Keir Giles
@keirgiles.bsky.social
Twitter refugee #1,383,497
Pinned
Keir Giles
@keirgiles.bsky.social
· Jul 2
I Was Hacked Because I Work on Russia
But the same clever new attack could be used against almost anyone.
foreignpolicy.com
More on the very clever, but also very simple, way unknown persons* convinced me to crack open my email account for them last month.
Here's the problem: almost all of us have this same back door in our security. Now it's in the open, could we all be targets?
foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/02/g...
Here's the problem: almost all of us have this same back door in our security. Now it's in the open, could we all be targets?
foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/02/g...
Quite disappointed they didn’t have rancid polecat.
November 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Quite disappointed they didn’t have rancid polecat.
WHAT WOULD HE SAY.
November 18, 2025 at 12:56 PM
WHAT WOULD HE SAY.
If it has not done so already, NATO needs to wake up fast to the growing UK-shaped gap in its plans.
In August I wrote of dashed hopes for the new Labour government. Today, Julian Lindley-French - www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-br... - writes of how the gap with serious NATO allies is widening fast.
In August I wrote of dashed hopes for the new Labour government. Today, Julian Lindley-French - www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-br... - writes of how the gap with serious NATO allies is widening fast.
November 17, 2025 at 6:22 PM
If it has not done so already, NATO needs to wake up fast to the growing UK-shaped gap in its plans.
In August I wrote of dashed hopes for the new Labour government. Today, Julian Lindley-French - www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-br... - writes of how the gap with serious NATO allies is widening fast.
In August I wrote of dashed hopes for the new Labour government. Today, Julian Lindley-French - www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-br... - writes of how the gap with serious NATO allies is widening fast.
Grammarians and OCD types, look away now.
That’s the third time she has said over the PA: “Once again, this is your last and final boarding call.”
That’s the third time she has said over the PA: “Once again, this is your last and final boarding call.”
November 17, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Grammarians and OCD types, look away now.
That’s the third time she has said over the PA: “Once again, this is your last and final boarding call.”
That’s the third time she has said over the PA: “Once again, this is your last and final boarding call.”
The 1970s were a very long time ago. Trust me, I know this.
November 16, 2025 at 5:43 PM
The 1970s were a very long time ago. Trust me, I know this.
Reposted by Keir Giles
Germany, a country of 84 million people, aspires to have a war-time military slightly smaller than Finland, a country of 5.6 million people, by 2035.
This would be great but it’s kinda funny that Germany would still have a small total force + reserve than Finland (wartime strength 280,000 and total reserve about 900,000)
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
November 15, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Germany, a country of 84 million people, aspires to have a war-time military slightly smaller than Finland, a country of 5.6 million people, by 2035.
Thanks to @rich-bryant.uk for reposting because that led to a tiny thrill at discovering that @joanarmatrading.bsky.social (!!!) is on here and, astonishingly, I am only follower No. 667.
I was commissioned to write a choral piece CBSO and Choir. Performance is 7th of December in Symphony Hall Birmingham. You can get tickets here. I'm beyond excited for the premier.
tinyurl.com/ytpe94sz
tinyurl.com/ytpe94sz
November 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Thanks to @rich-bryant.uk for reposting because that led to a tiny thrill at discovering that @joanarmatrading.bsky.social (!!!) is on here and, astonishingly, I am only follower No. 667.
The old joke about the primary international response to war crimes, aggression and atrocities by Russia being a strongly worded tweet was never actually a joke.
November 15, 2025 at 10:21 AM
The old joke about the primary international response to war crimes, aggression and atrocities by Russia being a strongly worded tweet was never actually a joke.
Russia's insatiable demand for bodies to feed the meatgrinder of its war on Ukraine has a real and tragic human cost for the Global South. Here @munira.bsky.social in @engelsbergideas.bsky.social describes deceit and exploitation in Africa, South Asia and beyond.
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
The trafficking networks sustaining Russia’s war of attrition
As Putin seeks to avoid another politically damaging mobilisation, the temptation to draw on Moscow's extensive global trafficking networks will only grow.
engelsbergideas.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Russia's insatiable demand for bodies to feed the meatgrinder of its war on Ukraine has a real and tragic human cost for the Global South. Here @munira.bsky.social in @engelsbergideas.bsky.social describes deceit and exploitation in Africa, South Asia and beyond.
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
Reposted by Keir Giles
📚 ADVANCE STOCK ALERT!
Who Will Defend Europe? by @keirgiles.bsky.social is now updated & in paperback.
Grab your copy direct ➡️ tinyurl.com/ckfsdvw2 & get 25% off w/code GILES25.
‘A blistering account of our defence shortcomings.’ @edwardlucas.bsky.social, @thetimes.com
Who Will Defend Europe? by @keirgiles.bsky.social is now updated & in paperback.
Grab your copy direct ➡️ tinyurl.com/ckfsdvw2 & get 25% off w/code GILES25.
‘A blistering account of our defence shortcomings.’ @edwardlucas.bsky.social, @thetimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:08 AM
📚 ADVANCE STOCK ALERT!
Who Will Defend Europe? by @keirgiles.bsky.social is now updated & in paperback.
Grab your copy direct ➡️ tinyurl.com/ckfsdvw2 & get 25% off w/code GILES25.
‘A blistering account of our defence shortcomings.’ @edwardlucas.bsky.social, @thetimes.com
Who Will Defend Europe? by @keirgiles.bsky.social is now updated & in paperback.
Grab your copy direct ➡️ tinyurl.com/ckfsdvw2 & get 25% off w/code GILES25.
‘A blistering account of our defence shortcomings.’ @edwardlucas.bsky.social, @thetimes.com
Reposted by Keir Giles
As such, need to step up our efforts to minimise such disruption. It won't happen however until a major incident occurs in the UK.
UK airports will be disrupted by ‘organised’ drone attacks, warns regulator
‘It’s not a question of if, only of when,’ says Civil Aviation Authority chief
www.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
As such, need to step up our efforts to minimise such disruption. It won't happen however until a major incident occurs in the UK.
We know the familiar pattern: “Moscow still loves a loser: failed journalists, has-beens, also-rans, sex pests and disgruntled narcissists end up going to work for the Kremlin.”
More essential reading from @michaeldweiss.bsky.social.
open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
More essential reading from @michaeldweiss.bsky.social.
open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
How Russian Spies Infiltrate U.S. Institutions
Read a 1988 KGB textbook on how to recruit agents working for the U.S. government abroad.
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:28 AM
We know the familiar pattern: “Moscow still loves a loser: failed journalists, has-beens, also-rans, sex pests and disgruntled narcissists end up going to work for the Kremlin.”
More essential reading from @michaeldweiss.bsky.social.
open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
More essential reading from @michaeldweiss.bsky.social.
open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
November 11, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Apparently this is now my formal job title. That’s probably OK.
November 10, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Apparently this is now my formal job title. That’s probably OK.
Reposted by Keir Giles
Rare for me to disagree with @factforce.bsky.social, but the time for a no-fly zone over Ukraine was not immediately after the start of the full-scale invasion: it was weeks before it started.
www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...
www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...
November 9, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Rare for me to disagree with @factforce.bsky.social, but the time for a no-fly zone over Ukraine was not immediately after the start of the full-scale invasion: it was weeks before it started.
www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...
www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...
If, like me, you had been wondering what and where were the "eight wars in eight months" that Donald Trump claimed to have ended, you might find this list interesting. (I was sent it, unsolicited, after wondering just that in a media interview.)
November 8, 2025 at 5:00 PM
If, like me, you had been wondering what and where were the "eight wars in eight months" that Donald Trump claimed to have ended, you might find this list interesting. (I was sent it, unsolicited, after wondering just that in a media interview.)
Reposted by Keir Giles
Sorry, NATO and EU staffers, the context for this was whether or not there was any point in Russia vapourising Brussels.
November 7, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Sorry, NATO and EU staffers, the context for this was whether or not there was any point in Russia vapourising Brussels.
Andrew Rettman of @euobserver.com spoke to three people who Have Views on how and when Russia might use nuclear weapons, and came away deeply sceptical.
(Spoiler: I am only one of the three.)
Paywalled, apologies.
(Spoiler: I am only one of the three.)
Paywalled, apologies.
November 7, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Andrew Rettman of @euobserver.com spoke to three people who Have Views on how and when Russia might use nuclear weapons, and came away deeply sceptical.
(Spoiler: I am only one of the three.)
Paywalled, apologies.
(Spoiler: I am only one of the three.)
Paywalled, apologies.
Reposted by Keir Giles
I'm confident that Russia's promises of escalation dominance should not be allowed to dictate a passive Western response to Moscow's crimes. But I'm not as confident as @euobserver.bsky.social's Andrew Rettman.
[Paywalled, sadly, as it's a rollicking good read.]
euobserver.com/EU%20&%20the...
[Paywalled, sadly, as it's a rollicking good read.]
euobserver.com/EU%20&%20the...
September 27, 2024 at 8:59 AM
I'm confident that Russia's promises of escalation dominance should not be allowed to dictate a passive Western response to Moscow's crimes. But I'm not as confident as @euobserver.bsky.social's Andrew Rettman.
[Paywalled, sadly, as it's a rollicking good read.]
euobserver.com/EU%20&%20the...
[Paywalled, sadly, as it's a rollicking good read.]
euobserver.com/EU%20&%20the...
Reposted by Keir Giles
You may be partly joking; but there is a serious point here about how the inability of the UK's armed forces to sustain public events does sometimes suggest inability to do far more important, operational things.
Still, at least they're not going to run out of horses any time soon.
amzn.to/4cFI1b6
Still, at least they're not going to run out of horses any time soon.
amzn.to/4cFI1b6
November 7, 2025 at 10:27 AM
You may be partly joking; but there is a serious point here about how the inability of the UK's armed forces to sustain public events does sometimes suggest inability to do far more important, operational things.
Still, at least they're not going to run out of horses any time soon.
amzn.to/4cFI1b6
Still, at least they're not going to run out of horses any time soon.
amzn.to/4cFI1b6
If I've understood this correctly, the idea is for the UK to provide usable forces for two separate coalitions of the willing, at a time when there are already question marks over what it could provide for just one.
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM
If I've understood this correctly, the idea is for the UK to provide usable forces for two separate coalitions of the willing, at a time when there are already question marks over what it could provide for just one.
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
Now available in Europe. Highly recommended.
A tale of two book covers.
Now, as ever, I have the deepest respect for @mcfaulmike.bsky.social, but also sympathy as his magnum opus has been in production so long that the original cover has had to be amended to reflect the emergence of a third autocratic power.
Out on 28 Oct.
amzn.to/3IWWRQX
Now, as ever, I have the deepest respect for @mcfaulmike.bsky.social, but also sympathy as his magnum opus has been in production so long that the original cover has had to be amended to reflect the emergence of a third autocratic power.
Out on 28 Oct.
amzn.to/3IWWRQX
November 7, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Now available in Europe. Highly recommended.
Reposted by Keir Giles
Back in April I described for the US Homeland Defense Institute whether, when, and why, Russia's "mayhem" campaigns could target the US as well as Europe.
That report is now public. Much has happened since April - but all of it seems to confirm its key points.
www.thepresidency.org/all-publicat...
That report is now public. Much has happened since April - but all of it seems to confirm its key points.
www.thepresidency.org/all-publicat...
Risk of Contagion: Will Russian “Mayhem” Campaigns Spread to U.S. INfrastructure? — Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress
www.thepresidency.org
October 16, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Back in April I described for the US Homeland Defense Institute whether, when, and why, Russia's "mayhem" campaigns could target the US as well as Europe.
That report is now public. Much has happened since April - but all of it seems to confirm its key points.
www.thepresidency.org/all-publicat...
That report is now public. Much has happened since April - but all of it seems to confirm its key points.
www.thepresidency.org/all-publicat...