PhD Commonwealth scholarships for residents of Bangladesh, Gambia, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Zambia. Interested in supporting proposals focused on peace and security 🙂. bit.ly/4dvzzO6

This letter is long but worth reading through. Consider signing, especially if you’re an academic.

Gillian Mathys@gillianmathys.bsky.social · 2w ago

We started an open letter countering some of the incorrect framing about the suspension of Nathan Cofnas. It is a long letter, but we think it is needed to explain the issues. Please sign in support: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Reminder: Applications are due WEDNESDAY 26 AUGUST for a lecturer/senior lecturer in philosophy in my department. Teaching/research area open, but it must speak to PPE. I'm happy to speak informally/unofficially to anyone interested in applying. #philjobs

Loughborough International Relations, Politics and History@irph.bsky.social · 2mo ago

JOB KLAXON! We're looking to hire a lecturer or senior lecturer in philosophy. This is a permanent, full-time teaching-and-research position. The deadline for applications is 26 August. Further details below. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DSG697/l...

In the wake of yesterday's World Cup results for DRC and Senegal, it's worth reflecting on the actual situation of African football from our 2nd print edition: africasacountry.com/2026/07/the-...

The globalization of African football

Can a continent dominate global football while losing control of its own game?

africasacountry.com

Interesting summary of #Trump #Africa policy on @democracyinafrica.bsky.social. "...to describe it as ‘imperialist’ or ‘hegemonic’ or even ‘realist’ belies the fact that it does not seem to be delivering much... and is most clearly showing that US influence is waning". shorturl.at/hmmqG

Trump and Africa | Democracy in Africa

Africa is not high up the Trump Administration’s priority list. In fact, it is explicitly at the bottom. It appears only on the very last page of the 2025 National Security Strategy, and this position...

shorturl.at

Thread in French on warcrimes committed by Russian mercenaries in Mali and how they are enabled by the Malian military authorities.

Yvan Guichaoua@yguichaoua.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Zarho, 200 km à l'est de Tombouctou, Mali, 23 juin. Les Russes ont tué deux jeunes Touaregs. L'un d'entre eux a été décapité et démembré. Ses bras et ses jambes ont été placés au sol autour de sa tête pour former une croix gammée. La photo fait le tour des réseaux depuis hier

Our host institution (@kent.ac.uk) is hiring a permanent Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in International Conflict Analysis. Please share to your networks! jobs.kent.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx...

Job Opportunity at the University of Kent: Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in International Conflict Analysis

On the 1 August 2026, The University of Greenwich and the University of Kent will form a pioneering new multi-university group called London and South- East (LASE) University Group. Should you join us...

jobs.kent.ac.uk

Worrying news from Colombia. It is worth reminding that de la Espriella has no government experience and that, in spite of his "tough on narcos" rethoric, he has become rich by defending in court paramilitary leaders with links to the drug traffic...

The Guardian@theguardian.com · 3mo ago

Far-right millionaire Abelardo de la Espriella wins Colombia’s presidential runoff

Starmer cut the development budget claiming he needed money for defence, prompting the Development minister to resign; now the defence people resign, because money is not enough. Whe will he learn that trying to please everyone means actually making everyone unhappy? www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cg...

Al Carns resigns as armed forces minister hours after defence secretary steps down

In a letter to the prime minister, Carns says it is clear the change he had pushed for in terms of defence spending "is not going to come".

bbc.co.uk

🎙Enjoying roundtable on "Waging #war, making #peace" with @rogermacginty.bsky.social, @giuliapiccolino.bsky.social, Aaron Edwards, Claire Smith, and Mary Kaldor at #BISA2026 panel at 1:15pm: conference.bisa.ac.uk

Is International Studies ready for what comes next? New thinking, new directions

The BISA conference is renowned for being inclusive, diverse and friendly. We bring together a worldwide community of specialists to discuss, promote and develop international studies.

conference.bisa.ac.uk

We're very pleased to share the new website of our Centre for Security Studies! The Centre is directed by @giuliapiccolino.bsky.social, and connects with researchers from across the University to analyse security challenges through an interdisciplinary lens. www.lboro.ac.uk/subjects/pol...

Quite shocking developments in Mali, where a major jihadist offensive is under way.

The Associated Press@apnews.com · 5mo ago

Separatists in Mali say government troops and Russian mercenaries left the northern city of Kidal after rebel attacks.

I am sure they will all be incredibly competent😜. Actually wish that someone becomes a candidate just to troll the party...

Sunder Katwala (sundersays)@sundersays.bsky.social · 6mo ago

If you would like to stand to be a Reform councillor in London, but they don't know who you are, scan the code. They must nominate all candidates in 24 days time (April 9th) for May 7th, 50 days away. Nonrefundable application fees will apply though. To help with top notch vetting (?!)

The flaw in this argument is that it presupposes Trump has the capacity to think strategically in any way, shape or form. He's into the second week of this without articulating anything resembling a coherent rationale for the attack . And he's given even less thought to an exit strategy.

Timothy Snyder@timothysnyder.bsky.social · 6mo ago

A purpose of the war on Iran might well be to provoke a terrorist attack inside the United States. This would provide Donald Trump with a pretext to try to cancel or “federalize” the coming Congressional elections. snyder.substack.com/p/the-desire...

I could not believe when I saw it but yes, the White House X account has shared a propaganda video that uses footage of action movies like Braveheart or Gladiator😖. These psychos cannot understand the differences between a film or video game and a real war... x.com/WhiteHouse/s...

The White House on X: "JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY. 🇺🇸🔥 https://t.co/0502N6a3rL" / X

JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY. 🇺🇸🔥 https://t.co/0502N6a3rL

x.com

I am finding this by Gareth Evans quite out of touch. Trump and Netanyahu do not "face an uphill battle" in arguing that the Iran war would be "illegal but morally defensible". They have no interest in facing that battle, because they do not care about the R2P. www.globalr2p.org/publications...

When Is an Illegal War Morally Defensible? - Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

In international relations, manifestly illegal government action can sometimes be morally defensible. While historical examples of legitimacy trumping legality are few and far between, they do exist. ...

globalr2p.org

“Gulf states can no longer believe the United States can or will protect them from existential threats. And even as they are forced to openly cooperate with Israel in its war, they increasingly view it as a threat.” My new piece on the Gulf and the Iran war. foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/05/i...

The United States Could Lose the Gulf

Iran’s attacks on its neighbors are a reminder that the United States cannot protect them.

foreignpolicy.com

The DFG (German Research Foundation) has a programme funding stays of up to three months at German academic institutions for researchers in early career phases and of all disciplines from MENA (www.dfg.de/en/news/news...) and Sub-Saharan Africa (www.dfg.de/en/news/news...).

TWAS-DFG Cooperation Visits Programme

dfg.de

The IDF just ordered the *entirety of south Lebanon* to be forcibly displaced. They are emptying the land of its population, creating a massive crisis, and will now proceed to further annihilate large parts of Lebanon. The very nation state of Lebanon is being destroyed.

The four countries - Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan - are all affected by armed conflict. So it is perfecly normal that their citizens are "likely to make an asylum claim after originally coming to the UK to study". Shame on you Shabana Mahmood! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Mahmood to stop study visas from four countries due to 'abuse'

The government will end study visas from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, due to what she says is abuse.

bbc.co.uk

🧵Cans of Worms possibly opened by Trump's war of choice in Iran, a running list: (not exhaustive, with the caveat that I am not an expert on the region so these are questions from a US foreign policy perspective, please add others) 1/?

For those who still think that this war has anything to do with freedom for the Iranian people, worth reading #Hegseth's speech in full: "No stupid rules of engagement, no nation-building quagmire, no democracy building exercise, no politically correct wars".

#Reform logic. Muslims voting for a non religious white woman, whose a party is headed by a gay Jewish man, is "dangerous sectarianism". White men claiming that you need to be an "ethnic English" to truly belong and threatening to deport hundred thousands is perfectly fine and normal...

Reform blame 'woke progressives, sectarianism and Islamists' for election defeat

Matt Goodwin said the Greens were 'riding a very dangerous wave'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Fantastic that not only the Green have won this by election and humiliated Labour, but also that they are over 10% above Reform. Clearly the people of Gorton and Denton have chosen hope over hate! 💚💚💚 And now perhaps Matt Goodwin should eat his electoral leaflets 😂! www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cp...

New Green MP says 'we can win anywhere' as Starmer vows to 'keep fighting' after by-election loss

Hannah Spencer, a 34-year-old plumber, wins the Gorton and Denton by-election, with Reform coming in second and Labour in third.

bbc.co.uk

Celebrating Africa Spectrum at 60 🎉 ➡️Former Editor-in-Chief @grauvogelj.bsky.social (2018–2022) highlights articles from her tenure that impressed her for their strong empirical grounding & for raising important ethical questions for Global North-based #Africanstudies scholars. Thread 🧵

Watched this brilliant play based on the research that our @elhistorioso.bsky.social carried out in the #BBC archives. It tells about #LGBTQ+ people in 1950s England and the bigotry that dominated British society www.lboro.ac.uk/arts/whats-o... @lborouniversity.bsky.social @irph.bsky.social

The BBC's First Homosexual | LU Arts

Multi-award-winning writer Dr Stephen M Hornby's play based on the transcript of a banned BBC documentary on homosexuality in 1954.

lboro.ac.uk

"Universities are perpetually fundraising and often avoid asking hard questions about where the money came from.... Epstein’s malevolent genius was understanding personal and professional vulnerabilities and then offering a bundle of bespoke rewards". www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Why are so many academics in the Epstein files? It’s not just about money | Christopher Marquis

In a university ecosystem that breeds hunger for status, Epstein made scholars feel like celebrities

theguardian.com

#Reform wants to deport hundreds of thousands people who are legally in the UK and have Indefinite Leave to Remain. To understand what it means, the deportation of people of Asian origin by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin is probably the closest example. Will Zia Yusuf also deport his own parents?

Sunder Katwala (sundersays)@sundersays.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Zia Yusuf is speaking at Dover tomorrow morning (11am) in his first speech as Home Affairs spokesperson. Reform have briefed the Monday newspapers with some of his remarks The Independent has some details + initial responses here www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

This week, over 150 Part C students presented at the IRPH Dissertation Conference. Attached are just four title slides (from Mia Rose Tanswell, Niam Bhattacharya, Joshua Ryan, and Amelia Henley) giving a tiny sample of the range of topics we explored together.

When you are too much of a racist and ass***e even for #Reform. Ironically (but perhaps not so surprisingly) this guy who campaigned for an anti-immigration party seems to be a migrant himself... #Gorton and #Denton #VoteGreen

Reform Party UK Exposed@reformexposed.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Reform UK suspends Matt Goodwin by-election campaign manager over ‘antisemitic and misogynistic’ posts www.jewishnews.co.uk/reform-uk-su...