John Curtis
@johncurtis.bsky.social
Senior Researcher/Clerk at the House of Commons Library, researching Asia, Americas and the NI Protocol. War Studies alumnus. Follow for tepid takes on uncontroversial subjects.
I’ve published a short briefing on the US’s capture of Nicolás Maduro
I’m sure it will need updating soon…
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
I’m sure it will need updating soon…
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
The US capture of Nicolás Maduro
This briefing looks at the January 2026 US military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, statements by President Trump and US officials, the UK and international response, and questi...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
January 6, 2026 at 9:29 PM
I’ve published a short briefing on the US’s capture of Nicolás Maduro
I’m sure it will need updating soon…
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
I’m sure it will need updating soon…
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
A briefing on Chinese state threat activities in the UK published this week
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Chinese state threat activities in the UK
China has been accused of conducting state-threat activities in the UK such as industrial espionage, cyber-attacks, and spying on politicians. The UK Government has responded by passing new legislatio...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
December 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
A briefing on Chinese state threat activities in the UK published this week
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
A briefing on Iranian state threat activities in the UK published last week
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Iranian state threat activities in the UK
What is the assessment of state threats from Iran, and what has been the UK response?
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
December 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
A briefing on Iranian state threat activities in the UK published last week
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Our briefing on countering Russian influence in the UK, updated May
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Countering Russian influence in the UK
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK has applied sanctions and changed rules around visas and corporate transparency to counter Russian influence.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
December 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Our briefing on countering Russian influence in the UK, updated May
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
A short briefing on foreign interference to support yesterday's debate commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
The impact of foreign interference on security, trade and democracy
A debate on the impact of foreign interference on security, trade and democracy is scheduled to take place in the House of Commons Chamber on Thursday 11 December 2025. The debate was scheduled by the...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
December 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
A short briefing on foreign interference to support yesterday's debate commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
There has been a sustained focus on state threats & foreign interference activities in the UK over the last few weeks, including a debate on the impact of foreign interference on security, trade & democracy in the Commons yesterday.
Below are some relevant Library briefings that might be of interest
Below are some relevant Library briefings that might be of interest
December 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
There has been a sustained focus on state threats & foreign interference activities in the UK over the last few weeks, including a debate on the impact of foreign interference on security, trade & democracy in the Commons yesterday.
Below are some relevant Library briefings that might be of interest
Below are some relevant Library briefings that might be of interest
Reposted by John Curtis
When the House sits late, the Commons library stays open 📚
On Monday nights, library services are available to MPs and their staff, long after the sun sets. Follow John for a quick tour of one of Parliament's key services.
On Monday nights, library services are available to MPs and their staff, long after the sun sets. Follow John for a quick tour of one of Parliament's key services.
October 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
When the House sits late, the Commons library stays open 📚
On Monday nights, library services are available to MPs and their staff, long after the sun sets. Follow John for a quick tour of one of Parliament's key services.
On Monday nights, library services are available to MPs and their staff, long after the sun sets. Follow John for a quick tour of one of Parliament's key services.
Great spot. It wasn't listed on the Royal Household's list of state visits www.royal.uk/sites/defaul...
The RH called it a "Papal Visit", not state visit at the time www.royal.uk/papal-visit-...
But it's described as a "Papal state visit" in 2015 by gvmnt
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Interesting
The RH called it a "Papal Visit", not state visit at the time www.royal.uk/papal-visit-...
But it's described as a "Papal state visit" in 2015 by gvmnt
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Interesting
www.royal.uk
September 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Great spot. It wasn't listed on the Royal Household's list of state visits www.royal.uk/sites/defaul...
The RH called it a "Papal Visit", not state visit at the time www.royal.uk/papal-visit-...
But it's described as a "Papal state visit" in 2015 by gvmnt
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Interesting
The RH called it a "Papal Visit", not state visit at the time www.royal.uk/papal-visit-...
But it's described as a "Papal state visit" in 2015 by gvmnt
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Interesting
I put together a short briefing with David Torrance on state visits to the UK. Found out a few interesting nuggets while researching it
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
State visits to the UK
What are state visits? Who decides who is invited? Who pays the costs? What is the format of a state visit? Do they always include addresses to Parliament?
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
September 17, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I put together a short briefing with David Torrance on state visits to the UK. Found out a few interesting nuggets while researching it
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Also includes a spreadsheet of all state visits since 1952 including addresses to Parliament
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Though only 9 of the 20 Opposition Days have been used, which is very low considering it would usually be around the end of a parliamentary session by now
August 28, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Though only 9 of the 20 Opposition Days have been used, which is very low considering it would usually be around the end of a parliamentary session by now
Extending a session does bring issues, such as needing to add extra Opposition Days and days for consideration of Private Members’ Bills, which are fixed at 20 and 13 per session, respectively. Though the Government isn’t obliged to do so.
All 13 PMB days have been used this session.
All 13 PMB days have been used this session.
NEW: The government has announced that this session of parliament will last until spring 2026. Among other things, that means that the assisted dying bill has another 7-8 months to complete its passage through the Lords, increasingly the likelihood of it becoming law.
August 28, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Extending a session does bring issues, such as needing to add extra Opposition Days and days for consideration of Private Members’ Bills, which are fixed at 20 and 13 per session, respectively. Though the Government isn’t obliged to do so.
All 13 PMB days have been used this session.
All 13 PMB days have been used this session.
Reposted by John Curtis
NEW: The government has announced that this session of parliament will last until spring 2026. Among other things, that means that the assisted dying bill has another 7-8 months to complete its passage through the Lords, increasingly the likelihood of it becoming law.
August 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM
NEW: The government has announced that this session of parliament will last until spring 2026. Among other things, that means that the assisted dying bill has another 7-8 months to complete its passage through the Lords, increasingly the likelihood of it becoming law.
You might want to check who you’re tagging in these. The Senator doesn’t have a Bluesky account as far as I can see
August 4, 2025 at 1:56 PM
You might want to check who you’re tagging in these. The Senator doesn’t have a Bluesky account as far as I can see
The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee published its first report of the session today on the ‘Israel-Palestine conflict’.
One of their recommendations is that the UK Government “should now recognise the state of Palestine” (though it divided on this issue)
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
One of their recommendations is that the UK Government “should now recognise the state of Palestine” (though it divided on this issue)
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
July 25, 2025 at 9:35 AM
The Commons Foreign Affairs Committee published its first report of the session today on the ‘Israel-Palestine conflict’.
One of their recommendations is that the UK Government “should now recognise the state of Palestine” (though it divided on this issue)
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
One of their recommendations is that the UK Government “should now recognise the state of Palestine” (though it divided on this issue)
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
The US State Department has not published its annual country human rights reports which are usually put out in Spring. The FCDO have not published their annual human rights report in two years.
I would just like me some good up to date official sources for this stuff.
I would just like me some good up to date official sources for this stuff.
July 15, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The US State Department has not published its annual country human rights reports which are usually put out in Spring. The FCDO have not published their annual human rights report in two years.
I would just like me some good up to date official sources for this stuff.
I would just like me some good up to date official sources for this stuff.
My Reception year teacher was still using ITA in 1989! And it caused me difficulties reading as I’d already learned to read using the normal alphabet before I started school. Thankfully, a new headteacher came in and made her stop using it www.theguardian.com/education/20...
The radical 1960s schools experiment that created a whole new alphabet – and left thousands of children unable to spell
Decades ago, a generation of UK schoolchildren unwittingly took part in an initiative aimed at boosting reading skills – with lasting consequences
www.theguardian.com
July 7, 2025 at 3:24 PM
My Reception year teacher was still using ITA in 1989! And it caused me difficulties reading as I’d already learned to read using the normal alphabet before I started school. Thankfully, a new headteacher came in and made her stop using it www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Realised that the only cold drinks in my fridge currently are non-alcoholic beers. Would feel rather wrong to drink them whilst working during the middle of the day however…
June 20, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Realised that the only cold drinks in my fridge currently are non-alcoholic beers. Would feel rather wrong to drink them whilst working during the middle of the day however…
You know you’re healing from Brexit stress syndrome when you start looking at it all with nostalgia.
If she wants to jump back in with Iran/Israel nuclear drama which I’m temporarily dealing with I have a draft briefing paper waiting 😝
If she wants to jump back in with Iran/Israel nuclear drama which I’m temporarily dealing with I have a draft briefing paper waiting 😝
June 20, 2025 at 9:21 AM
You know you’re healing from Brexit stress syndrome when you start looking at it all with nostalgia.
If she wants to jump back in with Iran/Israel nuclear drama which I’m temporarily dealing with I have a draft briefing paper waiting 😝
If she wants to jump back in with Iran/Israel nuclear drama which I’m temporarily dealing with I have a draft briefing paper waiting 😝
We published a briefing on Iran’s nuclear programme and the ongoing Israeli-Iranian military strikes
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Israel-Iran 2025: Developments in Iran's nuclear programme and military action
On 13 June 2025, Israel launched a series of attacks against Iran’s nuclear programme.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
June 17, 2025 at 11:32 PM
We published a briefing on Iran’s nuclear programme and the ongoing Israeli-Iranian military strikes
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
EU-UK agreement on Gibraltar reached (at political level, full legal text to come)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
UK-EU Agreement in Respect of Gibraltar: Joint statement
A joint statement from the UK, European Commission, Spain and Gibraltar following talks today (11 June) in Brussels.
www.gov.uk
June 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM
EU-UK agreement on Gibraltar reached (at political level, full legal text to come)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Think this is the first time I’ve gone to a Chatham House event with protestors outside. Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s effective Prime Minister, is speaking at 11
June 11, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Think this is the first time I’ve gone to a Chatham House event with protestors outside. Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s effective Prime Minister, is speaking at 11
Defence Secretary will make a statement to the House of Commons on the Strategic Defence Review around 3.30 pm
First opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny
Our FAQ’s briefing gives the background and links to several others that give the context
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
First opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny
Our FAQ’s briefing gives the background and links to several others that give the context
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
The forthcoming strategic defence review 2025: FAQ
The government will publish a strategic defence review in 2025, considering threats to the UK and how to meet them. What do we know about it so far?
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
June 2, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Defence Secretary will make a statement to the House of Commons on the Strategic Defence Review around 3.30 pm
First opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny
Our FAQ’s briefing gives the background and links to several others that give the context
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
First opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny
Our FAQ’s briefing gives the background and links to several others that give the context
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Tehanu is very different in style and scale. It’s more domestic than epic, the stakes are smaller (not saving the world) but also somehow more important.
Be interesting to hear your thoughts when you read it
Be interesting to hear your thoughts when you read it
May 22, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Tehanu is very different in style and scale. It’s more domestic than epic, the stakes are smaller (not saving the world) but also somehow more important.
Be interesting to hear your thoughts when you read it
Be interesting to hear your thoughts when you read it
I published a briefing on Friday on the latest military confrontation between India & Pakistan over Kashmir.
It also looks at the origins of the Kashmir dispute, international reaction to the current crisis, and analysis of how it escalated
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
It also looks at the origins of the Kashmir dispute, international reaction to the current crisis, and analysis of how it escalated
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
Kashmir: Renewed India-Pakistan tensions
This briefing looks at the May 2025 military confrontation between India and Pakistan, sparked by the Pahalgam attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir in April 2025. It explores the historical basis fo...
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
May 18, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I published a briefing on Friday on the latest military confrontation between India & Pakistan over Kashmir.
It also looks at the origins of the Kashmir dispute, international reaction to the current crisis, and analysis of how it escalated
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
It also looks at the origins of the Kashmir dispute, international reaction to the current crisis, and analysis of how it escalated
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-bri...
I’m a bit busy with Kashmir right now- fortunately my trade colleagues will do the heavy lifting on these agreements- I can just sprinkle them with a light section on the general bilateral relationship 😝
May 8, 2025 at 11:13 AM
I’m a bit busy with Kashmir right now- fortunately my trade colleagues will do the heavy lifting on these agreements- I can just sprinkle them with a light section on the general bilateral relationship 😝