Huw Bennett
@bennetthuw.bsky.social
Professor of International Relations, writing on British defence since 1945. In south Wales, an archive or a military museum. Permanently grateful to archivists and librarians.
Cardiff looking splendid this evening.
October 29, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Cardiff looking splendid this evening.
An enjoyable and productive visit to the Swedish Defence University this week; managed to fit in a quick look around the Army Museum in Stockholm. Thanks to @warmatters.bsky.social for hosting!
October 24, 2025 at 8:35 PM
An enjoyable and productive visit to the Swedish Defence University this week; managed to fit in a quick look around the Army Museum in Stockholm. Thanks to @warmatters.bsky.social for hosting!
Fascinating times today at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum. Excellent displays, a rich archive collection and knowledgeable staff.
June 25, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Fascinating times today at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum. Excellent displays, a rich archive collection and knowledgeable staff.
Nice to see Basil again after a lengthy interlude.
April 29, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Nice to see Basil again after a lengthy interlude.
Spargelzeit ist die beste Zeit
April 17, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Spargelzeit ist die beste Zeit
An enjoyable first visit to the Tank Museum today.
March 7, 2025 at 1:45 PM
An enjoyable first visit to the Tank Museum today.
Back at the U.K. Defence Academy today to talk about Northern Ireland. Nice to see Jackie again.
March 5, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Back at the U.K. Defence Academy today to talk about Northern Ireland. Nice to see Jackie again.
Charlie says “To defeat the enemy without…” oh, just give me Dreamies
February 21, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Charlie says “To defeat the enemy without…” oh, just give me Dreamies
Nice to be home after a few days with this gentleman (and his humans), discussing all things war and strategy.
February 21, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Nice to be home after a few days with this gentleman (and his humans), discussing all things war and strategy.
Day 1 into new archive documents and two common claims on the 1990 Options for Change defence review exploded:
1. The review had no basis in foreign policy objectives (it did).
2. The review was a Treasury-driven exercise to cut costs (it expected costs to remain the same).
1. The review had no basis in foreign policy objectives (it did).
2. The review was a Treasury-driven exercise to cut costs (it expected costs to remain the same).
February 10, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Day 1 into new archive documents and two common claims on the 1990 Options for Change defence review exploded:
1. The review had no basis in foreign policy objectives (it did).
2. The review was a Treasury-driven exercise to cut costs (it expected costs to remain the same).
1. The review had no basis in foreign policy objectives (it did).
2. The review was a Treasury-driven exercise to cut costs (it expected costs to remain the same).
Tell me again that archive digitisation is a bad thing…
February 6, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Tell me again that archive digitisation is a bad thing…
Sometimes you just have to treat yourself.
February 4, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Sometimes you just have to treat yourself.
Sound advice from the Cardiff street artists.
February 4, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Sound advice from the Cardiff street artists.
Getting the weekend off to a good start by tackling a title long on the must-read pile.
January 25, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Getting the weekend off to a good start by tackling a title long on the must-read pile.
This must have been a fascinating lunch, if perhaps a little high-pressure.
January 23, 2025 at 10:32 AM
This must have been a fascinating lunch, if perhaps a little high-pressure.
Llandaff Cathedral looking magnificent in the rain.
January 5, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Llandaff Cathedral looking magnificent in the rain.
Nice walk around a reservoir today. Sad to learn Britain hasn’t built any since 1992.
December 30, 2024 at 6:23 PM
Nice walk around a reservoir today. Sad to learn Britain hasn’t built any since 1992.
The National Archives have released a digital extract from 8 Brigade's records for Bloody Sunday, the events in Derry/Londonderry on 30 January 1972: discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1... The release is laudable, but the master file is still closed (containing hundreds more pages).
December 5, 2024 at 12:57 PM
The National Archives have released a digital extract from 8 Brigade's records for Bloody Sunday, the events in Derry/Londonderry on 30 January 1972: discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C1... The release is laudable, but the master file is still closed (containing hundreds more pages).
Winter days in north Cardiff.
December 4, 2024 at 10:28 PM
Winter days in north Cardiff.
Interesting day at the National Army Museum discussing academic-military research collaboration. Ironically, almost nobody from the military turned up.
November 18, 2024 at 4:01 PM
Interesting day at the National Army Museum discussing academic-military research collaboration. Ironically, almost nobody from the military turned up.
Pleased to see my review of Richard English’s new book on counter-terrorism in today’s Irish Times:
March 30, 2024 at 6:49 PM
Pleased to see my review of Richard English’s new book on counter-terrorism in today’s Irish Times:
