Dr Christine Cheng
@christinecheng.bsky.social
War Studies, King’s College London. Researcher of war-to-peace transitions, civil wars, corruption, elite bargains, statebuilding, and UK foreign policy. Trustee at Conciliation Resources. Policy committee for UK LibDems. Defender of democracy.
Pinned
I have worked on civil wars and state capture for 25 years.
So let me be REALLY clear about this for Americans:
Your courts are only as useful as the willingness of politicians to comply with those judgments.
And the willingness of police to enforce.
And Musk, Trump & Co do NOT care about the law
So let me be REALLY clear about this for Americans:
Your courts are only as useful as the willingness of politicians to comply with those judgments.
And the willingness of police to enforce.
And Musk, Trump & Co do NOT care about the law
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Let's not confuse the people giving the stupid orders with the people who have to deal with following them, who are often good and decent people.
Apparently she offered to cover other people's shifts so they could go home to their families for the holiday.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/u...
Two National Guard members were tasked with serving the nation. One is dead as the other fights for his life after shooting | CNN
On a day when many families gather across the country to give thanks, a National Guard member’s family is mourning her death after an ambush-style shooting in Washington, DC, as her colleague fights f...
www.cnn.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Let's not confuse the people giving the stupid orders with the people who have to deal with following them, who are often good and decent people.
The implications of letting Russia win the war against Ukraine go far beyond the financial.
Norwegian researchers: #Russia military victory in #Ukraine would cost #Europe twice as much as successful Ukrainian resistance
#UkraineWar
#UkraineWar
#UkraineWar, Day 1,374: #Russia Murders 2+, Injures 27+ in Attacks on #Kyiv
#Ukraine #RussiaWarCrimes
eaworldview.com/2025/11/ukra...
#Ukraine #RussiaWarCrimes
eaworldview.com/2025/11/ukra...
November 29, 2025 at 1:05 PM
The implications of letting Russia win the war against Ukraine go far beyond the financial.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Norwegian researchers: #Russia military victory in #Ukraine would cost #Europe twice as much as successful Ukrainian resistance
#UkraineWar
#UkraineWar
#UkraineWar, Day 1,374: #Russia Murders 2+, Injures 27+ in Attacks on #Kyiv
#Ukraine #RussiaWarCrimes
eaworldview.com/2025/11/ukra...
#Ukraine #RussiaWarCrimes
eaworldview.com/2025/11/ukra...
Ukraine War, Day 1,374: Russia Murders 2+, Injures 27+ in Attacks on Kyiv - EA WorldView
2+ civilians murdered and 27 injured, including a child, in Russia's latest strikes on Ukraine's capital Kyiv: "It was a really awful night"
eaworldview.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Norwegian researchers: #Russia military victory in #Ukraine would cost #Europe twice as much as successful Ukrainian resistance
#UkraineWar
#UkraineWar
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
“Mr. Trump, I’m from Donbas — why should I give my home and my region to Russia? Donbas is Ukraine”
This message on the building was written by a Ukrainian soldier originally from Donetsk.
This message on the building was written by a Ukrainian soldier originally from Donetsk.
November 29, 2025 at 11:29 AM
“Mr. Trump, I’m from Donbas — why should I give my home and my region to Russia? Donbas is Ukraine”
This message on the building was written by a Ukrainian soldier originally from Donetsk.
This message on the building was written by a Ukrainian soldier originally from Donetsk.
This is so wrong.
Okay, here we go.
Health & care staff are no longer allowed a Covid booster, but they're still expected to look after COVID+ patients.
NHS/govt is reneging on its duty of care. Staff will become unwell, and patients too will suffer.
You know what to do
👇✍️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
Health & care staff are no longer allowed a Covid booster, but they're still expected to look after COVID+ patients.
NHS/govt is reneging on its duty of care. Staff will become unwell, and patients too will suffer.
You know what to do
👇✍️
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...
November 29, 2025 at 12:59 PM
This is so wrong.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Indiana Senate Republican Greg Walker “said he would have reported the alleged violation to federal authorities “if I thought that there was anyone of integrity in Washington that would follow through on my accusation ..”
@adamwren.bsky.social #redistrict
dailyjournal.net/2025/11/26/s...
@adamwren.bsky.social #redistrict
dailyjournal.net/2025/11/26/s...
November 29, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Indiana Senate Republican Greg Walker “said he would have reported the alleged violation to federal authorities “if I thought that there was anyone of integrity in Washington that would follow through on my accusation ..”
@adamwren.bsky.social #redistrict
dailyjournal.net/2025/11/26/s...
@adamwren.bsky.social #redistrict
dailyjournal.net/2025/11/26/s...
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Read this.
A scrappy indie outlet standing up to Farage’s bullyboy lawyers in a way that should shame better-funded outlets
A scrappy indie outlet standing up to Farage’s bullyboy lawyers in a way that should shame better-funded outlets
”Reform UK's barrister tried to scare us. Our advice to other news sites: don't play the bullies game." Martin Shipton from @nation.cymru on being bullied by Reform's lawyers: www.thenerve.news/p/reform-nat...
Reform UK’s barrister tried to scare us. Our advice to other news sites: don’t play the bully’s game
My news organisation, Nation.Cymru, was threatened with legal action over a story involving Nigel Farage’s party in the Senedd. Instead of hiring our own lawyer, we simply told them to go away, writes...
www.thenerve.news
November 28, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Read this.
A scrappy indie outlet standing up to Farage’s bullyboy lawyers in a way that should shame better-funded outlets
A scrappy indie outlet standing up to Farage’s bullyboy lawyers in a way that should shame better-funded outlets
Trauma in Afghanistan begets trauma in Washington DC.
D.C. Shooting Suspect ‘Could Not Tolerate’ the Violence of His C.I.A.-Backed Unit in Afghanistan, a Childhood Friend Said
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Trauma in Afghanistan begets trauma in Washington DC.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
I’ll Follow the Sun
24” diameter round
Acrylic on panel
2025
This painting in my new collection was inspired by a stunning photo taken by my brother of a sunset in Saskatchewan before a Paul McCartney concert at the stadium.
canadahouse.com/collections/...
24” diameter round
Acrylic on panel
2025
This painting in my new collection was inspired by a stunning photo taken by my brother of a sunset in Saskatchewan before a Paul McCartney concert at the stadium.
canadahouse.com/collections/...
November 27, 2025 at 1:35 AM
I’ll Follow the Sun
24” diameter round
Acrylic on panel
2025
This painting in my new collection was inspired by a stunning photo taken by my brother of a sunset in Saskatchewan before a Paul McCartney concert at the stadium.
canadahouse.com/collections/...
24” diameter round
Acrylic on panel
2025
This painting in my new collection was inspired by a stunning photo taken by my brother of a sunset in Saskatchewan before a Paul McCartney concert at the stadium.
canadahouse.com/collections/...
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Conscription is back in Europe’s security debate
Join #YPFPBrussels and #QCEA on 3 December for a discussion with NATO, peacebuilding experts & military associations on the future of mandatory service.
🔗 Register → members.ypfp.org/event-6443106
Join #YPFPBrussels and #QCEA on 3 December for a discussion with NATO, peacebuilding experts & military associations on the future of mandatory service.
🔗 Register → members.ypfp.org/event-6443106
November 25, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Conscription is back in Europe’s security debate
Join #YPFPBrussels and #QCEA on 3 December for a discussion with NATO, peacebuilding experts & military associations on the future of mandatory service.
🔗 Register → members.ypfp.org/event-6443106
Join #YPFPBrussels and #QCEA on 3 December for a discussion with NATO, peacebuilding experts & military associations on the future of mandatory service.
🔗 Register → members.ypfp.org/event-6443106
THREE people have sent me this Brexit paper and it has only just been published.
“by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time. We estimate that investment was reduced by between 12% and 18%, employment by 3% to 4% and productivity by 3% to 4%”
“by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time. We estimate that investment was reduced by between 12% and 18%, employment by 3% to 4% and productivity by 3% to 4%”
The Economic Impact of Brexit even worse than previously thought says an American study
www.nber.org/papers/w34459
www.nber.org/papers/w34459
The Economic Impact of Brexit
Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, an...
www.nber.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:57 PM
THREE people have sent me this Brexit paper and it has only just been published.
“by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time. We estimate that investment was reduced by between 12% and 18%, employment by 3% to 4% and productivity by 3% to 4%”
“by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time. We estimate that investment was reduced by between 12% and 18%, employment by 3% to 4% and productivity by 3% to 4%”
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Although the scale of this is still to be assessed, this is the inevitable outcome of the monetization of the algorithm. Rage-bait becomes a personal revenue model. Nothing about this should be a surprise.
NEWS: I spent the past 24 hours going through major MAGA accounts on Twitter, and a bombshell development has become clear: most of the right-wing ecosphere is being fed propaganda from foreign actors.
This impacts elections. This impacts discourse. This is major. Subscribe to support my work:
This impacts elections. This impacts discourse. This is major. Subscribe to support my work:
NEWS: Major MAGA Accounts on Twitter Exposed as Foreign Actors
A stunning development over the past 24 hours.
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Although the scale of this is still to be assessed, this is the inevitable outcome of the monetization of the algorithm. Rage-bait becomes a personal revenue model. Nothing about this should be a surprise.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
November 21, 2025 at 2:56 PM
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.
washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Watch Live on @news.sky.com: Sentencing of Nathan Gill for 8 counts of bribery.
news.sky.com/story/politi...
news.sky.com/story/politi...
Politics latest: Ex-Reform leader in Wales to be sentenced for accepting Russian bribes
The former leader of Reform in Wales is facing jail after admitting making pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament for cash. Nathan Gill will be sentenced shortly at the Old Bailey after pre...
news.sky.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Watch Live on @news.sky.com: Sentencing of Nathan Gill for 8 counts of bribery.
news.sky.com/story/politi...
news.sky.com/story/politi...
Democrats who served in the military are asking troops to follow the law- because they can see that at some point, Trump will ask them to use force against the public.
Donald Trump is telling them that the law doesn’t matter- you do what I tell you to do.
This is getting more dangerous by the day
Donald Trump is telling them that the law doesn’t matter- you do what I tell you to do.
This is getting more dangerous by the day
Trump Accuses Democrats of Sedition, ‘Punishable by Death,’ Over Message to the Military
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Democrats who served in the military are asking troops to follow the law- because they can see that at some point, Trump will ask them to use force against the public.
Donald Trump is telling them that the law doesn’t matter- you do what I tell you to do.
This is getting more dangerous by the day
Donald Trump is telling them that the law doesn’t matter- you do what I tell you to do.
This is getting more dangerous by the day
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
'UK shouldn't pilot cruelty - my fears over asylum shake-up' writes Lord Alf Dubs
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
'UK shouldn't pilot cruelty - my fears over asylum shake-up'
Labour peer Lord Alf Dubs, who fled Nazis as child as part of the Kindertransport, writes for The Mirror on the government's proposed shake-up of the asylum system
www.mirror.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:27 PM
'UK shouldn't pilot cruelty - my fears over asylum shake-up' writes Lord Alf Dubs
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Let’s appreciate those who are brave enough to speak out at this moment.
Whoever this Coast Guard member is, thank you. This is what real courage looks like. 👏
Whoever this Coast Guard member is, thank you. This is what real courage looks like. 👏
Behind this important reversal is a member of the Coast Guard who saw what was happening and had the courage to leak it to the press. That person deserves serious praise.
November 21, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Let’s appreciate those who are brave enough to speak out at this moment.
Whoever this Coast Guard member is, thank you. This is what real courage looks like. 👏
Whoever this Coast Guard member is, thank you. This is what real courage looks like. 👏
The fact that there is now OPEN racism against Rishi Sunak- born and bred in Britain- should shock all of us.
But no one seems to be surprised by this- never mind outraged.
If this racist rhetoric isn’t condemned by EVERY side, we will get more and more of it.
Until 🇬🇧 becomes a cesspit of hate.
But no one seems to be surprised by this- never mind outraged.
If this racist rhetoric isn’t condemned by EVERY side, we will get more and more of it.
Until 🇬🇧 becomes a cesspit of hate.
Lucy White advocates a ban on "non-natives" from office, citing Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel.
So she is referring to UK-born ethnic minority citizens. (Her argument would apply equally to Shabana Mahmood, Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman and others)
Lucy White continues to be a GB News regular
So she is referring to UK-born ethnic minority citizens. (Her argument would apply equally to Shabana Mahmood, Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman and others)
Lucy White continues to be a GB News regular
November 21, 2025 at 11:23 AM
The fact that there is now OPEN racism against Rishi Sunak- born and bred in Britain- should shock all of us.
But no one seems to be surprised by this- never mind outraged.
If this racist rhetoric isn’t condemned by EVERY side, we will get more and more of it.
Until 🇬🇧 becomes a cesspit of hate.
But no one seems to be surprised by this- never mind outraged.
If this racist rhetoric isn’t condemned by EVERY side, we will get more and more of it.
Until 🇬🇧 becomes a cesspit of hate.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
This is one of the changes in the UK media landscape that should be more remarked on: the fact that being a very open, proud, outright racist is no longer a bar to being a pundit on some TV stations (in this case GBN and Talk TV).
Lucy White advocates a ban on "non-natives" from office, citing Rishi Sunak and Priti Patel.
So she is referring to UK-born ethnic minority citizens. (Her argument would apply equally to Shabana Mahmood, Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman and others)
Lucy White continues to be a GB News regular
So she is referring to UK-born ethnic minority citizens. (Her argument would apply equally to Shabana Mahmood, Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman and others)
Lucy White continues to be a GB News regular
November 21, 2025 at 11:12 AM
This is one of the changes in the UK media landscape that should be more remarked on: the fact that being a very open, proud, outright racist is no longer a bar to being a pundit on some TV stations (in this case GBN and Talk TV).
We could have saved 23,000 lives in that first wave of covid.
This is what happens when you put a preening, lazy, populist, dilettante in charge of a country.
Johnson was completely out of his depth and more concerned with his pathetic perceived popularity than leading this country through the greatest crisis since 1939.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm...
Johnson was completely out of his depth and more concerned with his pathetic perceived popularity than leading this country through the greatest crisis since 1939.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cm...
November 20, 2025 at 4:39 PM
We could have saved 23,000 lives in that first wave of covid.
This version of a deal would signal that it’s aok to invade neighbouring territory if they’re considered to be part of your sphere of influence.
Might as well hand over Taiwan to China right now.
Might as well hand over Taiwan to China right now.
U.S.-Russian Peace Plan Would Force Ukraine to Cede Land and Cut Army
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:37 AM
This version of a deal would signal that it’s aok to invade neighbouring territory if they’re considered to be part of your sphere of influence.
Might as well hand over Taiwan to China right now.
Might as well hand over Taiwan to China right now.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
Calling the ABC reporter’s question “insubordinate” explains everything about how Trump sees press freedom.
Q: Why wait for Congress to release the Epstein files? Why not just do it now?
TRUMP: It's not the question that I mind. It's your attitude. I think you're a terrible reporter. It's the way you ask these questions. You start off with a man who's highly respected asking him an insubordinate question
TRUMP: It's not the question that I mind. It's your attitude. I think you're a terrible reporter. It's the way you ask these questions. You start off with a man who's highly respected asking him an insubordinate question
November 18, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Calling the ABC reporter’s question “insubordinate” explains everything about how Trump sees press freedom.
Amazing to see the US peace plan receive approval from the UN Security Council.
Includes an “International Stabilisation Force” and a Board of Peace- it’s not yet clear what these mean, but for the moment, the UN seems to have regained its mojo!
Includes an “International Stabilisation Force” and a Board of Peace- it’s not yet clear what these mean, but for the moment, the UN seems to have regained its mojo!
In Major Breakthrough, U.N. Security Council Adopts U.S. Peace Plan for Gaza
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Amazing to see the US peace plan receive approval from the UN Security Council.
Includes an “International Stabilisation Force” and a Board of Peace- it’s not yet clear what these mean, but for the moment, the UN seems to have regained its mojo!
Includes an “International Stabilisation Force” and a Board of Peace- it’s not yet clear what these mean, but for the moment, the UN seems to have regained its mojo!
This is such a slap in the face to the rest of the world.
Trump Officials Are Policing Words and Foiling Deals at G20 Summit
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:38 PM
This is such a slap in the face to the rest of the world.
Reposted by Dr Christine Cheng
At some point, for the love of God, will someone ANYONE at long last take the council funding crisis seriously?!?
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
Survey finds 60% of key cities councils are planning to sell assets to meet costs of adult and children’s social care
English councils are planning to sell social clubs, sports centres and shopping arcades as they bet on a fire sale of assets to balance the books, according to a survey of local authorities.
The key cities group of councils, which represents second-tier cities in England, said 60% of councils were planning to sell assets to meet the escalating costs of adult and children’s social care. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:03 PM
At some point, for the love of God, will someone ANYONE at long last take the council funding crisis seriously?!?
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.