Alex Andreou
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sturdyalex.bsky.social
Alex Andreou
@sturdyalex.bsky.social
I write, act, sing, broadcast and cook. Occasionally, even for money. One third of the @quietriotpod.bsky.social with @pimlicat.bsky.social and @mrkennycampbell.bsky.social

Support me on https://ko-fi.com/quietriotpod
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What was meant to be a short, fun, bonus little episode, ended up - yes, short and fun - but also one of the most interesting topics, deepest dives, and interconnected mazes I have navigated.

One of my favourite episodes so far, I think.
BRAND NEW 🍏 How Do You Like Them Apples? 🍎

From the Garden of Hesperides to the Garden of Eden, from the Atalanta and the Trojan War to The Beatles and the iPhone, apples are laden with often conflicting symbolism.

🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/70jw...

🎧 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
BONUS - How Do You Like Them Golden Apples?
open.spotify.com
Reposted by Alex Andreou
January 3, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Joint statement on Greenland.
January 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Britain has talked itself into a flat tailspin. Had weeks of ppl telling me that the country's on the verge of catastrophe. In reality real wages are rising and the economy growing. God alone knows what ppl would say if we went back to the early 80s, 17% interest rates and four million unemployed.
January 6, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
I think this is a fair analysis. The only possibility I would add is that there is resignation behind the scenes to this degrading into an absolute sh*tshow and the only choice is what hill to defend, in order to take as much public opinion with them as possible. And maybe Maduro is not that hill.
January 5, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Did you happen to see Frederiksen's statement on the Venezuela strike *before* Trump mentioned Greenland?

"The Danish government is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela with our allies. Now is the time for de-escalation. International law must be respected."
January 5, 2026 at 11:39 PM
I would re-direct people to this episode which explains the selective misapplication of the "Monroe Doctrine" and how this ahistorical appeal to some glorious past feeds MAGA psychology.
January 5, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Incels can’t get even AI to want them lmao
January 5, 2026 at 6:35 AM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
HoC statement by Foreign Sec on Venezuela, including clear position on Greenland. Interesting that Cooper also spoke to Machado.

"In my discussions with Secretary Rubio, I raised the importance of complying with international law. We will continue to urge all partners to do so at every stage." ~AA
January 5, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Labour justice minister destroys Robert Jenrick for the Tories complete and utter failure in our prisons across their 14 years in office.

Very well said @alexdaviesjones.bsky.social - a brilliant Labour junior minister.
January 5, 2026 at 5:28 PM
An actor friend used to add whatever skill was needed in any role he was up for - jugglind, dressage, archery - saying he'd "pick it up en route" if he got the job.

I think of him a lot when I look at social media. Last month's forensic handwriting experts are Latin America specialists this week.
January 5, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
🚨🧵on Venezuela

While the final US military operation last weekend might have been under cover of darkness, the build-up to it was out in the open for all to see.

I've constructed some timelines of the immediate build-up covering both the strikes and the supporting actions...

1/11
January 5, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Jacob Rees-Mogg says a deal between the Conservatives and Reform UK "makes complete sense" and may have to be "a formal agreement" rather than a loose non-aggression pact, and he would be "strongly in favour of that". ~AA
January 5, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
China asks for Maduro's immediate release saying "the US has placed its own power above multilateralism and military action above diplomacy". Addresses Trump: "President, the lessons of history are a stark warning. The indiscriminate use of force will only lead to greater crises." ~AA
January 5, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Russian Ambassador to the UN says that US action in Venezuela is "a harbinger of a return to an era of chaos, lawlessness and US domination by force... We hope that this banditry will be met immediately with an objective and comprehensive assessment under international law." ~AA
January 5, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
The Utrecht morning rush hour in the snow did not disappoint!
January 5, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Chris Philp, a minister at the Home Office 2022-2024, when his government spent over £700m and four years, to deport - voluntarily, at that - a total of four people to Rwanda, reckons it should easily be happening "within a week". 🤡 ~AA
Conservative's Chris Philp starting 2026 with a call to leave the ECHR

"The only way to stop the crossings is to leave the ECHR and to deport anyone arriving here illegally within a week"
January 5, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
The serious answer to "why we shouldn't just take it," one that doesn't appeal to any international order or moral standard, is that robust alliances are a lot more valuable than whatever the US could take from allies by force.

Or, as I put it last year: Allies Are Assets, You Idiots
January 5, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Ask Zelensky and the Ukrainian people if Europe should be burning its bridges with Trump at this exact moment.

Their answer tells you how Starmer should respond to the Venezuela crisis.
January 5, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Contrary to what you may think, I do not care one jot about Starmer's fate. I do care about the number of people who seem to mistake precipitousness for moral clarity and bravado for courage - even in circumstances where getting it wrong might have catastrophic consequences.

It frightens me deeply.
January 5, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Predictably, the response to this is: should have said it with more adjectives/should have said it two hours earlier. 😂
NEW Prime Minister Starmer: "The future of Greenland is for the Kingdom of Denmark, and for Greenland themselves to decide, and only for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark." ~AA
January 5, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Bloomberg's @rosaprince.bsky.social says unpicking Brexit "could be a vote winner for Starmer" and "more importantly, on the policy side, what he really needs is to deliver growth. So, if any of this can lead to an economic uptick, then it should be something he should consider." ~AA
January 5, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
NEW Prime Minister Starmer: "The future of Greenland is for the Kingdom of Denmark, and for Greenland themselves to decide, and only for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark." ~AA
January 5, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Starmer: "Denmark is a close ally in Europe, it is a NATO ally. Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark are to decide the future of Greenland, and only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark."

From the coming midday pool clip, I suspect. ~AA

www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Starmer backs Danish PM in saying Trump has no right to any claim over Greenland – UK politics live
Keir Starmer says he ‘stands’ with Denmark after Donald Trump threatened to annex Greenland
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Reposted by Alex Andreou
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
January 5, 2026 at 6:50 AM