Alex Hall Hall
@alexhh.bsky.social
Ex-🇬🇧diplomat. Now an 🇺🇸. Resigned over Brexit lies. Frmr Ambassdr to 🇬🇪 . Writer Byline Times. Co-host Disorder Podcast. Patron, European Movement. Advisor Eurasia Foundation. Member, Commission on Political Power looking at how to strengthen UK democracy.
i.e. The headline to my piece is misleading. I also agree with those who have commented, wondering why our govt appears to have such legal qualms about this issue, but was willing to go along re Israel, involving far more substantial violations.
To be clear, I wrote this could exacerbate UK-US tensions ONLY if US pettily chose to react. This can’t be ruled out, given other tensions such as BBC row, fallout from Andrew/Epstein, perceptions Starmer becoming politically weak. On substance, far more significant US rupture is with Colombia.
🔴‘The UK’s Suspension of Intelligence Sharing Over Trump’s Caribbean Boat Strikes Risks a Transatlantic Rift’
Keir Starmer’s Government risked being implicated if the President’s attacks were found to break international law, reports @alexhh.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/12/t...
Keir Starmer’s Government risked being implicated if the President’s attacks were found to break international law, reports @alexhh.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/12/t...
November 12, 2025 at 7:51 PM
i.e. The headline to my piece is misleading. I also agree with those who have commented, wondering why our govt appears to have such legal qualms about this issue, but was willing to go along re Israel, involving far more substantial violations.
To be clear, I wrote this could exacerbate UK-US tensions ONLY if US pettily chose to react. This can’t be ruled out, given other tensions such as BBC row, fallout from Andrew/Epstein, perceptions Starmer becoming politically weak. On substance, far more significant US rupture is with Colombia.
🔴‘The UK’s Suspension of Intelligence Sharing Over Trump’s Caribbean Boat Strikes Risks a Transatlantic Rift’
Keir Starmer’s Government risked being implicated if the President’s attacks were found to break international law, reports @alexhh.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/12/t...
Keir Starmer’s Government risked being implicated if the President’s attacks were found to break international law, reports @alexhh.bsky.social
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/12/t...
'The UK's Suspension of Intelligence Sharing Over Trump's Caribbean Boat Strikes Risks a Transatlantic Rift'
Keir Starmer's Government risked being implicated if the President's attacks were found to break international law, reports Alexandra Hall Hall
bylinetimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
To be clear, I wrote this could exacerbate UK-US tensions ONLY if US pettily chose to react. This can’t be ruled out, given other tensions such as BBC row, fallout from Andrew/Epstein, perceptions Starmer becoming politically weak. On substance, far more significant US rupture is with Colombia.
This article is spot on. Republicans always going to play hardball, no matter how many got hurt. Dems picked the wrong battle, putting forward unrealistic demands, which they cared about more. Like the Mayor in Blazing Saddles, holding a gun to their own heads. www.vox.com/politics/468...
Democrats were never going to win the shutdown fight
Yes, polls showed more people blaming Trump. But on their substantive demands, the party was drawing dead.
www.vox.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
This article is spot on. Republicans always going to play hardball, no matter how many got hurt. Dems picked the wrong battle, putting forward unrealistic demands, which they cared about more. Like the Mayor in Blazing Saddles, holding a gun to their own heads. www.vox.com/politics/468...
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
Really wish I had gotten a better shot of this but holding a phone that says “who else was just ‘following orders’?” up to a riot cop is hard as hell
November 11, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Really wish I had gotten a better shot of this but holding a phone that says “who else was just ‘following orders’?” up to a riot cop is hard as hell
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
Like why would the bbc need to ‘balance’ its cover of the US in this way?
When the BBC covers, say, Xi critically should it also run a programme dedicated to the CCP’s achievements?
When the BBC covers, say, Xi critically should it also run a programme dedicated to the CCP’s achievements?
November 9, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Like why would the bbc need to ‘balance’ its cover of the US in this way?
When the BBC covers, say, Xi critically should it also run a programme dedicated to the CCP’s achievements?
When the BBC covers, say, Xi critically should it also run a programme dedicated to the CCP’s achievements?
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
Once every 20 years or so, the director-general of the BBC is forced to resign for being insufficiently rightwing. Alastair Milne in 1987. Greg Dyke in 2004. Tim Davie in 2025. The great irony is that the BBC was in all cases profoundly biased towards established power. But just not biased enough …
November 10, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Once every 20 years or so, the director-general of the BBC is forced to resign for being insufficiently rightwing. Alastair Milne in 1987. Greg Dyke in 2004. Tim Davie in 2025. The great irony is that the BBC was in all cases profoundly biased towards established power. But just not biased enough …
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
A cracked photo of Virgin Mary (as) found at the scene of a Christian massacre committed by lsraeI
21 Lebanese Christians were slaughtered. More buried under the rubble where they suffocated slowly
If it wasn’t Israel this would be front page news & Trump would tweet about it
21 Lebanese Christians were slaughtered. More buried under the rubble where they suffocated slowly
If it wasn’t Israel this would be front page news & Trump would tweet about it
November 8, 2025 at 9:21 PM
A cracked photo of Virgin Mary (as) found at the scene of a Christian massacre committed by lsraeI
21 Lebanese Christians were slaughtered. More buried under the rubble where they suffocated slowly
If it wasn’t Israel this would be front page news & Trump would tweet about it
21 Lebanese Christians were slaughtered. More buried under the rubble where they suffocated slowly
If it wasn’t Israel this would be front page news & Trump would tweet about it
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🔥🔥🔥
Chris Mason is what happens when a Hospital Radio DJ, whose sole qualification appears to be a sort of soporific inoffensiveness, is somehow promoted to BBC Politics Editor - a position that demands unflinching insight, objectivity, and sharpness. It's like a puddle trying to be the ocean.
November 8, 2025 at 10:36 PM
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🔥🔥🔥
I must admit, I do like my emojis. But, a bit worrying that the ones I use most are these 😬🙄🤦♀️🤮😥😳 and 😡😡😡
November 8, 2025 at 10:30 PM
I must admit, I do like my emojis. But, a bit worrying that the ones I use most are these 😬🙄🤦♀️🤮😥😳 and 😡😡😡
I’m fed up with Labour politicians feeling they have to cosplay the far right. By all means, let’s have a serious debate about migration, but without dehumanizing migrants, or uttering facile soundbites. 😡
November 8, 2025 at 10:25 PM
I’m fed up with Labour politicians feeling they have to cosplay the far right. By all means, let’s have a serious debate about migration, but without dehumanizing migrants, or uttering facile soundbites. 😡
Depressing that we’re haggling over food benefits. Depressing that a Supreme Court Justice has to maneuver around her colleagues in this way. But this explainer clarifies why Justice Jackson acted as she did, in order to try to get a swifter, more sustainable, decision. 👏👏👏
Trying to figure out what #SCOTUS just did with #SNAP, and why Justice Jackson temporarily froze the district court's ruling?
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
190. SNAP WTF?
A very quick explainer on what (and why) Justice Jackson issued an "administrative stay" in the SNAP case late on Friday night, and on what's likely to happen next
www.stevevladeck.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Depressing that we’re haggling over food benefits. Depressing that a Supreme Court Justice has to maneuver around her colleagues in this way. But this explainer clarifies why Justice Jackson acted as she did, in order to try to get a swifter, more sustainable, decision. 👏👏👏
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
Court battles over whether children should have food.
What a disgrace.
What a disgrace.
November 8, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Court battles over whether children should have food.
What a disgrace.
What a disgrace.
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
Trying to figure out what #SCOTUS just did with #SNAP, and why Justice Jackson temporarily froze the district court's ruling?
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
190. SNAP WTF?
A very quick explainer on what (and why) Justice Jackson issued an "administrative stay" in the SNAP case late on Friday night, and on what's likely to happen next
www.stevevladeck.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Trying to figure out what #SCOTUS just did with #SNAP, and why Justice Jackson temporarily froze the district court's ruling?
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
Via "One First," me on what's going on—and why I think Jackson's move was savvy, notwithstanding the awful circumstances that forced it:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/190-snap-wtf
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
Yep. And to think that so many people think this man is some sort of hero is such a sign of our twisted times.
November 8, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Yep. And to think that so many people think this man is some sort of hero is such a sign of our twisted times.
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
How ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
The 'Great Noticing' Era
Ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 12:23 PM
How ever since Labour came to power, the British media has started to notice a whole series of problems they spent the previous 14 years completely ignoring
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-great-...
I’m not in the room, so can’t tell who is stiffing who. UK definitely has weaker hand; is entirely to blame for Brexit; still gives mixed signals about EU. But, in today’s geopolitical environment, bad for both sides to let UK-EU relations fracture further. At some stage, finger pointing shd stop.
Good morning from Brussels, where an EU struggling internally and with its global position is trying to respond as it knows best, by punching down on smaller partners. For opening paragraphs suggest it is trying to renege on the common understanding with the UK. www.ft.com/content/8963...
EU demands UK pay into budget as part of relationship ‘reset’
Growing tension between London and Brussels just six months after summit set out to build stronger ties
www.ft.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
I’m not in the room, so can’t tell who is stiffing who. UK definitely has weaker hand; is entirely to blame for Brexit; still gives mixed signals about EU. But, in today’s geopolitical environment, bad for both sides to let UK-EU relations fracture further. At some stage, finger pointing shd stop.
I’ve been pretty quiet recently. I’m still here, but resting my brain. Apparently I’ve started grinding my teeth while I sleep. Wonder why? It’s exhausting to be on full outrage mode all the time. Sending calming thoughts to friends here. Stay healthy to stay strong! It’s a marathon not a sprint.
November 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I’ve been pretty quiet recently. I’m still here, but resting my brain. Apparently I’ve started grinding my teeth while I sleep. Wonder why? It’s exhausting to be on full outrage mode all the time. Sending calming thoughts to friends here. Stay healthy to stay strong! It’s a marathon not a sprint.
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
“In Israel, Leaking Evidence of Rape Is a Bigger Scandal Than Raping a Palestinian”
According to Israel and its supporters, the scandal is not the vile sexual assault depicted in a leaked video last year – it’s that someone released the tape, writes Minnah Arshad for Zeteo:
According to Israel and its supporters, the scandal is not the vile sexual assault depicted in a leaked video last year – it’s that someone released the tape, writes Minnah Arshad for Zeteo:
In Israel, Leaking Evidence of Rape Is a Bigger Scandal Than Raping a Palestinian
According to Israel and its supporters, the scandal is not the vile assault depicted in a leaked video last year – it’s that someone released the tape.
zeteo.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:35 AM
“In Israel, Leaking Evidence of Rape Is a Bigger Scandal Than Raping a Palestinian”
According to Israel and its supporters, the scandal is not the vile sexual assault depicted in a leaked video last year – it’s that someone released the tape, writes Minnah Arshad for Zeteo:
According to Israel and its supporters, the scandal is not the vile sexual assault depicted in a leaked video last year – it’s that someone released the tape, writes Minnah Arshad for Zeteo:
Very poor headlineby Guardian, making it seem she was guilty of something. What she actually did, was try to maintain a last shred of respect for human rights in Israel. More evidence of grotesque abuse of Palestinians. Israel long ago lost its legitimacy. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Israel top military lawyer arrested after she admitted leaking video of soldiers’ abuse
Rightwing politicians and pundits have called the soldiers accused of attack on Palestinian detainee ‘heroes’ and military investigators traitors
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Very poor headlineby Guardian, making it seem she was guilty of something. What she actually did, was try to maintain a last shred of respect for human rights in Israel. More evidence of grotesque abuse of Palestinians. Israel long ago lost its legitimacy. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
For ten glorious days, I’ve been able to pretend everything else going on in the world wasn’t happening. Am I turning into a sports junkie as a coping strategy? www.mlb.com/news/dodgers...
Dodgers rally for repeat, taking captivating Series on dramatic late HRs
TORONTO – The boys and girls in Dodger gear rolled around in the silver, blue and gold confetti on the outfield turf, playfully tossing that metallic material at each other, not far from the temporary...
www.mlb.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:26 PM
For ten glorious days, I’ve been able to pretend everything else going on in the world wasn’t happening. Am I turning into a sports junkie as a coping strategy? www.mlb.com/news/dodgers...
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
When you're no longer the most popular Will Smith in LA
November 2, 2025 at 4:14 AM
When you're no longer the most popular Will Smith in LA
The most unbelievable, jaw-dropping World Series ever. Astonishing plays; clutch hitting; and phenomenal pitching, above all by Yamamoto. Heartbreaking for the Blue Jays, who came breathtakingly close; but, wow, those Dodgers. Yamamoto surely MVP, but every player had their exceptional moment. Wow.
BREAKING: The LA Dodgers become the first World Series repeat champion in 25 years with epic, extra-innings Game 7 win over Blue Jays.
Smith's homer in 11th lifts Dodgers over Blue Jays 5-4 to become first repeat champion in 25 years
Will Smith homered in the 11th inning after Miguel Rojas connected for a tying drive in the ninth, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in Game 7 to become the first team in a quarter century to win consecutive World Series titles.
bit.ly
November 2, 2025 at 4:32 AM
The most unbelievable, jaw-dropping World Series ever. Astonishing plays; clutch hitting; and phenomenal pitching, above all by Yamamoto. Heartbreaking for the Blue Jays, who came breathtakingly close; but, wow, those Dodgers. Yamamoto surely MVP, but every player had their exceptional moment. Wow.
The fear that stalks many of us. You don’t believe it can really happen, until it does, yet, Maga folk still have the gall to claim freedom of expression is threatened in Europe….Opinion | Katie Miller had a podcast meltdown and threatened the citizenship of a critic - Guardian US
November 1, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The fear that stalks many of us. You don’t believe it can really happen, until it does, yet, Maga folk still have the gall to claim freedom of expression is threatened in Europe….Opinion | Katie Miller had a podcast meltdown and threatened the citizenship of a critic - Guardian US
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
As recently as 2016, it was legal in every state.
It should be illegal in every state.
It should be illegal in every state.
I had to read this several times to believe it - in 34 states, child marriage still legal; in 4 states, with NO minimum age- provided one parent and a judge consent. Usually girls. Often, for pseudo religious reasons, including to avoid an abortion after rape 😡😡😡. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/o...
Opinion | Why Do We Allow Child Marriage in America?
www.nytimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
As recently as 2016, it was legal in every state.
It should be illegal in every state.
It should be illegal in every state.
Reposted by Alex Hall Hall
Same people who go on about grooming gangs, turn a blind eye to stuff like this
I had to read this several times to believe it - in 34 states, child marriage still legal; in 4 states, with NO minimum age- provided one parent and a judge consent. Usually girls. Often, for pseudo religious reasons, including to avoid an abortion after rape 😡😡😡. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/01/o...
Opinion | Why Do We Allow Child Marriage in America?
www.nytimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Same people who go on about grooming gangs, turn a blind eye to stuff like this