Chris Dickenson
@cpdickenson.bsky.social
Ancient historian/archaeologist. British. Live in the Netherlands. Hobbies: reading (obviously!), writing fiction, music (pop/Classical), painting miniatures. Tentatively getting back into blogging: https://thefourthsophistic.wordpress.com
Pinned
Chris Dickenson
@cpdickenson.bsky.social
· Oct 14
Political polarization is an unhelpful myth. Only one side is becoming more extreme. There is nothing extreme in standing firm in opposing rightwing extremism.
Stil cant get my head around how enormous sums of money work. Surely Russia’s frozen billions are just numbers on a computer that could suddenly become Ukraine’s numbers on a computer if certain decisions are made. It just seems like magic somehow. It only works because we believe it does.
December 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Stil cant get my head around how enormous sums of money work. Surely Russia’s frozen billions are just numbers on a computer that could suddenly become Ukraine’s numbers on a computer if certain decisions are made. It just seems like magic somehow. It only works because we believe it does.
Well that is what we need to see more of. Imagine if Keir Starmer would talk like this about Farage and Boris Johnson instead of pandering to them. It’s just the kind of straight talking supporters supposedly admire in Trump and Farage with the difference they what he’s saying is true.
December 12, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Well that is what we need to see more of. Imagine if Keir Starmer would talk like this about Farage and Boris Johnson instead of pandering to them. It’s just the kind of straight talking supporters supposedly admire in Trump and Farage with the difference they what he’s saying is true.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
This petition is gaining traction...
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - it was completely biased and failed to tackle clear falsehoods.
"GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom must investigate them for breaching its rules." act.38degrees.org.uk/act/gb-news-...
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - it was completely biased and failed to tackle clear falsehoods.
"GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom must investigate them for breaching its rules." act.38degrees.org.uk/act/gb-news-...
OFCOM: INVESTIGATE GB NEWS’ SHOCKING TRUMP INTERVIEW
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - completely biased and full of lies. And GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom MUST investigate them for breaching its rules. Sign now if you agree.
act.38degrees.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This petition is gaining traction...
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - it was completely biased and failed to tackle clear falsehoods.
"GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom must investigate them for breaching its rules." act.38degrees.org.uk/act/gb-news-...
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - it was completely biased and failed to tackle clear falsehoods.
"GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom must investigate them for breaching its rules." act.38degrees.org.uk/act/gb-news-...
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
It’ll always be insane and despicable that the orange convicted felon was given full power of the US govt instead of being sent to prison forever where he belongs and is now using that power to try throwing his perceived enemies in prison for fake crimes.
December 12, 2025 at 4:06 AM
It’ll always be insane and despicable that the orange convicted felon was given full power of the US govt instead of being sent to prison forever where he belongs and is now using that power to try throwing his perceived enemies in prison for fake crimes.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Please remember this next time you hear Nigel Farage and Reform say we must leave the ECHR to control our borders
🚨 “Can I tell you how many times in the last 45 years the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the UK when it comes to deporting people from this country - only 13 times - in 45 years”
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
December 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Please remember this next time you hear Nigel Farage and Reform say we must leave the ECHR to control our borders
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
🚨 “Can I tell you how many times in the last 45 years the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the UK when it comes to deporting people from this country - only 13 times - in 45 years”
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
December 11, 2025 at 8:38 PM
🚨 “Can I tell you how many times in the last 45 years the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against the UK when it comes to deporting people from this country - only 13 times - in 45 years”
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
Hugely important point made by @vicderbyshire.bsky.social 👏
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
"the current US government believes that its national security is best served by the destruction of liberal democracy in Europe."
My new, and dark, op-Ed in @theguardian.com
My new, and dark, op-Ed in @theguardian.com
The US is not just Europe’s unwilling ally, but an adversary steeped in far-right ideology | Cas Mudde
Don’t say you weren’t warned: Trump’s new national security strategy seeks to destroy liberal democracy as we know it, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:58 PM
"the current US government believes that its national security is best served by the destruction of liberal democracy in Europe."
My new, and dark, op-Ed in @theguardian.com
My new, and dark, op-Ed in @theguardian.com
Rutte doom mongering about the threat of war with Putin. The same Rutte who laughed along with Trump and called him “daddy”. Both Putin and Trump want the same thing - a weak, fragmented Europe where democracy has been extinguished. Same goal, different means.
December 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Rutte doom mongering about the threat of war with Putin. The same Rutte who laughed along with Trump and called him “daddy”. Both Putin and Trump want the same thing - a weak, fragmented Europe where democracy has been extinguished. Same goal, different means.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
“It is the Brexit playbook:…
It did not work then and it will not work now. Because once you agree that rights are the real obstacle, you have already handed victory to those who want rid of them altogether.”
Important read on blaming the ECHR for govt failure.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It did not work then and it will not work now. Because once you agree that rights are the real obstacle, you have already handed victory to those who want rid of them altogether.”
Important read on blaming the ECHR for govt failure.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Starmer is lobbying Europe to join him in watering down the ECHR. This illiberalism will harm us all | Steve Valdez-Symonds
The prime minister and his counterpart in Denmark want a concerted effort to weaken human rights across Europe. This isn’t pragmatism – it’s cruelty, says Steve Valdez-Symonds, refugee and migrant rig...
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:03 AM
“It is the Brexit playbook:…
It did not work then and it will not work now. Because once you agree that rights are the real obstacle, you have already handed victory to those who want rid of them altogether.”
Important read on blaming the ECHR for govt failure.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
It did not work then and it will not work now. Because once you agree that rights are the real obstacle, you have already handed victory to those who want rid of them altogether.”
Important read on blaming the ECHR for govt failure.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Hope the strong words were all coming from the European leaders and telling him just what he can do with his attempts to spread his rotten, antidemocratic agenda abroad www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...
Ukraine war latest: Trump says ‘strong words’ exchanged with European leaders
European leaders say peace talks 'at a critical moment' for Ukraine and security of Euro-Atlantic region
www.independent.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Hope the strong words were all coming from the European leaders and telling him just what he can do with his attempts to spread his rotten, antidemocratic agenda abroad www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
When you look at Nigel Farage, never forget that he idolises a US President who sucks up to Putin and despises our continent, culture and values
December 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
When you look at Nigel Farage, never forget that he idolises a US President who sucks up to Putin and despises our continent, culture and values
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
This’ll be part of their staunch defence of free-speech I assume.
December 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
This’ll be part of their staunch defence of free-speech I assume.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
"The big question for Europe is: when are you gonna fight back, guys?" ask former Obama staffers Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes.
"He doesn't respect you, he's interfering in your political affairs, he's talking shit...at some point stop lathering him with praise"
open.spotify.com/episode/6USY...
"He doesn't respect you, he's interfering in your political affairs, he's talking shit...at some point stop lathering him with praise"
open.spotify.com/episode/6USY...
December 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
"The big question for Europe is: when are you gonna fight back, guys?" ask former Obama staffers Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes.
"He doesn't respect you, he's interfering in your political affairs, he's talking shit...at some point stop lathering him with praise"
open.spotify.com/episode/6USY...
"He doesn't respect you, he's interfering in your political affairs, he's talking shit...at some point stop lathering him with praise"
open.spotify.com/episode/6USY...
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Many Europeans know what is up. They will expect more from their leaders.
But liberal democratic leaders are not the only ones with a Trump problem. Given low % of people who see Trump as "friend", majority of far-right electorates are not pro-Trump. Many will even be anti-Trump.
But liberal democratic leaders are not the only ones with a Trump problem. Given low % of people who see Trump as "friend", majority of far-right electorates are not pro-Trump. Many will even be anti-Trump.
December 10, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Many Europeans know what is up. They will expect more from their leaders.
But liberal democratic leaders are not the only ones with a Trump problem. Given low % of people who see Trump as "friend", majority of far-right electorates are not pro-Trump. Many will even be anti-Trump.
But liberal democratic leaders are not the only ones with a Trump problem. Given low % of people who see Trump as "friend", majority of far-right electorates are not pro-Trump. Many will even be anti-Trump.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - completely biased and full of lies. And GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom MUST investigate them for breaching its rules. Sign now if you agree: 38d.gs/l_kt
OFCOM: INVESTIGATE GB NEWS’ SHOCKING TRUMP INTERVIEW
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - completely biased and full of lies. And GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom MUST investigate them for breaching its rules. Sign now if you agree.
38d.gs
December 10, 2025 at 12:31 PM
GB News’ recent Trump interview was outrageous - completely biased and full of lies. And GB News didn't challenge him ONCE. Ofcom MUST investigate them for breaching its rules. Sign now if you agree: 38d.gs/l_kt
Shameful www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK joins call for Europe’s human rights laws to be ‘constrained’
Britain aligns with some of Europe’s hardline governments in calling for change to allow Rwanda-style migration deals
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Shameful www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Starmer says he’s fighting forces that are trying to divide us. He invited a force that’s trying to divide us to a lavish state banquet!
December 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Starmer says he’s fighting forces that are trying to divide us. He invited a force that’s trying to divide us to a lavish state banquet!
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
What the UK and Europe need are political leaders who will say this: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on Trump and Europe: more an abusive relationship than an alliance | Editorial
Editorial: The White House is aggressively seeking to weaken and dominate the United States’ traditional allies. European leaders must learn to fight back.
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:43 AM
What the UK and Europe need are political leaders who will say this: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
I would like to apologize to older scholars in my field of Classics, who in their adulthood or youth saw autocracy, and as a result were passionately attached to liberalism, humanism, realism. A whole generation of us thought war, power, kingship were cool. They're actually f'ing awful.
December 9, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I would like to apologize to older scholars in my field of Classics, who in their adulthood or youth saw autocracy, and as a result were passionately attached to liberalism, humanism, realism. A whole generation of us thought war, power, kingship were cool. They're actually f'ing awful.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Is Starmer really strong enough to turn around to Trump and tell him he has to change his plan to sell the Ukraine out in return for a few cheap mineral deals? So far his strategy has been abject crawling.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukrainian, British and European officials are close to finalising a streamlined alternative to the US peace proposal to end Russia’s war that includes security guarantees for the country.
www.ft.com/content/2351...
www.ft.com/content/2351...
December 10, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Is Starmer really strong enough to turn around to Trump and tell him he has to change his plan to sell the Ukraine out in return for a few cheap mineral deals? So far his strategy has been abject crawling.
Reposted by Chris Dickenson
Letters in the Times - expressing disgust at anti-immigrant racism and the “Trump doctrine”- a meddling, authoritarian plan to undermine European democracies in order to have us all at the mercy of his USA or Putin’s Russia.
For all our sakes and futures, that *must* not happen.
For all our sakes and futures, that *must* not happen.
December 10, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Letters in the Times - expressing disgust at anti-immigrant racism and the “Trump doctrine”- a meddling, authoritarian plan to undermine European democracies in order to have us all at the mercy of his USA or Putin’s Russia.
For all our sakes and futures, that *must* not happen.
For all our sakes and futures, that *must* not happen.
What the UK and Europe need are political leaders who will say this: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on Trump and Europe: more an abusive relationship than an alliance | Editorial
Editorial: The White House is aggressively seeking to weaken and dominate the United States’ traditional allies. European leaders must learn to fight back.
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:43 AM
What the UK and Europe need are political leaders who will say this: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...