Phil
@philbo3673.bsky.social
Defence and security musings in the main. BO3673 on X.
Reposted by Phil
This is so good.
Historians are often tempted to tell you something is "worth about X in today's dollars." Here's why I think you should not do that, and what I think you should do instead
buttondown.com/anotherway/a...
buttondown.com/anotherway/a...
Please Stop Putting Very Old Things in "Today's Dollars"
Instead, do this
buttondown.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:22 PM
This is so good.
Reposted by Phil
This is the last thing the BBC needs
June 17, 2025 at 5:44 AM
This is the last thing the BBC needs
Jesus almighty fucking Christ
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. apparently embraces the outdated "miasma theory" of disease instead of the widely accept "germ theory" of disease, which may help explain some of the actions he's been taking.
Ancient miasma theory may help explain Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine moves
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. apparently embraces the outdated "miasma theory" of disease instead of the widely accept "germ theory" of disease, which may help explain some of the actions he's been taking.
n.pr
June 15, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Jesus almighty fucking Christ
Reposted by Phil
The world's stupidest trade war, incompetently executed. Chinese "exports have risen by 6% overall, owing to increased shipments to Europe and South-East Asia. China’s currency, meanwhile, is stronger now against the dollar than it was before April 2nd." www.economist.com/finance-and-...
How America and China spooked each other
As officials meet in London, the costs of their trade war are now abundantly clear
www.economist.com
June 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
The world's stupidest trade war, incompetently executed. Chinese "exports have risen by 6% overall, owing to increased shipments to Europe and South-East Asia. China’s currency, meanwhile, is stronger now against the dollar than it was before April 2nd." www.economist.com/finance-and-...
With stock photo of the one type of strategic bomber not touched in the attack….
‘An epic failure’: Russia reels from surprise Ukrainian attack on bomber fleet
https://www.ft.com/content/132e4327-11da-4412-b36b-7363604879e6
https://www.ft.com/content/132e4327-11da-4412-b36b-7363604879e6
‘An epic failure’: Russia reels from surprise Ukrainian attack on bomber fleet
Audacious drone raid threatens Moscow’s military operations and exposes vulnerability deep within its territory
www.ft.com
June 3, 2025 at 1:11 PM
With stock photo of the one type of strategic bomber not touched in the attack….
Reposted by Phil
The Swedish Navy’s five Visby-class corvettes will be upgraded with the British-designed Sea Ceptor air defence missile system, under a new contract awarded by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to Saab.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=59888
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=59888
British missiles to equip Swedish corvettes in major upgrade
The Swedish Navy’s five Visby-class corvettes will be upgraded with the British-designed Sea Ceptor air defence missile system, under a new contract awarded by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to Saab.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
May 29, 2025 at 10:02 AM
The Swedish Navy’s five Visby-class corvettes will be upgraded with the British-designed Sea Ceptor air defence missile system, under a new contract awarded by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to Saab.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=59888
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=59888
Reposted by Phil
Remarkable fact on UK elections in the modern era from @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
May 28, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Remarkable fact on UK elections in the modern era from @georgemonbiot.bsky.social.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Well. This is shit. Anyone know a service that does similar?
May 22, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Well. This is shit. Anyone know a service that does similar?
Reposted by Phil
I see FM 1-0 is off to a smashing start
That is one of the dumbest quotes. The purpose of war is not to kill, the purpose of war is to get your adversary to do what you want, via battles and campaigns that involve killing
The US Army can’t see the war for the battles.
And we’re not warriors.
That is one of the dumbest quotes. The purpose of war is not to kill, the purpose of war is to get your adversary to do what you want, via battles and campaigns that involve killing
The US Army can’t see the war for the battles.
And we’re not warriors.
May 14, 2025 at 12:06 PM
I see FM 1-0 is off to a smashing start
That is one of the dumbest quotes. The purpose of war is not to kill, the purpose of war is to get your adversary to do what you want, via battles and campaigns that involve killing
The US Army can’t see the war for the battles.
And we’re not warriors.
That is one of the dumbest quotes. The purpose of war is not to kill, the purpose of war is to get your adversary to do what you want, via battles and campaigns that involve killing
The US Army can’t see the war for the battles.
And we’re not warriors.
Reposted by Phil
A hugely important moment in European nuclear deterrence: Macron openly talking about US-style nuclear sharing arrangements, with French bombs deployed in allied countries.
"The Americans have the bombs on planes in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Turkey," Macron said. "We are ready to open this discussion."
"I will define the framework in a very specific way in the weeks and months to come," he said.
"I will define the framework in a very specific way in the weeks and months to come," he said.
"French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that he was open to discussing the potential deployment of his country's nuclear weapons elsewhere in Europe." DW
www.dw.com/en/macron-op...
www.dw.com/en/macron-op...
May 14, 2025 at 6:24 AM
A hugely important moment in European nuclear deterrence: Macron openly talking about US-style nuclear sharing arrangements, with French bombs deployed in allied countries.
They’re hardly alone
The official Twitter account of the Government of Pakistan has posted footage from the video game ARMA 3, claiming it shows a real military response to alleged Indian aggression.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/pakistani-go...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/pakistani-go...
Pakistani Govt shares game footage as real military action
The official Twitter account of the Government of Pakistan has posted footage from the video game ARMA 3, claiming it shows a real military response to alleged Indian aggression.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
May 9, 2025 at 8:39 PM
They’re hardly alone
Reposted by Phil
US officials confirm India lost at last two planes. “A top Chinese-made Pakistani fighter plane shot down at least two Indian military aircraft on Wednesday, two U.S. officials told Reuters, marking a major milestone for Beijing's advanced fighter jet.” www.reuters.com/world/pakist...
Exclusive: Pakistan's Chinese-made jet brought down two Indian fighter aircraft, US officials say
A top Chinese-made Pakistani fighter shot down at least two Indian military aircraft on Wednesday, two U.S. officials told Reuters, marking a major milestone for Beijing's advanced fighter jet.
www.reuters.com
May 8, 2025 at 8:12 PM
US officials confirm India lost at last two planes. “A top Chinese-made Pakistani fighter plane shot down at least two Indian military aircraft on Wednesday, two U.S. officials told Reuters, marking a major milestone for Beijing's advanced fighter jet.” www.reuters.com/world/pakist...
Henry VIII be like…
May 9, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Henry VIII be like…
Reposted by Phil
NDTV, an Indian news channel, is reporting that India used SCALP cruise missiles (essentially identical to the UK Storm Shadow) & Hammer smart bombs (a JDAM-type weapon) fired from French-made Rafale jets. That would fit with the depth of the targets over the border/line of control.
May 6, 2025 at 10:59 PM
NDTV, an Indian news channel, is reporting that India used SCALP cruise missiles (essentially identical to the UK Storm Shadow) & Hammer smart bombs (a JDAM-type weapon) fired from French-made Rafale jets. That would fit with the depth of the targets over the border/line of control.
F18s just don’t want to live anymore
May 7, 2025 at 10:28 AM
F18s just don’t want to live anymore
Reposted by Phil
I think I was wrong about this last night. I did not give adequate consideration to the possibility that Pakistani air to air or surface to air missiles could reach over the border. Current evidence suggests that at least one Indian plane was downed: indianexpress.com/article/citi...
May 7, 2025 at 8:10 AM
I think I was wrong about this last night. I did not give adequate consideration to the possibility that Pakistani air to air or surface to air missiles could reach over the border. Current evidence suggests that at least one Indian plane was downed: indianexpress.com/article/citi...
Reposted by Phil
Every now again it’s useful to repeat advice about accessing papers that are behind a paywall that excludes you. Email the author. My estimate is that 90% of academics are so thrilled that a living, breathing, possibly even reading, person shows interest that they will swiftly send you a copy.
May 3, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Every now again it’s useful to repeat advice about accessing papers that are behind a paywall that excludes you. Email the author. My estimate is that 90% of academics are so thrilled that a living, breathing, possibly even reading, person shows interest that they will swiftly send you a copy.
Reposted by Phil
#VEDay in Britain saw a momentary outbreak of celebration, but the overall mood according to Mass-Observation that spring/summer was one of “war weariness, disappointment, and bewilderment” at the state of the world and the country. Extracts from M-O’s File Report 2268, compiled in late 1945.
May 3, 2025 at 9:13 PM
#VEDay in Britain saw a momentary outbreak of celebration, but the overall mood according to Mass-Observation that spring/summer was one of “war weariness, disappointment, and bewilderment” at the state of the world and the country. Extracts from M-O’s File Report 2268, compiled in late 1945.
Reposted by Phil
Reposted by Phil
The UK has got to be the only country in the world that is politically held hostage by like 15 newspaper columnists that basically nobody reads
April 24, 2025 at 8:53 AM
The UK has got to be the only country in the world that is politically held hostage by like 15 newspaper columnists that basically nobody reads
Reposted by Phil
The Government are abolishing the legal requirment to consult the public before submitting a planning application for major infrastructure.
Here's why they are right to do so.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/britain-is...
Here's why they are right to do so.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/britain-is...
Britain is a consultation nation
The Government is right to rein in consultation
www.samdumitriu.com
April 23, 2025 at 1:46 PM
The Government are abolishing the legal requirment to consult the public before submitting a planning application for major infrastructure.
Here's why they are right to do so.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/britain-is...
Here's why they are right to do so.
www.samdumitriu.com/p/britain-is...
Reposted by Phil
The government borrowed £151 billion last financial year. Which was £14.6 billion more than the OBR estimate *last month*.
And yet their forecasts for five years time are being used as the entire basis for public policy decision making.
And yet their forecasts for five years time are being used as the entire basis for public policy decision making.
April 23, 2025 at 9:01 AM
The government borrowed £151 billion last financial year. Which was £14.6 billion more than the OBR estimate *last month*.
And yet their forecasts for five years time are being used as the entire basis for public policy decision making.
And yet their forecasts for five years time are being used as the entire basis for public policy decision making.
Reposted by Phil
Hegseth should never have got within a million miles of running the Pentagon. He was inexperienced, unqualified & an extremist. His implosion is unsurprising. I have no expectation that his successor will be any better.
April 21, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Hegseth should never have got within a million miles of running the Pentagon. He was inexperienced, unqualified & an extremist. His implosion is unsurprising. I have no expectation that his successor will be any better.