It's just amazing how much time and political capital Europeans invested in discussing an imaginary peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. And for what? The French and Germans and Brits won't go to war with Russia over Ukraine anyway. Use whatever resources you have to get more guns to Ukraine. And faster

"Akti"@aktenfresser.bsky.social · 21h ago

Sollten jemals westliche Truppen in die Ukraine entsandt werden, kann das ukrainische Militär schon aus Eigeninteresse nicht wollen, dass diese Kräfte dauerhaft an einer Waffenstillstandslinie oder an der Grenze zu Belarus stationiert werden.

'The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our life-time.' On this day in 1914, Britain declared war on the German Empire. What followed was a catastrophe that caused millions of deaths and defined the course of the 20th Century.

By 2027? Lads, the fleet is fucked already and has been for a while now.

The Defence Blog@defence-blog.com · 2d ago

A new report warns four British Army battalions could be left without a working armored vehicle by 2027. defence-blog.com/report-warns...

One to mark the day - the anniversary of Britain's declaration of war against Germany in August 1914 #FWW Years ago I helped write the script for this audiovisual piece at IWM London. It took prob 20 or 30 versions before it both 1) said what it needed to say and 2) could be delivered in < 2 mins.

The British Cabinet has finally decided on its course, and makes it known: unless Germany has begun evacuating Belgian territory by 11 PM (GMT), Britain and all her dominions will join the war against Germany.

By 2027? Lads, the fleet is fucked already and has been for a while now.

The Defence Blog@defence-blog.com · 2d ago

A new report warns four British Army battalions could be left without a working armored vehicle by 2027. defence-blog.com/report-warns...

'The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our life-time.' On this day in 1914, Britain declared war on the German Empire. What followed was a catastrophe that caused millions of deaths and defined the course of the 20th Century.

This is utterly delightful from the FT. Top marks for the audience booing the Normans, a thousand years later. Its on my nerdy wish-list to try a spot of historical re-enactment at some point, though I'm more of a 18th century/Regency type at heart.

Get your fix of 1066

If you missed out on tickets to see the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum, go one better and watch the Battle of Hastings play out live

ft.com

Master of the poetic landscape: Thomas Gainsborough, English artist, died #OTD 1788; trained by Gravelot, associate of Hogarth & rival of Reynolds, he became a fashionable late 18th Century London portraitist. Mrs Richard Sheridan 1787, NGADC; Morning Walk 1785, National Gallery London

In celebration of #YorkshireDay, please enjoy this Sean Bean bastard collection. Sound up, bastards.

Having personalised 'art' is also unlikely to be challenge pre-conceptions and viewpoints. Which for me good art should always do, whether directly or through the public discourse.

I’m not sure whether this is just a psychological difference or AI bros fundamentally don’t understand the nature of an artistic experience, but: I don’t want a personalised film/book/podcast. I want to see/read/hear the same one as everyone else, so I can read reviews or discuss it with my friends

Saw The Odyssey in IMAX. Overall, fantastic spectacle, though the start and certain parts are ropey/could be cut. Some of the poem's most famous episodes however are done brilliantly. Slightly let down by common 'Nolan-isms' (clunky dialogue, aloof viewpoint), but well worth seeing in theatres.

Another historical piece from me, on one of the UK's worst - and almost forgotten - military disasters, which led to the effective annihilation of an entire army. The 1809 Walcheren Expedition remains a salutary reminder of the importance of the unity between policy, strategy and operations.

Death in the Low Countries

The Catastrophe of the Walcheren Campaign

crackingdefence.substack.com

A bit on something that’s worrying me as.ft.com/r/9fe0cfe2-f...

Mayoral scrutiny is a pressing issue

As Burnham devolves power, remember much of the country lacks Manchester’s media ecosystem

as.ft.com

On this day, 109 years ago, the Battle of Passchendaele began. Though there were effective tactics employed, the Allied attack eventually slowed into an attritional slogging match, fought in utterly appalling weather. Tens of thousands of men lost their lives in the mud around Ypres.

I should have added that Walcheren was such a fuckup that it led to the British Foreign Secretary and Secretary for War to fight an actual duel with each other.... in the middle of a existential war. People took politics seriously in those days...

Matthew Palmer@so3brocktree.bsky.social · 6d ago

Another historical piece from me, on one of the UK's worst - and almost forgotten - military disasters, which led to the effective annihilation of an entire army. The 1809 Walcheren Expedition remains a salutary reminder of the importance of the unity between policy, strategy and operations.

On this day, 109 years ago, the Battle of Passchendaele began. Though there were effective tactics employed, the Allied attack eventually slowed into an attritional slogging match, fought in utterly appalling weather. Tens of thousands of men lost their lives in the mud around Ypres.

I should have added that Walcheren was such a fuckup that it led to the British Foreign Secretary and Secretary for War to fight an actual duel with each other.... in the middle of a existential war. People took politics seriously in those days...

Matthew Palmer@so3brocktree.bsky.social · 6d ago

Another historical piece from me, on one of the UK's worst - and almost forgotten - military disasters, which led to the effective annihilation of an entire army. The 1809 Walcheren Expedition remains a salutary reminder of the importance of the unity between policy, strategy and operations.

Somewhat troubling. Suggestions that the Moroccan authorities may have encourage or enabled the arrival of migrants as a way of communicating dissatisfaction with Spanish policy.

Madrid deploys army as thousands of Moroccans swim to Spanish enclave

Mass arrivals in Ceuta heap further pressure on embattled Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez

ft.com

Another historical piece from me, on one of the UK's worst - and almost forgotten - military disasters, which led to the effective annihilation of an entire army. The 1809 Walcheren Expedition remains a salutary reminder of the importance of the unity between policy, strategy and operations.

Death in the Low Countries

The Catastrophe of the Walcheren Campaign

crackingdefence.substack.com

That escalated quickly.

Chilling piece by @helenwarrell.bsky.social & @christopherjm.ft.com on how teenagers are being recruited by hostile states. ‘the states view the teens they employ as disposable. There is little risk for them if the operations fail, and only upside if they succeed.’ www.ft.com/content/58da...

The teenagers enlisted as agents of mayhem by Russia and Iran

Minors are being targeted to carry out hostile acts from Ukraine to western Europe and Israel

ft.com

Continuing my one-man crusade against bad communication in Defence, I have to highlight the second paragraph here. 'The reindustrialisation of industry' is a particular clunker, as is 'defence's important role in the UK's growing defence and technology sector.'

Excellent long-read on the UAE's actions this year and its future prospects.

The UAE’s bold gambit on Iran

It has quietly rebuilt economic and diplomatic ties while also deepening defence links to Israel and the US

ft.com

Have just visited the US National WW2 Museum in New Orleans and despite my British cynicism have to admit that it was bloody good. Also great to see less-commonly told (US) aspects of the war examined, including the experiences of Japanese-Americans and of Labour Unions in the defence industries.

Have just visited the US National WW2 Museum in New Orleans and despite my British cynicism have to admit that it was bloody good. Also great to see less-commonly told (US) aspects of the war examined, including the experiences of Japanese-Americans and of Labour Unions in the defence industries.

Wrote an obituary for Guy Scott, the first and thus far only white man to run a democratic government in postcolonial Africa:

Guy Scott, former president of Zambia, 1944-2026

The academic and farmer was the first and only white man to lead an African democracy

ft.com

Today in @cimsec.bsky.social: "The Curious Rise of Military Bullshit,"by Colonel Benjamin Gray of the Australian Army. This is a phenomenal piece that lays bare the perverse trend within military culture to hide lazy thinking with complicated language. Read it here: cimsec.org/the-curious-...

Continuing my one-man crusade against bad communication in Defence, I have to highlight the second paragraph here. 'The reindustrialisation of industry' is a particular clunker, as is 'defence's important role in the UK's growing defence and technology sector.'