ForcesWatch
@forceswatch.bsky.social
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A sharp eye on military power in the UK. šļøāšØļø
https://www.forceswatch.net/
pinned post!
Do we want militarised schools?šŖ The UK government is investing Ā£70m to expand cadet forces in schools. Government-commissioned research claims social benefits, but questions remain over the independence and methodology of these evaluations. Full investigationā”ļøhttps://tinyurl.com/2d332hy2
19 days ago
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British military equipment has been found on Sudanese battlefields, used by the RSF, a paramilitary group accused of genocide.Ā Documents seen by the UN security council, raises questions over UK arms exports to the UAE and their potential role in arming Sudanās RSF.
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UK military equipment used by militia accused of genocide found in Sudan, UN told
Exclusive: two dossiers of material seen by the security council raise questions over export of British arms to the UAE, which has been accused of supplying weapons to paramilitary RSF group
https://tinyurl.com/jpe4a6yu
2 days ago
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š° Stay up to date with ForcesWatch Our newsletter provides research, commentary, and analysis on militarisation, military ethics, recruitment and the defence industry in the UK and internationally. Subscribe now š
www.forceswatch.net/stay-in-touch/
3 days ago
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Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
4 days ago
š¢Challenging militarism in education! Another great workshop at our upcoming conference where we'll hear from some of those advocating for peace and resisting the growing influence of arms companies and militarism in our education system. Register:
cnduk.org/events/no-to...
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Declassified UK
3 days ago
Two British prime ministers recognised Moscowās fears over Nato expanding in eastern Europe ā a major cause of the Ukraine war ā files show.
www.declassifieduk.org/blair-and-ma...
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Blair and Major reassured Russia about Nato expansion
Two British prime ministers recognised Moscowās fears over Nato expanding in eastern Europe ā a major cause of the Ukraine war ā files show.
https://www.declassifieduk.org/blair-and-major-reassured-russia-about-nato-expansion/
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The Government plans to buy US F35A jets capable of carrying US B61 nuclear bombs, a major expansion of the UKās nuclear arsenal beyond submarines. Dr Philip Webber for
@responsiblesci.bsky.social
, explores what this means for militarisation, democracy & global security.
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US nuclear weapons return to the UK ready for the RAF
The UK government has announced a new nuclear role for the Royal Air Force using US bombs and aircraft. Dr Philip Webber, SGR, explores the disturbing implications of this surprise announcement. Article from Responsible Science journal no. 8 (2026). Advance online publication 7 October 2025. Ā
https://tinyurl.com/9w9rjjsf
16 days ago
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Declassified UK
17 days ago
The Ministry of Defence could have launched as many as 739 surveillance sorties relating to Gaza since December 2023, new research by Declassified shows. šSpy plane remains active in Cyprus after Gaza mission ends
www.declassifieduk.org/spy-plane-re...
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Spy plane remains active in Cyprus after Gaza mission ends
Aircraft contracted to look for hostages continues to fly from UK base despite ceasefire, with drones also spotted.
https://www.declassifieduk.org/spy-plane-remains-active-in-cyprus-after-gaza-mission-ends/
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Do we want militarised schools?šŖ The UK government is investing Ā£70m to expand cadet forces in schools. Government-commissioned research claims social benefits, but questions remain over the independence and methodology of these evaluations. Full investigationā”ļøhttps://tinyurl.com/2d332hy2
19 days ago
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ForcesWatch
Transition Security Project
24 days ago
While the US & Europe ramp up military spending, millions live in poverty. Today, we launch Transition Security Project, investigating how militarisation makes us poorer and less safe amid climate crisis ā and what genuine security could look like. š§µ
transitionsecurity.org
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Transition Security Project
https://transitionsecurity.org
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ForcesWatch
27 days ago
Two in three government department non-executive directors have corporate backgrounds, including from companies like BAE Systems, BP, Barclays and more.
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The Canary
about 1 month ago
British citizens serving in the IDF can now be tried for war crimes in the UK Now that the UK has recognised Palestine as a state, this opens legal routes for British members of the IDF to be charged in the UK
www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025...
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British citizens serving in the IDF can now be tried for war crimes in the UK
Now that the UK has recognised Palestine as a state, this opens legal routes for British members of the IDF to be charged in the UK
https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2025/10/09/british-idf-crimes/
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šŖHAPPENING TOMORROW! Join
@rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social
Ā for an online discussion exploring the UK governmentās National Security Strategy (NSS) and its focus on militarisation. Tickets + More info:
https://rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/home/events/
about 1 month ago
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š How are drones changing the way wars are fought? Chris Cole, founder of Drone Wars UK, has spent years investigating the rise of armed drones ā from targeted killings to remote warfare. The Warrior Nation podcast is available on all major streaming platforms or at
https://www.forceswatch.net
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about 1 month ago
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Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
about 1 month ago
šØLEGAL OPINION: UK nuke jets break international law! šØ A legal opinion sought by CND has found that Britain's purchase of nuclear-capable F-35A fighter jets violates its commitments under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty! Read More:
cnduk.org/legal-opinio...
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ā¢ļø What happens when nuclear weapons and AI-driven autonomous systems collide? Joe Glenton speaks toĀ Elizabeth Minor, Advisor at
@article36.bsky.social
, is at the forefront of international efforts to reduce harm from weapons. Available on all major streaming platforms or listen at forceswatch.net
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about 1 month ago
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Join
@rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social
Ā for a discussion exploring the UK governmentās National Security Strategy & its focus on militarisation. An opportunity to share insights, challenge dominant narratives & develop constructive responses. Tickets:
https://rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/home/events/
about 2 months ago
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Why was Colonel Richard Kemp, a prominent British army officer of the War on Terror era recently in Gaza doing propaganda for Israel?
@declassifieduk.org
Ā and defence journalist, Joe Glenton investigateā¬ļø
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Exposed: The British colonel doing Israelās dirty work
Help Declassified expose the powerful by joining us: https://www.declassifieduk.org/join/We spoke to a former British soldier about why Colonel Richard Kemp,...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsjYwd9ls38&ab_channel=DeclassifiedUK
about 2 months ago
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The UK has banned Israeli students from the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), a prestigious British defence academy, due to Israelās ongoing war in Gaza.
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UK bans Israelis from military academy over Gaza war
Ministry of Defence confirms policy, citing Israel's 'decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza'
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-bans-israelis-military-academy-over-gaza-war
about 2 months ago
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Weāre excited to see this event coming up next Wednesday at
@housmansbookshop.bsky.social
Ā on āEngland's Military Heartland: Preparing for War on Salisbury Plainā by our friends,
@vronsta.bsky.social
and colleagues. Wed 24 Sept, 7-8:30pm Tickets + More infoā”ļø
https://housmans.com/events/
about 2 months ago
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āThis yearās DSEI has been buoyed by newly swollen military budgets as states have fallen behind the US-led consensus on rearmament.ā Rebekah Diski at the Stop the Arms Fair protest. ā¬ļø
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Rebekah Diski | At the Arms Fair
Every two years, the UK hosts one of the worldās largest arms fairs at the Excel centre in East London. The Defence...
https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/september/at-the-arms-fair
about 2 months ago
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MPs are demanding assurances that RAF surveillance data from Gaza is preserved ā evidence that could later be used as evidence for war crimes. Read more from
@middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social
Ā
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MPs demand assurances RAF Gaza spy plane footage is retained
Parliamentary committee scrutinising UK arms exports to Israel presses ministers to make sure surveillance data from hundreds of flights is not destroyed
https://tinyurl.com/5n7fsddn
about 2 months ago
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Today on World Peace Day, we reflect on the urgent need to challenge militarism and build security through justice, peacebuilding, cooperation, and care for people and the planet.
https://www.forceswatch.net/
about 2 months ago
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UK and Ireland announce new Northern Ireland Troubles legacy deal. The British and Irish governments have unveiled a framework to replace the controversial 2023 Legacy Act.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
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What do the new Northern Ireland Troubles legacy proposals entail?
Labour hopes to heal wounds created by the Conservativesā Legacy Act, which cancelled inquests and prosecutions
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/sep/19/northern-ireland-troubles-legacy-act-new-proposals
about 2 months ago
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ForcesWatch
Declassified UK
about 2 months ago
šNEW -- Britain trained Israeli soldiers fighting in Gaza by
@john-mcevoy.bsky.social
Exclusive: Declassified has obtained a list of Israelis who graduated from the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. Weāre publishing it for the first time.
www.declassifieduk.org/britain-trai...
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Britain trained Israeli soldiers fighting in Gaza
Exclusive: Declassified has obtained a list of Israelis who graduated from the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. Weāre publishing it for the first time.
https://www.declassifieduk.org/britain-trained-israeli-soldiers-fighting-in-gaza/
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about 2 months ago
Really important report by
@responsiblesci.bsky.social
. The evidence is clear that soaring military expenditure - and in particular NATO's massive planned increases to at least 3.5% of GDP - will have a severe climate impact, and will make efforts to avoid catastrophic climate change much harder.
add a skeleton here at some point
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A cross-party group of MPs and Lords has been shut down, after
@declassifieduk.org
Ā revealed it had taken money from a state-owned Israeli arms company, leading to an inquiry by the parliamentary standards commissioner.
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Westminster group shut down over Israel funding
Closure comes after Declassified revealed the cross-party group of MPs took cash from an Israeli state-owned arms firm.
https://www.declassifieduk.org/westminster-group-shut-down-over-israel-funding/
about 2 months ago
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āWages not Weaponsā - unions representing millions of workers have just sent a clear message against the governmentās military spending hikes.Ā
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Wages not Weapons: Trade unions overturn support for military spending hikes - CND
British trade unionists, in a very significant vote, have backed a motion overturning previous support for the government's military spending hikes. The Wages not Weapons motion was proposed by the UCU union, with supported by unions include the RMT, NEU, CWU, FBU, and PCS. It was passed by 2,871,000 votes to 2,291,000.Ā
https://cnduk.org/wages-not-weapons-trade-unions-overturn-support-for-military-spending-hikes/
about 2 months ago
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New details on the UK Gov's militarism drive have been published this week in the Defence Industrial Strategy, announced at the DSEI arms fair. They are really pulling out all the stops to subsidise defence and security industries, and legitimise rearmament with the promise of a 'defence dividend'.
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Backing British business: reforms to champion UK defence companies on the world stage
Defence Industrial Strategy will unveil reforms to champion British defence businesses to increase export sales through cutting red tape and expanded financial backing.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/backing-british-business-reforms-to-champion-uk-defence-companies-on-the-world-stage
about 2 months ago
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ForcesWatch
about 2 months ago
Join us to discuss how militarisation impacts
#EU
policies for climate & peace, with great panellists from European Network Against
#ArmsTrade
,
@eeb.org
,
@obsmultinationales.bsky.social
, &@nonviolentpeaceforce.org. more info & registerā”ļøhttps://bit.ly/ENAAT1809 Part of
#Demilitarize4ClimateJustice
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Last week one of the two Elbit Systems factories in Bristol was unexpectedly closed. The factory had been a focus for direct action against Israelās genocide in Gaza.
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Peaceful protest outside āimmoralā Israeli arms manufacturer
Activists wanted to draw attention to āthe complicity of Bristol" in the arms trade
https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/peaceful-protest-outside-immoral-israeli-arms-manufacturer/
about 2 months ago
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Declassified UK
2 months ago
šNEW VIDEO -- They banned me, but let Israeli arms dealers in A major arms fair has been criticised by press freedom groups for refusing to let Declassified enter the event, which is being held for the first time since Labour took power.
www.youtube.com/watch?featur...
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about 2 months ago
Britain provides 15% of parts for the F-35 fight, which Israel is using to drop 2,000-lb bombs on the people of Gaza. Katie Fallon, CAAT's Advocacy Manager, gave evidence to the Gaza Tribunal about the centrality of the F-35 programme for supporting Israel's genocide in Gaza.
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Quakers in Britain
2 months ago
Protest works! Telford arms fair is to relocate following two years of persistent protest. Quakers are opposed to the arms industry, which enables violence and profits from suffering. Next week, join our actions against the DSEI arms fair in London.
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Merchants of death relocate after two years of protest
One of the UKās biggest arms fairs is to relocate from Telford to Birmingham following two years of persistent protest.
https://www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-events/news/merchants-of-death-relocate-after-two-years-of-protest
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DSEI starts next week- the āSuper Bowl of the defence world.ā War profiteers will gather in London next week to showcase weapons fuelling genocide. The UK government has banned Israeli officials from attending however Israeli defence companies are still invited.
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2 months ago
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šØ DSEI (Defence and Security Equipment International) starts next week. One of the worldās biggest arms fairs - where deadly deals are made.Ā š Visit stopthearmsfair.org.uk for more information on how to get involved and take action.
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2 months ago
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ForcesWatch
2 months ago
These companies are among the hundreds more that will be exhibiting at DSEI, the UK's largest arms fair, 9-12th September. To find the full list we are compiling:
caat.org.uk/data/arms-fa...
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šŖNEW ARTICLE As the Labour Government enters its 2nd year we look at how the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme has expanded during their rule. āalmost one tenth of the House of Commons is currently participating in an arms industry funded military cosplay fantasy.ā
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ForcesWatch Ā» A 'chief of staff' and 'enduring relationships': The advance of military interests in Parliament
As the Labour Government enters its second year we take a look at how the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme has expanded during their rule, and aspects of its influence that we have uncovered.
https://tinyurl.com/zfh5fvcd
2 months ago
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āIf you want peace, prepare for war.ā Forces Watch's Emma Sangster unpacks how the UK governmentās recent security reports reveal an era of āmilitarist realismā - a push to put āDefenceā at the centre of everyday life. Read more at ForcesWatch.net
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ForcesWatch Ā» Is this militarist realism? Defence dividends for an āarmour-clad nationā
Reflecting on an era of 'militarist realism' which seeks to centre and normalise 'Defence' in all of our lives.
https://tinyurl.com/3y594zjy
3 months ago
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Episode 2 of our āFuture Warā podcast series is out now!
@joejglenton.bsky.social
speaks to the incredible
@elizabethminor.bsky.social
and
@dronewarsuk.bsky.social
about the rise of AI, autonomous warfare and drones. Available here -
www.forceswatch.net/activity/the...
3 months ago
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Ex-military Colonel speaks up against the genocide in Gazaššµšø Retired British army officer Colonel Chris Romberg calls for an end to the criminalisation of āa legitimate organisation that has been protesting and acting against this genocide.ā
www.instagram.com/reel/DNNznzK...
3 months ago
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ForcesWatch was devastated to hear of the murder of Anas al-Sharif and his colleagues in Gaza on the weekend. Despite a record number of journalists murdered in Gaza, their mark on the world will never disappear.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/...
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Anas al-Sharif among four Al Jazeera journalists killed by Israel in Gaza
Al Jazeera staff killed in targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists near al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza City.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/10/al-jazeera-journalist-anas-al-sharif-killed-in-israeli-attack-in-gaza-city
3 months ago
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Inaccurate, partial and unevidenced claims were made in the press about a decision to not have military equipment present at York Armed Forces Day, ForcesWatchās
@joejglenton.bsky.social
, a York resident, reports. Read now -
www.forceswatch.net/comment/york...
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ForcesWatch Ā» York Armed Forces Day: 'rage-bait', militarism and the authorised 'knowers'
York resident Joe Glenton reports on the controversy around York's Armed Forces Day in the national press after it was reported that military equipment had been 'banned' by the local Labour council.
https://www.forceswatch.net/comment/york-armed-forces-day-rage-bait-militarism-and-the-authorised-knowers/
4 months ago
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"Our shared cultural memory must be wearing exceedingly thin if we, as a society, are ready to accept our sons and daughters being shipped off to fight in another brutal and fruitless war" Check out this pertinent & powerful analysis by
@conorbollins.bsky.social
labouroutlook.org/2025/06/26/d...
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Donāt let Starmer recruit our young people to fight his wars
An in-depth look into Starmer's plans to recruit young people into the military - and why we must oppose them.
https://labouroutlook.org/2025/06/26/dont-let-starmer-recruit-our-young-people-to-fight-his-wars/
4 months ago
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Incredibly strong article by Richard Reeve at
@rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social
regarding the dangerous and short-sighted miscalculations in Labours new Security Strategy.
rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/2025/07/09/d...
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Donāt Look Up, Donāt Look Down: The radical certainty of Labourās National Security Strategy
The UKās latest National Security Strategy heralds a radical redistribution of national resources from social spending to defence. Richard Reeve argues that it not only brushes aside the looming reā¦
https://rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/2025/07/09/dont-look-up-dont-look-down/
4 months ago
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Having worked in The Pentagon and at the highest level of US military and foreign policy, Episode 1 of our āFuture Warā podcast series is off to a momentous start with our first guest, Matthew Hoh. Listen Here -
https://www.forceswatch.net/activity/the-warrior-nation-podcast/
4 months ago
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Season 6 of The Warrior Nation Podcast has officially launched! šš„ Listen to episode 1 with Matthew Hoh now -
https://www.forceswatch.net/activity/the-warrior-nation-podcast/
āFinding hope in a world at warā
4 months ago
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"The Royal Air Force (RAF) has been sending spy flights over Gaza to gather intelligence for Israel since December 2023 ... Remarkably, the Foreign Office team which reviews Israelās compliance with International Humanitarian Law has seemingly not reviewed or even requested the RAFās spy footage."
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4 months ago
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āItās disturbing to see how events like Armed Forces Day are used to manufacture consent for war and militarism.ā
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/thre...
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Three-fold increase in anti-Armed Forces Day protests in a year | Morning Star
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/three-fold-increase-anti-armed-forces-day-protests-year
4 months ago
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Quakers in Britain
5 months ago
We have deep concerns about government plans to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. Nonviolent protest, and even acts of vandalism, should not be labelled as terrorism. Civil disobedience has been a powerful force for positive social change.
www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
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Quakers speak out against proposed terrorist proscription of Palestine Action
Quakers in Britain have voiced deep concerns about the governmentās plan to designate Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation under the Terrorism Act 2000.
https://www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-events/news/quakers-speak-out-against-proposed-terrorist-proscription-of-palestine-action
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These brave actions were not terrorism then, and they are not terrorism now. Nor were these
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeds_o...
Or these
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfor...
Juries have agreed in many cases.
novaramedia.com/2025/06/27/w...
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We Also Broke Into an Airbase to Stop War Crimes. Thankfully, We Were Two Nice White Boys | Novara Media
In 2017, we broke into a BAE Systems airfield to stop jets from going to bomb Yemen, write Sam Walton and Daniel Woodhouse. Our lenient treatment exposes the Palestine Action ban for what it is: racis...
https://novaramedia.com/2025/06/27/we-also-broke-into-an-airbase-to-stop-war-crimes-thankfully-we-were-two-nice-white-boys/
4 months ago
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Across the UK, Armed Forces Day is being met by protests, stalls and peace vigils - countering militarism and uncritical support for war - planned in over 50 locations. That's three times as many as last year! War is not family entertainment!!
www.forceswatch.net/news/record-...
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ForcesWatch Ā» Record number of protests against Armed Forces Day across the UK
Joint press release by ForcesWatch and the Peace Pledge Union
https://www.forceswatch.net/news/record-number-of-protests-against-armed-forces-day-across-the-uk/
4 months ago
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