Donnacha Ó Beacháin
@donnachadcu.bsky.social
Professor of Politics, Dublin City University (DCU)
Ukraine | Russian imperialism | South Caucasus | Central Asia | Belarus | Moldova | unrecognised states | Irish history, politics and foreign policy
Ukraine | Russian imperialism | South Caucasus | Central Asia | Belarus | Moldova | unrecognised states | Irish history, politics and foreign policy
Pinned
Russian imperialism didn’t start in 2022, nor is it confined to Ukraine.
My new book analyses the Kremlin’s long shadow—past and present.
Out on 24 April.
My new book analyses the Kremlin’s long shadow—past and present.
Out on 24 April.
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.
Pleased that my briefing on Ireland’s approach forms part of the wider document.
November 24, 2025 at 6:48 PM
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.
Pleased that my briefing on Ireland’s approach forms part of the wider document.
I spoke with Pat Kenny about the Kremlin wish list wrapped in a Trump ultimatum
Ukraine loses land, security, sovereignty
Russia is rewarded and indemnified
Europe is cut out of its own security architecture
And Trump seeks to profit from it all
www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/we-...
Ukraine loses land, security, sovereignty
Russia is rewarded and indemnified
Europe is cut out of its own security architecture
And Trump seeks to profit from it all
www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/we-...
We dissect Trump’s twenty eight point peace plan for Ukraine
Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Professor Politics, School of Law and Government, DCU and Author of Unfinished Empire joined Pat this morning to dissect Trump’s twenty eight point peace plan for Ukraine.
www.goloudplayer.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
I spoke with Pat Kenny about the Kremlin wish list wrapped in a Trump ultimatum
Ukraine loses land, security, sovereignty
Russia is rewarded and indemnified
Europe is cut out of its own security architecture
And Trump seeks to profit from it all
www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/we-...
Ukraine loses land, security, sovereignty
Russia is rewarded and indemnified
Europe is cut out of its own security architecture
And Trump seeks to profit from it all
www.goloudplayer.com/episodes/we-...
Ex-Reform leader Nathan Gill has just been jailed for 10.5 years for taking money to push Moscow’s line in the European parliament.
So when Nigel Farage echoes Kremlin narratives… is it sponsorship or sincerity, and which is worse?
So when Nigel Farage echoes Kremlin narratives… is it sponsorship or sincerity, and which is worse?
November 23, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Ex-Reform leader Nathan Gill has just been jailed for 10.5 years for taking money to push Moscow’s line in the European parliament.
So when Nigel Farage echoes Kremlin narratives… is it sponsorship or sincerity, and which is worse?
So when Nigel Farage echoes Kremlin narratives… is it sponsorship or sincerity, and which is worse?
Just arrived in Berlin for meetings on Ukraine’s path to the EU.
First thing I see? A headline that even my poor German picks up – with strong Molotov–Ribbentrop undertones.
First thing I see? A headline that even my poor German picks up – with strong Molotov–Ribbentrop undertones.
November 23, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Just arrived in Berlin for meetings on Ukraine’s path to the EU.
First thing I see? A headline that even my poor German picks up – with strong Molotov–Ribbentrop undertones.
First thing I see? A headline that even my poor German picks up – with strong Molotov–Ribbentrop undertones.
Reposted by Donnacha Ó Beacháin
More evidence that the Trump/Witkoff “peace plan” for Ukraine came straight from the Russians - it uses Russian syntax.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
November 21, 2025 at 3:58 PM
More evidence that the Trump/Witkoff “peace plan” for Ukraine came straight from the Russians - it uses Russian syntax.
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...
On RTÉ's PrimeTime I pointed out that the 28-point “peace plan” is nothing of the sort
Russia wins.
The U.S. profits.
Europe is undermined.
And Ukraine is carved up with no reliable security guarantees.
A surrender document dressed as diplomacy.
Russia wins.
The U.S. profits.
Europe is undermined.
And Ukraine is carved up with no reliable security guarantees.
A surrender document dressed as diplomacy.
November 21, 2025 at 3:37 PM
On RTÉ's PrimeTime I pointed out that the 28-point “peace plan” is nothing of the sort
Russia wins.
The U.S. profits.
Europe is undermined.
And Ukraine is carved up with no reliable security guarantees.
A surrender document dressed as diplomacy.
Russia wins.
The U.S. profits.
Europe is undermined.
And Ukraine is carved up with no reliable security guarantees.
A surrender document dressed as diplomacy.
Reposted by Donnacha Ó Beacháin
Word of the day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet politician whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
November 21, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Word of the day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet politician whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
Reposted by Donnacha Ó Beacháin
The world's leaders will gather this weekend in South Africa at the G20 summit.
Trump isn’t happy with host nation South Africa but DCU's Prof Donnacha Ó Beacháin @donnachadcu.bsky.social reckons his absence will be “damaging but not crippling”
Read in @thejournal.ie: launch.dcu.ie/4oNu4hz
Trump isn’t happy with host nation South Africa but DCU's Prof Donnacha Ó Beacháin @donnachadcu.bsky.social reckons his absence will be “damaging but not crippling”
Read in @thejournal.ie: launch.dcu.ie/4oNu4hz
November 21, 2025 at 9:57 AM
The world's leaders will gather this weekend in South Africa at the G20 summit.
Trump isn’t happy with host nation South Africa but DCU's Prof Donnacha Ó Beacháin @donnachadcu.bsky.social reckons his absence will be “damaging but not crippling”
Read in @thejournal.ie: launch.dcu.ie/4oNu4hz
Trump isn’t happy with host nation South Africa but DCU's Prof Donnacha Ó Beacháin @donnachadcu.bsky.social reckons his absence will be “damaging but not crippling”
Read in @thejournal.ie: launch.dcu.ie/4oNu4hz
Leaked details of a US–Russia plan suggest Trump is seeking unilateral Ukrainian capitulation with no real security guarantees.
Europe wasn’t even consulted as its security architecture is rewritten over its head.
I'll discussed this Rachael English @news.rte.ie
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Europe wasn’t even consulted as its security architecture is rewritten over its head.
I'll discussed this Rachael English @news.rte.ie
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Attempts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine
Over the past 24 hours it's been reported that the United States and Russia have prepared a new framework peace plan. For an assessment on these developments, Professor of Politics at the School of L...
www.rte.ie
November 20, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Leaked details of a US–Russia plan suggest Trump is seeking unilateral Ukrainian capitulation with no real security guarantees.
Europe wasn’t even consulted as its security architecture is rewritten over its head.
I'll discussed this Rachael English @news.rte.ie
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Europe wasn’t even consulted as its security architecture is rewritten over its head.
I'll discussed this Rachael English @news.rte.ie
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
On TRT World I explained why language is political in Latvia
Soviet rule brought Russification, deportations and a major influx of Russians
By 1991, only half the population spoke Latvian
Now non-citizens who have not passed a Latvian language test face expulsion
Soviet rule brought Russification, deportations and a major influx of Russians
By 1991, only half the population spoke Latvian
Now non-citizens who have not passed a Latvian language test face expulsion
November 20, 2025 at 11:33 AM
On TRT World I explained why language is political in Latvia
Soviet rule brought Russification, deportations and a major influx of Russians
By 1991, only half the population spoke Latvian
Now non-citizens who have not passed a Latvian language test face expulsion
Soviet rule brought Russification, deportations and a major influx of Russians
By 1991, only half the population spoke Latvian
Now non-citizens who have not passed a Latvian language test face expulsion
In historic Lukiškės Prison, the Mayor of Vilnius tells us about the city's new defence plan that includes barriers to block roads and disrupt potential enemy advances, protection against drones, a network of shelters and evacuation plans.
#defendingdbaltics
#defendingdbaltics
November 17, 2025 at 9:48 PM
In historic Lukiškės Prison, the Mayor of Vilnius tells us about the city's new defence plan that includes barriers to block roads and disrupt potential enemy advances, protection against drones, a network of shelters and evacuation plans.
#defendingdbaltics
#defendingdbaltics
Looking forward to today’s discussions at #DefendingBaltics in Vilnius
The Chiefs of Defence from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania set the tone in the opening session
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the question isn’t if the region is at risk, but whether Europe can react fast enough
The Chiefs of Defence from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania set the tone in the opening session
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the question isn’t if the region is at risk, but whether Europe can react fast enough
November 17, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Looking forward to today’s discussions at #DefendingBaltics in Vilnius
The Chiefs of Defence from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania set the tone in the opening session
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the question isn’t if the region is at risk, but whether Europe can react fast enough
The Chiefs of Defence from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania set the tone in the opening session
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the question isn’t if the region is at risk, but whether Europe can react fast enough
In Vilnius to give a keynote address today at the “Not Only Putin: Russian Culture and Imperialism" conference.
A reminder that the imperial mindset long predates and outlasts any one leader.
Imperialism isn’t a glitch in the system - it is the system.
A reminder that the imperial mindset long predates and outlasts any one leader.
Imperialism isn’t a glitch in the system - it is the system.
November 14, 2025 at 9:22 AM
In Vilnius to give a keynote address today at the “Not Only Putin: Russian Culture and Imperialism" conference.
A reminder that the imperial mindset long predates and outlasts any one leader.
Imperialism isn’t a glitch in the system - it is the system.
A reminder that the imperial mindset long predates and outlasts any one leader.
Imperialism isn’t a glitch in the system - it is the system.
Heading to Lithuania to deliver a keynote address on Russian imperialism.
Organisers reassure us that “Belarusian balloon activity” has eased and Vilnius airport will hopefully not be closed again today.
A very 2025 travel advisory!
Organisers reassure us that “Belarusian balloon activity” has eased and Vilnius airport will hopefully not be closed again today.
A very 2025 travel advisory!
November 13, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Heading to Lithuania to deliver a keynote address on Russian imperialism.
Organisers reassure us that “Belarusian balloon activity” has eased and Vilnius airport will hopefully not be closed again today.
A very 2025 travel advisory!
Organisers reassure us that “Belarusian balloon activity” has eased and Vilnius airport will hopefully not be closed again today.
A very 2025 travel advisory!
Putin won’t back down now or seek real talks. Why would he?
Trump’s behaviour has emboldened him, the EU hasn’t filled the gap, and Russia’s allies - China, North Korea - sustain the war
Until Putin fears losing, he’ll keep fighting
My @euronews.com interview
www.euronews.com/2025/10/23/w...
Trump’s behaviour has emboldened him, the EU hasn’t filled the gap, and Russia’s allies - China, North Korea - sustain the war
Until Putin fears losing, he’ll keep fighting
My @euronews.com interview
www.euronews.com/2025/10/23/w...
Will Russia back down from war after further EU and US sanctions?
Moscow has denied that the latest round of sanctions by the EU and the new strict measures by Washington will have any effect on its economy or its war strategy, signalling that Russia will not back d...
www.euronews.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Putin won’t back down now or seek real talks. Why would he?
Trump’s behaviour has emboldened him, the EU hasn’t filled the gap, and Russia’s allies - China, North Korea - sustain the war
Until Putin fears losing, he’ll keep fighting
My @euronews.com interview
www.euronews.com/2025/10/23/w...
Trump’s behaviour has emboldened him, the EU hasn’t filled the gap, and Russia’s allies - China, North Korea - sustain the war
Until Putin fears losing, he’ll keep fighting
My @euronews.com interview
www.euronews.com/2025/10/23/w...
Reviewing the week on RTÉ's Brendan O'Connor we discussed Ireland's presidential election, Russia's war in Ukraine, Trump's hubris and the unstable ceasefire in Gaza.
Listen back here: www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Listen back here: www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
The Newspaper Panel
Joining Brendan to talk through the Sunday newspapers are Lisa Chambers, Director of Public Affairs at Consello and former Fianna Fáil TD and Senator, Oisin Coghlan, Public Policy Advisor, Jennifer Br...
www.rte.ie
October 23, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Reviewing the week on RTÉ's Brendan O'Connor we discussed Ireland's presidential election, Russia's war in Ukraine, Trump's hubris and the unstable ceasefire in Gaza.
Listen back here: www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Listen back here: www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Reposted by Donnacha Ó Beacháin
Trump posts AI video showing him literally dumping shit on America
October 19, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Trump posts AI video showing him literally dumping shit on America
Delighted to take part today with @tanyalokot.bsky.social and Romania's Ambassador to Ireland in this PSAI roundtable devoted to my book on Russian Imperialism.
It traces how empire shaped the fate of Russia’s neighbours - from tsarist conquests to Soviet rule and today’s relentless aggression.
It traces how empire shaped the fate of Russia’s neighbours - from tsarist conquests to Soviet rule and today’s relentless aggression.
October 18, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Delighted to take part today with @tanyalokot.bsky.social and Romania's Ambassador to Ireland in this PSAI roundtable devoted to my book on Russian Imperialism.
It traces how empire shaped the fate of Russia’s neighbours - from tsarist conquests to Soviet rule and today’s relentless aggression.
It traces how empire shaped the fate of Russia’s neighbours - from tsarist conquests to Soviet rule and today’s relentless aggression.
I'll be speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk at 11
as Zelenskyy meets Trump in the White House today
Trump’s “very productive” call with Putin and newly announced meeting with the Russian leader in Budapest will cause alarm in Kyiv and the EU about yet another Trump pivot
as Zelenskyy meets Trump in the White House today
Trump’s “very productive” call with Putin and newly announced meeting with the Russian leader in Budapest will cause alarm in Kyiv and the EU about yet another Trump pivot
October 17, 2025 at 8:57 AM
I'll be speaking to Pat Kenny on Newstalk at 11
as Zelenskyy meets Trump in the White House today
Trump’s “very productive” call with Putin and newly announced meeting with the Russian leader in Budapest will cause alarm in Kyiv and the EU about yet another Trump pivot
as Zelenskyy meets Trump in the White House today
Trump’s “very productive” call with Putin and newly announced meeting with the Russian leader in Budapest will cause alarm in Kyiv and the EU about yet another Trump pivot
I'm quoted in @irishtimes.com re how Jack Lynch turned hurling and football medals into political capital.
Jim Gavin showed that not every champion can do the same.
Different games, very different rules.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Jim Gavin showed that not every champion can do the same.
Different games, very different rules.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Kathy Sheridan: Catherine Connolly should ask Jim Gavin what a smear campaign looks like
Smear campaigns are not just media grilling, they are an old and deadly social poison
www.irishtimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:11 PM
I'm quoted in @irishtimes.com re how Jack Lynch turned hurling and football medals into political capital.
Jim Gavin showed that not every champion can do the same.
Different games, very different rules.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Jim Gavin showed that not every champion can do the same.
Different games, very different rules.
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Shared some thoughts with @newsweek.com on Ireland’s new U.S. travel guidance
Irish travellers rarely make decisions based solely on official advisories - they read situations for themselves. Still, scenes of unrest in Chicago can influence perceptions and plans
www.newsweek.com/ireland-trav...
Irish travellers rarely make decisions based solely on official advisories - they read situations for themselves. Still, scenes of unrest in Chicago can influence perceptions and plans
www.newsweek.com/ireland-trav...
Ireland updates travel warning For US
Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said that although the U.S. still has its lowest risk rating, "normal precautions", travelers "should be aware of potential for disruption from...
www.newsweek.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Shared some thoughts with @newsweek.com on Ireland’s new U.S. travel guidance
Irish travellers rarely make decisions based solely on official advisories - they read situations for themselves. Still, scenes of unrest in Chicago can influence perceptions and plans
www.newsweek.com/ireland-trav...
Irish travellers rarely make decisions based solely on official advisories - they read situations for themselves. Still, scenes of unrest in Chicago can influence perceptions and plans
www.newsweek.com/ireland-trav...
Reposted by Donnacha Ó Beacháin
If you’re ever in the mood for a 40min survey of Irish foreign policy you might enjoy this: youtu.be/hv5ggSV2-vQ?... Me in conversation with Prof James Jer-Lindsay. Bring a salt shaker. 😆
Understanding Irish Foreign Policy | Ben Tonra
YouTube video by Prof James Ker-Lindsay
youtu.be
October 8, 2025 at 6:27 AM
If you’re ever in the mood for a 40min survey of Irish foreign policy you might enjoy this: youtu.be/hv5ggSV2-vQ?... Me in conversation with Prof James Jer-Lindsay. Bring a salt shaker. 😆
A pleasure to join ClareFM’s "In Profile"
We covered everything from my early schooling to current research, hurling, music, early forays into the communist and post-communist world, working in the Caucasus and Central Asia and my fascination with cemeteries!
www.facebook.com/clarefmradio...
We covered everything from my early schooling to current research, hurling, music, early forays into the communist and post-communist world, working in the Caucasus and Central Asia and my fascination with cemeteries!
www.facebook.com/clarefmradio...
12K views · 22 reactions | This week, Alan Morrissey's guest on In Profile is Donnacha O’Beacháin. Donnacha, who hails from Newmarket-On-Fergus, is a political scientist, media commentator, and unive...
This week, Alan Morrissey's guest on In Profile is Donnacha O’Beacháin. Donnacha, who hails from Newmarket-On-Fergus, is a political scientist, media commentator, and university professor.
He is...
www.facebook.com
October 7, 2025 at 8:36 AM
A pleasure to join ClareFM’s "In Profile"
We covered everything from my early schooling to current research, hurling, music, early forays into the communist and post-communist world, working in the Caucasus and Central Asia and my fascination with cemeteries!
www.facebook.com/clarefmradio...
We covered everything from my early schooling to current research, hurling, music, early forays into the communist and post-communist world, working in the Caucasus and Central Asia and my fascination with cemeteries!
www.facebook.com/clarefmradio...
Thirty years ago, we celebrated Eastern Europe’s democratisation
Now democracies are autocratising
The real threat isn’t only external. It’s the cancer of authoritarianism growing from within
Now democracies are autocratising
The real threat isn’t only external. It’s the cancer of authoritarianism growing from within
October 6, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Thirty years ago, we celebrated Eastern Europe’s democratisation
Now democracies are autocratising
The real threat isn’t only external. It’s the cancer of authoritarianism growing from within
Now democracies are autocratising
The real threat isn’t only external. It’s the cancer of authoritarianism growing from within
On Euronews I highlighted that Ukraine isn’t just Europe’s shield - it’s also its teacher.
What Ukraine learns - and invents - today will shape how the EU and NATO deter Russia tomorrow.
What Ukraine learns - and invents - today will shape how the EU and NATO deter Russia tomorrow.
October 5, 2025 at 8:22 AM
On Euronews I highlighted that Ukraine isn’t just Europe’s shield - it’s also its teacher.
What Ukraine learns - and invents - today will shape how the EU and NATO deter Russia tomorrow.
What Ukraine learns - and invents - today will shape how the EU and NATO deter Russia tomorrow.