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
Support me on https://ko-fi.com/quietriotpod
Pinned
Alex Andreou
@sturdyalex.bsky.social
· Nov 26
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...
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
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.
One of my favourite episodes so far, I think.
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.
🚨🚨New episode 🚨🚨
Trump’s National Security Strategy: Make Europe Whiter Again? With Jonathan Terra
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Trump’s National Security Strategy: Make Europe Whiter Again? With Jonathan Terra
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
America First: A New Era in Foreign Policy with Jonathan Terra
Podcast Episode · Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell · 09/12/2025 · 1h 3m
podcasts.apple.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:27 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.
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Incels can’t get even AI to want them lmao
January 5, 2026 at 6:35 AM
Incels can’t get even AI to want them lmao
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
"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
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
"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
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.
Very well said @alexdaviesjones.bsky.social - a brilliant Labour junior minister.
January 5, 2026 at 5:28 PM
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.
Very well said @alexdaviesjones.bsky.social - a brilliant Labour junior minister.
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.
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
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.
I think of him a lot when I look at social media. Last month's forensic handwriting experts are Latin America specialists this week.
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
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
🚨🧵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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Reposted by Alex Andreou
The Utrecht morning rush hour in the snow did not disappoint!
January 5, 2026 at 7:26 AM
The Utrecht morning rush hour in the snow did not disappoint!
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"
"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
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
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
Or, as I put it last year: Allies Are Assets, You Idiots
January 5, 2026 at 2:41 PM
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
Or, as I put it last year: Allies Are Assets, You Idiots
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.
Their answer tells you how Starmer should respond to the Venezuela crisis.
January 5, 2026 at 11:51 AM
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.
Their answer tells you how Starmer should respond to the Venezuela crisis.
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.
It frightens me deeply.
January 5, 2026 at 2:27 PM
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.
It frightens me deeply.
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
Predictably, the response to this is: should have said it with more adjectives/should have said it two hours earlier. 😂
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
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
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
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
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...
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
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...
From the coming midday pool clip, I suspect. ~AA
www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
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
amazing how the entire machine can pivot within 24 hours. no need to slowly upsell the argument; just issue new marching orders
This reminds of an exchange in Frasier:
- "Is that what you are trying to say?"
- "No, that is what I am trying NOT to say!"
- "Is that what you are trying to say?"
- "No, that is what I am trying NOT to say!"
Incredibly awkward EU Commission press conference, with representatives unable and unwilling to answer questions on Greenland.
To the extent they just ghost journalists insisting on the issue. ~AA
To the extent they just ghost journalists insisting on the issue. ~AA
January 5, 2026 at 12:10 PM
This reminds of an exchange in Frasier:
- "Is that what you are trying to say?"
- "No, that is what I am trying NOT to say!"
- "Is that what you are trying to say?"
- "No, that is what I am trying NOT to say!"
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Incredibly awkward EU Commission press conference, with representatives unable and unwilling to answer questions on Greenland.
To the extent they just ghost journalists insisting on the issue. ~AA
To the extent they just ghost journalists insisting on the issue. ~AA
January 5, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Incredibly awkward EU Commission press conference, with representatives unable and unwilling to answer questions on Greenland.
To the extent they just ghost journalists insisting on the issue. ~AA
To the extent they just ghost journalists insisting on the issue. ~AA
Reposted by Alex Andreou
"It is hard not to conclude that Brexit has left the UK more exposed to the cold winds of US unilateralism than would otherwise have been the case."
A stark Independent editorial. ~AA
www.independent.co.uk/voices/edito...
A stark Independent editorial. ~AA
www.independent.co.uk/voices/edito...
Trump’s Venezuela raid shows how exposed Starmer and Britain has become since Brexit
Editorial: As Washington acted unilaterally to capture Maduro, the prime minister was reduced to watching and waiting. The episode lays bare the fragility of the UK’s post-Brexit foreign policy and wh...
www.independent.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 11:27 AM
"It is hard not to conclude that Brexit has left the UK more exposed to the cold winds of US unilateralism than would otherwise have been the case."
A stark Independent editorial. ~AA
www.independent.co.uk/voices/edito...
A stark Independent editorial. ~AA
www.independent.co.uk/voices/edito...
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Incredible 2004 memo by erstwhile Brexit cheerleader Frost about how "shared aims and aspirations within the EU" and a positive approach to Europe had "revolutionised" UK-Ireland relations, replacing "prickliness" with "a close working relationship". ~AA
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/comm...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/comm...
January 5, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Incredible 2004 memo by erstwhile Brexit cheerleader Frost about how "shared aims and aspirations within the EU" and a positive approach to Europe had "revolutionised" UK-Ireland relations, replacing "prickliness" with "a close working relationship". ~AA
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/comm...
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/comm...
Reposted by Alex Andreou
Everyone, in and out of America keeps hoping/assuming that surely, eventually, something or someone will stop Trump. Some constitutional guardrail. Some court ruling. Some level of corruption, scandal or abuse too big to be ignored. We wait, and wait in vain. Better to act for ourselves.
I think the world is in disbelief at the shock and awe speed at which the US is unravelling, the reality of what they have become seems to be too much too quick for leaders to digest and act on. Europe / The west need to discuss the unthinkable of how do we uncouple and protect ourselves from the US
January 5, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Everyone, in and out of America keeps hoping/assuming that surely, eventually, something or someone will stop Trump. Some constitutional guardrail. Some court ruling. Some level of corruption, scandal or abuse too big to be ignored. We wait, and wait in vain. Better to act for ourselves.
Reposted by Alex Andreou
I agree. And the UK's response was too equivocal. It may have been better to have issued a dry holding statement. I just think there is quite a big gulf between "placate" and "provoke" and I see far too many people on here express themselves in a way that only recognises those two responses.
January 5, 2026 at 11:36 AM
I agree. And the UK's response was too equivocal. It may have been better to have issued a dry holding statement. I just think there is quite a big gulf between "placate" and "provoke" and I see far too many people on here express themselves in a way that only recognises those two responses.