Charlie Thomas
@cthomasjamh.bsky.social
Professor, African Military Historian, Co-Editor of the Journal of African Military History. Opinions expressed are solely mine. My book, Ujamaa’s Army, is available now!! https://www.ohioswallow.com/9780821425596/ujamaas-army
Pinned
Charlie Thomas
@cthomasjamh.bsky.social
· Nov 12
"But Charlie!" you may say, "why should *I* care about the Tanzania People's Defence Force!?" Well let me tell you a few cool things about them!
1. Following independence most African states just inherited whatever colonial troops existed as their militaries. This often led to coups and mutinies.
1. Following independence most African states just inherited whatever colonial troops existed as their militaries. This often led to coups and mutinies.
Whooooo! Although I know other folks have already gotten it, my author copies finally arrived. It's been a long road and it still feels unreal to actually have the physical copies in hand!
For all my new followers, hello! I am a historian of African militaries and African military history- and I recently published a book on the Tanzania People's Defence Forces' fascinating history! Here's a thread about why you should read it! bsky.app/profile/ctho...
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
“Mr. Beast Salesforce ad” - they’re calling it the least appealing phrase ever assembled in any language. They finally did it
February 9, 2026 at 2:32 AM
“Mr. Beast Salesforce ad” - they’re calling it the least appealing phrase ever assembled in any language. They finally did it
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
The vibe of the Halftime Show
February 9, 2026 at 1:40 AM
The vibe of the Halftime Show
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
Once again: he is an American citizen, and while I didn’t watch the halftime either, if it is as described he is performed In his native language. Which makes it an American language.
(By which I mean not that we somehow own it, but that it is one of the languages spoken in the USA.)
(By which I mean not that we somehow own it, but that it is one of the languages spoken in the USA.)
February 9, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Once again: he is an American citizen, and while I didn’t watch the halftime either, if it is as described he is performed In his native language. Which makes it an American language.
(By which I mean not that we somehow own it, but that it is one of the languages spoken in the USA.)
(By which I mean not that we somehow own it, but that it is one of the languages spoken in the USA.)
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
Macbeth: SHIT
February 9, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Macbeth: SHIT
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
For a truly non-military choice: hear me out:
The powerful influence of family
Over influence of mentors
Socio-economic status
Ownership of choice
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/105
The powerful influence of family
Over influence of mentors
Socio-economic status
Ownership of choice
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/105
February 9, 2026 at 1:38 AM
For a truly non-military choice: hear me out:
The powerful influence of family
Over influence of mentors
Socio-economic status
Ownership of choice
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/105
The powerful influence of family
Over influence of mentors
Socio-economic status
Ownership of choice
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/105
Man, so many. Memory Called Empire has always been up there as has some of the Honor Harrington series, but the main one I've always come back to is Abercrombie's The Heroes.
February 9, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Man, so many. Memory Called Empire has always been up there as has some of the Honor Harrington series, but the main one I've always come back to is Abercrombie's The Heroes.
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
There’s always room for more focus on how debate is bad and has damaged our discourse. It also completely misunderstands how scholars and scholarly work gets communicated and revised.
February 7, 2026 at 8:20 PM
There’s always room for more focus on how debate is bad and has damaged our discourse. It also completely misunderstands how scholars and scholarly work gets communicated and revised.
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
I am a functional adult man, like my father before me.
February 8, 2026 at 6:37 PM
I am a functional adult man, like my father before me.
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
Slowly being dragged kicking and screaming back to “this land is your land, this land is my land” levels of grade school civics
February 8, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Slowly being dragged kicking and screaming back to “this land is your land, this land is my land” levels of grade school civics
Man, Predator: Badlands is a fantastic film.
February 8, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Man, Predator: Badlands is a fantastic film.
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
On the Enduring Role of Forts and Fortifications in Pre-Colonial African Military history.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
On the Enduring Role of Forts and Fortifications in Pre-Colonial African Military history.
In November 1575, the army of Bornu encamped before the walled town of Amsaka, initiating what would become one of the best-documented episodes of siege warfare in pre-colonial West Africa.
www.africanhistoryextra.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:42 PM
On the Enduring Role of Forts and Fortifications in Pre-Colonial African Military history.
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
www.africanhistoryextra.com/p/on-the-end...
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
This is the future that (Texas) liberals want: taxpayer-funded goats clearing invasives from public parks & restoring the health of native prairie.
Dallas hires 300 goats to clean up White Rock Lake and yes, they’re very baaa-sy
As part of the Dallas Park and Recreation Department’s new eco-friendly vegetation management project, the city is using Fort Worth-Weatherford area goats and...
www.dallasnews.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:16 PM
This is the future that (Texas) liberals want: taxpayer-funded goats clearing invasives from public parks & restoring the health of native prairie.
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
The semiquincentennial is dead to me.
SCOOP: Freedom 250 — the group launched by Trump to oversee projects including the @UFC fight on the WH lawn & his arch overlooking DC — is offering access to him for donors who give $1M.
For $2.5M, donors are being offered the chance to speak at the national July 4 celebration. 🎁🔗
For $2.5M, donors are being offered the chance to speak at the national July 4 celebration. 🎁🔗
For $1 Million, Donors to U.S.A. Birthday Group Offered Access to Trump
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:19 PM
The semiquincentennial is dead to me.
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
WaPo editorial board when TX imposes a legislative gerrymander: don't freak out guys! Not a threat to democracy!
When VA responds to TX with *referendum* on their own gerrymander: brass-knuckled hypocrisy, anti-democratic gamesmanship.
There is hypocrisy here, all right, but not from VA.
When VA responds to TX with *referendum* on their own gerrymander: brass-knuckled hypocrisy, anti-democratic gamesmanship.
There is hypocrisy here, all right, but not from VA.
February 8, 2026 at 12:08 AM
WaPo editorial board when TX imposes a legislative gerrymander: don't freak out guys! Not a threat to democracy!
When VA responds to TX with *referendum* on their own gerrymander: brass-knuckled hypocrisy, anti-democratic gamesmanship.
There is hypocrisy here, all right, but not from VA.
When VA responds to TX with *referendum* on their own gerrymander: brass-knuckled hypocrisy, anti-democratic gamesmanship.
There is hypocrisy here, all right, but not from VA.
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
"Tell me you know nothing about the Muppets without telling me you know nothing about the Muppets."
February 7, 2026 at 2:20 AM
"Tell me you know nothing about the Muppets without telling me you know nothing about the Muppets."
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
worth noting that if any of Virginia's 4 or California's 7 Republican reps want to save their seats, I am EXTREMELY confident that Speaker Jeffries could get a no-frills single issue national gerrymandering ban over to the Senate by let's say close of business Wednesday. Just say the word.
February 7, 2026 at 3:46 PM
worth noting that if any of Virginia's 4 or California's 7 Republican reps want to save their seats, I am EXTREMELY confident that Speaker Jeffries could get a no-frills single issue national gerrymandering ban over to the Senate by let's say close of business Wednesday. Just say the word.
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
Hear hear
100% this. Also, universities need to cough up what they owe in a timely manner for part-time folks, precariously employed people and self-employed suppliers. That institutions are quick enough to cut you off but slow to organise entitlements and money owed is beyond unfair.
New on the CDBU blog: 5 low cost things employers could do to help precarious staff 💰
Words by @hagenilda.bsky.social ✍️
Words by @hagenilda.bsky.social ✍️
February 7, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Hear hear
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
production of The Muppet Show should not be dependent on petty vulgarities like “ratings” or “revenue.” it should be preserved as a vital function of american culture. it should have a taxpayer-funded budget rivaling the CIA
February 7, 2026 at 12:40 AM
production of The Muppet Show should not be dependent on petty vulgarities like “ratings” or “revenue.” it should be preserved as a vital function of american culture. it should have a taxpayer-funded budget rivaling the CIA
Oh can’t wait for this one!
Tomorrow's Patreon article is about fortresses and static warfare in pre-colonial Africa
February 7, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Oh can’t wait for this one!
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
Thanks to all who joined my presentation to the Women’s Wargaming Network today on “Venturing Past the Possible: The Process of Worldbuilding.” If you’d like the slides, contact WWN! #wargaming
www.womenswargamingnetwork.org
www.womenswargamingnetwork.org
February 7, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Thanks to all who joined my presentation to the Women’s Wargaming Network today on “Venturing Past the Possible: The Process of Worldbuilding.” If you’d like the slides, contact WWN! #wargaming
www.womenswargamingnetwork.org
www.womenswargamingnetwork.org
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
"Messing with other countries sovereignty and internal politics" is supposed to be beyond the pale yet it was in a bunch of the national security strategy documents and everyone seems to think this is bluster rather than policy
February 7, 2026 at 3:29 PM
"Messing with other countries sovereignty and internal politics" is supposed to be beyond the pale yet it was in a bunch of the national security strategy documents and everyone seems to think this is bluster rather than policy
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
How to ace your essays this school year | Meet Grammarly’s new tools
YouTube video by Grammarly
m.youtube.com
February 6, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
the Spectator accidentally recycled a subhed from a previous day’s article about Tehran
February 6, 2026 at 6:07 PM
the Spectator accidentally recycled a subhed from a previous day’s article about Tehran
Reposted by Charlie Thomas
Yeah when I think of "places I want to lend money to" it's a Hobbit-themed operation run by this guy.
Exclusive | Hobbit-Inspired Startup Becomes First New Bank Greenlighted by Trump 2.0
Erebor founder Palmer Luckey was one of the tech industry’s early Trump supporters and is known for his penchant for Hawaiian shirts.
www.wsj.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:28 PM
Yeah when I think of "places I want to lend money to" it's a Hobbit-themed operation run by this guy.