Sophy Antrobus
@sophyantrobus.bsky.social
Ex-X. Former Labour PPC, academic of air power and military culture. Glad to be exploring a new platform for debate.
@bbcnewsnight.bsky.social why is Peter Hain strap lined as Lord Hain and Luciana Berger strap lined as a former MP when she is also in the Lords. I hope just an oversight Both great politicians! @vicderbyshire.bsky.social
June 22, 2026 at 9:56 PM
@bbcnewsnight.bsky.social why is Peter Hain strap lined as Lord Hain and Luciana Berger strap lined as a former MP when she is also in the Lords. I hope just an oversight Both great politicians! @vicderbyshire.bsky.social
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
Off subject:
Reference the Mystery Hour podcast Thursday May the 28th and the enquiry about the sequence of words Jerry and Tom and Hardy and Laurel ... this clipping from six years ago "one of the unwritten rules of English native speakers". Wish I had listened live. I would have 'phoned in.
Reference the Mystery Hour podcast Thursday May the 28th and the enquiry about the sequence of words Jerry and Tom and Hardy and Laurel ... this clipping from six years ago "one of the unwritten rules of English native speakers". Wish I had listened live. I would have 'phoned in.
May 29, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Off subject:
Reference the Mystery Hour podcast Thursday May the 28th and the enquiry about the sequence of words Jerry and Tom and Hardy and Laurel ... this clipping from six years ago "one of the unwritten rules of English native speakers". Wish I had listened live. I would have 'phoned in.
Reference the Mystery Hour podcast Thursday May the 28th and the enquiry about the sequence of words Jerry and Tom and Hardy and Laurel ... this clipping from six years ago "one of the unwritten rules of English native speakers". Wish I had listened live. I would have 'phoned in.
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
New report on Fast Jet Training Modernisation options and important factors to consider
Based on almost two years of research work, including visits to many OCUs, training squadrons and flights in most of the main new trainer options.
Download full report free here:
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Based on almost two years of research work, including visits to many OCUs, training squadrons and flights in most of the main new trainer options.
Download full report free here:
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Fast-Jet Pilot Training Modernisation Choices
Air forces modernising fast-jet training should prioritise core airmanship skills with regular live flying over increasing tactical complexity at early stages.
www.rusi.org
May 28, 2026 at 12:34 PM
New report on Fast Jet Training Modernisation options and important factors to consider
Based on almost two years of research work, including visits to many OCUs, training squadrons and flights in most of the main new trainer options.
Download full report free here:
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Based on almost two years of research work, including visits to many OCUs, training squadrons and flights in most of the main new trainer options.
Download full report free here:
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
🚨 Call for Papers 🚨
📢 You have until 4 June to submit your abstracts for Future Battlefield Innovation 🛰️🤖 an October conference exploring AI, drones, cyber warfare, logistics and the future battlefield.
For more info visit : www.rafmuseum.org.uk/news/cfp-bcm...
#MilitaryHistory #FutureWarfare
📢 You have until 4 June to submit your abstracts for Future Battlefield Innovation 🛰️🤖 an October conference exploring AI, drones, cyber warfare, logistics and the future battlefield.
For more info visit : www.rafmuseum.org.uk/news/cfp-bcm...
#MilitaryHistory #FutureWarfare
May 28, 2026 at 12:57 PM
🚨 Call for Papers 🚨
📢 You have until 4 June to submit your abstracts for Future Battlefield Innovation 🛰️🤖 an October conference exploring AI, drones, cyber warfare, logistics and the future battlefield.
For more info visit : www.rafmuseum.org.uk/news/cfp-bcm...
#MilitaryHistory #FutureWarfare
📢 You have until 4 June to submit your abstracts for Future Battlefield Innovation 🛰️🤖 an October conference exploring AI, drones, cyber warfare, logistics and the future battlefield.
For more info visit : www.rafmuseum.org.uk/news/cfp-bcm...
#MilitaryHistory #FutureWarfare
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
I wrote our cover story this week, a valedictory essay on the changes in war & warfare over my eight years as defence editor. It’s a reflection on the growth & limits of battlefield transparency, the lessons from different wars & the utility of force today www.economist.com/interactive/...
May 28, 2026 at 1:18 PM
I wrote our cover story this week, a valedictory essay on the changes in war & warfare over my eight years as defence editor. It’s a reflection on the growth & limits of battlefield transparency, the lessons from different wars & the utility of force today www.economist.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
You definitely need to read Robin Robertson's "Mortification: Writers’ Stories of their Public Shame" with such luminaries as Margaret Atwood, Irvine Welsh, and Julian Barnes.
My favourite is poet Simon Armitage's:
My favourite is poet Simon Armitage's:
May 23, 2026 at 10:26 AM
You definitely need to read Robin Robertson's "Mortification: Writers’ Stories of their Public Shame" with such luminaries as Margaret Atwood, Irvine Welsh, and Julian Barnes.
My favourite is poet Simon Armitage's:
My favourite is poet Simon Armitage's:
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
Ukrainian destruction of russian air defense systems over the past several months, showing a clear increase in the pace of russian AD degradation. Context thread in next post ⏬️
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrain...
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrain...
April 23, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Ukrainian destruction of russian air defense systems over the past several months, showing a clear increase in the pace of russian AD degradation. Context thread in next post ⏬️
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrain...
www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrain...
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
Earlier this week, FASI were delighted to host a Roundtable discussion with India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social.
The discussion was centred around India’s defence transformation and its strategic engagement with global partners.
The discussion was centred around India’s defence transformation and its strategic engagement with global partners.
April 23, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Earlier this week, FASI were delighted to host a Roundtable discussion with India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social.
The discussion was centred around India’s defence transformation and its strategic engagement with global partners.
The discussion was centred around India’s defence transformation and its strategic engagement with global partners.
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
As Shaun Pinner says, it’s not about “haggling” over a “few km” of land. It’s about what happens to those people forced to live under Russian occupation
April 11, 2026 at 7:01 AM
As Shaun Pinner says, it’s not about “haggling” over a “few km” of land. It’s about what happens to those people forced to live under Russian occupation
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
@sophyantrobus.bsky.social was joined by Lord Toby Harris, Professor Emma Williams, AVM (Ret’d) Fin Monahan OBE & Group Captain Ryan Mannering - who each shared their thoughts on the preparedness of society for conflict
Thanks to all the speakers, students & guests for an inspiring evening!
Thanks to all the speakers, students & guests for an inspiring evening!
April 10, 2026 at 10:53 AM
@sophyantrobus.bsky.social was joined by Lord Toby Harris, Professor Emma Williams, AVM (Ret’d) Fin Monahan OBE & Group Captain Ryan Mannering - who each shared their thoughts on the preparedness of society for conflict
Thanks to all the speakers, students & guests for an inspiring evening!
Thanks to all the speakers, students & guests for an inspiring evening!
The joy that is South Western Railway just keeps on giving. My train was cancelled but delay repay says because I got a later train I’m not entitled to claim. I marvel at their appallingness. It must be soul destroying working for them 🥲
April 3, 2026 at 10:08 PM
The joy that is South Western Railway just keeps on giving. My train was cancelled but delay repay says because I got a later train I’m not entitled to claim. I marvel at their appallingness. It must be soul destroying working for them 🥲
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
📣 Opportunity: Oral History PhD Research Project w/t Imperial War Museums & University of Strathclyde.
An #oralhistory of women paramilitaries during ‘The Troubles’ in Ireland and Britain.
For more information visit: www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/...
#Postgraduate #NorthernIreland #TheTroubles
An #oralhistory of women paramilitaries during ‘The Troubles’ in Ireland and Britain.
For more information visit: www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/...
#Postgraduate #NorthernIreland #TheTroubles
March 23, 2026 at 1:41 PM
📣 Opportunity: Oral History PhD Research Project w/t Imperial War Museums & University of Strathclyde.
An #oralhistory of women paramilitaries during ‘The Troubles’ in Ireland and Britain.
For more information visit: www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/...
#Postgraduate #NorthernIreland #TheTroubles
An #oralhistory of women paramilitaries during ‘The Troubles’ in Ireland and Britain.
For more information visit: www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/...
#Postgraduate #NorthernIreland #TheTroubles
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
@shashj.bsky.social: ‘A war to weaken Iran ends up with the US having to dilute sanctions on Iran. A mark of how blundering this whole endeavour has been.’
@barakravid.bsky.social: ‘🚨U.S. to allow Iran to get ~14 billion dollars (!!!) in oil revenue
🚨This is a huge financial concession to Iran by the U.S.
🚨It is the first time U.S. is buying Iranian oil since 1996
🚨It's all happening in the middle of a war against...Iran’
🚨This is a huge financial concession to Iran by the U.S.
🚨It is the first time U.S. is buying Iranian oil since 1996
🚨It's all happening in the middle of a war against...Iran’
March 21, 2026 at 8:52 AM
@shashj.bsky.social: ‘A war to weaken Iran ends up with the US having to dilute sanctions on Iran. A mark of how blundering this whole endeavour has been.’
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
Incredible amazing read. Thoroughly depressing.
I wrote almost exactly this word for word in January: www.wired.com/story/donald...
March 7, 2026 at 11:41 PM
Incredible amazing read. Thoroughly depressing.
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
UK Spacepower: Lessons from 2025
In this latest viewpoint, @allenant.bsky.social reflects on 2025 as the ‘year of promises for UK spacepower’ and explores the urgent steps that need to be taken in 2026 to secure the UK’s defence-space strategy.
Read here 👇
ow.ly/4y0m50Y81Rq
In this latest viewpoint, @allenant.bsky.social reflects on 2025 as the ‘year of promises for UK spacepower’ and explores the urgent steps that need to be taken in 2026 to secure the UK’s defence-space strategy.
Read here 👇
ow.ly/4y0m50Y81Rq
February 3, 2026 at 10:17 AM
UK Spacepower: Lessons from 2025
In this latest viewpoint, @allenant.bsky.social reflects on 2025 as the ‘year of promises for UK spacepower’ and explores the urgent steps that need to be taken in 2026 to secure the UK’s defence-space strategy.
Read here 👇
ow.ly/4y0m50Y81Rq
In this latest viewpoint, @allenant.bsky.social reflects on 2025 as the ‘year of promises for UK spacepower’ and explores the urgent steps that need to be taken in 2026 to secure the UK’s defence-space strategy.
Read here 👇
ow.ly/4y0m50Y81Rq
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
This is an absolutely incredible example of someone telling on himself, because for almost all of his life Matthew Goodwin craved nothing more than exactly this. He boasted for years of being the “youngest full professor of politics”, and then applied for post after post at more prestigious unis.
Reform politician Matthew Goodwin tells the Sunday Times that he would "rather shoot myself in the head" than be at dinner with Nick Robinson and Mary Beard, and the last thing the ex-acadenuc would ever have wanted would be to be a Professor at some Oxford college "backwater with zero influence"
You dont win 'em all! Reform's Matt Goodwin in Sunday Times: 'Most .. people criticising me are nerds.The last thing I want is to be at some dinner party table with Nick Robinson & Mary Beard. I'd rather shoot myself in the head'. Hang on, I'm not THAT bad!Nerds sometimes have a (thoughtful!) point.
February 1, 2026 at 12:07 PM
This is an absolutely incredible example of someone telling on himself, because for almost all of his life Matthew Goodwin craved nothing more than exactly this. He boasted for years of being the “youngest full professor of politics”, and then applied for post after post at more prestigious unis.
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
This is David Marsh. He went to my old school.
He is one of the small number of European troops who went to Afghanistan and never did much nor went to the front line according to Donald Trump.
He died in 2008 aged 23 in Afghanistan when the patrol car he was in was blown up in Helmand Province.
He is one of the small number of European troops who went to Afghanistan and never did much nor went to the front line according to Donald Trump.
He died in 2008 aged 23 in Afghanistan when the patrol car he was in was blown up in Helmand Province.
January 23, 2026 at 9:36 PM
This is David Marsh. He went to my old school.
He is one of the small number of European troops who went to Afghanistan and never did much nor went to the front line according to Donald Trump.
He died in 2008 aged 23 in Afghanistan when the patrol car he was in was blown up in Helmand Province.
He is one of the small number of European troops who went to Afghanistan and never did much nor went to the front line according to Donald Trump.
He died in 2008 aged 23 in Afghanistan when the patrol car he was in was blown up in Helmand Province.
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
Stephen was a great contestant. But also the daily game of betting whether he would be dressed as a) a suspect in a seaside Poirot mystery, b) Christopher Robin, or c) ABBA. #thetraitors
I love Stephen. The face of a doomed WW1 officer and the wardrobe of John Travolta. #thetraitors
January 24, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Stephen was a great contestant. But also the daily game of betting whether he would be dressed as a) a suspect in a seaside Poirot mystery, b) Christopher Robin, or c) ABBA. #thetraitors
Interesting article. ‘students show “strange deference” to AI — questioning classmates but accepting AI pronouncements’. I can see why this is especially pertinent in the PME environment for a number of reasons discussed here.
Professional military education was designed for a pre-AI world. Small fixes will not be enough.
Change or Just Cheating? Overhauling Professional Military Education for the AI Era
Thanks to AI, cheating in professional military education is becoming pervasive. Drawing on our perspectives as a uniformed instructor and as a recent
warontherocks.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Interesting article. ‘students show “strange deference” to AI — questioning classmates but accepting AI pronouncements’. I can see why this is especially pertinent in the PME environment for a number of reasons discussed here.
‘Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.’
Mark Carney's speech really is terrific: full text is here and very much worth your time.
The Carney doctrine
Open comment thread on the PM's Davos speech
paulwells.substack.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:54 PM
‘Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.’
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
What Europe could do is threaten to boycott the World Cup. It won't. But that might actually work. Trump wants his big show.
January 17, 2026 at 6:51 PM
What Europe could do is threaten to boycott the World Cup. It won't. But that might actually work. Trump wants his big show.
Reposted by Sophy Antrobus
I would love to experience being in Dan Hannan's brain. Just for a little bit. What's it like to never worry about making a mistake? To just breeze merrily through a life where every wrong turn confirms your belief that you're smarter than the map?
January 17, 2026 at 10:43 PM
I would love to experience being in Dan Hannan's brain. Just for a little bit. What's it like to never worry about making a mistake? To just breeze merrily through a life where every wrong turn confirms your belief that you're smarter than the map?