Tim Benbow
@timbenbow.bsky.social
Professor of Strategic Studies, King's College London
My research focusses on UK naval strategy and naval history in the Second World War and Cold War.
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/benbow-dr-tim
My research focusses on UK naval strategy and naval history in the Second World War and Cold War.
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/benbow-dr-tim
Reposted by Tim Benbow
A deeply harrowing, but necessary, read. The people of Ukraine are making a terrible sacrifice for the protection of Europe – yet, over a year on from Trump's inauguration, Europe continues to act as if it is a secondary player in a conflict without any real implications for its own security.
Cold case. The Ukrainian Holocaust survivor who froze to death at home in Kyiv amid power cuts in the depths of winter — Novaya Gazeta Europe
No one knows exactly when Baba Zhenya died. They only know that she froze to death. A Kyiv native who managed to survive the Holocaust, Baba Zhenya, or rather Yevhenia Mykhailivna Besfamilnaya, finall...
novayagazeta.eu
February 1, 2026 at 9:34 AM
A deeply harrowing, but necessary, read. The people of Ukraine are making a terrible sacrifice for the protection of Europe – yet, over a year on from Trump's inauguration, Europe continues to act as if it is a secondary player in a conflict without any real implications for its own security.
Reposted by Tim Benbow
This week I was in London for a live sequel to Sky News' podcast 'The Wargame'. On stage we had former British ministers Ben Wallace, Jack Straw and Amber Rudd, and former Commander of Joint Forces Command General Sir Richard Barrons, playing out another round of simulated attack from Moscow.
[1/9]
[1/9]
February 1, 2026 at 1:55 PM
This week I was in London for a live sequel to Sky News' podcast 'The Wargame'. On stage we had former British ministers Ben Wallace, Jack Straw and Amber Rudd, and former Commander of Joint Forces Command General Sir Richard Barrons, playing out another round of simulated attack from Moscow.
[1/9]
[1/9]
Reposted by Tim Benbow
What was it about the famously prickly pain in the arse, Charles de Gaulle, that so often led allies to pull stunts like this? A mystery for the ages, that one...
In fact, he was insistent. His final journey must start at Waterloo – but those tracks head south west. The train could get to Oxon, but: point-switching; complications. So, why?
Well, so he could force General de Gaulle, President of France, to walk under an arch celebrating the defeat of Napoleon
Well, so he could force General de Gaulle, President of France, to walk under an arch celebrating the defeat of Napoleon
January 30, 2026 at 1:36 PM
What was it about the famously prickly pain in the arse, Charles de Gaulle, that so often led allies to pull stunts like this? A mystery for the ages, that one...
Anyone surprised by this story has been living in a fantasy world. Since Jan 2025, the Trump administration has been using lots of different tactics to force Ukraine to commit strategic suicide. This is just the latest.
The real story is that people have not grasped this reality.
The real story is that people have not grasped this reality.
⚡️Ukraine war latest live: US presses Ukraine, not Russia, to pull back troops for proposed Donbas buffer zone – FT reports
January 27, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Reposted by Tim Benbow
Reposted by Tim Benbow
Earlier this week the government used its majority to strip out an amendment to require a plebiscite of the Chagossians before the deal can go through. It is beyond disgusting for a supposedly progressive party and government to deny the Chagossians' right to self-determination.
If they are going to start this again with this how about the give the Chagossians the ultimate say on any change this time?
Ideally give them as many islands as possible
Ideally give them as many islands as possible
January 23, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Earlier this week the government used its majority to strip out an amendment to require a plebiscite of the Chagossians before the deal can go through. It is beyond disgusting for a supposedly progressive party and government to deny the Chagossians' right to self-determination.
Reposted by Tim Benbow
Old joke truer then ever
A large russian patrol is marching through the snowy woods near the border when they hear a voice shouting from behind a nearby snowbank:
"One Finnish soldier is better than ten russians!"
A large russian patrol is marching through the snowy woods near the border when they hear a voice shouting from behind a nearby snowbank:
"One Finnish soldier is better than ten russians!"
Exercise commanders had to ask 🇫🇮 reservists, the most formidable Arctic warriors, who were playing the role of invaders in the war games, to go easy on the Americans. “The Finns had to be told to stop beating the Americans as it was embarrassing and demoralising for them,” a mil source said.”
3/
3/
January 23, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Old joke truer then ever
A large russian patrol is marching through the snowy woods near the border when they hear a voice shouting from behind a nearby snowbank:
"One Finnish soldier is better than ten russians!"
A large russian patrol is marching through the snowy woods near the border when they hear a voice shouting from behind a nearby snowbank:
"One Finnish soldier is better than ten russians!"
Reposted by Tim Benbow
For reasons unknown, my first book, British Grand Strategy in the Age of American Hegemony, is on sale for £28.99 on Amazon UK - a 62% reduction in price! It would be rude not to at that discount! H/T to @jfb1066.bsky.social www.amazon.co.uk/British-Gran...
Amazon.co.uk
www.amazon.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 8:10 AM
For reasons unknown, my first book, British Grand Strategy in the Age of American Hegemony, is on sale for £28.99 on Amazon UK - a 62% reduction in price! It would be rude not to at that discount! H/T to @jfb1066.bsky.social www.amazon.co.uk/British-Gran...
Reposted by Tim Benbow
NATO did not "stay a little back, off the front lines."
Danish, British and Estonian troops served in Helmand, and Canadian forces in Kandahar - the two most dangerous Afghan provinces.
Denmark, UK, Estonia & Canada suffered amongst the highest per‑capita soldier death rates when defending the US.
Danish, British and Estonian troops served in Helmand, and Canadian forces in Kandahar - the two most dangerous Afghan provinces.
Denmark, UK, Estonia & Canada suffered amongst the highest per‑capita soldier death rates when defending the US.
Trump on NATO: "I've always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? That's really the ultimate test. I'm not sure of that. We've never needed them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and this or that. And they did. They stayed a little back, off the front lines."
January 22, 2026 at 2:02 PM
NATO did not "stay a little back, off the front lines."
Danish, British and Estonian troops served in Helmand, and Canadian forces in Kandahar - the two most dangerous Afghan provinces.
Denmark, UK, Estonia & Canada suffered amongst the highest per‑capita soldier death rates when defending the US.
Danish, British and Estonian troops served in Helmand, and Canadian forces in Kandahar - the two most dangerous Afghan provinces.
Denmark, UK, Estonia & Canada suffered amongst the highest per‑capita soldier death rates when defending the US.
Reposted by Tim Benbow
The Times: Chagossians "are owed at least as much respect as the Greenlandic Inuit, whose rights Sir Keir claims to champion. But again, Britain is preparing to fail them." www.thetimes.com/article/95a4...
Trump might be wrong on Greenland but is correct about Chagos surrender
The government’s decision to give upcontrol of the archipelago, which is home to the military base on Diego Garcia, is sheer madness
www.thetimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:42 PM
The Times: Chagossians "are owed at least as much respect as the Greenlandic Inuit, whose rights Sir Keir claims to champion. But again, Britain is preparing to fail them." www.thetimes.com/article/95a4...
Reposted by Tim Benbow
OTD in 1932 the Soviet Union signed a non aggression pact with Finland. We preferred one with the Nazis that had a secret clause cos 7 years later we invaded Finland.
But please trust us over treaties now. We've honored them all since then, just ask Ukraine, Georgia & Moldova.
But please trust us over treaties now. We've honored them all since then, just ask Ukraine, Georgia & Moldova.
January 21, 2026 at 10:59 AM
OTD in 1932 the Soviet Union signed a non aggression pact with Finland. We preferred one with the Nazis that had a secret clause cos 7 years later we invaded Finland.
But please trust us over treaties now. We've honored them all since then, just ask Ukraine, Georgia & Moldova.
But please trust us over treaties now. We've honored them all since then, just ask Ukraine, Georgia & Moldova.
Reposted by Tim Benbow
The stupidity is annoying but it’s the lack of historical understanding that I find especially inexcusable.
The USA’s successes have all come with allies, nor despite them.
Even Reagan’s victory in the Cold War during the 80s was not a US success alone but built on the strength of its alliances
The USA’s successes have all come with allies, nor despite them.
Even Reagan’s victory in the Cold War during the 80s was not a US success alone but built on the strength of its alliances
January 20, 2026 at 9:45 PM
The stupidity is annoying but it’s the lack of historical understanding that I find especially inexcusable.
The USA’s successes have all come with allies, nor despite them.
Even Reagan’s victory in the Cold War during the 80s was not a US success alone but built on the strength of its alliances
The USA’s successes have all come with allies, nor despite them.
Even Reagan’s victory in the Cold War during the 80s was not a US success alone but built on the strength of its alliances
Reposted by Tim Benbow
Listening to Trump presser for 40 mins. Rambling, repetitive stream of consciousness. Narcissistic in extreme. Every thought linked back to whether the person or entity voted for or likes Trump. If Biden had delivered this there would have been serious concern about his health.
January 20, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Listening to Trump presser for 40 mins. Rambling, repetitive stream of consciousness. Narcissistic in extreme. Every thought linked back to whether the person or entity voted for or likes Trump. If Biden had delivered this there would have been serious concern about his health.
Reposted by Tim Benbow
FWIW, the one and only time Article 5 has formally been invoked was following 9/11 -- by NATO and on behalf of the United States, without it having to make any request.
Trump: "The big fear I have with NATO is we spend tremendous amounts of money with NATO and I know we'll come to their rescue, but I just really do question whether or not they'll come to ours. Just saying."
January 20, 2026 at 8:36 PM
FWIW, the one and only time Article 5 has formally been invoked was following 9/11 -- by NATO and on behalf of the United States, without it having to make any request.
Reposted by Tim Benbow
A great speech by Carney in Davos on the transformation of the international system, which is primarily if not exclusively driven by the radical remaking of America grand strategy. The United States over the post-War and post-Cold War period pursued an overarching grand strategy of liberal hegemony.
LIVE: Canadian PM Mark Carney addresses World Economic Forum in Davos youtube.com/live/WIEHAhf...
LIVE: Canadian PM Mark Carney addresses World Economic Forum in Davos
YouTube video by Reuters
youtube.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:30 PM
A great speech by Carney in Davos on the transformation of the international system, which is primarily if not exclusively driven by the radical remaking of America grand strategy. The United States over the post-War and post-Cold War period pursued an overarching grand strategy of liberal hegemony.
Reposted by Tim Benbow
I think a good strategy for your non-leftist social media presence (ie everywhere but here) is to give this photo - the remains of Danish soldiers returning in coffins after being killed in America's war in Afghanistan - as wide an audience as possible. Remind people who we're betraying
January 19, 2026 at 4:32 PM
I think a good strategy for your non-leftist social media presence (ie everywhere but here) is to give this photo - the remains of Danish soldiers returning in coffins after being killed in America's war in Afghanistan - as wide an audience as possible. Remind people who we're betraying
Reposted by Tim Benbow
Not the sort of letter committed to paper by a well man. "Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace"
January 19, 2026 at 7:04 AM
Not the sort of letter committed to paper by a well man. "Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace"
Reposted by Tim Benbow
2026 is seeing that the U.S. Army is mobilizing a unit specialized for winter conditions, but not knowing if the intended mission is violent repression of an American city or stealing territory from a U.S. treaty ally.
January 18, 2026 at 3:29 PM
2026 is seeing that the U.S. Army is mobilizing a unit specialized for winter conditions, but not knowing if the intended mission is violent repression of an American city or stealing territory from a U.S. treaty ally.
Reposted by Tim Benbow
Well I'm convinced. In this case we thus need a new theory to explain why the USSR shot a man for rescuing Jews, just as the Nazis did.
Although our excuse was he collaborated with western intel to do it. As comrade *no doubt* knew. Lol.
Although our excuse was he collaborated with western intel to do it. As comrade *no doubt* knew. Lol.
January 18, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Well I'm convinced. In this case we thus need a new theory to explain why the USSR shot a man for rescuing Jews, just as the Nazis did.
Although our excuse was he collaborated with western intel to do it. As comrade *no doubt* knew. Lol.
Although our excuse was he collaborated with western intel to do it. As comrade *no doubt* knew. Lol.
Reposted by Tim Benbow
Trump's latest tantrum is a sign he knows he can't actually invade Greenland - as he doesn't have support from the Senate or the military.
Obviously Europe can't trade Greenland away so they'll have to try and mollify him some other way or take the hit.
Obviously Europe can't trade Greenland away so they'll have to try and mollify him some other way or take the hit.
January 17, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Trump's latest tantrum is a sign he knows he can't actually invade Greenland - as he doesn't have support from the Senate or the military.
Obviously Europe can't trade Greenland away so they'll have to try and mollify him some other way or take the hit.
Obviously Europe can't trade Greenland away so they'll have to try and mollify him some other way or take the hit.
Reposted by Tim Benbow
A thought, looking forward, at the strategy of the anti-Trump coalition, given the pattern we've seen, DHS will begin probably soon, drawing down forces in Minneapolis and going to harass some other place.
It'll be useful to frame this as 'ICE defeated' and a 'retreat' - they are 'fleeing.'
It'll be useful to frame this as 'ICE defeated' and a 'retreat' - they are 'fleeing.'
January 16, 2026 at 8:52 PM
A thought, looking forward, at the strategy of the anti-Trump coalition, given the pattern we've seen, DHS will begin probably soon, drawing down forces in Minneapolis and going to harass some other place.
It'll be useful to frame this as 'ICE defeated' and a 'retreat' - they are 'fleeing.'
It'll be useful to frame this as 'ICE defeated' and a 'retreat' - they are 'fleeing.'
Reposted by Tim Benbow
I have thoughts about the recent announcement that the US Navy will build battleships once more. @warontherocks.bsky.social was kind enough to publish them.
warontherocks.com/2026/01/why-...
warontherocks.com/2026/01/why-...
Why the U.S. Navy Doesn’t Build Battleships Anymore
On Apr. 7, 1945, aircraft from the U.S. Navy’s fast carrier task force sank the largest battleship ever built, the Imperial Japanese Navy’s Yamato.
warontherocks.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:24 PM
I have thoughts about the recent announcement that the US Navy will build battleships once more. @warontherocks.bsky.social was kind enough to publish them.
warontherocks.com/2026/01/why-...
warontherocks.com/2026/01/why-...
Reposted by Tim Benbow
The House of Lords has voted a regret motion to the Chagos Islands surrender bill. The House of Commons has another chance of doing the right thing and to reject this horrid deal, which betrays the national interest solely for the sake of making the prime minister's friend happy.
January 12, 2026 at 6:02 PM
The House of Lords has voted a regret motion to the Chagos Islands surrender bill. The House of Commons has another chance of doing the right thing and to reject this horrid deal, which betrays the national interest solely for the sake of making the prime minister's friend happy.
Reposted by Tim Benbow
Given that the policy initiative on “islands under UK oversight” that the current British government is pushing through with the greatest determination is to ignore the rightful inhabitants and pay Mauritius to own them instead, I’m not sure that this obliviousness is quite such a surprise.
At least Dutch and French leaders engage with how territories under their oversight or direct control around the Caribbean are at risk from the knock-on effects of US attacks on Venezuela and potential moves on Mexico. But UK leaders seem oblivious to what this means for islands under UK oversight
January 11, 2026 at 12:58 PM
Given that the policy initiative on “islands under UK oversight” that the current British government is pushing through with the greatest determination is to ignore the rightful inhabitants and pay Mauritius to own them instead, I’m not sure that this obliviousness is quite such a surprise.