The House of Lords Digital & Communications Committee just published their report on AI, copyright & the creative industries, and their conclusions could not be clearer.
🧵 1/5
The first public signs of TACO via geopolitical pressure. First the Gulf states will suspend massive investments in the US, then China and others will follow. The disruption to LNG supplies alone will compel many states to bring pressure to bear on Trump.
A blast from the past, written from frustration at a failed Freedom of Information request.
Thanks to @historytoday.com for sharing ⏬️
New article out with Iker Erdocia ‘The politics of abstentionism: Comparing Sinn Féin’s Westminster abstentionism to Basque Nationalist Left’s engagement with the Spanish Parliament’ with @bjpir.bsky.social journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
thanks reviewers, colleagues, interviewees.
After years of calls, events, and track changes, Brian Drohan and I are excited to announce the publication of our edited volume, Military Humanitarianism: Aid Operations and Armed Forces, with @cornellupress.bsky.social in July 2026!
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
Another crisis in UK-US relations. How does the alliance survive repeated ruptures?
Greg Kennedy & I brought together 14 brilliant scholars to answer that in Transatlantic Storms in Anglo-American Relations: How the Alliance Weathers Crises.
Out today with Georgetown University Press. 1/2
I'm not sure how vital military capabilities to protect the nation constitute "the weeds". Yes, expanding output takes time, as we can see with the BAE munitions factory. That does not excuse failing to invest. Those figures you cite look fine to me.
In terms of diplomatic arrangements, sure. When it comes to military capabilities, this is just not true. The UK can expand industrial production and the size of the armed forces at any time.
We agree on the scale of the challenge. You seem to be saying we cannot do it. I think we can, and must. There are many other partners to help us besides France and Germany, who are calling out for our deeper integration into European defence.
Opining about what France does or doesn't do is no excuse for British inaction. The last time I checked, London doesn't need Paris' approval for policy choices? Also, there are other major security actors in Europe who are doing a lot - such as Poland.
The UK's legal position on the use of its bases in the Middle East is solid with one glaring hole: The US cannot act in collective self-defence with the Gulf States. It is the aggressor. Ergo the UK cannot assist the US in collective self-defence.
Macron announced yesterday an expansion in nuclear capabilities, and discussions on extending deterrence protection to Germany and others have started. The U.K. is doing nothing.
This is an unconvincing defence of indecision. Starmer could act to increase UK defence capabilities and align with Europe. He is choosing not to and thus extending British dependence on America.
The launch event chaired by @dmorganowen.bsky.social hosted at St. Andrews University, will feature presentations from contributors and @draefox.bsky.social for the book Framing the First World War: How Divergent Views Shaped a Global Conflict.
#firstworldwar #WWI #militaryhistory #upkansas
If gas prices continue to rise and the Straits of Hormuz close, we might expect China to exert serious pressure on the US to change course on Iran.
Meeting talented younger people in your profession gives so much hope for the future. The great thing about academia is this happens so often.
Dear Alan, You owe me £3.
A significant development in European security which the UK government would be foolish to ignore.
The view from today’s office
In Iran, air power alone will not reshape the regime. Since WWI, dozens of U.S., Israeli & allied air campaigns have tried to force political change — none installed friendly governments. None! They strengthen nationalism and intensify resistance.
the guy who wrote the literal book on this stuff is dunking on the admin:
I think the last time the USA created regime change solely through bombing was in Cambodia, when a massive carpet bombing campaign so destabilized the country that the Khmer Rouge came to power and wiped out the Royal government—the American ally. Genocide followed.
Asserting international law only when it is in your own/allies interest means not being committed to international law at all. Being dragged into a war by more powerful allies against direct interest and better judgement means having no strategic autonomy. The UK Govt is in a mess.
The U.K. government has failed to condemn illegal aggression by the USA and Israel, and is facilitating US attacks on Iranian territory. This is not an impartial adherence to international law. It is taking sides with a US administration that is directly hostile to British democracy.
So much for strategic autonomy. The U.K. government is incapable of adapting to changing world politics. Utterly negligent.
Privileged to speak with talented colleagues today about colonial violence at the Imperial War Museum. I’ve been researching this in the IWM’s archives since 2002 and finally, in 2026, we are discussing the conflicts of the 1940s and 1950s.
www.iwm.org.uk/events/emerg...
Chart showing a decline in the number of British fighter aircraft, tanks, and artillery from 2022 to 2025.
According to the IISS Military Balance we have around 10% less fighters, 5% less tanks, and 47% less artillery than in 2022) 🙃
Just to brighten everyone's day....
There is only one way to pay for the defence budget increases essential for UK national security and retaining influence in Europe: rejoining the single market. Time for Labour to lead public opinion for once.
Great to meet and learn from archivists, journalists, activists and academics today at the Holywell Trust, where I spoke about trauma and archives.
Breaking news: Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following claims he leaked confidential UK government memos to Jeffrey Epstein ft.trib.al/cRr1m4T
"It has been all about demonstrating....that his voice is still needed on the international stage - that he can make a difference. Except that it’s an illusion. What’s left for the historians is a blackened shell.
Latest Inside-Out column.
philipstephens.substack.com/p/the-fall-a...
