David Blagden
@blagdendavid.bsky.social
Assoc Prof at the University of Exeter's Strategy and Security Institute. Also currently: NATO Defence College, RN Strategic Studies Centre, UofE Press (co-edit the 'Exeter Strategic & Security Studies' book series). @blagden_david on The Other Place.
Reposted by David Blagden
"this is a useful bit of extra money that will help to sustain the current programme; it’s not a massive splurge that will allow the services to meaningfully increase their numbers of soldiers, ships or aircraft" - @blagdendavid.bsky.social on #defencespending
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
New spending on drones and lasers will ‘revolutionise’ UK defence, says Reeves
Chancellor says new money will help turn Britain into a ‘defence industrial superpower’
www.theguardian.com
March 27, 2025 at 3:55 PM
"this is a useful bit of extra money that will help to sustain the current programme; it’s not a massive splurge that will allow the services to meaningfully increase their numbers of soldiers, ships or aircraft" - @blagdendavid.bsky.social on #defencespending
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by David Blagden
@blagdendavid.bsky.social and I in @TheCriticMag make the case for adding lower-yield nuclear weapons to Britain's arsenal, to bolster the credibility of NATO Europe's deterrence:
thecritic.co.uk/the-bomb-eur...
thecritic.co.uk/the-bomb-eur...
The bomb Europe needs | David Blagden and Patrick Porter | The Critic Magazine
Whether it is becoming post-American, or just less American, Europe’s defence will need tactical nuclear weapons in order to deter Russia from attacking NATO territory. Two unwelcome realities now put...
thecritic.co.uk
March 31, 2025 at 5:01 PM
@blagdendavid.bsky.social and I in @TheCriticMag make the case for adding lower-yield nuclear weapons to Britain's arsenal, to bolster the credibility of NATO Europe's deterrence:
thecritic.co.uk/the-bomb-eur...
thecritic.co.uk/the-bomb-eur...
Reposted by David Blagden
Read analysis by @blagdendavid.bsky.social in this article on #Ukraine
www.newsweek.com/ukraine-mili...
www.newsweek.com/ukraine-mili...
Ukraine's transformation into a military powerhouse
"Ukrainian technologies are going to be required by the world," Kyiv's strategic industries minister, Herman Smetanin, told Newsweek.
www.newsweek.com
April 2, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Read analysis by @blagdendavid.bsky.social in this article on #Ukraine
www.newsweek.com/ukraine-mili...
www.newsweek.com/ukraine-mili...
Reposted by David Blagden
‘The choice has been made, and so now the Navy – and the citizenry it protects – must hope that yet more cuts in the present lead to a better future force before that future turns violent,’ writes @blagdendavid.bsky.social, @exeter.ac.uk
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
Is Britain right to sacrifice capability today for ‘jam’ tomorrow?
The Big Ask | No. 15.2025
www.britainsworld.org.uk
April 11, 2025 at 11:17 AM
‘The choice has been made, and so now the Navy – and the citizenry it protects – must hope that yet more cuts in the present lead to a better future force before that future turns violent,’ writes @blagdendavid.bsky.social, @exeter.ac.uk
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
Reposted by David Blagden
"The choice has been made, and so now the Royal Navy must hope the cuts borne in the present are offset by a superior fleet in future … and that that superior fleet arrives before future risks turn into present dangers" - by @blagdendavid.bsky.social
thecritic.co.uk/losing-our-s...
thecritic.co.uk/losing-our-s...
Losing our ships | David Blagden | The Critic Magazine
Earlier this month, the UK Ministry of Defence finally confirmed what had long been expected — that the Royal Navy’s last two amphibious assault ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, will be sold to a…
thecritic.co.uk
April 23, 2025 at 4:52 PM
"The choice has been made, and so now the Royal Navy must hope the cuts borne in the present are offset by a superior fleet in future … and that that superior fleet arrives before future risks turn into present dangers" - by @blagdendavid.bsky.social
thecritic.co.uk/losing-our-s...
thecritic.co.uk/losing-our-s...
Reposted by David Blagden
It was a pleasure to speak to Exeter SSI and @cais-exeter.bsky.social yesterday about my new book Causal Inquiry in International Relations
(open access: fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com/...). Thanks to @blagdendavid.bsky.social and @profalexp.bsky.social for organizing
(open access: fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com/...). Thanks to @blagdendavid.bsky.social and @profalexp.bsky.social for organizing
fdslive.oup.com
May 22, 2025 at 9:43 AM
It was a pleasure to speak to Exeter SSI and @cais-exeter.bsky.social yesterday about my new book Causal Inquiry in International Relations
(open access: fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com/...). Thanks to @blagdendavid.bsky.social and @profalexp.bsky.social for organizing
(open access: fdslive.oup.com/www.oup.com/...). Thanks to @blagdendavid.bsky.social and @profalexp.bsky.social for organizing
Reposted by David Blagden
"The US and Israeli governments – plus the governments of other states that could yet get dragged in – now have choices to make about whether to strike again when the question of Iranian capability advancement returns in future" - @blagdendavid.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
There won't be a 'final victory' for Iran or Israel
Washington, Tehran and Jerusalem still have choices to make about whether to strike again.
www.newstatesman.com
June 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
"The US and Israeli governments – plus the governments of other states that could yet get dragged in – now have choices to make about whether to strike again when the question of Iranian capability advancement returns in future" - @blagdendavid.bsky.social
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
Reposted by David Blagden
This piece by @blagdendavid.bsky.social is very good--and spot on: "The case for keeping out of things" thecritic.co.uk/the-case-for...
The case for keeping out of things | David Blagden | The Critic Magazine
On 23 June, the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, arrived in Singapore. Reportedly accompanying her were various highly capable escorts, including HMS Dauntless (a…
thecritic.co.uk
July 8, 2025 at 7:21 AM
This piece by @blagdendavid.bsky.social is very good--and spot on: "The case for keeping out of things" thecritic.co.uk/the-case-for...
The idea that @isanet.bsky.social can persist with holding all its annual conventions in the US (barring the odd token visit to Canada) is now clearly toast.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
French scientist denied US entry after phone messages critical of Trump found
France’s research minister said the scientist was traveling to Houston for a conference when his phone was searched
www.theguardian.com
March 20, 2025 at 10:20 AM
The idea that @isanet.bsky.social can persist with holding all its annual conventions in the US (barring the odd token visit to Canada) is now clearly toast.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by David Blagden
I’ve never participated in such kind of events.
So, thanks to the students behind the Exeter Debating Society for the invitation to share the stage with @blagdendavid.bsky.social and talk international politics!
So, thanks to the students behind the Exeter Debating Society for the invitation to share the stage with @blagdendavid.bsky.social and talk international politics!
February 27, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I’ve never participated in such kind of events.
So, thanks to the students behind the Exeter Debating Society for the invitation to share the stage with @blagdendavid.bsky.social and talk international politics!
So, thanks to the students behind the Exeter Debating Society for the invitation to share the stage with @blagdendavid.bsky.social and talk international politics!
One downside (among many) of the USA's descent into hostile revisionism towards allies is that those allies are less likely to listen when Americans make good points.
NEW: US House of Representatives committee has sounded the alarm over China’s plan to build a huge embassy in London
The House China cmtte warned the project raises “significant security concerns” for the UK financial services industry
www.ft.com/content/7015...
The House China cmtte warned the project raises “significant security concerns” for the UK financial services industry
www.ft.com/content/7015...
US congressional committee warns on new Chinese embassy in London
Plans raise ‘significant’ security concerns for financial services industry, says Washington
www.ft.com
February 20, 2025 at 11:55 AM
One downside (among many) of the USA's descent into hostile revisionism towards allies is that those allies are less likely to listen when Americans make good points.
Reposted by David Blagden
This is an excellent speech by the new Chancellor of Oxford University, William Hague.
Lots of good jokes, but also a staunch defence of what a university should be. We're going to need a lot of that in the years ahead.
Lots of good jokes, but also a staunch defence of what a university should be. We're going to need a lot of that in the years ahead.
"We do not need a foreign policy: we are not a country. Nor do we need a view on every occurrence: we are not a newspaper. The concern of a university is that opinions are reached on the basis of truth, reason & knowledge, which requires thinking & speaking with freedom"
www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-02...
www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-02...
Lord Hague's Chancellor admission speech | University of Oxford
Speech by Lord Hague of Richmond on his admission as Chancellor of the University of Oxford, 19 February 2025
www.ox.ac.uk
February 19, 2025 at 11:06 PM
This is an excellent speech by the new Chancellor of Oxford University, William Hague.
Lots of good jokes, but also a staunch defence of what a university should be. We're going to need a lot of that in the years ahead.
Lots of good jokes, but also a staunch defence of what a university should be. We're going to need a lot of that in the years ahead.
The indefatigable Patrick Porter and I have a piece in The Critic on flaws in the Chagos deal, progressive realism, and how a superior version of the latter - that could yet dodge the pitfalls of the former - is still there for the taking. thecritic.co.uk/has-the-chag...
Has the Chagos Islands deal killed progressive realism? | David Blagden and Patrick Porter | The Critic Magazine
Whatever happened to progressive realism? As you may recall, that was the foreign policy doctrine declared by the incoming Labour government’s foreign secretary, David Lammy. The short answer is that…
thecritic.co.uk
February 17, 2025 at 11:56 AM
The indefatigable Patrick Porter and I have a piece in The Critic on flaws in the Chagos deal, progressive realism, and how a superior version of the latter - that could yet dodge the pitfalls of the former - is still there for the taking. thecritic.co.uk/has-the-chag...
Reposted by David Blagden
The @Telegraph excels itself today with the claim that @NaturalEngland is ‘ideologically wedded to concept of conservation’. This is our job, & we do it as a matter of legal requirement. Would be odd for a conservation organisation to do anything else.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02...
Natural England accused of favouring rewilding over saving farmland
Calls for body to be scrapped for being ‘ideologically wedded to concept of conservation and removing food production from the countryside’
www.telegraph.co.uk
February 14, 2025 at 7:50 AM
The @Telegraph excels itself today with the claim that @NaturalEngland is ‘ideologically wedded to concept of conservation’. This is our job, & we do it as a matter of legal requirement. Would be odd for a conservation organisation to do anything else.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02...
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02...
Reposted by David Blagden
February 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Probably not the most popular first foray on here, but - under the urgings of people I respect - here's something done elsewhere...
The Left-Wing Case Against the Chagos Deal
🧵
The Left-Wing Case Against the Chagos Deal
🧵
February 13, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Probably not the most popular first foray on here, but - under the urgings of people I respect - here's something done elsewhere...
The Left-Wing Case Against the Chagos Deal
🧵
The Left-Wing Case Against the Chagos Deal
🧵
I finally pulled my finger out and got on here...happy Thursday, acquaintances old and new!
February 6, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I finally pulled my finger out and got on here...happy Thursday, acquaintances old and new!
Reposted by David Blagden
Excellent news. Do follow @blagdendavid.bsky.social on U.K. defence and security policy. Among other things, he has a lot to say about the Chagos Islands Deal.
Good to see @blagdendavid.bsky.social on here! Well worth a follow if British foreign/defence policy is your bag.
February 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Excellent news. Do follow @blagdendavid.bsky.social on U.K. defence and security policy. Among other things, he has a lot to say about the Chagos Islands Deal.
Reposted by David Blagden
Good to see @blagdendavid.bsky.social on here! Well worth a follow if British foreign/defence policy is your bag.
February 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Good to see @blagdendavid.bsky.social on here! Well worth a follow if British foreign/defence policy is your bag.