Dr Christine Cheng
@christinecheng.bsky.social
War Studies, King’s College London. Researcher of war-to-peace transitions, civil wars, corruption, elite bargains, statebuilding, and UK foreign policy. Trustee at Conciliation Resources. Policy committee for UK LibDems. Defender of democracy.
Pinned
I have worked on civil wars and state capture for 25 years.
So let me be REALLY clear about this for Americans:
Your courts are only as useful as the willingness of politicians to comply with those judgments.
And the willingness of police to enforce.
And Musk, Trump & Co do NOT care about the law
So let me be REALLY clear about this for Americans:
Your courts are only as useful as the willingness of politicians to comply with those judgments.
And the willingness of police to enforce.
And Musk, Trump & Co do NOT care about the law
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Rule by deal=ad hoc agreements with domestic companies & foreign nations that benefit the president & businesses he favors. Each deal is individually negotiated, unpredictable, & unconnected. They often fall apart. The only benefit is bringing powerful men to heel. prospect.org/2025/11/10/t...
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Rule by deal=ad hoc agreements with domestic companies & foreign nations that benefit the president & businesses he favors. Each deal is individually negotiated, unpredictable, & unconnected. They often fall apart. The only benefit is bringing powerful men to heel. prospect.org/2025/11/10/t...
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Good morning readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
In the towns near Ukraine's frontline, Russian FPV drones hunt civilians, a new tactic called a "human safari".
Yana, who lives in Kherson, regularly sees these drones and the damage they cause.
In the towns near Ukraine's frontline, Russian FPV drones hunt civilians, a new tactic called a "human safari".
Yana, who lives in Kherson, regularly sees these drones and the damage they cause.
Russia’s disturbing human ‘safaris’
Violating the laws of war, Russians have created a sick game of hunting civilians with FPV drones near the frontline. We take you behind the scenes, to the people most affected.
www.counteroffensive.news
November 10, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Good morning readers; Kyiv remains in Ukrainian hands.
In the towns near Ukraine's frontline, Russian FPV drones hunt civilians, a new tactic called a "human safari".
Yana, who lives in Kherson, regularly sees these drones and the damage they cause.
In the towns near Ukraine's frontline, Russian FPV drones hunt civilians, a new tactic called a "human safari".
Yana, who lives in Kherson, regularly sees these drones and the damage they cause.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
*Women receive substantially lower "potential" ratings despite receiving higher performance ratings
*Differences in potential ratings account for half of the gender promotion gap
*Women’s lower potential ratings do not reflect future performance: women subsequently outperform male colleagues
*Differences in potential ratings account for half of the gender promotion gap
*Women’s lower potential ratings do not reflect future performance: women subsequently outperform male colleagues
Forthcoming in the AER: "“Potential” and the Gender Promotion Gap" by Alan Benson, Danielle Li, and Kelly Shue. www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
“Potential” and the Gender Promotion Gap
(Forthcoming Article) - We show that subjective assessments of employee “potential” contribute to gender gaps
in promotion and pay. Using data on 29,809 management-track employees from a
large retail ...
www.aeaweb.org
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
*Women receive substantially lower "potential" ratings despite receiving higher performance ratings
*Differences in potential ratings account for half of the gender promotion gap
*Women’s lower potential ratings do not reflect future performance: women subsequently outperform male colleagues
*Differences in potential ratings account for half of the gender promotion gap
*Women’s lower potential ratings do not reflect future performance: women subsequently outperform male colleagues
How the US-UK “Special Relationship” is looking less special these days….
F.B.I. Director Is Said to Have Made a Pledge to Head of MI5, Then Broken It
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:53 PM
How the US-UK “Special Relationship” is looking less special these days….
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
The two-face coin, he wants the Harvey Dent Two-Face coin
A two-headed coin.
Isn’t it the perfect symbol of Trumpian politics?
Heads, I win. Heads, I win. Again.
Yes, the odds are forever stacked against you!
Isn’t it the perfect symbol of Trumpian politics?
Heads, I win. Heads, I win. Again.
Yes, the odds are forever stacked against you!
November 9, 2025 at 4:52 PM
The two-face coin, he wants the Harvey Dent Two-Face coin
A two-headed coin.
Isn’t it the perfect symbol of Trumpian politics?
Heads, I win. Heads, I win. Again.
Yes, the odds are forever stacked against you!
Isn’t it the perfect symbol of Trumpian politics?
Heads, I win. Heads, I win. Again.
Yes, the odds are forever stacked against you!
November 9, 2025 at 4:45 PM
A two-headed coin.
Isn’t it the perfect symbol of Trumpian politics?
Heads, I win. Heads, I win. Again.
Yes, the odds are forever stacked against you!
Isn’t it the perfect symbol of Trumpian politics?
Heads, I win. Heads, I win. Again.
Yes, the odds are forever stacked against you!
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
I've been talking about this on here for a while. We just assume it will always rain enough, so the management of water in the UK is totally disastrous. Now, after a relatively few dry months, we are approaching a calamity. We have done it to ourselves. Yet again. We are a deeply unserious country.
England facing drastic measures due to extreme drought next year
Government and water companies are devising emergency plans for worst water shortage in decades
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I've been talking about this on here for a while. We just assume it will always rain enough, so the management of water in the UK is totally disastrous. Now, after a relatively few dry months, we are approaching a calamity. We have done it to ourselves. Yet again. We are a deeply unserious country.
Voting ends on Tuesday!
Please cast your ballot for Kamran for VP if you haven’t voted yet! 🗳️
More generally, look carefully at the attendance records of those you’re putting at the top of the ballot.
If they’re not turning up to meetings, don’t vote for them again!
Please cast your ballot for Kamran for VP if you haven’t voted yet! 🗳️
More generally, look carefully at the attendance records of those you’re putting at the top of the ballot.
If they’re not turning up to meetings, don’t vote for them again!
Last call - voting ends shortly:
Join #LibDem members across #England, #Scotland and #Wales who are backing #Kamran4VP - an independent voice for the members to the party leadership.
Join #LibDem members across #England, #Scotland and #Wales who are backing #Kamran4VP - an independent voice for the members to the party leadership.
November 8, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Voting ends on Tuesday!
Please cast your ballot for Kamran for VP if you haven’t voted yet! 🗳️
More generally, look carefully at the attendance records of those you’re putting at the top of the ballot.
If they’re not turning up to meetings, don’t vote for them again!
Please cast your ballot for Kamran for VP if you haven’t voted yet! 🗳️
More generally, look carefully at the attendance records of those you’re putting at the top of the ballot.
If they’re not turning up to meetings, don’t vote for them again!
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
November 8, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
NEW from me:
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
October 31, 2025 at 2:32 PM
NEW from me:
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
Political hostility, high visa fees and (in the case of the UK) stagnant incomes are making the UK and US less attractive destinations for top international talent.
That steep decline in the appeal of moving to the US after 2016 is 👀
You can say that again!
In fact, the UK’s top 10% now have lower post-tax incomes than they did 25 years ago.
(That contrasts to the overall median, which has risen by about 25%)
(That contrasts to the overall median, which has risen by about 25%)
November 8, 2025 at 1:49 PM
You can say that again!
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Another big factor for the UK is its slide down the income rankings.
Would-be migrants want to join a dynamic economy with the promise of high and rising wages.
The UK used to fit that bill, but Britain’s top salaries are now well down the list.
Would-be migrants want to join a dynamic economy with the promise of high and rising wages.
The UK used to fit that bill, but Britain’s top salaries are now well down the list.
October 31, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Another big factor for the UK is its slide down the income rankings.
Would-be migrants want to join a dynamic economy with the promise of high and rising wages.
The UK used to fit that bill, but Britain’s top salaries are now well down the list.
Would-be migrants want to join a dynamic economy with the promise of high and rising wages.
The UK used to fit that bill, but Britain’s top salaries are now well down the list.
Note the title of the paper being cited: *Engagement-based algorithms disrupt human social norm learning*
This is a pretty good explanation for why our politics has gotten so nasty and polarised.
This is a pretty good explanation for why our politics has gotten so nasty and polarised.
This is quite the graph and reinforces my view that Bluesky is actually quite revolutionary.
November 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Note the title of the paper being cited: *Engagement-based algorithms disrupt human social norm learning*
This is a pretty good explanation for why our politics has gotten so nasty and polarised.
This is a pretty good explanation for why our politics has gotten so nasty and polarised.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Mosques set on fire, shot at with air guns, and smashed with paving slabs.
Just the latest examples of the real world consequences of the political mainstreaming of racism
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Just the latest examples of the real world consequences of the political mainstreaming of racism
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Flags and Christian nationalist slogans feature in soaring attacks on UK mosques
Between July and October, 25 buildings were targeted in 27 attacks, according to British Muslim Trust
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Mosques set on fire, shot at with air guns, and smashed with paving slabs.
Just the latest examples of the real world consequences of the political mainstreaming of racism
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Just the latest examples of the real world consequences of the political mainstreaming of racism
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Rarely does a story so perfectly encapsulate authoritarianism, crony capitalism, Trump’s greed and garishness, destruction of cultural heritage and calls for national rebirth after collective victimhood. Definitive article on this is by @filipejdus.bsky.social
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Serbian Lawmakers Approve Luxury Trump Hotel on Historic Bombing Site
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Rarely does a story so perfectly encapsulate authoritarianism, crony capitalism, Trump’s greed and garishness, destruction of cultural heritage and calls for national rebirth after collective victimhood. Definitive article on this is by @filipejdus.bsky.social
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Australia has so much electricity from solar power that it is going to start offering free electricity to everyone for at least three hours during the day as the wholesale price of power goes negative
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
Australia has so much solar that it's offering everyone free electricity
Australia's extensive solar power penetration makes so much energy that the government wants to offer free electricity at peak hours.
electrek.co
November 6, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Australia has so much electricity from solar power that it is going to start offering free electricity to everyone for at least three hours during the day as the wholesale price of power goes negative
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
November 6, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
One thing that's totally under-appreciated is that new cars share incredible amounts of data with the car companies (who can then sell that data for analysis). They know how far you've driven, where you've driven, how many times you've rolled down your windows...
November 6, 2025 at 12:27 PM
One thing that's totally under-appreciated is that new cars share incredible amounts of data with the car companies (who can then sell that data for analysis). They know how far you've driven, where you've driven, how many times you've rolled down your windows...
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
I wanted to do this 15 years ago but only got support to create the option for schools to do this voluntarily. Would make a big difference.
A quota of 15% of school places should be given to pupils eligible for free school meals to ensure they have an equitable chance of attending an effective school, @bristoluni.bsky.social research suggests
Call for schools to have FSM pupil places quota
Giving pupils who receive free school meals priority for 15 per cent of places in schools could create a more equitable admissions system, researchers suggest
www.tes.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:51 AM
I wanted to do this 15 years ago but only got support to create the option for schools to do this voluntarily. Would make a big difference.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Mamdani: "My message to ICE agents & to everyone across this city is that everyone will be held to the same standard of the law. If you violate it, you must be held accountable. There is sadly a sense growing that certain people are allowed to violate that law, whether they be POTUS or ICE agents."
November 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Mamdani: "My message to ICE agents & to everyone across this city is that everyone will be held to the same standard of the law. If you violate it, you must be held accountable. There is sadly a sense growing that certain people are allowed to violate that law, whether they be POTUS or ICE agents."
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
The al-Qaeda-linked group has imposed an economic siege on Bamako since September.
Is Mali about to fall to al-Qaeda affiliate JNIM?
The al-Qaeda-linked group has imposed an economic siege on Bamako since September.
bit.ly
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The al-Qaeda-linked group has imposed an economic siege on Bamako since September.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
I've seen this movie before www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
November 4, 2025 at 7:01 PM
I've seen this movie before www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/u...
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
It’s Election Day with critical races in several states. This is the first general election where voters get to tell Donald Trump what they think of him so far. Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard! Vote like your country depends on it. Because it does.
November 4, 2025 at 2:51 PM
It’s Election Day with critical races in several states. This is the first general election where voters get to tell Donald Trump what they think of him so far. Don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard! Vote like your country depends on it. Because it does.
When you THINK you’ve got all the cards but you really don’t.
China’s Global Exports Continue to Grow Despite Trump Tariffs
As Trump has imposed steep tariffs on China, American importers are buying much less. But China has offset the decline from the United States with breathtaking speed.
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:35 AM
When you THINK you’ve got all the cards but you really don’t.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
‘OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o model cited Pravda content in response to five out of seven prompts on contested subjects.’
on.ft.com/40TOF9R
on.ft.com/40TOF9R
Disinformation warriors are ‘grooming’ chatbots
Russian hackers are exploring ways to inject propaganda into the training data of generative AI models
on.ft.com
July 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
‘OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o model cited Pravda content in response to five out of seven prompts on contested subjects.’
on.ft.com/40TOF9R
on.ft.com/40TOF9R