Alexander Clarkson
@aphclarkson.bsky.social
Lecturer for European Politics and History at King's College London. Opinions my own. RT not always endorsement.
Also to be found at @APHClarkson
https://www.ullstein.de/werke/die-macht-der-diaspora/hardcover/978354910
Also to be found at @APHClarkson
https://www.ullstein.de/werke/die-macht-der-diaspora/hardcover/978354910
The final end of post-Cold War Ukraine. Now a very different state and society from even 4 years ago
January 2, 2026 at 8:19 PM
The final end of post-Cold War Ukraine. Now a very different state and society from even 4 years ago
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
But Europe needs to think about its collective future in a world after US leadership, US alliance, and – if the Trump administration continues to tank America’s capabilities and credibility – US significance.
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
But Europe needs to think about its collective future in a world after US leadership, US alliance, and – if the Trump administration continues to tank America’s capabilities and credibility – US significance.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
That includes some states outside the continent of Europe (Canada) and some outside European institutions (Ukraine, Moldova).
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
That includes some states outside the continent of Europe (Canada) and some outside European institutions (Ukraine, Moldova).
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
7. Europe’s security depends on Europe – a wider Europe.
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
7. Europe’s security depends on Europe – a wider Europe.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Europe and Canada need to move carefully to avoid creating further dangers, but they need to decouple from the US in areas like defence planning, intelligence sharing, and defence procurement.
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Europe and Canada need to move carefully to avoid creating further dangers, but they need to decouple from the US in areas like defence planning, intelligence sharing, and defence procurement.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
One important implication of this is that practitioners need to spend more time thinking about the implications of the senior-junior partnership between China and Russia for European and US security.
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
One important implication of this is that practitioners need to spend more time thinking about the implications of the senior-junior partnership between China and Russia for European and US security.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Thanks to the monumentally stupid decision to invade Ukraine, Russia is even less of a great power than it was 4 years ago. If your military capacity relies on DPRK and Iran, and you've turned yourself into a dependent of China, you’re not a great power. carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
With Putin in Charge, Russia’s Vassalage to China Will Only Deepen
Moscow should be looking for ways to correct its course and restore balance in its foreign policy, instead of putting all its eggs in the China basket. But Putin is no pragmatic decision-maker, and th...
carnegieendowment.org
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Thanks to the monumentally stupid decision to invade Ukraine, Russia is even less of a great power than it was 4 years ago. If your military capacity relies on DPRK and Iran, and you've turned yourself into a dependent of China, you’re not a great power. carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
2. Russia isn’t a great power, so stop thinking of it as one.
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
2. Russia isn’t a great power, so stop thinking of it as one.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
After four years – equivalent to all of the US Civil War or almost all of WW1 - it’s no closer to this goal than it was in 2022. There’s no reason to think that Russia, with a weaker economy, will do in 2026 or 2027 what it was unable to do in 2022-2025.
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
After four years – equivalent to all of the US Civil War or almost all of WW1 - it’s no closer to this goal than it was in 2022. There’s no reason to think that Russia, with a weaker economy, will do in 2026 or 2027 what it was unable to do in 2022-2025.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Russia has expended extraordinary levels of resources, lost hundreds of thousands of men, and restructured its economy all in the attempt to win a war it started for no obvious reason against a smaller, less well-resourced state.
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Russia has expended extraordinary levels of resources, lost hundreds of thousands of men, and restructured its economy all in the attempt to win a war it started for no obvious reason against a smaller, less well-resourced state.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
It's New Year, so time to look back and forward. These are 10 things I think we need to recognise in 2026. It’s a response to what I think are profoundly damaging mistaken assumptions I’ve heard and read from practitioners, journalists, and analysts in 2025. Warning: very long🧵
January 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
It's New Year, so time to look back and forward. These are 10 things I think we need to recognise in 2026. It’s a response to what I think are profoundly damaging mistaken assumptions I’ve heard and read from practitioners, journalists, and analysts in 2025. Warning: very long🧵
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Minnesota day-care providers and parents are warning of severe consequences if federal health officials carry out plans to withhold funds for a program that makes child care affordable for thousands of families.
Threat to Suspend Aid for Minnesota Child-Care Centers Rattles Families
After the federal government threatened to withhold funds for Minnesota’s child-care program, citing fraud concerns, parents and providers warned that the effects could be dire.
nyti.ms
January 1, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Minnesota day-care providers and parents are warning of severe consequences if federal health officials carry out plans to withhold funds for a program that makes child care affordable for thousands of families.
US Department of Labour celebrates a proxy army funded and equipped by France
January 1, 2026 at 11:51 AM
US Department of Labour celebrates a proxy army funded and equipped by France
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
A neat example of why prominent Jewish voices boosting far right narratives are being unbelievably stupid. Have they never read a history book?
Yeah it's probably because you're talking about 'English-Jewish relations' and threatening to deport us all if we don't fall in line with your ramblings
January 1, 2026 at 11:18 AM
A neat example of why prominent Jewish voices boosting far right narratives are being unbelievably stupid. Have they never read a history book?
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Iranian security forces have opened fire on protesters in Lordegan.
January 1, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Iranian security forces have opened fire on protesters in Lordegan.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Call it “mutual” and suddenly people get it.
‘Mutual free movement’ for UK and EU citizens supported by 84% of Brits, in stunning new poll
Omnisis poll suggests opposition to free movement was based on lack of awareness and the UK government failing to enforce the rules
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
December 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Call it “mutual” and suddenly people get it.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
I’m a *lot* fed up with the constant gaslighting about what this Labour government has been like.
I’d love a good Labour government. I’d be right behind it - if it stopped the xenophobic bollocks, started treating disabled people with respect etc etc.
Currently, Starmer is Farage’s best recruiter
I’d love a good Labour government. I’d be right behind it - if it stopped the xenophobic bollocks, started treating disabled people with respect etc etc.
Currently, Starmer is Farage’s best recruiter
I am a bit fed up of the constant undermining of a Labour government. Let's start 2026 with some positivity or we will have a Farage 'government' to deal with.
So he’s resigning?
January 1, 2026 at 10:10 AM
I’m a *lot* fed up with the constant gaslighting about what this Labour government has been like.
I’d love a good Labour government. I’d be right behind it - if it stopped the xenophobic bollocks, started treating disabled people with respect etc etc.
Currently, Starmer is Farage’s best recruiter
I’d love a good Labour government. I’d be right behind it - if it stopped the xenophobic bollocks, started treating disabled people with respect etc etc.
Currently, Starmer is Farage’s best recruiter
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
"No Way To Prevent This," Says Company Spending Billions Of Dollars To Encourage This
December 31, 2025 at 10:39 PM
"No Way To Prevent This," Says Company Spending Billions Of Dollars To Encourage This
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Residents of a white working-class neighborhood in Amsterdam North attack police with fireworks on NY’s Eve. The city had barred them from lighting a public bonfire because of the danger to neighboring houses.
Stukje traditie in Amsterdam Noord. Politie beschieten met vuurwerk.
January 1, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Residents of a white working-class neighborhood in Amsterdam North attack police with fireworks on NY’s Eve. The city had barred them from lighting a public bonfire because of the danger to neighboring houses.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Eine Phrase, die man viel hören wird in diesem Jahr: Deutschland müsse seine „Hausaufgaben machen“.
Hier meine Analyse aus dem neuen super Heft der @internationalepolitik.de
Hier meine Analyse aus dem neuen super Heft der @internationalepolitik.de
January 1, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Eine Phrase, die man viel hören wird in diesem Jahr: Deutschland müsse seine „Hausaufgaben machen“.
Hier meine Analyse aus dem neuen super Heft der @internationalepolitik.de
Hier meine Analyse aus dem neuen super Heft der @internationalepolitik.de
European politics now faces the rather amusing prospect of any UK Prime Minister who aims to build closer ties with the EU having to go cap in hand to Sofia to get much needed support from a state at the heart of Europe
The takeaway is not that journalists make absurd predictions. This was a blunt, but reasonable headline in 1996. It's that outcomes that seem highly unlikely/wildly optimistic do happen occasionally due to agency. Bulgarians and Europeans took forks in the road over the yrs that made today reality.
An article from December 1996 warns that Bulgaria has no chance of joining Europe and the euro would replace the lev only after the second coming of Christ. Brace yourselves, the euro replaces the lev tonight at midnight! 🤣(and, of course, Bulgaria did join the EU in 2007).
December 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
European politics now faces the rather amusing prospect of any UK Prime Minister who aims to build closer ties with the EU having to go cap in hand to Sofia to get much needed support from a state at the heart of Europe
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
The takeaway is not that journalists make absurd predictions. This was a blunt, but reasonable headline in 1996. It's that outcomes that seem highly unlikely/wildly optimistic do happen occasionally due to agency. Bulgarians and Europeans took forks in the road over the yrs that made today reality.
An article from December 1996 warns that Bulgaria has no chance of joining Europe and the euro would replace the lev only after the second coming of Christ. Brace yourselves, the euro replaces the lev tonight at midnight! 🤣(and, of course, Bulgaria did join the EU in 2007).
December 31, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The takeaway is not that journalists make absurd predictions. This was a blunt, but reasonable headline in 1996. It's that outcomes that seem highly unlikely/wildly optimistic do happen occasionally due to agency. Bulgarians and Europeans took forks in the road over the yrs that made today reality.
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Goldman Sachs: "While AI-related capex has clearly surged, the impact on GDP has been minimal and the AI spending boom does not look particularly large when appropriately benchmarked against past technology investment cycles. The labor market impacts from AI appear limited so far..."
December 31, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Goldman Sachs: "While AI-related capex has clearly surged, the impact on GDP has been minimal and the AI spending boom does not look particularly large when appropriately benchmarked against past technology investment cycles. The labor market impacts from AI appear limited so far..."
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Feel like in more functional countries if a bunch of random dudes turned up to a daycare and demanded to see the children they would be immediately escorted to prison
December 31, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Feel like in more functional countries if a bunch of random dudes turned up to a daycare and demanded to see the children they would be immediately escorted to prison
Reposted by Alexander Clarkson
Watch Soulemane Kone from Ivory Coast score his first ever try for "Briganti Librino" under-18s rugby team in Catania. When he arrived in Sicily on a migrant boat two years ago, alone aged just 15, he didn't even know what rugby was.
Dalla Costa d'Avorio a Librino: la storia di Soule, in meta verso la libertà
YouTube video by La Sicilia
m.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Watch Soulemane Kone from Ivory Coast score his first ever try for "Briganti Librino" under-18s rugby team in Catania. When he arrived in Sicily on a migrant boat two years ago, alone aged just 15, he didn't even know what rugby was.