Joe
@wordandtext.bsky.social
Work in comms, immersed in boardgames about history, politics and conflict. Proud to live in Wales, land of my children, if not my fathers.
Reposted by Joe
All those hours-long meetings with Putin recently that were supposedly about Ukraine but got nowhere? Those were actually about preparing for our invasion and occupation of Venezuela.
The US is Putin's biggest client state, bought and now paid for.
The US is Putin's biggest client state, bought and now paid for.
During Fiona Hill's testimony to Congress on Oct 14, 2019, she described how Trump and Putin discussed exchanging Ukraine for Venezuela. The quid pro quo was if Trump refuses to help Ukraine fight off a Russian invasion, Putin would not help Venezuela (a Russian ally) resist a US takeover.
January 4, 2026 at 3:48 PM
All those hours-long meetings with Putin recently that were supposedly about Ukraine but got nowhere? Those were actually about preparing for our invasion and occupation of Venezuela.
The US is Putin's biggest client state, bought and now paid for.
The US is Putin's biggest client state, bought and now paid for.
M. showed me his new games: World in Flames, which we'll probably take 10 years to learn, and Assault: Gela Beachhead, which needed about 10 minutes before we dove into the first training scenario. Love this pastime's range.
December 26, 2025 at 10:42 PM
M. showed me his new games: World in Flames, which we'll probably take 10 years to learn, and Assault: Gela Beachhead, which needed about 10 minutes before we dove into the first training scenario. Love this pastime's range.
Good discussion from @phillipspobrien.bsky.social and @timothysnyder.bsky.social on how war is, in some ways, fought in the imagination and not on the battlefield. Leads to the interesting debunking of the concept of 'great powers'. (#Constructivism > #realism.)
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
How wars are won
Part one of a conversation with Prof Phillips O'Brien
open.substack.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Good discussion from @phillipspobrien.bsky.social and @timothysnyder.bsky.social on how war is, in some ways, fought in the imagination and not on the battlefield. Leads to the interesting debunking of the concept of 'great powers'. (#Constructivism > #realism.)
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...
Reposted by Joe
Putin thinks democracy is the west’s weakness. We have to prove him wrong | Rafael Behr
Putin thinks democracy is the west’s weakness. We have to prove him wrong | Rafael Behr
The Russian strategy of exporting chaos to provoke extremism only works if liberals succumb to cynicism and despair, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Putin thinks democracy is the west’s weakness. We have to prove him wrong | Rafael Behr
Reposted by Joe
Instead of too many people coming into the UK we will soon have too few. In his latest post Sam highlights how sharp the fall in numbers will be and how this will effect economic growth and key sectors such as social care. samf.substack.com/p/the-oversh...
The Overshoot
What happens to politics, and the country, as net migration collapses?
samf.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Instead of too many people coming into the UK we will soon have too few. In his latest post Sam highlights how sharp the fall in numbers will be and how this will effect economic growth and key sectors such as social care. samf.substack.com/p/the-oversh...
Reposted by Joe
We should get serious about sanctions. Russian missiles that kill Ukrainian civilians contain parts made in the West. And this repeated mass murder of civilians by Moscow should bring total boycotts on Russian gas and oil. And the Ukrainians should get everything they need to defend themselves
16 people were killed and 49 injured after russia’s strike on Ternopil. Missiles and drones hit 2 residential buildings and damaged an industrial facility. Rescue workers are still clearing the rubble. u24.gov.ua/nafo-dark-ni...
November 20, 2025 at 2:30 AM
We should get serious about sanctions. Russian missiles that kill Ukrainian civilians contain parts made in the West. And this repeated mass murder of civilians by Moscow should bring total boycotts on Russian gas and oil. And the Ukrainians should get everything they need to defend themselves
We needed some distraction therapy this evening to soothe an anxious mind, so I hauled my wife and daughter through Pax Penning. The beautiful aesthetics were a hit while the game's opaque win conditions had the desired numbing effect. A victory secured without any one knowing quite how.
November 15, 2025 at 10:08 PM
We needed some distraction therapy this evening to soothe an anxious mind, so I hauled my wife and daughter through Pax Penning. The beautiful aesthetics were a hit while the game's opaque win conditions had the desired numbing effect. A victory secured without any one knowing quite how.
Important investigative reporting on what I think is the real story in the current BBC furore.
The BBC is magnificent. Yes, it errs, and should react much better when it does. However, we must do all we can to protect it from the snakes who would destroy it.
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
The BBC is magnificent. Yes, it errs, and should react much better when it does. However, we must do all we can to protect it from the snakes who would destroy it.
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
'BBC Bias' Memo Was Authored by Lobbyist Tied to Pro-Trump Tech Giants
The leaked memo that fuelled Trump’s attack on the BBC was written by a lobbyist at a firm paid by US tech giants tied to the President
bylinetimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Important investigative reporting on what I think is the real story in the current BBC furore.
The BBC is magnificent. Yes, it errs, and should react much better when it does. However, we must do all we can to protect it from the snakes who would destroy it.
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
The BBC is magnificent. Yes, it errs, and should react much better when it does. However, we must do all we can to protect it from the snakes who would destroy it.
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...
Love Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars so much that getting hold of the expansion kit was a no-brainer.
November 3, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Love Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars so much that getting hold of the expansion kit was a no-brainer.
Tried The Old King's Crown last night. A slow first turn, then rattled by. Teasing card play decisions, moments of tension, pleasing 'gotcha' opportunities. Keen to play again but unsure what it's trying to model. For all the thematic veneer, it feels unrooted in a geographical or political milieu.
October 29, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Tried The Old King's Crown last night. A slow first turn, then rattled by. Teasing card play decisions, moments of tension, pleasing 'gotcha' opportunities. Keen to play again but unsure what it's trying to model. For all the thematic veneer, it feels unrooted in a geographical or political milieu.
Reposted by Joe
Rally the Troops has added yet another World War I game to the line up: Verdun 1916: Steel Inferno. This is a CDG about the trench warfare around Verdun during World War I, designed by Walter Vejdo, with illustrations by Tardi.
rally-the-troops.com/verdun
rally-the-troops.com/verdun
October 25, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Rally the Troops has added yet another World War I game to the line up: Verdun 1916: Steel Inferno. This is a CDG about the trench warfare around Verdun during World War I, designed by Walter Vejdo, with illustrations by Tardi.
rally-the-troops.com/verdun
rally-the-troops.com/verdun
Ignore the homespun components (actually don't: this is climate crisis sensitive publishing), because Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars is fabulous. I love how the clean base system absorbs small thematic wrinkles, such as damp gunpowder in this Hagelberg scenario, which we played last night.
October 25, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Ignore the homespun components (actually don't: this is climate crisis sensitive publishing), because Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars is fabulous. I love how the clean base system absorbs small thematic wrinkles, such as damp gunpowder in this Hagelberg scenario, which we played last night.
Reposted by Joe
Starting in 2022, Russia “launched a systematic effort to examine its combat experience” and learn from its failures, writes Dara Massicot. Now, Washington and European capitals “need to study Russia’s studying” or risk falling behind.
How Russia Recovered
What the Kremlin is learning from the war in Ukraine.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Starting in 2022, Russia “launched a systematic effort to examine its combat experience” and learn from its failures, writes Dara Massicot. Now, Washington and European capitals “need to study Russia’s studying” or risk falling behind.
Reposted by Joe
Reposted by Joe
I've met @icurtiss.bsky.social at Connections UK last year, where we talked about wargaming as a modelling method, risk gaming and his scenarios for Lux Capital. A couple of weeks ago, we sat down online to talk about these topics, students' games, and other war/riskgaming matters. Enjoy!
The global future of wargaming in Lithuania
open.spotify.com
September 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM
I've met @icurtiss.bsky.social at Connections UK last year, where we talked about wargaming as a modelling method, risk gaming and his scenarios for Lux Capital. A couple of weeks ago, we sat down online to talk about these topics, students' games, and other war/riskgaming matters. Enjoy!
Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars is a winner. My gaming partner isn't drawn to Napoleonic and/or hexes, but loved this. Yes, it's light, but don't let that or the homespun production fool you. Timing, combined arms use and risk taking when needed make this a smart challenge. @mropla.bsky.social
September 12, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars is a winner. My gaming partner isn't drawn to Napoleonic and/or hexes, but loved this. Yes, it's light, but don't let that or the homespun production fool you. Timing, combined arms use and risk taking when needed make this a smart challenge. @mropla.bsky.social
Yes, absolutely well deserved. Finally, a 'war' game my wife is asking to play. We're on holiday and have worked through the first two scenarios. The denouement takes place tonight...
August 22, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Yes, absolutely well deserved. Finally, a 'war' game my wife is asking to play. We're on holiday and have worked through the first two scenarios. The denouement takes place tonight...
Highly recommended based on my bit of play-testing. I love the movement system, the perils of leaving too large an electronic footprint, and innovative order mechanism.
Also, great to have the game printed in the Czech Republic, not China, as a protest at China's support of Russian aggression.
Also, great to have the game printed in the Czech Republic, not China, as a protest at China's support of Russian aggression.
Pre-orders now open for Battlegroup Clash: Baltics www.sapperstudio.com/battlegr
This tactical land combat game covers a Russian invasion of Estonia in the present day. It is unique: a game for professionals, but also designed to be accessible to, and played by, hobby gamers.
Order now for 30% off!
This tactical land combat game covers a Russian invasion of Estonia in the present day. It is unique: a game for professionals, but also designed to be accessible to, and played by, hobby gamers.
Order now for 30% off!
August 1, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Highly recommended based on my bit of play-testing. I love the movement system, the perils of leaving too large an electronic footprint, and innovative order mechanism.
Also, great to have the game printed in the Czech Republic, not China, as a protest at China's support of Russian aggression.
Also, great to have the game printed in the Czech Republic, not China, as a protest at China's support of Russian aggression.
Reposted by Joe
Gofynnwyd i rai o'n Cymrodyr i siarad am eu teithiau unigol a'u cymhellion, a sut mae'r Gymdeithas yn gweithio i adlewyrchu amrywiaeth Cymru.
We asked some of our Fellows to talk about their individual journeys and motivations and how the Society reflects Welsh diversity.
youtu.be/zCYnVVWSOkM?...
We asked some of our Fellows to talk about their individual journeys and motivations and how the Society reflects Welsh diversity.
youtu.be/zCYnVVWSOkM?...
A Society for you: journeys to Fellowship
YouTube video by Learned Society of Wales ¦ Cymdeithas Ddysgedig Cymru
youtu.be
July 30, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Gofynnwyd i rai o'n Cymrodyr i siarad am eu teithiau unigol a'u cymhellion, a sut mae'r Gymdeithas yn gweithio i adlewyrchu amrywiaeth Cymru.
We asked some of our Fellows to talk about their individual journeys and motivations and how the Society reflects Welsh diversity.
youtu.be/zCYnVVWSOkM?...
We asked some of our Fellows to talk about their individual journeys and motivations and how the Society reflects Welsh diversity.
youtu.be/zCYnVVWSOkM?...
No finer sporting venue.
July 11, 2025 at 9:35 AM
No finer sporting venue.
Reposted by Joe
Mae ein trydydd Colocwiwm ar gyfer Ymchwilwyr Gyrfa Gynnar ar waith ym Met Caerdydd. | Our third Colloquium for Early Career Researchers is under way at Cardiff Met.
lnkd.in/eUq9_gUw
www.learnedsociety.wales/early-career...
lnkd.in/eUq9_gUw
www.learnedsociety.wales/early-career...
July 3, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Mae ein trydydd Colocwiwm ar gyfer Ymchwilwyr Gyrfa Gynnar ar waith ym Met Caerdydd. | Our third Colloquium for Early Career Researchers is under way at Cardiff Met.
lnkd.in/eUq9_gUw
www.learnedsociety.wales/early-career...
lnkd.in/eUq9_gUw
www.learnedsociety.wales/early-career...
Reposted by Joe
Ukraine is not being prepared as it should in air defense, and instead of sucking up to Trump, the Europeans should be far more proactive. They even have cards to play, if they had self respect. How about saying Europe will only buy US weapons if the US sells Ukraine Patriots?
June 29, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Ukraine is not being prepared as it should in air defense, and instead of sucking up to Trump, the Europeans should be far more proactive. They even have cards to play, if they had self respect. How about saying Europe will only buy US weapons if the US sells Ukraine Patriots?