Jonathan Boff
@jfb1066.bsky.social
Military Historian. Writing a book on Economic Statecraft and Money as a Weapon of War (OUP, 2026). Strategy. Author of 2 award-winning books on the First World War. Professor at University of Birmingham.
I’d like them to do a retro Bond, set in the 60s
The New Bond is obvious.
November 11, 2025 at 10:46 AM
I’d like them to do a retro Bond, set in the 60s
A new horror word spotted in the Daily Telegraph today: ‘delusional’,
to go alongside ‘inspirational’.
What’s wrong with ‘deluded’ and ‘inspiring’??!
to go alongside ‘inspirational’.
What’s wrong with ‘deluded’ and ‘inspiring’??!
November 10, 2025 at 10:07 AM
A new horror word spotted in the Daily Telegraph today: ‘delusional’,
to go alongside ‘inspirational’.
What’s wrong with ‘deluded’ and ‘inspiring’??!
to go alongside ‘inspirational’.
What’s wrong with ‘deluded’ and ‘inspiring’??!
November 7, 2025 at 1:56 PM
At Festival Hall last night for the @philharmonialondon.bsky.social
under Thomas Sondergard.
A tentative start with an over-slow Liebestod but then a lovely Strauss 4 Last Songs from a luminous Masabane Cecilia Ranganawasha and a thrilling and challenging Tchaikovsky Pathetique to finish. 👏
under Thomas Sondergard.
A tentative start with an over-slow Liebestod but then a lovely Strauss 4 Last Songs from a luminous Masabane Cecilia Ranganawasha and a thrilling and challenging Tchaikovsky Pathetique to finish. 👏
November 7, 2025 at 7:54 AM
At Festival Hall last night for the @philharmonialondon.bsky.social
under Thomas Sondergard.
A tentative start with an over-slow Liebestod but then a lovely Strauss 4 Last Songs from a luminous Masabane Cecilia Ranganawasha and a thrilling and challenging Tchaikovsky Pathetique to finish. 👏
under Thomas Sondergard.
A tentative start with an over-slow Liebestod but then a lovely Strauss 4 Last Songs from a luminous Masabane Cecilia Ranganawasha and a thrilling and challenging Tchaikovsky Pathetique to finish. 👏
Yes, IT training, of course I’d like to watch a 4 minute comedy sketch that will help my pick ‘a top shelf password’.
Or: Answer B
Or: Answer B
November 5, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Yes, IT training, of course I’d like to watch a 4 minute comedy sketch that will help my pick ‘a top shelf password’.
Or: Answer B
Or: Answer B
Reposted by Jonathan Boff
➡️ “Norms of War and the Austro-Hungarian Encounter with Serbia, 1914–1918.” by Jonathan E. Gumz,
🔎 Explores how Austria-Hungary’s occupation of Serbia challenged pre-war European norms of warfare and international law.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🔎 Explores how Austria-Hungary’s occupation of Serbia challenged pre-war European norms of warfare and international law.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Norms of war and the Austro-Hungarian encounter with Serbia, 1914–1918
This essay first explores European assumptions regarding occupation and war in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These assumptions found their way into international law, but are b...
www.tandfonline.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:19 AM
➡️ “Norms of War and the Austro-Hungarian Encounter with Serbia, 1914–1918.” by Jonathan E. Gumz,
🔎 Explores how Austria-Hungary’s occupation of Serbia challenged pre-war European norms of warfare and international law.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🔎 Explores how Austria-Hungary’s occupation of Serbia challenged pre-war European norms of warfare and international law.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Anyone interested in pursuing doctoral study in military history (broadly defined) and especially in tje strategy snd economic statecraft of tge two world wars: please drop me a line
www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/schola...
www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/schola...
College of Arts and Law Doctoral Scholarships - University of Birmingham
Fully-funded and partially-funded scholarships for doctoral research students studying in the College of Arts of Law in the 2026/27 academic year onwards
www.birmingham.ac.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Anyone interested in pursuing doctoral study in military history (broadly defined) and especially in tje strategy snd economic statecraft of tge two world wars: please drop me a line
www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/schola...
www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/schola...
Not sure I’ve ever seen the Cenatoph so naked
November 4, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Not sure I’ve ever seen the Cenatoph so naked
Liberal democracy is the whole point of America. Without it, there is no America, much less an American military profession.
What happens to the American military profession if liberal democracy fades?
The American Military Officer After Liberalism
Across academia, government, and Silicon Valley, on social media, and in leading journals, intellectuals and political leaders are openly debating what
warontherocks.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Liberal democracy is the whole point of America. Without it, there is no America, much less an American military profession.
There’s much to be said for leaders who don’t let on what they’re thinking and commit only when there’s no choice.
Think Lloyd George and FDR.
But you have to
a) know what you really want and
b) leave everyone you talk to thinking you agree with them until it’s too late to do anything about it
Think Lloyd George and FDR.
But you have to
a) know what you really want and
b) leave everyone you talk to thinking you agree with them until it’s too late to do anything about it
New post just out:
"Who might replace Starmer?"
With pressure growing on the PM, there are a lot of conversations going on in Westminster about who could take over.
Who are the contenders? Who's best placed to win? Would it make any difference?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
"Who might replace Starmer?"
With pressure growing on the PM, there are a lot of conversations going on in Westminster about who could take over.
Who are the contenders? Who's best placed to win? Would it make any difference?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/w...
Who might replace Starmer?
As predicted at the start of the summer, the idea that the Prime Minister might not make it through another year is gaining traction.
open.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 9:27 AM
There’s much to be said for leaders who don’t let on what they’re thinking and commit only when there’s no choice.
Think Lloyd George and FDR.
But you have to
a) know what you really want and
b) leave everyone you talk to thinking you agree with them until it’s too late to do anything about it
Think Lloyd George and FDR.
But you have to
a) know what you really want and
b) leave everyone you talk to thinking you agree with them until it’s too late to do anything about it
There is a corner of Congress House which is forever St Giles Rookery
@tricksterprince.bsky.social
@tricksterprince.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 2:47 PM
There is a corner of Congress House which is forever St Giles Rookery
@tricksterprince.bsky.social
@tricksterprince.bsky.social
Yesterday I saw Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys) in the street so I put my hat on, just so that I could raise it to him.
His reply?
‘What have I, what have I, what have I done to deserve this?’
His reply?
‘What have I, what have I, what have I done to deserve this?’
October 31, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Yesterday I saw Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys) in the street so I put my hat on, just so that I could raise it to him.
His reply?
‘What have I, what have I, what have I done to deserve this?’
His reply?
‘What have I, what have I, what have I done to deserve this?’
Reposted by Jonathan Boff
I m advertising a PhD position as part of our ERC project BLOCKADE. The PhD cand. should focus on myth/narratives of the hunger blockade in Germany, Austria in the era of the World Wars. 4 years of funding, wonderful team, amazing city (evidence attached)! Pls share! www.hsozkult.de/opportunity/...
October 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I m advertising a PhD position as part of our ERC project BLOCKADE. The PhD cand. should focus on myth/narratives of the hunger blockade in Germany, Austria in the era of the World Wars. 4 years of funding, wonderful team, amazing city (evidence attached)! Pls share! www.hsozkult.de/opportunity/...
Interesting conversation at KCL this evening
October 30, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Interesting conversation at KCL this evening
Let us hope that Ms Lam spoke as she did because she hadn’t thought it through properly; and that she has learnt a lesson from this.
Ironically, Katie Lam was named "Parliamentary Newcomer of the Year" last night by the Spectator.
It's an example of the "Boris Johnson" problem in British politics: that being loud, self-promoting and outrageous brings prizes and name-recognition.
Learning your stuff & being thoughtful does not.
It's an example of the "Boris Johnson" problem in British politics: that being loud, self-promoting and outrageous brings prizes and name-recognition.
Learning your stuff & being thoughtful does not.
Further updates on the ignominious end to Lam's ignominious policy. Good to hear Badenoch say "But we have a principle. We don’t believe in making things retrospective." Let's hope all Britain's parties follow that principle. And for a less punitive & vindictive approach to immigration more broadly
October 30, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Let us hope that Ms Lam spoke as she did because she hadn’t thought it through properly; and that she has learnt a lesson from this.
I suppose my employer offering us social media training fits in the ‘better late than never’ bucket
October 30, 2025 at 8:22 AM
I suppose my employer offering us social media training fits in the ‘better late than never’ bucket
@kschake.bsky.social are you selling and signing at KCL tonight, please?
October 30, 2025 at 8:09 AM
@kschake.bsky.social are you selling and signing at KCL tonight, please?
#himari #sibelius #violinconcerto with @lporchestra.bsky.social @ Festival Hall plus #Dvorak #NewWorldSymphony
14 year old star, full house, super evening
14 year old star, full house, super evening
October 29, 2025 at 10:54 PM
#himari #sibelius #violinconcerto with @lporchestra.bsky.social @ Festival Hall plus #Dvorak #NewWorldSymphony
14 year old star, full house, super evening
14 year old star, full house, super evening
We don’t need to worry. I’ve seen The Diplomat and Rufus Sewell has pinched one
"Strategic experts are warning that the Poseidon torpedo would have the potential to devastate a coastal city, cause radioactive floods, and result in millions of deaths."
One nuclear-armed Poseidon torpedo could decimate a coastal city. Russia wants 30 of them.
Russia's nuclear-armed autonomous torpedoes Poseidon may never be used. But they may still provoke uncertainty, speculation, and fear.
thebulletin.org
October 29, 2025 at 4:22 PM
We don’t need to worry. I’ve seen The Diplomat and Rufus Sewell has pinched one
It’s good to know that it’s only the shadow Home Secretary who backs this appalling and immoral idea, not anyone important
Tories confirm Chris Philp's bill proposing mass deportation of people with indefinite leave to remain no longer party policy - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
October 29, 2025 at 3:33 PM
It’s good to know that it’s only the shadow Home Secretary who backs this appalling and immoral idea, not anyone important
Excellent post.
Where does the phrase ‘theory of victory’ come from though? I know it does not belong to @ldfreedman.bsky.social but it seems a very problematic phrase which implies a level of thought invested and certainty of outcome that is disingenuous at best.
Where does the phrase ‘theory of victory’ come from though? I know it does not belong to @ldfreedman.bsky.social but it seems a very problematic phrase which implies a level of thought invested and certainty of outcome that is disingenuous at best.
Is the Russian economy sufficiently in trouble to lead Putin to reappraise his war strategy? I look at the evidence in my latest post (£/free trial), open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/u...?
Ukraine's Theory of Victory
A stalling Russian offensive and a stalling Russian economy
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Excellent post.
Where does the phrase ‘theory of victory’ come from though? I know it does not belong to @ldfreedman.bsky.social but it seems a very problematic phrase which implies a level of thought invested and certainty of outcome that is disingenuous at best.
Where does the phrase ‘theory of victory’ come from though? I know it does not belong to @ldfreedman.bsky.social but it seems a very problematic phrase which implies a level of thought invested and certainty of outcome that is disingenuous at best.
Turn to silent
Use headphones
Please keep telephone conversations short
Consider fellow passengers
It’s not hard
Use headphones
Please keep telephone conversations short
Consider fellow passengers
It’s not hard
Public service announcement: your phone does not need to go "PING!!" every time a text comes in - especially if you're in the quiet carriage.
The rest of the train does not need to be alerted to this Very Important Stream of Messages.
The rest of the train does not need to be alerted to this Very Important Stream of Messages.
October 28, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Turn to silent
Use headphones
Please keep telephone conversations short
Consider fellow passengers
It’s not hard
Use headphones
Please keep telephone conversations short
Consider fellow passengers
It’s not hard
The bill was worth waiting for!
Sorry @curatorian.bsky.social forgot to tag you.
Sorry @curatorian.bsky.social forgot to tag you.
October 28, 2025 at 8:41 AM
The bill was worth waiting for!
Sorry @curatorian.bsky.social forgot to tag you.
Sorry @curatorian.bsky.social forgot to tag you.
www.sushiaoki.jp/en/index.html
We also went to this place when his father was running it and I had to secure an introduction through a posh Japanese friend to be allowed in. At the end of the evening I asked for the bill, was told to relax, and it came in the post about two months later.
We also went to this place when his father was running it and I had to secure an introduction through a posh Japanese friend to be allowed in. At the end of the evening I asked for the bill, was told to relax, and it came in the post about two months later.
銀座 鮨青木(Ginza SUSHI AOKI)：銀座／江戸前鮨・すし
鮨 青木は銀座にあります。江戸前鮨・すし・鮨のケータリング・出張サービスも承っております。
www.sushiaoki.jp
October 28, 2025 at 8:38 AM
www.sushiaoki.jp/en/index.html
We also went to this place when his father was running it and I had to secure an introduction through a posh Japanese friend to be allowed in. At the end of the evening I asked for the bill, was told to relax, and it came in the post about two months later.
We also went to this place when his father was running it and I had to secure an introduction through a posh Japanese friend to be allowed in. At the end of the evening I asked for the bill, was told to relax, and it came in the post about two months later.
Reposted by Jonathan Boff
Thanks to the generosity of the Clore Duffield Foundation we are recruiting a specialist Holocaust curator at IWM. This is an exciting role that'll be responsible for IWM’s internationally significant Holocaust collections and galleries. Details here:
imperialwarmuseums.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...
imperialwarmuseums.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...
Quick Check Needed
imperialwarmuseums.tal.net
October 27, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Thanks to the generosity of the Clore Duffield Foundation we are recruiting a specialist Holocaust curator at IWM. This is an exciting role that'll be responsible for IWM’s internationally significant Holocaust collections and galleries. Details here:
imperialwarmuseums.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...
imperialwarmuseums.tal.net/vx/lang-en-G...