Luke Cooper
@lukecooper100.bsky.social
Associate Professorial Research Fellow in International Relations (IR) at LSE IDEAS running PeaceRep's Ukraine programme. Book: Authoritarian Contagion, co-host Another Europe pod.
https://www.lse.ac.uk/ideas/people/Luke-Cooper
https://www.lse.ac.uk/ideas/people/Luke-Cooper
Reposted by Luke Cooper
This (about the 'new' Grammarly AI toolset) is absolutely terrifying, not because the tool is good, but because it is an easy, all-in-one, way to avoid thinking any thoughts or doing any work at all *and 3000 universities say its OK to use*.
www.carleton.edu/ai/blog/gram...
www.carleton.edu/ai/blog/gram...
Grammarly Revisited - Carleton College
A close look at Grammarly's new AI tools
www.carleton.edu
February 18, 2026 at 9:08 AM
This (about the 'new' Grammarly AI toolset) is absolutely terrifying, not because the tool is good, but because it is an easy, all-in-one, way to avoid thinking any thoughts or doing any work at all *and 3000 universities say its OK to use*.
www.carleton.edu/ai/blog/gram...
www.carleton.edu/ai/blog/gram...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
New special issue of Transnational Legal Theory on The Promises and Perils of Human Rights for Governing Digital platforms now available in full www.tandfonline.com/toc/rtlt20/1... - inc a piece from @joeatkinson.bsky.social and me on human rights and realising decent work for platform workers
Transnational Legal Theory
The Promise and Perils of Human Rights for Governing Digital Platforms. Volume 16, Issue 4 of Transnational Legal Theory
www.tandfonline.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:34 AM
New special issue of Transnational Legal Theory on The Promises and Perils of Human Rights for Governing Digital platforms now available in full www.tandfonline.com/toc/rtlt20/1... - inc a piece from @joeatkinson.bsky.social and me on human rights and realising decent work for platform workers
Reposted by Luke Cooper
I never really sign stuff. But this was different. It's not about trying to facilitate or block a particular party's route to power. It's about an electoral system that's unsuited to the political realities we face today and risks giving us government after government with no convincing mandate.
Over 50 Academics Warn That Voting System Is Not Fit For Multi-Party Politics
Dozens of academics have written to the government to warn that the current voting system risks producing distorted results on an 'unprecedented' s...
www.politicshome.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:25 AM
I never really sign stuff. But this was different. It's not about trying to facilitate or block a particular party's route to power. It's about an electoral system that's unsuited to the political realities we face today and risks giving us government after government with no convincing mandate.
As a proud serial signer of letters I had forgotten about this one (and I’m told I was the first to sign - so it was a little while ago tbf!). Britain’s electoral system cannot handle the present scale of political fragmentation and could easily turn up a bizarre result.
Time for change!
Time for change!
February 14, 2026 at 12:20 PM
As a proud serial signer of letters I had forgotten about this one (and I’m told I was the first to sign - so it was a little while ago tbf!). Britain’s electoral system cannot handle the present scale of political fragmentation and could easily turn up a bizarre result.
Time for change!
Time for change!
Reposted by Luke Cooper
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
ICE to begin detaining immigrants inside Social Circle warehouse in April
Homeland Security plans to build warehouse detention facilities in other cities being met with opposition.
www.ajc.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:56 PM
ICE has now spent over half a BILLION dollars just on purchasing warehouses around the country to convert into detention camps.
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
If these mega-camps are utilized to the full capacity ICE intends, they'll be the largest prisons in the country, with little real oversight. www.ajc.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
I’m at an event in Westminster where a certain Andy Burnham has said it it “time to call to an end this era where politics got too close to wealth, too seduced by the notion that deregulated markets would provide the solution, when in fact they have been the problem.”
February 10, 2026 at 12:35 PM
I’m at an event in Westminster where a certain Andy Burnham has said it it “time to call to an end this era where politics got too close to wealth, too seduced by the notion that deregulated markets would provide the solution, when in fact they have been the problem.”
Reposted by Luke Cooper
The new Counter Power podcast is out. I’m with @seemasyeda.bsky.social and @lukecooper100.bsky.social discussing how the far right has transformed and become a global force… and how we fight it 👇
m.youtube.com/watch?v=C112...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=C112...
How the far right went global
YouTube video by COUNTER•POWER
m.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:29 AM
The new Counter Power podcast is out. I’m with @seemasyeda.bsky.social and @lukecooper100.bsky.social discussing how the far right has transformed and become a global force… and how we fight it 👇
m.youtube.com/watch?v=C112...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=C112...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
Parliament is right now debating a motion proposed by the opposition Conservatives to release govt documents related to Mandelson's appointment as ambassador.
But Starmer's govt has proposed an amendment to stop any releases that could compromise "national security or international relations".
But Starmer's govt has proposed an amendment to stop any releases that could compromise "national security or international relations".
February 4, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Parliament is right now debating a motion proposed by the opposition Conservatives to release govt documents related to Mandelson's appointment as ambassador.
But Starmer's govt has proposed an amendment to stop any releases that could compromise "national security or international relations".
But Starmer's govt has proposed an amendment to stop any releases that could compromise "national security or international relations".
Reposted by Luke Cooper
NEW: Our investigation for @thenerve_news reveals not only that Peter Thiel’s Palantir is completely enmeshed in our critical national infrastructure.
It’s also the ‘cloud support’ for our nuclear weapons system 🤯
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/palantir-t...
It’s also the ‘cloud support’ for our nuclear weapons system 🤯
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/palantir-t...
January 28, 2026 at 11:32 AM
NEW: Our investigation for @thenerve_news reveals not only that Peter Thiel’s Palantir is completely enmeshed in our critical national infrastructure.
It’s also the ‘cloud support’ for our nuclear weapons system 🤯
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/palantir-t...
It’s also the ‘cloud support’ for our nuclear weapons system 🤯
1/
www.thenerve.news/p/palantir-t...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
The quickfire, backroom vote to keep Andy Burnham out of Westminster was a classic triumph of machine politics
The twist? It’s now plain that just one lonely man is operating the machine
And Starmer’s brittle command of it could easily crack
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/722...
The twist? It’s now plain that just one lonely man is operating the machine
And Starmer’s brittle command of it could easily crack
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/722...
The Mayor versus the Machine
Keir Starmer’s procedural victory over Andy Burnham only leaves the prime minister more exposed
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 7:43 AM
The quickfire, backroom vote to keep Andy Burnham out of Westminster was a classic triumph of machine politics
The twist? It’s now plain that just one lonely man is operating the machine
And Starmer’s brittle command of it could easily crack
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/722...
The twist? It’s now plain that just one lonely man is operating the machine
And Starmer’s brittle command of it could easily crack
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/722...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
Two things can be true:
1. Reform drifting down from their late 2025 peak
2. Reform still as strong or stronger than they were in May 2025, when they swept the board in locals.
Polling like this would mean a lot of Reform (and Green) councillors elected on very low vote share. FPP electoral chaos.
1. Reform drifting down from their late 2025 peak
2. Reform still as strong or stronger than they were in May 2025, when they swept the board in locals.
Polling like this would mean a lot of Reform (and Green) councillors elected on very low vote share. FPP electoral chaos.
YouGov voting intention
Smallest Reform lead since July last year
RefUK 25(+1)
LAB 21%(+2)
CON 17%(-1)
GRN 16%(-1)
LDEM 14%(nc)
Changes since last week
Smallest Reform lead since July last year
RefUK 25(+1)
LAB 21%(+2)
CON 17%(-1)
GRN 16%(-1)
LDEM 14%(nc)
Changes since last week
January 27, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Two things can be true:
1. Reform drifting down from their late 2025 peak
2. Reform still as strong or stronger than they were in May 2025, when they swept the board in locals.
Polling like this would mean a lot of Reform (and Green) councillors elected on very low vote share. FPP electoral chaos.
1. Reform drifting down from their late 2025 peak
2. Reform still as strong or stronger than they were in May 2025, when they swept the board in locals.
Polling like this would mean a lot of Reform (and Green) councillors elected on very low vote share. FPP electoral chaos.
Reposted by Luke Cooper
🚨🚨 #NATO SG Mark #Rutte is to my mind massively undermining European #unity and efforts to build up their #defence and #security in what I see as a statement which only plays in the hands of #Putin and #Trump. 🧵https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-defense-nato-mark-rutte-us-politics-threats-gdp/
Europe can’t defend itself without the US, NATO’s Rutte warns
The EU should stop dreaming of creating a European pillar for NATO and continue to build ties with the U.S. despite Trump, the alliance secretary-general said.
www.politico.eu
January 27, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Reposted by Luke Cooper
For those who missed it yesterday, this thread contains a detailed analysis of the Alex Pretti killing, clearly showing he was holding a phone when attacked by ICE, and had a gun removed from him shortly before being shot to death by ICE officers.
Federal law enforcement agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Jan. 24 according to local police officials. DHS told Fox News that the man was “armed with a gun”. A video of the shooting appears to show that a gun was taken from the man before the first shot was fired. x.com/BillMelugin_...
January 25, 2026 at 9:17 AM
For those who missed it yesterday, this thread contains a detailed analysis of the Alex Pretti killing, clearly showing he was holding a phone when attacked by ICE, and had a gun removed from him shortly before being shot to death by ICE officers.
Reposted by Luke Cooper
🚨🚨 EU moves closer to using its #tradebazooka against the US as Germany has joined France in saying it will ask @ec.europa.eu to explore unleashing the #Anti-CoercionInstrument at the emergency EU leaders' summit in Brussels on Thursday evening.🧵
www.politico.eu/article/eu-b...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-b...
EU moves closer to using its trade bazooka against the US
Capitals are backing a more forceful response to Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
www.politico.eu
January 21, 2026 at 6:48 AM
🚨🚨 EU moves closer to using its #tradebazooka against the US as Germany has joined France in saying it will ask @ec.europa.eu to explore unleashing the #Anti-CoercionInstrument at the emergency EU leaders' summit in Brussels on Thursday evening.🧵
www.politico.eu/article/eu-b...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-b...
Reposted by Luke Cooper
Carney: "American hegemony in particular helped provide public goods, a stable financial system... this bargain no longer works. Let me be direct. We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition... recently, great powers have begun using economic integration as a weapon. Tariffs as leverage ... "
January 20, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Carney: "American hegemony in particular helped provide public goods, a stable financial system... this bargain no longer works. Let me be direct. We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition... recently, great powers have begun using economic integration as a weapon. Tariffs as leverage ... "
Reposted by Luke Cooper
Reminder of the spectacularly poor judgement of these people
January 18, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Reminder of the spectacularly poor judgement of these people
Reposted by Luke Cooper
Time for Europe to say "Very well, alone!".
Europe should embrace the idea of going it alone ft.trib.al/zVWWKZs | opinion
Europe should embrace the idea of going it alone
The more the EU has to pay for ingratiation with Trump, the less convincing its strategic rationale for doing so
ft.trib.al
January 12, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Time for Europe to say "Very well, alone!".
Reposted by Luke Cooper
@martinsandbu.ft.com on the state of RUS economy
"The picture is clear. The RU economy is under enormous strain, & is running out of resources. ... The message for the west — what remains of it — is that the medicine (sanctions) is working, but the dose should be increased."
100%
#UkrainianView
"The picture is clear. The RU economy is under enormous strain, & is running out of resources. ... The message for the west — what remains of it — is that the medicine (sanctions) is working, but the dose should be increased."
100%
#UkrainianView
Russia is running out of money
Go behind the propaganda, and the intensifying strain is evident
www.ft.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:48 PM
@martinsandbu.ft.com on the state of RUS economy
"The picture is clear. The RU economy is under enormous strain, & is running out of resources. ... The message for the west — what remains of it — is that the medicine (sanctions) is working, but the dose should be increased."
100%
#UkrainianView
"The picture is clear. The RU economy is under enormous strain, & is running out of resources. ... The message for the west — what remains of it — is that the medicine (sanctions) is working, but the dose should be increased."
100%
#UkrainianView
Reposted by Luke Cooper
Reuters reports that U.S. officials have discussed offering lump sum payments of $10,000 to $100,000 to Greenland residents as an incentive to secede from Denmark.
It might cover two or maybe even three hospital visits in the U.S., depending on coverage plan, networks, and luck
It might cover two or maybe even three hospital visits in the U.S., depending on coverage plan, networks, and luck
January 8, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Reuters reports that U.S. officials have discussed offering lump sum payments of $10,000 to $100,000 to Greenland residents as an incentive to secede from Denmark.
It might cover two or maybe even three hospital visits in the U.S., depending on coverage plan, networks, and luck
It might cover two or maybe even three hospital visits in the U.S., depending on coverage plan, networks, and luck
Reposted by Luke Cooper
A real possibility. Musk has already organised ‘payment for votes’ in a US election and that wasn’t stopped, so there’s no possibility that winning an election by bribery in another country would be sanctioned by any US body.
January 7, 2026 at 11:22 AM
A real possibility. Musk has already organised ‘payment for votes’ in a US election and that wasn’t stopped, so there’s no possibility that winning an election by bribery in another country would be sanctioned by any US body.
Reposted by Luke Cooper
During Fiona Hill's testimony to Congress on Oct 14, 2019, she described how Trump and Putin discussed exchanging Ukraine for Venezuela. The quid pro quo was if Trump refuses to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion, Putin would not help Venezuela (a Russian ally) resist a US takeover.
January 4, 2026 at 2:36 AM
During Fiona Hill's testimony to Congress on Oct 14, 2019, she described how Trump and Putin discussed exchanging Ukraine for Venezuela. The quid pro quo was if Trump refuses to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion, Putin would not help Venezuela (a Russian ally) resist a US takeover.
Reposted by Luke Cooper
French Foreign Ministry: “The removal of Maduro from power and the violation of sovereignty constitute a serious act of aggression against the dignity of the Venezuelan people and their right to determine their own future.
January 3, 2026 at 3:02 PM
French Foreign Ministry: “The removal of Maduro from power and the violation of sovereignty constitute a serious act of aggression against the dignity of the Venezuelan people and their right to determine their own future.
Reposted by Luke Cooper
This does seem just a little bit bad! Idk the sort of thing you’d think politicians might distance themselves from or something!
January 2, 2026 at 10:47 AM
This does seem just a little bit bad! Idk the sort of thing you’d think politicians might distance themselves from or something!
Next time you’re watching a US sitcom and are struck by how lavish the lifestyles of the imagined professionals represented in the show are remember that this conspicuous consumption is reflective of just 10% or at a push 20% of all Americans. From FT h/t @adamtooze.bsky.social
December 31, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Next time you’re watching a US sitcom and are struck by how lavish the lifestyles of the imagined professionals represented in the show are remember that this conspicuous consumption is reflective of just 10% or at a push 20% of all Americans. From FT h/t @adamtooze.bsky.social
Reposted by Luke Cooper
Joint EU/UK statement confirms UK participation in Erasmus, plus update on other negotiations
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
December 17, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Joint EU/UK statement confirms UK participation in Erasmus, plus update on other negotiations
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...