“The economic cost of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan—estimated to reach $10 trillion—would fall heavily on the developing world,” write CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies experts Henrietta Leven and Hugh Grant-Chapman. Read more: www.csis.org/analysis/und...

This puts paid to any shred of credibility the so-called‘board of peace’ ever had 👇

If you are a PhD student or early career scholar interested in nationalism join us in Zadar in June:

"Eyewitnesses say gov't forces have begun opening fire, apparently with automatic weapons and at times seemingly indiscriminately, on unarmed protesters...protesters had been coming in with pellet injuries but now with gunshot wounds & skull fractures." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/w...

I just finished a three-year term as an editor at an international relations journal. I began at the start of the LLM era but ended right in the middle of it. Our volume of submissions tripled and our desk reject rate rose to 75%. I have some thoughts. open.substack.com/pub/hegemon/...

This is all true I grew up there and lived there until 11 years ago. However it’s increasingly unaffordable

This is the flipside of some universities' vast and unprincipled over-recruitment. I don't comment much these days, because after the Higher Ed White Paper the pass has been sold, but this is the reality. 👇

Iran protesters defy crackdown as videos show violent clashes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The US has seized a new Venezuelan oil tanker. In recent days, it reflagged to become a Russian vessel and was escorted by a Russian submarine. #UpholdingIL #SeaLaw www.bbc.com/news/live/cw...

Read the stories of Ukrainian women who survived Russian prisons in occupied Donbas. For years, they were tortured, starved and forced to live in freezing cells with no toilets. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians are still trapped there. Their only “crime” is being Ukrainian.

Speak loudly, carry a big stick, whack it at smaller countries. (But never at Russia)

Meanwhile Russian milblogger Fighterbomber is wondering why “great Russia” couldn’t snatch Zelensky the way the US just grabbed Maduro, and why the Kremlin now has to invent excuses about why it is “not like that”.

NEW: Trump administration launches direct military strikes on Venezuela. Explosions reported in Caracas. Aircraft reported flying over the city.

Authorities said the man, allegedly recruited by Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence, was “neutralized” after placing an explosive device under the officer’s car in annexed Crimea and “offering armed resistance.”

The government will charge universities £925 per international student for each year of study from August 2028, in a blow to cash-strapped higher education institutions. Helen Packer reports #Budget2026 https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/international-student-levy-set-ps925-student-2028

Opinion: After a shambolic Budget day, it is little surprise that universities have been landed with a costly and overcomplicated international student levy, writes Nick Hillman https://www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/universities-are-paying-price-uks-dire-economic-straits

"A US group has identified several obscure but potentially key sanctions it says could seriously disrupt Russia’s war effort in Ukraine after last month’s targeting of the Kremlin’s biggest oil firms." @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

Thread by @MartinKragh1 @SCEEUS_UI on Russia's use of negotiation theatre for strategic aims threadreaderapp.com/thread/19936...

Here, Rubio claims he hasn’t seen any European counter-plan. (The one attached below that we all have seen by now).

Fascinating argument that states (and even emerging states like EU) are being overtaken by a "Neo-royalism" of interconnected hyperrich elites who think that the rules don't apply to them. All very Louis XVI, to be honest...

Joint statement of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children ahead of the UN’s World Children’s Day: www.canada.ca/en/global-af...

'Things happen' - Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing

It's frantic in Kharkiv. The city is being subjected to a swarm attack. At least 4 explosions so far - the Slobid district seeing the worst of the damage.

"We've dismembered a journalist by mistake"

The "bundling" serves two purposes: 1, to make the "deals" look bigger than they actually are; 2. to obfuscate corrupt transactions. The latter can involve burying them, deflecting attention from them, or laundering them as part of a broader "bundle" that advances American interest.

I do wish these ppl would just enjoy their retirement and grow cabbages on their allotments like everyone else… 😫

My piece on the dramatic changes inside Russian schools since 2022, with weapons training in the classroom and a push from kindergarten to prepare soldiers for future conflicts. “They are preparing kids ideologically & psychologically for war,” said @irgarner.bsky.social www.wsj.com/world/russia...

Important insights into the utter hypocrisy of those hounding the BBC. "... if the BBC cannot or will not defend itself, and if it will not stand true for a truly radical concept: fearlessly impartial journalism, not fearful management of impartiality, then it will fade away."

Putting together a panel for #BISA2026 on grassroots resistance. If you have a paper, get in touch! I'm keen to bring together diverse perspectives and approaches. 📧 DM if you're interested ⏰ Deadline: October 30th @mybisa.bsky.social

Sadly, there's a lot to be said for Marina Hyde's analysis here. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

#Russia forces strike UN humanitarian convoy in #Kherson region Two trucks, delivering food and vital aid, damaged by drones #Ukraine #UkraineWar

Blue sky hive mind: #Russian political economy/trade-best books/articles on the opening up of the economy after the collapse of the USSR please!

⚡️Seven EU states increase Russian energy imports in 2025, Reuters reports.

Please join me in congratulating Woman on her appointment

ICYMI: "The captain of an oil tanker believed to be part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' of vessels used to evade sanctions has been charged by French authorities." @bbcnews-world-rss.bsky.social www.bbc.com/news/article...

Can China sell itself as an alternative to the Western-led security order? @sheenagreitens.bsky.social joined @gmfus.bsky.social’s @bglaser.bsky.social on the China Global podcast to discuss. Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...

Taliban shut down the internet in Afghanistan as a “morality measure”

A few people have been asking questions about Moldova. As it's well over 30 years since Russia refused to let go of a part of the country, this (free) look back into history from @amaragraps.bsky.social, is both fascinating and enlightening. amaragraps.substack.com/p/connecting...

Moldovans Reject Russia | "The election was billed as a referendum on the country’s future. In the end, voters plumped for Brussels and Western Europe rather than Russia." Katia Glod

Speaking next Monday (6th October) at King's Russia Institute about 'Russia Starts Here'. Tickets are free. Please come along! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/russia-sta...

The United Nations is staring down the unprecedented financial and political pullback of its founding member and the host of its headquarters, the United States. What will the future hold for U.S. support to the United Nations? Read the full analysis: www.csis.org/analysis/wha...

Xi Jinping on visit to Xinjiang calls for ‘every effort’ to achieve social stability – SCMP: ‘Xi also described the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a state-owned enterprise, as “an important strategic force” in achieving the ruling party leadership’s overall goals for Xinjiang.’

So, to be clear, Reform UK want a state strong enough to carry out mass deportations but identity cards would be a step too far in terms of state power?

“Are you Alawi?” Identity-Based Killings During Syria’s Transition www.hrw.org/report/2025/...

"An instrument of neo-colonialist oppression" Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger issue a joint statement withdrawing from the #ICC Earlier this year, all three also jointly withdrew from #ECOWAS www.bbc.com/news/article...

Very annoyed with this ”but Turkey shot down a Russian jet”. Turkey doesn’t have a border with Russia. If Finland did the same (when it’s ”only” an incursion), what would stop Russia from starting to shoot down Finnish (or other NATO) jets when they’re flying close to the Russian border ?

Does the UN have a future? I talked to @economist.com alongside @minhthu.bsky.social (who is more hopeful than me!). www.economist.com/internationa...

Via @hrl-yalesph.bsky.social on X: Yale “HRL identified 210 locations where Ukraine’s children have been taken in Russia and occupied Ukraine since Feb 2022. This research expands on HRL’s previous reports + is the highest number of locations to date.” ysph.yale.edu/news-article...