Edward Burke
@edwardburke.bsky.social
Assistant Professor, History of War, University College Dublin
Author: Ghosts of a Family (Merrion) / Ulster’s Lost Counties (Cambridge) / An Army of Tribes (Liverpool)
https://edward-burke.com/
Author: Ghosts of a Family (Merrion) / Ulster’s Lost Counties (Cambridge) / An Army of Tribes (Liverpool)
https://edward-burke.com/
Reposted by Edward Burke
Must read FT piece today on neutral Ireland, the soft underbelly of European defence
By @judewebber.bsky.social and @helenwarrell.bsky.social
By @judewebber.bsky.social and @helenwarrell.bsky.social
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
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Must read FT piece today on neutral Ireland, the soft underbelly of European defence
By @judewebber.bsky.social and @helenwarrell.bsky.social
By @judewebber.bsky.social and @helenwarrell.bsky.social
This is a really wonderful opportunity to work on a groundbreaking Troubles-related research project.
www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/juni...
www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/juni...
Junior Research Fellowship in the Northern Ireland Peace Process (Quill Project)
Pembroke College wishes to appoint a Junior Research Fellow in the History of the Northern Ireland Peace Process. The appointment will be from early 2026 until 31 July 2027. The post is full-time and ...
www.pmb.ox.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
This is a really wonderful opportunity to work on a groundbreaking Troubles-related research project.
www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/juni...
www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/vacancy/juni...
Today, 25 November 2025, was the day I learned that the 3rd Marquess of Waterford, was the inspiration for the phrase "painting the town red", after doing just that while on a bender in Melton Mowbray in 1837. Red is not a colour I associate with the Waterfords / nor Melton Mowbray.
November 25, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Today, 25 November 2025, was the day I learned that the 3rd Marquess of Waterford, was the inspiration for the phrase "painting the town red", after doing just that while on a bender in Melton Mowbray in 1837. Red is not a colour I associate with the Waterfords / nor Melton Mowbray.
Shameful.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Shameful.
'“‘Instead of giving money to pensioners and employees, we would print vouchers that they could use to buy goods and services,'” Varoufakis said. When I heard this, I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. I reacted, ‘Are you serious?’” Tsipras recalled.'
Left-wing former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras released his memoir today, revisiting Athens’ time on the eurozone’s cliff edge and blasting his ex-Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis.
Everyone hated Varoufakis, former Greek PM Tsipras admits in new book
The controversial ex-finance minister was “more celebrity than economist,” according to left-wing luminary’s new memoir.
www.politico.eu
November 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
'“‘Instead of giving money to pensioners and employees, we would print vouchers that they could use to buy goods and services,'” Varoufakis said. When I heard this, I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. I reacted, ‘Are you serious?’” Tsipras recalled.'
Reposted by Edward Burke
The E3 (UK, France, Germany) counter-proposal for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine is vastly superior to the US sell-out.
It has a strong focus on Ukraine’s sovereignty, EU membership, security guarantees & reparations, and no surrender of free Ukrainian territory to Russian occupation.
It has a strong focus on Ukraine’s sovereignty, EU membership, security guarantees & reparations, and no surrender of free Ukrainian territory to Russian occupation.
November 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
The E3 (UK, France, Germany) counter-proposal for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine is vastly superior to the US sell-out.
It has a strong focus on Ukraine’s sovereignty, EU membership, security guarantees & reparations, and no surrender of free Ukrainian territory to Russian occupation.
It has a strong focus on Ukraine’s sovereignty, EU membership, security guarantees & reparations, and no surrender of free Ukrainian territory to Russian occupation.
Reposted by Edward Burke
💯 this
Begone Tr*ump whisperers - you gave everything including our self respect and received bupkis.
Begone Tr*ump whisperers - you gave everything including our self respect and received bupkis.
European sycophancy towards Trump has won very little. it has telegraphed weakness and invited more punches. Interesting to compare the respect he shows those who stand up to him rather than the repeated, escalating humiliation he dishes out to Europe.
on.ft.com/4prynPF
on.ft.com/4prynPF
Trump flattery will get you nowhere
Fawning after the US president is not only humiliating — it doesn’t work
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:24 PM
💯 this
Begone Tr*ump whisperers - you gave everything including our self respect and received bupkis.
Begone Tr*ump whisperers - you gave everything including our self respect and received bupkis.
Reposted by Edward Burke
A quick run through of the Trump administration's proposal for a Ukraine security guarantee, which is a security guarantee in the same way that the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia is a party committed to liberalism and democracy. 🧵 x.com/BarakRavid/s...
Barak Ravid on X: "FULL TEXT OF THE U.S. DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR A UKRAINE SECURITY GUARANTEE: 🚨This Framework establishes the conditions for an armistice between Ukraine and the Russian Federation and provides a security assurance modeled on the principles of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty," / X
FULL TEXT OF THE U.S. DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR A UKRAINE SECURITY GUARANTEE: 🚨This Framework establishes the conditions for an armistice between Ukraine and the Russian Federation and provides a security assurance modeled on the principles of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty,
x.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:07 PM
A quick run through of the Trump administration's proposal for a Ukraine security guarantee, which is a security guarantee in the same way that the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia is a party committed to liberalism and democracy. 🧵 x.com/BarakRavid/s...
European sycophancy towards Trump has won very little. it has telegraphed weakness and invited more punches. Interesting to compare the respect he shows those who stand up to him rather than the repeated, escalating humiliation he dishes out to Europe.
on.ft.com/4prynPF
on.ft.com/4prynPF
Trump flattery will get you nowhere
Fawning after the US president is not only humiliating — it doesn’t work
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:17 PM
European sycophancy towards Trump has won very little. it has telegraphed weakness and invited more punches. Interesting to compare the respect he shows those who stand up to him rather than the repeated, escalating humiliation he dishes out to Europe.
on.ft.com/4prynPF
on.ft.com/4prynPF
Reposted by Edward Burke
The Netherlands talks a big game about tech sovereignty, but is now about to allow the domestic cloud provider that underpins its national digital identity system and several other critical government services to be sold off to a new American owner.
Incomprehensible.
nos.nl/artikel/2591...
Incomprehensible.
nos.nl/artikel/2591...
Zorgen in de Tweede Kamer over Amerikaanse overname van DigiD-partner
Het van oorsprong Nederlandse cloud-bedrijf Solvinity komt mogelijk in Amerikaanse handen.
nos.nl
November 21, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The Netherlands talks a big game about tech sovereignty, but is now about to allow the domestic cloud provider that underpins its national digital identity system and several other critical government services to be sold off to a new American owner.
Incomprehensible.
nos.nl/artikel/2591...
Incomprehensible.
nos.nl/artikel/2591...
Wow, this is revealing...
The plan says that "A dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States." This implies that both Russia and the Trump administration don't see the US as part of NATO in any real sense. That should deeply alarm every other NATO state.
November 21, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Wow, this is revealing...
Reposted by Edward Burke
Don't call it a peace plan. It isn't. It is a demand for capitulation.
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Breaking news: Ukraine is coming under intense pressure to accept a sweeping peace plan drawn up by the Trump administration with Moscow’s input to end Russia’s war in the country, according to Ukrainian officials. on.ft.com/3K0onha
November 20, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Don't call it a peace plan. It isn't. It is a demand for capitulation.
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Cathal Berry, ex-Army Ranger Wing, ex-TD, name checked by Russian propaganda / Moscow’s MFA spokesperson. Condemned by the Putin regime - a great honour, to add to others received while serving his country 🇮🇪
Unsurprisingly, comes at a time when 🇷🇺 has been sending a spy ship into 🇮🇪 marine territory.
Unsurprisingly, comes at a time when 🇷🇺 has been sending a spy ship into 🇮🇪 marine territory.
November 20, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Cathal Berry, ex-Army Ranger Wing, ex-TD, name checked by Russian propaganda / Moscow’s MFA spokesperson. Condemned by the Putin regime - a great honour, to add to others received while serving his country 🇮🇪
Unsurprisingly, comes at a time when 🇷🇺 has been sending a spy ship into 🇮🇪 marine territory.
Unsurprisingly, comes at a time when 🇷🇺 has been sending a spy ship into 🇮🇪 marine territory.
Reposted by Edward Burke
EU foreign ministers will be briefed tomorrow about a spate of sabotage attempts and airspace incursions that Russia’s neighbors say marks a “very dangerous phase of escalation” by the Kremlin, and one that endangers civilians.
EU ‘minutes from big casualties’ in Russian hybrid war, Lithuanian minister warns
An act of railway sabotage in Poland is just the latest sign the bloc needs to respond to Moscow’s tactics, Lithuania’s foreign minister told POLITICO.
www.politico.eu
November 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
EU foreign ministers will be briefed tomorrow about a spate of sabotage attempts and airspace incursions that Russia’s neighbors say marks a “very dangerous phase of escalation” by the Kremlin, and one that endangers civilians.
Reposted by Edward Burke
Russian spy ship on course for Irish waters, with UK threatening ‘military options’
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
Russian spy ship on course for Irish waters, with UK threatening ‘military options’
Vessel has automated tracker turned off but is being followed by RAF aircraft patrolling Scottish coast
www.irishtimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Russian spy ship on course for Irish waters, with UK threatening ‘military options’
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
“HMS Somerset has deployed on Towed Array Patrol ship duties in the area and is the RN frigate involved in monitoring the Yantar. (RFA Tidesurge, which sadly lost a crew member overboard on 14th November off the NW coast of Ireland, was supporting HMS Somerset).“
www.navylookout.com/rules-of-eng...
www.navylookout.com/rules-of-eng...
Rules of engagement changed as Russian spy ship shines lasers at RAF aircraft - Navy Lookout
The Russian underwater surveillance ship Yantar is currently being monitored on the edge of UK waters, off Scotland, by the Royal Navy and RAF. The Defence Secretary announced today that he has amende...
www.navylookout.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:31 PM
“HMS Somerset has deployed on Towed Array Patrol ship duties in the area and is the RN frigate involved in monitoring the Yantar. (RFA Tidesurge, which sadly lost a crew member overboard on 14th November off the NW coast of Ireland, was supporting HMS Somerset).“
www.navylookout.com/rules-of-eng...
www.navylookout.com/rules-of-eng...
Reposted by Edward Burke
„You don’t have to embarrass our guest“
November 19, 2025 at 7:02 AM
„You don’t have to embarrass our guest“
Reposted by Edward Burke
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
Reposted by Edward Burke
🎶 We’ll be Coming ‘26
November 18, 2025 at 10:07 PM
🎶 We’ll be Coming ‘26
Reposted by Edward Burke
Super-interesting piece - thank you.
This passage reminds me of chats I’ve had with people who (like me) favour reunification but avoid thinking about the consequences.
Their answers to “how will we protect 🇬🇧 identity in a UI?” are:
1. We won’t: it will die off
2. Why should we? It’s false/evil
This passage reminds me of chats I’ve had with people who (like me) favour reunification but avoid thinking about the consequences.
Their answers to “how will we protect 🇬🇧 identity in a UI?” are:
1. We won’t: it will die off
2. Why should we? It’s false/evil
November 18, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Super-interesting piece - thank you.
This passage reminds me of chats I’ve had with people who (like me) favour reunification but avoid thinking about the consequences.
Their answers to “how will we protect 🇬🇧 identity in a UI?” are:
1. We won’t: it will die off
2. Why should we? It’s false/evil
This passage reminds me of chats I’ve had with people who (like me) favour reunification but avoid thinking about the consequences.
Their answers to “how will we protect 🇬🇧 identity in a UI?” are:
1. We won’t: it will die off
2. Why should we? It’s false/evil
Reposted by Edward Burke
"At the core of the dispute are European and Scandinavian security concerns that Russian fishing fleets may be engaged in underwater surveillance." polarjournal.net/russia-withd...
Russia withdraws from the Barents Sea Agreement | Polar Journal
The Barents Sea faces the threat of an environmental disaster following the potential collapse of the fisheries agreement between Norway and Russia.
polarjournal.net
November 18, 2025 at 6:10 AM
"At the core of the dispute are European and Scandinavian security concerns that Russian fishing fleets may be engaged in underwater surveillance." polarjournal.net/russia-withd...
Reposted by Edward Burke
I spent yesterday in Korma with survivors of El Fasher atrocities. So many halting, harrowing conversations in Arabic, or translated from Zaghawa, about horror and misery.
Then Haseena pushed through crowd. Speaking in perfect English, she wanted the world to hear her story. #Sudan
Then Haseena pushed through crowd. Speaking in perfect English, she wanted the world to hear her story. #Sudan
November 17, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I spent yesterday in Korma with survivors of El Fasher atrocities. So many halting, harrowing conversations in Arabic, or translated from Zaghawa, about horror and misery.
Then Haseena pushed through crowd. Speaking in perfect English, she wanted the world to hear her story. #Sudan
Then Haseena pushed through crowd. Speaking in perfect English, she wanted the world to hear her story. #Sudan