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James Barr

@jamesbarr.bsky.social

5.1K followers 500 following 6.1K posts

I write history. Last book: LORDS OF THE DESERT; before that: A LINE IN THE SAND. Next book: THE ARENA. More at/contact me via https://www.historythatmatters.org Signal - jamesbarr.62 Currently reading Alanbrooke’s diaries

www.historythatmatters.org

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James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · Aug 28

Vague promises made under pressure have a tendency to backfire. I wrote about Britain’s recognition of Palestine and an earlier parallel for @engelsbergideas.bsky.social

When Britain promised Arab independence

Britain's ambiguous support for Arab national aspirations in 1915 is a warning that abstract promises, hastily made, can only generate discontent – a vital lesson for the current UK government as it p...

engelsbergideas.com

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James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 2h

I once had to read it as a bedtime story and it is really bad.

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 7h

It was! And that came about because of the direct messaging function on Twitter

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 7h

I think iirc that is how we met too.

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 8h

It would be interesting to know what you think the other highlights were: whose contributions stand out.

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 9h

I spoke to Tim Franks yesterday for Newshour on the World Service: you can find it here, 38 mins in

Newshour - Israelis mark the second anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7th attacks - BBC Sounds

They saw over 1,200 people killed and 251 others taken back to Gaza as hostages

www.bbc.co.uk

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 9h

Good piece by @anjahuja.bsky.social

Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 18h

The Royal Society should be protecting science, not Musk on.ft.com/46EWow2 | opinion

The Royal Society should be protecting science, not Musk

The esteemed club risks becoming a bystander as reason and rationality come under attack

on.ft.com

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 10h

This is a bracing read

Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 12h

One of the Conservative party's contributions to our country has been keeping people who think you can measure integration through skin colour out of office - what next, are they only going to be lukewarm on the property-owning democracy?

Thank the Tories for keeping Robert Jenrick out of high office

Shadow justice secretary’s comment about not seeing a ‘white face’ shows he does not understand integration

www.ft.com

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 13h

She says she relaxes by watching children’s cartoons, I think

Toby Earle 🇺🇦 @tobyontv.bsky.social · 13h

at the end of a long day, kemi badenoch goes home and stares at a wall for endless fun-packed hours, because she doesn't want to read books, watch tv or films, or play games created by people who studied degrees she doesn't like

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 15h

Nice small Sarab rug

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 16h

Entertaining typo (at least I think it is) in the latest @londoncentric.media newsletter
🏴‍☠️

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James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 1d

I meant 2000 GMT of course 🙄

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 1d

I’ll be on the World Service’s Newshour programme after 1900 talking about the impact of the 7 October Hamas attack.

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James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 1d

This is a terrific article

Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 1d

Party donor Nick Candy says "I cherish the values we grew up with here in the West. But today you are more likely to find the values we grew up with in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.’

Via Sam Leith in the Spectator
www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-...

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Reposted by James Barr

Paul McGhee @pmcghee.bsky.social · 1d

Rug of the Day

Huge tapestry presumed to be from the Wissa Wassef Foundation pending investigation. Anyone know anything about Nubian creation myths?

Too big for my sitting room and too heavy for my wall! Gallery owners please help!

A lage verh colourful tapestry-woven rug featuring animals in a jungle setting, flying crocodiles and people riding cows. Orange, purple, green and beige are the predominant colours.

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James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 1d

I’ll be on the World Service’s Newshour programme after 1900 talking about the impact of the 7 October Hamas attack.

Reposted by James Barr

Jo Wolff @jowolff.bsky.social · 1d

Seen in Weiner Library, London. Prototype for a children’s game in Nazi Germany 1938. Jews Out.

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Reposted by James Barr

Jason Burke @jasonburke2.bsky.social · 1d

I'll be talking about my new book and
The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s .. tonight in London
expect spies, explosions, getaway cars, war, politics, assassinations and beauty queens
book last seats here:
kilntheatre.com/whats-on/the...

The Revolutionists: The Remarkable True Story of the Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970's | Kiln Theatre

A proudly local theatre with an international vision and reputation

kilntheatre.com

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James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 1d

This is a really good scene setter. A Labour MP I spoke to the other day said it was ominous there had been no briefing over the weekend about the OBR forecast, suggesting it is probably therefore bad.

Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 1d

New post just out:

"Staying alive vs taking control"

Labour's big choice at the budget is whether they just want to try and survive it or whether they're willing to take some bigger risks that would have future payoffs.

(£/free trial)

open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/s...

Staying alive vs taking control

Labour's budget choices

open.substack.com

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James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 1d

Yes they’re really eye catching

Reposted by James Barr

Lissa Evans @lissakevans.bsky.social · 1d

It’s very difficult (as you’ll see) to get a good pic of ⁦
Fortnum & Mason's⁩ window displays. They’re always imaginative, but these creatures, made of recycled materials, are absolutely magnificent. I’m bagging the hyena for my living room.

Dung beetles made of recycled prop materials, including paint chippings, nails and sawdust.

Hyena made with old staff uniforms and sample tea towels.

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Reposted by James Barr

Samantha Ellis @samanthaellis.bsky.social · 2d

First proper post on my substack - free by the way. Thank you everyone who subscribed.

Let’s talk about Beowulf

(And also about Iraqi Jews)

open.substack.com

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Reposted by James Barr

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 2d

An office in Podgorica, Montenegro you say? 🤨

Tax authorities examine finances of key Nigel Farage ally

Exclusive: HMRC conducts scoping exercise into Reform UK backer ‘Posh George’ Cottrell’s income from business and wealth

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by James Barr

Zoë Crowther @zoecrowther.bsky.social · 2d

My colleague sent me their leaflet 😭 so good

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Reposted by James Barr

Alex von Tunzelmann @alexvont.bsky.social · 2d

I was in Montenegro this summer. It’s a beautiful country and I had a lovely time. Lots of Russians – one of the few European destinations they can still easily visit. I wonder what the local market for political advice is like?

James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 2d

An office in Podgorica, Montenegro you say? 🤨

Tax authorities examine finances of key Nigel Farage ally

Exclusive: HMRC conducts scoping exercise into Reform UK backer ‘Posh George’ Cottrell’s income from business and wealth

www.theguardian.com

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James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 2d

Know your Epoch Defining Challenge

UK government says it was not to blame for collapse of China spy trial

The British government said on Monday it was not to blame for the collapse of a trial of two men accused of spying for China, saying it was a decision made by prosecutors who relied on language used by the previous government in its China policy.

www.reuters.com

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James Barr @jamesbarr.bsky.social · 2d

This Montenegro?

Russian Malign Influence in Montenegro: The Weaponization and Exploitation of History, Religion, and Economics

Russian malign influence seeks to exploit weaknesses and societal divisions within a respective country. CSIS’s Heather A. Conley and Matthew Melino notes that in Montenegro this influence takes the f...