Ben Tonra
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bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra
@bentonra.bsky.social
3.8K followers 840 following 1.6K posts

Professor of International Relations at UCD Dublin; Dundrum Methodist Church; Royal Irish Academy; Azure Forum, IDSA and Gym Dad. Mix of Mayo, Kerry, West Virginia and suburban Maryland.

Videos
Political science 84%
Sociology 11%
Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Jane Suiter, Ben Tonra

bgormley.bsky.social
Brian Gormley D7 @bgormley.bsky.social · 8h
Media outlets need to break ties with X

www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Una Mullally: Media outlets need to break ties with X
The presence of media outlets on X does not have a diluting effect on the concentration of misinformation on the platform. If it did, then we wouldn’t be where we are
www.irishtimes.com

Reposted by Ben Tonra

conorhogarty.bsky.social
Conor Hogarty @conorhogarty.bsky.social · 1d
Given the glacial pace of improvement regarding the Defence Forces, all sources of funding need to be examined and exploited.
From todays @IrishTimes 👇
@micheal-martin.bsky.social
@simonharrisireland.bsky.social

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 1d
The facts may be wrong but the animosity is real. www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-o-...
Another Ireland-hostile opinion piece in the The Wall Street Journal, the paper of record of corporate America. Free-riding needs to end. Leadership in Dublin is needed urgently. | Dan O'Brien | ...
Another Ireland-hostile opinion piece in the The Wall Street Journal, the paper of record of corporate America. Free-riding needs to end. Leadership in Dublin is needed urgently.  | 62 comments on Li...
www.linkedin.com

Reposted by Erik Jones, Ben Tonra

matisaksk.bsky.social
Andrej Matisak @matisaksk.bsky.social · 1d
Transatlantic Crisis? Why This Time is Different, by @erik-jones.bsky.social
erikjones.net/2025/11/02/t...
Transatlantic Crisis? Why This Time is Different
The transatlantic relationship was never easy, but it was resilient. This time feels different. Two decades of analysis show why.
erikjones.net

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 2d
Not your average Methodist day out 😇

Reposted by Ben Tonra

conorhogarty.bsky.social
Conor Hogarty @conorhogarty.bsky.social · 2d
Once again, 🇮🇪 lack of investment in defence and security has repercussions and assistance will be required from our 🇪🇺 partners.
When decades of neglect and indifference is your defence policy of choice, expect no less.
@simonharrisireland.bsky.social
@micheal-martin.bsky.social

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 2d
‘God only knows what will be tried on us’: EU leaders’ safety in Ireland next year comes under spotlight…

…as does Ireland’s capacity to defend itself.

www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
‘God only knows what will be tried on us’: EU leaders’ safety in Ireland next year comes under spotlight
Friendly warships and threats from drones: planning steps up for major summit in Ireland next year as part of the EU presidency
www.irishtimes.com

Reposted by Ben Tonra

nialloconghaile.bsky.social
Niall Ó Conghaile @nialloconghaile.bsky.social · 3d
Interrsting

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
EU plans hub to tackle disinformation threat from Russia and others
Move follows ‘escalating hybrid attacks’ by Russia and other foreign powers spreading fake articles across social media
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Ben Tonra

euwatch.live
EUwatch 🇪🇺 @euwatch.live · 3d
Taiwan's vice president calls for closer EU ties in address to lawmakers in Brussels
Taiwan's VP calls for closer EU ties in rare address in Brussels
EU member states, like most countries, have no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan and follow the "One China" policy.
www.euronews.com

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d
Looking forward to this event next week. Part of a short series in cooperation with the French Embassy Dublin.

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d
Just curious… at what point does this become the President simply working around Congress indefinitely?

If Congress has happily handed over its legislative functions to Executive authority and Executive Orders… is it even required any longer?

Is the US parliament prorogued?!
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 3d
MSNBC: Where's the urgency to end this shutdown in Washington?

JEFFRIES: That's a great question. It should be asked of Mike Johnson. Where's the urgency in actually bringing the House back into session? They have canceled votes for the last 6 weeks.

Reposted by Ben Tonra

davidfarrell-ucd.bsky.social
Prof David Farrell, UCD @davidfarrell-ucd.bsky.social · 3d
It was wonderful to have been able to do the honours as 'introducer' for my former lecturer and old friend @ucddublin.bsky.social

www.ucd.ie/spire/newsan...
National University of Ireland Awards an Honorary Doctorate to Maurice Manning
www.ucd.ie

Reposted by Philip Nel, Ben Tonra

atrupar.com
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 3d
MSNBC: Where's the urgency to end this shutdown in Washington?

JEFFRIES: That's a great question. It should be asked of Mike Johnson. Where's the urgency in actually bringing the House back into session? They have canceled votes for the last 6 weeks.

Reposted by Ben Tonra

johnnyryan.bsky.social
Johnny Ryan @johnnyryan.bsky.social · 3d
European Commission considering big cuts to the GDPR to boost Europe's tech sector. This would a mistake, aiding U.S. and Chinese tech giants at EU firms' expense.

www.iccl.ie/digital-data...
Cutting GDPR will harm EU tech competitiveness
Grave cuts to the GDPR would aid U.S. and Chinese tech giants at Europe’s expense
www.iccl.ie

Reposted by Ben Tonra

shonamurray.bsky.social
Shona Murray @shonamurray.bsky.social · 3d
www.ifj.org/media-centre...
Italy: IFJ-EFJ call for the reinstatement of journalist Gabriele Nunziati / IFJ
Italian journalist Gabriele Nunziati, Brussels correspondent for the Nova news agency, was told his collaboration with the agency was stopped on 27 October after asking European Commission spokeswoman...
www.ifj.org

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d
Who will be asked to step up to defend Irish skies from the kinds of attacks being suffered elsewhere in Europe today - whether kinetic or cyber?

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 3d
A serious and substantial illustration of the parlous state of Irish security and defence - and our incapacity to defend our own air and sea space.

It's one thing to choose to be irresponsible for oneself - it's something else thereby to endanger others.

www.thejournal.ie/eu-presidenc...
Concerns across Europe that Ireland's military shortfalls could put major summit at risk
Security concerns are being raised as Ireland prepares to take on the rotating presidency of the EU next summer.
www.thejournal.ie

Reposted by Ben Tonra

dphinnemore.bsky.social
David Phinnemore @dphinnemore.bsky.social · 3d
From the EU-UK ‘Common Understanding’ in May:

“32. The SPS Agreement should provide for an appropriate financial contribution from the United Kingdom to support the relevant costs associated with the European Union’s work in this policy area.”
EU demands UK pay into budget as part of relationship ‘reset’
Growing tension between London and Brussels just six months after summit set out to build stronger ties
on.ft.com

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 4d
Special criminal court doubtless ready willing and able…

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 4d
Gardaí arrest far-right suspects ‘intent on minority attack’ in anti-terrorism operation

That’s right. ‘Anti-terrorism’

www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/20...
Gardaí arrest far-right suspects ‘intent on minority attack’ in anti-terrorism operation
Special Detective Unit operation in Laois first of its kind in State, with homes evacuated in North by PSNI
www.irishtimes.com

Reposted by Ben H. Ansell, Will Jennings, Andrew Scott , and 4 more

pickardje.bsky.social
Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 4d
must-read analysis of how Musk's twitter is drenching new users with right-wing propaganda

news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com

Reposted by Ben Tonra

johnnyryan.bsky.social
Johnny Ryan @johnnyryan.bsky.social · 4d
Recommender algorithms controlled by unfriendly foreign powers threaten democracy and security. They artificially boost authoritarians and break society apart. They silence the rest of us.

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 5d
Any Irish GDP figures are dodgy of course. Would GNI give hugely different relative pattern?

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 5d
Janey Mac… look at Ireland.

Crazy….
agnescpoirier.bsky.social Agnes C. Poirier @agnescpoirier.bsky.social · 5d
And some in #France think we should #tax more… What about we spend less and better?
#Budget

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 5d
FFS

Seriously?!

Reposted by Ben Tonra

agnescpoirier.bsky.social
Agnes C. Poirier @agnescpoirier.bsky.social · 5d
And some in #France think we should #tax more… What about we spend less and better?
#Budget

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 5d
Fascinating tension between Tr*mp who wants what he wants *now* and wants to kill the filibuster and the GOP in the Senate with an eye to the longer game - knowing what Democrats could do come midterms and next majority.

Here’s hoping they tear strips off one another in the meantime.
politico.com Politico @politico.com · 5d
Trump urges Republicans to kill the Senate filibuster to quickly reopen the government and then enact their agenda after last night's losses.
Trump blames shutdown for GOP election losses
The president called for a quick end to the government funding lapse by eliminating the filibuster.
www.politico.com

Reposted by Ben Tonra

politico.com
Politico @politico.com · 5d
Trump urges Republicans to kill the Senate filibuster to quickly reopen the government and then enact their agenda after last night's losses.
Trump blames shutdown for GOP election losses
The president called for a quick end to the government funding lapse by eliminating the filibuster.
www.politico.com

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 5d
Solidarity

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 5d
There’s a humanity and decency in Irish politics I hope we never lose.
thejournal.ie The Journal @thejournal.ie · 5d
Richard Boyd Barrett returned to the Dáil today after completing treatment for throat cancer, receiving a standing ovation from TDs across the chamber.

He used his first speech back to call for urgent investment in cancer services.
jrnl.ie/6865492
‘Good to be back’: Richard Boyd Barrett returns to Dáil and urges action on cancer services
The TD was warmly welcomed back as he urged the government to provide funding to replace ageing radiotherapy machines.
jrnl.ie