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
"NATO’s new Alliance Maritime Strategy ... re-centers maritime hard power within collective defense, integrates digital transformation and industrial strength, and reframes the oceans as the decisive arena of strategic competition." www.fpri.org/article/2025...
Collective Seapower: NATO’s New Maritime Strategy - Foreign Policy Research Institute
NATO has finally unveiled its new Alliance Maritime Strategy, refreshing a document that had not been publicly updated since 2011. While high-level strategy
www.fpri.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:15 PM
"NATO’s new Alliance Maritime Strategy ... re-centers maritime hard power within collective defense, integrates digital transformation and industrial strength, and reframes the oceans as the decisive arena of strategic competition." www.fpri.org/article/2025...
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Yeah so several major Ukrainian cities are in a complete blackout right now. 0 generation from thermal plants and 0 idea when the power will be back. Just please don’t forget us
November 8, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Yeah so several major Ukrainian cities are in a complete blackout right now. 0 generation from thermal plants and 0 idea when the power will be back. Just please don’t forget us
Yet another example, if any more were needed, of AI getting the simplest things horrendously wrong, and being devastatingly London-centric. Or, in other words, bearing the hallmarks of almost every British government of the last 70 years.
November 8, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Yet another example, if any more were needed, of AI getting the simplest things horrendously wrong, and being devastatingly London-centric. Or, in other words, bearing the hallmarks of almost every British government of the last 70 years.
I was going to say something snide about this meaning that the US would now sit on the sidelines for the next two years equivocating over one of the simplest moral decisions in the history of international relations. But given the approach to Ukraine it feels a bit too on the nose
November 7, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I was going to say something snide about this meaning that the US would now sit on the sidelines for the next two years equivocating over one of the simplest moral decisions in the history of international relations. But given the approach to Ukraine it feels a bit too on the nose
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
British military planners have travelled to Bodø in the Arctic Circle, to rehearse what it would look like if Russia decided to unleash hostile activity on its doorstep.
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
Deep inside a mountain, Britain prepares for Russian onslaught
British military planners travelled to Bodø, nestled between the sea and snow-capped peaks of the Arctic Circle, to war-game out the response to Russian threats.
www.politico.eu
November 7, 2025 at 9:43 AM
British military planners have travelled to Bodø in the Arctic Circle, to rehearse what it would look like if Russia decided to unleash hostile activity on its doorstep.
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
www.politico.eu/article/brit...
THIS! No fireworks for me this year, but thoroughly looking forward to semi-raw sausages and half-baked potatoes ‘cooked’ on the fire!
On a lighter note, it is Guy Fawkes day in the UK. Every year, I delight in the faces of people who’ve never heard of it, having it explained for the first time
“Sorry an effigy? That you burn? Of Catholics from the 1600s? And everyone turns up to watch it?”
“Sorry an effigy? That you burn? Of Catholics from the 1600s? And everyone turns up to watch it?”
November 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM
THIS! No fireworks for me this year, but thoroughly looking forward to semi-raw sausages and half-baked potatoes ‘cooked’ on the fire!
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Russia ends seasonal draft model, moves to year-round conscription from 2026 kyivindependent.com/putin-signs-...
Russia ends seasonal draft model, moves to year-round conscription from 2026
While Russian conscripts are officially barred from being deployed abroad, reports indicate that many are pressured into signing contracts with Russia's Defense Ministry and sent to fight in Ukraine.
kyivindependent.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Russia ends seasonal draft model, moves to year-round conscription from 2026 kyivindependent.com/putin-signs-...
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
In my latest opinion piece for the @thebarentsobserver.com, I ask why we believe that a country not capable of producing a decent microchip on its own can make nuclear-powered weapons systems without triggering major accidents.
The Arctic has again become Moscow’s nuclear bluster playground
History is repeating itself.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:39 PM
In my latest opinion piece for the @thebarentsobserver.com, I ask why we believe that a country not capable of producing a decent microchip on its own can make nuclear-powered weapons systems without triggering major accidents.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
OPINION: For Vladimir Putin and his ex-KGB cohort, threatening with the new reactor-powered, nuclear-capable weapons systems brings Soviet nostalgia back onto the table. A look into history can help elucidating today's escalating Russian nuclear brinksmanship.
The Arctic has again become Moscow’s nuclear bluster playground
History is repeating itself.
www.thebarentsobserver.com
November 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
OPINION: For Vladimir Putin and his ex-KGB cohort, threatening with the new reactor-powered, nuclear-capable weapons systems brings Soviet nostalgia back onto the table. A look into history can help elucidating today's escalating Russian nuclear brinksmanship.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
🇬🇱🇩🇰 Following Donald Trump's statements about his intention to annex Greenland, Denmark has begun strengthening the defenses of the island, which is now seen as a vulnerable target in the face of Russia's growing military activity in the Arctic, - Bloomberg
November 1, 2025 at 8:01 AM
🇬🇱🇩🇰 Following Donald Trump's statements about his intention to annex Greenland, Denmark has begun strengthening the defenses of the island, which is now seen as a vulnerable target in the face of Russia's growing military activity in the Arctic, - Bloomberg
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Your regularly scheduled reminder of one of the pioneering groups of what is now called operations research was a group of teen and twenty something women led by a gamer too ill for sea duty trying to do their part to defend their island home.
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...
November 1, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Your regularly scheduled reminder of one of the pioneering groups of what is now called operations research was a group of teen and twenty something women led by a gamer too ill for sea duty trying to do their part to defend their island home.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
St. Aidan’s Church at Bamburgh in Northumberland. The first church was founded by St. Aidan in 635; the current building dates from the C12th to C14th, with the west tower added in the C13th or early C14th. 📸 My own. #SteepleSaturday #StAidans #Bamburgh #Northumberland
November 1, 2025 at 7:35 AM
St. Aidan’s Church at Bamburgh in Northumberland. The first church was founded by St. Aidan in 635; the current building dates from the C12th to C14th, with the west tower added in the C13th or early C14th. 📸 My own. #SteepleSaturday #StAidans #Bamburgh #Northumberland
Well that will be fun for everyone I’m sure.
At the 17th Congress of the Russian Geographical Society, Putin said that Russia will focus its interests on the Arctic next year.
October 31, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Well that will be fun for everyone I’m sure.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
New Minuteman III test coming up.
I say this a lot about Russian tests but now it must be said about American ones too:
Test schedules are planned long in advance and such tests are perfectly normal, unlikely to be related to recent events.
I say this a lot about Russian tests but now it must be said about American ones too:
Test schedules are planned long in advance and such tests are perfectly normal, unlikely to be related to recent events.
1/x
Navigational Warnings have appeared that point to the (unarmed) test #launch of a US #Minuteman-III #ICBM from Vandenberg targetting the Ronald Reagan Test Site on Kwajalein, Nov 5-6
Navigational Warnings have appeared that point to the (unarmed) test #launch of a US #Minuteman-III #ICBM from Vandenberg targetting the Ronald Reagan Test Site on Kwajalein, Nov 5-6
October 31, 2025 at 12:52 PM
New Minuteman III test coming up.
I say this a lot about Russian tests but now it must be said about American ones too:
Test schedules are planned long in advance and such tests are perfectly normal, unlikely to be related to recent events.
I say this a lot about Russian tests but now it must be said about American ones too:
Test schedules are planned long in advance and such tests are perfectly normal, unlikely to be related to recent events.
This is a brilliant thread. For those interested in civ-mil relations and those who have never heard the term before, well worth reading to critique(!) a ‘provocative’ article that seems to be doing the rounds
Hi folks! A few thoughts on this essay, and the questions that we *should* be asking, rather than the ones this Army officer seems inclined to answer. I haven’t done a CMR thread in a while so I’m overdue. 🧵
Hard to imagine a more sinister & dangerous argument, couched in euphemism & high-minded language. "This essay does not argue liberalism will collapse, only that [US] military officers should be intellectually (and spiritually) prepared for alternatives." warontherocks.com/2025/10/the-...
October 31, 2025 at 12:56 PM
This is a brilliant thread. For those interested in civ-mil relations and those who have never heard the term before, well worth reading to critique(!) a ‘provocative’ article that seems to be doing the rounds
@alanderminna.bsky.social did it so I don’t have to…
Really trying hard not to make a he said Xi said joke as it’s simply too tasteless in Trump’s case.
But can’t quite resist.
We don’t know what Xi said, but he said that he wants to restart nuclear weapons tests
But can’t quite resist.
We don’t know what Xi said, but he said that he wants to restart nuclear weapons tests
October 30, 2025 at 9:32 AM
@alanderminna.bsky.social did it so I don’t have to…
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Russia is amassing nuclear weapons and attack submarines in the Arctic Circle as it prepares for war with Nato,Norway’s defence minister has warned,the Telegraph reports.
▪️"Russia is building up on the Kola peninsula ...where one of the largest arsenals of nuclear warheads in the world is located.⤵️
▪️"Russia is building up on the Kola peninsula ...where one of the largest arsenals of nuclear warheads in the world is located.⤵️
October 26, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Russia is amassing nuclear weapons and attack submarines in the Arctic Circle as it prepares for war with Nato,Norway’s defence minister has warned,the Telegraph reports.
▪️"Russia is building up on the Kola peninsula ...where one of the largest arsenals of nuclear warheads in the world is located.⤵️
▪️"Russia is building up on the Kola peninsula ...where one of the largest arsenals of nuclear warheads in the world is located.⤵️
@podonthetyne.bsky.social Looks like Everton have released their new Goalkeeper kits for next season…
The Situation, October 23, 2025: On Humor
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
October 25, 2025 at 11:51 AM
@podonthetyne.bsky.social Looks like Everton have released their new Goalkeeper kits for next season…
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
“Russia is protecting its nuclear submarines in the Arctic with an undersea surveillance system built using high-tech equipment acquired from U.S. & European companies through a secret procurement network, according to newly uncovered financial records, court documents & Western security officials.”
Russia acquired Western technology to protect its nuclear submarine fleet
Russia secretly used front companies to buy Western technology and erect a surveillance net in the Arctic where its submarines operate, an investigation shows.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:34 PM
“Russia is protecting its nuclear submarines in the Arctic with an undersea surveillance system built using high-tech equipment acquired from U.S. & European companies through a secret procurement network, according to newly uncovered financial records, court documents & Western security officials.”
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Russia is fitting its UMPB-5R glide bombs with Chinese SW800Pro-Y turbojet engines, increasing their strike range to around 130 km. Photos confirm the engine's use in recent attacks on Poltava and Lozova. The upgrade allows Russian aircraft to launch from beyond the reach of Ukrainian air defenses.
October 24, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Russia is fitting its UMPB-5R glide bombs with Chinese SW800Pro-Y turbojet engines, increasing their strike range to around 130 km. Photos confirm the engine's use in recent attacks on Poltava and Lozova. The upgrade allows Russian aircraft to launch from beyond the reach of Ukrainian air defenses.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
The German company that makes the mechanical ladder used in the Louvre heist has used the image to advertise, with the text 'When you need to move fast'
10/10 response, no notes
10/10 response, no notes
October 24, 2025 at 8:27 AM
The German company that makes the mechanical ladder used in the Louvre heist has used the image to advertise, with the text 'When you need to move fast'
10/10 response, no notes
10/10 response, no notes
Woohoo! This will be great! Best film ever made, by a country mile, really looking forward to reading about the background. Remember reading a short book about the filming a while back, but a look back at it by @spitfirefilly.bsky.social is even more exciting.
Currently in the process of editing a new, extended two-part article on the making of the 1969 film 'Battle of Britain'. In the meantime, check out a short poem that I was inspired to write on the #BattleOfBritain during my final edits on #EagleDays:
spitfirefilly.substack.com/p/wings-over...
spitfirefilly.substack.com/p/wings-over...
'Wings over Albion'
As 'Battle of Britain season' comes to a close during its 85th anniversary year, Dr Taylor pens a short poem on the epic aerial campaign
spitfirefilly.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Woohoo! This will be great! Best film ever made, by a country mile, really looking forward to reading about the background. Remember reading a short book about the filming a while back, but a look back at it by @spitfirefilly.bsky.social is even more exciting.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
Nelson's Victory crew included a Brazilian and a Russian, 2 Indians, 2 Swiss, 2 Portuguese, 3 Danes and 3 Norwegian sailors. There were 3 Germans, 4 Italians, 6 Swedes, 7 Dutchmen, 9 West Indians and an African, as well as 21 Americans, 63 Irish, 64 Scots, 441 English.... oh, and 3 French men, too.
October 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Nelson's Victory crew included a Brazilian and a Russian, 2 Indians, 2 Swiss, 2 Portuguese, 3 Danes and 3 Norwegian sailors. There were 3 Germans, 4 Italians, 6 Swedes, 7 Dutchmen, 9 West Indians and an African, as well as 21 Americans, 63 Irish, 64 Scots, 441 English.... oh, and 3 French men, too.
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
As expected, the annual Russian strategic nuclear forces exercise came today and was a rather modest affair.
The Northern Fleet Delta IV-class SSBN Bryansk, which finished a lengthy overhaul not too long ago, fired a SS-N-23, Yaars ICBM from Plesetsk and with LRA Tu-95s
tvzvezda.ru/news/2025102...
The Northern Fleet Delta IV-class SSBN Bryansk, which finished a lengthy overhaul not too long ago, fired a SS-N-23, Yaars ICBM from Plesetsk and with LRA Tu-95s
tvzvezda.ru/news/2025102...
Путин провел плановую тренировку по управлению ядерными силами
В тренировке участвовали силы стратегического сдерживания из состава ВМФ, ВКС и РВСН.
tvzvezda.ru
October 22, 2025 at 12:53 PM
As expected, the annual Russian strategic nuclear forces exercise came today and was a rather modest affair.
The Northern Fleet Delta IV-class SSBN Bryansk, which finished a lengthy overhaul not too long ago, fired a SS-N-23, Yaars ICBM from Plesetsk and with LRA Tu-95s
tvzvezda.ru/news/2025102...
The Northern Fleet Delta IV-class SSBN Bryansk, which finished a lengthy overhaul not too long ago, fired a SS-N-23, Yaars ICBM from Plesetsk and with LRA Tu-95s
tvzvezda.ru/news/2025102...
Reposted by Thomas Hughes
I missed this over the summer, but it is such an important piece!
”If NATO forces were to pursue massed UAS at the expense of rebuilding stocks of these traditional fires, Russian forces would find it significantly easier to mitigate UAS lethality than they have up to now in Ukraine.”
”If NATO forces were to pursue massed UAS at the expense of rebuilding stocks of these traditional fires, Russian forces would find it significantly easier to mitigate UAS lethality than they have up to now in Ukraine.”
NATO Should Not Replace Traditional Firepower with ‘Drones’
Over-reliance on uncrewed aerial systems or ‘drones’ is leading to significant problems for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and is not something Western militaries should attempt to replicate
www.rusi.org
October 20, 2025 at 8:35 AM
I missed this over the summer, but it is such an important piece!
”If NATO forces were to pursue massed UAS at the expense of rebuilding stocks of these traditional fires, Russian forces would find it significantly easier to mitigate UAS lethality than they have up to now in Ukraine.”
”If NATO forces were to pursue massed UAS at the expense of rebuilding stocks of these traditional fires, Russian forces would find it significantly easier to mitigate UAS lethality than they have up to now in Ukraine.”