Paul Knott
@paulknott11.bsky.social
Dockworker turned diplomat. Now, writer of 'The Accidental Diplomat'. Foreign policy for numerous outlets, including BBC radio at odd hours of the night. Rugby League & music fan.
I'd call a plumber to repair a major leak at my house, not an estate agent or unqualified relative. So I'm not sure why you would ask the latter to deal with dangerous international political crises instead of knowledgeable & experienced diplomats.
@financialtimes.com
on.ft.com/4ofw5So
@financialtimes.com
on.ft.com/4ofw5So
The death of the diplomat in Trump’s America
Sidelining the state department and relying on dealmakers will come at a cost
on.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I'd call a plumber to repair a major leak at my house, not an estate agent or unqualified relative. So I'm not sure why you would ask the latter to deal with dangerous international political crises instead of knowledgeable & experienced diplomats.
@financialtimes.com
on.ft.com/4ofw5So
@financialtimes.com
on.ft.com/4ofw5So
It's only a logo, I suppose. But the symbolism of Poland's "Solidarity" banner and what the people who rallied behind it fought for is huge for many people of my generation. It's very sad to see it pass into the hands of far-right reactionary Law & Justice party supporters.
The Solidarity trade union, which played a central role in bringing down Poland's communist regime, has won a long-running legal battle for control over its famous logo against the man who designed it, Jerzy Janiszewski.
Poland's Solidarity trade union wins legal battle for control of iconic logo
notesfrompoland.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:56 PM
It's only a logo, I suppose. But the symbolism of Poland's "Solidarity" banner and what the people who rallied behind it fought for is huge for many people of my generation. It's very sad to see it pass into the hands of far-right reactionary Law & Justice party supporters.
As an outsider, I am not sure why saying "you should not obey illegal orders" is controversial. Wasn't that principle established at the Nuremberg Trials? Doing the implied opposite and obeying illegal orders might get you into a bit of bother though.....
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
Pentagon Opens Inquiry Into Senator Mark Kelly Over What Hegseth Calls ‘Seditious’ Video
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:47 PM
As an outsider, I am not sure why saying "you should not obey illegal orders" is controversial. Wasn't that principle established at the Nuremberg Trials? Doing the implied opposite and obeying illegal orders might get you into a bit of bother though.....
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
Reposted by Paul Knott
Latest from me: on the million young people not in education, employment in training, & generational debts still not settled www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
With a million young people locked out of work, the UK’s hidden jobs crisis is only growing | John Harris
Held back by Covid and then phased out by AI, Britain’s so-called Neets are desperately seeking a secure future. Who will offer them hope? asks Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Latest from me: on the million young people not in education, employment in training, & generational debts still not settled www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Stop chasing far-right voters who will never support you - and alienating your own strongest supporters in the process. Absolutely correct from @casmudde.bsky.social in @theguardian.com .
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde
This week’s local elections are the latest reminder that when social democrats move rightwards, they’re making a mistake, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Stop chasing far-right voters who will never support you - and alienating your own strongest supporters in the process. Absolutely correct from @casmudde.bsky.social in @theguardian.com .
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Paul Knott
New from me on Nathan Gill, now jailed for taking Kremlin bribes. New subscribers- free or paid - always welcome.
aqyoung61.substack.com/p/nathan-gil...
aqyoung61.substack.com/p/nathan-gil...
Nathan Gill - sins of the stepfather
To Hull and back
aqyoung61.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
New from me on Nathan Gill, now jailed for taking Kremlin bribes. New subscribers- free or paid - always welcome.
aqyoung61.substack.com/p/nathan-gil...
aqyoung61.substack.com/p/nathan-gil...
If the Trump administration succeeds in forcing through this shameful act of appeasement, it will likely be the death knell of its role as "leader of the free world". Americans seem to have little sense of how much damage that will do to them in the long run.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
US tells Nato if Zelenskyy does not sign peace deal Ukraine will face worse in future
US army secretary briefs ambassadors at ‘nightmare meeting’ in Kyiv on Friday after talks with Ukrainian leader
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:29 PM
If the Trump administration succeeds in forcing through this shameful act of appeasement, it will likely be the death knell of its role as "leader of the free world". Americans seem to have little sense of how much damage that will do to them in the long run.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
As we know from history, the craven appeasement of evil dictators does not produce peace. What in this "deal" shamefully being pushed by the US will prevent Putin from coming back for more later? Or avoid a dangerous sense of betrayal taking hold in Ukraine?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
US tells Nato if Zelenskyy does not sign peace deal Ukraine will face worse in future
US army secretary briefs ambassadors at ‘nightmare meeting’ in Kyiv on Friday after talks with Ukrainian leader
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:23 PM
As we know from history, the craven appeasement of evil dictators does not produce peace. What in this "deal" shamefully being pushed by the US will prevent Putin from coming back for more later? Or avoid a dangerous sense of betrayal taking hold in Ukraine?
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Ukraine's resistance to stop Russia taking over the whole country is one of the most heroic chapters in modern history. Its courageous people deserve so much better than this shameful attempt by the US to force capitulation upon them.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
US tells Nato if Zelenskyy does not sign peace deal Ukraine will face worse in future
US army secretary briefs ambassadors at ‘nightmare meeting’ in Kyiv on Friday after talks with Ukrainian leader
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Ukraine's resistance to stop Russia taking over the whole country is one of the most heroic chapters in modern history. Its courageous people deserve so much better than this shameful attempt by the US to force capitulation upon them.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
My impression is that Americans have little inkling of the damage that these repeated humiliations are doing to their standing in the world, that it will not be recoverable post-Trump or how much this calamitous loss of credibility will hurt them in the end.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
US tells Nato if Zelenskyy does not sign peace deal Ukraine will face worse in future
US army secretary briefs ambassadors at ‘nightmare meeting’ in Kyiv on Friday after talks with Ukrainian leader
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:13 PM
My impression is that Americans have little inkling of the damage that these repeated humiliations are doing to their standing in the world, that it will not be recoverable post-Trump or how much this calamitous loss of credibility will hurt them in the end.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Despite the downbeat headline, the interesting part of this story is that as many of these refugees are in work as their German counterparts & most have become valuable members of their new communities. With a little help & a lot of hard work by migrants, it works.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/w...
Old Divides of East and West Haunt Germany’s Newest Arrivals
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Despite the downbeat headline, the interesting part of this story is that as many of these refugees are in work as their German counterparts & most have become valuable members of their new communities. With a little help & a lot of hard work by migrants, it works.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/w...
Putin stupidly started a failed war that has killed & injured a million Russians & severely damaged Russia's economy. Deal with him for what he is. A small-minded and very nasty little KGB man & mobster.
November 20, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Putin stupidly started a failed war that has killed & injured a million Russians & severely damaged Russia's economy. Deal with him for what he is. A small-minded and very nasty little KGB man & mobster.
The @bostonglobe.com Summit was a very interesting, enjoyable and enlightening event. Thanks to all of the speakers, and everyone at the paper and the House of Blues venue who put it together.
Globe Summit is back with an expanded vision, centered around this year’s theme: Revolutionary Ideas. Watch it live.
Watch Globe Summit live: Editor Nancy Barnes moderates discussion with top Boston health care leaders - The Boston Globe
Globe Summit is shining a spotlight on the researchers, entrepreneurs, students, executives, and politicians driving change across New England and beyond.
trib.al
November 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
The @bostonglobe.com Summit was a very interesting, enjoyable and enlightening event. Thanks to all of the speakers, and everyone at the paper and the House of Blues venue who put it together.
"Clowns" is close. But "cowards" is the answer written on the card.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
White nationalist Nick Fuentes is exposing a civil war among US Republicans: ‘We look like clowns’
Tucker Carlson’s interview with the activist revealed the mainstream right is being flooded by extremism – and it’s now impossible to contain
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:38 PM
"Clowns" is close. But "cowards" is the answer written on the card.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
"We look like clowns" say Republicans. The sinister, life and soul destroying ones from the horror films, presumably.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
White nationalist Nick Fuentes is exposing a civil war among US Republicans: ‘We look like clowns’
Tucker Carlson’s interview with the activist revealed the mainstream right is being flooded by extremism – and it’s now impossible to contain
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:36 PM
"We look like clowns" say Republicans. The sinister, life and soul destroying ones from the horror films, presumably.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Reposted by Paul Knott
[Q]:Do you believe that only Trump can end this war?
Kallas:
No,in order to end this war,you need the Ukrainians&Europeans also to agree to those plans.Of course,Putin could end this war immediately if he just stopped killing people.But we have not seen any concessions on the Russian side
Kallas:
No,in order to end this war,you need the Ukrainians&Europeans also to agree to those plans.Of course,Putin could end this war immediately if he just stopped killing people.But we have not seen any concessions on the Russian side
November 20, 2025 at 11:23 AM
[Q]:Do you believe that only Trump can end this war?
Kallas:
No,in order to end this war,you need the Ukrainians&Europeans also to agree to those plans.Of course,Putin could end this war immediately if he just stopped killing people.But we have not seen any concessions on the Russian side
Kallas:
No,in order to end this war,you need the Ukrainians&Europeans also to agree to those plans.Of course,Putin could end this war immediately if he just stopped killing people.But we have not seen any concessions on the Russian side
It's good news that China is going green. And a bad idea for the rest of the world to let the Beijing dictatorship dominate & reap the economic rewards of clean energy technology.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
China races ahead on renewables amid green tech boom | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 5:09 PM
It's good news that China is going green. And a bad idea for the rest of the world to let the Beijing dictatorship dominate & reap the economic rewards of clean energy technology.
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
Fascism is an evil death cult. Never forget & do everything possible to keep far-right extremists out of power. Everywhere and always.
observer.co.uk/style/featur... via @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/style/featur... via @theobserveruk.bsky.social
The families of Franco’s victims still seeking justice 50 years after his death | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Fascism is an evil death cult. Never forget & do everything possible to keep far-right extremists out of power. Everywhere and always.
observer.co.uk/style/featur... via @theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/style/featur... via @theobserveruk.bsky.social
Boston is looking glorious in the winter sunshine this morning.
November 18, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Boston is looking glorious in the winter sunshine this morning.
We might not want to think that we are in a form of war with Russia. But Russia is at war with us and Putin will keep pushing until we put him firmly in his place. We must step up the sanctions & hybrid warfare pressure on him and send more support to Ukraine. Now.
bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com/news/article...
Poland rail explosion: PM says blast was 'unprecedented act of sabotage'
Authorities say the blast happened on a line leading to the border with Ukraine.
bbc.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM
We might not want to think that we are in a form of war with Russia. But Russia is at war with us and Putin will keep pushing until we put him firmly in his place. We must step up the sanctions & hybrid warfare pressure on him and send more support to Ukraine. Now.
bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com/news/article...
Some people change for the better as they get older. The pro-Nazi, anti-British bigot Farage clearly has not.
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Some people change for the better as they get older. The pro-Nazi, anti-British bigot Farage clearly has not.
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
(Crack)pots & kettles.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
Trump Cuts Ties With Marjorie Taylor Greene, Calling Her ‘Wacky’
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:13 PM
(Crack)pots & kettles.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
An alliance made in Hell: immoral, abusive employers in the Arabian Gulf and callous, insatiably corrupt politicians in poorer countries.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/w...
Kenyan Workers Get Abused Abroad. The President’s Family and Allies Profit.
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:10 PM
An alliance made in Hell: immoral, abusive employers in the Arabian Gulf and callous, insatiably corrupt politicians in poorer countries.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/w...
Everything Russia touches leads to death and destruction. I hope everyone across Africa realises this before it is too late. ecfr.eu/publication/...
The bear and the bot farm: Countering Russian hybrid warfare in Africa
Russia has many quiet enemies in Africa. Working together, like-minded Africans and Europeans can roll back its troublesome influence.
ecfr.eu
November 14, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Everything Russia touches leads to death and destruction. I hope everyone across Africa realises this before it is too late. ecfr.eu/publication/...
Reposted by Paul Knott
"Before November ends, Russia will probably suffer its millionth casualty since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, based on current trends of about 1,000-1,200 soldiers killed or injured every day."
Vladimir Putin’s sickening statistic: 1m Russian casualties in Ukraine
His regime uses payouts to salve Russian families’ grief
www.economist.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"Before November ends, Russia will probably suffer its millionth casualty since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, based on current trends of about 1,000-1,200 soldiers killed or injured every day."