Intrigued to hear on the "Empire" podcast that "Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group", is one of 5 definitions of genocide according to the UN Office on Genocide Prevention. That's exactly what Russia has done in Ukraine. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_a...
Reports in @financialtimes.com and @washingtonpost.com that #Russia is helping #Iran with military intelligence to target US assets such as planes and ships. Logically, the US should respond by providing #Ukraine with more military and economic support. Let's see. @tendar.bsky.social
Enjoyed Hawaiian and Samurai exhibitions at British Museum Monday. The description of a feather standard”l as “Provenance unknown; found in the collection stores of the British Museum in 1991” struck me as honest but not designed to encourage donors. @britishmuseum.bsky.social #hawaii #samurai
Lovely to see and sign 3 copies of “Lessons in Diplomacy” in @hatchards.bsky.social in Piccadilly today. They’re now stickered up and ready to go! #booktok #signing #lessonsindiplomacy #books
Great to meet the outstanding pupils of years 9 and 12 at The Manchester Grammar School today. Great welcome from Simon Jones and the usual professional media support from Sitara Bartle Davies. Look forward to my next visit. #schools #manchester #enrichment
What lessons can we learn from the Iran crisis so far? Here are two diplomatic lessons. 1. World leaders should avoid hubris, because it can lead to really terrible decision-making. 2 World leaders should NEVER surround themselves with yes-men - for the same reason. www.youtube.com/shorts/xnpe4...
My podcast "When leaders think they're invincible" feels apposite today. #hubris #leadership #politicians.
The podcast draws on a chapter in my book "Lessons in Diplomacy", entitled "How to handle politicians". It includes a section on "Politicians and hubris". open.spotify.com/episode/0wjC...
Indeed!
Making bread in #Manchester with a 96-year-old master breadmaker. Result: outstanding. #bread #baking #yeast
…that year (see my Instagram post for a listen) when on a camping holiday in Yorkshire with my parents (we didn’t splash out much on hols!) and it rained a lot and I met Stella from Nottingham. We corresponded for many years but I never saw her again. #sedaka #rain #memories #Yorkshire 🧵2 of 2
Enjoying the gentle rain at #Wilmslow en route to see my mum and to deliver two talks tomorrow at my old school. Lovely daffs in an old grit-box, too. I remember being moved by Neil Sedaka’s 1974 song 🧵1 of 2
Love #Hackney. Looking gorgeous in the sun today.
Looking for something else, I found this March 2025 CNN interview about Ukraine-Russia. Fairly prescient, with hindsight, on the continued obstacles to a peace settlement. #Ukraine #Russia #Russiaukraine #Ukrainerussia #peace www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rkR...
As the tragic 4-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine passes, why are many pro-Russian bloggers putting out messages saying #Russia is winning? #Ukraine #Russiaukrainewar #anniversary #propaganda youtube.com/shorts/yxl3K...
There seems to be a flurry of pro-Russian channels saying Russia will win. They must be fearing for some reason that people are increasingly thinking the opposite.
Enjoying an early start from #Amsterdam for a @eurostarnews.bsky.social train to #London. Maddeningly Eurostar do not open the terminal until 6, guaranteeing a late start for the 06.40 train. Oh, well, time for a coffee.
Depopulation of the Russian countryside. Hundreds of thousands of war dead since 2022, mostly from the poorest parts of #Russia. Excellent and authoritative analysis of #Russian (and #Ukrainian) war dead by the BBC. #Russiaukrainewar www.bbc.com/news/article...
What are prospects for peace in #Ukraine after the 18 February Geneva talks? In 13 months since President #Trump came to office, #Russia has made zero concessions. Until Trump pressures Moscow economically, or helps Ukraine militarily, prospects for peace remain bleak.
youtube.com/shorts/v8JyV...
Interesting BBC report about a spike in food prices in #Russia. Of course the Russian government could instantly make Russia richer and safer by pulling its troops out of #Ukraine tomorrow. There is no downside for Russia and Russians - only for President #Putin. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Spending more on #defence when spending is tight seems insane. Yet with the UK and the rest of Europe being squeezed by Russian expansion on one side and US unpredictability on the other, it may be a good investment www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfgF... #Russia #Ukraine #diplomacy #Russiaukrainewar
Is the US pressuring Ukraine for a quick “peace deal”? #Russia #Ukraine #peace
youtube.com/shorts/n_LzK...
For aspiring ambassadors.
What mistake did I made, as a first-time ambassador, when I went to call on the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Office in 2008 for my pre-posting chat? Could it be a lesson worth sharing?
My latest short video on YouTube.
youtube.com/shorts/71ZrM...
Can anyone point me towards any reliable reports on the outcome of the latest Ukraine-Russia peace talks as at 18.45 GMT on 8 February? Thanks. #Ukraine #Russia #talks #peace
It is a classic Russian argument to say "sanctions achieve nothing, so lift them". It is, of course, also nonsense. Sanctions make it harder for Russia to pursue its war of choice against Ukraine and to pretend that "everything is normal".
Good news if this actually leads to India buying less Russian #oil. Russia depends on energy export revenues to fund its unprovoked war against Ukraine. #Russia could of course end the war tomorrow, and provide its citizens with a huge economic boost, by withdrawing from Ukrainian territory.
My podcast "Chile: a life-changing journey" is now live on Spotify, Apple and other streaming services. What's it like to do a six-week trip around South America ("from Patagonia to Costa Rica") without spending big bucks? #Chile #Patagonia #Atacama #osorno #altitude open.spotify.com/episode/7Gj4...
Published today 28 January! Available on Amazon as paperback and e-book. The e-book is just $0.99/77p/€0.85. “Seven More Hotel Stories” is the second volume featuring the world’s most glamorous, brilliant and mischievous hotel manager. #booktok #books #comedy #womensleuths #womensleuth
Coming 28 January on Amazon as paperback and e-book - “Seven More Hotel Stories”. Pre-order the e-book for $0.99/77p/€0.85. “Seven More Hotel Stories” is the second volume featuring the world’s most glamorous, brilliant and mischievous hotel manager, Ms N. #booktok #books #book #comedy #womensleuths
Coming 28 January on Amazon as paperback and e-book - “Seven More Hotel Stories”. Pre-order the e-book for $0.99/77p/€0.85. “Seven More Hotel Stories” is the second volume featuring the world’s most glamorous, brilliant and mischievous hotel manager, Ms N. #booktok #books #book #comedy #womensleuths
Coming 28 January on Amazon as paperback and e-book - “Seven More Hotel Stories”. Pre-order the e-book for $0.99/77p/€0.85. “Seven More Hotel Stories” is the second volume featuring the world’s most glamorous, brilliant and mischievous hotel manager, Ms N. #booktok #books #book #comedy #womensleuths
