Richard G. Whitman
@rgwhitman.bsky.social
Professor of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent; Senior Fellow, UK in a Changing Europe; Senior Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute.
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
‘🇬🇧 should also help to normalise 🇺🇦 strategic integration with #EuroAtlantic allies and partners, using the coalition as a mechanism for ensuring that the country becomes a “shadow” member of #NATO,’ writes @rgwhitman.bsky.social, @kent.ac.uk
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
How should Britain cultivate the Coalition of the Willing?
The Big Ask | No. 44.2025
www.britainsworld.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 12:09 PM
‘🇬🇧 should also help to normalise 🇺🇦 strategic integration with #EuroAtlantic allies and partners, using the coalition as a mechanism for ensuring that the country becomes a “shadow” member of #NATO,’ writes @rgwhitman.bsky.social, @kent.ac.uk
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
Thanks @congeostrategy.bsky.social for the #BigAsk invitation: My answer - Move beyond its ‘start-up’ phase with less focus on preparing to enforce a notional peace and more on securing Ukraine for the long term. www.britainsworld.org.uk/p/the-big-as...
How should Britain cultivate the Coalition of the Willing?
The Big Ask | No. 44.2025
www.britainsworld.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Thanks @congeostrategy.bsky.social for the #BigAsk invitation: My answer - Move beyond its ‘start-up’ phase with less focus on preparing to enforce a notional peace and more on securing Ukraine for the long term. www.britainsworld.org.uk/p/the-big-as...
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
As Trump flip-flops and the coalition of the willing is unlikely to go beyond securing Ukraine’s immediate survival, a credible pathway to ending the war with a just and stable peace is still lacking -- my latest analysis with @rgwhitman.bsky.social for @navvortex.bsky.social : bit.ly/43IOKP9
Despite another week of diplomatic whiplash, an end to the fighting in Ukraine is not in sight
By Richard Whitman & Stefan Wolff
www.navigatingthevortex.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:46 PM
As Trump flip-flops and the coalition of the willing is unlikely to go beyond securing Ukraine’s immediate survival, a credible pathway to ending the war with a just and stable peace is still lacking -- my latest analysis with @rgwhitman.bsky.social for @navvortex.bsky.social : bit.ly/43IOKP9
The Trump administration flip-flops and the track record of Kyiv’s European partners to slow-walk the necessary goods for Ukraine’s defence continues. - shared analysis with @stefwolff.bsky.social
theconversation.com/ukraine-anot...
theconversation.com/ukraine-anot...
Ukraine: another week of diplomatic wrangling leaves Kyiv short of defensive options
Despite exhaustive discussions, neither the EU or the US has come up with any really substantial measures to boost Ukraine’s defence.
theconversation.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:31 AM
The Trump administration flip-flops and the track record of Kyiv’s European partners to slow-walk the necessary goods for Ukraine’s defence continues. - shared analysis with @stefwolff.bsky.social
theconversation.com/ukraine-anot...
theconversation.com/ukraine-anot...
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Time is running out for Europe to prevent Russia from broadening its war against Ukraine into a full-blown military confrontation with the west: my latest analysis with @rgwhitman.bsky.social: bit.ly/42e0qZB
September 26, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Time is running out for Europe to prevent Russia from broadening its war against Ukraine into a full-blown military confrontation with the west: my latest analysis with @rgwhitman.bsky.social: bit.ly/42e0qZB
Great to be back in The Conversation and especially for a shared analysis with @stefwolff.bsky.social
The US president had already severely criticised the UN in his speech to the general assembly.
Donald Trump hints at leaving Europe to defend Ukraine alone
The US president had already severely criticised the UN in his speech to the general assembly.
tcnv.link
September 26, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Great to be back in The Conversation and especially for a shared analysis with @stefwolff.bsky.social
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
In memoriam: Professor A J R (‘John’) Groom
It is with sadness that we bring the news that former BISA Chair Professor A J R Groom has passed away. Here @rgwhitman.bsky.social outlines some of Professor Groom's main contributions and achievements.
Read here - buff.ly/8Kl7Cc5
@kent.ac.uk
It is with sadness that we bring the news that former BISA Chair Professor A J R Groom has passed away. Here @rgwhitman.bsky.social outlines some of Professor Groom's main contributions and achievements.
Read here - buff.ly/8Kl7Cc5
@kent.ac.uk
buff.ly
September 18, 2025 at 4:03 PM
In memoriam: Professor A J R (‘John’) Groom
It is with sadness that we bring the news that former BISA Chair Professor A J R Groom has passed away. Here @rgwhitman.bsky.social outlines some of Professor Groom's main contributions and achievements.
Read here - buff.ly/8Kl7Cc5
@kent.ac.uk
It is with sadness that we bring the news that former BISA Chair Professor A J R Groom has passed away. Here @rgwhitman.bsky.social outlines some of Professor Groom's main contributions and achievements.
Read here - buff.ly/8Kl7Cc5
@kent.ac.uk
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
🚨 #REF2029 update - Matthew Flinders and @ailsahenderson.bsky.social
provide an update on REF2029 sub-panel 19 - Politics and IR:
🎉 Pause button pressed & Sub-panel members appointed:
@usempire.bsky.social @rgwhitman.bsky.social @jamespattison.bsky.social @whitproject.bsky.social
Read here 👉
provide an update on REF2029 sub-panel 19 - Politics and IR:
🎉 Pause button pressed & Sub-panel members appointed:
@usempire.bsky.social @rgwhitman.bsky.social @jamespattison.bsky.social @whitproject.bsky.social
Read here 👉
REF2029: Update on Politics and International Relations
Matthew Flinders and Ailsa Henderson provide an update on the timeline and panel remembers.
buff.ly
September 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
🚨 #REF2029 update - Matthew Flinders and @ailsahenderson.bsky.social
provide an update on REF2029 sub-panel 19 - Politics and IR:
🎉 Pause button pressed & Sub-panel members appointed:
@usempire.bsky.social @rgwhitman.bsky.social @jamespattison.bsky.social @whitproject.bsky.social
Read here 👉
provide an update on REF2029 sub-panel 19 - Politics and IR:
🎉 Pause button pressed & Sub-panel members appointed:
@usempire.bsky.social @rgwhitman.bsky.social @jamespattison.bsky.social @whitproject.bsky.social
Read here 👉
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
‘In an era of growing uncertainty in American politics…closer British-French nuclear cooperation is a prudent strategic hedge,’ argues @rgwhitman.bsky.social @kent.ac.uk
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
How should Britain and France cooperate to realise the Northwood Declaration?
The Big Ask | No. 29.2025
www.britainsworld.org.uk
July 18, 2025 at 12:44 PM
‘In an era of growing uncertainty in American politics…closer British-French nuclear cooperation is a prudent strategic hedge,’ argues @rgwhitman.bsky.social @kent.ac.uk
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
#BigAsk #BritainsWorld
Macron: when France and the UK "come together around one table, everything is possible". Well not everything…https://inews.co.uk/news/world/eu-split-uk-joining-weapons-fund-france-saying-non-3791737?ito=link_share_article-top
The EU is split on UK joining its weapons fund - and France is saying non
Some countries are sceptical about full British involvement in the EU's defence investment fund - with senior officials saying it will undermine the bloc's supply chain
inews.co.uk
July 11, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Macron: when France and the UK "come together around one table, everything is possible". Well not everything…https://inews.co.uk/news/world/eu-split-uk-joining-weapons-fund-france-saying-non-3791737?ito=link_share_article-top
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
"The summit captured a moment of uneasy consensus — forged not through shared strategy, but through collective accommodation of a US president whose commitment to the Alliance remains conditional."
✍️ @rgwhitman.bsky.social on the NATO summit and Trump's influence
✍️ @rgwhitman.bsky.social on the NATO summit and Trump's influence
The Art of the Pledge: Trump, NATO, and the price of unity - UK in a changing Europe
Richard Whitman takes stock of the NATO summit at the Hague in June 2025. He argues that the brief summit aimed to appease Donald Trump with its commitment to his 5% defence spending target and…
ukandeu.ac.uk
June 29, 2025 at 10:46 AM
"The summit captured a moment of uneasy consensus — forged not through shared strategy, but through collective accommodation of a US president whose commitment to the Alliance remains conditional."
✍️ @rgwhitman.bsky.social on the NATO summit and Trump's influence
✍️ @rgwhitman.bsky.social on the NATO summit and Trump's influence
@edrusi.bsky.social has the must-read take on The Hague NATO summit.
At this year’s NATO Summit, Donald Trump won, Ukraine lost, Europe rolled out the red carpet and exposed the total psychological dependency on the US, writes @edrusi.bsky.social in the latest RUSI Commentary.
All About Trump: the 2025 NATO Hague Summit
At this year’s NATO Summit, Donald Trump won, Ukraine lost, Europe rolled out the red carpet and exposed the total psychological dependency on the US.
www.rusi.org
June 27, 2025 at 10:50 AM
@edrusi.bsky.social has the must-read take on The Hague NATO summit.
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
What to make of the NATO summit? @rgwhitman.bsky.social explains all ukandeu.ac.uk/the-art-of-t...
The Art of the Pledge: Trump, NATO, and the price of unity - UK in a changing Europe
Richard Whitman takes stock of the NATO summit at the Hague in June 2025. He argues that the brief summit aimed to appease Donald Trump with its commitment to his 5% defence spending target and failed...
ukandeu.ac.uk
June 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
What to make of the NATO summit? @rgwhitman.bsky.social explains all ukandeu.ac.uk/the-art-of-t...
In conversation with Neil Melvin on the ever insightful Global Security Briefing podcast from @rusi.bsky.social . A great opportunity to reflect on the record of the UK Labour government after its first year in office and how UK security and defence is evolving.
www.rusi.org/podcasts/glo...
www.rusi.org/podcasts/glo...
Episode 103: How Should the UK Approach European Security?
How is the UK’s Labour government approaching European security, and how does this compare to the Conservatives?
www.rusi.org
June 26, 2025 at 11:03 AM
In conversation with Neil Melvin on the ever insightful Global Security Briefing podcast from @rusi.bsky.social . A great opportunity to reflect on the record of the UK Labour government after its first year in office and how UK security and defence is evolving.
www.rusi.org/podcasts/glo...
www.rusi.org/podcasts/glo...
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
"As the United States re-evaluates its security commitments to Europe, the UK and EU are under increasing pressure to assume greater responsibility for their own defence."
@rgwhitman.bsky.social analyses the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership & the role of the US
@rgwhitman.bsky.social analyses the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership & the role of the US
A modest beginning: the new EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership - UK in a changing Europe
Professor Richard Whitman analyses the Security and Defence Partnership announced at the UK-EU summit in London on Monday 19 May. He argues that the agreement does not exceed any strategic…
ukandeu.ac.uk
June 22, 2025 at 10:46 AM
"As the United States re-evaluates its security commitments to Europe, the UK and EU are under increasing pressure to assume greater responsibility for their own defence."
@rgwhitman.bsky.social analyses the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership & the role of the US
@rgwhitman.bsky.social analyses the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership & the role of the US
Fantastic occasion - and very many thanks to @mybisa.bsky.social for bringing us all together to reflect on the first fifty years of the Association.
We finished the 1st day of #BISA2025 with our 50th roundtable talk chaired by Mark Webber
Joined by Barry Buzan, Chris Brown, Christopher Hill,
Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, @rgwhitman.bsky.social
and Ruth Blakeley for a fascinating discussion about how IR has changed over the last 50 years! 🌟
Joined by Barry Buzan, Chris Brown, Christopher Hill,
Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, @rgwhitman.bsky.social
and Ruth Blakeley for a fascinating discussion about how IR has changed over the last 50 years! 🌟
June 19, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Fantastic occasion - and very many thanks to @mybisa.bsky.social for bringing us all together to reflect on the first fifty years of the Association.
Thanks to @congeostrategy.bsky.social for giving me the chance to answer the #BigAsk this week.
‘To add real value to European security the 🇪🇺-🇬🇧 Security and Defence Partnership needs to embrace defence industrial cooperation as its defining strategic purpose,’ argues @rgwhitman.bsky.social, @kent.ac.uk
#BritainsWorld #BigAsk
#BritainsWorld #BigAsk
How can Britain work with its allies and partners to boost its defence posture?
The Big Ask | No. 24.2025
www.britainsworld.org.uk
June 13, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Thanks to @congeostrategy.bsky.social for giving me the chance to answer the #BigAsk this week.
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
🌟BISA chair roundtable: 50 years and counting: reflecting on the discipline and profession of International Studies🌟
Online or in person 🎉
Ft/ @rgwhitman.bsky.social, Barry Buzan, Chris Brown, Christopher Hill, Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, Ruth Blakeley & Mark Webber
Sign up now! 👉
Online or in person 🎉
Ft/ @rgwhitman.bsky.social, Barry Buzan, Chris Brown, Christopher Hill, Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, Ruth Blakeley & Mark Webber
Sign up now! 👉
Public event - BISA chair roundtable: 50 years and counting: reflecting on the discipline and profession of International Studies
A roundtable with past BISA chairs. Part of the #BISA2025 conference.
buff.ly
May 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
🌟BISA chair roundtable: 50 years and counting: reflecting on the discipline and profession of International Studies🌟
Online or in person 🎉
Ft/ @rgwhitman.bsky.social, Barry Buzan, Chris Brown, Christopher Hill, Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, Ruth Blakeley & Mark Webber
Sign up now! 👉
Online or in person 🎉
Ft/ @rgwhitman.bsky.social, Barry Buzan, Chris Brown, Christopher Hill, Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, Ruth Blakeley & Mark Webber
Sign up now! 👉
Modesty (doesn't quite) forbid me for drawing attention to this piece for @congeostrategy.bsky.social - Resetting (modestly): The UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership www.britainsworld.org.uk/p/the-memora...
Resetting (modestly): The UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership
The Memorandum | No. 19.2025
www.britainsworld.org.uk
May 28, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Modesty (doesn't quite) forbid me for drawing attention to this piece for @congeostrategy.bsky.social - Resetting (modestly): The UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership www.britainsworld.org.uk/p/the-memora...
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
"It does not represent a transformative moment or strategic shift; rather, it formalises a more normalised, codified dialogue between the two parties."
🖊️ @rgwhitman.bsky.social analyses the Security and Defence Partnership announced at the UK-EU summit in London
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-new-eu-u...
🖊️ @rgwhitman.bsky.social analyses the Security and Defence Partnership announced at the UK-EU summit in London
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-new-eu-u...
A modest beginning: the new EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership - UK in a changing Europe
Professor Richard Whitman analyses the Security and Defence Partnership announced at the UK-EU summit in London on Monday 19 May. He argues that the agreement does not exceed any strategic partnership...
ukandeu.ac.uk
May 20, 2025 at 6:05 PM
"It does not represent a transformative moment or strategic shift; rather, it formalises a more normalised, codified dialogue between the two parties."
🖊️ @rgwhitman.bsky.social analyses the Security and Defence Partnership announced at the UK-EU summit in London
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-new-eu-u...
🖊️ @rgwhitman.bsky.social analyses the Security and Defence Partnership announced at the UK-EU summit in London
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-new-eu-u...
Sharp and on point from @edrusi.bsky.social
'If the threat to European security is genuinely grave, and increased UK-EU cooperation is vital to security, then why are both sides holding up progress over relatively minor domestic priorities and legacy disagreements?' notes @edrusi.bsky.social.
Restoring Factory Settings: The 2025 UK-EU Summit
Nine years after the Brexit vote and five years after the UK left the EU, both sides have finally agreed to structured cooperation on defence and security. While it lays a comprehensive framework and ...
www.rusi.org
May 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Sharp and on point from @edrusi.bsky.social
My take on the EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership agreed at the summit today.
"If the intent of this agreement was to signal the beginning of a genuine strategic partnership between the EU and the UK in security and defence, then it falls short."
✍️ @rgwhitman.bsky.social analyses the details of today's EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-new-eu-u...
✍️ @rgwhitman.bsky.social analyses the details of today's EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership
ukandeu.ac.uk/the-new-eu-u...
A modest beginning: the new EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership - UK in a changing Europe
Professor Richard Whitman analyses the Security and Defence Partnership announced at the UK-EU summit in London on Monday 19 May. He argues that the agreement does not exceed any strategic partnership...
ukandeu.ac.uk
May 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
My take on the EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership agreed at the summit today.
Thanks to the @congeostrategy.bsky.social for getting the opportunity to answer their #BigAsk this week - on whether Britain should have a foreign policy doctrine.
‘As 🇺🇸 redefines its view of international relations and reassesses its alliances, 🇬🇧 must undertake a fundamental reassessment of its own foreign policy doctrine,’ argues @rgwhitman.bsky.social, @kent.ac.uk
#BritainsWorld #BigAsk
#BritainsWorld #BigAsk
Should Britain have a foreign policy doctrine?
The Big Ask | No. 18.2025
www.britainsworld.org.uk
May 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Thanks to the @congeostrategy.bsky.social for getting the opportunity to answer their #BigAsk this week - on whether Britain should have a foreign policy doctrine.
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
It isn't a surprise that an administration with little respect for domestic law is happy internationally to offer impunity to Putin & his fellow war-criminals, but it is another sad sign of US abdication from its leading role in the democratic world. Europeans must do what they can to fill the gap.
1/ Donald Trump has abandoned legally mandated US and international efforts to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes in Ukraine, in an apparent undisclosed favour to Vladimir Putin. ⬇️
April 23, 2025 at 8:35 AM
It isn't a surprise that an administration with little respect for domestic law is happy internationally to offer impunity to Putin & his fellow war-criminals, but it is another sad sign of US abdication from its leading role in the democratic world. Europeans must do what they can to fill the gap.