china did it with rare earths. iran did it with the strait of hormuz. use a critical chokepoint once and the world starts building around you. @gzeromedia.com

"High energy prices and initiatives to slash fuel use are not popular. But until supplies normalise, the risk of shortages leaves govts with few painless options. It is in many cases, after all, the price of failing to invest adequately in energy security and the green transition in the 1st place."

Power Lines is a #newsletter dedicated to making sense of the fast‑changing political risk sector. It examines how organisations gather intelligence, assess uncertainty, and build resilience in a world where information moves faster than institutions can adapt. tomparkin.substack.com

Long time since I've been on here: I've written a piece on the opportunities and costs for #politicalrisk firms (those in the business of explaining now #geopolitics messes with corporate balance sheets). It's a big and growing #business with much to learn. tomparkin.substack.com/p/why-politi...

Yesterday, I presented some of my PhD findings into how high-profile cases of non-recent child sexual abuse have altered religious-state partnerships, and public trust in religious institutions. Thanks to the CSA Centre for putting this workshop/conference together @londonmetuni.bsky.social .

Last week, I presented some of my doctoral research to students from the University of Sheffield. I focus on the peacebuilding role of Northern Irish religious leaders—a topic that is still challenging + important for those of us interested in researching conflict resolution and sustainable #peace.

Even if AI models were able to do this, readers buy #books as much to connect with the personality of the author (real or imagined) than the book itself. Human authenticity is irreplaceable, and #AI can’t replicate it. #ChatGPT www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

www.youtube.com/playlist?lis... Check out this YouTube series of short videos, introducing some of the core theories of international relations.

Away on annual leave, I had the chance to read through Jon Alexander’s book “Citizens”, and I am very pleased I did. Here, Jon presents three different types of stories (frames) we see the world: as Subject, as Consumer, and as Citizen.

🤔Thinking of doing a #PhD? Here are 8 lessons I've learnt at the end of my second year. I'm forever indebted to the support, advice, and generosity of others, and so I am keen to summarise what I have learnt (so far) in the hope others may find it useful. tomparkinwrites.medium.com/8-tips-for-n...

🤔Thinking of doing a #PhD? Here are 8 lessons I've learnt at the end of my second year. I'm forever indebted to the support, advice, and generosity of others, and so I am keen to summarise what I have learnt (so far) in the hope others may find it useful. tomparkinwrites.medium.com/8-tips-for-n...

Gentle reminder to journalists flooding into the Syrian capital Damascus for the first time in more than a decade (an undeniably riveting opportunity): Any documents you come across are the property of the Syrian people & crucial evidence. It’s not finders keepers.

Britain's national conversation around #universities, their funding, and use in boosting economic growth is too narrowly focused on #STEM. What about the arts, humanities, languages, and social sciences?

An interesting piece by Janan Ganesh for the @financialtimes.com. I don’t fully buy his argument on China and the piece doesn’t name the culprit chiefly responsible (David Cameron) for blowing up the UK’s golden hand. That said, the UK was in an unquestionably better position a decade ago.

An absolutely fascinating article by @davidteiner.bsky.social, who has used interviews to better understand the leadership of #UN peace operations. Open access too!

🎉🎉🎉 Our new book 'United Nations Peacekeeping and the Politics of Authoritarianism' with @oisintansey.bsky.social, @kseniyaoksamytna.bsky.social, and Sarah von Billerbeck is now available for pre-order and will be open access with Oxford University Press from February 2025 🎉🎉🎉 (1/5)

I've joined Blusky! I'm a #PhD researcher and Teaching Associate at the University of Sheffield. I research the role of faith leaders as peacebuilders in post-conflict Northern Ireland. Follow for posts on broad area of faith and globalisation, #peacebuilding, security, and #conflict #diplomacy.

Yesterday, I watched Soundtack to a Coup d'Etat in cinemas. It was beautiful, horrifying, painful and compelling. The film looks at the role American jazz musicians played in Africa during the Cold War and is centred on the death of Congolese PM Lumumba. www.theguardian.com/film/2024/no...

I've joined Blusky! I'm a #PhD researcher and Teaching Associate at the University of Sheffield. I research the role of faith leaders as peacebuilders in post-conflict Northern Ireland. Follow for posts on broad area of faith and globalisation, #peacebuilding, security, and #conflict #diplomacy.