FOARP
@foarp.bsky.social
China, Taiwan, Poland. Ukraine and IP law mostly
So I missed this, but apparently Liquorice Mckechnie was finally found.
January 10, 2026 at 8:52 AM
So I missed this, but apparently Liquorice Mckechnie was finally found.
Reposted by FOARP
Vance: "My advice to European leaders is to take the U.S. president seriously, when he says about Greenland that…" and then he goes on to listing reasons and solutions that are totally different from what Trump is saying.
This is difficult to deal with.
This is difficult to deal with.
Q: Do you have a message for European leaders on Greenland?
JD VANCE: My advice to European leaders is to take the president seriously
JD VANCE: My advice to European leaders is to take the president seriously
January 9, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Vance: "My advice to European leaders is to take the U.S. president seriously, when he says about Greenland that…" and then he goes on to listing reasons and solutions that are totally different from what Trump is saying.
This is difficult to deal with.
This is difficult to deal with.
Next month marks ten years since Boris Johnson, after months of will-he-won't-he, declared himself in favour of Brexit.
Though I did not recognise it as such at the time, this was the day that Brexit became more-likely-than-not.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...
Though I did not recognise it as such at the time, this was the day that Brexit became more-likely-than-not.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...
EU referendum: Time to vote for real change, says Boris Johnson
The referendum on the UK's EU membership is a
www.bbc.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Next month marks ten years since Boris Johnson, after months of will-he-won't-he, declared himself in favour of Brexit.
Though I did not recognise it as such at the time, this was the day that Brexit became more-likely-than-not.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...
Though I did not recognise it as such at the time, this was the day that Brexit became more-likely-than-not.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-poli...
As has been pointed elsewhere, Venezuelan oil isn’t that great an economic prospect.
January 9, 2026 at 10:36 AM
As has been pointed elsewhere, Venezuelan oil isn’t that great an economic prospect.
Reposted by FOARP
Take-Two stock is down 4.26% this afternoon because of rumors that GTA6 will be delayed based on a podcast in which I did not say that GTA6 would be delayed
January 8, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Take-Two stock is down 4.26% this afternoon because of rumors that GTA6 will be delayed based on a podcast in which I did not say that GTA6 would be delayed
I seem to remember that weather reporting in the past was not quite so evidently alarmist as it is now.
January 8, 2026 at 12:50 PM
I seem to remember that weather reporting in the past was not quite so evidently alarmist as it is now.
Reposted by FOARP
One of these countries is scarier than the other
January 8, 2026 at 10:49 AM
One of these countries is scarier than the other
So… I’m assuming this isn’t a withdrawal from WIPO, but what if it is?
January 7, 2026 at 10:43 PM
So… I’m assuming this isn’t a withdrawal from WIPO, but what if it is?
Reposted by FOARP
Starmer ABSOLUTELY needs to level with the British public about our national security. ASAP. He has already waited far too long.
Hasn’t helped that the UK media has also been VERY slow to accept that the world order has been flipped on its head (present company excluded @stephenkb.bsky.social).
Hasn’t helped that the UK media has also been VERY slow to accept that the world order has been flipped on its head (present company excluded @stephenkb.bsky.social).
Today's newsletter: a lot of people in and around the government keep talking about how Starmer will 'spend more time on domestic priorities this year'. He obviously won't be able to and the government needs to come to terms with that (and then explain to the country why that is and what it means):
Keir Starmer should level with voters about foreign policy priorities
Some in government would rather the PM focus on domestic challenges
www.ft.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Starmer ABSOLUTELY needs to level with the British public about our national security. ASAP. He has already waited far too long.
Hasn’t helped that the UK media has also been VERY slow to accept that the world order has been flipped on its head (present company excluded @stephenkb.bsky.social).
Hasn’t helped that the UK media has also been VERY slow to accept that the world order has been flipped on its head (present company excluded @stephenkb.bsky.social).
The UK should play no part in Trump's Venezuela gambit, but seizing sanctioned Russian oil tankers?
I see that as another opportunity to remind the Russian government that unleashing radiological and chemical weapons on British streets, killing our citizens, comes at a cost.
I see that as another opportunity to remind the Russian government that unleashing radiological and chemical weapons on British streets, killing our citizens, comes at a cost.
U.S. special forces have likely already seized the Russian-flagged tanker Marinera in the Atlantic, Reuters. The operation is supported by U.S. and British surveillance aircraft, including KC-135T Stratotankers and P-8 Poseidons. Despite a nearby Russian sub and navy ships, the U.S. proceeded.
January 7, 2026 at 2:47 PM
The UK should play no part in Trump's Venezuela gambit, but seizing sanctioned Russian oil tankers?
I see that as another opportunity to remind the Russian government that unleashing radiological and chemical weapons on British streets, killing our citizens, comes at a cost.
I see that as another opportunity to remind the Russian government that unleashing radiological and chemical weapons on British streets, killing our citizens, comes at a cost.
Reposted by FOARP
🔺LIVE: US forces ‘seize’ Russian oil tanker Marinera
Venezuela live: US ‘attempting to seize’ Russian oil tanker Marinera
Venezuela live: US ‘attempting to seize’ Russian oil tanker Marinera
www.thetimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:40 PM
🔺LIVE: US forces ‘seize’ Russian oil tanker Marinera
Reposted by FOARP
Unpopular opinion this might be on Bluesky, but while the government does bear some responsibility for any potential deaths here (they are, after all, managing the prison system), the greater responsibility lies with journalists and commentators who have egged the hunger strikers along
This is an extraordinary human failure from a supposedly progressive government. Jaw dropping www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Let’s be clear: if the Palestine Action hunger strikers die, the government will bear moral responsibility | George Monbiot
The three remaining hunger strikers have been convicted of nothing. Yet with astonishing cruelty, ministers refuse to listen to their reasonable demands, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Unpopular opinion this might be on Bluesky, but while the government does bear some responsibility for any potential deaths here (they are, after all, managing the prison system), the greater responsibility lies with journalists and commentators who have egged the hunger strikers along
Reposted by FOARP
“Do they even have what they say they do? ..
“.. John Arnold, the well known former energy hedge fund manager, yesterday on X basically said the 300 billion barrel reserve claim was made up to Hugo Chavez ..”
- Boockvar
“.. John Arnold, the well known former energy hedge fund manager, yesterday on X basically said the 300 billion barrel reserve claim was made up to Hugo Chavez ..”
- Boockvar
January 6, 2026 at 12:31 PM
“Do they even have what they say they do? ..
“.. John Arnold, the well known former energy hedge fund manager, yesterday on X basically said the 300 billion barrel reserve claim was made up to Hugo Chavez ..”
- Boockvar
“.. John Arnold, the well known former energy hedge fund manager, yesterday on X basically said the 300 billion barrel reserve claim was made up to Hugo Chavez ..”
- Boockvar
Reposted by FOARP
To be blunt probably the only real takeaway in Beijing right now from the Venezuela op is “jesus we could never pull that off”
foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/06/c...
foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/06/c...
Trump’s Venezuela Attack May Give China Cover on Taiwan
Beijing will welcome the chance for its own regional hegemony.
foreignpolicy.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:28 AM
To be blunt probably the only real takeaway in Beijing right now from the Venezuela op is “jesus we could never pull that off”
foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/06/c...
foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/06/c...
Reposted by FOARP
These reasonable demands include the UK changing its foreign policy and compromising its defense supply chains.
No, I don't think the govt should give into blackmail and encourage more people to self-harm by negotiating.
No, I don't think the govt should give into blackmail and encourage more people to self-harm by negotiating.
This is an extraordinary human failure from a supposedly progressive government. Jaw dropping www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Let’s be clear: if the Palestine Action hunger strikers die, the government will bear moral responsibility | George Monbiot
The three remaining hunger strikers have been convicted of nothing. Yet with astonishing cruelty, ministers refuse to listen to their reasonable demands, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:36 AM
These reasonable demands include the UK changing its foreign policy and compromising its defense supply chains.
No, I don't think the govt should give into blackmail and encourage more people to self-harm by negotiating.
No, I don't think the govt should give into blackmail and encourage more people to self-harm by negotiating.
One other thing to say about this: the UK and France have, between them, armies totalling not even 200,000 soldiers. It will take a large portion of that to provide even a trip-wire force for Ukraine.
The British Army has to grow.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
The British Army has to grow.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
UK and France ‘ready to deploy troops’ to Ukraine after ceasefire
Trilateral declaration of intent signed after ‘coalition of the willing’ summit in Paris with plan to establish military hubs
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:31 PM
One other thing to say about this: the UK and France have, between them, armies totalling not even 200,000 soldiers. It will take a large portion of that to provide even a trip-wire force for Ukraine.
The British Army has to grow.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
The British Army has to grow.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Reposted by FOARP
Again, I observe that political elites really want an AI boom to save them from the consequences of their own actions.
January 6, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Again, I observe that political elites really want an AI boom to save them from the consequences of their own actions.
Reposted by FOARP
10 Years
January 6, 2026 at 6:42 PM
10 Years
I still have misgivings about the entire concept of this force, but ultimately this is a step in the right direction.
January 6, 2026 at 3:21 PM
I still have misgivings about the entire concept of this force, but ultimately this is a step in the right direction.
Reposted by FOARP
Joint Statement of major EU/NATO countries on Greenland, together with Denmark:
January 6, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Joint Statement of major EU/NATO countries on Greenland, together with Denmark:
Five/six years old at a campsite, I tried to ride my bike across a pipe extending over a channelled stream. Went about as well as you might expect.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 6, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Five/six years old at a campsite, I tried to ride my bike across a pipe extending over a channelled stream. Went about as well as you might expect.
I always knew that buy-to-let landlords were a small part of the market anyway, but the share of purchases made by the them has been steadily shrinking for years.
www.theguardian.com/money/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/money/2026/j...
Are UK buy-to-let landlords dying out – and should we care?
Higher taxes and tougher regulations have led to the disappearance of tens of thousands of rental properties
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:17 PM
I always knew that buy-to-let landlords were a small part of the market anyway, but the share of purchases made by the them has been steadily shrinking for years.
www.theguardian.com/money/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/money/2026/j...
And he then just stopped talking about Venezuela, had the Graun mods delete any comments about Venezuela under his articles, and just blocked everyone Twitter who asked him about it there.
At no point did he ever admit having been wrong.
At no point did he ever admit having been wrong.
January 5, 2026 at 2:33 PM
And he then just stopped talking about Venezuela, had the Graun mods delete any comments about Venezuela under his articles, and just blocked everyone Twitter who asked him about it there.
At no point did he ever admit having been wrong.
At no point did he ever admit having been wrong.