At the Cambridge University alumni festival. Looking forward to talking about “Lessons in diplomatic tradecraft” - in good company. Cambridge catering seems to have made little progress in 49 years…🍟🍳🍕

that they are never to confess.” Who said this? Soviet agent Kim Philby, in a talk to trainees of the East German security service, the Stasi, in 1981. “Lessons in “Diplomacy” from all good bookshops #writing #books #writers #booktok #write #read #diplomacy #diplomat 🧵 ends

“Lessons in Diplomacy”, published in paperback TODAY 16 September, has much advice applicable to current events. For example: “If they confront you…with a document with your own handwriting then it’s a forgery – just deny everything… So my advice to you is to tell all your agents… 🧵1 of 2

My hot take on President Trump's latest statement, today, saying #Ukraine CAN recover all its land from #Russia. Is it significant? I'm sceptical: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgcc...

My hot take on President Trump's latest statement, today, saying #Ukraine CAN recover all its land from #Russia. Is it significant? I'm sceptical: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgcc...

A BBC report shows #Russia is engaged in covert work to influence elections in #Moldova. My take: true. Moscow knows that each republic of the Former Soviet Union that breaks away - however small - weakens its chance of re-establishing colonialist hegemony. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Heading to London this morning from #Amsterdam. The usual crack of dawn start… hoping the @eurostar gods will smile on us timing- and connection-wise…

I'm looking forward to speaking at Manchester Grammar School on 10 October. See you there? Tickets include a lunch! Details here: www.mgs.org/news-and-eve... #talks #talk #diplomacy #lunch

My new YouTube video is a bit of light relief in these vexing times... www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAbR...

I'm looking forward to speaking at Manchester Grammar School on 10 October. See you there? Tickets include a lunch! Details here: www.mgs.org/news-and-eve... #talks #talk #diplomacy #lunch

“Lessons in Diplomacy”, published in paperback TODAY 16 September, has much advice applicable to current events. For example: “If they confront you…with a document with your own handwriting then it’s a forgery – just deny everything… So my advice to you is to tell all your agents… 🧵1 of 2

3, 2, 1 day to go! The paperback of “Lessons in Diplomacy” is out on 16 SEPTEMBER. Everything you wanted to know about diplomacy but were afraid to ask… Also from @brisunipress.bsky.social @waterstones.bsky.social and Amazon #writing #books #writers #booktok #write #read

The paperback of “Lessons in Diplomacy” is out on 16 SEPTEMBER. First copies arriving in shops now. Everything you wanted to know about diplomacy but were afraid to ask… Also from @brisunipress.bsky.social @waterstones.bsky.social and Amazon #writing #books #writers #booktok #write #read

Enjoying a cornucopia of good things at “The End” bar on Faneromeni Beach on Lesbos. Writing course: delivered. Sun: shining. Beer: cold. On the sound track of the bar, echoing across the beach: Rammstein’s “Sonne” and Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades”. Quite the package. I think I feel a story coming on…

The paperback of “Lessons in Diplomacy” is out on 16 SEPTEMBER. First copies arriving in shops now. Everything you wanted to know about diplomacy but were afraid to ask… Also from @brisunipress.bsky.social @waterstones.bsky.social and Amazon #writing #books #writers #booktok #write #read

Enjoying teaching and reading at my writing course in Sigri with Cindy Camatsos and the Sigri Arts Retreat. Also home to the extraordinary petrified forest, featuring the biggest stone sequoia you ever saw… #writing #writers #writingcommunity #book #booktok #books

Writing course in Sigri, Lesbos, gets off to a good start today. Have been exploring the environs, too. #write #writingcourses #writing #booktok #book #books

As I prepare to deliver my writing course on #Lesbos, here is a shot of a “Hotel Story” actually being written. Tip: this story is not (yet) among the 12 “Hotel Stories” Published so far. But you can find all the others on Amazon either as individual stories or in collections. #stories #books #book

Good to see. If you subscribe to the Bristol University Press website you can get a useful 25% discount on a pre-order of the paperback version of "Lessons in Diplomacy" right now. Must be good! @brisunipress.bsky.social

Seen in #Amsterdam today. Someone had enough of their boyfriend or husband? #boyfriend #husband #rubbish

Good to see. If you subscribe to the Bristol University Press website you can get a useful 25% discount on a pre-order of the paperback version of "Lessons in Diplomacy" right now. Must be good! @brisunipress.bsky.social

“Diplomatic Downsides". There are more than you might think! #lessonsindiplomacy #diplomat #diplomats #diplomacybooks #books #BookTok #booksaboutdiplomacy #travel #careers #diplomaticcareers youtube.com/shorts/oWBz3...

Mmm a new Hotel Story… take a look!

My new YouTube video: "Diplomatic Downsides". There are more than you might think! #lessonsindiplomacy #diplomat #diplomats #diplomacybooks #books #BookTok #booksaboutdiplomacy #travel #careers #diplomaticcareers www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWBz...

Flying back from Bali over the Indian Ocean, dawn, 31.8.25.

Mmm a new Hotel Story… take a look!

This remains relevant.

Great news: a new Hotel Story is coming soon! The first since 2022, it will be the 13th in the series. Watch this space for more news. It is set in a luxury spa high in the Austrian Alps... rleighturner.com/problems-cau... #hotels #hotelstories #books #booktok #writing #writers #book #shortstories

The fact Russia is now pressing to be part of talks to guarantee Ukraine’s security (!!) is conclusive proof that Steve Witkoff’s rabbit-out-of-a-hat of Russia “agreeing” to security guarantees is, unfortunately, meaningless. It’s time for the US to sanction #Russia and help #Ukraine.

Natural gas has a uniquely corrupting influence on politics. Politicians hoping for an economic bonanza from the lifting of sanctions on Russia should bear this in mind. rleighturner.com/natural-gas/ #Russia #Ukraine #gas #naturalgas #corruption #russiaukraine #russiaukrainewar

The fact Russia is now pressing to be part of talks to guarantee Ukraine’s security (!!) is conclusive proof that Steve Witkoff’s rabbit-out-of-a-hat of Russia “agreeing” to security guarantees is, unfortunately, meaningless. It’s time for the US to sanction #Russia and help #Ukraine.

The fact Russia is now pressing to be part of talks to guarantee Ukraine’s security (!!) is conclusive proof that Steve Witkoff’s rabbit-out-of-a-hat of Russia “agreeing” to security guarantees is, unfortunately, meaningless. #Putin has played #Trump again. 🧵 continues…

My new “Lessons in Diplomacy” video on YouTube: Lesson 1.01: #Yushchenko #notepad #lessonsindiplomacy #diplomat #diplomats #diplomacybooks #books #BookTok #booksaboutdiplomacy #ambassador #credentials youtube.com/shorts/BUaql...

My Times Radio interview earlier today about today's vital meetings in Washington, D.C. A "spectacular show of support" indeed. #Zelensky #Ukraine #Russia #Trump #peace #Washington #Putin youtu.be/AKOamNguKJs?...

My new “Lessons in Diplomacy” video on YouTube: Lesson 1.01: #Yushchenko #notepad #lessonsindiplomacy #diplomat #diplomats #diplomacybooks #books #BookTok #booksaboutdiplomacy #ambassador #credentials youtube.com/shorts/BUaql...

My Times Radio interview earlier today about today's vital meetings in Washington, D.C. A "spectacular show of support" indeed. #Zelensky #Ukraine #Russia #Trump #peace #Washington #Putin youtu.be/AKOamNguKJs?...

Enjoying this discussion with @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social and guests phoning in from around the U.K.

My interview with @bbcwales.bsky.social this morning (starts at 1.10.07). President Trump still seems ready to agree a disastrous deal with Putin over #Ukraine's head in the hope of vague business opportunities #Trump #Putin #putintrump #trumpputin #Alaska #Anchorage www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

My interview with Times Radio this morning. The Alaska Summit looks like another example of Putin dominating Trump #Trump #Putin #putintrump #trumpputin #Alaska #Anchorage youtu.be/0carf7w_yQ8?...

Looks like @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social was right. Putin manipulated Trump again. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

The Putin-Trump press statement did not announce a ceasefire. So will President Trump, as promised, now announce “severe consequences” against Russia? Let us hope. But it looks like another Trump deadline has swooshed by and Putin has avoided new sanctions - again rleighturner.com/trump-sell-o...

Updated to take account of the latest developments. Everyone is putting on a brave face ahead of tomorrow's Putin-Trump summit in Alaska. But the auguries are dismal. rleighturner.com/trump-sell-o... #Russia #Ukraine #Trump #Putin #russiaukraine @robhastings.bsky.social @anneapplebaum.bsky.social

Updated to take account of the latest developments. Everyone is putting on a brave face ahead of tomorrow's Putin-Trump summit in Alaska. But the auguries are dismal. rleighturner.com/trump-sell-o... #Russia #Ukraine #Trump #Putin #russiaukraine @robhastings.bsky.social @anneapplebaum.bsky.social

Could President Trump outsmart Putin? It's not how things have gone in previous meetings. But if Trump got tough now - rather than vague talk of future sanctions - he would maximise the likelihood of Russian movement.

Good to be in the “i” newspaper today (and online) commenting on #Ukraine and #Russia and #Trump. Not my headline of course! Doing quite a few radio and TV interviews at the moment but turning down most as I’m visiting my mum in Manchester. Not v optimistic about the Trump/#Putin meeting tomorrow.

Could President Trump outsmart Putin? It's not how things have gone in previous meetings. But if Trump got tough now - rather than vague talk of future sanctions - he would maximise the likelihood of Russian movement.

One way Trump could win concessions from Putin at their summit on Friday would be if he used his famed unpredictability - by surprising Russia with more arms to Ukraine and new sanctions That's the advice of former UK ambassador to Ukraine @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social inews.co.uk/news/world/u...

I am in total agreement with @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social . Putin seems to be one of the few people in the world who can always rely on Trump to help him out of a tough spot.

My new TikTok video shows me actually writing a “Hotel Story”… vm.tiktok.com/ZNdQNXABe/ #writing #books #writers #writingprompts #booktok #write #read

Have you ever wanted to try one of my "Hotel Stories"? If you have a Kindle, you can download "The Mystery Shopper" free until Monday: geni.us/MysteryShopper