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Guy Burton

@guyburton.net

520 followers 3K following 330 posts

Recovering academic. Taught politics. Written some books. Occasional commentator. Now making podcasts. Looking for opportunities in Brussels. www.guyburton.net

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Guy Burton @guyburton.net · Jan 17

Pinning the list of books I've published here, which gives you some idea of what I've done, can do and am interested in.

I'm looking for policy/think tank related work in Brussels which might cover these areas (or not), so if you know of any relevant contacts or leads, then please DM me!

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 1d

A year after Assad’s fall, Syrians voted in their first indirect elections--but the “New Syria” is still unsteady. Fragile politics, foreign influence, and an economy on life support make rebuilding a harder battle than the war. Listen: www.buzzsprout.com/2354388/epis... #Syria #Podcast #Geopolitics

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 7d

Trump’s new “peace plan” for Gaza is making waves 🌊. I shared my thoughts with the South China Morning Post on what it means for Netanyahu, Arab states & the wider region. Read more here: www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...

‘Huge questions remain’: Trump’s Gaza vision stirs Arab-Islamic unease

New terms on Israeli control in Gaza risk alienating the very Arab and Muslim nations the pact depends on, analysts warn.

www.scmp.com

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 8d

Russia just launched its 3rd-largest drone strike on Ukraine — nearly 600 drones. In this week’s Ten Minutes On…, I unpack how drones are reshaping war, from Kyiv to the future battlefield. 🎧 www.buzzsprout.com/2354388/epis...

#Ukraine #Drones #Geopolitics

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 9d

Our new episode is out, where I got to have a great and important conversation with Southampton Solent Uni's Rory Magrath about LGBTQ+ issues in football.

Sadly @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social wasn't able to join, but he'll be back in 2 weeks' time for our next episode!

The FootPol Podcast @footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 9d

🌈⚽ New FootPol Podcast: Pride in the Game 🎙️

We talk to Rory Magrath about LGBTQ+ culture in football — why the men’s game lagged, how the women’s game led, and what’s changing now.

🎧 Listen here 👉 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

#Football #LGBTQ #Inclusion

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 12d

Ridiculous. If FIFA wants to devalue its brand, this is the way. There’s a fine line between “just enough” and “way too much” — and they’re sprinting in that direction. www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...

A men's World Cup with 64 teams explained – how would it work, what needs to be discussed, who wants it?

www.nytimes.com

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 13d

Powerful during their life time or after? Because that's what separates Jesus from the rest.

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 14d

Hot take designed to enrage! 😉

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 15d

Britain finally recognised Palestine this week. Back in 2011, I wrote on why London held back. Fourteen years on, the conflict has changed—but much of Britain’s logic hasn’t. Some thoughts, revisiting that old LSE blog 👉 blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...

Should the government decide to abstain from the UN vote on Palestinian statehood, it will serve to perpetuate a moribund peace process and further marginalise the UK in Middle Eastern affairs. - Brit...

As the Palestinian bid for statehood at the UN looms closer, Britain remains non-committal and hints that it will abstain from the Security Council vote. Claims that such a move will encourage both si...

blogs.lse.ac.uk

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Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 15d

🚨 New pod drop! Albania just “appointed” its first AI minister — a digital avatar in traditional dress promising to fight corruption. Innovation or political window dressing? Tune in for 10 mins on AI + government 👉 www.buzzsprout.com/2354388/epis... #Politics #DigitalGovernment

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 20d

Feels surreal to finally hold it! My chapter Rising Powers in the Middle East is out in this brilliant volume edited by Francesco Belcastro & Edward Wastnidge. Started in 2018, countless rewrites later—and it’s finally out! 🎉

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 22d

Britain’s wobbling, France is fuming, the US is borrowing like there’s no tomorrow. In this week’s Ten Minutes On… I dig into the global debt mess, why it matters, & why none of the fixes taste good. Listen here: www.buzzsprout.com/2354388/epis...

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 23d

Over 100,000 people took to London’s streets this weekend in a huge right-wing march against immigration. I joined CGTN’s World Today to dig into what’s driving it: economic pain, cultural angst, or a toxic cocktail of both? My interview is at 33:40. radio.cgtn.com/podcast/news...

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 23d

Yes, we're back for a third season! @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social and I are looking forward to bringing in plenty of guests over the coming months to talk football and politics over at @footpolpodcast.bsky.social. But for this first one, you'll have to listen to us both go over the summer's events!

The FootPol Podcast @footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 23d

We’re back! Season 3 of the FootPol Podcast kicks off: new format, new guests & Football Land’s summer politics—Gaza protests, women’s football struggles, FIFA & Saudi at the Club World Cup &CONCACAF Gold Cup. Subscribe, share & send us your best (and worst) ideas. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 26d

So the UK sacked its ambassador to the US for his close friendship with Epstein, but is giving the president of that country—who also had a close friendship with Epstein—a state visit? Make it make sense.

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 26d

Set a date in your diaries: @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social and I are coming back on Monday with Season 3 of @footpolpodcast.bsky.social!

(Although I should confess that the content won't be as insane as the poster suggests)

The FootPol Podcast @footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 26d

FootPol Podcast is back next week with Season 3! First ep drops Monday: what’s ahead, who’s joining, + a summer recap from Football Land. New AI-made poster too—spectacular, slightly unhinged, and proof you should hire people, not computers. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 28d

Delighted my new book chapter is out! 📘 I look at how rising powers - Russia, India & China - have navigated conflicts in the Middle East (Syria, Yemen, Libya). Check it out & consider recommending it to your library/institution! manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526180285/

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Guy Burton @guyburton.net · 29d

Kim Jong Un at Beijing’s WWII parade wasn’t the headline — the girl by his side was. His daughter… and possible heir? At the same time, he backs Russia in Ukraine. What does this reveal about North Korea’s future at home & abroad? 🎙️ New episode out now! www.buzzsprout.com/2354388/epis...

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · Sep 8

Still on the job hunt in Brussels, London or Geneva—politics, policy, teaching, content (yes, even football). Middle East & Latin America my bread & butter. Podcasts here:
www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/ &
www.buzzsprout.com/2354388/ Leads welcome—before someone else snaps me up.

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · Sep 2

Summer is over, the kids are in school and so my short form podcast is back!

TL;DR? The SCO summit wasn’t proof of a Russia-China-India alliance — it was a performance of power, pragmatism, and perception. www.buzzsprout.com/2354388/epis...

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · Sep 1

Sept 1 feels like the real New Year: new folders, old resolutions. Mine? Find work. Targeting Brussels (also Geneva/London). Politics, policy, higher ed, research — 15 yrs’ experience. Leads or intros welcome. DMs open.

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · Sep 1

I missed posting this last week, but no reason why notnow. @bfmradio.bsky.social asked for context on Venezuelan President Maduro's forceful statements against the US and why he was playing up his country's partnership with China. My comments start at 8 minutes in. www.bfm.my/content/podc...

Top 5 at 5: Will AI Steal Your Job?

A recent study by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia and the World Bank found that three groups of Malaysian workers: Those who are mid-skilled, those who are between 25 and...

www.bfm.my

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · Aug 26

My latest media comments on the Europeans' threat to reimpose snapback on Iran and its nuclear programme are available in this @scmpnews.bsky.social article by @tomthehack.bsky.social here. www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...

Iran nuclear deal risks collapse over European demand for talks, inspection

The so-called E3 say they would trigger a clause of the 2015 nuclear deal to reimpose sanctions against Iran if it fails to comply.

www.scmp.com

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · Jul 25

a woman in a white sweater says oh please in orange letters

ALT: a woman in a white sweater says oh please in orange letters

media.tenor.com

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · Jul 24

What Brexit hell is this?

Guy Burton @guyburton.net · Jul 15

Last week I was interviewed by @johnduerden.bsky.social for his DW article on the state of football in DR Congo with particular reference to the peace deal and what it might mean for countries in the east of the country. www.dw.com/en/prospects...

Prospects for peace and World Cup lift mood in DR Congo – DW – 07/10/2025

A new sense of hope is in the air in the DR Congo, fueled by a recent peace deal and the prospect of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.