Shashank Joshi
@shashj.bsky.social
Defence Editor at The Economist.
Visiting Fellow at Department of War Studies, KCL. For speaking engagements: https://chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/shashank-joshi
Visiting Fellow at Department of War Studies, KCL. For speaking engagements: https://chartwellspeakers.com/speaker/shashank-joshi
Pinned
Shashank Joshi
@shashj.bsky.social
· Feb 13
Our cover story this week: reforming the Pentagon. www.economist.com/briefing/202...
Belgorod. 'In a reader survey conducted in January by Fonar, a local news publication, a quarter of respondents felt “devastated and disappointed” ... Only 6% said they gave aid to participants in Russia’s “special military operation”.' www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
Near the front line, Russians are growing tired of war
A report from Belgorod, where not all residents see Ukrainians as enemies
www.economist.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Belgorod. 'In a reader survey conducted in January by Fonar, a local news publication, a quarter of respondents felt “devastated and disappointed” ... Only 6% said they gave aid to participants in Russia’s “special military operation”.' www.economist.com/europe/2026/...
"At least 32 people died in ICE custody last year, the highest number since 2004. An autopsy... showed that Geraldo Lunas Campos, a Cuban migrant held at Fort Bliss in Texas, was killed by his jailers. ICE had previously said he had committed suicide." www.economist.com/briefing/202...
Immigration agents have become Donald Trump’s personal posse
That is a liability for America and, increasingly, for him
www.economist.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:47 AM
"At least 32 people died in ICE custody last year, the highest number since 2004. An autopsy... showed that Geraldo Lunas Campos, a Cuban migrant held at Fort Bliss in Texas, was killed by his jailers. ICE had previously said he had committed suicide." www.economist.com/briefing/202...
"The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in July, included a whopping $170bn for immigration enforcement—more than most countries spend on their armed forces. ICE has more than doubled in size over the past year, hiring 12,000 new deportation officers." www.economist.com/briefing/202...
Immigration agents have become Donald Trump’s personal posse
That is a liability for America and, increasingly, for him
www.economist.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:46 AM
"The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in July, included a whopping $170bn for immigration enforcement—more than most countries spend on their armed forces. ICE has more than doubled in size over the past year, hiring 12,000 new deportation officers." www.economist.com/briefing/202...
Our leader this week. "Recently, only 5% of those detained have been people convicted of violent crimes. Instead ICE’s brutal means indicate ends that are darker than immigration-control...ICE and its leaders are trampling the constitution." www.economist.com/leaders/2026...
ICE’s impunity is a formula for more violence
Is America’s president building his own paramilitary militia?
www.economist.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Our leader this week. "Recently, only 5% of those detained have been people convicted of violent crimes. Instead ICE’s brutal means indicate ends that are darker than immigration-control...ICE and its leaders are trampling the constitution." www.economist.com/leaders/2026...
A lot of chatter about Swedish nuclear signalling. Looking at the PM's comments this week, seems very clear to me he was talking about expanding co-operation with UK/French nuclear forces rather than trying to hint at a Swedish nuclear programme. breakingdefense.com/2026/01/swed...
Sweden weighs Franco-British nuclear weapons cooperation - Breaking Defense
"I say that when we joined NATO, we are fully involved in all discussions, including those in Europe revolving around nuclear weapons," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said.
breakingdefense.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:36 AM
A lot of chatter about Swedish nuclear signalling. Looking at the PM's comments this week, seems very clear to me he was talking about expanding co-operation with UK/French nuclear forces rather than trying to hint at a Swedish nuclear programme. breakingdefense.com/2026/01/swed...
I wrote on the US build-up under way in the Middle East. The US now has far offensive & defensive assets in place than it did two weeks ago. The surge of specialised aircraft is telling. But not clear if enough for sustained bombing to topple the regime.
www.economist.com/middle-east-...
www.economist.com/middle-east-...
Is America about to attack Iran?
Donald Trump says he is willing to negotiate. He might be bluffing
www.economist.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:31 AM
I wrote on the US build-up under way in the Middle East. The US now has far offensive & defensive assets in place than it did two weeks ago. The surge of specialised aircraft is telling. But not clear if enough for sustained bombing to topple the regime.
www.economist.com/middle-east-...
www.economist.com/middle-east-...
"In the fall, ICE purchased an iris-scanning mobile app that its manufacturer, BI2 Technologies, says can get an identifying read on a person’s eye within seconds from a distance of 15 inches." www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
The powerful tools in ICE’s arsenal to track suspects — and protesters
Biometric trackers, cellphone location databases and drones are among the surveillance technologies agents are using in their immigration enforcement campaign.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:28 AM
"In the fall, ICE purchased an iris-scanning mobile app that its manufacturer, BI2 Technologies, says can get an identifying read on a person’s eye within seconds from a distance of 15 inches." www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
Good interview with Richard Moore, in which he discusses the less well known work of "reports officers", as opposed to case officers. "Their job is to handle the material coming in from the field. They do all of that due diligence" samf.substack.com/p/how-mi6-wo...
January 29, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Good interview with Richard Moore, in which he discusses the less well known work of "reports officers", as opposed to case officers. "Their job is to handle the material coming in from the field. They do all of that due diligence" samf.substack.com/p/how-mi6-wo...
"four in five Venezuelans think the political situation will be better within a year. This optimism stems from Ms Rodríguez’s moves to improve the economy, coupled with faith in Mr Trump’s resolve." www.economist.com/the-americas...
How to tell if Venezuela is heading for democracy
The regime is opening up the economy, but its political moves lack credibility
www.economist.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:55 PM
"four in five Venezuelans think the political situation will be better within a year. This optimism stems from Ms Rodríguez’s moves to improve the economy, coupled with faith in Mr Trump’s resolve." www.economist.com/the-americas...
Colby: "What we seek—and what the President has consistently articulated—is a genuinely stable equilibrium that works for Americans as well as for our allies: a favorable balance of power in which no state can impose its hegemony" www.war.gov/News/Speeche...
www.war.gov
January 27, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Colby: "What we seek—and what the President has consistently articulated—is a genuinely stable equilibrium that works for Americans as well as for our allies: a favorable balance of power in which no state can impose its hegemony" www.war.gov/News/Speeche...
"two journalists for Italian public broadcaster Rai were threatened by ICE officials as the reporters drove around the city [Minneapolis] covering the agency's actions" www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
US to send ICE agents to Winter Olympics, prompting Italian anger
The US federal agency says it will not play an immigration role at February's event in Milan-Cortina.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 1:48 PM
"two journalists for Italian public broadcaster Rai were threatened by ICE officials as the reporters drove around the city [Minneapolis] covering the agency's actions" www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Shashank Joshi
The UK government on Monday unveiled plans for a far-reaching overhaul of policing that would centralize the fight against cybercrime, fraud and other internet-enabled offenses, arguing the current system is no longer equipped for crimes that are increasingly digital and cross geographic borders.
UK plans sweeping overhaul of policing amid surge in online crimes
The British Home Office published proposals that would include the creation of a new National Police Service, described by officials as Britain’s equivalent of the FBI.
therecord.media
January 27, 2026 at 1:34 PM
The UK government on Monday unveiled plans for a far-reaching overhaul of policing that would centralize the fight against cybercrime, fraud and other internet-enabled offenses, arguing the current system is no longer equipped for crimes that are increasingly digital and cross geographic borders.
Interesting compromise, given the timing. "The UK government plans to tighten scrutiny of Chinese activity within its Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) without placing Beijing in the same bracket as Moscow and Tehran" www.ft.com/content/9bfe...
Government plans to tighten scrutiny of Chinese influence in UK
Sir Keir Starmer seeks to bolster registration scheme while still deepening Sino-British relations
www.ft.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Interesting compromise, given the timing. "The UK government plans to tighten scrutiny of Chinese activity within its Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) without placing Beijing in the same bracket as Moscow and Tehran" www.ft.com/content/9bfe...
I disagree. You would weaken the link with EUCOM, you would weaken the link with US nuclear forces, you would reduce the importance of a strong US four-star with a major stake in European security. Barring a bigger crisis, the time for a European SACEUR is when the re-balancing is further along.
SACEUR should go to a European. End of story.
Rutte on the idea of a European pillar in NATO. Says it is an "empty word". Positive if it means "division of labour", but "lot of duplication" and "Putin will love it" if it means "a sort of European Defence Force" www.nato.int/en/news-and-...
January 27, 2026 at 1:24 PM
I disagree. You would weaken the link with EUCOM, you would weaken the link with US nuclear forces, you would reduce the importance of a strong US four-star with a major stake in European security. Barring a bigger crisis, the time for a European SACEUR is when the re-balancing is further along.
For @economist.com subscribers: tune in at 6pm for the latest episode of Inside Defence. I interview Will Marshall of Planet Labs on how AI & other technology is changing Earth-observation from space, open source intel & how US-Europe tensions affect the industry. www.economist.com/insider/insi...
How satellite imagery is reshaping open-source intelligence | The Economist Insider
Spycraft is democratising. Open-source intelligence—OSINT—gathered by amateurs and entrepreneurs challenges the state monopoly on information. But the boom in OSINT has implications for national secur...
www.economist.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:25 PM
For @economist.com subscribers: tune in at 6pm for the latest episode of Inside Defence. I interview Will Marshall of Planet Labs on how AI & other technology is changing Earth-observation from space, open source intel & how US-Europe tensions affect the industry. www.economist.com/insider/insi...
Reposted by Shashank Joshi
Has Rutte read the US National Defense Strategy? It basically says that in the future the US will only provide "critical but more limited support" to a European conventional force.
How is that different from the concept he is criticising?
How is that different from the concept he is criticising?
January 27, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Has Rutte read the US National Defense Strategy? It basically says that in the future the US will only provide "critical but more limited support" to a European conventional force.
How is that different from the concept he is criticising?
How is that different from the concept he is criticising?
Reposted by Shashank Joshi
Amazing how voters on the right, who might have been expected to be supportive of defence, are actually the most squishy on this issue.
www.thetimes.com/article/fb20...
www.thetimes.com/article/fb20...
January 27, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Amazing how voters on the right, who might have been expected to be supportive of defence, are actually the most squishy on this issue.
www.thetimes.com/article/fb20...
www.thetimes.com/article/fb20...
"at a time when Washington is increasingly focused on technological competition with China, it appears as though some close allies may be considering a more diversified approach to technological stacks—one which may include some reliance and cooperation with China." www.csis.org/analysis/can...
Canada and the European Union: Two New Wins for Chinese Exports in the West
Canada and the European Union appear to have reached agreements allowing more EVs made in China to enter their markets. These deals suggest that these close allies are considering increasing their tec...
www.csis.org
January 27, 2026 at 10:22 AM
"at a time when Washington is increasingly focused on technological competition with China, it appears as though some close allies may be considering a more diversified approach to technological stacks—one which may include some reliance and cooperation with China." www.csis.org/analysis/can...
Rutte on the idea of a European pillar in NATO. Says it is an "empty word". Positive if it means "division of labour", but "lot of duplication" and "Putin will love it" if it means "a sort of European Defence Force" www.nato.int/en/news-and-...
January 27, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Rutte on the idea of a European pillar in NATO. Says it is an "empty word". Positive if it means "division of labour", but "lot of duplication" and "Putin will love it" if it means "a sort of European Defence Force" www.nato.int/en/news-and-...
"...Russia is willing to absorb higher attrition rates on cruise missiles if the payoff is significant: disabling manoeuvring generation far from the front, disrupting power routing from nuclear plants, and forcing Ukraine into nationwide load-shedding." rochan-consulting.com/russian-stri...
Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy CI - Trends and Outlook - Rochan Consulting
In November 2025, I delivered a presentation to a client on Russian strikes against Ukrainian...
rochan-consulting.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:11 AM
"...Russia is willing to absorb higher attrition rates on cruise missiles if the payoff is significant: disabling manoeuvring generation far from the front, disrupting power routing from nuclear plants, and forcing Ukraine into nationwide load-shedding." rochan-consulting.com/russian-stri...
China is an aggressive cyber actor. But note the hedged language here. China "targeted the phones..."
"...raises the possibility that Chinese spies could have read text messages or listened to calls"
"Even if they were unable to eavesdrop on calls..."
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
"...raises the possibility that Chinese spies could have read text messages or listened to calls"
"Even if they were unable to eavesdrop on calls..."
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
China hacked Downing Street phones for years
Spying operation targeted senior government members, including aides to Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 8:17 AM
China is an aggressive cyber actor. But note the hedged language here. China "targeted the phones..."
"...raises the possibility that Chinese spies could have read text messages or listened to calls"
"Even if they were unable to eavesdrop on calls..."
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
"...raises the possibility that Chinese spies could have read text messages or listened to calls"
"Even if they were unable to eavesdrop on calls..."
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
"Witkoff has recently been raising his demands to include the return of UN weapons inspectors, the removal of all Iranian highly enriched uranium and curtailment of Iran’s missile programme." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Iranian government braces for possible attack as US navy arrives in region
American forces, aided by Israel, could have enough firepower to mount attack designed to topple regime
www.theguardian.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:03 PM
"Witkoff has recently been raising his demands to include the return of UN weapons inspectors, the removal of all Iranian highly enriched uranium and curtailment of Iran’s missile programme." www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
'The United Arab Emirates raised concerns again Monday, saying in a statement that it was reaffirming its commitment to “not allowing its airspace, territory, or waters to be used in any hostile actions against Iran' www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Aircraft carrier reaches Middle East, bolstering Iran options for Trump
The U.S. military buildup near Iran continues, with the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, as the White House contemplates another strike.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:02 PM
'The United Arab Emirates raised concerns again Monday, saying in a statement that it was reaffirming its commitment to “not allowing its airspace, territory, or waters to be used in any hostile actions against Iran' www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
A good account of Hizbullah in its diminished state. "Whatever autonomy Hizbullah once enjoyed died with Nasrallah. Decisions about weapons, strategy and escalation now come from Tehran." www.economist.com/middle-east-...
Hizbullah, Iran’s most powerful proxy, has been humbled
The militia is still a force in Lebanese politics, but its ability to menace abroad has been severely weakened
www.economist.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:41 PM
A good account of Hizbullah in its diminished state. "Whatever autonomy Hizbullah once enjoyed died with Nasrallah. Decisions about weapons, strategy and escalation now come from Tehran." www.economist.com/middle-east-...
Reposted by Shashank Joshi
I think what people need to understand about the "critical but limited support" phrase is that it doesn't mean non-conventional, it means no or very few ground troops. Think precision-fires, command and control, intelligence, air support and air defense, but not divisions of armor and infantry.
The National Defense Strategy implies, but doesn't explicitly state, that the US will continue to provide nuclear deterrence to Europe, even as it reduces its conventional forces.
How credible is extended deterrence without major conventional skin in the game?
media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23/...
How credible is extended deterrence without major conventional skin in the game?
media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23/...
January 26, 2026 at 2:37 PM
I think what people need to understand about the "critical but limited support" phrase is that it doesn't mean non-conventional, it means no or very few ground troops. Think precision-fires, command and control, intelligence, air support and air defense, but not divisions of armor and infantry.