Ian Birrell
@ianbirrell.bsky.social
Foreign correspondent, columnist, campaigner, co-founder Africa Express, citizen of the world and a bit more besides…
Earthquake alarms sounding here in Mexico
January 2, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Earthquake alarms sounding here in Mexico
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Democracies need to urgently rein in the tech titans manipulating human behaviour and social media firms damaging society so badly before it is too late.
My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/tech...
My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/tech...
The tech bros have programmed our behaviour - but the fightback is coming
Democratic governments must find a way to hold them accountable for their harms
inews.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Democracies need to urgently rein in the tech titans manipulating human behaviour and social media firms damaging society so badly before it is too late.
My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/tech...
My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/tech...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
'Sensitive historical fissures combine with an all too familiar catalogue of modern issues — disinformation, migration, populism, security, tech and trade battles — to create a combustible political environment'
Poland is turning on its Ukrainians - my @unherd.com report unherd.com/2025/12/pola...
Poland is turning on its Ukrainians - my @unherd.com report unherd.com/2025/12/pola...
Poland has turned on its Ukrainians
unherd.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:43 PM
'Sensitive historical fissures combine with an all too familiar catalogue of modern issues — disinformation, migration, populism, security, tech and trade battles — to create a combustible political environment'
Poland is turning on its Ukrainians - my @unherd.com report unherd.com/2025/12/pola...
Poland is turning on its Ukrainians - my @unherd.com report unherd.com/2025/12/pola...
'Sensitive historical fissures combine with an all too familiar catalogue of modern issues — disinformation, migration, populism, security, tech and trade battles — to create a combustible political environment'
Poland is turning on its Ukrainians - my @unherd.com report unherd.com/2025/12/pola...
Poland is turning on its Ukrainians - my @unherd.com report unherd.com/2025/12/pola...
Poland has turned on its Ukrainians
unherd.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:43 PM
'Sensitive historical fissures combine with an all too familiar catalogue of modern issues — disinformation, migration, populism, security, tech and trade battles — to create a combustible political environment'
Poland is turning on its Ukrainians - my @unherd.com report unherd.com/2025/12/pola...
Poland is turning on its Ukrainians - my @unherd.com report unherd.com/2025/12/pola...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
‘As the first quarter of our century comes to a close with an extraordinarily turbulent year, it is clear this struggle to control the digital space that has become our interface with the world will define the future – of countries, of culture, of democracy, of freedom and even of humanity itself.’
December 21, 2025 at 10:53 PM
‘As the first quarter of our century comes to a close with an extraordinarily turbulent year, it is clear this struggle to control the digital space that has become our interface with the world will define the future – of countries, of culture, of democracy, of freedom and even of humanity itself.’
Reposted by Ian Birrell
‘Power without responsibility is now the preserve of the tech giants thanks to governments dazzled by the online overlords. Democracies must find a way to hold them accountable for their harms, make them liable for the lies & hate spewed on their sites, and restrain their hideously corrosive impact…
Democracies need to urgently rein in the tech titans manipulating human behaviour and social media firms damaging society so badly before it is too late.
My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/tech...
My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/tech...
The tech bros have programmed our behaviour - but the fightback is coming
Democratic governments must find a way to hold them accountable for their harms
inews.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 10:53 PM
‘Power without responsibility is now the preserve of the tech giants thanks to governments dazzled by the online overlords. Democracies must find a way to hold them accountable for their harms, make them liable for the lies & hate spewed on their sites, and restrain their hideously corrosive impact…
‘Power without responsibility is now the preserve of the tech giants thanks to governments dazzled by the online overlords. Democracies must find a way to hold them accountable for their harms, make them liable for the lies & hate spewed on their sites, and restrain their hideously corrosive impact…
Democracies need to urgently rein in the tech titans manipulating human behaviour and social media firms damaging society so badly before it is too late.
My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/tech...
My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/tech...
The tech bros have programmed our behaviour - but the fightback is coming
Democratic governments must find a way to hold them accountable for their harms
inews.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 10:53 PM
‘Power without responsibility is now the preserve of the tech giants thanks to governments dazzled by the online overlords. Democracies must find a way to hold them accountable for their harms, make them liable for the lies & hate spewed on their sites, and restrain their hideously corrosive impact…
Democracies need to urgently rein in the tech titans manipulating human behaviour and social media firms damaging society so badly before it is too late.
My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/tech...
My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/tech...
The tech bros have programmed our behaviour - but the fightback is coming
Democratic governments must find a way to hold them accountable for their harms
inews.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Democracies need to urgently rein in the tech titans manipulating human behaviour and social media firms damaging society so badly before it is too late.
My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/tech...
My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/tech...
This pathetic Belgian leader gave in to Kremlin threats and intimidation, preventing the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. He stands before the world and will be judged by history as a symbol of European weakness at a time of grave danger for democracy.
December 19, 2025 at 6:34 PM
This pathetic Belgian leader gave in to Kremlin threats and intimidation, preventing the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. He stands before the world and will be judged by history as a symbol of European weakness at a time of grave danger for democracy.
After invading Georgia in 2008, Putin said Crimea was not disputed territory and that Russia recognised modern-day Ukraine and its borders.
Why would anyone but a fool trust this snake now?
Why would anyone but a fool trust this snake now?
December 19, 2025 at 6:17 PM
After invading Georgia in 2008, Putin said Crimea was not disputed territory and that Russia recognised modern-day Ukraine and its borders.
Why would anyone but a fool trust this snake now?
Why would anyone but a fool trust this snake now?
Reposted by Ian Birrell
...In other words, Russia has traded enormous manpower losses for meaningless territorial gains.'
Spot-on piece byYevhenii Malik on the failure of Russia's campaign www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Spot-on piece byYevhenii Malik on the failure of Russia's campaign www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | ‘Reality speaks for itself’: This narrative about Ukraine is collapsing
Russia boasts of gains, but its army is trading lives for villages with no strategic value.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM
...In other words, Russia has traded enormous manpower losses for meaningless territorial gains.'
Spot-on piece byYevhenii Malik on the failure of Russia's campaign www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Spot-on piece byYevhenii Malik on the failure of Russia's campaign www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
The Russian military has not seized a single large or medium-sized city this year. It has not captured a single key transportation hub. And it has not produced a single operational breakthrough capable of altering the course of the war...
December 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM
The Russian military has not seized a single large or medium-sized city this year. It has not captured a single key transportation hub. And it has not produced a single operational breakthrough capable of altering the course of the war...
The Russian military has not seized a single large or medium-sized city this year. It has not captured a single key transportation hub. And it has not produced a single operational breakthrough capable of altering the course of the war...
December 19, 2025 at 12:44 PM
The Russian military has not seized a single large or medium-sized city this year. It has not captured a single key transportation hub. And it has not produced a single operational breakthrough capable of altering the course of the war...
Excellent and must-read @unherd.com analysis by Luke de Polford on UK weakness in face of sustained assault by China unherd.com/2025/12/the-...
The UK is falling into China's trap
unherd.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Excellent and must-read @unherd.com analysis by Luke de Polford on UK weakness in face of sustained assault by China unherd.com/2025/12/the-...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Zelensky is threatened with a bitter choice: take on Trump or his own people. My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/zele...
Zelensky faces a bitter choice: take on Trump – or betray his own people
I've just got back from Ukraine, where the mood was dark, realistic, and defiant
inews.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Zelensky is threatened with a bitter choice: take on Trump or his own people. My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/zele...
Jimmy Lai is a hero of the fight for freedom. If the UK government now gives in to China over its mega-embassy in London, it is the most shameful kowtowing to dictatorship
BREAKING: Hong Kong court convicts Jimmy Lai, founder of former pro-democracy newspaper, in landmark national security trial.
Former Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai convicted in landmark national security trial
Jimmy Lai, the former Hong Kong media mogul and outspoken critic of Beijing, has been convicted in a landmark national security trial in the city’s court, which could send him to prison for the rest of his life.
bit.ly
December 15, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Jimmy Lai is a hero of the fight for freedom. If the UK government now gives in to China over its mega-embassy in London, it is the most shameful kowtowing to dictatorship
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Opinion | I've just got back from Ukraine, where the mood was dark, realistic, and defiant
🖋 @ianbirrell.bsky.social
Read more: trib.al/kDTFygU
🖋 @ianbirrell.bsky.social
Read more: trib.al/kDTFygU
December 14, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Opinion | I've just got back from Ukraine, where the mood was dark, realistic, and defiant
🖋 @ianbirrell.bsky.social
Read more: trib.al/kDTFygU
🖋 @ianbirrell.bsky.social
Read more: trib.al/kDTFygU
Zelensky is threatened with a bitter choice: take on Trump or his own people. My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/zele...
Zelensky faces a bitter choice: take on Trump – or betray his own people
I've just got back from Ukraine, where the mood was dark, realistic, and defiant
inews.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Zelensky is threatened with a bitter choice: take on Trump or his own people. My @theipaper.com column inews.co.uk/opinion/zele...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Every few years I remember that this exists and then I get to spend 3 minutes rocking helplessly with laughter www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD3Q...
Hlavní nadraží Praha - znělka 02 (Dlouhá verze)
YouTube video by Pavel Jirásek
www.youtube.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Every few years I remember that this exists and then I get to spend 3 minutes rocking helplessly with laughter www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD3Q...
The job, btw, is Secretary of State for Health and Social Care but Westminster always forgets the second bit
Brutal on Streeting from colleague: ‘Wes has zero interest in the health service or patients. He has subcontracted the job of secretary of state for health to Alan Milburn so he can concentrate full-time on what he regards as the far more important job of being Wes Streeting’
December 13, 2025 at 10:06 AM
The job, btw, is Secretary of State for Health and Social Care but Westminster always forgets the second bit
Brutal on Streeting from colleague: ‘Wes has zero interest in the health service or patients. He has subcontracted the job of secretary of state for health to Alan Milburn so he can concentrate full-time on what he regards as the far more important job of being Wes Streeting’
December 13, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Brutal on Streeting from colleague: ‘Wes has zero interest in the health service or patients. He has subcontracted the job of secretary of state for health to Alan Milburn so he can concentrate full-time on what he regards as the far more important job of being Wes Streeting’
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Zelensky arrived in Kupyansk, which Putin claims is "under Russian control."
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Zelensky arrived in Kupyansk, which Putin claims is "under Russian control."
Reposted by Ian Birrell
'Every night Putin tries to kill us with drone and missiles. But in the morning we must go to work because Ukraine must keep going.'
My report on the tears, fears and grief in war-weary Ukraine, still defiant despite Putin's atrocities and Trump's betrayal
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
My report on the tears, fears and grief in war-weary Ukraine, still defiant despite Putin's atrocities and Trump's betrayal
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
At night Putin tried to kill us. In the morning we have to go to work
IAN BIRRELL meets the battle-weary and traumatised citizens of Kyiv as they face a fourth Christmas at war.
www.dailymail.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 7:56 AM
'Every night Putin tries to kill us with drone and missiles. But in the morning we must go to work because Ukraine must keep going.'
My report on the tears, fears and grief in war-weary Ukraine, still defiant despite Putin's atrocities and Trump's betrayal
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
My report on the tears, fears and grief in war-weary Ukraine, still defiant despite Putin's atrocities and Trump's betrayal
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ian Birrell
Read our full statement on the money for units: www.specialneedsjungle.com/l...
"Some have claimed we're too cynical and inflexible on disabled children's rights. But here we are, with a clear indication that the government has given up on any sense of meaningful mainstream inclusion..”
"Some have claimed we're too cynical and inflexible on disabled children's rights. But here we are, with a clear indication that the government has given up on any sense of meaningful mainstream inclusion..”
December 12, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Read our full statement on the money for units: www.specialneedsjungle.com/l...
"Some have claimed we're too cynical and inflexible on disabled children's rights. But here we are, with a clear indication that the government has given up on any sense of meaningful mainstream inclusion..”
"Some have claimed we're too cynical and inflexible on disabled children's rights. But here we are, with a clear indication that the government has given up on any sense of meaningful mainstream inclusion..”
'Every night Putin tries to kill us with drone and missiles. But in the morning we must go to work because Ukraine must keep going.'
My report on the tears, fears and grief in war-weary Ukraine, still defiant despite Putin's atrocities and Trump's betrayal
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
My report on the tears, fears and grief in war-weary Ukraine, still defiant despite Putin's atrocities and Trump's betrayal
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
At night Putin tried to kill us. In the morning we have to go to work
IAN BIRRELL meets the battle-weary and traumatised citizens of Kyiv as they face a fourth Christmas at war.
www.dailymail.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 7:56 AM
'Every night Putin tries to kill us with drone and missiles. But in the morning we must go to work because Ukraine must keep going.'
My report on the tears, fears and grief in war-weary Ukraine, still defiant despite Putin's atrocities and Trump's betrayal
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
My report on the tears, fears and grief in war-weary Ukraine, still defiant despite Putin's atrocities and Trump's betrayal
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...