Robert Borden Stan Account
@bordenstan.bsky.social
Canadian, Tory, somehow found my way onto Bluesky and am now trapped here. Interested in military history, COIN, foreign military training, jihadism, the KPA, and many others.
Pinned
In the spirit of promoting more Canadian mili thought and history, some book recommendations! First up, this one (surprisingly available in the UK too)! An examination of a Canadian victory which I believe has more lessons to teach than Vimy Ridge- covering everything from staff work to logistics.
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
Again I’ll say:
Virtually anything is physically *possible* in the oil market.
Far fewer things are economically viable, let alone profitable.
This is a nonsense take.
Virtually anything is physically *possible* in the oil market.
Far fewer things are economically viable, let alone profitable.
This is a nonsense take.
February 12, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Again I’ll say:
Virtually anything is physically *possible* in the oil market.
Far fewer things are economically viable, let alone profitable.
This is a nonsense take.
Virtually anything is physically *possible* in the oil market.
Far fewer things are economically viable, let alone profitable.
This is a nonsense take.
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
Instead, he says, "the firefight on both sides was like the Battle of Parma" (in North Italy, in 1734). The War of Polish Succession and the tactical developments it brought to infantry warfare, need to be reintroduced to the overall story of infantry tactics. 13/20
January 22, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Instead, he says, "the firefight on both sides was like the Battle of Parma" (in North Italy, in 1734). The War of Polish Succession and the tactical developments it brought to infantry warfare, need to be reintroduced to the overall story of infantry tactics. 13/20
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
When we do that, we see a world where flexible infantry tactics are more common on 18th century battlefields. When the Marquis de Montcalm (Plains of Abraham fame) sees infantry fighting from cover at Carillon in 1758, he doesn't say: wow, this is unique to North America! 12/20
January 22, 2025 at 2:17 AM
When we do that, we see a world where flexible infantry tactics are more common on 18th century battlefields. When the Marquis de Montcalm (Plains of Abraham fame) sees infantry fighting from cover at Carillon in 1758, he doesn't say: wow, this is unique to North America! 12/20
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
In order to understand eighteenth-century infantry warfare, you've got to hold both the practices which emerge in the War of Polish Succession in Northern Italy, and the impressive Prussian discipline that comes out of the War of Austrian Succession, together in your mind. 11/20
January 22, 2025 at 2:17 AM
In order to understand eighteenth-century infantry warfare, you've got to hold both the practices which emerge in the War of Polish Succession in Northern Italy, and the impressive Prussian discipline that comes out of the War of Austrian Succession, together in your mind. 11/20
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
Another major contribution of the book is where it begins: with the War of Polish Succession in the 1730s. Here, while fighting in Northern Italy, soldiers took cover, fought as skirmishers, fired independently at long range, and avoided going into melee. 9/20
January 22, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Another major contribution of the book is where it begins: with the War of Polish Succession in the 1730s. Here, while fighting in Northern Italy, soldiers took cover, fought as skirmishers, fired independently at long range, and avoided going into melee. 9/20
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
My book uses the writings and perspectives of enlisted men in order to show that eighteenth-century battles were a negotiation of authority between officers and their men. The officers wanted the men to fight like they do in the movies. The men weren't having it. 8/20
January 22, 2025 at 2:17 AM
My book uses the writings and perspectives of enlisted men in order to show that eighteenth-century battles were a negotiation of authority between officers and their men. The officers wanted the men to fight like they do in the movies. The men weren't having it. 8/20
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
On Thursday, my book Infantry in Battle, 1733-1783, released.
Why should you care?
It changes the story of 18th century battles by telling the experiences of enlisted and NCOs, not just the officers. Battle looks different when you are enlisted.
A thread for the infantrymen. 1/20
Why should you care?
It changes the story of 18th century battles by telling the experiences of enlisted and NCOs, not just the officers. Battle looks different when you are enlisted.
A thread for the infantrymen. 1/20
January 22, 2025 at 2:17 AM
On Thursday, my book Infantry in Battle, 1733-1783, released.
Why should you care?
It changes the story of 18th century battles by telling the experiences of enlisted and NCOs, not just the officers. Battle looks different when you are enlisted.
A thread for the infantrymen. 1/20
Why should you care?
It changes the story of 18th century battles by telling the experiences of enlisted and NCOs, not just the officers. Battle looks different when you are enlisted.
A thread for the infantrymen. 1/20
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
In short, 18th-century armies (like the redcoats, Frederick's Prussians, or Washington's Continentals) weren't just a hopelessly outmoded force waiting to be swept aside by the armies of the French Revolution and Napoleon. The 18th century was a tactically dynamic time 5/6
February 12, 2026 at 9:46 PM
In short, 18th-century armies (like the redcoats, Frederick's Prussians, or Washington's Continentals) weren't just a hopelessly outmoded force waiting to be swept aside by the armies of the French Revolution and Napoleon. The 18th century was a tactically dynamic time 5/6
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
-took cover from enemy fire
shorturl.at/7YKxM
-fought as skirmishers in certain armies and circumstances
kabinettskriege.blogspot.com/2018/02/how-...
4/6
shorturl.at/7YKxM
-fought as skirmishers in certain armies and circumstances
kabinettskriege.blogspot.com/2018/02/how-...
4/6
February 12, 2026 at 9:46 PM
-took cover from enemy fire
shorturl.at/7YKxM
-fought as skirmishers in certain armies and circumstances
kabinettskriege.blogspot.com/2018/02/how-...
4/6
shorturl.at/7YKxM
-fought as skirmishers in certain armies and circumstances
kabinettskriege.blogspot.com/2018/02/how-...
4/6
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
-moved at speed on the battlefield (jogging or running) when the situation required
shorturl.at/SJmsk
-engaged in melee (hand-to-hand) combat infrequently.
shorturl.at/TyNTl 3/6
shorturl.at/SJmsk
-engaged in melee (hand-to-hand) combat infrequently.
shorturl.at/TyNTl 3/6
February 12, 2026 at 9:46 PM
-moved at speed on the battlefield (jogging or running) when the situation required
shorturl.at/SJmsk
-engaged in melee (hand-to-hand) combat infrequently.
shorturl.at/TyNTl 3/6
shorturl.at/SJmsk
-engaged in melee (hand-to-hand) combat infrequently.
shorturl.at/TyNTl 3/6
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
Instead, we should be focusing on the way that these men:
-engaged in small arms firefights at 100-200 yards.
shorturl.at/j5oU8
-frequently fired without orders from their officers (rolling fire)
shorturl.at/yUd1u 2/6
-engaged in small arms firefights at 100-200 yards.
shorturl.at/j5oU8
-frequently fired without orders from their officers (rolling fire)
shorturl.at/yUd1u 2/6
February 12, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Instead, we should be focusing on the way that these men:
-engaged in small arms firefights at 100-200 yards.
shorturl.at/j5oU8
-frequently fired without orders from their officers (rolling fire)
shorturl.at/yUd1u 2/6
-engaged in small arms firefights at 100-200 yards.
shorturl.at/j5oU8
-frequently fired without orders from their officers (rolling fire)
shorturl.at/yUd1u 2/6
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
The narrative that eighteenth-century soldiers were slow moving, ineffective automata who were only capable of engaging the enemy at insanely close range and quickly moved into hand-to-hand combat is one of the most widespread and damaging myths in military history. 1/6
February 12, 2026 at 9:46 PM
The narrative that eighteenth-century soldiers were slow moving, ineffective automata who were only capable of engaging the enemy at insanely close range and quickly moved into hand-to-hand combat is one of the most widespread and damaging myths in military history. 1/6
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
being called a racist genocide denier because I referred to "Indian" tribes, by someone who turns around and claims Frederick Douglass is an illiterate who didn't understand slavery, is such an incredible bit that I'm not sure it would work as fiction. it could only be real. it could only be bluesky
February 12, 2026 at 6:28 PM
being called a racist genocide denier because I referred to "Indian" tribes, by someone who turns around and claims Frederick Douglass is an illiterate who didn't understand slavery, is such an incredible bit that I'm not sure it would work as fiction. it could only be real. it could only be bluesky
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
So they're creating a Department of 'We' Studies (Europe) and a Department of 'Other' Studies where the latter includes Africa, the (Central, South and Indigenous) Americas, and Women.
Like...pardon me...but come the fuck on.
Like...pardon me...but come the fuck on.
Reorganizing the College of Liberal Arts at UT Austin. Announced today by the president.,
February 12, 2026 at 6:35 PM
So they're creating a Department of 'We' Studies (Europe) and a Department of 'Other' Studies where the latter includes Africa, the (Central, South and Indigenous) Americas, and Women.
Like...pardon me...but come the fuck on.
Like...pardon me...but come the fuck on.
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
1) We often under-pay politicians relative to the work they do.
2) People think politicians should make $0.
3) This is stupid and self-defeating (selects for people who don't need a salary)
4) Politicians have an incentive to pander to voters on this, leading to (1)
Hence heckling for defection
2) People think politicians should make $0.
3) This is stupid and self-defeating (selects for people who don't need a salary)
4) Politicians have an incentive to pander to voters on this, leading to (1)
Hence heckling for defection
Conservative MP refusing pay bump was heckled, chastised by his colleagues
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Conservative MP refusing pay bump was heckled, chastised by his colleagues | CBC News
The Conservative MP who went public with his intent to refuse a pending parliamentary pay increase was chastised by the party whip in front of his colleagues and heckled as he tried to defend his deci...
www.cbc.ca
February 12, 2026 at 6:33 PM
1) We often under-pay politicians relative to the work they do.
2) People think politicians should make $0.
3) This is stupid and self-defeating (selects for people who don't need a salary)
4) Politicians have an incentive to pander to voters on this, leading to (1)
Hence heckling for defection
2) People think politicians should make $0.
3) This is stupid and self-defeating (selects for people who don't need a salary)
4) Politicians have an incentive to pander to voters on this, leading to (1)
Hence heckling for defection
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
"Some of Britain‘s challenges are specifically British. Many are merely British variations on a global theme.“
A not-so-subtle reminder that we have chosen to publish Fantastic Kingdom in June, a few days before the 10th anniversary of you-know-what.
It is a book about United Kingdom, not just Brexit.
But guess what, it will come up.
www.waterstones.com/book/fantast...
It is a book about United Kingdom, not just Brexit.
But guess what, it will come up.
www.waterstones.com/book/fantast...
February 12, 2026 at 7:51 AM
"Some of Britain‘s challenges are specifically British. Many are merely British variations on a global theme.“
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
Canada urges NATO to make Arctic Sentry initiative permanent #Canada #ArcticSentry #NATO
Initiative co-ordinates all allied activities in the Far North
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Initiative co-ordinates all allied activities in the Far North
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Canada urges NATO to make Arctic Sentry initiative permanent | CBC News
Canada's foreign minister is urging NATO to make its newly launched Arctic Sentry initiative a permanent part of the alliance's operations. Anita Anand argues the High North can no longer be treated a...
www.cbc.ca
February 12, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Canada urges NATO to make Arctic Sentry initiative permanent #Canada #ArcticSentry #NATO
Initiative co-ordinates all allied activities in the Far North
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Initiative co-ordinates all allied activities in the Far North
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
Skeleton racer Heraskevych's father, Mykhailo, sitting near the start house, broke down in tears when the IOC disqualified his son from Olympics minutes before his first run. The decision was made as the athlete refused to remove a helmet bearing portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed in war.
February 12, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Skeleton racer Heraskevych's father, Mykhailo, sitting near the start house, broke down in tears when the IOC disqualified his son from Olympics minutes before his first run. The decision was made as the athlete refused to remove a helmet bearing portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed in war.
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
we would be better if the onion didn't exist
unfortunately American pop culture has spent decades aggressively encouraging the notion that anyone who seeks political office is somewhere between incompetant and malicious, and thus inherently suspect
and now here we are
and now here we are
February 12, 2026 at 5:14 PM
we would be better if the onion didn't exist
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
It should also not be forgotten that Russia has used the Olympics as cover to launch several invasions, Ukraine after Sochi 2014 and in 2022 when China "asked Russia to hold off of the invasion until the Olympics were over", Georgia in 2008 during the Beijing Olympics
February 12, 2026 at 5:22 PM
It should also not be forgotten that Russia has used the Olympics as cover to launch several invasions, Ukraine after Sochi 2014 and in 2022 when China "asked Russia to hold off of the invasion until the Olympics were over", Georgia in 2008 during the Beijing Olympics
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
In my view these athletes all were careful to stick to justifiably neutral expressions that do not reference war. A helmet that said "be brave like Ukrainians", photos of killed athletes, and a quote from Lina Kostenko, "Where there is heroism, there is no final defeat", all banned
February 12, 2026 at 5:18 PM
In my view these athletes all were careful to stick to justifiably neutral expressions that do not reference war. A helmet that said "be brave like Ukrainians", photos of killed athletes, and a quote from Lina Kostenko, "Where there is heroism, there is no final defeat", all banned
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
Without being able to explicitly state how these expressions differ from what is allowable in the Olympics, this policy seems essentially to be wielded discriminatorily against Ukrainians. Other athletes have memorials as part of their uniforms. Is Ukrainian death inherently political?
February 12, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Without being able to explicitly state how these expressions differ from what is allowable in the Olympics, this policy seems essentially to be wielded discriminatorily against Ukrainians. Other athletes have memorials as part of their uniforms. Is Ukrainian death inherently political?
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
Before the IOC banned Ukrainian athlete and flag bearer Vladyslav Heraskevych from participating for wearing a helmet with a memorial for killed Ukrainian athletes, they gave a warning to 2 other Ukrainians for so-called political expressions, and a third for a statement supportive of Heraskevych
February 12, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Before the IOC banned Ukrainian athlete and flag bearer Vladyslav Heraskevych from participating for wearing a helmet with a memorial for killed Ukrainian athletes, they gave a warning to 2 other Ukrainians for so-called political expressions, and a third for a statement supportive of Heraskevych
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
When you dig deeper around mysteriously successful figures you generally find that rather than being incomprehensibly brilliant masters of the universe, they actually just lied a bunch and committed a bunch of crimes that no one wanted to look too hard at
February 12, 2026 at 12:13 PM
When you dig deeper around mysteriously successful figures you generally find that rather than being incomprehensibly brilliant masters of the universe, they actually just lied a bunch and committed a bunch of crimes that no one wanted to look too hard at
Reposted by Robert Borden Stan Account
Yes! This really feels like it. Rich, powerful, famous people are often stupid in exactly this way: they assume they have access to all the secret geniuses of the world, don’t realize that most of that is a mirage of wealth, and aren’t sharp enough to catch frauds. So you get these Gatsby figures
I agree, he sounds more like Bernie Madoff. His name spread through the rich-people-grapevine. "I've got a guy" type speak, a guy who gives good advice and is valuable to know. But when you look at his actual accomplishments, he just never said 'no'.
February 12, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Yes! This really feels like it. Rich, powerful, famous people are often stupid in exactly this way: they assume they have access to all the secret geniuses of the world, don’t realize that most of that is a mirage of wealth, and aren’t sharp enough to catch frauds. So you get these Gatsby figures