Andrew W Neal
@andrewwneal.bsky.social
Professor of International Security at the University of Edinburgh
Creator of the National Security and Defence Documents Dataset
Also: critical security studies, emergency powers, parliaments, UK, Scotland, Australia, undersea infrastructure
Creator of the National Security and Defence Documents Dataset
Also: critical security studies, emergency powers, parliaments, UK, Scotland, Australia, undersea infrastructure
Pinned
🌐 MAJOR UPDATE: National Security and Defence Documents Dataset (1987-2024) v2.0
I'm excited to announce the release of version 2.0 of our comprehensive dataset on global security and defence policies! 📊
I'm excited to announce the release of version 2.0 of our comprehensive dataset on global security and defence policies! 📊
Scholars in Scotland, do sign up for this hands-on session with the National Security and Defence Documents Dataset.
This is a hands-on introduction for Researchers and Practitioners
#nationalsecurity #defence #internationalsecurity
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-nation...
#nationalsecurity #defence #internationalsecurity
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-nation...
The National Security and Defence Documents Dataset
A Hands-On Introduction for Researchers and Practitioners
www.eventbrite.co.uk
April 2, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Scholars in Scotland, do sign up for this hands-on session with the National Security and Defence Documents Dataset.
Reposted by Andrew W Neal
We kicked off this semester's programme with a fascinating discussion of @laurenrogers.bsky.social paper on ontological security and discourses of state 'loneliness'
January 19, 2026 at 6:12 PM
We kicked off this semester's programme with a fascinating discussion of @laurenrogers.bsky.social paper on ontological security and discourses of state 'loneliness'
About time too! Ireland represents a serious gap in European defences. As a tech hub and key node in the transatlantic data cable network, its critical maritime infrastructure protection capabilities have been severely lacking.
share.google/TEKggRQNEHwC...
share.google/TEKggRQNEHwC...
Ireland to deploy large numbers of undersea trackers to detect Russian submarines
Project is part of effort to increase State’s ‘maritime domain awareness’ over concerns of vulnerability of subsea infrastructure
share.google
January 2, 2026 at 12:07 PM
About time too! Ireland represents a serious gap in European defences. As a tech hub and key node in the transatlantic data cable network, its critical maritime infrastructure protection capabilities have been severely lacking.
share.google/TEKggRQNEHwC...
share.google/TEKggRQNEHwC...
1/9
New article out in International Affairs! 'After Nord Stream: four security dilemmas in critical maritime infrastructure protection' – open access.
How do efforts to protect pipelines, cables & wind farms paradoxically create new vulnerabilities?
🔗 academic.oup.com/ia/advance-a...
New article out in International Affairs! 'After Nord Stream: four security dilemmas in critical maritime infrastructure protection' – open access.
How do efforts to protect pipelines, cables & wind farms paradoxically create new vulnerabilities?
🔗 academic.oup.com/ia/advance-a...
After Nord Stream: four security dilemmas in critical maritime infrastructure protection
Measures intended to protect critical marine infrastructure against persistent hybrid threats can generate unintended vulnerabilities and dilemmas. This ar
academic.oup.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:39 AM
1/9
New article out in International Affairs! 'After Nord Stream: four security dilemmas in critical maritime infrastructure protection' – open access.
How do efforts to protect pipelines, cables & wind farms paradoxically create new vulnerabilities?
🔗 academic.oup.com/ia/advance-a...
New article out in International Affairs! 'After Nord Stream: four security dilemmas in critical maritime infrastructure protection' – open access.
How do efforts to protect pipelines, cables & wind farms paradoxically create new vulnerabilities?
🔗 academic.oup.com/ia/advance-a...
Apart from the silly rightwing quips by the author, this is a fascinating strategic analysis.
'Putin is losing the war, so prepare for escalation' share.google/0UCU79em6QFx...
'Putin is losing the war, so prepare for escalation' share.google/0UCU79em6QFx...
Access Restricted
share.google
October 11, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Apart from the silly rightwing quips by the author, this is a fascinating strategic analysis.
'Putin is losing the war, so prepare for escalation' share.google/0UCU79em6QFx...
'Putin is losing the war, so prepare for escalation' share.google/0UCU79em6QFx...
Hear me now! Well, soon...
'Why do countries publish national security strategies? New insights from AI and global data' a new International Studies and Emerging Technologies working group event 💻
w/ Andrew W Neal on 22 October 🎉
find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/SvGk50X7FJw
w/ Andrew W Neal on 22 October 🎉
find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/SvGk50X7FJw
Why do countries publish national security strategies? New insights from AI and global data- International Studies and Emerging Technologies Working Group (ISET) | BISA
- International Studies and Emerging Technologies Working Group (ISET) Working Group
ow.ly
October 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Hear me now! Well, soon...
Going to Salzburg to talk about Large Language Model research in IR was fun!
Last Friday (Sept. 19), @andduer.bsky.social, @mcortinaescudero.bsky.social, @yavuzmehmet.bsky.social and I had the great pleasure of hosting an excellent workshop at @unisalzburg.bsky.social on how to use Large Language Models #LLMs to boost International Relations research. A short 🧵1/4
September 26, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Going to Salzburg to talk about Large Language Model research in IR was fun!
In response to the new UK National Security Strategy and SDR, here's my analysis of changing threat topics in UK national security and defence documents since 1998.
@uoe-sps.bsky.social @scga.bsky.social @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social @chathamhouse.org @rusi.bsky.social @edinburghpir.bsky.social
@uoe-sps.bsky.social @scga.bsky.social @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social @chathamhouse.org @rusi.bsky.social @edinburghpir.bsky.social
June 26, 2025 at 9:25 AM
In response to the new UK National Security Strategy and SDR, here's my analysis of changing threat topics in UK national security and defence documents since 1998.
@uoe-sps.bsky.social @scga.bsky.social @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social @chathamhouse.org @rusi.bsky.social @edinburghpir.bsky.social
@uoe-sps.bsky.social @scga.bsky.social @rethinkingsecurity.bsky.social @chathamhouse.org @rusi.bsky.social @edinburghpir.bsky.social
My chapter "NATO accession, democratization, and security sector reform" is out! I examine SSR & democratisation in CEE, highlighting how historical positionality shapes understanding.
Explore the book (ed. @tbonacker.bsky.social): edin.ac/3FOOB4c
#SecurityStudies #Democratisation #PoliticalScience
Explore the book (ed. @tbonacker.bsky.social): edin.ac/3FOOB4c
#SecurityStudies #Democratisation #PoliticalScience
Securitization, Politicization and Social Differentiation in History
www.nomos-shop.de
June 12, 2025 at 3:02 PM
My chapter "NATO accession, democratization, and security sector reform" is out! I examine SSR & democratisation in CEE, highlighting how historical positionality shapes understanding.
Explore the book (ed. @tbonacker.bsky.social): edin.ac/3FOOB4c
#SecurityStudies #Democratisation #PoliticalScience
Explore the book (ed. @tbonacker.bsky.social): edin.ac/3FOOB4c
#SecurityStudies #Democratisation #PoliticalScience
Happy to win this little internal prize for my National Security and Defence Documents Dataset (1987-2024) 😊
datashare.ed.ac.uk/handle/10283...
datashare.ed.ac.uk/handle/10283...
May 23, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Happy to win this little internal prize for my National Security and Defence Documents Dataset (1987-2024) 😊
datashare.ed.ac.uk/handle/10283...
datashare.ed.ac.uk/handle/10283...
'You could go off to the Shetlands with a shovel and cut off the internet to the Faroe Islands fairly easily if you wanted to'
I somehow managed to say this BBC Radio Scotland. I hope nobody gets any ideas 😂
They don't call me Professor of International Security for nothing you know.
I somehow managed to say this BBC Radio Scotland. I hope nobody gets any ideas 😂
They don't call me Professor of International Security for nothing you know.
May 16, 2025 at 4:51 PM
'You could go off to the Shetlands with a shovel and cut off the internet to the Faroe Islands fairly easily if you wanted to'
I somehow managed to say this BBC Radio Scotland. I hope nobody gets any ideas 😂
They don't call me Professor of International Security for nothing you know.
I somehow managed to say this BBC Radio Scotland. I hope nobody gets any ideas 😂
They don't call me Professor of International Security for nothing you know.
A fascinating few days at the London Defence Conference. Quite an eye opening range of views from a mixed defence industry/policy/academic crowd, very hawkish at times (perhaps unsurprisingly). I had to remind myself that it's just one sector among many.
May 11, 2025 at 3:23 PM
A fascinating few days at the London Defence Conference. Quite an eye opening range of views from a mixed defence industry/policy/academic crowd, very hawkish at times (perhaps unsurprisingly). I had to remind myself that it's just one sector among many.
OMG. The revolution may not be televised, but the war will be memed on TikTok.
China continues trolling the US with new videos. Here’s one - “US sweatshop factory”
April 8, 2025 at 6:44 AM
OMG. The revolution may not be televised, but the war will be memed on TikTok.
Reposted by Andrew W Neal
An updated dataset aims to make available for analysis every national security & defence policy document ever published anywhere globally. @andrewwneal.bsky.social explains how the collection reveals trends in public security discourse & threat perceptions.
rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/2024/11/14/n...
rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/2024/11/14/n...
Introducing the National Security and Defence Documents Dataset 1987-2024
A new dataset aims to compile and make available for analysis every national security and defence policy document ever published anywhere in the world. The dataset’s creator, Andrew W. Neal, explai…
rethinkingsecurity.org.uk
April 7, 2025 at 4:26 PM
An updated dataset aims to make available for analysis every national security & defence policy document ever published anywhere globally. @andrewwneal.bsky.social explains how the collection reveals trends in public security discourse & threat perceptions.
rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/2024/11/14/n...
rethinkingsecurity.org.uk/2024/11/14/n...
Truly terrifying: arbitrary, vindictive, discrimatory, cruel, callous, and hypocritical. Not to a mention a compete disregard for the law or courts.
www.cnn.com/2025/03/29/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/03/29/u...
A PhD student was snatched by masked officers in broad daylight. Then she was flown 1,500 miles away | CNN
Tufts University PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk was walking alone Tuesday night to meet friends at a dinner where they would break their 13-hour fast when six plainclothes officers suddenly encircled her ...
www.cnn.com
April 4, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Truly terrifying: arbitrary, vindictive, discrimatory, cruel, callous, and hypocritical. Not to a mention a compete disregard for the law or courts.
www.cnn.com/2025/03/29/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/03/29/u...
Reposted by Andrew W Neal
I have tariffed
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
April 3, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I have tariffed
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
@dandrezner.bsky.social not mincing his words
April 3, 2025 at 11:45 AM
@dandrezner.bsky.social not mincing his words
🌐 MAJOR UPDATE: National Security and Defence Documents Dataset (1987-2024) v2.0
I'm excited to announce the release of version 2.0 of our comprehensive dataset on global security and defence policies! 📊
I'm excited to announce the release of version 2.0 of our comprehensive dataset on global security and defence policies! 📊
April 1, 2025 at 11:11 AM
🌐 MAJOR UPDATE: National Security and Defence Documents Dataset (1987-2024) v2.0
I'm excited to announce the release of version 2.0 of our comprehensive dataset on global security and defence policies! 📊
I'm excited to announce the release of version 2.0 of our comprehensive dataset on global security and defence policies! 📊
Hahaha, the HMS Prince Andrew, good one 😂
#aprilfool
#aprilfool
The updated cost of the full programme, including the HMS Princess Diana, is expected to reach a modest £987.6 billion, assuming no further adjustments, delays, or "unexpected procurement events".
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=58115
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/?p=58115
UK to order third aircraft carrier due to Russia threat
The updated cost of the full programme, including the HMS Princess Diana, is expected to reach a modest £987.6 billion, assuming no further adjustments, delays, or "unexpected procurement events".
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
April 1, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Hahaha, the HMS Prince Andrew, good one 😂
#aprilfool
#aprilfool
Reposted by Andrew W Neal
Teen Warned Not To Accept Group Chat Invites From National Security Advisors She Doesn’t Know
March 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Teen Warned Not To Accept Group Chat Invites From National Security Advisors She Doesn’t Know
Agree! Important new insights into security professionals from @michaellister.bsky.social
Excellent new article by @michaellister.bsky.social in @politicsjournal.bsky.social on the importance of public opinion to security professionals. Check it out here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
March 25, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Agree! Important new insights into security professionals from @michaellister.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew W Neal
Prompted by my interest in artwork on intelligence I submitted an FOI request for a list of paintings hanging in the HQs of UK intelligence agencies. More details to follow but just to note the painting “The Dead Mole” hanging in the HQ of MI5 is a little on the nose #ArtofSpying
March 21, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Prompted by my interest in artwork on intelligence I submitted an FOI request for a list of paintings hanging in the HQs of UK intelligence agencies. More details to follow but just to note the painting “The Dead Mole” hanging in the HQ of MI5 is a little on the nose #ArtofSpying
I'm looking forward to this attending this event with the former Estonian President. About as topical as it gets.
scga.scot/2025/03/20/e...
scga.scot/2025/03/20/e...
Europe's New Cold War
At a pivotal moment in international relations, the SCGA is delighted to welcome HE Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former President of Estonia, to speak in Scotland on "Europe's New Cold War".
scga.scot
March 21, 2025 at 10:55 AM
I'm looking forward to this attending this event with the former Estonian President. About as topical as it gets.
scga.scot/2025/03/20/e...
scga.scot/2025/03/20/e...
Reposted by Andrew W Neal
This is bad bad bad bad bad bad very bad no good. www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
Exclusive | Columbia Is Nearing Agreement to Give Trump What He Wants
The school faces a deadline to yield to administration demands, with $400 million in federal funding at stake.
www.wsj.com
March 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM
This is bad bad bad bad bad bad very bad no good. www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
Critical IR methodology before: everyone notice this one important and troubling thing you haven't properly noticed before. Critical IR methodology now: everything is f***ed.
February 25, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Critical IR methodology before: everyone notice this one important and troubling thing you haven't properly noticed before. Critical IR methodology now: everything is f***ed.