as one of his favourite songs. And it's a bloody brilliant song at that. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQbX...
Christy Moore - Viva la Quinta Brigada. Live at Barrowland Glasgow
YouTube video by StoptheWarCoalition
youtube.com
No it didn't. EVERYONE here knew he'd be resigning; it's been discussed 24/7 for weeks. It was down to the hour, that's it.
The Washington Post@washingtonpost.com · last mo.President Trump appeared to announce Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation before Starmer made a public statement himself. Doubts about Starmer’s future swirled for weeks, but Trump’s declaration marked an extraordinary foray into U.K. politics.
Already killed more birds than a wind farm.
International Cyber Digest@intcyberdigest.bsky.social · last mo.The body of a dead baby duck floats in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations directed by Donald Trump resulted in an algae infestation, leading workers to pour hydrogen peroxide into the water. June 21, 2026. REUTERS/Aaron Schwartz.
Someone told him about Versailles 1919. How did that work out ~13 years later...🤔
Kevin M. Kruse@kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 2mo agoHe signed an unconditional surrender at Versailles? Come the fuck on.
I'm sorry but what is this nonsense?! "Soccer"? No — that's not the game. It is literally right there in FIFA: 'Football Association'. The whole world except the US. We aren't bending on this one. ⚽
From the Cold War throughout the Gulf, Kosovo, Iran, Afghan wars etc the UK remained stable in defence spending. Now? Tony Blair's pops out of the shadows to push AI. Palantir and Starlink wants in to the UK. Trump demands NATO members pay 4%. What a coincidence. @mrjamesob.bsky.social @lbc.co.uk
Pope Leo is adorable! I'm not Catholic but oh my, he is so lovely.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j... Only one in 10 Europeans now see US as an ally, survey suggests
Only one in 10 Europeans now see US as an ally, survey suggests
Exclusive: poll across 15 countries finds ‘deep mistrust’, with majority doubting US would come to their aid in an attack
theguardian.com
We’re the bad guys.
Tariq Panja@tariqpanja.bsky.social · 2mo agoIn his first interview since being kicked out of the US, FIFA referee Omar Artan tells’s the NYT’s Matt Bigg that the biggest dream of his professional life has been shattered. The World Cup ref was questioned for 11 hours, held in a cell and then dumped on a plane. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/w...
