Knut Ola Naastad Strøm
@konstrom.bsky.social
Associate professor of air power at RNoAFA / @forsvaretshogskole.bsky.social
Economic historian. Scandinavian sec, history, economic warfare. WWI blockade geek. Occasional Napoleonic reenactor.
Economic historian. Scandinavian sec, history, economic warfare. WWI blockade geek. Occasional Napoleonic reenactor.
Reposted by Knut Ola Naastad Strøm
The Witkoff-Dmitriev plan is even more amateurish than I imagined. It favours Russia although does contain elements that Russia will not like. Premature leaking means that it is no more than work in progress. Here is an annotated version (This is free). open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...?
The Witkoff-Dmitriev peace plan annotated
We now know a bit more about the process which led to the new peace plan and we now have a copy of its contents, to which I will turn soon.
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:36 AM
The Witkoff-Dmitriev plan is even more amateurish than I imagined. It favours Russia although does contain elements that Russia will not like. Premature leaking means that it is no more than work in progress. Here is an annotated version (This is free). open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...?
A lovely October weekend in Libertwolkwitz for the 212th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Leipzig. First time back since 2013, this time as part of a very small composite grenadier coy with Gordons and KGL. Good to be back in the field again.
November 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM
A lovely October weekend in Libertwolkwitz for the 212th anniversary reenactment of the Battle of Leipzig. First time back since 2013, this time as part of a very small composite grenadier coy with Gordons and KGL. Good to be back in the field again.
Go work with Elisabeth and Jonas! Just do it!
I m advertising a PhD position as part of our ERC project BLOCKADE. The PhD cand. should focus on myth/narratives of the hunger blockade in Germany, Austria in the era of the World Wars. 4 years of funding, wonderful team, amazing city (evidence attached)! Pls share! www.hsozkult.de/opportunity/...
November 4, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Go work with Elisabeth and Jonas! Just do it!
Reposted by Knut Ola Naastad Strøm
“For small states like Ireland, this European drift is dangerous. It leaves us riding two horses that are now galloping in different directions.”
This really is a very good piece on Ireland’s (and to some extent other European neutrals).
This really is a very good piece on Ireland’s (and to some extent other European neutrals).
Superb piece by Ben Tonra in today’s Irish Tines, on Ireland’s strategic choices in a predatory world, with the necessity of a strategic pivot towards Europe increasingly apparent.
Everyone interested in foreign policy making should read this.
Everyone interested in foreign policy making should read this.
October 29, 2025 at 9:26 AM
“For small states like Ireland, this European drift is dangerous. It leaves us riding two horses that are now galloping in different directions.”
This really is a very good piece on Ireland’s (and to some extent other European neutrals).
This really is a very good piece on Ireland’s (and to some extent other European neutrals).
136 657 days out of date.
And counting.
And counting.
Elon musk: ‘Civil war in Britain is inevitable. Just a question of when.’
October 29, 2025 at 8:20 AM
136 657 days out of date.
And counting.
And counting.
First rate read from @ldfreedman.bsky.social, as always.
Also illustrates some of the inherent difficulties in analysing attrition. Russian authorities are under pressure across different domains (financial, domestic, military etc), complicating efforts to sustain its own war effort.
Also illustrates some of the inherent difficulties in analysing attrition. Russian authorities are under pressure across different domains (financial, domestic, military etc), complicating efforts to sustain its own war effort.
Is the Russian economy sufficiently in trouble to lead Putin to reappraise his war strategy? I look at the evidence in my latest post (£/free trial), open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/u...?
Ukraine's Theory of Victory
A stalling Russian offensive and a stalling Russian economy
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:15 PM
First rate read from @ldfreedman.bsky.social, as always.
Also illustrates some of the inherent difficulties in analysing attrition. Russian authorities are under pressure across different domains (financial, domestic, military etc), complicating efforts to sustain its own war effort.
Also illustrates some of the inherent difficulties in analysing attrition. Russian authorities are under pressure across different domains (financial, domestic, military etc), complicating efforts to sustain its own war effort.
Reposted by Knut Ola Naastad Strøm
I have a very bad feeling about this...
October 27, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I have a very bad feeling about this...
Det er selvfølgelig litt gledelig at nederlandsk for "Boarding" er "Nu innstappen".
October 3, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Det er selvfølgelig litt gledelig at nederlandsk for "Boarding" er "Nu innstappen".
This is the kind of analytical approach to PC games we really need! #KCD2
You can easily reach holdings of about ~50-60,000 groschen by the late game, which, adjusted for silver content, is about 87.5 KG of pure silver, or about .002 of the entire revenue of the French crown in 1300.
October 2, 2025 at 3:24 PM
This is the kind of analytical approach to PC games we really need! #KCD2
Where's Taggart when you need him?
There’s a term for premeditated killings without any legal justification.
Here's what we know as of Saturday morning. If White House figures are to be believed, the U.S. has killed 17 people on ships in the Caribbean this month.
September 20, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Where's Taggart when you need him?
These are some of Russia's primary interceptor aircraft in the Barents Sea.
The (re-)establishment of Leningrad Military District facilitating the transfer of assets (temporary or otherwise) from Kola to Eastern Europe, setting up new flashpoints in and around the Baltic.
The (re-)establishment of Leningrad Military District facilitating the transfer of assets (temporary or otherwise) from Kola to Eastern Europe, setting up new flashpoints in and around the Baltic.
1/7 The Mig-31BM Foxhound in the picture published by @forsvarsmakten.se on the other place has tail nr Blue 67. According to my records, blue 67 has been used by two different Russian units:
September 20, 2025 at 5:31 PM
These are some of Russia's primary interceptor aircraft in the Barents Sea.
The (re-)establishment of Leningrad Military District facilitating the transfer of assets (temporary or otherwise) from Kola to Eastern Europe, setting up new flashpoints in and around the Baltic.
The (re-)establishment of Leningrad Military District facilitating the transfer of assets (temporary or otherwise) from Kola to Eastern Europe, setting up new flashpoints in and around the Baltic.
And now I'm feeling nostalgic for something that has yet to end...
And if you finish all that - 8319 blogs to read. This latest one is nice www.richardherring.com/warmingup/14...
www.richardherring.com
September 8, 2025 at 10:08 AM
And now I'm feeling nostalgic for something that has yet to end...
Is it just me, or does "ELLIDA STRIKE" sound like a 1960s Bond-girl?
September 8, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Is it just me, or does "ELLIDA STRIKE" sound like a 1960s Bond-girl?
Alltid gøy å se folk forsøke å gå i klinsj med kongen av Nytt på Nytt.
August 31, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Alltid gøy å se folk forsøke å gå i klinsj med kongen av Nytt på Nytt.
Reposted by Knut Ola Naastad Strøm
In 2020, Tom generously placed his entire catalog of lyrics and music (including revised versions and little-known and unpublished works) into the public domain at tomlehrersongs.com for free use by anyone and everyone. The site was supposed to go dark around December 31, 2024, but it is still up.
April 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM
In 2020, Tom generously placed his entire catalog of lyrics and music (including revised versions and little-known and unpublished works) into the public domain at tomlehrersongs.com for free use by anyone and everyone. The site was supposed to go dark around December 31, 2024, but it is still up.
Reposted by Knut Ola Naastad Strøm
Asked in an interview in the 1970s or 1980s why he stopped writing satirical songs, Lehrer famously quipped, “Political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize [in 1973].”
Well, Henry Kissinger finally died on November 29, 2023, at 100.
Well, Henry Kissinger finally died on November 29, 2023, at 100.
April 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Asked in an interview in the 1970s or 1980s why he stopped writing satirical songs, Lehrer famously quipped, “Political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize [in 1973].”
Well, Henry Kissinger finally died on November 29, 2023, at 100.
Well, Henry Kissinger finally died on November 29, 2023, at 100.
Reposted by Knut Ola Naastad Strøm
Tom was a prodigy who skipped grades to enter Harvard University as a freshman at 15. Below is the final stanza of “Dissertation on Education,” the poem he wrote and submitted around 1943 with his successful college application.
Drafted into the Army in 1955, Tom worked at the NSA for two years.
Drafted into the Army in 1955, Tom worked at the NSA for two years.
April 9, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Tom was a prodigy who skipped grades to enter Harvard University as a freshman at 15. Below is the final stanza of “Dissertation on Education,” the poem he wrote and submitted around 1943 with his successful college application.
Drafted into the Army in 1955, Tom worked at the NSA for two years.
Drafted into the Army in 1955, Tom worked at the NSA for two years.
Reposted by Knut Ola Naastad Strøm
The first time I heard "Poisoning Pigeons In the Park," I assumed it was some modern song made in a mocking parody of 1950s songs because I could not CONCEIVE of a song as hilarious and subversive as this having actually come out in that age.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTzr...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTzr...
Tom Lehrer- "Poisoning Pigeons In The Park" LIVE 1967 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]
YouTube video by ReelinInTheYears66
www.youtube.com
July 27, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The first time I heard "Poisoning Pigeons In the Park," I assumed it was some modern song made in a mocking parody of 1950s songs because I could not CONCEIVE of a song as hilarious and subversive as this having actually come out in that age.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTzr...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTzr...
Reposted by Knut Ola Naastad Strøm
My last living musical hero is still my hero but unfortunately no longer living. RIP to the great, great Mr. Tom Lehrer.
July 27, 2025 at 5:33 PM
My last living musical hero is still my hero but unfortunately no longer living. RIP to the great, great Mr. Tom Lehrer.
Reposted by Knut Ola Naastad Strøm
Tom Lehrer outlived his obituarist.
July 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Tom Lehrer outlived his obituarist.
So Tom Lehrer has finally passed. At 97 it's hardly surprising, but still fills me with sadness.
Given his penchant for the morbid, plenty of songs of his would serve as a fitting farewell. But I will go with the most famous, not least since it was also the first song of his I ever heard.
Thanks.
Given his penchant for the morbid, plenty of songs of his would serve as a fitting farewell. But I will go with the most famous, not least since it was also the first song of his I ever heard.
Thanks.
Tom Lehrer - Poisoning Pigeons In The Park
YouTube video by The Tom Lehrer Wisdom Channel
youtu.be
July 27, 2025 at 5:50 PM
So Tom Lehrer has finally passed. At 97 it's hardly surprising, but still fills me with sadness.
Given his penchant for the morbid, plenty of songs of his would serve as a fitting farewell. But I will go with the most famous, not least since it was also the first song of his I ever heard.
Thanks.
Given his penchant for the morbid, plenty of songs of his would serve as a fitting farewell. But I will go with the most famous, not least since it was also the first song of his I ever heard.
Thanks.
If confirmed, that's a first for the Gripen.
And, someone correct me if I'm wrong, the first combat op by a Swedish made aircraft since the Tunnan in the Congo?
And, someone correct me if I'm wrong, the first combat op by a Swedish made aircraft since the Tunnan in the Congo?
Thai F-16s and Gripens struck Cambodian military targets at Phu Makuea–Prasat Ta Muean Thom to stop ballistic threats. All targets hit, Royal Thai Air Force says - Khaosod
July 26, 2025 at 11:53 PM
If confirmed, that's a first for the Gripen.
And, someone correct me if I'm wrong, the first combat op by a Swedish made aircraft since the Tunnan in the Congo?
And, someone correct me if I'm wrong, the first combat op by a Swedish made aircraft since the Tunnan in the Congo?
So, allowing European allies to purchase munitions for donation to Ukraine is certainly a positive step.
But witholding such permission was a pretty crappy move to begin with, and reinstating it is a pretty minor thing. And giving RU another fifty days before introducing secondary sanctions? Well.
But witholding such permission was a pretty crappy move to begin with, and reinstating it is a pretty minor thing. And giving RU another fifty days before introducing secondary sanctions? Well.
Trump’s new plan involves sending a “full complement” of weapons to Ukraine via NATO. That includes Patriot batteries, and possibly also short-range missiles, Howitzer rounds, and medium-range air-to-air missiles. NATO allies will buy the arms, then transfer them to Kyiv, CNN reports.
July 14, 2025 at 6:29 PM
So, allowing European allies to purchase munitions for donation to Ukraine is certainly a positive step.
But witholding such permission was a pretty crappy move to begin with, and reinstating it is a pretty minor thing. And giving RU another fifty days before introducing secondary sanctions? Well.
But witholding such permission was a pretty crappy move to begin with, and reinstating it is a pretty minor thing. And giving RU another fifty days before introducing secondary sanctions? Well.
Under-communicated just how important this is.
The combination of low munition stocks and idle or non-existent production lines is probably the biggest issue facing European defence credibility at present.
The combination of low munition stocks and idle or non-existent production lines is probably the biggest issue facing European defence credibility at present.
The UK will expand production of Storm Shadow cruise missiles at MBDA’s Stevenage site under a new missile cooperation pact with France.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-boos...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britain-boos...
Britain boosting production of Storm Shadow cruise missiles
The UK will expand production of Storm Shadow cruise missiles at MBDA’s Stevenage site under a new missile cooperation pact with France.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
July 10, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Under-communicated just how important this is.
The combination of low munition stocks and idle or non-existent production lines is probably the biggest issue facing European defence credibility at present.
The combination of low munition stocks and idle or non-existent production lines is probably the biggest issue facing European defence credibility at present.
Yes. Because they are.
Wouldn’t this define all Shahed or Shahed-style ordinance as cruise missiles?
July 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Yes. Because they are.