Helene von Bismarck
@helenebismarck.bsky.social
Historian and Writer, Anglophile and European. Dr. Phil. FRHistS. Senior Associate Fellow, RUSI.
All views strictly my own.
All views strictly my own.
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
On Bregman, I was there in the audience and I can’t see what the BBC have gained by removing this line except more bad publicity. I will say that no such edits or censorship occurred when I gave the Reith Lectures and free-speech defenders might want think about whether this is the world they want.
November 25, 2025 at 12:11 PM
On Bregman, I was there in the audience and I can’t see what the BBC have gained by removing this line except more bad publicity. I will say that no such edits or censorship occurred when I gave the Reith Lectures and free-speech defenders might want think about whether this is the world they want.
Not good.
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 12:52 PM
Not good.
This is so important. People who study international relations love to fight over whether interests or values define relationships. It is both. An interest is something you define. And your values come into the equation. It is not either or.
What Trump has made me realise is how much the post-Cold War relationship hinged on shared values rather than shared interests. Trump is illustrating how, whether on Ukraine and Gaza, our interests diverge and, absent those values, there's not much holding us together.
November 25, 2025 at 9:38 AM
This is so important. People who study international relations love to fight over whether interests or values define relationships. It is both. An interest is something you define. And your values come into the equation. It is not either or.
This nonsense is not just mad and pernicious, it is just wildly entitled. Of course there are problems in Britain. But have a little look at the world around you, or indeed at the past. Where will you have such a nice free secure future? Genuine question.
November 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
This nonsense is not just mad and pernicious, it is just wildly entitled. Of course there are problems in Britain. But have a little look at the world around you, or indeed at the past. Where will you have such a nice free secure future? Genuine question.
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
I represented @houseoflords.parliament.uk at a Summit in Stockholm to remind the world of Crimea’s plight since 2014: killings, children sent to Russian camps, cultural heritage destroyed etc. Zelensky put it powerfully in his speech to us ‘Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen’.
November 24, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I represented @houseoflords.parliament.uk at a Summit in Stockholm to remind the world of Crimea’s plight since 2014: killings, children sent to Russian camps, cultural heritage destroyed etc. Zelensky put it powerfully in his speech to us ‘Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen’.
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
We found that Jewish people were targeted with a wave of hatred & calls for violence on X after the heinous UK Heaton Park Synagogue attack.
Following this research, more than 30 cross-party MPs & peers are urging Ofcom to take action against antisemitism on X.
More in @politicshome.bsky.social ⤵️
Following this research, more than 30 cross-party MPs & peers are urging Ofcom to take action against antisemitism on X.
More in @politicshome.bsky.social ⤵️
Cross-Party MPs Demand Ofcom Investigation Into Antisemitism On X
Exclusive: A cross-party group of MPs and peers has demanded that Ofcom take action against a surge in antisemitic posts and calls for violence aga...
www.politicshome.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:20 PM
We found that Jewish people were targeted with a wave of hatred & calls for violence on X after the heinous UK Heaton Park Synagogue attack.
Following this research, more than 30 cross-party MPs & peers are urging Ofcom to take action against antisemitism on X.
More in @politicshome.bsky.social ⤵️
Following this research, more than 30 cross-party MPs & peers are urging Ofcom to take action against antisemitism on X.
More in @politicshome.bsky.social ⤵️
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
This week we also launched a new Applied History Fellowship scheme, with @ihr.bsky.social and DC Thomson: bit.ly/4ijiuII
Fellowships will support recent post-doc historians and demonstrate the appeal of historical skills for employers. £12,000 for 6 months. Closing date: 31 Jan 2026 #Skystorians
Fellowships will support recent post-doc historians and demonstrate the appeal of historical skills for employers. £12,000 for 6 months. Closing date: 31 Jan 2026 #Skystorians
Society launches call for new Applied History Fellowships, with the Institute of Historical Research and DC Thomson - RHS
In November 2025, the Society joins with partners the Institute of Historical Research (IHR) and publisher DC Thomson to launch a new Applied History Fellowship programme to support recent post-doctor...
bit.ly
November 22, 2025 at 4:26 PM
This week we also launched a new Applied History Fellowship scheme, with @ihr.bsky.social and DC Thomson: bit.ly/4ijiuII
Fellowships will support recent post-doc historians and demonstrate the appeal of historical skills for employers. £12,000 for 6 months. Closing date: 31 Jan 2026 #Skystorians
Fellowships will support recent post-doc historians and demonstrate the appeal of historical skills for employers. £12,000 for 6 months. Closing date: 31 Jan 2026 #Skystorians
In 2010 I first spent an extended period of time in the US on research. And my main takesway from that time was how deluded Europeans in general are if we think of the US as little more than a very powerful extension of Europe on the other side of the Atlantic. This is not an anti-american point.
'America is British'.
It turns out Danny Kruger is peak 'Americans are the same as us'.
Until this mindset – conscious and subconscious – is defeated in Britain, we'll never see ourselves as properly European.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
It turns out Danny Kruger is peak 'Americans are the same as us'.
Until this mindset – conscious and subconscious – is defeated in Britain, we'll never see ourselves as properly European.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
‘America is British’. Heaven is ‘a socialist state’. David Attenborough is ‘anti-human’ – the startling theories of Reform MP Danny Kruger
He was a Conservative party big-hitter who wrote speeches for David Cameron and worked with Boris Johnson before he suddenly jumped ship. He talks family, flags and why Nigel Farage is ‘top dog’
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM
In 2010 I first spent an extended period of time in the US on research. And my main takesway from that time was how deluded Europeans in general are if we think of the US as little more than a very powerful extension of Europe on the other side of the Atlantic. This is not an anti-american point.
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
Good morning and welcome to your short thread of FT Weekend highlight giftlinks for this very cold morning. Why not stay in bed and enjoy some high quality journalism. Links are free 300x that's all I have and the actual paper with all the weekend journalism you need is in the shops now!
November 22, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Good morning and welcome to your short thread of FT Weekend highlight giftlinks for this very cold morning. Why not stay in bed and enjoy some high quality journalism. Links are free 300x that's all I have and the actual paper with all the weekend journalism you need is in the shops now!
Why do men think LinkedIn is a dating Site?
Don‘t answer that.
I am just screaming into the void.
Don‘t answer that.
I am just screaming into the void.
November 21, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Why do men think LinkedIn is a dating Site?
Don‘t answer that.
I am just screaming into the void.
Don‘t answer that.
I am just screaming into the void.
This is very true. I supported lockdown because on balance it seemed necessary to avoid a catastrophe and because it seemed like the least back option. I still thought it was a terrible thing especially for children. Thinking that does not make me a lunatic COVID-sceptic.
I think that seems likely yeah. One of the almost infinite number of ways in which the culture war-ification of everything is ruining the world is it becomes impossible to have these conversations because saying e.g. "lockdown had some downsides" suggests you're One Of Them
November 21, 2025 at 10:07 AM
This is very true. I supported lockdown because on balance it seemed necessary to avoid a catastrophe and because it seemed like the least back option. I still thought it was a terrible thing especially for children. Thinking that does not make me a lunatic COVID-sceptic.
London is wonderful.
A friend from US has been staying in London this week - sight-seeing, culture, bars and restaurants. Central London has been buzzing. It’s been great and I’ve been proud of it. So there
November 21, 2025 at 9:51 AM
London is wonderful.
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
Thanks @helenebismarck.bsky.social!
Yes, @columnist.bsky.social, I tried in my book to puncture some common UK delusions while warning of the dangers of entrenching a culture of despair. The country still has a lot going for it, as I point out.
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
Yes, @columnist.bsky.social, I tried in my book to puncture some common UK delusions while warning of the dangers of entrenching a culture of despair. The country still has a lot going for it, as I point out.
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
November 21, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Thanks @helenebismarck.bsky.social!
Yes, @columnist.bsky.social, I tried in my book to puncture some common UK delusions while warning of the dangers of entrenching a culture of despair. The country still has a lot going for it, as I point out.
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
Yes, @columnist.bsky.social, I tried in my book to puncture some common UK delusions while warning of the dangers of entrenching a culture of despair. The country still has a lot going for it, as I point out.
linktr.ee/whateveryone...
Absolutely.
And a very problematic trope because it results in apathy, or worse, a desire to smash everything up.
@mikepeeljourno.bsky.social wrote about that.
And a very problematic trope because it results in apathy, or worse, a desire to smash everything up.
@mikepeeljourno.bsky.social wrote about that.
That said I’m also minded to think that the story of national decline is now so entrenched (on all sides by pretty much everyone) that it’s now itself a bit of a trope.
November 21, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Absolutely.
And a very problematic trope because it results in apathy, or worse, a desire to smash everything up.
@mikepeeljourno.bsky.social wrote about that.
And a very problematic trope because it results in apathy, or worse, a desire to smash everything up.
@mikepeeljourno.bsky.social wrote about that.
I remember last year. I had just arrived at my parents‘ house with my children at the other end of Germany. It was a horrifying moment. Thinking of the people who lost their loved ones that day. RIP
🇩🇪 The Christmas market in Germany's eastern city of Magdeburg opened Thursday with a quiet chime from a nearby church bell, less than a year after a car ramming attack killed six and wounded hundreds.
➡️ u.afp.com/Snv7
➡️ u.afp.com/Snv7
November 20, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I remember last year. I had just arrived at my parents‘ house with my children at the other end of Germany. It was a horrifying moment. Thinking of the people who lost their loved ones that day. RIP
The pandemic was the time when the "world beating“ discourse peaked.
'If a lockdown had been imposed on 16 March, a week earlier than took place, modelling suggests this could have cut the number of deaths in England in the first wave of the virus by almost half, equating to 23,000 lives saved'
‘Too little, too late’: damning report condemns UK’s Covid response
Report on handling of pandemic contains stinging criticism of ‘toxic and chaotic’ culture inside Boris Johnson’s No 10
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The pandemic was the time when the "world beating“ discourse peaked.
Me, this morning: I hope that I have been measured and reasonable in my description of the situation in the US, it is important to keep a cool head.
Me, this afternoon: *Checks the news*
Me, this afternoon: *Checks the news*
November 20, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Me, this morning: I hope that I have been measured and reasonable in my description of the situation in the US, it is important to keep a cool head.
Me, this afternoon: *Checks the news*
Me, this afternoon: *Checks the news*
It has to be said that this is quite funny.
www.economist.com/britain/2025... Column on The Men 👇
November 20, 2025 at 3:19 PM
It has to be said that this is quite funny.
Anybody who compared himself to Leonardo da Vinci is clearly a lot less smart than Leonardo da Vinci.
Just saying.
Just saying.
this thread is unbelievable
November 20, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Anybody who compared himself to Leonardo da Vinci is clearly a lot less smart than Leonardo da Vinci.
Just saying.
Just saying.
I just re-read this gem by Lord Hannan. It has been a few years since I looked at it.
Incredible Stuff.
The myopia is one thing.
But the way literally every global development has been misjudged.
Amazing. www.reaction.life/p/britain-lo...
Incredible Stuff.
The myopia is one thing.
But the way literally every global development has been misjudged.
Amazing. www.reaction.life/p/britain-lo...
What Britain looks like after Brexit
You’re reading Reaction.
www.reaction.life
November 19, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I just re-read this gem by Lord Hannan. It has been a few years since I looked at it.
Incredible Stuff.
The myopia is one thing.
But the way literally every global development has been misjudged.
Amazing. www.reaction.life/p/britain-lo...
Incredible Stuff.
The myopia is one thing.
But the way literally every global development has been misjudged.
Amazing. www.reaction.life/p/britain-lo...
Let the briefing wars begin - or rather - continue.
For God‘s sake.
Things are serious.
Could everyone get it together, on both sides of the channel.
For God‘s sake.
Things are serious.
Could everyone get it together, on both sides of the channel.
Ministers have warned the European Union that the UK will walk away from the bloc’s rearmament programme, after rejecting French demands to pay more than £5bn to participate
UK could walk away from EU rearmament plan over French demands
www.thetimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Let the briefing wars begin - or rather - continue.
For God‘s sake.
Things are serious.
Could everyone get it together, on both sides of the channel.
For God‘s sake.
Things are serious.
Could everyone get it together, on both sides of the channel.
Really grateful for people like @edwardluce.bsky.social especially now.
November 18, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Really grateful for people like @edwardluce.bsky.social especially now.
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
Since the mid-2010s, I genuinely think the British class has forgotten what governance actually means. Of course politics, image and electoral consequences are always factors - but they should not be the driving factor at every opportunity. Not least when you have a huge majority.
November 18, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Since the mid-2010s, I genuinely think the British class has forgotten what governance actually means. Of course politics, image and electoral consequences are always factors - but they should not be the driving factor at every opportunity. Not least when you have a huge majority.
This is a general point about the immigration debate. Everyone talks about the narratives and their political consequences. Too few talk about the reality on the ground, the good and the bad.
Coverage of the refugee proposals demonstrates why we have such a broken political system. Endless focus on left-wing anger and right-wing support. Basically nothing on whether the reforms will work. They will not, which is why we'll still be here having the same debate in three years.
November 18, 2025 at 11:56 AM
This is a general point about the immigration debate. Everyone talks about the narratives and their political consequences. Too few talk about the reality on the ground, the good and the bad.
Do follow @sas-news.bsky.social
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The School of Advanced Study, University of London champions the arts and humanities. Working through our renowned specialist institutes and centres of excellence, we offer a rich interdisciplinary environment for researchers to collaborate.
Let's connect: 🔗 sas.ac.uk/
The School of Advanced Study, University of London champions the arts and humanities. Working through our renowned specialist institutes and centres of excellence, we offer a rich interdisciplinary environment for researchers to collaborate.
Let's connect: 🔗 sas.ac.uk/
School of Advanced Study
Uniting research institutes and centres at the University of London to form the UK's national centre for the support and promotion of academic research in the humanities.
sas.ac.uk
November 18, 2025 at 11:54 AM
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