Gill Bennett
@gillhistory.bsky.social
Intelligence historian, music-lover
I think this is an excellent and thought-provoking book, based on Beatrice's extensive experience and knowledge.
Martin D.B. Brown@martindbbrown.bsky.social · 10h agoBook Review | Flawed Strategy: Why Smart Leaders Make Bad Decisions smallwarsjournal.com/2026/04/22/b...
'In Ukraine, integration has become a battlefield reality: a variety of drones, munitions, and other platforms integrate into a heterogeneous series of networks and digital platforms that form the backbone of Ukrainian command-and-control/digital capabilities.' writes Dr Terhorst in RUSI Commentary.
Swarming Software’s Defence Industrial Implications
Open software architecture for autonomous systems will not only support interoperability but also increase industrial resilience and encourage innovation.
rusi.org
Anyone who refuses care from a non-white member of NHS staff should be told to pay to go private.
Charles EP Murphy@cepmurphy.bsky.social · yesterdaynews.sky.com/story/nhs-st... stereotypically this has been seen as Old People, but not only would the old people of now have often been born post-Windrush, lot of this will be younger people who've always lived in a diverse Britain. The guy with a pregnant wife likely millennial at oldest
Infantino and the Kushnerisation of the planet: the world fights back open.substack.com/pub/davidaar...
Gianni and the Kushners
The world fights back
open.substack.com
How can Japan become an intelligence power without compromising democracy? In the latest episode of Global Security Briefing @shelter-jones.bsky.social, Ken Kotani and @jamesdjbrown.bsky.social, reflect on how Japan is rebuilding its national intelligence capability. Listen: https://bit.ly/3RJ4OO3
Find out about the Imperial War Museum's "Spies, Lies and Deception" exhibition at IWM North on our latest podcast. Links below 👇👇👇
Secrets & Spies Podcast: Global Affairs | Intelligence@secretsandspies.bsky.social · 4d agoStep into the hidden world of espionage with Amanda Mason at the Imperial War Museums’ Spies, Lies and Deception exhibition at IWM North. From Operation Mincemeat to Cold War spy rings and deepfakes, discover how deception has shaped war, intelligence and our modern world. Links below 👇👇👇
New post just out: "Burnham's first mistake" Splitting 14 year olds into academic and vocational paths seems intuitive. But it's a terrible idea that risks increasing inequality, and closing down options for the young people that need them most. (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/b...
Burnham's first mistake
The problem with his education plan
open.substack.com
Making my debut writing for @aspi-org.bsky.social today – on why the Australia-Japan 'quasi-alliance' isn't hedging, but something I call stewarding: allies propping up the existing order themselves, without waiting for Washington's lead.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute@aspi-org.bsky.social · 7d ago'The blossoming relationship between Canberra and Tokyo captures both a striking continuity in the core allies’ commitment to the principles of that order and a limited but substantive shift in how they reinforce it,' writes William D James.
I’ve resurrected my substack to have a go at the new wave of AI fuelled cyber security hysteria don’t @ me open.substack.com/pub/ciaranma...
From Frenzy to Freakout
AI and the New Wave of Cyber FUD
open.substack.com
New post looks at whether or not Putin will move to a large-scale mobilisation. I consider the needs of the front and the extent of Russia’s recruitment crisis. (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...?
Will Putin be forced to announce another mobilisation?
Like many people trying to follow the Russo-Ukraine War I spend a lot of time staring at maps of the front line.
open.substack.com
NATO Allies should come together to form a defence financing instrument that supplements national defence spending, improves companies’ access to affordable capital, and incentivises joint procurement. Read the RUSI Commentary by Rachel Ellehuus and Dr Linus Terhorst.
Allies Should Unite on Defence Finance
NATO Allies should come together to form a defence financing instrument that supplements national defence spending, improves companies' access to affordable capital, and incentivises joint procurement.
rusi.org
An established Ukrainian F-16 Fighter Wing and the overstretch of fighters and air defences on both sides by sustained long-range strike campaigns have changed the nature of the air war. Read the latest RUSI Commentary by Justin Bronk, Senior Research Fellow, Airpower & Technology at RUSI.
Four Years On: An Update on the Air War Over Ukraine
An established Ukrainian F-16 Fighter Wing and the overstretch of fighters and air defences on both sides by sustained long-range strike campaigns have changed the nature of the air war.
rusi.org
For Prof Alessio Patalano, Canada’s accession is significant, not because it changes the programme today, but because it shows that the Global Combat Air Programme could expand beyond its founding members without altering its governance.
Canada becomes first observer to British-Italian-Japanese GCAP fighter project
Ottawa gains front-row insight into the next-gen combat jet as it seeks to diversify ties amid Washington tensions.
scmp.com
Introducing 'The Atlantic Brief', a new webinar series by RUSI and War on the Rocks. For our first webinar in a series of five, we invite members to join Nicholas Hopton, @reziemba.bsky.social and Vice Admiral Andrew Burns for a discussion on The Strait of Hormuz and the future of free navigation.
The Atlantic Brief: The Strait of Hormuz and the Future of Free Navigation
The first joint webinar by RUSI and War on the Rocks. Two leading defence publications from both sides of the Atlantic present their expert panel.
my.rusi.org
All the reasons you wouldn’t want Iran to have nukes are reasons that apply to Saudi Arabia. open.substack.com/pub/arthursn...
New clear agreement?
Preventing rogue Islamic states from getting nuclear technology sounds like a good idea.
open.substack.com
Excellent on both the detail and purpose of the devolution push. Including a helpful reminder (re: references to Scotland and Wales) that English regions are not countries. And as @samfr.bsky.social says, fiscal devo is about getting growth incentives right. (If you're not subscribed, do it!)
Sam Freedman@samfr.bsky.social · last wk.New post out "Burnham's defining project" Number 10 North isn't a gimmick, it's the start of first serious attempt to decentralise the state in England. I look at the five biggest challenges to getting it right and how best to manage them. (£/free trial) open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/b...
A UK leadership change presents an opportunity to invest in combatting gas flaring in North Africa, so as to bolster security of supply, and tie ongoing international diplomatic efforts on Libya to that agenda. Read the latest RUSI Commentary by Jason Pack and Mark Davis.
North Africa's Flaring Problem is Europe's Gas Opportunity
The fallout from the Iran War has not been kind to European economies. A UK leadership change presents an opportunity to invest in combatting gas flaring in North Africa, so as to bolster security of supply, and tie ongoing international diplomatic effo...
rusi.org
A Russian Spy, Suddenly Cast Into the Spotlight, Flees Japan www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/w...
A Russian Spy, Suddenly Cast Into the Spotlight, Flees Japan
The military intelligence officer left the country after The Times reported that he was using the Aeroflot airline office in Tokyo to conduct espionage.
nytimes.com
Disgraceful. Simply disgraceful.
Carl Quintanilla@carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 2w ago“.. the Trump administration decided to remove four service members killed this past weekend from the list .. because their deaths occurred after President Trump declared a cease-fire ..” @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/u...
“Six Ukrainian companies have received permission to export about 100 drones each, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.” So not yet mass, but Ukrainian companies can compete in the Drone Dominance competition www.reuters.com/business/aer...
Ukraine agrees to export drones to US for Pentagon plan, source says
Ukraine has agreed to export drones to the United States to participate in the Pentagon's Drone Dominance programme, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.
reuters.com
Keynes is my hero; I am not an economist, but I consider his accomplishments, both professional and human, qualify him as a great man. Made and lost a few fortunes, but when in funds founded, among other things, the Cambridge Arts Theatre and supported early Impressionists. We need more like him.
Ann Pettifor@annpettifor.bsky.social · 2w agoLord Robert Skidrlsky and I comment on Keynes's economic theories and policies in this film.,, open.substack.com/pub/annpetti...
Lord Robert Skidrlsky and I comment on Keynes's economic theories and policies in this film.,, open.substack.com/pub/annpetti...
Keynes Against Capitalism
A film about the life of the bisexual, modern and intensely radical economist, John Maynard Keynes.
open.substack.com
An important corrective to the reporting of this, from the industry and media (including Channel 4’s mad framing here), that puts responsibility on the bot rather than the company
Ciaran Martin@ciaranm.bsky.social · 2w agoTrying to explain the latest AI security frenzy on channel 4 news m.youtube.com/watch?is=yVF...
A terrific session from two class acts.
Shashank Joshi@shashj.bsky.social · 2w agoFor @economist.com subscribers: I spoke to Jack Watling on the latest episode of Inside Defence. We talked about Ukraine, what people misunderstand about drone warfare and the vital role played on the modern battlefield by the ancient art of digging. www.economist.com/insider/insi...
First post from Sam on Burnham as PM shows how his appointments and early announcements demonstrate that his operation will be very different in practice from Starmer's even while facing the same challenges. (£/free trial) samf.substack.com/p/a-theory-o...
A theory of power
Burnham's cabinet choices and changes to No. 10
samf.substack.com
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 367: Nothing you write is ever wasted. Whether anyone reads it or not, it helps build something better. It counts.
Down Tools Abbey - the real 1920s - a free post open.substack.com/pub/davidaar...
Britain's nearly revolution
The General Strike of 1926
open.substack.com
Latest post looks at the end of the ceasefire in the Iran War. Both sides seek to control the Strait of Hormuz but neither can do so. The economic risks for both are growing as long as it stays closed. (£/free trail), open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...?
Trump's War Won’t Go Away
Why has the fight over the Strait of Hormuz restarted? Can a permanent resolution be found?
open.substack.com
Interesting article with points to consider about the use of covert action and clandestine collection, but the real value of a foreign intelligence agency is its ability to focus externally, process information and provide useful, timely, and relevant threat assessments. macleans.ca/society/are-...
Are Canadians Ready for Their Own CIA? - Macleans.ca
Not having our own foreign intelligence agency is costing us. So would having one.
macleans.ca
