Bill Park
@billpark.bsky.social
Retired KCL academic. Lives in Oxford. Interested in security issues, Turkey, Kurds, Ukraine. Remainer. Also lover of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, Arsenal FC, jazz, travel, photography.
Reposted by Bill Park
This is the European official Rubio refuses to engage with. I like her. Can she be President of Europe please 🙏
November 27, 2025 at 4:59 PM
This is the European official Rubio refuses to engage with. I like her. Can she be President of Europe please 🙏
Reposted by Bill Park
BBC board member Robbie Gibb, whose previous jobs have included being Conservative communications director to Theresa May, and helping to set up GB News, tells MPs that he is "hugely impartial"
November 24, 2025 at 5:44 PM
BBC board member Robbie Gibb, whose previous jobs have included being Conservative communications director to Theresa May, and helping to set up GB News, tells MPs that he is "hugely impartial"
Seems to me that definition of interests and perception of values is diverging. But maybe the Cold War period was the outlier in transatlantic relations. US didn't join WW1 until 1917 due to direct U-boat attacks; was absent from League of Nations; only joined WW2 after direct Pearl Harbour attack.
This is so important. People who study international relations love to fight over whether interests or values define relationships. It is both. An interest is something you define. And your values come into the equation. It is not either or.
What Trump has made me realise is how much the post-Cold War relationship hinged on shared values rather than shared interests. Trump is illustrating how, whether on Ukraine and Gaza, our interests diverge and, absent those values, there's not much holding us together.
November 25, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Seems to me that definition of interests and perception of values is diverging. But maybe the Cold War period was the outlier in transatlantic relations. US didn't join WW1 until 1917 due to direct U-boat attacks; was absent from League of Nations; only joined WW2 after direct Pearl Harbour attack.
Reposted by Bill Park
Trump went on a late night posting bender last night on the war in Ukraine. He criticized Biden, he criticized the U.S., he criticized Ukraine, he criticized Zelensky, he criticized our European allies. The only person he didn’t criticize is Putin. Only Putin.
Shocker, huh?
Shocker, huh?
November 24, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Trump went on a late night posting bender last night on the war in Ukraine. He criticized Biden, he criticized the U.S., he criticized Ukraine, he criticized Zelensky, he criticized our European allies. The only person he didn’t criticize is Putin. Only Putin.
Shocker, huh?
Shocker, huh?
Reposted by Bill Park
It’s a pity that Starmer, Reeves and co haven’t followed Denmark’s other policies. They tax capital gains up to 42% vs Britain’s top rate of 28%. This funds free university and excellent public services, providing the world’s second highest standard of living.
www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...
www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...
Labour has just betrayed its 2024 manifesto completely
When push comes to shove Labour will sell out anyone to protect their jobs and the white colonialist infrastructure the UK is built on
www.thecanary.co
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 AM
It’s a pity that Starmer, Reeves and co haven’t followed Denmark’s other policies. They tax capital gains up to 42% vs Britain’s top rate of 28%. This funds free university and excellent public services, providing the world’s second highest standard of living.
www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...
www.thecanary.co/opinion/2025...
Orders must be obeyed, and 'orders are presumed to be lawful'. That says it all. Ordered to throw people into gas ovens? Presume that to be a lawful order and do it. Ordered to shoot people escaping across the Berlin Wall? Presume that to be a lawful order and do it.
The Department of Defense announces it's considering "court-martial proceedings or administrative measures" against Democratic Senator Mark Kelly.
November 24, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Orders must be obeyed, and 'orders are presumed to be lawful'. That says it all. Ordered to throw people into gas ovens? Presume that to be a lawful order and do it. Ordered to shoot people escaping across the Berlin Wall? Presume that to be a lawful order and do it.
Reposted by Bill Park
Trying to "cap" Ukraine’s armed forces is crazy. Russia launched the war, Ukraine is resisting extinction. Military caps are imposed on aggressor states after defeat, as with Germany after both world wars. Applying such limits to Ukraine inverts all geostrategic logic.
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
White House Hails Progress in Talks With Ukraine to End War With Russia
Officials from the U.S., Ukraine and Europe held meetings in Geneva to discuss next steps on the proposal.
www.wsj.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Trying to "cap" Ukraine’s armed forces is crazy. Russia launched the war, Ukraine is resisting extinction. Military caps are imposed on aggressor states after defeat, as with Germany after both world wars. Applying such limits to Ukraine inverts all geostrategic logic.
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Reposted by Bill Park
"We've let a war criminal drag us into a boxing match; and made him the referee!"
That’s how EU lawmaker Reinier van Lanschot sums up the West’s handling of Putin, warning it’s time to stop playing by Moscow’s rules.
That’s how EU lawmaker Reinier van Lanschot sums up the West’s handling of Putin, warning it’s time to stop playing by Moscow’s rules.
November 24, 2025 at 1:55 PM
"We've let a war criminal drag us into a boxing match; and made him the referee!"
That’s how EU lawmaker Reinier van Lanschot sums up the West’s handling of Putin, warning it’s time to stop playing by Moscow’s rules.
That’s how EU lawmaker Reinier van Lanschot sums up the West’s handling of Putin, warning it’s time to stop playing by Moscow’s rules.
Reposted by Bill Park
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Other
siepr.stanford.edu
November 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Still reeling from the Stanford report on Brexit. Reduced GDP by up to 8% and investment by as much as 18%. The UK Treasury would have £40 billion more each year if Britain had remained in the EU. Devastating self-immolation.
Reposted by Bill Park
Reposted by Bill Park
❗️Sweden will not recognize Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories – Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard
"Our position is that, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace, borders cannot be changed by force.
"Our position is that, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace, borders cannot be changed by force.
November 24, 2025 at 1:13 PM
❗️Sweden will not recognize Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories – Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard
"Our position is that, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace, borders cannot be changed by force.
"Our position is that, in order to achieve a just and lasting peace, borders cannot be changed by force.
Reposted by Bill Park
Donald Trump expects Ukrainians to be ‘grateful’ as he prepares a carve-up of the country with Putin.
We can’t let that happen - Starmer must work with our European allies to stop this stitch-up in its tracks.
We can’t let that happen - Starmer must work with our European allies to stop this stitch-up in its tracks.
November 23, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Donald Trump expects Ukrainians to be ‘grateful’ as he prepares a carve-up of the country with Putin.
We can’t let that happen - Starmer must work with our European allies to stop this stitch-up in its tracks.
We can’t let that happen - Starmer must work with our European allies to stop this stitch-up in its tracks.
Reposted by Bill Park
❗️Former Prime Minister of 🇫🇮Finland Sanna Marin:
The “peace plan” for Ukraine is a catastrophe not only for Ukraine and its citizens but for the entire democratic world. If we repeat the mistakes of the past—such as showing weakness and inaction in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea—
The “peace plan” for Ukraine is a catastrophe not only for Ukraine and its citizens but for the entire democratic world. If we repeat the mistakes of the past—such as showing weakness and inaction in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea—
November 23, 2025 at 3:56 PM
❗️Former Prime Minister of 🇫🇮Finland Sanna Marin:
The “peace plan” for Ukraine is a catastrophe not only for Ukraine and its citizens but for the entire democratic world. If we repeat the mistakes of the past—such as showing weakness and inaction in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea—
The “peace plan” for Ukraine is a catastrophe not only for Ukraine and its citizens but for the entire democratic world. If we repeat the mistakes of the past—such as showing weakness and inaction in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea—
Unfathomably bizarre. Many in the US appear to live in a parallel universe, one without any relationship to reality.
Trump, according to JD Vance, can’t understand why Russians and Ukrainians aren’t trading, travelling or doing cultural exchanges instead of fighting.
Trump, JD Vance and the whole MAGA clan are completely detached from reality and have no clue about this war, at all.
Trump, JD Vance and the whole MAGA clan are completely detached from reality and have no clue about this war, at all.
November 20, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Unfathomably bizarre. Many in the US appear to live in a parallel universe, one without any relationship to reality.
Reposted by Bill Park
Vitalii Dolyniak and his son David were killed today by Russian missiles in the city of Ternopil.
Friends and colleagues of Vitalii shared the news on social media. He was a volunteer and the founder of a local company. His wife is now in intensive care, and their two daughters are in the hospital
Friends and colleagues of Vitalii shared the news on social media. He was a volunteer and the founder of a local company. His wife is now in intensive care, and their two daughters are in the hospital
November 20, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Vitalii Dolyniak and his son David were killed today by Russian missiles in the city of Ternopil.
Friends and colleagues of Vitalii shared the news on social media. He was a volunteer and the founder of a local company. His wife is now in intensive care, and their two daughters are in the hospital
Friends and colleagues of Vitalii shared the news on social media. He was a volunteer and the founder of a local company. His wife is now in intensive care, and their two daughters are in the hospital
Reposted by Bill Park
President Zelenskyy came to the White House, looking for help from his longstanding ally.
He was ambushed, humiliated and berated for not being grateful enough.
Prince Bone Saw bin 9/11 came to the White House, for the first time since he ordered the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
He was revered.
He was ambushed, humiliated and berated for not being grateful enough.
Prince Bone Saw bin 9/11 came to the White House, for the first time since he ordered the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
He was revered.
November 19, 2025 at 12:26 PM
President Zelenskyy came to the White House, looking for help from his longstanding ally.
He was ambushed, humiliated and berated for not being grateful enough.
Prince Bone Saw bin 9/11 came to the White House, for the first time since he ordered the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
He was revered.
He was ambushed, humiliated and berated for not being grateful enough.
Prince Bone Saw bin 9/11 came to the White House, for the first time since he ordered the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
He was revered.
Reposted by Bill Park
There were 93 homicides in London last year: population 9 million
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
November 16, 2025 at 5:28 PM
There were 93 homicides in London last year: population 9 million
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
In New York - population 8.5 million - there were
391.
London's homicide figure is 6 times lower than LA, 9 times lower than Miami, 17 times lower than Chicago.
And it's falling year on year despite the population increasing
Yep, and this is the threat from NATO that Russia points to as part of its justification of its aggression against Ukraine.
Germany, a country of 84 million people, aspires to have a war-time military slightly smaller than Finland, a country of 5.6 million people, by 2035.
This would be great but it’s kinda funny that Germany would still have a small total force + reserve than Finland (wartime strength 280,000 and total reserve about 900,000)
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
www.ft.com/content/6cbf...
November 16, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Yep, and this is the threat from NATO that Russia points to as part of its justification of its aggression against Ukraine.
Reposted by Bill Park
Reposted by Bill Park
Among Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, it was Hungary that exited Moscow's grip in 1990 with the highest GDP per capita.
The Russian-backed Orban regime has since looted the country to the point that it's now the lowest.
The Russian-backed Orban regime has since looted the country to the point that it's now the lowest.
November 9, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Among Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, it was Hungary that exited Moscow's grip in 1990 with the highest GDP per capita.
The Russian-backed Orban regime has since looted the country to the point that it's now the lowest.
The Russian-backed Orban regime has since looted the country to the point that it's now the lowest.
Reposted by Bill Park
A shocking illustration of the extent to which UK universities’ dependency on China for students paying overseas fees exposes them to Chinese state pressure to restrict academic freedom.
This is a remarkable case of Chinese authorities threatening a UK university into halting research on human rights violations, and the university acquiescing.
China intimidated UK university to ditch human rights research, documents show
Sheffield Hallam University apologises to Professor Laura Murphy for restricting her academic freedom.
www.bbc.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:09 AM
A shocking illustration of the extent to which UK universities’ dependency on China for students paying overseas fees exposes them to Chinese state pressure to restrict academic freedom.
Reposted by Bill Park
Nigel Farage's Halloween Horror 🎃
🚨BREAKING: Lib Dems have won more local by-elections than any other party this month.
In real elections, up and down the country, Liberal Democrats are winning.
In real elections, up and down the country, Liberal Democrats are winning.
October 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Nigel Farage's Halloween Horror 🎃
Pity she didn't laud Wellington's Waterloo victory. A very heavily Prussian force fought to give us - or, rather, to give her - a good reason to fly the flag.
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 8:50 AM
Pity she didn't laud Wellington's Waterloo victory. A very heavily Prussian force fought to give us - or, rather, to give her - a good reason to fly the flag.
Reposted by Bill Park
Politico: "The Times’ investigations team reports...that Prince Andrew has not paid rent on his grace-and-favor mansion, Royal Lodge, for two decades."
The Crown Estate manages Crown properties for the taxpayer...
The Crown Estate manages Crown properties for the taxpayer...
October 21, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Politico: "The Times’ investigations team reports...that Prince Andrew has not paid rent on his grace-and-favor mansion, Royal Lodge, for two decades."
The Crown Estate manages Crown properties for the taxpayer...
The Crown Estate manages Crown properties for the taxpayer...