DanSmith1.bsky.social
@dansmith1.bsky.social
Ex head of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2015-2025), International Alert (2003-2015), Peace Research Institute, Oslo (1993-2001). Now I'm just me. Blogging at https://dansmithsblog.com/
A future seems to loom before in which the strong do what they can, and the weak do what they must.
My reflections on the Caracas raid – background and implications.
dansmithsblog.com/2026/01/05/r...
My reflections on the Caracas raid – background and implications.
dansmithsblog.com/2026/01/05/r...
Reflections on Venezuela, Trump and world order
As the world knows, on 3 January 2026, in an operation involving over 150 aircraft, US Special Forces raided Caracas, seized President Maduro and his wife, and took them to New York to be charged a…
dansmithsblog.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:34 AM
A future seems to loom before in which the strong do what they can, and the weak do what they must.
My reflections on the Caracas raid – background and implications.
dansmithsblog.com/2026/01/05/r...
My reflections on the Caracas raid – background and implications.
dansmithsblog.com/2026/01/05/r...
This is a must-listen talk by Warren Buffet on the US National Security Strategy. His analysis: forget the silly insults, Trump just pressed the self-destruct button for US military industry and technological leadership. Fascinating! youtu.be/VSBXzK3Vf7o?... via
@theserfstv.bsky.social
@theserfstv.bsky.social
JUST IN: Trump Ends NATO — Europe’s $2 Trillion Alliance Leaves America Behind | Buffett Warns
YouTube video by Think Vest
youtu.be
December 18, 2025 at 8:40 PM
This is a must-listen talk by Warren Buffet on the US National Security Strategy. His analysis: forget the silly insults, Trump just pressed the self-destruct button for US military industry and technological leadership. Fascinating! youtu.be/VSBXzK3Vf7o?... via
@theserfstv.bsky.social
@theserfstv.bsky.social
Events are showing that flaws in the peace plan for Gaza announced put it in serious danger of failing in the short term. Nothing is inevitable but the risk is clear. My 3rd assessment of the plan:
dansmithsblog.com/2025/12/01/t...
dansmithsblog.com/2025/12/01/t...
The Gaza peace plan after 7 weeks: 3rd assessment
IT IS TWO MONTHS since the Gaza peace plan was announced (29 September). A few days later, Hamas gave its conditional acceptance of the deal (3 October). On 8 October, the negotiators agreed a ceas…
dansmithsblog.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Events are showing that flaws in the peace plan for Gaza announced put it in serious danger of failing in the short term. Nothing is inevitable but the risk is clear. My 3rd assessment of the plan:
dansmithsblog.com/2025/12/01/t...
dansmithsblog.com/2025/12/01/t...
Can the Gaza peace plan work? My evaluation of it:
dansmithsblog.com/2025/10/03/e...
dansmithsblog.com/2025/10/03/e...
Evaluating President Trump’s Gaza peace plan
The fate of the peace plan for Gaza announced at the White House on Monday is not yet decided. There has, of course, been considerable coverage of it in the news media. Some focusses on its prospec…
dansmithsblog.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Can the Gaza peace plan work? My evaluation of it:
dansmithsblog.com/2025/10/03/e...
dansmithsblog.com/2025/10/03/e...
For political leaders, the rush of events gets in the way of strategic vision. And getting in the way of responding to events - or at least just complicating things - are five major, simultaneous, global hinge points we now face.
Five global hinge points
Among those sayings that encapsulate political wisdom but are either inaccurate or apocryphal (such as the ancient Chinese curse, ‘May you live in interesting times’ that is neither Chinese nor anc…
dansmithsblog.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:01 PM
For political leaders, the rush of events gets in the way of strategic vision. And getting in the way of responding to events - or at least just complicating things - are five major, simultaneous, global hinge points we now face.
Not that government of Israel will listen or read carefully but others must including European governments:
Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, says UN commission of inquiry
Report cites scale of killings and aid blockages and accuses Benjamin Netanyahu of inciting commission of genocide
www.theguardian.com
September 16, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Not that government of Israel will listen or read carefully but others must including European governments:
My newe chapter:
dansmithconsulting.online
dansmithconsulting.online
Dan Smith Consulting
Feeding the global conversation on peace and security
dansmithconsulting.online
September 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM
My newe chapter:
dansmithconsulting.online
dansmithconsulting.online
Change for me, change for SIPRI:
dansmithsblog.com/2025/08/17/c...
dansmithsblog.com/2025/08/17/c...
Change for SIPRI and for me
Time for change. I am stepping down as Director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) at the end of this month, having completed the two five-year terms that are the maxim…
dansmithsblog.com
September 4, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Change for me, change for SIPRI:
dansmithsblog.com/2025/08/17/c...
dansmithsblog.com/2025/08/17/c...
European leaders have failed badly over the Israel/US strikes on Iran.
@sipri.org colleagues address the problem of an apparent acceptance of violations of international law.
@sipri.org colleagues address the problem of an apparent acceptance of violations of international law.
Europe should help repair the damage to non-proliferation and international law from the attacks on Iran
European leaders’ responses to the recent Israeli and United States attacks against Iranian nuclear facilities have been striking for both their muted tone and their apparent acceptance of violations ...
www.sipri.org
June 30, 2025 at 4:15 PM
European leaders have failed badly over the Israel/US strikes on Iran.
@sipri.org colleagues address the problem of an apparent acceptance of violations of international law.
@sipri.org colleagues address the problem of an apparent acceptance of violations of international law.
The BIG 5 per cent increase in NATO spending.
A political signal with multiple impacts on international politics, prospects for peace, the economy, government finances, you name it.
@sipri.org colleagues have run the figures and here's what they do (and don't) mean:
A political signal with multiple impacts on international politics, prospects for peace, the economy, government finances, you name it.
@sipri.org colleagues have run the figures and here's what they do (and don't) mean:
NATO’s new spending target: challenges and risks associated with a political signal
NATO’s new alliance-wide spending target of 5 per cent of GDP sends a strong political message, but at what cost?
www.sipri.org
June 27, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The BIG 5 per cent increase in NATO spending.
A political signal with multiple impacts on international politics, prospects for peace, the economy, government finances, you name it.
@sipri.org colleagues have run the figures and here's what they do (and don't) mean:
A political signal with multiple impacts on international politics, prospects for peace, the economy, government finances, you name it.
@sipri.org colleagues have run the figures and here's what they do (and don't) mean:
Governments of Somalia & UK have set up a High-Level Panel on Social Protection in Fragile & Conflict-Affected Settings.
We need your input. Seven questions - up to you which ones you answer – at staar.socialprotection.org/high-level-p...
We need your input. Seven questions - up to you which ones you answer – at staar.socialprotection.org/high-level-p...
staar.socialprotection.org
June 13, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Governments of Somalia & UK have set up a High-Level Panel on Social Protection in Fragile & Conflict-Affected Settings.
We need your input. Seven questions - up to you which ones you answer – at staar.socialprotection.org/high-level-p...
We need your input. Seven questions - up to you which ones you answer – at staar.socialprotection.org/high-level-p...
Excellent analysis of the trajectory of the relationship between North Korea and Russia by my @sipri.org colleague, Fei Su:
www.apln.network/analysis/com...
www.apln.network/analysis/com...
From Tactical To Strategic: The DPRK-Russia Military Cooperation | Asia-Pacific Leadership Network
www.apln.network
June 11, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Excellent analysis of the trajectory of the relationship between North Korea and Russia by my @sipri.org colleague, Fei Su:
www.apln.network/analysis/com...
www.apln.network/analysis/com...
Former Israel PM Ehud Olmert in Harretz this week:
"What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation: the indiscriminate, limitless, cruel and criminal killing of civilians... Yes, Israel is committing war crimes."
Incredibly important. First crack in the dam?
www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025...
"What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation: the indiscriminate, limitless, cruel and criminal killing of civilians... Yes, Israel is committing war crimes."
Incredibly important. First crack in the dam?
www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025...
Enough is enough. Israel is committing war crimes | Opinion
***
www.haaretz.com
May 30, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Former Israel PM Ehud Olmert in Harretz this week:
"What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation: the indiscriminate, limitless, cruel and criminal killing of civilians... Yes, Israel is committing war crimes."
Incredibly important. First crack in the dam?
www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025...
"What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation: the indiscriminate, limitless, cruel and criminal killing of civilians... Yes, Israel is committing war crimes."
Incredibly important. First crack in the dam?
www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025...
Oh, look, 50-plus years on, a "secret plan to end the war".
February 9, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Oh, look, 50-plus years on, a "secret plan to end the war".
Reposted by DanSmith1.bsky.social
In a recent interview with @franciscocarrion.bsky.social (El Independiente), #SIPRI Director @dansmith1.bsky.social warns about the state of the world, highlighting nuclear tensions, climate challenges, and emerging technologies as critical threats.
Read the full interview ⬇️
bit.ly/3DK7lAx
Read the full interview ⬇️
bit.ly/3DK7lAx
“El mundo vive el momento más peligroso del último medio siglo”
Entrevista con Dan Smith, director de Sipri, uno de los principales think tank del mundo en seguridad y conflictos
bit.ly
January 8, 2025 at 8:49 AM
In a recent interview with @franciscocarrion.bsky.social (El Independiente), #SIPRI Director @dansmith1.bsky.social warns about the state of the world, highlighting nuclear tensions, climate challenges, and emerging technologies as critical threats.
Read the full interview ⬇️
bit.ly/3DK7lAx
Read the full interview ⬇️
bit.ly/3DK7lAx
Use 'em or lose 'em is not a principle any sane person should want to see applied to nuclear weapons. But who said, "I like to believe that people, in the long run, are going to do more to promote peace than our governments"?
The nuclear challenge today and tomorrow
On 6 and 9 August this year, we will mark the 80th anniversaries of the two occasions on which nuclear weapons have ever been used in war – the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.* Humanity has perpetrated and experienced a great deal of harm in the past eight decades but nuclear weapons have not been used again. Despite today's widespread and intensifying perception of nuclear risk, the nuclear taboo survives.
dansmithsblog.com
January 2, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Use 'em or lose 'em is not a principle any sane person should want to see applied to nuclear weapons. But who said, "I like to believe that people, in the long run, are going to do more to promote peace than our governments"?
Thank you @HughMuir(despite being seemingly BlueSky absent) for this. The question is, does the Tory press hate Sadiq Khan more because of his religion and ethnicity, or because he has succeeded in reducing air pollution in London?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Arise Sir Sadiq Khan, and enjoy your knighthood. As for the Tories in a rage – ignore them | Hugh Muir
There’s a very rightwing furore over the London mayor’s appearance on the new year honours list. But if not him, who? asks Guardian writer Hugh Muir
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2024 at 6:17 PM
Thank you @HughMuir(despite being seemingly BlueSky absent) for this. The question is, does the Tory press hate Sadiq Khan more because of his religion and ethnicity, or because he has succeeded in reducing air pollution in London?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Every year the same magic. Five days in the west Swedish countryside. Five morning walks. Day 1 (27 Dec), high viz clothing essential. Same time on Day 5, not needed. Beauty of a few minutes more daylight each day.
December 31, 2024 at 9:09 AM
Every year the same magic. Five days in the west Swedish countryside. Five morning walks. Day 1 (27 Dec), high viz clothing essential. Same time on Day 5, not needed. Beauty of a few minutes more daylight each day.
Reposted by DanSmith1.bsky.social
#peace #climatejustice #endwars #humanitarian #worldpeace #love #health #sustainability #climate #nonukes #disarmament
December 21, 2024 at 5:14 PM
Reposted by DanSmith1.bsky.social
#SIPRI Director @dansmith1.bsky.social recently spoke with NHK World News about the pressing challenges of nuclear proliferation and shared insights on Nihon Hidankyo receiving the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.
Watch the full interview here:
www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
Watch the full interview here:
www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
SIPRI chief: Japan group winning Nobel prize to remind world of nuke issues | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
The head of a leading security research institute says Nihon Hidankyo winning this year's Nobel Peace Prize is a chance to remind world leaders of the humanitarian dimensions of nuclear weapon-related...
www3.nhk.or.jp
December 6, 2024 at 9:26 AM
#SIPRI Director @dansmith1.bsky.social recently spoke with NHK World News about the pressing challenges of nuclear proliferation and shared insights on Nihon Hidankyo receiving the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.
Watch the full interview here:
www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
Watch the full interview here:
www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
My thoughts on why Trump is such a polarizing figure – loved by some, loathed by others – dressed up as an enquiry into the non-singular systemic in my latest blog post:
dansmithsblog.com/2024/11/25/t...
dansmithsblog.com/2024/11/25/t...
Trump and the challenge of the non-singular systemic
Amid the cacophony of overblown claims both for and against, what is so bad about Trump? Or, put the other way round, what is so good about him? Or, to ask my question properly, why is he such a po…
dansmithsblog.com
November 25, 2024 at 3:59 PM
My thoughts on why Trump is such a polarizing figure – loved by some, loathed by others – dressed up as an enquiry into the non-singular systemic in my latest blog post:
dansmithsblog.com/2024/11/25/t...
dansmithsblog.com/2024/11/25/t...
The implications of this headline in the NYT are not pleasant.
Tesla's share price was up about 14% on Wednesday — a sign that investors believe Donald Trump's victory will be good for the company after Elon Musk's deep support of Trump's campaign.
Tesla’s Stock Jumps After Trump’s Victory
Investors believe that the electric car company led by Elon Musk will benefit from his support of the president-elect.
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2024 at 8:31 AM
The implications of this headline in the NYT are not pleasant.
It’s the cold hard awakening for some of us. Too many others seem to be sleepwalking.
On this November morning, the fog sits thickly on our garden. It is hard to predict which way the day will go after it clears. Will the sun come out? Or are we destined for a hard cold awakening to a world we cannot stand?
November 6, 2024 at 8:08 AM
It’s the cold hard awakening for some of us. Too many others seem to be sleepwalking.
The River Desna in Ukraine: “More than 650km is polluted. Not a single organism survived. .. It’s Europe’s first completely dead river.”
Officials say a poisonous slick came across the Russian border and down a tributary river.
If so, it's #ecocide
Officials say a poisonous slick came across the Russian border and down a tributary river.
If so, it's #ecocide
‘Everything is dead’: Ukraine rushes to stem ecocide after river poisoning
Russia is suspected of deliberately leaking chemical waste into a river, with deadly consequences for wildlife
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2024 at 9:02 AM
The River Desna in Ukraine: “More than 650km is polluted. Not a single organism survived. .. It’s Europe’s first completely dead river.”
Officials say a poisonous slick came across the Russian border and down a tributary river.
If so, it's #ecocide
Officials say a poisonous slick came across the Russian border and down a tributary river.
If so, it's #ecocide
The world order is in shaky condition and there is no consensus on how to fix it. Maybe we need to think about what to do when consensus is lacking. My thoughts on that in the last in a series of posts on world order.
World order §8: A multiplex alternative: international cooperation in bite-sized pieces
It is all very well to argue, as I did in my two most recent posts, that far-reaching international cooperation is essential to solve critical world issues and, furthermore, that there are issues on w...
dansmithsblog.com
September 16, 2024 at 9:10 AM
The world order is in shaky condition and there is no consensus on how to fix it. Maybe we need to think about what to do when consensus is lacking. My thoughts on that in the last in a series of posts on world order.