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. Defender of democracy. Padel enthusiast.
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
After last year’s gesture-gate, the masks are off. There's no more pretense. Musk is now saying the quiet part out loud: their movement is a white nationalist movement. In his myopic worldview, there’s no place for Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native, Jewish, or anyone who doesn’t conform.
February 16, 2026 at 1:20 AM
After last year’s gesture-gate, the masks are off. There's no more pretense. Musk is now saying the quiet part out loud: their movement is a white nationalist movement. In his myopic worldview, there’s no place for Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native, Jewish, or anyone who doesn’t conform.
Hard agree.
The UK has been undervaluing “information & narrative power” for a while now. Giving up on the BBC World Service right now would be another massive own goal (in a series of own goals).
You know which country is pretty damn good at info warfare? China.
kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/ws/portalfil...
The UK has been undervaluing “information & narrative power” for a while now. Giving up on the BBC World Service right now would be another massive own goal (in a series of own goals).
You know which country is pretty damn good at info warfare? China.
kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/ws/portalfil...
February 15, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Hard agree.
The UK has been undervaluing “information & narrative power” for a while now. Giving up on the BBC World Service right now would be another massive own goal (in a series of own goals).
You know which country is pretty damn good at info warfare? China.
kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/ws/portalfil...
The UK has been undervaluing “information & narrative power” for a while now. Giving up on the BBC World Service right now would be another massive own goal (in a series of own goals).
You know which country is pretty damn good at info warfare? China.
kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/ws/portalfil...
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Very useful analysis here for those who are pro universities, setting out the areas which lead to less public/political support for HE. Worth considering how the sector will strategically respond to its critics (even if it thinks some of their views are misplaced)
With the debate on student loans raging, why did England fall out of love with universities?
1. High fees and crushing debt.
2. Mass over-expansion
3. Culture wars: free speech, antisemitism, 'decolonisation'.
4. Quality concerns and grade inflation.
www.edrith.co.uk/p/how-did-en...
1. High fees and crushing debt.
2. Mass over-expansion
3. Culture wars: free speech, antisemitism, 'decolonisation'.
4. Quality concerns and grade inflation.
www.edrith.co.uk/p/how-did-en...
How Did England Fall Out of Love with Universities?
The Four Horsemen of Fees, Culture, Expansion and Quality
www.edrith.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Very useful analysis here for those who are pro universities, setting out the areas which lead to less public/political support for HE. Worth considering how the sector will strategically respond to its critics (even if it thinks some of their views are misplaced)
What’s a US security guarantee worth these days when the American president is utterly unreliable, and sometimes cruel?
President Zelenskyy answered journalists' questions in Munich.A recap of his answers:
◾️Ukraine wants security guarantees for 30-50yrs,depending on what the Trump administration is ready for;
◾️So far,the USA is offering Ukraine security guarantees for 15yrs;
◾️Ukraine is hoping to end the war this yr
◾️Ukraine wants security guarantees for 30-50yrs,depending on what the Trump administration is ready for;
◾️So far,the USA is offering Ukraine security guarantees for 15yrs;
◾️Ukraine is hoping to end the war this yr
February 14, 2026 at 6:32 PM
What’s a US security guarantee worth these days when the American president is utterly unreliable, and sometimes cruel?
“Relational skills are built through practice…This reliance [on bots] makes face-to-face conversation — the medium where deep intimacy is typically negotiated — harder for people…How much of our capacity to connect with other human beings atrophies when we don’t have to work at it?”
Opinion | ‘We’re All Polyamorous Now. It’s You, Me and the A.I.’
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:42 AM
“Relational skills are built through practice…This reliance [on bots] makes face-to-face conversation — the medium where deep intimacy is typically negotiated — harder for people…How much of our capacity to connect with other human beings atrophies when we don’t have to work at it?”
Do Europeans want economic and security autonomy? YES.
Are we willing to pay for it? NO.
bsky.app/profile/youg...
Are we willing to pay for it? NO.
bsky.app/profile/youg...
Do Europeans think it's more important to prioritise European autonomy (+) or preserve the US-Europe alliance (-)?
🇬🇧 +20
🇮🇹 +17
🇪🇸 +14
🇩🇪 +11
🇫🇷 +3
🇵🇱 -15
yougov.co.uk/internationa...
🇬🇧 +20
🇮🇹 +17
🇪🇸 +14
🇩🇪 +11
🇫🇷 +3
🇵🇱 -15
yougov.co.uk/internationa...
February 13, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Do Europeans want economic and security autonomy? YES.
Are we willing to pay for it? NO.
bsky.app/profile/youg...
Are we willing to pay for it? NO.
bsky.app/profile/youg...
Waiting out Trump doesn’t recognise the rupture that has happened. This is wishing for a world that was, not the world we actually live in.
Europeans (Germans excepted) need to look inside American domestic politics - and it should be obvious that there’s no turning back the clock.
Europeans (Germans excepted) need to look inside American domestic politics - and it should be obvious that there’s no turning back the clock.
Europeans (except Germans) tend to think the continent can ride out Donald Trump, and that once he is no longer president US foreign policy towards Europe will return to how it was before
yougov.co.uk/internationa...
yougov.co.uk/internationa...
February 13, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Waiting out Trump doesn’t recognise the rupture that has happened. This is wishing for a world that was, not the world we actually live in.
Europeans (Germans excepted) need to look inside American domestic politics - and it should be obvious that there’s no turning back the clock.
Europeans (Germans excepted) need to look inside American domestic politics - and it should be obvious that there’s no turning back the clock.
This reads like a DM from Sadiq Khan to Donald Trump.
February 12, 2026 at 3:45 PM
This reads like a DM from Sadiq Khan to Donald Trump.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
I have been a little surprised that this shoe hadn't dropped already. The more that businesses become seen as extensions of a particular government's interests, the less that many other governments will want to have any relationship to them. See also the CapGemini brouhaha.
"Switzerland’s military has terminated its contract with Palantir… following a security audit… concluded that U.S. intelligence agencies could potentially access sensitive Swiss defense data… significant reputational warning for the data analytics firm"
www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...
#R4Today
www.newscase.com/palantirs-sw...
#R4Today
Palantir's Swiss Exit Highlights Global Data Sovereignty Challenge | NewsCase
Switzerland's military has terminated its contract with Palantir Technologies Inc. following a security audit. The review concluded that U.S. intelligence ag
www.newscase.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:06 PM
I have been a little surprised that this shoe hadn't dropped already. The more that businesses become seen as extensions of a particular government's interests, the less that many other governments will want to have any relationship to them. See also the CapGemini brouhaha.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Sadly, this is why Democratic leaders needed to act when the iron was hot — to lead, get out on the streets, and mobilize public opinion.
It may now be that their moment has passed and the public has moved on. If so, what a shame; what a lost opportunity.
It may now be that their moment has passed and the public has moved on. If so, what a shame; what a lost opportunity.
Sometimes very hard not to feel like the rest of the country has abandoned Minnesota. We STILL have ICE everywhere. Our schools, businesses, and economy are in profound crisis. But without Bovino here throwing tear gas, much of the country seems to not care at all what’s being done to us.
February 11, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Sadly, this is why Democratic leaders needed to act when the iron was hot — to lead, get out on the streets, and mobilize public opinion.
It may now be that their moment has passed and the public has moved on. If so, what a shame; what a lost opportunity.
It may now be that their moment has passed and the public has moved on. If so, what a shame; what a lost opportunity.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
If you can't see why we should drastically overhaul the current system, just imagine it being run by a Donald Trump with a large Commons majority, because that's what's coming.
February 10, 2026 at 1:53 PM
If you can't see why we should drastically overhaul the current system, just imagine it being run by a Donald Trump with a large Commons majority, because that's what's coming.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
For me @transparencyuk.bsky.social's CPI is a problem because it has always underplayed the UK's complicity in foreign corruption. It's very much telling the truth about domestic corruption, however, and if we don't get a handle on it soon, we never will be able to.
February 10, 2026 at 1:52 PM
For me @transparencyuk.bsky.social's CPI is a problem because it has always underplayed the UK's complicity in foreign corruption. It's very much telling the truth about domestic corruption, however, and if we don't get a handle on it soon, we never will be able to.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Of all the many disappointments of the Starmer government, its failure to urgently overhaul the funding regulations of our political system is the one that upsets me most.
If we lose the integrity of our political system, that's it, we're done.
If we lose the integrity of our political system, that's it, we're done.
February 10, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Of all the many disappointments of the Starmer government, its failure to urgently overhaul the funding regulations of our political system is the one that upsets me most.
If we lose the integrity of our political system, that's it, we're done.
If we lose the integrity of our political system, that's it, we're done.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Enforcement of all laws around financial crime is woefully inadequate; there is less than zero appetite in the police to prosecute politicians; and billionaires are paying favoured MPs to be "journalists" to a scandalous extent.
February 10, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Enforcement of all laws around financial crime is woefully inadequate; there is less than zero appetite in the police to prosecute politicians; and billionaires are paying favoured MPs to be "journalists" to a scandalous extent.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
There is no question that the situation with political corruption is deteriorating. The "good chap" model of self-regulation collapsed under Boris Johnson and has never recovered. Political donations are in practice essentially un-regulated, and House of Lords appointment processes are laughable.
February 10, 2026 at 1:47 PM
There is no question that the situation with political corruption is deteriorating. The "good chap" model of self-regulation collapsed under Boris Johnson and has never recovered. Political donations are in practice essentially un-regulated, and House of Lords appointment processes are laughable.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
IOC has reviewed request by UA Olympian Heraskevych to wear helmet with photos of UA athletes killed by Russia. IOC has permitted to wear it during training; citing rules that prioritize focusing on games, Committee will make an exception and allow him to wear a black armband during competition.
The IOC has barred Ukrainian Olympian Vladyslav Heraskevych from wearing a helmet featuring portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia at the 2026 Games.
He plans to formally appeal the decision.
He plans to formally appeal the decision.
February 10, 2026 at 1:41 PM
IOC has reviewed request by UA Olympian Heraskevych to wear helmet with photos of UA athletes killed by Russia. IOC has permitted to wear it during training; citing rules that prioritize focusing on games, Committee will make an exception and allow him to wear a black armband during competition.
I cannot tell you how disturbing this is to me as a Canadian.
To have the US try to destabilise Canadian politics like this by encouraging Alberta’s separatist movement 😳🤯
To have the US try to destabilise Canadian politics like this by encouraging Alberta’s separatist movement 😳🤯
"We're now under hybrid attack from the U.S."
"The U.S. has declared a form of information warfare against us. They're going to use everything that they can to destabilize our country, to disrupt us, potentially to break us apart in order to execute on their national security strategy."
"The U.S. has declared a form of information warfare against us. They're going to use everything that they can to destabilize our country, to disrupt us, potentially to break us apart in order to execute on their national security strategy."
February 10, 2026 at 1:33 AM
I cannot tell you how disturbing this is to me as a Canadian.
To have the US try to destabilise Canadian politics like this by encouraging Alberta’s separatist movement 😳🤯
To have the US try to destabilise Canadian politics like this by encouraging Alberta’s separatist movement 😳🤯
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
"We're now under hybrid attack from the U.S."
"The U.S. has declared a form of information warfare against us. They're going to use everything that they can to destabilize our country, to disrupt us, potentially to break us apart in order to execute on their national security strategy."
"The U.S. has declared a form of information warfare against us. They're going to use everything that they can to destabilize our country, to disrupt us, potentially to break us apart in order to execute on their national security strategy."
February 9, 2026 at 12:36 AM
"We're now under hybrid attack from the U.S."
"The U.S. has declared a form of information warfare against us. They're going to use everything that they can to destabilize our country, to disrupt us, potentially to break us apart in order to execute on their national security strategy."
"The U.S. has declared a form of information warfare against us. They're going to use everything that they can to destabilize our country, to disrupt us, potentially to break us apart in order to execute on their national security strategy."
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
there is NO trust in the US left in Europe. None whatsoever. Maybe some are trying to be polite, but no.
Trust is earned and can vanish in an instant. Gaining it again will take a long time if possible at all.
Trust is earned and can vanish in an instant. Gaining it again will take a long time if possible at all.
February 9, 2026 at 11:54 AM
there is NO trust in the US left in Europe. None whatsoever. Maybe some are trying to be polite, but no.
Trust is earned and can vanish in an instant. Gaining it again will take a long time if possible at all.
Trust is earned and can vanish in an instant. Gaining it again will take a long time if possible at all.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
My latest. Key point is that national defense in Europe is not a national sovereign responsibility. This is a fiction. Europe’s states haven’t been sovereign on defense since WWII. Instead they outsourced defense to a foreign power (US). Now Europe has to start working together as Europe on defense
“The most effective way European states can defend themselves without Washington’s backing is to integrate their defense efforts,” writes @maxbergmann.bsky.social. “It is time for the EU to become Europe’s Pentagon.”
Europe Needs an Army
Only collective defense can protect the continent.
fam.ag
February 9, 2026 at 5:54 PM
My latest. Key point is that national defense in Europe is not a national sovereign responsibility. This is a fiction. Europe’s states haven’t been sovereign on defense since WWII. Instead they outsourced defense to a foreign power (US). Now Europe has to start working together as Europe on defense
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ICE to begin detaining immigrants inside Social Circle warehouse in April
Homeland Security plans to build warehouse detention facilities in other cities being met with opposition.
www.ajc.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:56 PM
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Putting down a marker that before we get to 2028 there will be a time the US government targets an American critic who is abroad, i.e., what we call transnational repression
February 9, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Putting down a marker that before we get to 2028 there will be a time the US government targets an American critic who is abroad, i.e., what we call transnational repression
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
I want to say a bit more about our initiative to hire scholars to 3yr Research Associate positions.
None of us know what the twinning of humanities research support and employment will look like in another 5(?) years. But we do know that we need it. As a matter of social and cultural health. 1/
None of us know what the twinning of humanities research support and employment will look like in another 5(?) years. But we do know that we need it. As a matter of social and cultural health. 1/
Please share widely!
The JCB is hiring two three-year research associates for collaborative work on religions and freedoms in the early Americas.
Details at jcblibrary.org!
The JCB is hiring two three-year research associates for collaborative work on religions and freedoms in the early Americas.
Details at jcblibrary.org!
January 28, 2026 at 12:27 PM
I want to say a bit more about our initiative to hire scholars to 3yr Research Associate positions.
None of us know what the twinning of humanities research support and employment will look like in another 5(?) years. But we do know that we need it. As a matter of social and cultural health. 1/
None of us know what the twinning of humanities research support and employment will look like in another 5(?) years. But we do know that we need it. As a matter of social and cultural health. 1/
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
d) if we really care about crime and the damage it does, we should be starting with white collar crime that costs billions--wage theft, corruption, fraud, etc--before we focus on those trying to make a better life for their families.
February 9, 2026 at 1:04 PM
d) if we really care about crime and the damage it does, we should be starting with white collar crime that costs billions--wage theft, corruption, fraud, etc--before we focus on those trying to make a better life for their families.