Professor Christopher Painter
@prfchrispainter.bsky.social
Politics and statecraft. Beware of blind alleys serving nefarious interests. Emeritus Professor, BCU. Posts in a personal capacity, as an academic and citizen.
There are those in the Trump Administration, all the way up to the very top, who have long-standing financial connections with Russia (same applies to a number of Arab States in the Middle East). They will put business opportunities before any principles of international law.
November 25, 2025 at 6:36 AM
There are those in the Trump Administration, all the way up to the very top, who have long-standing financial connections with Russia (same applies to a number of Arab States in the Middle East). They will put business opportunities before any principles of international law.
Discussions/negotiations taking place over the future of Ukraine once again show enormous amount of time Starmer and other European/international leaders are having to expend on managing a manchild in the White House, who would hand everything on a plate to Putin, so destroying European security.
November 24, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Discussions/negotiations taking place over the future of Ukraine once again show enormous amount of time Starmer and other European/international leaders are having to expend on managing a manchild in the White House, who would hand everything on a plate to Putin, so destroying European security.
The so-called Trump Ukrainian peace plan now shrouded in utter confusion in Washington. This is what happens when special envoys with no diplomatic credentials are allowed to go rogue, delivering Putin's narrative for him.
November 23, 2025 at 10:08 AM
The so-called Trump Ukrainian peace plan now shrouded in utter confusion in Washington. This is what happens when special envoys with no diplomatic credentials are allowed to go rogue, delivering Putin's narrative for him.
England's humiliating defeat in Perth is another illustration of the fate of cults in any walk of life. In this case, Bazball. Cults ultimately implode in chaos. MAGA in the United States will be no exception.
November 23, 2025 at 9:51 AM
England's humiliating defeat in Perth is another illustration of the fate of cults in any walk of life. In this case, Bazball. Cults ultimately implode in chaos. MAGA in the United States will be no exception.
Appalling betrayal of Ukraine by Trump in what is staggeringly mis-described as a 'peace plan'. This so-called 'strongman' turns out to be merely a wimp in Putin's groteque hands.
November 21, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Appalling betrayal of Ukraine by Trump in what is staggeringly mis-described as a 'peace plan'. This so-called 'strongman' turns out to be merely a wimp in Putin's groteque hands.
Vindicating what a number of us were saying at the time as the pandemic unfolded, to derision from some quarters. We did not need the benefit of hindsight!
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
‘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 4:23 PM
Vindicating what a number of us were saying at the time as the pandemic unfolded, to derision from some quarters. We did not need the benefit of hindsight!
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
There is obviously no level of heinous crime against international law or humanity by authoritarian leaders that is enough to turn Donald Trump's stomach. His world is entirely transactional (amoral).
November 20, 2025 at 7:58 AM
There is obviously no level of heinous crime against international law or humanity by authoritarian leaders that is enough to turn Donald Trump's stomach. His world is entirely transactional (amoral).
As if we needed any further evidence that Farage is an unsavoury and deeply unpleasant person.
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
‘Deeply shocking’: Nigel Farage faces fresh claims of racism and antisemitism at school
Bafta-winning director among contemporaries urging contrition and apology from Reform UK leader, who denies the allegations
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:29 AM
As if we needed any further evidence that Farage is an unsavoury and deeply unpleasant person.
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-...
No one goes to extraordinary lengths to suppress information unless they have something serious to hide. Trump's determination to prevent the Epstein Files from seeing the light of day is utterly revealing on its own terms.
November 16, 2025 at 9:20 PM
No one goes to extraordinary lengths to suppress information unless they have something serious to hide. Trump's determination to prevent the Epstein Files from seeing the light of day is utterly revealing on its own terms.
Trump wants anyone else other than US to make up a Gaza stabilisation force and to fund its redevelopment. He incurs none of the costs but monopolises the benefits. America First. Under Trump, a purely transactional nation with no moral compass. Others are wising up to his recurring game plan.
November 16, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Trump wants anyone else other than US to make up a Gaza stabilisation force and to fund its redevelopment. He incurs none of the costs but monopolises the benefits. America First. Under Trump, a purely transactional nation with no moral compass. Others are wising up to his recurring game plan.
As Trump becomes more vulnerable because of increasing public exposure of his past associations, pushback against him can begin, both domestically and internationally. A scandalous personal history is starting to unravel.
November 14, 2025 at 7:35 AM
As Trump becomes more vulnerable because of increasing public exposure of his past associations, pushback against him can begin, both domestically and internationally. A scandalous personal history is starting to unravel.
So far, so good.
BBC News - BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation
Lawyers for the US president have threatened to sue the corporation for $1bn (£759m).
www.bbc.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:25 PM
So far, so good.
BBC News - BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Trump simply has to be impeached before the end of his second term: for the well-being of the American people; for global stability; for the sake of a future habitable planet; and not least to secure justice for the victims of the Epstein circle.
November 13, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Trump simply has to be impeached before the end of his second term: for the well-being of the American people; for global stability; for the sake of a future habitable planet; and not least to secure justice for the victims of the Epstein circle.
It would be outrageous for UK taxpayers' money to further line the pockets of Trump. This US president is no better than a mobster. The BBC must not pay compensation under duress. It needs to stand up to Trump, fighting for its reputation and independence from political interference.
November 12, 2025 at 7:49 AM
It would be outrageous for UK taxpayers' money to further line the pockets of Trump. This US president is no better than a mobster. The BBC must not pay compensation under duress. It needs to stand up to Trump, fighting for its reputation and independence from political interference.
There is little doubt that senior figures on the Right of the political spectrum in the UK are using Trump to undermine vital British national interests - and with Farage little more than a messenger boy for Trump.
November 11, 2025 at 6:49 AM
There is little doubt that senior figures on the Right of the political spectrum in the UK are using Trump to undermine vital British national interests - and with Farage little more than a messenger boy for Trump.
Badenoch and Farage (increasingly indistinguishable) view everything through the prism of their culture wars, including the latest traumas at the BBC. Yet, as is becoming apparent in the US, that agenda is already losing its traction with voters.
November 10, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Badenoch and Farage (increasingly indistinguishable) view everything through the prism of their culture wars, including the latest traumas at the BBC. Yet, as is becoming apparent in the US, that agenda is already losing its traction with voters.
From Trump's White House to Reform-controlled English councils. The linking thread of the populist Right. Why, governing chaos.
November 7, 2025 at 10:02 AM
From Trump's White House to Reform-controlled English councils. The linking thread of the populist Right. Why, governing chaos.
Donald Trump provides an object lesson in what happens when the political executive governs on behalf of powerful interests rather than prioritising the well-being of a country's citizens.
November 5, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Donald Trump provides an object lesson in what happens when the political executive governs on behalf of powerful interests rather than prioritising the well-being of a country's citizens.
The only difference left between Farage's Reform and Badenoch's Conservatives is fiscal. Whereas Reform would bankrupt the country, a revived Tory Government would pursue austerity on steroids.
October 25, 2025 at 7:01 AM
The only difference left between Farage's Reform and Badenoch's Conservatives is fiscal. Whereas Reform would bankrupt the country, a revived Tory Government would pursue austerity on steroids.
Demolition of the White House's East Wing to create the biggest and best ballroom ever! What could be more reflective of the main priority of the Second Trump Presidency; why, self-aggrandisement, not the well-being of the American people.
October 24, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Demolition of the White House's East Wing to create the biggest and best ballroom ever! What could be more reflective of the main priority of the Second Trump Presidency; why, self-aggrandisement, not the well-being of the American people.
Looks like the Trump-Putin Summit has bitten the dust. Trump fooled again by Putin's mindset and motivation. Putin has a delusional belief that Ukraine is an integral part of the Russian Empire, not a sovereign state, with continuance of the war also a pre-condition for his own political survival.
October 22, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Looks like the Trump-Putin Summit has bitten the dust. Trump fooled again by Putin's mindset and motivation. Putin has a delusional belief that Ukraine is an integral part of the Russian Empire, not a sovereign state, with continuance of the war also a pre-condition for his own political survival.
The very essence of the Epstein scandal: one law for the rich and powerful, another one for everyone else; a cancer that is at the heart of contemporary global politics, not least all the way up to the pinnacle of the governmental chain in Washington DC.
October 21, 2025 at 6:45 AM
The very essence of the Epstein scandal: one law for the rich and powerful, another one for everyone else; a cancer that is at the heart of contemporary global politics, not least all the way up to the pinnacle of the governmental chain in Washington DC.
One minute Putin is destroying Russia by continuing a campaign in Ukraine at unsustainable cost. The next minute, unless Ukraine accepts peace on Putin's terms, Ukraine itself will be destroyed. Foreign policy Trump-style. Not just inconsistent, but incoherently self-contradictory - if not pathetic.
October 20, 2025 at 2:42 PM
One minute Putin is destroying Russia by continuing a campaign in Ukraine at unsustainable cost. The next minute, unless Ukraine accepts peace on Putin's terms, Ukraine itself will be destroyed. Foreign policy Trump-style. Not just inconsistent, but incoherently self-contradictory - if not pathetic.
At some point, boredom has to set in with the Donald Trump Show, as the politics of attention-seeking narcissism and outrage lose their attraction - and traction.
October 20, 2025 at 7:19 AM
At some point, boredom has to set in with the Donald Trump Show, as the politics of attention-seeking narcissism and outrage lose their attraction - and traction.
Trump and Putin. Round and round in ever decreasing circles. Putin appealing to Trump's ego and greed every time there's a prospect of decisive support for Ukraine from Washington;Trump endlessly falling for Putin's gameplay.
October 17, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Trump and Putin. Round and round in ever decreasing circles. Putin appealing to Trump's ego and greed every time there's a prospect of decisive support for Ukraine from Washington;Trump endlessly falling for Putin's gameplay.