Thomas Hughes
@thomashughes.bsky.social
Assistant Prof Mount Allison Uni and Dep Director Centre for Defence and Security Studies Uni of Manitoba. Arctic and N. Am Defence, NATO and European Security. And fly fishing with a dose of NUFC.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
1/6
The Norwegian services presented their annual unclassified assessments today.
Some highlights from Focus 2026 from NIS will follow:
"It is in Russia's interest that the Greenland debate causes uncertainty and potential conflict between Europe and the United States."
The Norwegian services presented their annual unclassified assessments today.
Some highlights from Focus 2026 from NIS will follow:
"It is in Russia's interest that the Greenland debate causes uncertainty and potential conflict between Europe and the United States."
February 6, 2026 at 10:57 AM
1/6
The Norwegian services presented their annual unclassified assessments today.
Some highlights from Focus 2026 from NIS will follow:
"It is in Russia's interest that the Greenland debate causes uncertainty and potential conflict between Europe and the United States."
The Norwegian services presented their annual unclassified assessments today.
Some highlights from Focus 2026 from NIS will follow:
"It is in Russia's interest that the Greenland debate causes uncertainty and potential conflict between Europe and the United States."
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
This is how tonight sounds in Kyiv ⚠️loud explosions. quiet time between explosions is in a way even more unnerving than explosions themselves.
how do I know when to film? Because we have reports that detect when missiles are coming. So you are just counting the seconds . very disturbing seconds
how do I know when to film? Because we have reports that detect when missiles are coming. So you are just counting the seconds . very disturbing seconds
February 3, 2026 at 12:29 AM
This is how tonight sounds in Kyiv ⚠️loud explosions. quiet time between explosions is in a way even more unnerving than explosions themselves.
how do I know when to film? Because we have reports that detect when missiles are coming. So you are just counting the seconds . very disturbing seconds
how do I know when to film? Because we have reports that detect when missiles are coming. So you are just counting the seconds . very disturbing seconds
Ocean’s Sausage
January 30, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Ocean’s Sausage
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Take a look at these NATO defence spending figures.
Pay special attention to Denmark....
Pay special attention to Denmark....
A useful look at different aspects of NATO defence spending from Atlantic Council.
www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/t...
www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/t...
NATO Defense Spending Tracker
The Transatlantic Security Initiative's NATO defense spending tracker delves into data to analyze current defense spending trends.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
January 26, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Take a look at these NATO defence spending figures.
Pay special attention to Denmark....
Pay special attention to Denmark....
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Just dropping by to say that Russia continues attacking us right now .
January 24, 2026 at 1:07 AM
Just dropping by to say that Russia continues attacking us right now .
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
The Greenland business might currently be overshadowing the war and Russia, but the potential impact of the former, as seen from a small country bordering Russia, can't be underestimated, and is even more serious due to the latter, which it can have a significant impact on as well.
January 21, 2026 at 12:54 PM
The Greenland business might currently be overshadowing the war and Russia, but the potential impact of the former, as seen from a small country bordering Russia, can't be underestimated, and is even more serious due to the latter, which it can have a significant impact on as well.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
So, if I understand correctly, the US needs to own Greenland because of the threats from new weapons belong to *checks notes* the US, and from Russia and China whose military technology is apparently a bit rubbish. Makes perfect sense.
January 21, 2026 at 2:48 PM
So, if I understand correctly, the US needs to own Greenland because of the threats from new weapons belong to *checks notes* the US, and from Russia and China whose military technology is apparently a bit rubbish. Makes perfect sense.
See also: Canada
January 20, 2026 at 4:34 PM
See also: Canada
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Saints and Ladders
This remarkable monument at Chillingham (Northumberland, c.1450) tells the story of Sir Ralph and Lady Elizabeth Grey through stone, paint, and symbolism that survives against all odds.
This remarkable monument at Chillingham (Northumberland, c.1450) tells the story of Sir Ralph and Lady Elizabeth Grey through stone, paint, and symbolism that survives against all odds.
January 20, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Saints and Ladders
This remarkable monument at Chillingham (Northumberland, c.1450) tells the story of Sir Ralph and Lady Elizabeth Grey through stone, paint, and symbolism that survives against all odds.
This remarkable monument at Chillingham (Northumberland, c.1450) tells the story of Sir Ralph and Lady Elizabeth Grey through stone, paint, and symbolism that survives against all odds.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Kyiv, Jan 16: −2°C inside an apartment. Electric heating is off after Russian strikes on the power system. No water, too. This is the capital — and some residents can’t leave. Turning heat into a weapon is what a war on civilians looks like.
January 19, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Kyiv, Jan 16: −2°C inside an apartment. Electric heating is off after Russian strikes on the power system. No water, too. This is the capital — and some residents can’t leave. Turning heat into a weapon is what a war on civilians looks like.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
The fact that the CAF are in Greenland at the moment with the US as part of a NORAD exercise, while also contemplating joining the Denmark-led NATO exercise, captures Canada's defence dilemma quite well.
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Canada weighs sending soldiers to Greenland as show of NATO solidarity with Denmark
Move would likely anger U.S. President Trump, who has threatened new tariffs on European countries that sent miliary personnel to Greenland
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:13 PM
The fact that the CAF are in Greenland at the moment with the US as part of a NORAD exercise, while also contemplating joining the Denmark-led NATO exercise, captures Canada's defence dilemma quite well.
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
This is a very good point. The November 2025 US National Security Strategy never mentions the Arctic at all. The idea that it's a genuine security priority for the Trump administration is not credible.
January 18, 2026 at 6:07 PM
This is a very good point. The November 2025 US National Security Strategy never mentions the Arctic at all. The idea that it's a genuine security priority for the Trump administration is not credible.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Trump will likely try to make Denmark choose between NATO and Greenland, and wider Europe between Greenland and Ukraine.
But luckily Trump has also demonstrated that under his leadership, any US security guarantee won’t be worth much. So the choice should be simple.
But luckily Trump has also demonstrated that under his leadership, any US security guarantee won’t be worth much. So the choice should be simple.
What European leaders have been most nervous about is the US pulling back on NATO or Ukraine… but how can Europe trust the US will come to its defense if its trying to seize territory from a NATO country. They can’t. So why cave to keep a security commitment that is not real. 6/
January 18, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Trump will likely try to make Denmark choose between NATO and Greenland, and wider Europe between Greenland and Ukraine.
But luckily Trump has also demonstrated that under his leadership, any US security guarantee won’t be worth much. So the choice should be simple.
But luckily Trump has also demonstrated that under his leadership, any US security guarantee won’t be worth much. So the choice should be simple.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
I take this back.
Trump was clearly deeply impressed by our 5 guys who went to Greenland as he’s now imposing tariffs on us
Trump was clearly deeply impressed by our 5 guys who went to Greenland as he’s now imposing tariffs on us
The Nordics are going all in on Greenland.
Norway sent two (2) guys and the Swedish guys are unarmed
Still, both are better than the non-existing contribution from Finland
Norway sent two (2) guys and the Swedish guys are unarmed
Still, both are better than the non-existing contribution from Finland
January 17, 2026 at 5:56 PM
I take this back.
Trump was clearly deeply impressed by our 5 guys who went to Greenland as he’s now imposing tariffs on us
Trump was clearly deeply impressed by our 5 guys who went to Greenland as he’s now imposing tariffs on us
An idea! To assuage security concerns the US could pay Denmark $150bn for the right to, say, «use [Greenland] in cooperation with Denmark for the defense of Greenland and the rest of the North Atlantic Treaty area, and…construct such facilities and undertake such activities therein ». Seems fair!
January 17, 2026 at 5:59 PM
An idea! To assuage security concerns the US could pay Denmark $150bn for the right to, say, «use [Greenland] in cooperation with Denmark for the defense of Greenland and the rest of the North Atlantic Treaty area, and…construct such facilities and undertake such activities therein ». Seems fair!
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
I know there’s a lot happening right now , but I wanna ask you to read this post: Russian drones are attacking power station near my city Kyiv right now. It’s -16 here and feels even colder, and Russia is attacking the (almost) the only thing that warms people in this cold and allows them to
January 17, 2026 at 12:33 AM
I know there’s a lot happening right now , but I wanna ask you to read this post: Russian drones are attacking power station near my city Kyiv right now. It’s -16 here and feels even colder, and Russia is attacking the (almost) the only thing that warms people in this cold and allows them to
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
"A return to licensed production as opposed to participation in joint programs (like the JSF and beyond) would severely undermine Canada’s defence industrial strategy and our capacity to properly equip the RCAF in both the long- and short-term." macdonaldlaurier.ca/jets-jobs-an...
Jets, jobs, and national security – Tactical fighters and the history of Canadian defence industrial development: Richard Shimooka
Equipping the RCAF effectively requires a clear understanding of how Canada’s aerospace industry translates into military capability. Rather than repeat ineffective policies from the past – such as li...
macdonaldlaurier.ca
January 16, 2026 at 8:46 PM
"A return to licensed production as opposed to participation in joint programs (like the JSF and beyond) would severely undermine Canada’s defence industrial strategy and our capacity to properly equip the RCAF in both the long- and short-term." macdonaldlaurier.ca/jets-jobs-an...
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
I know a lot is happening around the world , but this post is your little reminder, that , ~400 apartment buildings in Kyiv still have no heating after Russian attack. And it’s gonna be -15 soon. Some people have already shared how ice forming on the inside of their windows.
January 14, 2026 at 5:28 PM
I know a lot is happening around the world , but this post is your little reminder, that , ~400 apartment buildings in Kyiv still have no heating after Russian attack. And it’s gonna be -15 soon. Some people have already shared how ice forming on the inside of their windows.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Durham Cathedral. There's almost 1000 years of life in those walls - so glad that they decided to make them look vibrant and full of energy.
January 13, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Durham Cathedral. There's almost 1000 years of life in those walls - so glad that they decided to make them look vibrant and full of energy.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
The US did not declare war against Germany when they went into Poland.
January 12, 2026 at 2:15 AM
The US did not declare war against Germany when they went into Poland.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
A very happy "fuck you" to John Stallard of Warlord Games, who is worried about "wokeism" killing wargames and thinks women don't play them, possibly because women don't want to hang around twats like John.
And how did taking on female wargamers go for the non-"woke" side last time, John?
And how did taking on female wargamers go for the non-"woke" side last time, John?
This here is one of the great U-boat hunters of the Second World War.
Grab a comfy seat and a glass of something pleasing. We're going on a journey...
Grab a comfy seat and a glass of something pleasing. We're going on a journey...
January 10, 2026 at 9:52 AM
A very happy "fuck you" to John Stallard of Warlord Games, who is worried about "wokeism" killing wargames and thinks women don't play them, possibly because women don't want to hang around twats like John.
And how did taking on female wargamers go for the non-"woke" side last time, John?
And how did taking on female wargamers go for the non-"woke" side last time, John?
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Kyiv is currently entirely without power and heating after today’s attack. Authorities urged people to leave the city if they can. This is a humanitarian disaster, in case anyone didn’t know
January 9, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Kyiv is currently entirely without power and heating after today’s attack. Authorities urged people to leave the city if they can. This is a humanitarian disaster, in case anyone didn’t know
Huzzah! What lovely dulcet tones to enjoy, and this was a tremendously fun conversation
My blogpost extends some stuff @thomashughes.bsky.social and I discussed on today's podcast: cdsn.substack.com/p/episode-47... Plus I talked to RCAF Colonel Curtis Wright about air ops in Canada and beyond.
January 7, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Huzzah! What lovely dulcet tones to enjoy, and this was a tremendously fun conversation
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Finnish shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) announced that it has been awarded a contract by the United States Coast Guard (U.S. Coast Guard) for the construction of two Arctic Security Cutters (ASC) 🇫🇮 🇺🇸
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Finland's RMC awarded contract to build two U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutters - Naval News
Rauma Marine Constructions announced that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Coast Guard for the construction of two Arctic Security Cutters
www.navalnews.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Finnish shipbuilder Rauma Marine Constructions (RMC) announced that it has been awarded a contract by the United States Coast Guard (U.S. Coast Guard) for the construction of two Arctic Security Cutters (ASC) 🇫🇮 🇺🇸
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and the European Union issued a joint statement reaffirming that Greenland belongs to its people and any decisions concerning its future must be made solely by Denmark and Greenland.
January 6, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and the European Union issued a joint statement reaffirming that Greenland belongs to its people and any decisions concerning its future must be made solely by Denmark and Greenland.