Michael Clarke
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mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke
@mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
860 followers 49 following 110 posts

Defence and Security Analyst. Former Director General, Royal United Services Institute. Former Professor of Defence Studies, King's College London. Now Visiting Professor at KCL and University of Exeter and holds Fellowships at a number of institutions. .. more

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Michael Clarke is a British academic who specialises in defence studies. He was Director of the Royal United Services Institute from 2007 to 2015. Since the start of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, he has served as Sky News' security and defence analyst. .. more

Political science 78%
Sociology 14%
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mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท 1d
Not true. Babis is parroting the Moscow narrative that is taken up by all the Kremlin's allies and useful idiots in Europe. The 2022 Istanbul meeting is well documented. They weren't very close to a deal and it was finally scuppered when all the Bucha massacres came to light.
maks23.bsky.social MAKS 25 ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ @maks23.bsky.social ยท 1d
โ—๏ธ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ In April 2022, Kyiv and Moscow were as close as possible to concluding a peace agreement, but this process was disrupted after Boris Johnson's intervention, - Czech Prime Minister Babis

Reposted by Michael Clarke

maks23.bsky.social
MAKS 25 ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ @maks23.bsky.social ยท 1d
โ—๏ธ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ In April 2022, Kyiv and Moscow were as close as possible to concluding a peace agreement, but this process was disrupted after Boris Johnson's intervention, - Czech Prime Minister Babis

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท 3d
The CIA, without any explanation, has just cut any further publication of its annual 'World Factbook'. This has been used for years by the US and many others as an authoritative set of hard, mainly statistical facts about every country. Presumably the CIA has given up on bothering with real facts.

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท 12d
This is the line the Putin puppets across Europe are all taking. None of it is actually true. Ukraine can sustain its fight for a long time yet, if it's determined to do so - and that's entirely for them. They will get better in most dimensions of the war, whereas Russia is now at peak performance.
savchenkoua.bsky.social Savchenko Volodymyr @savchenkoua.bsky.social ยท 13d
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡นโ—๏ธ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Italian Deputy PM Salvini:

We have heard Zelensky who, after all the money, after all the efforts, after all the aid, even has the nerve to complain.

My friend, you are losing the war, you are losing men, you are losing credibility and dignity. Sign the peace agreement as soon as possible.

Reposted by Michael Clarke

savchenkoua.bsky.social
Savchenko Volodymyr @savchenkoua.bsky.social ยท 13d
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡นโ—๏ธ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Italian Deputy PM Salvini:

We have heard Zelensky who, after all the money, after all the efforts, after all the aid, even has the nerve to complain.

My friend, you are losing the war, you are losing men, you are losing credibility and dignity. Sign the peace agreement as soon as possible.

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท 16d
Some people think Trump's comments were a sort of tactic following the Davos climbdown. But I think his comments were actually just what they seem - freewheeling ignorance from an old man who is accorded Papal Infallibility by his followers.
bsky.app/profile/theg...

Reposted by Michael Clarke

theguardian.com
The Guardian @theguardian.com ยท 16d
Trump prompts outrage with claim Nato troops avoided frontline in Afghanistan
Trump prompts outrage with claim Nato troops avoided frontline in Afghanistan
UK MPs and veterans condemn US presidentโ€™s comments and highlight his avoidance of military service in Vietnam Donald Trump has provoked outrage among British MPs and veterans after claiming Nato troops stayed away from the frontline in Afghanistan. The US president made his comments in an interview with Fox News in which he reiterated his suggestion that Nato would not support America if asked. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Michael Clarke, Steve Peers, Gary Sheffield

eddavey.libdems.org.uk
Ed Davey @eddavey.libdems.org.uk ยท 17d
457 British troops lost their lives in Afghanistan.

Trump avoided military service 5 times.

How dare he question their sacrifice. Farage and all the others still fawning over Trump should be ashamed.

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท 17d
Maybe the President would like to chat to the 800+ families who lost someone helping support US policy in Afghanistan?
matthewcobb.bsky.social Matthew Cobb @matthewcobb.bsky.social ยท 17d
Death toll in Afghanistan when NATO answered the USโ€™s call:
- 453 Britons
- 158 Canadians
- 89 French
- 59 Germans
- 53 Italians
- 44 Danes
- 17 Spaniards
โ€œStayed a little back, off the front lines โ€œ!
No one in the media will call him out over this lie or any of the others he spouts.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com ยท 17d
Trump on NATO: "I've always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? That's really the ultimate test. I'm not sure of that. We've never needed them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and this or that. And they did. They stayed a little back, off the front lines."

Reposted by Lawrence Freedman, Michael Clarke, Steve Peers , and 7 more

matthewcobb.bsky.social
Matthew Cobb @matthewcobb.bsky.social ยท 17d
Death toll in Afghanistan when NATO answered the USโ€™s call:
- 453 Britons
- 158 Canadians
- 89 French
- 59 Germans
- 53 Italians
- 44 Danes
- 17 Spaniards
โ€œStayed a little back, off the front lines โ€œ!
No one in the media will call him out over this lie or any of the others he spouts.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com ยท 17d
Trump on NATO: "I've always said, will they be there if we ever needed them? That's really the ultimate test. I'm not sure of that. We've never needed them. They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and this or that. And they did. They stayed a little back, off the front lines."

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท 19d
General view is that the trade bazooka is so big the EU won't use it as results may spiral. Maybe. But that was said about cancelling Nordstream 2 in 2022 after Russia's new invasion, and yet it happened. This challenge is different but just as important for Europe's future.
kyivindependent.com The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com ยท 19d
The EU is preparing a response to U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on NATO allies over Greenland, with leaders set to discuss retaliation options at a summit on Jan. 22, two people familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent.
Europe loads 'trade bazooka,' ready retaliatory measures against Trump's Greenland tariff threats
The European Union is preparing a response to U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on NATO allies over Greenland, with leaders set to discuss retaliation options at a summit on Jan. ...
kyivindependent.com

Reposted by Michael Clarke

kyivindependent.com
The Kyiv Independent @kyivindependent.com ยท 19d
The EU is preparing a response to U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on NATO allies over Greenland, with leaders set to discuss retaliation options at a summit on Jan. 22, two people familiar with the matter told the Kyiv Independent.
Europe loads 'trade bazooka,' ready retaliatory measures against Trump's Greenland tariff threats
The European Union is preparing a response to U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on NATO allies over Greenland, with leaders set to discuss retaliation options at a summit on Jan. ...
kyivindependent.com

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท 21d
The parallels between Putin and Trump have become quite remarkable: imperialists, bullies, re-writing history, searching for motives to justify personal grandeur, surrounded by people too frightened to oppose them, out of control, and apparently losing grip on reality.
bsky.app/profile/maks...
maks23.bsky.social MAKS 25 ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ @maks23.bsky.social ยท 21d
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Spanish PM Sanchez:

"A US invasion of Greenland would make Putin the happiest man in the world. Why? Because it would legitimize his invasion of Ukraine. If the US were to use force in Greenland, it would be a fatal blow to NATO. Putin would have double reason to rejoice."

Reposted by Michael Clarke, Beatriz Gallardo Paรบls

maks23.bsky.social
MAKS 25 ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ @maks23.bsky.social ยท 21d
๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Spanish PM Sanchez:

"A US invasion of Greenland would make Putin the happiest man in the world. Why? Because it would legitimize his invasion of Ukraine. If the US were to use force in Greenland, it would be a fatal blow to NATO. Putin would have double reason to rejoice."

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท 23d
I would challenge any Trump apologists to state what the security threat to Greenland actually is (and I mean real facts here) that can't be met already. If they really want to worry like this, then Alaska is far, far more at risk. Why not wet yourself about that?

www.ft.com/content/1dfa...
Nato troops to be in Greenland on โ€˜more permanentโ€™ basis
Some European countries are sending soldiers to the Arctic island after Donald Trump intensified threats to take control
www.ft.com

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท 23d
Military theatre of the absurdist genre. Sending troops we don't have to a place that doesn't need them, in an attempt to blunt the vainglorious project of a supreme narcissist who happens to be President of the US.

www.thetimes.com/article/80da...
Britain joins Greenland Nato mission designed โ€˜to keep Trump happyโ€™
The reconnaissance exercise will establish what a more sustained ground deployment of troops could look like in an effort to reassure the United States
www.thetimes.com

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท Jan 9
We never know whether he has actually thought about these things before he says them. But if he really has thought about this little gem, it shows he has only a child-like view of how politics - any politics - actually works. My 18-year old under-grads were considerably better than this.
cnn.com CNN @cnn.com ยท Jan 9
"Trump told the New York Times in an interview published Thursday there was only 'one thing' to limit his global power. 'My own morality. My own mind. It's the only thing that can stop me.' He added: 'I don't need international law,'" writes Stephen Collinson | Analysis https://cnn.it/3NCH8bG

Reposted by Michael Clarke, Leigh Sparks, Charles W. Smith

cnn.com
CNN @cnn.com ยท Jan 9
"Trump told the New York Times in an interview published Thursday there was only 'one thing' to limit his global power. 'My own morality. My own mind. It's the only thing that can stop me.' He added: 'I don't need international law,'" writes Stephen Collinson | Analysis https://cnn.it/3NCH8bG

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท Jan 7
For Putin, President Trump is the gift that keeps on giving. He doesn't need to lift a finger to be presented with era-defining strategic gains for imperialist Russia.

www.thetimes.com/article/4bf1...
Trump could take Greenland using military force, White House says
President Trump believes acquiring Greenland is โ€˜a national security priorityโ€™ and has ignored warnings from Europe to take caution
www.thetimes.com

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท Jan 4
Many analysts are struggling to reconcile this sort of US military intervention, attacks on Iran, the Houthis, and threats to others with Trump's isolationist thinking. But this is best understood as 'strategic raiding' -short, sharp with quick pay-offs. Addictive...

news.sky.com/story/us-gen...
US general reveals how America captured Venezuela's president
Fair weather allowed US helicopters to sneak into Venezuela - flying at just 100ft - before descending on Maduro's compound.
news.sky.com

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท Dec 28
Conditions in Moldova are almost a carbon copy of the Donbas in 2014. Easily set up for Russian subversion followed by direct intervention. It's a spring-loaded trap that may begin to snap quite soon.
theukrainianreview.bsky.social The Ukrainian Review @theukrainianreview.bsky.social ยท Dec 27
๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Moldovaโ€™s struggle for energy independence from Russia, [โ€ฆ] and the reluctance of local elites to move away from the oligarchic-planned economy have transformed modern Transnistria into a depressive criminal-socialist hybrid.

Read more โคต๏ธ
theukrainianreview.info/russia-hybri...
Russia: Hybrid Warfare Practices. Part Two: Transnistria
Moldova's struggle for energy independence from Russia, the closed border with Ukraine after the start of a full-scale war, and the reluctance of local elites to move away from the oligarchic-planned ...
theukrainianreview.info

Reposted by Michael Clarke

theukrainianreview.bsky.social
The Ukrainian Review @theukrainianreview.bsky.social ยท Dec 27
๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Moldovaโ€™s struggle for energy independence from Russia, [โ€ฆ] and the reluctance of local elites to move away from the oligarchic-planned economy have transformed modern Transnistria into a depressive criminal-socialist hybrid.

Read more โคต๏ธ
theukrainianreview.info/russia-hybri...
Russia: Hybrid Warfare Practices. Part Two: Transnistria
Moldova's struggle for energy independence from Russia, the closed border with Ukraine after the start of a full-scale war, and the reluctance of local elites to move away from the oligarchic-planned ...
theukrainianreview.info

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท Dec 24
Read this headline initially as an example of extreme accuracy - until I realised what it really was on second look. Blaming the festive season for my gullibility.....

bsky.app/profile/maks...
maks23.bsky.social MAKS 25 ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ @maks23.bsky.social ยท Dec 24
๐Ÿ’ฅ Unmanned systems forces hit a rubber plant in the Tula region

"Efremov Synthetic Rubber Plant" specializes in the production of synthetic rubbers and polymers, in particular polybutodienes and polyisobutylene.

Reposted by Michael Clarke

maks23.bsky.social
MAKS 25 ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ @maks23.bsky.social ยท Dec 24
๐Ÿ’ฅ Unmanned systems forces hit a rubber plant in the Tula region

"Efremov Synthetic Rubber Plant" specializes in the production of synthetic rubbers and polymers, in particular polybutodienes and polyisobutylene.

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท Dec 22
The Trump Administration now aims to undermine the sovereignty of Denmark, one of its NATO allies. Copenhagen and Nuuk should refuse to speak with him except through the accredited US Ambassador to Denmark. And if he interferes with Greenland public, deny him entry.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
New Trump envoy says he will serve to make Greenland part of US
Denmark warns Washington to respect its sovereignty, while Greenland says it will decide its own future.
www.bbc.co.uk

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท Dec 18
Europeans are 'little pigs' said Putin. And, 'there is no civilization there, only degradation'. Looks to be consciously lining up with the Trump Nat. Security Strategy view of Europe. Europeans assaulted on all sides now. Need to be clear to ourselves what we stand for, and make it count.

Reposted by Michael Clarke

theukrainianreview.bsky.social
The Ukrainian Review @theukrainianreview.bsky.social ยท Dec 17
๐Ÿฅด Kremlin Plans: Offensive and โ€œHistorical Landsโ€

Putin emphasized that Russia possesses the capability to increase the pace of the offensive in key directions.

Read more ๐Ÿ‘€
theukrainianreview.info/kremlin-plan...
Kremlin Plans: Offensive and โ€œHistorical Landsโ€
Russia has officially confirmed that its goals in the "special military operation" remain unchanged and will be achieved at any cost. President Vladimir Putin s
theukrainianreview.info

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท Dec 14
Yes, proper journalism. Be there, see it, report it - whatever you see....
leonfrench.bsky.social Leon French @leonfrench.bsky.social ยท Dec 1
'This is journalism at its most raw': Go behind the scenes on the frontline with new-look Sky News show

Hotspots returns with a new digital-first format and a host of exhilarating locations - taking viewers into some of the world's most hostile environments.

#journalism #peporting #hotspots
'This is journalism at its most raw': Go behind the scenes on the frontline with new-look Sky News show
Last aired on TV in 2021, Hotspots returns with a new digital-first format and a host of exhilarating locations - taking viewers into some of the world's most hostile environments.
news.sky.com

mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social
Michael Clarke @mikeclarke2020s.bsky.social ยท Dec 14
Excellent front line material from Stuart Ramsey and Alex Crawford in the new Hotspots format. Important to keep it real while we all discuss 'conflicts' in a detached sort of way...
project-push.tk.gg Project Push @project-push.tk.gg ยท Nov 30
Sky News
New Hotspots: Feel the heat of the frontline with Alex Crawford and Stuart Ramsay
via Sky News

Reposted by Michael Clarke

marikamikiashvili.bsky.social
Marika Mikiashvili ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ @marikamikiashvili.bsky.social ยท Dec 8
An important The National Interest article on how Georgian Dream has turned Georgia into a key sanctions-evasion corridor fueling Russiaโ€™s war economy, while aligning with Moscow, Beijing & Tehran and escalating domestic repression.

Thank you, Nikoloz Chkhaidze!
nationalinterest.org/blog/silk-ro...