Keir Giles
@keirgiles.bsky.social
Twitter refugee #1,383,497
Pinned
Keir Giles
@keirgiles.bsky.social
· Jul 2
I Was Hacked Because I Work on Russia
But the same clever new attack could be used against almost anyone.
foreignpolicy.com
More on the very clever, but also very simple, way unknown persons* convinced me to crack open my email account for them last month.
Here's the problem: almost all of us have this same back door in our security. Now it's in the open, could we all be targets?
foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/02/g...
Here's the problem: almost all of us have this same back door in our security. Now it's in the open, could we all be targets?
foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/02/g...
Reposted by Keir Giles
I expect to be reposting this every three months or so until the end of the Trump administration.
The more that members of the Trump administration talk, the more it sounds as if Plan A to stop the war was to coerce Ukraine into capitulation and Plan B was to keep repeating Plan A until it worked. When it became apparent that wasn't going to happen, they were out of ideas.
November 22, 2025 at 1:37 PM
I expect to be reposting this every three months or so until the end of the Trump administration.
The unanticipated existence of a “Comfort cabin” reminds me that it is a very long time since I last watched Taxi zum Klo.
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The unanticipated existence of a “Comfort cabin” reminds me that it is a very long time since I last watched Taxi zum Klo.
An eerie feeling to see the “bikini trolls“ phase of information operations on Twitter now being directly replicated on Bluesky exactly a decade later.
Here’s the latest one to “follow” me:
bsky.app/profile/lili...
Here’s the latest one to “follow” me:
bsky.app/profile/lili...
November 22, 2025 at 9:27 PM
An eerie feeling to see the “bikini trolls“ phase of information operations on Twitter now being directly replicated on Bluesky exactly a decade later.
Here’s the latest one to “follow” me:
bsky.app/profile/lili...
Here’s the latest one to “follow” me:
bsky.app/profile/lili...
I just dipped a toe in the cesspit that used to be Twitter, and I think the surest indication that the “28 points” were translated from Russian is the number of Russian mouthpiece accounts busy shouting, unprompted, that that is absolutely not the case and they were drafted in the White House.
There is plenty in the 28-point list of US/Russian surrender demands for Ukraine that is nonsensical, unenforceable, or so vague as to be meaningless. My favourite might be
“9. European fighter jets will be stationed in Poland.”
It could have been written for maximum vagueness to wrangle over -
“9. European fighter jets will be stationed in Poland.”
It could have been written for maximum vagueness to wrangle over -
November 22, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I just dipped a toe in the cesspit that used to be Twitter, and I think the surest indication that the “28 points” were translated from Russian is the number of Russian mouthpiece accounts busy shouting, unprompted, that that is absolutely not the case and they were drafted in the White House.
Reposted by Keir Giles
Ça veut dire aussi une communication plus large et plus vulgarisée sur les logiques de la politique étrangère russe. Le pavé de Dimitri Minic ou les bouquins en anglais de Keir Giles sont super mais la mère célibataire de 2 enfants qui a du mal à joindre les deux bouts, elle ne va pas les lire.
November 21, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Ça veut dire aussi une communication plus large et plus vulgarisée sur les logiques de la politique étrangère russe. Le pavé de Dimitri Minic ou les bouquins en anglais de Keir Giles sont super mais la mère célibataire de 2 enfants qui a du mal à joindre les deux bouts, elle ne va pas les lire.
Reposted by Keir Giles
@keirgiles.bsky.social : "Tässä ei ole kyse rauhanneuvotteluista vaan Venäjän antautumisvaatimusten välittämisestä Yhdysvaltojen aktiivisella avustuksella, Giles arvioi."
www.iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a...
www.iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a...
Huippututkija IL:lle: Trumpin sopimus avaa Putinille oven koko Ukrainan miehittämiseen
Brittiläinen Venäjä-tutkija Keir Giles arvioi Iltalehdelle, että meneillään ei ole neuvottelu rauhasta. Gilesin mukaan Donald Trumpin Yhdysvallat painostaa Ukrainaa antautumaan Venäjän ehtojen mukaise...
www.iltalehti.fi
November 21, 2025 at 6:05 PM
@keirgiles.bsky.social : "Tässä ei ole kyse rauhanneuvotteluista vaan Venäjän antautumisvaatimusten välittämisestä Yhdysvaltojen aktiivisella avustuksella, Giles arvioi."
www.iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a...
www.iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a...
There is plenty in the 28-point list of US/Russian surrender demands for Ukraine that is nonsensical, unenforceable, or so vague as to be meaningless. My favourite might be
“9. European fighter jets will be stationed in Poland.”
It could have been written for maximum vagueness to wrangle over -
“9. European fighter jets will be stationed in Poland.”
It could have been written for maximum vagueness to wrangle over -
November 21, 2025 at 7:09 AM
There is plenty in the 28-point list of US/Russian surrender demands for Ukraine that is nonsensical, unenforceable, or so vague as to be meaningless. My favourite might be
“9. European fighter jets will be stationed in Poland.”
It could have been written for maximum vagueness to wrangle over -
“9. European fighter jets will be stationed in Poland.”
It could have been written for maximum vagueness to wrangle over -
Geneva, and delighted to be soon starting an event with @philipobaji.bsky.social, @mariamlambert.bsky.social and other stars, thanks to the UN delegations of Poland, Estonia and Latvia (and the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia). Join us at www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjPd...
November 20, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Geneva, and delighted to be soon starting an event with @philipobaji.bsky.social, @mariamlambert.bsky.social and other stars, thanks to the UN delegations of Poland, Estonia and Latvia (and the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia). Join us at www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjPd...
Reposted by Keir Giles
Why russia cannot help but invade?
Been pondering this question for a decade now...
🇷🇺 didn’t “return” to dictatorship under POO-tihn. It never left.
Rusich is crowdsourcing war crimes, Navalnaya is asking 🇪🇺 to fix 🇷🇺 for russians, and I try to make sense of it all
kyivindependent.com/why-russia-c...
Been pondering this question for a decade now...
🇷🇺 didn’t “return” to dictatorship under POO-tihn. It never left.
Rusich is crowdsourcing war crimes, Navalnaya is asking 🇪🇺 to fix 🇷🇺 for russians, and I try to make sense of it all
kyivindependent.com/why-russia-c...
Why Russia cannot help but invade
The planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest has been shelved. The White House says there's no point meeting unless "we're going to make a deal." Some view this as a setback for diplomacy, but it may we...
kyivindependent.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Why russia cannot help but invade?
Been pondering this question for a decade now...
🇷🇺 didn’t “return” to dictatorship under POO-tihn. It never left.
Rusich is crowdsourcing war crimes, Navalnaya is asking 🇪🇺 to fix 🇷🇺 for russians, and I try to make sense of it all
kyivindependent.com/why-russia-c...
Been pondering this question for a decade now...
🇷🇺 didn’t “return” to dictatorship under POO-tihn. It never left.
Rusich is crowdsourcing war crimes, Navalnaya is asking 🇪🇺 to fix 🇷🇺 for russians, and I try to make sense of it all
kyivindependent.com/why-russia-c...
Fun conversation just now with one of my favourite journalists.
She: "Can we talk about the new Trump plan for forcing Ukraine to surrender?"
Me: "What makes you think this is a Trump plan and not a Russian info op that Western media have all fallen for?"
She: "Hold on. [clickey click] Ohhh..."
She: "Can we talk about the new Trump plan for forcing Ukraine to surrender?"
Me: "What makes you think this is a Trump plan and not a Russian info op that Western media have all fallen for?"
She: "Hold on. [clickey click] Ohhh..."
November 20, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Fun conversation just now with one of my favourite journalists.
She: "Can we talk about the new Trump plan for forcing Ukraine to surrender?"
Me: "What makes you think this is a Trump plan and not a Russian info op that Western media have all fallen for?"
She: "Hold on. [clickey click] Ohhh..."
She: "Can we talk about the new Trump plan for forcing Ukraine to surrender?"
Me: "What makes you think this is a Trump plan and not a Russian info op that Western media have all fallen for?"
She: "Hold on. [clickey click] Ohhh..."
Quite disappointed they didn’t have rancid polecat.
November 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Quite disappointed they didn’t have rancid polecat.
WHAT WOULD HE SAY.
November 18, 2025 at 12:56 PM
WHAT WOULD HE SAY.
If it has not done so already, NATO needs to wake up fast to the growing UK-shaped gap in its plans.
In August I wrote of dashed hopes for the new Labour government. Today, Julian Lindley-French - www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-br... - writes of how the gap with serious NATO allies is widening fast.
In August I wrote of dashed hopes for the new Labour government. Today, Julian Lindley-French - www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-br... - writes of how the gap with serious NATO allies is widening fast.
November 17, 2025 at 6:22 PM
If it has not done so already, NATO needs to wake up fast to the growing UK-shaped gap in its plans.
In August I wrote of dashed hopes for the new Labour government. Today, Julian Lindley-French - www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-br... - writes of how the gap with serious NATO allies is widening fast.
In August I wrote of dashed hopes for the new Labour government. Today, Julian Lindley-French - www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-br... - writes of how the gap with serious NATO allies is widening fast.
Grammarians and OCD types, look away now.
That’s the third time she has said over the PA: “Once again, this is your last and final boarding call.”
That’s the third time she has said over the PA: “Once again, this is your last and final boarding call.”
November 17, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Grammarians and OCD types, look away now.
That’s the third time she has said over the PA: “Once again, this is your last and final boarding call.”
That’s the third time she has said over the PA: “Once again, this is your last and final boarding call.”
The 1970s were a very long time ago. Trust me, I know this.
November 16, 2025 at 5:43 PM
The 1970s were a very long time ago. Trust me, I know this.
Reposted by Keir Giles
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 15, 2025 at 10:08 PM
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.
Thanks to @rich-bryant.uk for reposting because that led to a tiny thrill at discovering that @joanarmatrading.bsky.social (!!!) is on here and, astonishingly, I am only follower No. 667.
I was commissioned to write a choral piece CBSO and Choir. Performance is 7th of December in Symphony Hall Birmingham. You can get tickets here. I'm beyond excited for the premier.
tinyurl.com/ytpe94sz
tinyurl.com/ytpe94sz
November 15, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Thanks to @rich-bryant.uk for reposting because that led to a tiny thrill at discovering that @joanarmatrading.bsky.social (!!!) is on here and, astonishingly, I am only follower No. 667.
The old joke about the primary international response to war crimes, aggression and atrocities by Russia being a strongly worded tweet was never actually a joke.
November 15, 2025 at 10:21 AM
The old joke about the primary international response to war crimes, aggression and atrocities by Russia being a strongly worded tweet was never actually a joke.
Russia's insatiable demand for bodies to feed the meatgrinder of its war on Ukraine has a real and tragic human cost for the Global South. Here @munira.bsky.social in @engelsbergideas.bsky.social describes deceit and exploitation in Africa, South Asia and beyond.
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
The trafficking networks sustaining Russia’s war of attrition
As Putin seeks to avoid another politically damaging mobilisation, the temptation to draw on Moscow's extensive global trafficking networks will only grow.
engelsbergideas.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Russia's insatiable demand for bodies to feed the meatgrinder of its war on Ukraine has a real and tragic human cost for the Global South. Here @munira.bsky.social in @engelsbergideas.bsky.social describes deceit and exploitation in Africa, South Asia and beyond.
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
Reposted by Keir Giles
📚 ADVANCE STOCK ALERT!
Who Will Defend Europe? by @keirgiles.bsky.social is now updated & in paperback.
Grab your copy direct ➡️ tinyurl.com/ckfsdvw2 & get 25% off w/code GILES25.
‘A blistering account of our defence shortcomings.’ @edwardlucas.bsky.social, @thetimes.com
Who Will Defend Europe? by @keirgiles.bsky.social is now updated & in paperback.
Grab your copy direct ➡️ tinyurl.com/ckfsdvw2 & get 25% off w/code GILES25.
‘A blistering account of our defence shortcomings.’ @edwardlucas.bsky.social, @thetimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:08 AM
📚 ADVANCE STOCK ALERT!
Who Will Defend Europe? by @keirgiles.bsky.social is now updated & in paperback.
Grab your copy direct ➡️ tinyurl.com/ckfsdvw2 & get 25% off w/code GILES25.
‘A blistering account of our defence shortcomings.’ @edwardlucas.bsky.social, @thetimes.com
Who Will Defend Europe? by @keirgiles.bsky.social is now updated & in paperback.
Grab your copy direct ➡️ tinyurl.com/ckfsdvw2 & get 25% off w/code GILES25.
‘A blistering account of our defence shortcomings.’ @edwardlucas.bsky.social, @thetimes.com
Reposted by Keir Giles
As such, need to step up our efforts to minimise such disruption. It won't happen however until a major incident occurs in the UK.
UK airports will be disrupted by ‘organised’ drone attacks, warns regulator
‘It’s not a question of if, only of when,’ says Civil Aviation Authority chief
www.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
As such, need to step up our efforts to minimise such disruption. It won't happen however until a major incident occurs in the UK.
We know the familiar pattern: “Moscow still loves a loser: failed journalists, has-beens, also-rans, sex pests and disgruntled narcissists end up going to work for the Kremlin.”
More essential reading from @michaeldweiss.bsky.social.
open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
More essential reading from @michaeldweiss.bsky.social.
open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
How Russian Spies Infiltrate U.S. Institutions
Read a 1988 KGB textbook on how to recruit agents working for the U.S. government abroad.
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:28 AM
We know the familiar pattern: “Moscow still loves a loser: failed journalists, has-beens, also-rans, sex pests and disgruntled narcissists end up going to work for the Kremlin.”
More essential reading from @michaeldweiss.bsky.social.
open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
More essential reading from @michaeldweiss.bsky.social.
open.substack.com/pub/macspaun...
November 11, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Apparently this is now my formal job title. That’s probably OK.
November 10, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Apparently this is now my formal job title. That’s probably OK.