Brian Doherty
@brianedoherty.bsky.social
Legal Aspects of Euro integration exGov.LegalService
-Ir. Centre for Euro.Law
-"Le Foyer des Artistes" classical music ensemble- Derry base. Players &Performance- continental &beyond
-Farming/GlensofAntrim/Trout/Trees/IrishSetter/SeaSwimming/ Travel&more
-Ir. Centre for Euro.Law
-"Le Foyer des Artistes" classical music ensemble- Derry base. Players &Performance- continental &beyond
-Farming/GlensofAntrim/Trout/Trees/IrishSetter/SeaSwimming/ Travel&more
Reposted by Brian Doherty
A really simplified take on why the High Court decided that proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was disproportionate and therefore unlawful/
PALESTINE ACTION
Core of PA ready to terrorise with serious damage to property and guilty of several such acts
The criminal law is enough to deal with them.
But proscription was excessive and illegal for the many who wanted to protest peacefully under PA's banner against atrocities and its backers
Core of PA ready to terrorise with serious damage to property and guilty of several such acts
The criminal law is enough to deal with them.
But proscription was excessive and illegal for the many who wanted to protest peacefully under PA's banner against atrocities and its backers
February 13, 2026 at 2:40 PM
A really simplified take on why the High Court decided that proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was disproportionate and therefore unlawful/
Reposted by Brian Doherty
PM Starmer:
We must build our hard power because that is the currency of the age. We must be able to deter aggression.
And yes, if necessary, we must be ready to fight. To do whatever it takes to protect our people, our values and our way of life.
We must build our hard power because that is the currency of the age. We must be able to deter aggression.
And yes, if necessary, we must be ready to fight. To do whatever it takes to protect our people, our values and our way of life.
February 14, 2026 at 10:05 AM
PM Starmer:
We must build our hard power because that is the currency of the age. We must be able to deter aggression.
And yes, if necessary, we must be ready to fight. To do whatever it takes to protect our people, our values and our way of life.
We must build our hard power because that is the currency of the age. We must be able to deter aggression.
And yes, if necessary, we must be ready to fight. To do whatever it takes to protect our people, our values and our way of life.
February 16, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Reposted by Brian Doherty
Good piece. The idea that Rubio is the 'reasonable one' and Vance is the thug is rather like thinking that the interrogator who offers sympathy and a cigarette is your ally against the knuckle-cracking sadist.
Free piece just released. Marco Rubio called on tolerant, democratic, liberal Europe to destroy itself and embrace a Trump-like future. He received a standing ovation and we are told some people are reassured. If so, Europe will deserve everything coming its way. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...
Rubio Calls For The End Of A Tolerant, Democratic Europe And The Crowd Goes Wild
Just over an hour ago, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for the end of a tolerant, democratic Europe and its break-up into a disparate group of smaller, Trumpist states, and the Europeans in t...
open.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Good piece. The idea that Rubio is the 'reasonable one' and Vance is the thug is rather like thinking that the interrogator who offers sympathy and a cigarette is your ally against the knuckle-cracking sadist.
BBC World Service
With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 1:06 PM
BBC World Service
With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Brian Doherty
I'm not sure I could ever forgive this government if it allows the BBC World Service to die
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:28 PM
I'm not sure I could ever forgive this government if it allows the BBC World Service to die
Reposted by Brian Doherty
The FBI’s seizure of 2020 voting records in Georgia should alarm anyone who cares about election integrity.
bit.ly/45KDIKw
bit.ly/45KDIKw
Trump Administration Escalates Election Meddling by Seizing 2020 Voting Records in Georgia
All who care about election integrity should demand answers about the FBI’s unprecedented raid of Fulton County election offices.
www.brennancenter.org
February 15, 2026 at 8:15 PM
The FBI’s seizure of 2020 voting records in Georgia should alarm anyone who cares about election integrity.
bit.ly/45KDIKw
bit.ly/45KDIKw
Reposted by Brian Doherty
Is America still a democracy? Scholars tell NPR that after the last year under President Trump, the country has slid closer to autocracy or may already be there. n.pr/4rhf7Wb
Concerns over autocracy in the U.S. continue to grow
Is America still a democracy? Scholars tell NPR that after the last year under President Trump, the country has slid closer to autocracy or may already be there.
n.pr
February 16, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Is America still a democracy? Scholars tell NPR that after the last year under President Trump, the country has slid closer to autocracy or may already be there. n.pr/4rhf7Wb
UK food industry warns of problems with EU exports deal - www.ft.com/content/611f... via @FT
UK food industry warns of problems with EU exports deal
Government promises ‘veterinary agreement’ with Brussels by end of year
www.ft.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:48 PM
UK food industry warns of problems with EU exports deal - www.ft.com/content/611f... via @FT
"Europe has formidable economic, intellectual and technical resources at its disposal, if it can find a way to mobilise them
It often takes a crisis to force Europeans to make difficult decisions. Trump has created that sense of crisis- and Rubio did nothing to dispel it"
www.ft.com/content/5c6d...
It often takes a crisis to force Europeans to make difficult decisions. Trump has created that sense of crisis- and Rubio did nothing to dispel it"
www.ft.com/content/5c6d...
Why Rubio failed to repair the transatlantic rift
A moment of calm in relations between Europe and the US is a prelude to crises ahead
www.ft.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:35 PM
"Europe has formidable economic, intellectual and technical resources at its disposal, if it can find a way to mobilise them
It often takes a crisis to force Europeans to make difficult decisions. Trump has created that sense of crisis- and Rubio did nothing to dispel it"
www.ft.com/content/5c6d...
It often takes a crisis to force Europeans to make difficult decisions. Trump has created that sense of crisis- and Rubio did nothing to dispel it"
www.ft.com/content/5c6d...
Reposted by Brian Doherty
Every Republican since Eisenhower has increased the deficit.
Every Democrat since Carter has decreased the deficit.
Every Democrat since Carter has decreased the deficit.
February 13, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Every Republican since Eisenhower has increased the deficit.
Every Democrat since Carter has decreased the deficit.
Every Democrat since Carter has decreased the deficit.
"Defending strong, independent journalism as he goes, the Irish journalist said the threats facing a free press from oligarchs “who see the media as a corporate tool to be traded for political favours” are now greater than ever"
www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...
www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...
Fergal Keane: veteran Irish foreign correspondent leaves BBC after 37 years
Threats to a free press from oligarchs are now greater than ever, warns journalist as he departs reporting role
www.irishtimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM
"Defending strong, independent journalism as he goes, the Irish journalist said the threats facing a free press from oligarchs “who see the media as a corporate tool to be traded for political favours” are now greater than ever"
www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...
www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...
Reposted by Brian Doherty
Extraordinary. Even from a wholly self-interested point of view. www.ft.com/content/fdd6...
Rubio skips Ukraine meeting with European leaders in Munich
US secretary of state cancels attendance at last minute in move that EU official calls ‘insane’
www.ft.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Extraordinary. Even from a wholly self-interested point of view. www.ft.com/content/fdd6...
Reposted by Brian Doherty
A big charge like this is a deeply unfair way to treat people with 2+ nationalities. Their national identities should be respected.The cost (over £500) is huge, eso. for 1) low income families & 2) families with several children. #Brexit toxicity continues.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Dual nationals to be denied entry to UK from 25 February unless they have British passport
New border controls require ‘certificate of entitlement’ to attach to second nationality passport that costs £589
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 8:32 AM
A big charge like this is a deeply unfair way to treat people with 2+ nationalities. Their national identities should be respected.The cost (over £500) is huge, eso. for 1) low income families & 2) families with several children. #Brexit toxicity continues.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Brian Doherty
European countries need to create a “rapid reaction force” of up to 100,000 troops to replace American soldiers currently stationed on the continent, EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius told us in an exclusive interview at the #POLITICOPub at #MSC2026 today.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/andr...
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/andr...
February 13, 2026 at 5:55 PM
European countries need to create a “rapid reaction force” of up to 100,000 troops to replace American soldiers currently stationed on the continent, EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius told us in an exclusive interview at the #POLITICOPub at #MSC2026 today.
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/andr...
🔗 www.politico.eu/article/andr...
Reposted by Brian Doherty
The coverage of Carney's Davos speech focused on him calling the rules-based order a fiction, but that misses his point:
"We shouldn't allow the rise of hard power to blind us to the fact that the power of legitimacy, integrity and rules will remain strong — if we choose to wield them together."
"We shouldn't allow the rise of hard power to blind us to the fact that the power of legitimacy, integrity and rules will remain strong — if we choose to wield them together."
Read Mark Carney's full speech on middle powers navigating a rapidly changing world | CBC News
Read the full text of Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech about a shakeup of the global order and role of middle powers at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
www.cbc.ca
February 13, 2026 at 5:52 PM
The coverage of Carney's Davos speech focused on him calling the rules-based order a fiction, but that misses his point:
"We shouldn't allow the rise of hard power to blind us to the fact that the power of legitimacy, integrity and rules will remain strong — if we choose to wield them together."
"We shouldn't allow the rise of hard power to blind us to the fact that the power of legitimacy, integrity and rules will remain strong — if we choose to wield them together."
Reposted by Brian Doherty
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both. n.pr/46QDn9p
RFK Jr. made promises to get his job as health secretary. He's broken many of them
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both.
n.pr
February 13, 2026 at 2:20 PM
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both. n.pr/46QDn9p
Reposted by Brian Doherty
Words fail me...
New study at The Lancet estimates that the illegal dismantling of USAID will result in up to 9.4 million deaths by 2030 alone
Some 2.5 million will be children under the age of 5
No hell too hot, no prison too brutal, for the DOGE boys who did this
Some 2.5 million will be children under the age of 5
No hell too hot, no prison too brutal, for the DOGE boys who did this
One year on from dismantling of USAID, study projects that global aid cuts could lead to 9.4 million deaths by 2030 | CNN
It’s been one year since the Trump administration dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID), with aid cuts leading to the closure of HIV clinics in South Africa, the termination o...
www.cnn.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Words fail me...
Article 42.7 of the EU’s treaty calls for other member states to provide “aid and assistance by all the means in their power” if “a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory”.
www.ft.com/content/30ee... via @FT
www.ft.com/content/30ee... via @FT
Von der Leyen says Europe must bring its mutual defence clause ‘to life’
Commission president tells Munich Security Conference ‘you change or die’
www.ft.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Article 42.7 of the EU’s treaty calls for other member states to provide “aid and assistance by all the means in their power” if “a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory”.
www.ft.com/content/30ee... via @FT
www.ft.com/content/30ee... via @FT
Reposted by Brian Doherty
What to do about extremism? My 4-minute answer (starts 2.10 pm) hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2026-0....
Counter-Extremism Strategy - Hansard - UK Parliament
Hansard record of the item : 'Counter-Extremism Strategy' on Thursday 12 February 2026.
hansard.parliament.uk
February 12, 2026 at 6:12 PM
What to do about extremism? My 4-minute answer (starts 2.10 pm) hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2026-0....
Reposted by Brian Doherty
This brave woman speaks for millions of British people.
Meanwhile these thugs behave in an entirely menacing manner and nothing is done.
Meanwhile these thugs behave in an entirely menacing manner and nothing is done.
This woman in Crowborough who took down flags is a hero and I hope she's ok.
February 12, 2026 at 10:44 PM
This brave woman speaks for millions of British people.
Meanwhile these thugs behave in an entirely menacing manner and nothing is done.
Meanwhile these thugs behave in an entirely menacing manner and nothing is done.
Reposted by Brian Doherty
Wow!
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
UK ban on Palestine Action unlawful, high court judges rule
Protest group’s co-founder wins legal challenge against decision to proscribe it under anti-terrorism laws
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Wow!
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Palestine Action win judicial review - Guardian report.
This is a *big* legal win.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
Reposted by Brian Doherty
Marco Rubio was once seen as ill-suited to an “America First” agenda. Now he’s one of Trump’s most powerful advisers — and is trying to make neocon ideas MAGA-friendly.
Marco Rubio Is Rebooting the Neocons for the MAGA Era
The secretary of state has become one of Trump’s most powerful advisers, crafting a foreign policy that both America First nationalists and neoconservatives can claim.
bloom.bg
February 13, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Marco Rubio was once seen as ill-suited to an “America First” agenda. Now he’s one of Trump’s most powerful advisers — and is trying to make neocon ideas MAGA-friendly.
Reposted by Brian Doherty
‘Impunity won’t last forever’: What gives Francesca Albanese hope
The UN Special Rapporteur points to the way out of the current crisis facing international law, while responding to criticism over her stance on October 7.
www.972mag.com/israel-gaza-...
The UN Special Rapporteur points to the way out of the current crisis facing international law, while responding to criticism over her stance on October 7.
www.972mag.com/israel-gaza-...
‘Impunity won't last forever’: What gives Francesca Albanese hope
The UN Special Rapporteur points to the way out of the current crisis facing international law, while responding to criticism over her stance on October 7.
www.972mag.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:56 AM
‘Impunity won’t last forever’: What gives Francesca Albanese hope
The UN Special Rapporteur points to the way out of the current crisis facing international law, while responding to criticism over her stance on October 7.
www.972mag.com/israel-gaza-...
The UN Special Rapporteur points to the way out of the current crisis facing international law, while responding to criticism over her stance on October 7.
www.972mag.com/israel-gaza-...
Reposted by Brian Doherty
“Although she has yet to say which other areas [beyond removing barriers to trade in established industries e.g. chemicals] she would like to see covered by the new approach, Reeves has told colleagues that an EU-UK summit later this year should identify new workstreams.”
www.ft.com/content/98e5...
www.ft.com/content/98e5...
Reeves to limit deregulatory drive as she seeks closer UK ties with EU
UK chancellor says Britain prepared to align with Brussels’ rules to try to boost trade with the bloc
www.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:29 AM
“Although she has yet to say which other areas [beyond removing barriers to trade in established industries e.g. chemicals] she would like to see covered by the new approach, Reeves has told colleagues that an EU-UK summit later this year should identify new workstreams.”
www.ft.com/content/98e5...
www.ft.com/content/98e5...