Steve Howell
@stevehowell.bsky.social
Former journalist, occasional contributor to the Nation (New York), Big Issue and on Substack: https://therestisbullshit.substack.com/
Author: Game Changer, Collateral Damage, and Over The Line. Another book coming soon.
Author: Game Changer, Collateral Damage, and Over The Line. Another book coming soon.
Pinned
Steve Howell
@stevehowell.bsky.social
· Feb 21
A Half Century of Failure to Reform the FBI Has Gifted Patel With Alarming Power
Fifty years ago, lawmakers started lifting the lid on the shocking abuses of the new Bureau chief’s most famous predecessor. The trouble is, very little changed.
www.thenation.com
Trump claims to want to end the 'weaponisation' of the FBI but he only means against people like him.
Progressives should prepare for the worst as a new director takes over an agency steeped in the politics of J Edgar Hoover - but with hi-tech tools and more staff.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Progressives should prepare for the worst as a new director takes over an agency steeped in the politics of J Edgar Hoover - but with hi-tech tools and more staff.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Reposted by Steve Howell
Atlanticism is dead - but let's not replace it with a NATO B-team and "more of the Western-centric groupthink that's brought us too many wars."
Britain needs to forge an independent foreign policy based on peace, cooperation and international law. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/good-ridda...
Britain needs to forge an independent foreign policy based on peace, cooperation and international law. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/good-ridda...
Good riddance to Atlanticism - but what replaces it?
My piece below for Tribune discussed how US threats to Britain over Greenland have exposed the lie of a ‘special relationship’ and called for Britain to have an independent, pro-peace foreign policy.
therestisbullshit.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Atlanticism is dead - but let's not replace it with a NATO B-team and "more of the Western-centric groupthink that's brought us too many wars."
Britain needs to forge an independent foreign policy based on peace, cooperation and international law. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/good-ridda...
Britain needs to forge an independent foreign policy based on peace, cooperation and international law. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/good-ridda...
Atlanticism is dead - but let's not replace it with a NATO B-team and "more of the Western-centric groupthink that's brought us too many wars."
Britain needs to forge an independent foreign policy based on peace, cooperation and international law. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/good-ridda...
Britain needs to forge an independent foreign policy based on peace, cooperation and international law. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/good-ridda...
Good riddance to Atlanticism - but what replaces it?
My piece below for Tribune discussed how US threats to Britain over Greenland have exposed the lie of a ‘special relationship’ and called for Britain to have an independent, pro-peace foreign policy.
therestisbullshit.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Atlanticism is dead - but let's not replace it with a NATO B-team and "more of the Western-centric groupthink that's brought us too many wars."
Britain needs to forge an independent foreign policy based on peace, cooperation and international law. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/good-ridda...
Britain needs to forge an independent foreign policy based on peace, cooperation and international law. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/good-ridda...
Scare stories about Russian drones and subs are unsettling. But they don’t stack up. And the reality is a large proportion of Britain’s military spending goes on operations 1,000s of miles away.
My post examines the claims and the interests they serve: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/security-s...
My post examines the claims and the interests they serve: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/security-s...
Security scares and arms spending: we’re being played
If we're under imminent threat from Russian drones and submarines, why is the government still prioritising deploying forces in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific?
therestisbullshit.substack.com
January 18, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Scare stories about Russian drones and subs are unsettling. But they don’t stack up. And the reality is a large proportion of Britain’s military spending goes on operations 1,000s of miles away.
My post examines the claims and the interests they serve: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/security-s...
My post examines the claims and the interests they serve: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/security-s...
Generals keep claiming they don't have enough cash - yet they are deploying 8,500 personnel overseas.
If we're in such dire straights that defending Britain is at risk, let's close these foreign bases - starting with those on Cyprus from which they have been aiding Israel's genocide in Gaza.
If we're in such dire straights that defending Britain is at risk, let's close these foreign bases - starting with those on Cyprus from which they have been aiding Israel's genocide in Gaza.
January 13, 2026 at 6:51 AM
Generals keep claiming they don't have enough cash - yet they are deploying 8,500 personnel overseas.
If we're in such dire straights that defending Britain is at risk, let's close these foreign bases - starting with those on Cyprus from which they have been aiding Israel's genocide in Gaza.
If we're in such dire straights that defending Britain is at risk, let's close these foreign bases - starting with those on Cyprus from which they have been aiding Israel's genocide in Gaza.
Reposted by Steve Howell
The US attack on Venezuela - killing more than 40 people and abducting president Maduro - is the opening salvo of a colonial oil grab.
We must mobilise the maximum opposition to Trump’s aggression and demand the immediate release of Maduro. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
We must mobilise the maximum opposition to Trump’s aggression and demand the immediate release of Maduro. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
January 6, 2026 at 3:58 AM
The US attack on Venezuela - killing more than 40 people and abducting president Maduro - is the opening salvo of a colonial oil grab.
We must mobilise the maximum opposition to Trump’s aggression and demand the immediate release of Maduro. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
We must mobilise the maximum opposition to Trump’s aggression and demand the immediate release of Maduro. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
The US attack on Venezuela - killing more than 40 people and abducting president Maduro - is the opening salvo of a colonial oil grab.
We must mobilise the maximum opposition to Trump’s aggression and demand the immediate release of Maduro. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
We must mobilise the maximum opposition to Trump’s aggression and demand the immediate release of Maduro. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
January 6, 2026 at 3:58 AM
The US attack on Venezuela - killing more than 40 people and abducting president Maduro - is the opening salvo of a colonial oil grab.
We must mobilise the maximum opposition to Trump’s aggression and demand the immediate release of Maduro. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
We must mobilise the maximum opposition to Trump’s aggression and demand the immediate release of Maduro. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/donald-tru...
Reposted by Steve Howell
As the US gears up to attack Venezuela and steal its oil reserves, it is using Puerto Rico – a country it colonised in the 19th century – as a base from which the bombers would be sent.
US Colonialism: two centuries of daylight robbery - @stevehowell.bsky.social.
US Colonialism: two centuries of daylight robbery - @stevehowell.bsky.social.
US colonialism: two centuries of daylight robbery – Steve Howell
As the US gears up to attack Venezuela and grab its vast oil reserves, it is using Puerto Rico – a country it colonised in the 19th century – as a base to stage the attacks.
labouroutlook.org
December 22, 2025 at 2:21 PM
As the US gears up to attack Venezuela and steal its oil reserves, it is using Puerto Rico – a country it colonised in the 19th century – as a base from which the bombers would be sent.
US Colonialism: two centuries of daylight robbery - @stevehowell.bsky.social.
US Colonialism: two centuries of daylight robbery - @stevehowell.bsky.social.
Reposted by Steve Howell
'Cold War Puerto Rico' tells the story of how Washington used red scare repression and covert action to keep its Caribbean fortress as a colony.
The publisher is offering a 40% discount on pre-orders made before Jan 4. You need to use the promo code 'holiday': www.umasspress.com/978162534949...
The publisher is offering a 40% discount on pre-orders made before Jan 4. You need to use the promo code 'holiday': www.umasspress.com/978162534949...
December 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
'Cold War Puerto Rico' tells the story of how Washington used red scare repression and covert action to keep its Caribbean fortress as a colony.
The publisher is offering a 40% discount on pre-orders made before Jan 4. You need to use the promo code 'holiday': www.umasspress.com/978162534949...
The publisher is offering a 40% discount on pre-orders made before Jan 4. You need to use the promo code 'holiday': www.umasspress.com/978162534949...
'Cold War Puerto Rico' tells the story of how Washington used red scare repression and covert action to keep its Caribbean fortress as a colony.
The publisher is offering a 40% discount on pre-orders made before Jan 4. You need to use the promo code 'holiday': www.umasspress.com/978162534949...
The publisher is offering a 40% discount on pre-orders made before Jan 4. You need to use the promo code 'holiday': www.umasspress.com/978162534949...
December 21, 2025 at 3:11 PM
'Cold War Puerto Rico' tells the story of how Washington used red scare repression and covert action to keep its Caribbean fortress as a colony.
The publisher is offering a 40% discount on pre-orders made before Jan 4. You need to use the promo code 'holiday': www.umasspress.com/978162534949...
The publisher is offering a 40% discount on pre-orders made before Jan 4. You need to use the promo code 'holiday': www.umasspress.com/978162534949...
"Puerto Rico’s ‘free association’ with the US provides a foretaste of the bigger disaster that awaits Venezuela if Trump succeeds in overthrowing President Maduro."
My Substack post looks at how colonialism has left Puerto Rico poor and powerless. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/us-colonia...
My Substack post looks at how colonialism has left Puerto Rico poor and powerless. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/us-colonia...
December 21, 2025 at 12:47 PM
"Puerto Rico’s ‘free association’ with the US provides a foretaste of the bigger disaster that awaits Venezuela if Trump succeeds in overthrowing President Maduro."
My Substack post looks at how colonialism has left Puerto Rico poor and powerless. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/us-colonia...
My Substack post looks at how colonialism has left Puerto Rico poor and powerless. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/us-colonia...
Reposted by Steve Howell
In a one-hour speech, Reeves glossed over the arms budget - and yet she plans to increase it by more than NHS spending and is cutting cash for education.
The £2.3bn for lifting the two-child benefit cap is peanuts by comparison.
Check out the details: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/you-can-ha...
The £2.3bn for lifting the two-child benefit cap is peanuts by comparison.
Check out the details: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/you-can-ha...
November 30, 2025 at 11:57 AM
In a one-hour speech, Reeves glossed over the arms budget - and yet she plans to increase it by more than NHS spending and is cutting cash for education.
The £2.3bn for lifting the two-child benefit cap is peanuts by comparison.
Check out the details: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/you-can-ha...
The £2.3bn for lifting the two-child benefit cap is peanuts by comparison.
Check out the details: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/you-can-ha...
In a one-hour speech, Reeves glossed over the arms budget - and yet she plans to increase it by more than NHS spending and is cutting cash for education.
The £2.3bn for lifting the two-child benefit cap is peanuts by comparison.
Check out the details: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/you-can-ha...
The £2.3bn for lifting the two-child benefit cap is peanuts by comparison.
Check out the details: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/you-can-ha...
November 30, 2025 at 11:57 AM
In a one-hour speech, Reeves glossed over the arms budget - and yet she plans to increase it by more than NHS spending and is cutting cash for education.
The £2.3bn for lifting the two-child benefit cap is peanuts by comparison.
Check out the details: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/you-can-ha...
The £2.3bn for lifting the two-child benefit cap is peanuts by comparison.
Check out the details: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/you-can-ha...
In a one-hour speech, Reeves glossed over the arms budget - and yet she plans to increase it by more than NHS spending and is cutting cash for education.
The £2.3bn for lifting the two-child benefit cap is peanuts by comparison.
Check out the details: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/you-can-ha...
The £2.3bn for lifting the two-child benefit cap is peanuts by comparison.
Check out the details: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/you-can-ha...
November 30, 2025 at 11:03 AM
In a one-hour speech, Reeves glossed over the arms budget - and yet she plans to increase it by more than NHS spending and is cutting cash for education.
The £2.3bn for lifting the two-child benefit cap is peanuts by comparison.
Check out the details: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/you-can-ha...
The £2.3bn for lifting the two-child benefit cap is peanuts by comparison.
Check out the details: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/you-can-ha...
A health warning on my new book for readers in the UK: I've been completely Americanized with a Z by its US publisher.
Gone are ripple-effects, over-egging and step changes. You'll find wrenches - not spanners - being thrown in the works. And boxes will be checked, not ticked.
Gone are ripple-effects, over-egging and step changes. You'll find wrenches - not spanners - being thrown in the works. And boxes will be checked, not ticked.
'Cold War Puerto Rico' tells the story of how Washington used the tools of 'McCarthyism' in the 1950s to retain Puerto Rico as a colony and base for aggression - as we could see again with Venezuela.
The book will be published in the spring and is already available for pre-order. See below. 1/2
The book will be published in the spring and is already available for pre-order. See below. 1/2
November 28, 2025 at 8:55 PM
A health warning on my new book for readers in the UK: I've been completely Americanized with a Z by its US publisher.
Gone are ripple-effects, over-egging and step changes. You'll find wrenches - not spanners - being thrown in the works. And boxes will be checked, not ticked.
Gone are ripple-effects, over-egging and step changes. You'll find wrenches - not spanners - being thrown in the works. And boxes will be checked, not ticked.
'Cold War Puerto Rico' tells the story of how Washington used the tools of 'McCarthyism' in the 1950s to retain Puerto Rico as a colony and base for aggression - as we could see again with Venezuela.
The book will be published in the spring and is already available for pre-order. See below. 1/2
The book will be published in the spring and is already available for pre-order. See below. 1/2
November 28, 2025 at 1:34 PM
'Cold War Puerto Rico' tells the story of how Washington used the tools of 'McCarthyism' in the 1950s to retain Puerto Rico as a colony and base for aggression - as we could see again with Venezuela.
The book will be published in the spring and is already available for pre-order. See below. 1/2
The book will be published in the spring and is already available for pre-order. See below. 1/2
But I thought this was all about drug cartels and democracy...
November 7, 2025 at 9:29 AM
But I thought this was all about drug cartels and democracy...
Trump makes fools of Britain’s China hawks.
The trouble with hanging on to someone’s coat-tails is that you fall off when they suddenly change direction...
While our media obsessed about Chinese spies, Trump did a deal with Xi. My post on Substack: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/trump-make...
The trouble with hanging on to someone’s coat-tails is that you fall off when they suddenly change direction...
While our media obsessed about Chinese spies, Trump did a deal with Xi. My post on Substack: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/trump-make...
November 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Trump makes fools of Britain’s China hawks.
The trouble with hanging on to someone’s coat-tails is that you fall off when they suddenly change direction...
While our media obsessed about Chinese spies, Trump did a deal with Xi. My post on Substack: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/trump-make...
The trouble with hanging on to someone’s coat-tails is that you fall off when they suddenly change direction...
While our media obsessed about Chinese spies, Trump did a deal with Xi. My post on Substack: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/trump-make...
Catherine Connolly is Ireland's president - winning with a record 914,143 votes.
The media is making an issue of turnout and spoilt papers.
But the turnout was higher than in 2018, and valid votes cast - after deducting spoilt papers - was almost the same (1,472,698 versus 1,473,900 in 2018).
The media is making an issue of turnout and spoilt papers.
But the turnout was higher than in 2018, and valid votes cast - after deducting spoilt papers - was almost the same (1,472,698 versus 1,473,900 in 2018).
October 25, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Catherine Connolly is Ireland's president - winning with a record 914,143 votes.
The media is making an issue of turnout and spoilt papers.
But the turnout was higher than in 2018, and valid votes cast - after deducting spoilt papers - was almost the same (1,472,698 versus 1,473,900 in 2018).
The media is making an issue of turnout and spoilt papers.
But the turnout was higher than in 2018, and valid votes cast - after deducting spoilt papers - was almost the same (1,472,698 versus 1,473,900 in 2018).
Reposted by Steve Howell
An inside job: the Labour right's conspiracies against Corbyn exposed...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
October 24, 2025 at 9:13 AM
An inside job: the Labour right's conspiracies against Corbyn exposed...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
An inside job: the Labour right's conspiracies against Corbyn exposed...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
October 24, 2025 at 9:13 AM
An inside job: the Labour right's conspiracies against Corbyn exposed...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
Nord Stream court ruling highlights NATO risks...
It’s just as well NATO didn’t go to war over false claims that Russia sabotaged Europe’s gas supplies – because it was probably the work of Ukrainians and NATO-member Poland thinks that was okay.
See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nord-strea...
It’s just as well NATO didn’t go to war over false claims that Russia sabotaged Europe’s gas supplies – because it was probably the work of Ukrainians and NATO-member Poland thinks that was okay.
See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nord-strea...
October 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Nord Stream court ruling highlights NATO risks...
It’s just as well NATO didn’t go to war over false claims that Russia sabotaged Europe’s gas supplies – because it was probably the work of Ukrainians and NATO-member Poland thinks that was okay.
See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nord-strea...
It’s just as well NATO didn’t go to war over false claims that Russia sabotaged Europe’s gas supplies – because it was probably the work of Ukrainians and NATO-member Poland thinks that was okay.
See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nord-strea...
The geo-political motive for US colonial control of Puerto Rico is coming to the fore again with Trump deploying F-35s there ready to attack Venezuela.
Great to have Professor Díaz-Quiñones's endorsement of my new book looking at the history.
More info here: www.steve-howell.com/cold-war-pue...
Great to have Professor Díaz-Quiñones's endorsement of my new book looking at the history.
More info here: www.steve-howell.com/cold-war-pue...
October 15, 2025 at 6:58 AM
The geo-political motive for US colonial control of Puerto Rico is coming to the fore again with Trump deploying F-35s there ready to attack Venezuela.
Great to have Professor Díaz-Quiñones's endorsement of my new book looking at the history.
More info here: www.steve-howell.com/cold-war-pue...
Great to have Professor Díaz-Quiñones's endorsement of my new book looking at the history.
More info here: www.steve-howell.com/cold-war-pue...
NATO and Israel have been partners for 30 years.
Israel:
- has a permanent ambassador and an office at NATO HQ in Brussels,
- takes part in Operation Sea Guardian under NATO command,
- is armed by the leading NATO members.
The case against NATO, see: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nato-is-a-...
Israel:
- has a permanent ambassador and an office at NATO HQ in Brussels,
- takes part in Operation Sea Guardian under NATO command,
- is armed by the leading NATO members.
The case against NATO, see: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nato-is-a-...
October 15, 2025 at 5:53 AM
NATO and Israel have been partners for 30 years.
Israel:
- has a permanent ambassador and an office at NATO HQ in Brussels,
- takes part in Operation Sea Guardian under NATO command,
- is armed by the leading NATO members.
The case against NATO, see: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nato-is-a-...
Israel:
- has a permanent ambassador and an office at NATO HQ in Brussels,
- takes part in Operation Sea Guardian under NATO command,
- is armed by the leading NATO members.
The case against NATO, see: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nato-is-a-...
Let me fix this for Shabana Mahmood:
"Large, repeated bombing can leave a trapped community feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared, especially when their homes have been reduced to rubble, they're being deprived of food, and they've already seen more than 65,000 of their neighbours killed."
"Large, repeated bombing can leave a trapped community feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared, especially when their homes have been reduced to rubble, they're being deprived of food, and they've already seen more than 65,000 of their neighbours killed."
October 5, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Let me fix this for Shabana Mahmood:
"Large, repeated bombing can leave a trapped community feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared, especially when their homes have been reduced to rubble, they're being deprived of food, and they've already seen more than 65,000 of their neighbours killed."
"Large, repeated bombing can leave a trapped community feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared, especially when their homes have been reduced to rubble, they're being deprived of food, and they've already seen more than 65,000 of their neighbours killed."
Reposted by Steve Howell
Israeli drones bombed two Global Sumud Flotilla vessels moored off Tunisia in September, causing fires. One of them was British-flagged.
Was UK intel asleep on the job? Or do we just turn a blind eye to drone strikes on our citizens when Israel does them?
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...
Was UK intel asleep on the job? Or do we just turn a blind eye to drone strikes on our citizens when Israel does them?
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...
October 4, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Israeli drones bombed two Global Sumud Flotilla vessels moored off Tunisia in September, causing fires. One of them was British-flagged.
Was UK intel asleep on the job? Or do we just turn a blind eye to drone strikes on our citizens when Israel does them?
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...
Was UK intel asleep on the job? Or do we just turn a blind eye to drone strikes on our citizens when Israel does them?
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...