Conway Waddington
@conwaywaddington.bsky.social
Focused on African conflict and security - water wars, UAVs, mercenaries, OSINT stuff.
Reposted by Conway Waddington
Over the years I have watched many YouTube videos about military equipment and on military history.
For the last couple of months, they have been inundated with AI.
It is ruining the videos for me.
The AI looks artificial, and it makes many mistakes, especially on military equipment.
For the last couple of months, they have been inundated with AI.
It is ruining the videos for me.
The AI looks artificial, and it makes many mistakes, especially on military equipment.
November 16, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Over the years I have watched many YouTube videos about military equipment and on military history.
For the last couple of months, they have been inundated with AI.
It is ruining the videos for me.
The AI looks artificial, and it makes many mistakes, especially on military equipment.
For the last couple of months, they have been inundated with AI.
It is ruining the videos for me.
The AI looks artificial, and it makes many mistakes, especially on military equipment.
Reposted by Conway Waddington
Yet again, we can't afford to let LLMs become a source of epistemic grounding for society.
Largest study of its kind shows AI assistants misrepresent news content 45% of the time – regardless of language or territory
An intensive international study was coordinated by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and led by the BBC
www.bbc.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Yet again, we can't afford to let LLMs become a source of epistemic grounding for society.
Reposted by Conway Waddington
dawg we are gonna lose a war because ChatGPT has this guy mobilizing divisions that don't exist and tasking real troops with holding mountain passes and ports an LLM hallucinated
October 17, 2025 at 2:39 AM
dawg we are gonna lose a war because ChatGPT has this guy mobilizing divisions that don't exist and tasking real troops with holding mountain passes and ports an LLM hallucinated
Reposted by Conway Waddington
Looks like the FIRMS satellite fire detection system is offline due to the US government shutdown.
Just one more reminder that anyone involved in OSINT or disaster response cannot rely on US space-based assets in any critical role, given the current state of the governing regime in the country.
Just one more reminder that anyone involved in OSINT or disaster response cannot rely on US space-based assets in any critical role, given the current state of the governing regime in the country.
October 1, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Looks like the FIRMS satellite fire detection system is offline due to the US government shutdown.
Just one more reminder that anyone involved in OSINT or disaster response cannot rely on US space-based assets in any critical role, given the current state of the governing regime in the country.
Just one more reminder that anyone involved in OSINT or disaster response cannot rely on US space-based assets in any critical role, given the current state of the governing regime in the country.
Reposted by Conway Waddington
We traced an armoured vehicle used in a violent attack in Sudan, all the way back to a location in the middle of Libya's desert.
There it was parked, at a location where we found hundreds of other vehicles parked in rows.
Watch our investigation here:
youtu.be/umaFPlwJUKM
#KeepEyesOnSudan
There it was parked, at a location where we found hundreds of other vehicles parked in rows.
Watch our investigation here:
youtu.be/umaFPlwJUKM
#KeepEyesOnSudan
How we found an RSF military camp in the Libyan desert
YouTube video by CIR - Centre for Information Resilience
youtu.be
August 6, 2025 at 7:00 AM
We traced an armoured vehicle used in a violent attack in Sudan, all the way back to a location in the middle of Libya's desert.
There it was parked, at a location where we found hundreds of other vehicles parked in rows.
Watch our investigation here:
youtu.be/umaFPlwJUKM
#KeepEyesOnSudan
There it was parked, at a location where we found hundreds of other vehicles parked in rows.
Watch our investigation here:
youtu.be/umaFPlwJUKM
#KeepEyesOnSudan
Reposted by Conway Waddington
@warmatters.bsky.social @jamesstout.bsky.social
War in Ukraine influence, first images of an optical fiber drone in the Sahel.
War in Ukraine influence, first images of an optical fiber drone in the Sahel.
July 28, 2025 at 2:13 PM
@warmatters.bsky.social @jamesstout.bsky.social
War in Ukraine influence, first images of an optical fiber drone in the Sahel.
War in Ukraine influence, first images of an optical fiber drone in the Sahel.
Reposted by Conway Waddington
Reposted by Conway Waddington
THREAD 🧵
Internal State Department records show that months of warnings have become a reality: The Trump administration’s sudden withdrawal of foreign humanitarian aid has brought about death, violence and unrest. 1/
Internal State Department records show that months of warnings have become a reality: The Trump administration’s sudden withdrawal of foreign humanitarian aid has brought about death, violence and unrest. 1/
May 29, 2025 at 2:55 AM
THREAD 🧵
Internal State Department records show that months of warnings have become a reality: The Trump administration’s sudden withdrawal of foreign humanitarian aid has brought about death, violence and unrest. 1/
Internal State Department records show that months of warnings have become a reality: The Trump administration’s sudden withdrawal of foreign humanitarian aid has brought about death, violence and unrest. 1/
Reposted by Conway Waddington
Such a crucially important essay that, honestly, I’ve kinda been waiting for.
Read, read, read!
#drones
warontherocks.com/2025/06/i-fo...
Read, read, read!
#drones
warontherocks.com/2025/06/i-fo...
I Fought in Ukraine and Here’s Why FPV Drones Kind of Suck – War on the Rocks
warontherocks.com
June 26, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Such a crucially important essay that, honestly, I’ve kinda been waiting for.
Read, read, read!
#drones
warontherocks.com/2025/06/i-fo...
Read, read, read!
#drones
warontherocks.com/2025/06/i-fo...
Reposted by Conway Waddington
14.06 #Mali
According to a government communique, while returning from a mission yesterday (presumably taking part in the airstrike against FLA fighters near Aguelhok) the Su-24 was forced to ditch in the Niger river near Gao due to "adverse atmospheric conditions"
According to a government communique, while returning from a mission yesterday (presumably taking part in the airstrike against FLA fighters near Aguelhok) the Su-24 was forced to ditch in the Niger river near Gao due to "adverse atmospheric conditions"
June 14, 2025 at 8:40 AM
14.06 #Mali
According to a government communique, while returning from a mission yesterday (presumably taking part in the airstrike against FLA fighters near Aguelhok) the Su-24 was forced to ditch in the Niger river near Gao due to "adverse atmospheric conditions"
According to a government communique, while returning from a mission yesterday (presumably taking part in the airstrike against FLA fighters near Aguelhok) the Su-24 was forced to ditch in the Niger river near Gao due to "adverse atmospheric conditions"
Reposted by Conway Waddington
NEW | Al Shabaab’s 2025 central Somalia offensive is reshaping the conflict’s dynamics.
Recent territorial gains reflect a campaign to reconnect support zones in central and southern Somalia. 1/6
Recent territorial gains reflect a campaign to reconnect support zones in central and southern Somalia. 1/6
June 13, 2025 at 7:16 PM
NEW | Al Shabaab’s 2025 central Somalia offensive is reshaping the conflict’s dynamics.
Recent territorial gains reflect a campaign to reconnect support zones in central and southern Somalia. 1/6
Recent territorial gains reflect a campaign to reconnect support zones in central and southern Somalia. 1/6
Reposted by Conway Waddington
Mossad saw Operation Spiderweb and went “hold my beer”.
An Israeli security official told The Times of Israel, that Mossad *build a #drone base inside Iran*!
“According to the official, Mossad agents set up a drone base on Iranian soil near Tehran. The drones were activated overnight, striking surface-to-surface missile launchers aimed at Israel.”
“According to the official, Mossad agents set up a drone base on Iranian soil near Tehran. The drones were activated overnight, striking surface-to-surface missile launchers aimed at Israel.”
Israel said to renew strikes on Iran as Trump warns attacks will only get worse
US president calls on Tehran to make nuke deal 'before it's too late' * IDF details strike on underground centrifuge facility at Natanz * Mossad publishes video showing covert actions after activating...
www.timesofisrael.com
June 13, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Mossad saw Operation Spiderweb and went “hold my beer”.
Reposted by Conway Waddington
A summary worth reading which offers an opportunity for retrospection in the open source research community, as well as to the online behaviour shown in response to this, as harmful words and death threats that have been made, are so not done.
www.404media.co/u-s-denies-p...
www.404media.co/u-s-denies-p...
U.S. Denies Picking Bombing Targets From Random Twitter Accounts
An anonymous OSINT sleuth mis-identified a quarry as an underground Houthi base. Days later, the Pentagon allegedly struck the site and killed eight people.
www.404media.co
May 4, 2025 at 7:08 AM
A summary worth reading which offers an opportunity for retrospection in the open source research community, as well as to the online behaviour shown in response to this, as harmful words and death threats that have been made, are so not done.
www.404media.co/u-s-denies-p...
www.404media.co/u-s-denies-p...
Reposted by Conway Waddington
abolishing the office of net assessment in favor of (checks notes) white supremacy and Operator Culture™️ is... completely fucking insane. these people are going to lose us a goddamn war
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/u...
Hegseth Closes Pentagon Office Focused on Future Wars (Gift Article)
The Office of Net Assessment opened more than 50 years ago and developed concepts for possible conflict with U.S. adversaries, including China.
www.nytimes.com
March 19, 2025 at 3:50 PM
abolishing the office of net assessment in favor of (checks notes) white supremacy and Operator Culture™️ is... completely fucking insane. these people are going to lose us a goddamn war
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/u...
Reposted by Conway Waddington
Fascinating investigtion into the mercenary outfits Congo hired to fight the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Supermarket guards, truck drivers and ‘very big mistakes’: the failed role of western mercenaries in the fall of Goma
An investigation into the DRC’s use of hundreds of hired Romanian fighters reveals how a disorganised operation with untrained recruits became a deadly ‘circus’
www.theguardian.com
March 14, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Fascinating investigtion into the mercenary outfits Congo hired to fight the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Conway Waddington
Conspiracists in Nigeria have enjoyed very much US Congressman Scott Perry's allegations that USAID was financing Boko Haram. Sahel military regimes love this theory, too, and the story has eventually been picked and presented as "look, even America says it, our suspicion is vindicated!" 1/
February 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Conspiracists in Nigeria have enjoyed very much US Congressman Scott Perry's allegations that USAID was financing Boko Haram. Sahel military regimes love this theory, too, and the story has eventually been picked and presented as "look, even America says it, our suspicion is vindicated!" 1/
Reposted by Conway Waddington
NEW Congo War Security Review | The UK sanctioned Rwanda and both the EU and UK suspended defense cooperation with Rwanda due to Rwandan support for M23. 1/3
February 25, 2025 at 7:40 PM
NEW Congo War Security Review | The UK sanctioned Rwanda and both the EU and UK suspended defense cooperation with Rwanda due to Rwandan support for M23. 1/3
Reposted by Conway Waddington
Head up: A massive mine waste spill is currently killing virtually everything in one of #Zambia's major rivers.
A 🧵: On the 18th of February (1 weeka go) a large mine waste dump (aka tailings dam) began to collapse at the Sino Metals mine in #Chambishi, in Zambia's copperbelt. Huge volumes of...
A 🧵: On the 18th of February (1 weeka go) a large mine waste dump (aka tailings dam) began to collapse at the Sino Metals mine in #Chambishi, in Zambia's copperbelt. Huge volumes of...
February 25, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Head up: A massive mine waste spill is currently killing virtually everything in one of #Zambia's major rivers.
A 🧵: On the 18th of February (1 weeka go) a large mine waste dump (aka tailings dam) began to collapse at the Sino Metals mine in #Chambishi, in Zambia's copperbelt. Huge volumes of...
A 🧵: On the 18th of February (1 weeka go) a large mine waste dump (aka tailings dam) began to collapse at the Sino Metals mine in #Chambishi, in Zambia's copperbelt. Huge volumes of...
Reposted by Conway Waddington
Trump admin considering eliminating U.S. Africa Command as part of downsizing, per two U.S. officials & someone familiar with the discussions. Considering moving AFRICOM to a subcommand position under EUCOM.-NBC
February 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Trump admin considering eliminating U.S. Africa Command as part of downsizing, per two U.S. officials & someone familiar with the discussions. Considering moving AFRICOM to a subcommand position under EUCOM.-NBC
Reposted by Conway Waddington
“A key finding is that tactical drones are inflicting roughly two-thirds of Russian losses…twice as effective as every other weapon in the Ukr arsenal put together…remarkable…for weapons which did not officially exist in the Ukr mil at start of the war” www.forbes.com/sites/davidh...
New RUSI Report: Drones Now Inflicting Two Thirds Of Russian Losses
A report from UK thinktank RUSI acknowledges — slightly grudgingly — that tactical drones are the most lethal weapon in the Ukrainian arsenal and are transforming warfare
www.forbes.com
February 20, 2025 at 8:39 AM
“A key finding is that tactical drones are inflicting roughly two-thirds of Russian losses…twice as effective as every other weapon in the Ukr arsenal put together…remarkable…for weapons which did not officially exist in the Ukr mil at start of the war” www.forbes.com/sites/davidh...
Reposted by Conway Waddington
"The only path to a viable future is through a disarmament in our relations not only with one another but also with the rest of the living planet. The alternative unfolds before us, even if we choose to avert our eyes." www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/o...
Opinion | War Is Killing The Planet
In pursuit of empire and domination, of territorial conquest or racial and religious supremacy, wars stand as a stubborn driver of planetary harm.
www.nytimes.com
February 19, 2025 at 11:14 AM
"The only path to a viable future is through a disarmament in our relations not only with one another but also with the rest of the living planet. The alternative unfolds before us, even if we choose to avert our eyes." www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/o...
Reposted by Conway Waddington
New @planet.com Skysat imagery shows the fires at the Khartoum Refinery and our initial rapid assessment indicates roughly 19 storage tanks destroyed, putting the total number of damaged tanks to over 70 since the start of the #Sudan war, leaving a toxic footprint to deal with in the aftermath
January 24, 2025 at 3:47 PM
New @planet.com Skysat imagery shows the fires at the Khartoum Refinery and our initial rapid assessment indicates roughly 19 storage tanks destroyed, putting the total number of damaged tanks to over 70 since the start of the #Sudan war, leaving a toxic footprint to deal with in the aftermath
Reposted by Conway Waddington
Venâncio will land in Maputo at 8h05. What will happen next? VM invited all authorities to attend alongside his supporters. Fascinating rebound of events 🔥
January 5, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Venâncio will land in Maputo at 8h05. What will happen next? VM invited all authorities to attend alongside his supporters. Fascinating rebound of events 🔥
Reposted by Conway Waddington
This is really bad news for the DRC government and the SADC military mission in the country, SAMIDRC.
It’s clear that neither the beefed up military presence nor the ceasefire have been effective at stopping M23’s progress.
It’s clear that neither the beefed up military presence nor the ceasefire have been effective at stopping M23’s progress.
January 5, 2025 at 9:00 PM
This is really bad news for the DRC government and the SADC military mission in the country, SAMIDRC.
It’s clear that neither the beefed up military presence nor the ceasefire have been effective at stopping M23’s progress.
It’s clear that neither the beefed up military presence nor the ceasefire have been effective at stopping M23’s progress.