Ben Tonra
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bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra
@bentonra.bsky.social
3.8K followers 840 following 1.7K posts

Professor of International Relations at UCD Dublin; Dundrum Methodist Church; Royal Irish Academy; Azure Forum, IDSA and Gym Dad. Mix of Mayo, Kerry, West Virginia and suburban Maryland.

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Political science 84%
Sociology 11%
Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Ben Tonra

kyivindependent.com
The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com · 12m
The EU is preparing a legal document to seal a reparations loan, jolting the long-stalled 140-billion-euro plan to back cash‑strapped Kyiv after rival peace plans put it in doubt.

The document is expected to be released within days, Bloomberg reported, citing its sources.
Europe preparing legal groundwork for reparations loan to Ukraine
"The next step is that the Commission is ready to present the legal text," said Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president, in a speech to European lawmakers in Strasbourg on Nov. 26.
kyivindependent.com

Reposted by Ben Tonra

militarynewsua.bsky.social
🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 @militarynewsua.bsky.social · 1h
❗️The Russian army must be restricted to ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine, — EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas

"If Russia could conquer Ukraine militarily, it would have already done so. Putin cannot achieve his goals on the battlefield, so he will try to negotiate them…

Reposted by Ben Tonra

lauraktaylorphd.bsky.social
Laura K Taylor @lauraktaylorphd.bsky.social · 9h
Mai’a Cross of Northeastern University opens the public policy event, in collaboration with @bentonra.bsky.social of @ucddublin.bsky.social

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 10h
PS when co-organising a seminar with a US university, it is a reality that European lunches don’t fit US timetables 🤣🤣🤣

@ucddublin.bsky.social looking at you @northeasternu.bsky.social

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 10h
Manu of the arguments used to justify Russian aggression against Ukraine are the same Putin has used against the EU’s Baltic members.

Ukraine is defending Europe

Europe must defend Ukraine
donnachadcu.bsky.social Donnacha Ó Beacháin @donnachadcu.bsky.social · 11h
On RTE’s 6-1 News I noted that core issues such as territorial integrity and the post-war security architecture remain unresolved

Officials in the Baltic states repeatedly stressed to me that the outcome in Ukraine is not localised. It will shape Europe’s strategic landscape for many years to come

Reposted by Ben Tonra

militarynewsua.bsky.social
🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 @militarynewsua.bsky.social · 11h
❗️“Someone is leaking information, someone is eavesdropping” — Kremlin representative Ushakov literally confirmed the “leaks” of the conversation with Witkoff and Dmitriev

Reposted by Ben Tonra

donnachadcu.bsky.social
Donnacha Ó Beacháin @donnachadcu.bsky.social · 11h
On RTE’s 6-1 News I noted that core issues such as territorial integrity and the post-war security architecture remain unresolved

Officials in the Baltic states repeatedly stressed to me that the outcome in Ukraine is not localised. It will shape Europe’s strategic landscape for many years to come

Reposted by Ben Tonra

chathamhouse.org
Chatham House @chathamhouse.org · 12h
For the sake of European security, Europe's leaders should agree to release Russia’s frozen assets for the support of Ukraine — and clearly state their willingness to defend Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
Trump’s 28 point ‘peace plan’ marks Europe’s last chance to stand up for Ukraine
European national leaders have been too slow and cautious in their support for Kyiv. Can they rise to meet this defining moment?
www.chathamhouse.org

Reposted by Ben Tonra

andriuskubilius.ec.europa.eu
Andrius Kubilius @andriuskubilius.ec.europa.eu · 19h
To those who say defence investment isn’t what our workers need: 
Do you want to be occupied without resistance? Is it the future you want for workers? 

To those who do not want to support Ukraine:
Are you for a Europe where the big have the right to occupy the smaller?

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 19h
To what end?

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 20h
Pompous… but literate.

Reposted by Ben Tonra

antongerashchenko.bsky.social
Anton Gerashchenko @antongerashchenko.bsky.social · 21h
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda:

Ukrainian independence, sovereignty…
must not be violated by any future peace agreements

Ukraine,a country viciously&unjustly attacked by Russia,must not be punished as a result.There’s a fundamental difference between an aggressor&the one who defends itself!

Reposted by Tom Shakespeare, Alan Richardson, Ben Tonra

simonwdc.bsky.social
Simon Rosenberg @simonwdc.bsky.social · 21h
Three things about the Witkoff tapes:

1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.

2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.

3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.

Reposted by Edward Witten, Elizabeth Saunders, Will Jennings , and 20 more

bloomberg.com
Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 22h
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukraine — and that Vladimir Putin should raise it with Donald Trump.
bloom.bg

Reposted by Ben Tonra

davidfarrell-ucd.bsky.social
Prof David Farrell, UCD @davidfarrell-ucd.bsky.social · 1d
The Irish government needs to take this issue far, far more seriously than it has to-date. By all means hold on to the neutrality agenda if that is the view of government, but not spending adequately on defence is a serious abdication of responsibility.
alexdukalskis.bsky.social Alex Dukalskis @alexdukalskis.bsky.social · 1d
Ouch
ftedit.ft.com FT Edit @ftedit.ft.com · 1d
Despite these high stakes, Ireland has no dedicated intelligence agency, just four working navy vessels and the smallest defence budget in the EU. In fact, the only thing the Irish navy can do when it spots a suspicious ship lurking is say “hello”.

Reposted by David M. Farrell, Ben Tonra

alexdukalskis.bsky.social
Alex Dukalskis @alexdukalskis.bsky.social · 1d
Ouch
ftedit.ft.com FT Edit @ftedit.ft.com · 1d
Despite these high stakes, Ireland has no dedicated intelligence agency, just four working navy vessels and the smallest defence budget in the EU. In fact, the only thing the Irish navy can do when it spots a suspicious ship lurking is say “hello”.
A line graph titled “Ireland’s military spending is the lowest in the EU.” It charts defence spending as a percentage of GDP from 2008 to 2024. Ireland sits at the bottom, below Malta and Portugal, while countries like Latvia and Sweden are near the top. The EU average hovers around 1.3%.

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 1d
Delighted to welcome @northeasternu.bsky.social to @ucddublin.bsky.social today for our workshop on transnational collaboration on human rights, nature restoration, quiet skies and peace.

Tomorrow’s public session at MOLI

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 1d
Ireland - “an international liability”

Reference to Ireland’s Blanche Dubois defence policy - relying on the kindness of neighbours.

on.ft.com/49F90VY
How Ireland became the weak spot in Europe’s defences
With few ships and limited intelligence-sharing, some say the country cannot hope to protect itself or its infrastructure
on.ft.com

Reposted by Edgar Morgenroth, Mary Corcoran, Ben Tonra

rikefranke.bsky.social
Ulrike Franke @rikefranke.bsky.social · 1d
“Without sovereignty - military, health, financial and digital - we can no longer guarantee the rule of law.”

This is likely to increasingly become a topic.

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 1d
100 Irish websites for all your Christmas presents: Shopping guide for the festive season

www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2...
100 Irish websites for all your Christmas presents: Shopping guide for the festive season
A curated, all-Irish roundup of the best places to shop for gifts — online and on time
www.irishtimes.com

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 1d
Do you think he sold his soul - or is there some kind of lease-back arrangement? 😉

Reposted by Ben Tonra

donnachadcu.bsky.social
Donnacha Ó Beacháin @donnachadcu.bsky.social · 1d
In Berlin today for event organised by @libmod.de & @bertelsmannst.bsky.social discussing how EU states can better support Ukraine’s EU integration - even amid war.

Pleased that my briefing on Ireland’s approach forms part of the wider document.

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 1d
These two leading contenders for GOP 2028. Place your bets carefully and plan accordingly.
savchenkoua.bsky.social Savchenko Volodymyr @savchenkoua.bsky.social · 2d
🇺🇸🇺🇦 The Economist writes about the disagreements between Rubio and Vance over the Ukraine peace plan.

It was Vance who pushed the initial hardline plan, calling Zelenskyy to lay out the terms.

Rubio, meanwhile, "tried hard to get things back on track by finding an agreement with the Ukrainians." "

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 1d
I’m sure it’s a function of headline writers (?) but this is an unmitigated garbage sentence.
foreignpolicy.com Foreign Policy @foreignpolicy.com · 2d
Trump’s peace overtures, however imperfect, are the only option that actually could achieve a better outcome than the status quo, argues Emma Ashford.
Trump’s Russia-Ukraine Peace Plan Is a Step Forward
For Europe, continued war is perhaps not entirely unwelcome.
foreignpolicy.com

Reposted by Ben Tonra

foreignpolicy.com
Foreign Policy @foreignpolicy.com · 2d
Trump’s peace overtures, however imperfect, are the only option that actually could achieve a better outcome than the status quo, argues Emma Ashford.
Trump’s Russia-Ukraine Peace Plan Is a Step Forward
For Europe, continued war is perhaps not entirely unwelcome.
foreignpolicy.com

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 2d
Sometimes the level of toxic parochialism in Irish politics even surprises me.

Reposted by Ben Tonra

independent.ie
Irish Independent @independent.ie · 2d
‘For God’s sake!’ – Micheál Martin hits back at ‘cheap’ criticism of his foreign travel from inside Fianna Fáil www.independent.ie/irish-news/p...
‘For God’s sake!’ – Micheál Martin hits back at ‘cheap’ criticism of his foreign travel from inside Fianna Fáil
The Taoiseach has rounded on domestic critics of his world travel and leadership performance as he flies home tonight from Angola, a day early.
www.independent.ie

Reposted by Ben Tonra

irishtimes.com
The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 2d
Micheál Martin defends his foreign travel as vital to Ireland’s international engagement
Micheál Martin defends his foreign travel as vital to Ireland’s international engagement
The Taoiseach has travelled to Angola from South Africa where he attended the G20 summit at the weekend
www.irishtimes.com

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 2d
US as a European adversary: lesson #14
abenewman.bsky.social Abe Newman @abenewman.bsky.social · 2d
People scratching their heads about Thiel and Greenland but that is because stuck in an old model of international politics. This is neoroyalism rather than westphalia.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

bentonra.bsky.social
Ben Tonra @bentonra.bsky.social · 2d
He’s a peach alright