Mark Stout
@markstout.bsky.social
Intelligence historian, former intelligence officer. Also live on the borderlands of military history. Former Historian at the International Spy Museum. University educator. I wish I were in Seattle. The cat is Boadicea.
Reposted by Mark Stout
We're enjoying our co-founder @markstout.bsky.social's latest review. This definitely sounds like a memoir worth reading.
networks.h-net.org/group/discus...
networks.h-net.org/group/discus...
Stout on "Spymaster: The Memoirs of Gordon M. Stewart, CIA Station Chief in Cold War Germany" | H-Net
Spymaster: The Memoirs of Gordon M. Stewart, CIA Station Chief in Cold War Germany.Edited by Thomas Boghardt, Boston, MA, DeGruyter Oldenbourg, 2024, 212 pp., $US 61.95 (hardcover), ISBN 978-3-11-1348...
networks.h-net.org
November 26, 2025 at 11:00 PM
We're enjoying our co-founder @markstout.bsky.social's latest review. This definitely sounds like a memoir worth reading.
networks.h-net.org/group/discus...
networks.h-net.org/group/discus...
Reposted by Mark Stout
If you’re a Dennis Showalter fan, you need this book. Period.
Dad LOVED stuff like this. As an educator he also believed that connecting contemporary things like Star Wars to how history works as a field was critical for undergrads.
He would have loved this project
Dad LOVED stuff like this. As an educator he also believed that connecting contemporary things like Star Wars to how history works as a field was critical for undergrads.
He would have loved this project
For those who enjoy ebooks on Kindle, it seems that 'Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire' is *massively* discounted today down to $1.99 in the US and £7.99 in the UK. Which feels like a pretty good deal really.
US: www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Ri...
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Ri...
US: www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Ri...
UK: www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Ri...
November 26, 2025 at 8:11 PM
If you’re a Dennis Showalter fan, you need this book. Period.
Dad LOVED stuff like this. As an educator he also believed that connecting contemporary things like Star Wars to how history works as a field was critical for undergrads.
He would have loved this project
Dad LOVED stuff like this. As an educator he also believed that connecting contemporary things like Star Wars to how history works as a field was critical for undergrads.
He would have loved this project
None of the consequential SecDefs would have bothered with silliness like this. Think McNamara, Brown, Weinberger, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Gates. No way. The thought wouldn’t even have occurred to them.
November 25, 2025 at 6:08 PM
None of the consequential SecDefs would have bothered with silliness like this. Think McNamara, Brown, Weinberger, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Gates. No way. The thought wouldn’t even have occurred to them.
Reposted by Mark Stout
Paul Ritchie obituary: MI6 officer on front line of post-Soviet threats
www.thetimes.com/uk/obituarie...
www.thetimes.com/uk/obituarie...
Paul Ritchie obituary: MI6 officer on front line of post-Soviet threats
Senior agent at the forefront of transforming an agency focused on espionage into a global organisation capable of tackling modern-day threats, dies aged 63
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Paul Ritchie obituary: MI6 officer on front line of post-Soviet threats
www.thetimes.com/uk/obituarie...
www.thetimes.com/uk/obituarie...
Reposted by Mark Stout
The Commission’s new “intelligence cell” could backfire, pulling analysis into a political space and making EU states share less, not more. Our Euractiv piece explains why trust, not expansion, is the real bottleneck. @dvanp.bsky.social @evamichaels.bsky.social
www.euractiv.com/opinion/von-...
www.euractiv.com/opinion/von-...
Von der Leyen’s 'intelligence cell' will only fuel fragmentation and mistrust | Euractiv
The need to improve intelligence capacity is undeniable. But von der Leyen’s chosen method reflects a familiar instinct: using crisis logic to expand the Commission’s authority
www.euractiv.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:25 AM
The Commission’s new “intelligence cell” could backfire, pulling analysis into a political space and making EU states share less, not more. Our Euractiv piece explains why trust, not expansion, is the real bottleneck. @dvanp.bsky.social @evamichaels.bsky.social
www.euractiv.com/opinion/von-...
www.euractiv.com/opinion/von-...
Reposted by Mark Stout
and "Espionage and destructive activities of the communist and Soviet secret services on the territory of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, Slovenes (Yugoslavia) in the 1920s and 1930s" by Andrzej Krzak... We've got a handful of book reviews as well, noted in in the next post...
October 29, 2025 at 6:04 PM
and "Espionage and destructive activities of the communist and Soviet secret services on the territory of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, Slovenes (Yugoslavia) in the 1920s and 1930s" by Andrzej Krzak... We've got a handful of book reviews as well, noted in in the next post...
Reposted by Mark Stout
Eli Zeira, Israeli intelligence chief vilified for failing to foresee 1973 Yom Kippur War – obituary www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2...
Eli Zeira, Israeli intelligence chief vilified for failing to foresee the 1973 Yom Kippur War
He accused Mossad of being misled by their top spy, and later leaked his identity: Nasser’s son-in-law Ashraf Marwan
www.telegraph.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Eli Zeira, Israeli intelligence chief vilified for failing to foresee 1973 Yom Kippur War – obituary www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2...
Reposted by Mark Stout
November 24, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Reposted by Mark Stout
Soviet ideology called for the emancipation of women, but reality often fell short. Soviet women did serve in the Red Army, but life during WWII was more than the heroic tales we know today. This week, we spoke to Regina Kazyulina about gender and survival.
patreon.com/posts/fraternization-144312034
patreon.com/posts/fraternization-144312034
November 24, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Soviet ideology called for the emancipation of women, but reality often fell short. Soviet women did serve in the Red Army, but life during WWII was more than the heroic tales we know today. This week, we spoke to Regina Kazyulina about gender and survival.
patreon.com/posts/fraternization-144312034
patreon.com/posts/fraternization-144312034
Reposted by Mark Stout
BBC News - How Jodrell Bank kept an eye on Cold War Soviet missile launches - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How Jodrell Bank kept an eye on Cold War Soviet missile launches
How did a giant radio telescope in Cheshire help the West monitor the Soviet Union's nuclear missiles?
www.bbc.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 10:33 AM
BBC News - How Jodrell Bank kept an eye on Cold War Soviet missile launches - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Mark Stout
In person event
Philipp Springer: The Full-Time Staff by Stasi Headquarters (on 2025-11-25)
https://www.bundesarchiv.de/themen-entdecken/vor-ort-entdecken/veranstaltungen/termin/philipp-springer-die-hauptamtlichen-berlin-25-11-2025/
Philipp Springer: The Full-Time Staff by Stasi Headquarters (on 2025-11-25)
https://www.bundesarchiv.de/themen-entdecken/vor-ort-entdecken/veranstaltungen/termin/philipp-springer-die-hauptamtlichen-berlin-25-11-2025/
Philipp Springer: Die Hauptamtlichen
Fotografische Einblicke und biografische Skizzen aus den Akten des Ministeriums für Staatssicherheit
www.bundesarchiv.de
November 23, 2025 at 12:24 PM
In person event
Philipp Springer: The Full-Time Staff by Stasi Headquarters (on 2025-11-25)
https://www.bundesarchiv.de/themen-entdecken/vor-ort-entdecken/veranstaltungen/termin/philipp-springer-die-hauptamtlichen-berlin-25-11-2025/
Philipp Springer: The Full-Time Staff by Stasi Headquarters (on 2025-11-25)
https://www.bundesarchiv.de/themen-entdecken/vor-ort-entdecken/veranstaltungen/termin/philipp-springer-die-hauptamtlichen-berlin-25-11-2025/
Reposted by Mark Stout
Ukraine's allies consider how to fill intelligence gaps if US backs out politi.co/4ps2Vkf
Ukraine's allies consider how to fill intelligence gaps if US backs out
Trump’s threat to withhold military intelligence exposes lagging satellite abilities among allies.
politi.co
November 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Ukraine's allies consider how to fill intelligence gaps if US backs out politi.co/4ps2Vkf
Reposted by Mark Stout
Assistant Professor in the history of knowledge pre-1400, based in the Dept. of history and philosophy of science, Uni of Cambridge. FT, open-ended/permanent, £47-59k, closes 14 Dec. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPG062/a...
November 23, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Assistant Professor in the history of knowledge pre-1400, based in the Dept. of history and philosophy of science, Uni of Cambridge. FT, open-ended/permanent, £47-59k, closes 14 Dec. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPG062/a...
Reposted by Mark Stout
If you have any polisci job market updates (interviews scheduled, job offers out, etc), please share via the below form. #psjminfo
www.politicalsciencejobs.org/status-updates
www.politicalsciencejobs.org/status-updates
PS Jobs - Status Updates
This is a listing of job market updates. You can submit updates here.
www.politicalsciencejobs.org
November 23, 2025 at 6:04 PM
If you have any polisci job market updates (interviews scheduled, job offers out, etc), please share via the below form. #psjminfo
www.politicalsciencejobs.org/status-updates
www.politicalsciencejobs.org/status-updates
So, this Ukraine War peace plan: has Trump just decided to take dictation from Putin? Was Rubio speaking out of turn here by saying this wasn’t a US proposal? If so, that must be a firing offense from Trump’s POV. Was there a misunderstanding between Rubio and the 3 senators? What is going on here?
November 23, 2025 at 5:21 AM
So, this Ukraine War peace plan: has Trump just decided to take dictation from Putin? Was Rubio speaking out of turn here by saying this wasn’t a US proposal? If so, that must be a firing offense from Trump’s POV. Was there a misunderstanding between Rubio and the 3 senators? What is going on here?
Reposted by Mark Stout
For a decade, Russia has been seeking to divide Europe and America, to undermine NATO and weaken the transatlantic alliance. This peace plan, if accepted, will achieve that goal.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Murky Plan That Ensures a Future War
Who will benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 PM
For a decade, Russia has been seeking to divide Europe and America, to undermine NATO and weaken the transatlantic alliance. This peace plan, if accepted, will achieve that goal.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Mark Stout
📣 Job alert! 📣 Harvard Kennedy School is running 2 open-rank faculty searches in technology & public policy. One position is specifically for scholars using data science to address public problems. Please help us spread the word! academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/15561
Technology and Public Policy Search (open rank)
Harvard Kennedy School invites applications for two open rank appointments in technology and public policy. We seek applications from scholars whose research and/or practice focuses on the intersectio...
academicpositions.harvard.edu
November 22, 2025 at 8:14 PM
📣 Job alert! 📣 Harvard Kennedy School is running 2 open-rank faculty searches in technology & public policy. One position is specifically for scholars using data science to address public problems. Please help us spread the word! academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/15561
Great opportunity for grad students working on World War I.
⚠️ Time is running out! ⚠️
🗓️ The deadline for applications for The WFA PhD Grant Scheme is 1 December.
📣 No topics are off limits, ANY First World War research considered!
#FWWHist #PhDchat
🗓️ The deadline for applications for The WFA PhD Grant Scheme is 1 December.
📣 No topics are off limits, ANY First World War research considered!
#FWWHist #PhDchat
We at The WFA have launched our PhD Grant Scheme for 2025.
The grant is open to doctoral students researching ANY aspect of the First World War.
Where will our grant take you?
See website for full details 👇🏻
www.westernfrontassociation.com/latest-news/...
#Fwwhist #phdchat
The grant is open to doctoral students researching ANY aspect of the First World War.
Where will our grant take you?
See website for full details 👇🏻
www.westernfrontassociation.com/latest-news/...
#Fwwhist #phdchat
November 22, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Great opportunity for grad students working on World War I.
Reposted by Mark Stout
Google defaulting all Gmail users to a setting that enables Google to harvest all your emails into chatbot training is straight-up evil and invasive.
www.huffpost.com/entry/opt-ou...
www.huffpost.com/entry/opt-ou...
If You Use Gmail, You're Going To Want To Turn Off This 1 Automatic Setting ASAP
Plus: a quick guide to the two-step process for opting out.
www.huffpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Google defaulting all Gmail users to a setting that enables Google to harvest all your emails into chatbot training is straight-up evil and invasive.
www.huffpost.com/entry/opt-ou...
www.huffpost.com/entry/opt-ou...
Some prose I'm writing: "And if they did receive support from Western governments, how much did it matter? Were these organizations self-sustaining in their own ecosystems?"
Why, I wonder, does Microsoft Word suggest that I change "Were" to "Are?"
This. Is. Not. Helpful. GTFO.
Why, I wonder, does Microsoft Word suggest that I change "Were" to "Are?"
This. Is. Not. Helpful. GTFO.
November 22, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Some prose I'm writing: "And if they did receive support from Western governments, how much did it matter? Were these organizations self-sustaining in their own ecosystems?"
Why, I wonder, does Microsoft Word suggest that I change "Were" to "Are?"
This. Is. Not. Helpful. GTFO.
Why, I wonder, does Microsoft Word suggest that I change "Were" to "Are?"
This. Is. Not. Helpful. GTFO.
Reposted by Mark Stout
Exclusive-US threatens to cut intel, weapons to press Ukraine into peace deal, sources say
www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
MSN
www.msn.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Exclusive-US threatens to cut intel, weapons to press Ukraine into peace deal, sources say
www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
Reposted by Mark Stout
Socialism is not Communism. Democratic socialism is not “pure” socialism. Crack a book, or stop supporting lies for your agenda, whatever that is.
November 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Socialism is not Communism. Democratic socialism is not “pure” socialism. Crack a book, or stop supporting lies for your agenda, whatever that is.
Reposted by Mark Stout
Congratulations, @chekistmonitor.bsky.social and well done!
It's truly an honor to have my book KGB Literati reviewed in the Cipher Brief by Bill Harlow, Cipher Brief's senior book review editor & former #CIA chief spokesman. @thecipherbrief.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
www.thecipherbrief.com/kgb-literati...
www.thecipherbrief.com/kgb-literati...
When the Chekists Took Up the Pen
BOOK REVIEW: KGB Literati: Spy Fiction and State Security in the Soviet UnionBy Filip Kovacevic / University of Toronto PressReviewed by: Bill HarlowThe Reviewer Bill Harlow served as chief spokesman ...
www.thecipherbrief.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Congratulations, @chekistmonitor.bsky.social and well done!