Alan Allport
@alanallport.bsky.social
Professor, historian, husband, dad, scouser, gobby. Author of Demobbed (2009), Browned Off & Bloody-Minded (2015), Britain at Bay (2020), Advance Britannia (2025). “Awesome but a bit boring” (RMP). Personal account.
Pinned
The price of victory
There is a sense of obvious irony in Alan Allport’s chosen title, taken from Winston Churchill’s speech on VE Day. The war was won, as everyone knows, by
www.the-tls.com
Another new review, this time in the @thetls.bsky.social by Richard Overy, who needs no introduction from me. “Engages with the important debates with intelligence and perception … testimony to the challenging and stimulating character of this volume.” ☺️
www.the-tls.com/history/twen...
www.the-tls.com/history/twen...
Reposted by Alan Allport
Political cartoonists are on fire in this era 🔥 If only we had a real government or you know, a much bigger national strike that isn’t on a weekend.
February 20, 2026 at 4:57 AM
Political cartoonists are on fire in this era 🔥 If only we had a real government or you know, a much bigger national strike that isn’t on a weekend.
The Gen X urge to meet you at the cemetery gates, go inside, gravely read the stones
The Gen X urge to stand in the place where we live
The Gen X urge to slice up eyeballs, ah ha ha ha
February 20, 2026 at 12:49 PM
The Gen X urge to meet you at the cemetery gates, go inside, gravely read the stones
Americans have lost interest in war because for some time it has had very little practical effect on their lives. This has been exploited by Trump but certainly wasn’t invented by him.
A generation of Americans let the Afghan war quietly hum away in the background because it meant nothing to them.
A generation of Americans let the Afghan war quietly hum away in the background because it meant nothing to them.
“Rarely in modern times has the United States prepared to conduct a major act of war with so little explanation and so little public debate.” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/19/u...
As Trump Weighs Iran Strikes, He Declines to Make Clear Case for Why, or Why Now
www.nytimes.com
February 20, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Americans have lost interest in war because for some time it has had very little practical effect on their lives. This has been exploited by Trump but certainly wasn’t invented by him.
A generation of Americans let the Afghan war quietly hum away in the background because it meant nothing to them.
A generation of Americans let the Afghan war quietly hum away in the background because it meant nothing to them.
Reposted by Alan Allport
Revisiting my 2022 longread in @prospectmagazine.co.uk about the monarchy as storytelling. This is why I think the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal is more likely to strengthen the monarchy than end it. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/384...
February 20, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Revisiting my 2022 longread in @prospectmagazine.co.uk about the monarchy as storytelling. This is why I think the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal is more likely to strengthen the monarchy than end it. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/384...
Reposted by Alan Allport
There is an entire generation of intel officers who were told by O5s, O6s, and higher, ‘I don’t care what the reporting says, 2. I’ve got a good read on Shaykh al-Assholi. I’m trusting my gut.’
And we wondered why things spun out of control.
And we wondered why things spun out of control.
I was trying to explain to one of the younger folk how the US military was weaponized by local officials/tribal leaders against each other in Iraq.
And how often senior leaders bought the bullshit that the notables were selling.
And how often senior leaders bought the bullshit that the notables were selling.
February 20, 2026 at 12:23 PM
There is an entire generation of intel officers who were told by O5s, O6s, and higher, ‘I don’t care what the reporting says, 2. I’ve got a good read on Shaykh al-Assholi. I’m trusting my gut.’
And we wondered why things spun out of control.
And we wondered why things spun out of control.
While I understand the point here, I’m reluctant to slam the media for asking tough questions of conservatives for once, as it’s hardly a habit they’re overdoing.
I actually would like it if media stopped asking parents these questions in situations like this (child in the hospital). It doesn't feel like good faith questioning when the answer will be ripped apart in media/social media, and it reinforces the battle lines that are contributing to the problem.
February 20, 2026 at 12:21 PM
While I understand the point here, I’m reluctant to slam the media for asking tough questions of conservatives for once, as it’s hardly a habit they’re overdoing.
You’d hardly call it an endearing trait, but one of DJT’s let’s say more transparent qualities is the way that he openly mocks his own fiercest supporters, in this case conservative veterans.
Trump: "I flew to Iraq. I was extremely brave. So brave I wanted to give myself the Congressional Medal of Honor ... someday I'm gonna try. I'll test the law."
February 20, 2026 at 12:11 PM
You’d hardly call it an endearing trait, but one of DJT’s let’s say more transparent qualities is the way that he openly mocks his own fiercest supporters, in this case conservative veterans.
Reposted by Alan Allport
Reposted by Alan Allport
Another new review, this time in the @thetls.bsky.social by Richard Overy, who needs no introduction from me. “Engages with the important debates with intelligence and perception … testimony to the challenging and stimulating character of this volume.” ☺️
www.the-tls.com/history/twen...
www.the-tls.com/history/twen...
The price of victory
There is a sense of obvious irony in Alan Allport’s chosen title, taken from Winston Churchill’s speech on VE Day. The war was won, as everyone knows, by
www.the-tls.com
February 20, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Another new review, this time in the @thetls.bsky.social by Richard Overy, who needs no introduction from me. “Engages with the important debates with intelligence and perception … testimony to the challenging and stimulating character of this volume.” ☺️
www.the-tls.com/history/twen...
www.the-tls.com/history/twen...
Reposted by Alan Allport
I am sure that Simon Heffer and I could find 10,000 things to disagree about quite easily. But to be fair he has written an evenhanded and actually quite generous review of #AdvanceBritannia for the New Criterion newcriterion.com/article/the-...
“The end of the battle,” by Simon Heffer
Simon Heffer on “Advance Britannia: The Epic Story of the Second World War, 1942–1945,” by Alan Allport.
newcriterion.com
February 20, 2026 at 2:18 AM
I am sure that Simon Heffer and I could find 10,000 things to disagree about quite easily. But to be fair he has written an evenhanded and actually quite generous review of #AdvanceBritannia for the New Criterion newcriterion.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Alan Allport
Morisada Hosokawa—Konoe’s son-in-law, who served as his secretary—told Masayasu Hosaka in a postwar interview:
“At the time, Konoe was suffering from hemorrhoids, and around October 1941 the symptoms were so severe that he couldn’t sit properly in a chair and could only perch lightly on it.”
“At the time, Konoe was suffering from hemorrhoids, and around October 1941 the symptoms were so severe that he couldn’t sit properly in a chair and could only perch lightly on it.”
Of all the "what ifs" hanging over the start of the Pacific War, Konoe's raging case of hemorrhoids is a tale yet to be told
It was evidently so severe he carried a cushion everywhere he went. Some close to him later said, “Had his hemorrhoids not become so bad, the war might have been avoided”
It was evidently so severe he carried a cushion everywhere he went. Some close to him later said, “Had his hemorrhoids not become so bad, the war might have been avoided”
February 19, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Morisada Hosokawa—Konoe’s son-in-law, who served as his secretary—told Masayasu Hosaka in a postwar interview:
“At the time, Konoe was suffering from hemorrhoids, and around October 1941 the symptoms were so severe that he couldn’t sit properly in a chair and could only perch lightly on it.”
“At the time, Konoe was suffering from hemorrhoids, and around October 1941 the symptoms were so severe that he couldn’t sit properly in a chair and could only perch lightly on it.”
Another new review, this time in the @thetls.bsky.social by Richard Overy, who needs no introduction from me. “Engages with the important debates with intelligence and perception … testimony to the challenging and stimulating character of this volume.” ☺️
www.the-tls.com/history/twen...
www.the-tls.com/history/twen...
The price of victory
There is a sense of obvious irony in Alan Allport’s chosen title, taken from Winston Churchill’s speech on VE Day. The war was won, as everyone knows, by
www.the-tls.com
February 20, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Another new review, this time in the @thetls.bsky.social by Richard Overy, who needs no introduction from me. “Engages with the important debates with intelligence and perception … testimony to the challenging and stimulating character of this volume.” ☺️
www.the-tls.com/history/twen...
www.the-tls.com/history/twen...
I am sure that Simon Heffer and I could find 10,000 things to disagree about quite easily. But to be fair he has written an evenhanded and actually quite generous review of #AdvanceBritannia for the New Criterion newcriterion.com/article/the-...
“The end of the battle,” by Simon Heffer
Simon Heffer on “Advance Britannia: The Epic Story of the Second World War, 1942–1945,” by Alan Allport.
newcriterion.com
February 20, 2026 at 2:18 AM
I am sure that Simon Heffer and I could find 10,000 things to disagree about quite easily. But to be fair he has written an evenhanded and actually quite generous review of #AdvanceBritannia for the New Criterion newcriterion.com/article/the-...
Today in ‘MAGA is an apocalyptic death cult’
“If I knew this could be the outcome, I still wouldn't have given my son the vaccine.”
This was said by the mother of a child in South Carolina who has been hospitalized with measles encephalitis since January.
I tried out several sentences for this spot, but none could capture my thoughts.
This was said by the mother of a child in South Carolina who has been hospitalized with measles encephalitis since January.
I tried out several sentences for this spot, but none could capture my thoughts.
Mom whose 7-year-old has brain swelling from measles still wouldn’t vaccinate
EXCLUSIVE: South Carolina parents living in the state’s measles epicenter tell Rhian Lubin of their devastation after their unvaccinated 7-year-old son, Ethan, developed encephalitis, a complication f...
www.independent.co.uk
February 19, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Today in ‘MAGA is an apocalyptic death cult’
Reposted by Alan Allport
I doubt that there's a more effective way to capture unitary executive theory in an image.
And because it's the DOJ building, it also captures the notion that the President is above the law.
And because it's the DOJ building, it also captures the notion that the President is above the law.
Biden would’ve been instantly impeached in a bipartisan vote if he put his face on the freakin’ Department of Justice building
February 19, 2026 at 6:39 PM
I doubt that there's a more effective way to capture unitary executive theory in an image.
And because it's the DOJ building, it also captures the notion that the President is above the law.
And because it's the DOJ building, it also captures the notion that the President is above the law.
A CHAMBER IN WINDSOR CASTLE
Enter KING CHARLES, attended. A HERALD enters.
HERALD: My liege, ill news doth ride upon swift hooves
And would not wait for ceremony’s leave!
Your brother, York, hath broke his prison bonds
And fled the Tower ere the morning watch.
Enter KING CHARLES, attended. A HERALD enters.
HERALD: My liege, ill news doth ride upon swift hooves
And would not wait for ceremony’s leave!
Your brother, York, hath broke his prison bonds
And fled the Tower ere the morning watch.
If the Duke of York escaped prison, fled to France, raised an army and landed at Newhaven to try to overthrow his brother I’m not saying it would be a good thing but as a historian I wouldn’t exactly hate it.
February 19, 2026 at 3:22 PM
A CHAMBER IN WINDSOR CASTLE
Enter KING CHARLES, attended. A HERALD enters.
HERALD: My liege, ill news doth ride upon swift hooves
And would not wait for ceremony’s leave!
Your brother, York, hath broke his prison bonds
And fled the Tower ere the morning watch.
Enter KING CHARLES, attended. A HERALD enters.
HERALD: My liege, ill news doth ride upon swift hooves
And would not wait for ceremony’s leave!
Your brother, York, hath broke his prison bonds
And fled the Tower ere the morning watch.
Is there any other?
February 19, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Is there any other?
There’s a case for saying Hoover’s disastrous presidency overshadows the genuinely good work he did for humanitarian food relief after the two world wars.
There’s basically no case for trying to rehabilitate him as POTUS as McArdle tries here.
There’s basically no case for trying to rehabilitate him as POTUS as McArdle tries here.
February 19, 2026 at 2:46 PM
There’s a case for saying Hoover’s disastrous presidency overshadows the genuinely good work he did for humanitarian food relief after the two world wars.
There’s basically no case for trying to rehabilitate him as POTUS as McArdle tries here.
There’s basically no case for trying to rehabilitate him as POTUS as McArdle tries here.
BlueSky today
a man with a crown on his head and a cane
ALT: a man with a crown on his head and a cane
media.tenor.com
February 19, 2026 at 2:29 PM
BlueSky today
NYT: Here’s why this is bad for Joe Biden
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince, maintains the spotlight on links between the government of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of Britain and Jeffrey Epstein.
Former Prince Andrew’s Ties to Epstein Keep Spotlight on UK Prime Minister Starmer
The arrest of the former prince maintains the spotlight on links between the government of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Jeffrey Epstein.
nyti.ms
February 19, 2026 at 2:25 PM
NYT: Here’s why this is bad for Joe Biden
SCOTUS would order her immediately deported
We need Melania to flip on Trump and turn state witness for full immunity.
February 19, 2026 at 2:24 PM
SCOTUS would order her immediately deported
Good. (Damn, the UK is on a roll today)
🔺 BREAKING: UK blocking Trump from using RAF bases for strikes on Iran
UK blocking Trump from using RAF bases for strikes on Iran
UK blocking Trump from using RAF bases for strikes on Iran
www.thetimes.com
February 19, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Good. (Damn, the UK is on a roll today)
Reposted by Alan Allport
It is notable that Andrew has been arrested for "misconduct in public office", which is precisely what the US Supreme Court decided no American president can ever be charged with.
So SCOTUS, with its fabricated-out-of-thin-air immunity doctrine, has actually made American presidents less accountable than LITERAL royalty.
Breaking News: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested in Britain on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, the BBC said.
February 19, 2026 at 12:22 PM
It is notable that Andrew has been arrested for "misconduct in public office", which is precisely what the US Supreme Court decided no American president can ever be charged with.
Reposted by Alan Allport
Getting shown up in the arena of elite impunity by *the British monarchy* is an incredible “America at 250!” achievement
February 19, 2026 at 12:20 PM
Getting shown up in the arena of elite impunity by *the British monarchy* is an incredible “America at 250!” achievement
Reposted by Alan Allport
UK: Prince Andrew arrested.
South Korea: Former President Yoon sentenced for life.
Brazil: Former President Bolsonaro serving a 27-year sentence.
USA: President Trump demands $10 billion payout from taxpayers.
South Korea: Former President Yoon sentenced for life.
Brazil: Former President Bolsonaro serving a 27-year sentence.
USA: President Trump demands $10 billion payout from taxpayers.
February 19, 2026 at 1:08 PM
UK: Prince Andrew arrested.
South Korea: Former President Yoon sentenced for life.
Brazil: Former President Bolsonaro serving a 27-year sentence.
USA: President Trump demands $10 billion payout from taxpayers.
South Korea: Former President Yoon sentenced for life.
Brazil: Former President Bolsonaro serving a 27-year sentence.
USA: President Trump demands $10 billion payout from taxpayers.
