Joe
@wordandtext.bsky.social
Work in comms, immersed in boardgames about history, politics and conflict. Proud to live in Wales, land of my children, if not my fathers.
Reposted by Joe
We should get serious about sanctions. Russian missiles that kill Ukrainian civilians contain parts made in the West. And this repeated mass murder of civilians by Moscow should bring total boycotts on Russian gas and oil. And the Ukrainians should get everything they need to defend themselves
16 people were killed and 49 injured after russia’s strike on Ternopil. Missiles and drones hit 2 residential buildings and damaged an industrial facility. Rescue workers are still clearing the rubble. u24.gov.ua/nafo-dark-ni...
November 20, 2025 at 2:30 AM
We should get serious about sanctions. Russian missiles that kill Ukrainian civilians contain parts made in the West. And this repeated mass murder of civilians by Moscow should bring total boycotts on Russian gas and oil. And the Ukrainians should get everything they need to defend themselves
We needed some distraction therapy this evening to soothe an anxious mind, so I hauled my wife and daughter through Pax Penning. The beautiful aesthetics were a hit while the game's opaque win conditions had the desired numbing effect. A victory secured without any one knowing quite how.
November 15, 2025 at 10:08 PM
We needed some distraction therapy this evening to soothe an anxious mind, so I hauled my wife and daughter through Pax Penning. The beautiful aesthetics were a hit while the game's opaque win conditions had the desired numbing effect. A victory secured without any one knowing quite how.
Important investigative reporting on what I think is the real story in the current BBC furore.
The BBC is magnificent. Yes, it errs, and should react much better when it does. However, we must do all we can to protect it from the snakes who would destroy it.
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
The BBC is magnificent. Yes, it errs, and should react much better when it does. However, we must do all we can to protect it from the snakes who would destroy it.
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
'BBC Bias' Memo Was Authored by Lobbyist Tied to Pro-Trump Tech Giants
The leaked memo that fuelled Trump’s attack on the BBC was written by a lobbyist at a firm paid by US tech giants tied to the President
bylinetimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Important investigative reporting on what I think is the real story in the current BBC furore.
The BBC is magnificent. Yes, it errs, and should react much better when it does. However, we must do all we can to protect it from the snakes who would destroy it.
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
The BBC is magnificent. Yes, it errs, and should react much better when it does. However, we must do all we can to protect it from the snakes who would destroy it.
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
Love Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars so much that getting hold of the expansion kit was a no-brainer.
November 3, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Love Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars so much that getting hold of the expansion kit was a no-brainer.
Tried The Old King's Crown last night. A slow first turn, then rattled by. Teasing card play decisions, moments of tension, pleasing 'gotcha' opportunities. Keen to play again but unsure what it's trying to model. For all the thematic veneer, it feels unrooted in a geographical or political milieu.
October 29, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Tried The Old King's Crown last night. A slow first turn, then rattled by. Teasing card play decisions, moments of tension, pleasing 'gotcha' opportunities. Keen to play again but unsure what it's trying to model. For all the thematic veneer, it feels unrooted in a geographical or political milieu.
Reposted by Joe
Rally the Troops has added yet another World War I game to the line up: Verdun 1916: Steel Inferno. This is a CDG about the trench warfare around Verdun during World War I, designed by Walter Vejdo, with illustrations by Tardi.
rally-the-troops.com/verdun
rally-the-troops.com/verdun
October 25, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Rally the Troops has added yet another World War I game to the line up: Verdun 1916: Steel Inferno. This is a CDG about the trench warfare around Verdun during World War I, designed by Walter Vejdo, with illustrations by Tardi.
rally-the-troops.com/verdun
rally-the-troops.com/verdun
Ignore the homespun components (actually don't: this is climate crisis sensitive publishing), because Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars is fabulous. I love how the clean base system absorbs small thematic wrinkles, such as damp gunpowder in this Hagelberg scenario, which we played last night.
October 25, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Ignore the homespun components (actually don't: this is climate crisis sensitive publishing), because Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars is fabulous. I love how the clean base system absorbs small thematic wrinkles, such as damp gunpowder in this Hagelberg scenario, which we played last night.
Reposted by Joe
Starting in 2022, Russia “launched a systematic effort to examine its combat experience” and learn from its failures, writes Dara Massicot. Now, Washington and European capitals “need to study Russia’s studying” or risk falling behind.
How Russia Recovered
What the Kremlin is learning from the war in Ukraine.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Starting in 2022, Russia “launched a systematic effort to examine its combat experience” and learn from its failures, writes Dara Massicot. Now, Washington and European capitals “need to study Russia’s studying” or risk falling behind.
Reposted by Joe
Reposted by Joe
I've met @icurtiss.bsky.social at Connections UK last year, where we talked about wargaming as a modelling method, risk gaming and his scenarios for Lux Capital. A couple of weeks ago, we sat down online to talk about these topics, students' games, and other war/riskgaming matters. Enjoy!
The global future of wargaming in Lithuania
open.spotify.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM
I've met @icurtiss.bsky.social at Connections UK last year, where we talked about wargaming as a modelling method, risk gaming and his scenarios for Lux Capital. A couple of weeks ago, we sat down online to talk about these topics, students' games, and other war/riskgaming matters. Enjoy!
Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars is a winner. My gaming partner isn't drawn to Napoleonic and/or hexes, but loved this. Yes, it's light, but don't let that or the homespun production fool you. Timing, combined arms use and risk taking when needed make this a smart challenge. @mropla.bsky.social
September 12, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars is a winner. My gaming partner isn't drawn to Napoleonic and/or hexes, but loved this. Yes, it's light, but don't let that or the homespun production fool you. Timing, combined arms use and risk taking when needed make this a smart challenge. @mropla.bsky.social
Yes, absolutely well deserved. Finally, a 'war' game my wife is asking to play. We're on holiday and have worked through the first two scenarios. The denouement takes place tonight...
August 22, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Yes, absolutely well deserved. Finally, a 'war' game my wife is asking to play. We're on holiday and have worked through the first two scenarios. The denouement takes place tonight...
Highly recommended based on my bit of play-testing. I love the movement system, the perils of leaving too large an electronic footprint, and innovative order mechanism.
Also, great to have the game printed in the Czech Republic, not China, as a protest at China's support of Russian aggression.
Also, great to have the game printed in the Czech Republic, not China, as a protest at China's support of Russian aggression.
Pre-orders now open for Battlegroup Clash: Baltics www.sapperstudio.com/battlegr
This tactical land combat game covers a Russian invasion of Estonia in the present day. It is unique: a game for professionals, but also designed to be accessible to, and played by, hobby gamers.
Order now for 30% off!
This tactical land combat game covers a Russian invasion of Estonia in the present day. It is unique: a game for professionals, but also designed to be accessible to, and played by, hobby gamers.
Order now for 30% off!
August 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Highly recommended based on my bit of play-testing. I love the movement system, the perils of leaving too large an electronic footprint, and innovative order mechanism.
Also, great to have the game printed in the Czech Republic, not China, as a protest at China's support of Russian aggression.
Also, great to have the game printed in the Czech Republic, not China, as a protest at China's support of Russian aggression.
Reposted by Joe
Gofynnwyd i rai o'n Cymrodyr i siarad am eu teithiau unigol a'u cymhellion, a sut mae'r Gymdeithas yn gweithio i adlewyrchu amrywiaeth Cymru.
We asked some of our Fellows to talk about their individual journeys and motivations and how the Society reflects Welsh diversity.
youtu.be/zCYnVVWSOkM?...
We asked some of our Fellows to talk about their individual journeys and motivations and how the Society reflects Welsh diversity.
youtu.be/zCYnVVWSOkM?...
A Society for you: journeys to Fellowship
YouTube video by Learned Society of Wales ¦ Cymdeithas Ddysgedig Cymru
youtu.be
July 30, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Gofynnwyd i rai o'n Cymrodyr i siarad am eu teithiau unigol a'u cymhellion, a sut mae'r Gymdeithas yn gweithio i adlewyrchu amrywiaeth Cymru.
We asked some of our Fellows to talk about their individual journeys and motivations and how the Society reflects Welsh diversity.
youtu.be/zCYnVVWSOkM?...
We asked some of our Fellows to talk about their individual journeys and motivations and how the Society reflects Welsh diversity.
youtu.be/zCYnVVWSOkM?...
No finer sporting venue.
July 11, 2025 at 9:35 AM
No finer sporting venue.
Reposted by Joe
Mae ein trydydd Colocwiwm ar gyfer Ymchwilwyr Gyrfa Gynnar ar waith ym Met Caerdydd. | Our third Colloquium for Early Career Researchers is under way at Cardiff Met.
lnkd.in/eUq9_gUw
www.learnedsociety.wales/early-career...
lnkd.in/eUq9_gUw
www.learnedsociety.wales/early-career...
July 3, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Mae ein trydydd Colocwiwm ar gyfer Ymchwilwyr Gyrfa Gynnar ar waith ym Met Caerdydd. | Our third Colloquium for Early Career Researchers is under way at Cardiff Met.
lnkd.in/eUq9_gUw
www.learnedsociety.wales/early-career...
lnkd.in/eUq9_gUw
www.learnedsociety.wales/early-career...
Reposted by Joe
Ukraine is not being prepared as it should in air defense, and instead of sucking up to Trump, the Europeans should be far more proactive. They even have cards to play, if they had self respect. How about saying Europe will only buy US weapons if the US sells Ukraine Patriots?
June 29, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Ukraine is not being prepared as it should in air defense, and instead of sucking up to Trump, the Europeans should be far more proactive. They even have cards to play, if they had self respect. How about saying Europe will only buy US weapons if the US sells Ukraine Patriots?
The tyrants are hoping we will become blasé about state murder, from Kyiv to Gaza. There are small things we can do.
u24.gov.ua
u24.gov.ua
June 17, 2025 at 7:17 AM
The tyrants are hoping we will become blasé about state murder, from Kyiv to Gaza. There are small things we can do.
u24.gov.ua
u24.gov.ua
Lots of old men killing people.
June 15, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Lots of old men killing people.
@sebastianbae.bsky.social Littoral Commander Baltic gets a positive note in latest edition of In Moscow's Shadows for demonstrating the difficulty of waging a large scale campaign in the Baltic.
My two interests (international relations & wargames) in my favourite podcast. Happy Father's Day to me.
My two interests (international relations & wargames) in my favourite podcast. Happy Father's Day to me.
In Moscow's Shadows 204: The Opportunity and the Threat, Moscow and Iran, Moscow and the West
Will Putin be tempted to throw Iran under the bus? Can he? And do problematic recent claims about the threat to NATO highlight the value of mil-mil contact? www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
Will Putin be tempted to throw Iran under the bus? Can he? And do problematic recent claims about the threat to NATO highlight the value of mil-mil contact? www.buzzsprout.com/1026985/epis...
In Moscow's Shadows 204: The Opportunity and the Threat, Moscow and Iran, Moscow and the West - In Moscow's Shadows
In the first half, I explore what the eruption of open conflict between Israel and Iran means for Russia. Will Putin be tempted to throw Iran under the bus? He certainly has much more scope and reason...
www.buzzsprout.com
June 15, 2025 at 8:38 AM
@sebastianbae.bsky.social Littoral Commander Baltic gets a positive note in latest edition of In Moscow's Shadows for demonstrating the difficulty of waging a large scale campaign in the Baltic.
My two interests (international relations & wargames) in my favourite podcast. Happy Father's Day to me.
My two interests (international relations & wargames) in my favourite podcast. Happy Father's Day to me.
Reposted by Joe
What ICE is doing is unAmerican. What Trump is doing is unAmerican. We do not tear gas peaceful protestors. We do not use American soldiers on our own soil to fight Americans. We do not kidnap people who have committed no crime.
Do not let them redefine American values. We must be loud about this.
Do not let them redefine American values. We must be loud about this.
June 8, 2025 at 4:30 AM
What ICE is doing is unAmerican. What Trump is doing is unAmerican. We do not tear gas peaceful protestors. We do not use American soldiers on our own soil to fight Americans. We do not kidnap people who have committed no crime.
Do not let them redefine American values. We must be loud about this.
Do not let them redefine American values. We must be loud about this.
Listening to the radio is good for you.
I've never quite got the music of Stravinsky but Neil Hannon just said something in introducing a piece from Patrushka that made such sense when the music started that I can't wait to explore more.
Private Psssions (Radio 3 in general) is indispensable.
I've never quite got the music of Stravinsky but Neil Hannon just said something in introducing a piece from Patrushka that made such sense when the music started that I can't wait to explore more.
Private Psssions (Radio 3 in general) is indispensable.
TODAY: 'Private Passions' on BBC Radio 3
Time: 12:00-1:30pm BST
Listen at: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
More info: thedivinecomedy.com/news/private...
Neil Hannon talks about his life, career & musical passions from Puccini to Kate Bush.
#NeilHannon #TheDivineComedy
Time: 12:00-1:30pm BST
Listen at: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
More info: thedivinecomedy.com/news/private...
Neil Hannon talks about his life, career & musical passions from Puccini to Kate Bush.
#NeilHannon #TheDivineComedy
June 1, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Listening to the radio is good for you.
I've never quite got the music of Stravinsky but Neil Hannon just said something in introducing a piece from Patrushka that made such sense when the music started that I can't wait to explore more.
Private Psssions (Radio 3 in general) is indispensable.
I've never quite got the music of Stravinsky but Neil Hannon just said something in introducing a piece from Patrushka that made such sense when the music started that I can't wait to explore more.
Private Psssions (Radio 3 in general) is indispensable.
We played a first game of the full campaign of Verdun 1916: Steel Inferno. Lots of first timer mistakes (neither of us aggressive enough when circumstances in our favour) but love how it evokes the brutal bombardments and desperate rebuilding of breached defensive lives. Tardi card art is awesome.
May 26, 2025 at 3:53 PM
We played a first game of the full campaign of Verdun 1916: Steel Inferno. Lots of first timer mistakes (neither of us aggressive enough when circumstances in our favour) but love how it evokes the brutal bombardments and desperate rebuilding of breached defensive lives. Tardi card art is awesome.
