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ForcesWatch

@forceswatch.bsky.social

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A sharp eye on military power in the UK. 👁️‍🗨️ https://www.forceswatch.net/

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ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · Aug 27

🪖NEW ARTICLE

As the Labour Government enters its 2nd year we look at how the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme has expanded during their rule.

“almost one tenth of the House of Commons is currently participating in an arms industry funded military cosplay fantasy.”

ForcesWatch » A 'chief of staff' and 'enduring relationships': The advance of military interests in Parliament

As the Labour Government enters its second year we take a look at how the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme has expanded during their rule, and aspects of its influence that we have uncovered.

tinyurl.com

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 1d

🪖HAPPENING TOMORROW!

Join @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social for an online discussion exploring the UK government’s National Security Strategy (NSS) and its focus on militarisation.

Tickets + More info: https://rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/home/events/

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ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 5d

🔎 How are drones changing the way wars are fought?

Chris Cole, founder of Drone Wars UK, has spent years investigating the rise of armed drones — from targeted killings to remote warfare.

The Warrior Nation podcast is available on all major streaming platforms or at https://www.forceswatch.net

Reposted by ForcesWatch

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament @cnduk.bsky.social · 12d

🚨LEGAL OPINION: UK nuke jets break international law! 🚨

A legal opinion sought by CND has found that Britain's purchase of nuclear-capable F-35A fighter jets violates its commitments under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty!

Read More: cnduk.org/legal-opinio...

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ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 12d

☢️ What happens when nuclear weapons and AI-driven autonomous systems collide?

Joe Glenton speaks to Elizabeth Minor, Advisor at @article36.bsky.social, is at the forefront of international efforts to reduce harm from weapons.

Available on all major streaming platforms or listen at forceswatch.net

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 13d

Also see our recent reflections on this era of militarist realism.

ForcesWatch » Is this militarist realism? Defence dividends for an ‘armour-clad nation’

Reflecting on an era of 'militarist realism' which seeks to centre and normalise 'Defence' in all of our lives.

www.forceswatch.net

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 13d

Join @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social for a discussion exploring the UK government’s National Security Strategy & its focus on militarisation.

An opportunity to share insights, challenge dominant narratives & develop constructive responses.

Tickets: https://rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/home/events/

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ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 14d

Why was Colonel Richard Kemp, a prominent British army officer of the War on Terror era recently in Gaza doing propaganda for Israel?

@declassifieduk.org and defence journalist, Joe Glenton investigate⬇️

Exposed: The British colonel doing Israel’s dirty work

Help Declassified expose the powerful by joining us: https://www.declassifieduk.org/join/We spoke to a former British soldier about why Colonel Richard Kemp,...

www.youtube.com

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ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 16d

The MoD have also now (finally) said that Israel’s escalation is “wrong” & calling for a “diplomatic solution” with an immediate ceasefire, the return of hostages, and humanitarian aid for Gaza.

Will they follow these words with other necessary actions to stop aiding & partnering with Israel?

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 16d

@declassifieduk.org discovered that at least 32 Israeli military officers have been trained at the the RCDS, including numerous senior figures now engaged in the genocide in Gaza.

Britain trained Israeli soldiers fighting in Gaza

Exclusive: Declassified has obtained a list of Israelis who graduated from the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. We’re publishing it for the first time.

www.declassifieduk.org

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 16d

The UK has banned Israeli students from the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), a prestigious British defence academy, due to Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

UK bans Israelis from military academy over Gaza war

Ministry of Defence confirms policy, citing Israel's 'decision to further escalate its military operation in Gaza'

www.middleeasteye.net

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ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 16d

The book follows a ten-year investigation of the military training area on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire and explores what it means to live next to a military base. It’s a great read, covering so many aspects of militarised communities, landscapes and wider policies.

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ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 16d

We’re excited to see this event coming up next Wednesday at @housmansbookshop.bsky.social on ‘England's Military Heartland: Preparing for War on Salisbury Plain’ by our friends, @vronsta.bsky.social and colleagues.

Wed 24 Sept, 7-8:30pm
Tickets + More info➡️https://housmans.com/events/

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 16d

And more on what was for sale inside from @aoav.bsky.social⬇️

Inside Europe's Largest Arms Fair: AOAV went to see what's on sale - AOAV

Photos from inside DSEI - the biannual Defence Security Exhibition International

aoav.org.uk

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 16d

“This year’s DSEI has been buoyed by newly swollen military budgets as states have fallen behind the US-led consensus on rearmament.”

Rebekah Diski at the Stop the Arms Fair protest. ⬇️

Rebekah Diski | At the Arms Fair

Every two years, the UK hosts one of the world’s largest arms fairs at the Excel centre in East London. The Defence...

www.lrb.co.uk

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 17d

Liberal Democrat MP Charlie Maynard accused ministers of being “wilfully ignorant”: “We have planes going over there and can see bombs being dropped. We can join those dots, and we are choosing not to.”

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 17d

MPs are demanding assurances that RAF surveillance data from Gaza is preserved – evidence that could later be used as evidence for war crimes.

Read more from @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social

MPs demand assurances RAF Gaza spy plane footage is retained

Parliamentary committee scrutinising UK arms exports to Israel presses ministers to make sure surveillance data from hundreds of flights is not destroyed

tinyurl.com

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ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 17d

ForcesWatch’s work depends on the commitment of those who share our concerns about militarisation and its impact on people and society.

We are deeply grateful to all those who back our work.

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 17d

Today on World Peace Day, we reflect on the urgent need to challenge militarism and build security through justice, peacebuilding, cooperation, and care for people and the planet.

https://www.forceswatch.net/

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ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 19d

The Irish Deputy Prime Minister has described this deal as “a night and day improvement” and aimed at providing justice to families whose loved ones were killed with better protection for veterans.

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 19d

The Tories attempted to shut down legal cases against army veterans - such as the trial of Soldier F currently going ahead in Belfast over alleged Bloody Sunday killings.

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 19d

Key measures include the resumption of previously frozen inquests, the removal of conditional immunity for former soldiers, and the creation of independent public hearings to give victims’ families access to truth and accountability.

ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 19d

UK and Ireland announce new Northern Ireland Troubles legacy deal.

The British and Irish governments have unveiled a framework to replace the controversial 2023 Legacy Act.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

What do the new Northern Ireland Troubles legacy proposals entail?

Labour hopes to heal wounds created by the Conservatives’ Legacy Act, which cancelled inquests and prosecutions

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by ForcesWatch

Declassified UK @declassifieduk.org · 22d

👉NEW -- Britain trained Israeli soldiers fighting in Gaza

by @john-mcevoy.bsky.social

Exclusive: Declassified has obtained a list of Israelis who graduated from the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. We’re publishing it for the first time.
www.declassifieduk.org/britain-trai...

Britain trained Israeli soldiers fighting in Gaza

Exclusive: Declassified has obtained a list of Israelis who graduated from the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. We’re publishing it for the first time.

www.declassifieduk.org

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Reposted by ForcesWatch

caatuk.bsky.social @caatuk.bsky.social · 22d

Really important report by @responsiblesci.bsky.social. The evidence is clear that soaring military expenditure - and in particular NATO's massive planned increases to at least 3.5% of GDP - will have a severe climate impact, and will make efforts to avoid catastrophic climate change much harder.

Scientists for Global Responsibility @responsiblesci.bsky.social · 23d

1/🚨 New SGR report out today: Military Spending Rises and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The evidence is clear: higher military spending will have devastating consequences for the planet.

Here’s what the research reveals 🧵

www.sgr.org.uk/publications...
🧪

Military spending rises and greenhouse gas emissions: what does the research say?

With military spending climbing rapidly around the world, this report assesses and compares the results of 11 recent studies which have tried to estimate how such spending rises will impact greenhouse...

www.sgr.org.uk

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ForcesWatch @forceswatch.bsky.social · 24d

To learn more about All Party Parliamentary Groups and arms company influence, check out the link below.

ForcesWatch » A back door to Parliament for defence contractors: mapping arms company influence in APPGs

Our research on the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Forces found very little transparency and a huge amount of corporate sponsorship, and defence companies continue their involvement in APPGs in the new parliament.