Gill Bennett
@gillhistory.bsky.social
Intelligence historian, music-lover
Reposted by Gill Bennett
Wonderful to see this news that the Kennan Institute will continue its vital work, now as an independent center.
Dismantled by DOGE, a Foreign Policy Center Finds New Life
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Wonderful to see this news that the Kennan Institute will continue its vital work, now as an independent center.
Reposted by Gill Bennett
Reposted by Gill Bennett
The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.
November 10, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.
Reposted by Gill Bennett
More details in this very good article by @jamesrball.com
👇👇
👇👇
The BBC is apologising for its Panorama edit. It shouldn’t. First, the narrative is true: Donald Trump *did* incite the Capitol riot. Second, the apology won’t appease those attacking it. So why not at least stand for something?
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
Wrote this on it earlier this week:
inews.co.uk/news/world/b...
The BBC was right about the Capitol riots. In a sane world, Trump would be in jail
The US President faced impeachment over the violence, and in a world where Republicans had more courage, he would have been found guilty
inews.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 6:19 PM
More details in this very good article by @jamesrball.com
👇👇
👇👇
Reposted by Gill Bennett
I can't imagine a job i'd like to do less. Managing an organisation held to a ludicrous standard by roaring idiots on a daily basis, while the main mediums it uses are all in decline and it's starved of resources.
November 9, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I can't imagine a job i'd like to do less. Managing an organisation held to a ludicrous standard by roaring idiots on a daily basis, while the main mediums it uses are all in decline and it's starved of resources.
Reposted by Gill Bennett
We are so far through the looking glass that the man who tried to overthrow an election becomes president, the people who attacked the Capitol are turned into martyrs, & it's the BBC that gets punished - cheered on by the worst news outlets in the UK & the two most dishonest politicians of our age.
It’s not at all clear to me how the BBC can do any kind of serious journalism if its top two bosses can be forced to quit over such an obviously confected scandal. There is no substantive error here. How can the BBC report on Trump, or Farage, or anyone else, in these circumstances?
November 9, 2025 at 9:08 PM
We are so far through the looking glass that the man who tried to overthrow an election becomes president, the people who attacked the Capitol are turned into martyrs, & it's the BBC that gets punished - cheered on by the worst news outlets in the UK & the two most dishonest politicians of our age.
Reposted by Gill Bennett
This accidentally turned into a short thread. Bit of a rage-thread I'm afraid. Please read to the end if you can. Thanks
Once every 20 years or so, the director-general of the BBC is forced to resign for being insufficiently rightwing. Alastair Milne in 1987. Greg Dyke in 2004. Tim Davie in 2025. The great irony is that the BBC was in all cases profoundly biased towards established power. But just not biased enough …
November 10, 2025 at 6:16 AM
This accidentally turned into a short thread. Bit of a rage-thread I'm afraid. Please read to the end if you can. Thanks
Reposted by Gill Bennett
Note that still in post at the BBC is Robbie Gibb, who helped set up GB News, and John McAndrew, formerly director of news and programmes at GB News.
November 10, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Note that still in post at the BBC is Robbie Gibb, who helped set up GB News, and John McAndrew, formerly director of news and programmes at GB News.
Reposted by Gill Bennett
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 9:23 AM
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
Reposted by Gill Bennett
🕯️ Remembering Paul Ritchie CMG OBE
A dedication by Dr Huw Dylan from @kcsi.uk: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
@kingscollegelondon.bsky.social @warstudieskcl.bsky.social
A dedication by Dr Huw Dylan from @kcsi.uk: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
@kingscollegelondon.bsky.social @warstudieskcl.bsky.social
A dedication to Paul Ritchie CMG OBE from the King's Centre for the…
kcsi.uk
November 7, 2025 at 7:18 PM
🕯️ Remembering Paul Ritchie CMG OBE
A dedication by Dr Huw Dylan from @kcsi.uk: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
@kingscollegelondon.bsky.social @warstudieskcl.bsky.social
A dedication by Dr Huw Dylan from @kcsi.uk: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
@kingscollegelondon.bsky.social @warstudieskcl.bsky.social
Reposted by Gill Bennett
New post just out:
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Flashing Red
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list"
open.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:56 AM
New post just out:
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Why the criminal justice system should be top of No. 10's "shit list".
No part of the public sector is more broken or brings with it greater political risk. As we saw these past two weeks.
It desperately needs a new approach.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/f...
Reposted by Gill Bennett
Technological progress is often equated with shiny gadgets: rockets, robots and AI.
But many of history’s most important innovations have been 'boring', and that has big implications for those working on innovation for social good.
Nesta's Laurie Smith explores how dull can change the world:
But many of history’s most important innovations have been 'boring', and that has big implications for those working on innovation for social good.
Nesta's Laurie Smith explores how dull can change the world:
www.nesta.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Technological progress is often equated with shiny gadgets: rockets, robots and AI.
But many of history’s most important innovations have been 'boring', and that has big implications for those working on innovation for social good.
Nesta's Laurie Smith explores how dull can change the world:
But many of history’s most important innovations have been 'boring', and that has big implications for those working on innovation for social good.
Nesta's Laurie Smith explores how dull can change the world:
Appalling
MAGA mainstreams Fuentes.
Fuentes: “Jews are running society, women need to shut up…Blacks need to be imprisoned for the most part.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
Fuentes: “Jews are running society, women need to shut up…Blacks need to be imprisoned for the most part.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/o...
Opinion | Nick Fuentes Was Charlie Kirk’s Bitter Enemy. Now He’s Becoming His Successor.
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Appalling
Reposted by Gill Bennett
Russian propaganda, infiltration and Quislings in the High North.
www.thebarentsobserver.com/news/apparen...
www.thebarentsobserver.com/news/apparen...
'Apparently, God himself commanded the Russian Orthodox bishop to build a chapel right under NATO radars'
Russian security forces are strengthening their influence in northern Norway — and sowing division within the country.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Russian propaganda, infiltration and Quislings in the High North.
www.thebarentsobserver.com/news/apparen...
www.thebarentsobserver.com/news/apparen...
Reposted by Gill Bennett
This is the talk I gave at the Engelsberg Seminar in June. I had 15 minutes and had prepared a speech but abandoned it and spoke off the cuff, using the three props I had brought along. It felt a bit precarious and I ran out of time, but I think it is one of the best talks I have ever done.
James Barr — The British and French Mandates
YouTube video by The Engelsberg Seminars
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This is the talk I gave at the Engelsberg Seminar in June. I had 15 minutes and had prepared a speech but abandoned it and spoke off the cuff, using the three props I had brought along. It felt a bit precarious and I ran out of time, but I think it is one of the best talks I have ever done.
Reposted by Gill Bennett
Russia's fast-growing greyzone aggression has many guises.
One factor unites them: they're costing the companies/organisations/cities/agencies attacked a lot of money.
Russia is trying to bleed us dry. Building resilience is vital.
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Me @politico.eu. No paywall.
One factor unites them: they're costing the companies/organisations/cities/agencies attacked a lot of money.
Russia is trying to bleed us dry. Building resilience is vital.
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Me @politico.eu. No paywall.
November 5, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Russia's fast-growing greyzone aggression has many guises.
One factor unites them: they're costing the companies/organisations/cities/agencies attacked a lot of money.
Russia is trying to bleed us dry. Building resilience is vital.
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Me @politico.eu. No paywall.
One factor unites them: they're costing the companies/organisations/cities/agencies attacked a lot of money.
Russia is trying to bleed us dry. Building resilience is vital.
www.politico.eu/article/russ...
Me @politico.eu. No paywall.
Reposted by Gill Bennett
“There are some people who hate London, and hate New York,” Mayor Sadiq Khan told me, on Bloomberg TV. “There's a reason why they demonize London, and now, indeed, New York. Why? Because we are progressive cities. We are liberal cities. We are multicultural cities. And we are incredibly successful.”
November 3, 2025 at 7:51 PM
“There are some people who hate London, and hate New York,” Mayor Sadiq Khan told me, on Bloomberg TV. “There's a reason why they demonize London, and now, indeed, New York. Why? Because we are progressive cities. We are liberal cities. We are multicultural cities. And we are incredibly successful.”
Reposted by Gill Bennett
What are the origins of devolution? What can we learn from the '70s? How long should we wait between referendums?
In @dodspolintel.bsky.social's latest collaboration with @qmulsse.bsky.social, @drjoshwells.bsky.social talks to Tom Chidwick about his forthcoming book, Now or Never!
shorturl.at/93ISv
In @dodspolintel.bsky.social's latest collaboration with @qmulsse.bsky.social, @drjoshwells.bsky.social talks to Tom Chidwick about his forthcoming book, Now or Never!
shorturl.at/93ISv
“A Motorway Without an Exit”: In conversation with Tom Chidwick on devolution, division and the future of British politics | Dods Political Intelligence
In this wide-ranging conversation, Tom Chidwick, the political historian and Manager of the Mile End Institute, speaks with Josh Wells about the unfinished story of British devolution and the constitu...
www.dodspoliticalintelligence.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:51 AM
What are the origins of devolution? What can we learn from the '70s? How long should we wait between referendums?
In @dodspolintel.bsky.social's latest collaboration with @qmulsse.bsky.social, @drjoshwells.bsky.social talks to Tom Chidwick about his forthcoming book, Now or Never!
shorturl.at/93ISv
In @dodspolintel.bsky.social's latest collaboration with @qmulsse.bsky.social, @drjoshwells.bsky.social talks to Tom Chidwick about his forthcoming book, Now or Never!
shorturl.at/93ISv
A cheering story for once!
New post just out:
"How to make government work"
We have a guest post from one of the people who built the AI Security Institute on a rare UK success story. With important lessons for the rest of government.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/h...
"How to make government work"
We have a guest post from one of the people who built the AI Security Institute on a rare UK success story. With important lessons for the rest of government.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/h...
How to make government work
Lessons from a rare British success story
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:05 AM
A cheering story for once!
Reposted by Gill Bennett
Where America stands, one year after the election.
A fascistic movement controls the government; they are building an authoritarian state; but they have not been able yet to extend authoritarian rule across society. A democracy no more, but not a consolidated autocratic regime yet.
New piece:
A fascistic movement controls the government; they are building an authoritarian state; but they have not been able yet to extend authoritarian rule across society. A democracy no more, but not a consolidated autocratic regime yet.
New piece:
Escalation, Authoritarian “Normalization,” or a Democratic Turnaround?
One year after the election: What we can say with certainty about the state of the Trumpist assault, where uncertainty lies, and where America might go from here
steady.page
November 4, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Where America stands, one year after the election.
A fascistic movement controls the government; they are building an authoritarian state; but they have not been able yet to extend authoritarian rule across society. A democracy no more, but not a consolidated autocratic regime yet.
New piece:
A fascistic movement controls the government; they are building an authoritarian state; but they have not been able yet to extend authoritarian rule across society. A democracy no more, but not a consolidated autocratic regime yet.
New piece:
Reposted by Gill Bennett
Our webinar on "Whatever it Takes: The Policy Implications of Supporting Ukraine" is now online.
Starring @evieaspinall.bsky.social, @elkeschwarz.bsky.social, @patporter76.bsky.social and @drjamesstrong.bsky.social.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUvQ...
Starring @evieaspinall.bsky.social, @elkeschwarz.bsky.social, @patporter76.bsky.social and @drjamesstrong.bsky.social.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUvQ...
"Whatever it takes": The Policy Implications of Supporting Ukraine
YouTube video by Mile End Institute
www.youtube.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Our webinar on "Whatever it Takes: The Policy Implications of Supporting Ukraine" is now online.
Starring @evieaspinall.bsky.social, @elkeschwarz.bsky.social, @patporter76.bsky.social and @drjamesstrong.bsky.social.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUvQ...
Starring @evieaspinall.bsky.social, @elkeschwarz.bsky.social, @patporter76.bsky.social and @drjamesstrong.bsky.social.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUvQ...
Reposted by Gill Bennett
Russian intelligence uses GenAI for the same reason companies do - productivity.
The difference? Their output is disinformation and cyber attacks. And they use YOUR AI tools because they can't build their own.
My latest for KCSI Insights: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
@kcsi.uk @warstudieskcl.bsky.social
The difference? Their output is disinformation and cyber attacks. And they use YOUR AI tools because they can't build their own.
My latest for KCSI Insights: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
@kcsi.uk @warstudieskcl.bsky.social
If You Can't Beat Them, Steal: Russia's AI Strategy
kcsi.uk
November 3, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Russian intelligence uses GenAI for the same reason companies do - productivity.
The difference? Their output is disinformation and cyber attacks. And they use YOUR AI tools because they can't build their own.
My latest for KCSI Insights: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
@kcsi.uk @warstudieskcl.bsky.social
The difference? Their output is disinformation and cyber attacks. And they use YOUR AI tools because they can't build their own.
My latest for KCSI Insights: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
@kcsi.uk @warstudieskcl.bsky.social
Reposted by Gill Bennett
"The state’s exclusive control over the legitimate use of force is quietly eroding—apparently with its own consent."
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”. An op-ed opinion piece I wrote with @rbarretttaylor.bsky.social for @opiniojuris.bsky.social
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”. An op-ed opinion piece I wrote with @rbarretttaylor.bsky.social for @opiniojuris.bsky.social
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”
[Dr Rupert Barrett-Taylor is a Research Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute focused on the ethical, operational, and epistemological implications of Artificial Intelligence in military operations. …
opiniojuris.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:27 PM
"The state’s exclusive control over the legitimate use of force is quietly eroding—apparently with its own consent."
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”. An op-ed opinion piece I wrote with @rbarretttaylor.bsky.social for @opiniojuris.bsky.social
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Eroding Sovereignty in the Age of “War as a Service”. An op-ed opinion piece I wrote with @rbarretttaylor.bsky.social for @opiniojuris.bsky.social
opiniojuris.org/2025/11/03/e...
Reposted by Gill Bennett
📅From cyber-attacks to supply chain concerns, the UK faces a spectrum of economic security challenges. Join us for the launch of a new report from the Business and Trade Committee, with Liam Byrne MP, addressing these threats and proposing essential reforms.
Toward A New Doctrine For Economic Security
Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the Business and Trade Committee, will launch the Committee's new report calling for the UK to rethink its approach to economic security.
my.rusi.org
November 3, 2025 at 4:51 PM
📅From cyber-attacks to supply chain concerns, the UK faces a spectrum of economic security challenges. Join us for the launch of a new report from the Business and Trade Committee, with Liam Byrne MP, addressing these threats and proposing essential reforms.
Reposted by Gill Bennett
