Bill Robinson
@billrobinson.bsky.social
Researcher focused on Canadian SIGINT activities past and present. Also FVEY and other countries. Citizen Lab Research Fellow. Occasionally compared to a hedgehog. He/him.
Blog: https://luxexumbra.blogspot.com/
Blog: https://luxexumbra.blogspot.com/
Reposted by Bill Robinson
In 1781, in the town of Sorel in the colony of the Province of Quebec, the Baroness Riedesel hosted a party.
At that party, she unveiled a fir tree decorated with fruits and candles.
This is the story of North America's first Christmas Tree.
🧵 1/6
At that party, she unveiled a fir tree decorated with fruits and candles.
This is the story of North America's first Christmas Tree.
🧵 1/6
December 3, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In 1781, in the town of Sorel in the colony of the Province of Quebec, the Baroness Riedesel hosted a party.
At that party, she unveiled a fir tree decorated with fruits and candles.
This is the story of North America's first Christmas Tree.
🧵 1/6
At that party, she unveiled a fir tree decorated with fruits and candles.
This is the story of North America's first Christmas Tree.
🧵 1/6
Reposted by Bill Robinson
📢New blog by Paul Meyer - Living in a House of Dynamite
“A House of Dynamite” is a timely reminder that we all live under a nuclear sword of Damocles and little has been done to remove the threat of its fall on our heads... 🔗 www.cips-cepi.ca/2025/12/02/l...
“A House of Dynamite” is a timely reminder that we all live under a nuclear sword of Damocles and little has been done to remove the threat of its fall on our heads... 🔗 www.cips-cepi.ca/2025/12/02/l...
December 2, 2025 at 6:10 PM
📢New blog by Paul Meyer - Living in a House of Dynamite
“A House of Dynamite” is a timely reminder that we all live under a nuclear sword of Damocles and little has been done to remove the threat of its fall on our heads... 🔗 www.cips-cepi.ca/2025/12/02/l...
“A House of Dynamite” is a timely reminder that we all live under a nuclear sword of Damocles and little has been done to remove the threat of its fall on our heads... 🔗 www.cips-cepi.ca/2025/12/02/l...
Reposted by Bill Robinson
New from me: The NSA recently achieved its goals to shed around 2,000 people from its workforce this year. The reductions include a mix of civilian employees who were terminated, voluntarily left or took deferred resignation offers.
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
NSA has met 2,000-person workforce reduction goal, people familiar say
A broader Pentagon goal to shrink the nation’s defense budget over the coming five years could potentially subject the agency to further downsizing.
www.nextgov.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:52 PM
New from me: The NSA recently achieved its goals to shed around 2,000 people from its workforce this year. The reductions include a mix of civilian employees who were terminated, voluntarily left or took deferred resignation offers.
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
www.nextgov.com/people/2025/...
Reposted by Bill Robinson
"A high-tech Canadian-made camera system was used as part of controversial U.S. strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug boats, according to a report by the non-governmental organization Project Ploughshares ..." www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Canadian tech helped U.S. strike alleged Venezuelan drug boats: report | CBC News
Canadian technology was used by the U.S. military in operations that blew up at least two alleged Venezuelan drug boats in the Caribbean in September, according to a report by Project Ploughshares.
www.cbc.ca
December 1, 2025 at 11:08 PM
"A high-tech Canadian-made camera system was used as part of controversial U.S. strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug boats, according to a report by the non-governmental organization Project Ploughshares ..." www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Bill Robinson
“About 100 people gathered at noon Sunday on the Wortley Road bridge that spans Horton Street “to share joy, connection and a whole lot of love,” organizers said, in response to the Second Sons Canada demonstration in the same spot.”
This is amazing!
This is amazing!
After nationalist club's protest, Londoners take back Old South overpass
“People are here to celebrate love and joy,” said Ward 11 Coun. Skylar Franke, who represents the area and organized the event.
lfpress.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:53 PM
“About 100 people gathered at noon Sunday on the Wortley Road bridge that spans Horton Street “to share joy, connection and a whole lot of love,” organizers said, in response to the Second Sons Canada demonstration in the same spot.”
This is amazing!
This is amazing!
Reposted by Bill Robinson
The replacement for Enigma that came too late,
Schlüsselgerät 41. Open Access.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Schlüsselgerät 41. Open Access.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Revealing secrets from WWII: the original German instructions of Schlüsselgerät 41
Schlüsselgerät 41 (cipher device 41) is a rare but very advanced mechanical cipher machine from World War II. It was developed by Fritz Menzer in 1941, and used by the German Abwehr at the end of t...
www.tandfonline.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:38 PM
The replacement for Enigma that came too late,
Schlüsselgerät 41. Open Access.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Schlüsselgerät 41. Open Access.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Bill Robinson
"The heroic excavators of government secrets" - Author Stephen Kinzer on 40 years of the National Security Archive
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/01/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/01/o...
The heroic excavators of government secrets - The Boston Globe
For 40 years, document nerds at the National Security Archive have been discovering things our leaders would rather you didn’t know. Today their job may be harder than ever.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:46 PM
"The heroic excavators of government secrets" - Author Stephen Kinzer on 40 years of the National Security Archive
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/01/o...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/01/o...
Reposted by Bill Robinson
It’s my book’s half-birthday today! To celebrate, I’d like to mail one of you a free signed copy.
Just like this post to enter the draw. You can enter your name until 11:59 pm Pacific time on Wednesday, December 3rd.
Please reskeet! #cdnhist #envhist
www.ubcpress.ca/a-cold-colon...
Just like this post to enter the draw. You can enter your name until 11:59 pm Pacific time on Wednesday, December 3rd.
Please reskeet! #cdnhist #envhist
www.ubcpress.ca/a-cold-colon...
A Cold Colonialism
A Cold Colonialism - Modern Exploration and the Canadian North; A Cold Colonialism reframes exploration as a modern enterprise – one through which southern Canadians and Americans sought to exert cont...
www.ubcpress.ca
December 1, 2025 at 5:44 PM
It’s my book’s half-birthday today! To celebrate, I’d like to mail one of you a free signed copy.
Just like this post to enter the draw. You can enter your name until 11:59 pm Pacific time on Wednesday, December 3rd.
Please reskeet! #cdnhist #envhist
www.ubcpress.ca/a-cold-colon...
Just like this post to enter the draw. You can enter your name until 11:59 pm Pacific time on Wednesday, December 3rd.
Please reskeet! #cdnhist #envhist
www.ubcpress.ca/a-cold-colon...
Reposted by Bill Robinson
Canada's cyber defence public-private partnership is more private than public, argues @cyberincontext.ca
What's happening with the Canadian Cyber Defence Collective?
Canada's cyber defence public-private partnership is more private than public
www.cyberincontext.ca
December 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Canada's cyber defence public-private partnership is more private than public, argues @cyberincontext.ca
Reposted by Bill Robinson
Landscape paintings by Canadian artist Sky Glabush, 2020s.
November 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Landscape paintings by Canadian artist Sky Glabush, 2020s.
Reposted by Bill Robinson
In 1957, the US government requested baggage investigatory powers at Canadian rail stations, but why? The plan was to utilize a “Mark II” radioactive detection device to identify attempts to smuggle radioactive materials into the US, however, Canadian officials were less than enthusiastic.
November 30, 2025 at 4:09 PM
In 1957, the US government requested baggage investigatory powers at Canadian rail stations, but why? The plan was to utilize a “Mark II” radioactive detection device to identify attempts to smuggle radioactive materials into the US, however, Canadian officials were less than enthusiastic.
Reposted by Bill Robinson
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
November 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
1600 hectares seems like a lot of space. For comparison, this Jindalee OTH radar site in Australia (maps.app.goo.gl/vfEZC4QAesx8...), with two receiver arrays covering an arc of 180 degrees, has a triangular footprint of only ~700 ha. A rectangle around the site could get close.
November 29, 2025 at 5:23 PM
1600 hectares seems like a lot of space. For comparison, this Jindalee OTH radar site in Australia (maps.app.goo.gl/vfEZC4QAesx8...), with two receiver arrays covering an arc of 180 degrees, has a triangular footprint of only ~700 ha. A rectangle around the site could get close.
Reposted by Bill Robinson
'Premeditated murder': Pete Hegseth accused of 'unambiguous war crime' after new report
www.rawstory.com
'Premeditated murder': Pete Hegseth accused of 'unambiguous war crime' after new report
twp.ai
November 28, 2025 at 6:58 PM
'Premeditated murder': Pete Hegseth accused of 'unambiguous war crime' after new report
CSE Chief Caroline Xavier interviewed by Wesley Wark
thewalrus.ca/canada-fight...
thewalrus.ca/canada-fight...
Canada Fighting “Billions” of Attacks a Day, Cyber Agency Says | The Walrus
In an exclusive interview, CSE chief Caroline Xavier warns adversaries are growing faster, smarter, and more aggressive
thewalrus.ca
November 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
CSE Chief Caroline Xavier interviewed by Wesley Wark
thewalrus.ca/canada-fight...
thewalrus.ca/canada-fight...
Reposted by Bill Robinson
First of all, GBA+ in intelligence isn't really a thing, which Phil would know if he'd ever actually engaged with the topic. (It's primarily a policy analysis tool.)
November 27, 2025 at 11:14 AM
First of all, GBA+ in intelligence isn't really a thing, which Phil would know if he'd ever actually engaged with the topic. (It's primarily a policy analysis tool.)
Reposted by Bill Robinson
As we knew all along, these were murders.
“The lawyer at U.S. Southern Command, which oversees the operations against alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela, disagreed that the strikes are legal and was overruled, according to six sources.”
“The lawyer at U.S. Southern Command, which oversees the operations against alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela, disagreed that the strikes are legal and was overruled, according to six sources.”
Top military lawyer raised legal concerns about boat strikes
The lawyer at U.S. Southern Command, which oversees the operations against alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela, disagreed that the strikes are legal and was overruled, according to six sources...
www.nbcnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:21 AM
As we knew all along, these were murders.
“The lawyer at U.S. Southern Command, which oversees the operations against alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela, disagreed that the strikes are legal and was overruled, according to six sources.”
“The lawyer at U.S. Southern Command, which oversees the operations against alleged drug-smuggling boats near Venezuela, disagreed that the strikes are legal and was overruled, according to six sources.”
Reposted by Bill Robinson
These people can fuck right off.
Find out who they are and then name and shame. There shouldn't be room in this country for this bullshit.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Find out who they are and then name and shame. There shouldn't be room in this country for this bullshit.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Growing white nationalist group behind broad daylight demonstration in London on Sunday | CBC News
An apparent white nationalist demonstration on a busy overpass near London, Ont.'s downtown on Sunday afternoon is concerning for witnesses and experts who track extremist behaviour.
www.cbc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 1:36 PM
These people can fuck right off.
Find out who they are and then name and shame. There shouldn't be room in this country for this bullshit.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Find out who they are and then name and shame. There shouldn't be room in this country for this bullshit.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Bill Robinson
1/ A longtime Wired editor just wrote a mush-brained essay about how he totally missed the political rot of Silicon Valley (& still doesn't get it).
But in the late 1990s, a Wired journalist warned of a toxic ideology bubbling up from tech. Paulina Borsook has largely been erased. Let's change that
But in the late 1990s, a Wired journalist warned of a toxic ideology bubbling up from tech. Paulina Borsook has largely been erased. Let's change that
September 24, 2025 at 6:36 PM
1/ A longtime Wired editor just wrote a mush-brained essay about how he totally missed the political rot of Silicon Valley (& still doesn't get it).
But in the late 1990s, a Wired journalist warned of a toxic ideology bubbling up from tech. Paulina Borsook has largely been erased. Let's change that
But in the late 1990s, a Wired journalist warned of a toxic ideology bubbling up from tech. Paulina Borsook has largely been erased. Let's change that
Reposted by Bill Robinson
It should be noted that, in addition to the US and Great Britain, the Australians and the Dutch also worked on JN-25. doi.org/10.1080/0161...
Bletchley Park’s work on JN-25
This article describes the work done by codebreakers in the Naval Section at Bletchley Park on the primary World War II Japanese naval cipher JN-25. It also describes the relationship between the U...
doi.org
November 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
It should be noted that, in addition to the US and Great Britain, the Australians and the Dutch also worked on JN-25. doi.org/10.1080/0161...
Reposted by Bill Robinson
"The essential question is no longer what federal agencies are authorized to do, but what they are capable of doing. Capability now outstrips authority by orders of magnitude... The true danger lies in what the modern American state can do right now."
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Capabilities, Not Authorities: The Quiet Evolution towards a Panopticon State
The Steady State | By Steven Cash November 21, 2025
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:20 AM
"The essential question is no longer what federal agencies are authorized to do, but what they are capable of doing. Capability now outstrips authority by orders of magnitude... The true danger lies in what the modern American state can do right now."
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
open.substack.com/pub/steadyst...
Reposted by Bill Robinson
Massive shoutout out to whoever handles the Royal Canadian Air Force’s social media account. They responded to every single comment on their already very solid Trans Day of Remembrance post and they responded like this…
November 22, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Massive shoutout out to whoever handles the Royal Canadian Air Force’s social media account. They responded to every single comment on their already very solid Trans Day of Remembrance post and they responded like this…
Reposted by Bill Robinson
'The current Labour government does make considerable use of the NSC, but has made some structural changes which have created more distance between policymakers and the intelligence agencies' writes @drceliap-v.bsky.social in latest RUSI Commentary.
Learning from Canberra: A Smarter Vision for UK Intelligence and National Security
Without adopting Canberra's policies wholesale, the UK's intelligence-policymaker network would benefit from making some of the changes Australia has implemented, particularly the designation of a principal adviser to the Prime Minister on intelligence ...
www.rusi.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'The current Labour government does make considerable use of the NSC, but has made some structural changes which have created more distance between policymakers and the intelligence agencies' writes @drceliap-v.bsky.social in latest RUSI Commentary.