🚨 Applications now open for the UK Cyber Effects Network Fellowship Programme! Early-career professionals, don't miss this chance to deepen your knowledge of offensive cyber operations. Submit your application now. (Only open to NATO member citizens)

“Poland’s military said there had been “an unprecedented violation of Polish airspace by drone-type objects” and said an operation was under way to identify and neutralise them.” on.ft.com/4pcpE4B Poland shoots down Russian drones

Some thoughts on the importance of the UK-US intelligence relationship as well as current challenges given the political environment in the US.

Comments from me included in here: Putin has now put the pressure on Europe and Ukraine while he continues to attack the latter.

It was a privilege to be on Ukrainecast in the week: you can see my thoughts ahead of the Alaska summit, and see how insightful I was! youtu.be/xeoR4L5V5dM?...

I was delighted to join @snellarthur.bsky.social on @disordershow.bsky.social, to discuss 'Is Europe ready for war?' You can hear the episode (and an unexpected and sadly fictitious promotion to a PhD) at tr.ee/ksicr-3Wty or the link below.

The latest RUSI Commentary from Dr Linus Terhorst provides an analysis of Germany's recent decision to acquire the US-made Typhon missile system, and what this signifies for both Germany and Europe's defence strategy.

Why Drones Can’t Replace Traditional Firepower My @GeopolDecanted discussion with @justin-br0nk.bsky.social about his recent provocative @rusi.bsky.social piece on this topic. We also discuss efficacy of Ukrainian F-16s, Operation SpiderWeb and much more. Watch 👇 youtu.be/ykLIH2kY1U8

Will recognising Palestine or cutting military aid push Israel toward a ceasefire? In this episode of @forcesnews.com's Sitrep, RUSI's @burcuozcelik.bsky.social joins Professor Michael Clarke to assess the recent diplomatic pressure put on Israel and the Arab League's calls for Hamas to disarm.

July’s attacks by Israel and the US have set back – without completely removing – Iran’s capability to develop a nuclear weapon. But simply rebuilding the programme won’t be enough for a nuclear deterrent, write @ddolzikova.bsky.social and @mtsavill.bsky.social.

Some more good work by @frhoffmann.bsky.social.

It was a pleasure to host the Commander of UK Space Command last week to talk about this topic, given how important space is to both the UK's security and its economic and social life. A short🌌🧵.

Important Commentary from @justin-br0nk.bsky.social; even if Europe finds the money for additional defence investment, it has to prioritise in certain areas. A good place to start is on over-dependence on the US.

New show alert: "The Iran Contingency with Afshon Ostovar" dives deep into the challenges posed by Iran and the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Tehran. To mark the launch of this new show, the annual membership is for sale for $99/year (regularly $150). ow.ly/IWBy50WeUUl

A single cascade of 174 IR-6 centrifuges could produce a bomb's worth of 90% highly enriched uranium from the 60% enriched material whose location is unknown in 10-20 days. Iran doesn't need to rebuild enrichment facilities on their previous scale to get the bomb.

Read the initial analysis on the US' strikes on Iran written yesterday by RUSI experts @burcuozcelik.bsky.social, @mtsavill.bsky.social and @ddolzikova.bsky.social.

Delighted to learn from The Times review of “Wargame” that I and my Red Team colleagues are both dastardly and heavily accented. It’s good that the last sentence of this review ALMOST comes to the right conclusion. It’s not “a little more” that needs to be spent on defence. It’s a lot, lot more.

Operation Rising Lion has showcased Israel's conventional superiority over Iran, highlighting the importance of intelligence, surprise, and strong air and missile defence. But for now, the impact on Iran’s nuclear programme is more uncertain, write @ddolzikova.bsky.social [email protected].

The Bombshell team: ‘Would you like a new podcast?’ Me: ‘YES PLEASE’.

Hopefully people find this both interesting and educational. I had a small role in the background, but will be fascinated to learn how the other parts of the wargame went. Congratulations to @deborahaynes.bsky.social, Rob Johnson and all of the team for getting it out!

Having set out some views on ambitions for the SDR ahead of its publication, I’ve now returned to evaluate the aspects looking at transformation of the Armed Forces. It has a clear vision as a target, but the devil is unsurprisingly in the detail, which needs serious scrutiny.

After a long time of resisting the term, I think I am now ready to call this “a drone war”. kyivindependent.com/russia-shatt...

Others have already covered the broad sweep of the SDR. I have some views on how to judge its ambition on capabilities - and the need to be realistic about what can be achieved or how ‘transformational’ it can be. The MOD needs to have challenging and measurable targets.

'Protection cannot be something we consider for defending our critical assets. Instead, it must become integral to everything we do – it is a building block of modern corps warfighting' writes Lt Gen Sir Ralph Wooddisse.

UK military intends to shift to a 20-40-40 strategy: 20% are legacy systems, 40% are kamikaze/FPV drones, and 40% are reusable ISR and combat UAVs. thetimes.com/uk/defence/art…

Yesterday, Germany's chancellor said Ukraine was now broadly authorized to use Western weapons against military targets anywhere in Russia. Read on for why Ukraine may not have many left, and why a big question now is whether Berlin is quietly moving to supply Kyiv with its own Taurus missiles.1/2

A few thoughts from me earlier this week for Times Tadio. Unsurprisingly, I think the Russians are continuing to stall, and Europe and the US are still letting them get away with it. youtu.be/Wmw7x49ZCg8?...

🧵🚨New RUSI paper, "New Ways to Frame Responsible Cyber Behaviour Beyond the UN", by @lmhurel.bsky.social, which argues that understanding Responsible Cyber Behaviour (RCB) requires looking beyond the UN framework is out now!

'Israel’s military has slowly crept eastwards and now sits at least 12 kilometres deeper inside Syria than it did before the regime fell'. Why did Israel choose military action over diplomacy with post-Assad Syria? Rob Geist Pinfold offers his analysis in the latest RUSI Commentary.

I'm not sure I *want* this SDR to set out an excessively detailed structure for the Armed Forces; that's for the Defence Plan and Command Plans. I want something that sets priorities, makes difficult choices, and creates a framework and set of principles for investment decisions.

Strong words, given added weight by the author's background.

What should EU and UK do to step up when US changes its stance on Russia? This week – @rusi.bsky.social‬'s Emily Ferris tells us what she thinks. Listen ➡️ tr.ee/ksicr-3Wty

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, RUSI staff observed a two-minute silence to honour those who served in World War II.

We all need more Bombshell in our lives. 🍸💣💥

🚨🧵New RUSI Report, 'Nuclear Facilities as Targets of Military Attack' by @ddolzikova.bsky.social is out now!

Is it time for Canada to join the Joint Expeditionary Force? The UK should consider putting this question to the JEF Leaders' Summit in Oslo, argue @edrusi.bsky.social and Brigadier (Ret’d) Robbie Boyd OBE in the latest RUSI Commentary.

🎙In the latest Talking Strategy episode, Baroness Catherine Ashton, formerly the European Union’s lead for foreign and security strategy, discusses challenges, opportunities and tips for collaborative strategy-making. Listen here: bit.ly/4keVhar

The ever-wise @kschake.bsky.social explains here how the US risks frittering away one of its advantages: its network of allies and partners.

An important paper from the Military Sciences team which grapples with priorities for building up European capabilities to attack or suppress Russian air defences, to enable broader deterrence.

Last night, Ukrainian drones struck deep inside Russia, targeting a key facility in Saransk—the only plant producing optical fibers critical for Russia’s fiber-optic drones. This could disrupt their military comms and control.

I’ve had to take some time off work for medical reasons, which means you get more waffling from me, and I can try and attack my book backlog! First up, ‘Who Will Defend Europe?’ From @keirgiles.bsky.social.

My thoughts on the Signal business: "nobody wearing an American military uniform can doubt that if they took details of an ongoing operation off a classified system and transmitted them on an unclassified commercial platform, they would be court martialled and probably go to prison."

Some comments yesterday by me for Times Radio. My main points are that the current negotiations don't seem to be putting much pressure on Russia, and the terms of the ceasefire being discussed are not setting up a stable peace. www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3v1...

Following our recent report on electronic warfare and land forces, now follows more research from @justin-br0nk.bsky.social on the criticality of updating airborne EW, especially amongst European air forces.

Attending in Paris for @rusi.bsky.social 🇫🇷 #PDSF2025

“A deal with the Trump administration that sidelines Ukraine would hasten both Russian short-term and long-term objectives while validating aggression as a legitimate strategy. If Putin emerges victorious…it will reshape global security in dangerous ways.” www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/ukra...

My latest podcast is now out - a canter through British defence spending with the excellent @mtsavill.bsky.social warontherocks.com/episode/warc...

A few thoughts from me. There are still a lot of details to understand about this increase, what state the current budget and equipment plan are in, and what conditions might be attached to funding.

+1 "Removing them in this way will not make the military more lethal, but it could make the problem of politicization of the military that much harder to manage,” Feaver said.

Every senior officer serves at the pleasure of the President, but Trump and Hegseth’s firing of CJCS Chairman General Brown will reflect badly on the civilian leadership, not on the military.