"The monks of Lindisfarne rejected violence in their dedication to the life to come. But the Vikings who laid their world to waste prayed to different gods." My piece in @TheCriticMag, making the case for Realism in international politics. Book now out! thecritic.co.uk/the-case-for...

Dave, a shout out to this piece by @patporter76.bsky.social: thecritic.co.uk/imperial-tru...

Out now, folks! Be like Judah.

My book is being launched on 14 October in Oxford, All Soul's College, at 1:30pm. How to Survive a Hostile World: Power, Politics and the Case for Realism. A world class panel of Jeanne Morefield, Susan Martin, @blagden_david @SeanMolloyIR All Welcome! www.ccw.ox.ac.uk/events/2025/...

My piece in The Critic, "Alliances are overrated." Some anti-Trumpists revere them as an overcorrection. While they can be valuable, they are not a reliable substitute for self-help. And they are best managed without sentimentality as a means to an end. thecritic.co.uk/alliances-ar...

Lad

Out now, folks!

My piece in @TheCriticMag, Imperial Trump. This president is no isolationist, given the record of what he does in office. But the label will persist regardless, thanks to political convenience and the mediocrity of many commentators. thecritic.co.uk/imperial-tru...

We have liftoff! With thanks to @stanfordpress. To be launched in Oxford with @OxfordCCW, details to follow. Coming in October.

My article in @TheCriticMag: looking back eighty years on, there were no good choices for Truman when he launched atomic strikes on Japan, morally or strategically. thecritic.co.uk/trumans-choi...

My piece on AUKUS in @TheCriticMag. We need a little more Machiavelli downunder. thecritic.co.uk/the-trouble-...

Article on AUKUS coming out shortly.

1/ "There is indeed a general problem with the whole suggestion of a “Global South”. It implies, increasingly inaccurately, that our world is still a tale of Western‐​driven globalisation that makes others passive consumers of events" Bracing by @patporter76.bsky.social www.cato.org/commentary/w...

"This is a war of temptation. In the words of Lawrence Freedman, it represents the “lure of the decisive.”" Excellent piece by @patporter76.bsky.social on the difference between "deterrence" and "destruction" - & why these approaches "drive in different directions". thecritic.co.uk/deterrence-r...

Me in @TheCriticMag: David Ben-Gurion believed Israel in its hostile region could never have finality on its terms. It would always have to deter, requiring discipline. Netanyahu's war of temptation on Iran rejects that vision. Decisiveness may elude him. thecritic.co.uk/deterrence-r...

My piece in @TheCriticMag, Starmer's Chagos Slur. Starmer frames dissent over his deal with Mauritius as sinister useful idiocy. But the PM is unwise to recast prudential questions as loyalty tests. thecritic.co.uk/starmers-cha...

My piece in @TheCriticMag, on the need for British realism abroad. thecritic.co.uk/message-to-b...

My book, "How to Survive a Hostile World: Power, Politics and The Case for Realism" w/ @stanfordpress is out in October. Defending the tradition in a time of war, climate crisis & economic dislocation. sup.org/books/politics… Now available for pre-order: https://amzn.eu/d/bJNCT46

"A well-delivered lecture isn’t primarily a delivery system for information. It is an ignition point for curiosity, all the better for being experienced in an audience." Marvellous defence of the increasingly maligned university experience by @patporter76.bsky.social thecritic.co.uk/university-a...

Patrick Porter could use a follower boost on here. A lot of people on here are going to disagree with a lot that he publishes- but even when you disagree he will present the best version of what you disagree with and is worth hearing.

I can confirm that any resemblance between @patporter76.bsky.social and #TaylorSwift is entirely coincidental

Words of fire.

"University: A Good Idea". Excellent piece by @patporter76.bsky.social, reasserting the humanist idea of the university as a place to think, grow and argue; not as a consumer experience providing employable skills. thecritic.co.uk/university-a...

My piece in The Critic, defending the idea of the university against the mercenary, the transactional and the silly. thecritic.co.uk/university-a...

My book, "How to Survive a Hostile World: Power, Politics and The Case for Realism" will be published in October by @stanfordpress. Defending the tradition in a time of war, climate crisis & economic dislocation. The link is now up: www.sup.org/books/politi...

My piece in The Critic. "Let's be real about Ukraine." The three realities that doom PM Starmer's deterrence/reassurance force proposal: thecritic.co.uk/lets-be-real...

My piece in The Critic, May, out soon: "How Far Will We Go to Defend Ukraine?"

Piece forthcoming in The Critic, "How Far Will We Go to Defend Ukraine?"

@blagdendavid.bsky.social and I in @TheCriticMag make the case for adding lower-yield nuclear weapons to Britain's arsenal, to bolster the credibility of NATO Europe's deterrence: thecritic.co.uk/the-bomb-eur...

Contrary to FDR, there is plenty to fear other than fear itself. As FDR himself knew in his conduct of war. I argue in @TheCriticMag that a rational form of fear is part of prudence in the realist tradition. thecritic.co.uk/speak-softly...

My forthcoming book with Stanford University Press. "Surviving a Hostile World: The Case for Realism." Defending the ancient tradition, the book argues realism is moral, realistic & for everyone. For a generation undergoing climate crisis, economic dislocation & war.