David MacSweeney
@macsdavid.bsky.social
Founder: @9dashline.com
Excellent panel at London’s Frontline Club on the rise of authoritarianism in Southeast Asia.
Insights from @neiloughlin.bsky.social on Cambodia, Paul Chambers with personal experience of Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, and @laujessie.bsky.social on the importance of the Milk Tea Alliance.
Insights from @neiloughlin.bsky.social on Cambodia, Paul Chambers with personal experience of Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, and @laujessie.bsky.social on the importance of the Milk Tea Alliance.
October 30, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Excellent panel at London’s Frontline Club on the rise of authoritarianism in Southeast Asia.
Insights from @neiloughlin.bsky.social on Cambodia, Paul Chambers with personal experience of Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, and @laujessie.bsky.social on the importance of the Milk Tea Alliance.
Insights from @neiloughlin.bsky.social on Cambodia, Paul Chambers with personal experience of Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, and @laujessie.bsky.social on the importance of the Milk Tea Alliance.
Thanks to @lauchinainstitute.bsky.social for bringing together two of the clearest thinkers on US–China relations at a pivotal moment.
Excellent programme of events for #ChinaWeek2025.
Excellent programme of events for #ChinaWeek2025.
October 21, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Thanks to @lauchinainstitute.bsky.social for bringing together two of the clearest thinkers on US–China relations at a pivotal moment.
Excellent programme of events for #ChinaWeek2025.
Excellent programme of events for #ChinaWeek2025.
*IF* correct, then exposure to Chinese penetration no longer just a UK crisis—serious implications for EU / institutions and broader joint and collective security arrangements.
October 15, 2025 at 2:53 PM
*IF* correct, then exposure to Chinese penetration no longer just a UK crisis—serious implications for EU / institutions and broader joint and collective security arrangements.
Last year in Hiroshima, I stumbled on the exact spot where the world’s first atomic bomb exploded—now a profoundly ordinary street and home to apartments, businesses and a car park.
In the wake of images from Gaza, an important reminder that recovery—though hard—is possible.
In the wake of images from Gaza, an important reminder that recovery—though hard—is possible.
August 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Last year in Hiroshima, I stumbled on the exact spot where the world’s first atomic bomb exploded—now a profoundly ordinary street and home to apartments, businesses and a car park.
In the wake of images from Gaza, an important reminder that recovery—though hard—is possible.
In the wake of images from Gaza, an important reminder that recovery—though hard—is possible.
Nothing like digesting Europe’s politics after a trip to Berlin’s leading photography space to remember everyone’s just performing — some just happen to have better lighting.
July 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Nothing like digesting Europe’s politics after a trip to Berlin’s leading photography space to remember everyone’s just performing — some just happen to have better lighting.
Grateful to @chathamhouse.org and panellists for this evening’s discussion on how the UK can build influence on the Korean Peninsula at a critical moment for European and Indo-Pacific security.
July 2, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Grateful to @chathamhouse.org and panellists for this evening’s discussion on how the UK can build influence on the Korean Peninsula at a critical moment for European and Indo-Pacific security.
Warm London evening offset by some cool-headed analysis.
Thanks to the #LSEFestival for hosting a fantastic discussion on the future of US-China relations with John Ikenberry, Rana Mitter, Peter Trubowitz and Nathalie Tocci.
Thanks to the #LSEFestival for hosting a fantastic discussion on the future of US-China relations with John Ikenberry, Rana Mitter, Peter Trubowitz and Nathalie Tocci.
June 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Warm London evening offset by some cool-headed analysis.
Thanks to the #LSEFestival for hosting a fantastic discussion on the future of US-China relations with John Ikenberry, Rana Mitter, Peter Trubowitz and Nathalie Tocci.
Thanks to the #LSEFestival for hosting a fantastic discussion on the future of US-China relations with John Ikenberry, Rana Mitter, Peter Trubowitz and Nathalie Tocci.
Beautiful day in the Principality.
May 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Beautiful day in the Principality.
Life in Taiwan feels remarkably normal. And that might be the real danger. I’ve tried to capture some thoughts after a recent visit.
Read here: buff.ly/ZOMUTxm
Read here: buff.ly/ZOMUTxm
May 9, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Life in Taiwan feels remarkably normal. And that might be the real danger. I’ve tried to capture some thoughts after a recent visit.
Read here: buff.ly/ZOMUTxm
Read here: buff.ly/ZOMUTxm
Thanks to Niall McCabe for a fantastic show and a great cover of Paul Brady's The Island.
May 1, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Thanks to Niall McCabe for a fantastic show and a great cover of Paul Brady's The Island.
Fascinating visit to Kinmen. Despite recent incursions and its larger size compared to Matsu, it shares a profoundly normal, everyday feel—which makes encountering installations like this propaganda loudspeaker a particularly jarring experience.
April 20, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Fascinating visit to Kinmen. Despite recent incursions and its larger size compared to Matsu, it shares a profoundly normal, everyday feel—which makes encountering installations like this propaganda loudspeaker a particularly jarring experience.
Taipei backdrop 101
April 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Taipei backdrop 101
Important question at tonight's #LSEevents: If Trump lifts US sanctions on Russia, could Europe withstand the inevitable pressure from its own business community—while avoiding yet further fragmentation.
March 20, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Important question at tonight's #LSEevents: If Trump lifts US sanctions on Russia, could Europe withstand the inevitable pressure from its own business community—while avoiding yet further fragmentation.
Thanks to @kasiamadera.bsky.social for steering this fascinating discussion with @suneengel.bsky.social, @scribblercat.bsky.social and Nina dos Santos on US disengagement from Europe and NATO.
Thanks also to Trump-Putin for unintentionally providing the 'ideal' backdrop to this long-planned event..
Thanks also to Trump-Putin for unintentionally providing the 'ideal' backdrop to this long-planned event..
March 18, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Thanks to @kasiamadera.bsky.social for steering this fascinating discussion with @suneengel.bsky.social, @scribblercat.bsky.social and Nina dos Santos on US disengagement from Europe and NATO.
Thanks also to Trump-Putin for unintentionally providing the 'ideal' backdrop to this long-planned event..
Thanks also to Trump-Putin for unintentionally providing the 'ideal' backdrop to this long-planned event..
Discussions in London taking place against a backdrop of huge support for Ukraine on Whitehall.
March 2, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Discussions in London taking place against a backdrop of huge support for Ukraine on Whitehall.
With Trump now echoing Kremlin talking points—great to hear this @lauchinainstitute.bsky.social panel break down what it may all mean for the US approach toward China.
February 19, 2025 at 7:12 PM
With Trump now echoing Kremlin talking points—great to hear this @lauchinainstitute.bsky.social panel break down what it may all mean for the US approach toward China.
Privileged to hear Omar El Akkad in conversation with Max Porter—an unflinching critique of Western hypocrisy and the moral struggle of living at the heart of an empire.
Essential reading for this moment.
Essential reading for this moment.
February 12, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Privileged to hear Omar El Akkad in conversation with Max Porter—an unflinching critique of Western hypocrisy and the moral struggle of living at the heart of an empire.
Essential reading for this moment.
Essential reading for this moment.
Ideal moment to hear Christopher Steele's insights on Trump, Russia, China, and the world at large.
Thanks to Frontline London for hosting.
Thanks to Frontline London for hosting.
January 30, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Ideal moment to hear Christopher Steele's insights on Trump, Russia, China, and the world at large.
Thanks to Frontline London for hosting.
Thanks to Frontline London for hosting.
Clear view for year ahead.
January 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Clear view for year ahead.
Events in the Baltic Sea, Norway, Taiwan and elsewhere begs the question: How secure is the Celtic Interconnector, the planned power exchange cable between France and Ireland?
December 28, 2024 at 2:29 PM
Events in the Baltic Sea, Norway, Taiwan and elsewhere begs the question: How secure is the Celtic Interconnector, the planned power exchange cable between France and Ireland?
Democracy on display in Dublin today:
Outside Govt, Senate nominations open for public scrutiny. Nearby, Christmas shoppers exploring power and potential of EU institutions while touring a mini European Parliament.
Small but important facets in defending against creeping antidemocratic narratives.
Outside Govt, Senate nominations open for public scrutiny. Nearby, Christmas shoppers exploring power and potential of EU institutions while touring a mini European Parliament.
Small but important facets in defending against creeping antidemocratic narratives.
December 19, 2024 at 5:41 PM
Democracy on display in Dublin today:
Outside Govt, Senate nominations open for public scrutiny. Nearby, Christmas shoppers exploring power and potential of EU institutions while touring a mini European Parliament.
Small but important facets in defending against creeping antidemocratic narratives.
Outside Govt, Senate nominations open for public scrutiny. Nearby, Christmas shoppers exploring power and potential of EU institutions while touring a mini European Parliament.
Small but important facets in defending against creeping antidemocratic narratives.
All of This Unreal Time: Stunning work of poetic collaboration from Max Porter, Cillian Murphy Aoife McArdle and Mary Hickson.
December 7, 2024 at 12:36 AM
All of This Unreal Time: Stunning work of poetic collaboration from Max Porter, Cillian Murphy Aoife McArdle and Mary Hickson.