One can imagine the heated conversations inside Number 10 as public anger erupted over suggestions Britain was quietly easing Russian oil sanctions. Muddled comms, yes, but reality bites. My latest Fault Lines piece: open.substack.com/pub/rodwhiti...?

Britain’s revolving-door politics may be becoming a national vulnerability. At a time of economic fragility, geopolitical instability, and information warfare, the country seems trapped in permanent political psychodrama. New Fault Lines piece here: 👇 rodwhiting.substack.com/p/make-it-st...

Modern conflict doesn’t always begin with missiles. Edward Lucas argues Britain has spent too long assuming the threats facing us were theoretical - and that complacency is becoming dangerous. Full Fault Lines episode here: 👇 open.substack.com/pub/rodwhiti...?

How prepared is Britain for serious disruption? @thetimes.com columnist @edwardlucas.bsky.social has a pretty blunt answer to that question in our conversation on Fault Lines. It’s a sobering - but necessary - listen. Here: 👇 open.substack.com/pub/rodwhiti...?

“We are caught with our pants down.” @thetimes.com columnist @edwardlucas.bsky.social doesn’t hold back on Britain’s security and resilience in my Fault Lines conversation. 🎧 Listen here: 👇https://open.substack.com/pub/rodwhiting/p/caught-with-our-pants-down-britains?

There’s a real opportunity here. Instead of letting these places decay, reimagine them as proper mixed-use communities - homes, healthcare, leisure, education, even local policing - all under one roof. Far better than leaving behind vast, empty monuments to a retail model that’s run its course.

Absolutely this. When the present feels a bit jagged, people reach for something familiar and reassuring. That pull towards the past isn’t accidental - it’s comfort, identity, even a bit of quiet escape. No surprise radio stations like @boomradio.co.uk are finding their moment.

This chart on “food self-sufficiency” is doing the rounds - with the UK flagged as vulnerable. It’s interesting but needs unpacking…🧵

Hybrid conflict isn’t something that might happen - it’s happening now, often below the level of public awareness. In this clip, @samolsen.bsky.social explains how the UK is already being targeted by activity that rarely makes the headlines. Full conversation: 👇 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/f...

I fear that the general US population still isn’t aware of how much permanent damage Trump 2.0 is doing to the reputation and trade flows of the US. Trump keeps pushing everyone (including traditional allies) in the arms of China.

We’ve become used to a stable world. That assumption is shifting - quickly. The instinct is to switch off and think: what can I actually do? A short moment from my conversation with @samolsenx on Fault Lines. 👇 open.substack.com/pub/rodwhiti...?

We tend to think of threats to the UK in terms of tanks and missiles. This is something else entirely. Conversation with @samolsen.bsky.social 🎧 Full episode: 👇 open.substack.com/pub/rodwhiti...?

We got comfortable in a predictable world. Suddenly, it feels more chaotic, more dangerous. But what if this is the norm? Hence, my new podcast - Fault Lines. First episode with @samolsen.bsky.social on security, resilience, and what’s really driving the change. www.buzzsprout.com/2610460/epis...

Credit to JD Vance for enabling the defeat of Victor Orban in the Hungary elections. The law of unintended consequences seems to be a reoccurring issue for the current US administration.

Bluesky feels well suited to thoughtful discussion about defence and strategy. My latest Fault Lines piece looks at the fading myth of the “Special Relationship” and what the current crisis reveals about Britain’s defence posture. Trump’s Gift to Britain

Keir Starmer’s incremental increase in defence spending sends the right signals. But anyone thinking this comes close to reversing thirty years of decline needs to read former SAS soldier Robin Horsfall’s excellent Substack: bit.ly/4h2Ke1Y 🧵1/3

Is anyone truly surprised? Trump's intentions have always been crystal clear, and Hegseth’s remarks shouldn’t be brushed aside. The US drawbridge is up. This presents an opportunity for Britain to reclaim influence in Europe, working with the Baltic nations to re-prioritize European defense policy.

Good for Sam Altman. Nothing good can come from Musk owning X and the world's leading AI programme. Rupert Murdoch weaponized information; Musk would weaponize intelligence itself. Suddenly, old-school media moguls start looking quaint. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

Abso-ruddy-lutely!

Delighted my 'Loving Your Garden' podcast has reached another milestone. It's a humble hobby site but we have some amazing guests. Here's a Link to our latest episode with Cut Flower Farmer Roz Chandler but take a look back at previous episodes for a topic to suit: www.buzzsprout.com/1904093/epis...

It's likely no coincidence that the observed collapse of editorial standards in recent years corresponds to the rise of Social media. Until we learn to tame this beast (we will), we'll have to continue to endure absurdities like this. apple.news/AehSxVMmRQIy...

“‘Not every editorial judgment is a reflection of a malign force,’ [The Post’s opinions editor David] Shipley said in [a] statement.” (ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛᴏʀ: ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ *ɴᴏᴛ* ᴀ ᴘᴀʀᴛɪᴄᴜʟᴀʀʟʏ ʀᴇᴀꜱꜱᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʏ.) www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/b...

Happy birthday to one of the great musicians of my generation - John Paul Jones (79). Churlish then not to offer 6 minutes 16" of pure perfection with John Paul, Robert, Jimmy and Bonzo on @boomradio.co.uk's wild child Boom Rock from 10am: www.boomradiouk.com/boom-rock/

All set for another week of shows starting today from 10-midday on @boomradio.co.uk's wild child, Boom Rock. Treats today include the Patti Smith Group, Led Zeppelin (naturally), and birthday boys: Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker, & Jeff Lynne. Ask Alexa or tune in online - bring your air guitar!

Loving my early Christmas present from @boomradio.co.uk - about to make its debut - although the small print on the box is troubling: '... for presenters who have a face for radio' 🤔

A sad story but Rachel’s final letter is wonderful and a lesson for us all. apple.news/Ah3IKRy9UTgC...

Terminator 7 😎

Sounds like a plan www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/aus...

Understandable angst over jobs but entirely right to review #defence projects in light of lessons learned from #UkraineRussiaWar, especially game-changing drone tech. www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...

The capabilities of remotely operated military assets are increasing with breathtaking speed; such that much of the West’s existing defence planning & procurement risks falling ever further behind the obsolescence curve.

Just started another week of shows on @boomradio.co.uk's sister station Boom Rock: 10-12 Monday to Friday. I'd be delighted to have your company if you fancy some pretty damn good music! www.boomradiouk.com/player/boom-...

It's a moot point now but an interesting summation of how Trump out-manoeuvred US prosecutors with the assistance of the Supreme Court he deftly re-configured in his previous term. slate.com/news-and-pol...

What a blast being able to assist Bayer Global in production of a health-cast series featuring medical experts from around the world at the American Heart Association congress in Chicago, all without leaving my Summerhouse, nearly 4000 miles away in Lincolnshire, UK.

@donald-tusk.bsky.social is right to worry. It's asking a lot for an untested US administration with isolationist inclinations, to meet expectations of a cunning plan to end the #RussiaUkraineWar. Cool, calculating and resolute heads are required to face down Putin's escalation. What could go wrong?

This dangerous man continues to gaslight the West to cover his catastrophic hubristic error in deciding to invade a nation that wasn't ready to be subjugated. It needs leaders of substance - not least the US - to keep calling him out. He feeds on weakness and lack of resolve.