Sign in

Bob

@bobherc.bsky.social
719 followers 1.2K following 382 posts

War Studies at KCL alum. Cyber, Maritime, CNI Defense. Journalism, Film, Music. I know a lot about cocktails. ILoF.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Bob
Mike the Mad Biologist and Trump's Press Corps Approver @mikethemadbiol.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
this article and thread are great: "The problem is the existential threat that a reempowered ethnonationalist strain poses to pluralistic U.S. democracy writ large."
1236
Reposted by Bob
Matthew Gertz @mattgertz.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
They're holding up a major escalation in Iran and a crackdown on abortion until after the midterms to limit political damage. To the extent that the last two years have been a right-wing smash-and-grab operation, the next two will be worse.
20262102863
Reposted by Bob
Joe Dunman @joedunman.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The funding imbalance in American politics is just astounding. Running a homeless shelter? Sorry, your last 50k grant just ran out and now your lights are off. Want to start a podcast for racists who eat paint? Here's $50 million, no strings, go have fun.
7380112
Reposted by Bob
Binding Hook @bindinghook.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
‘If ‘action-oriented’ is to be more than a buzzword, states need to show what it means in practice.’ Read more from Helene Pleil about the UN’s new Global Mechanism for ICT in Binding Hook: bindinghook.com/its-on-state...
bindinghook.com
It’s on states to make the UN’s new cyber mechanism more than just a new name
The UN’s Global Mechanism for cyber had its first plenary in July. States will have to put in the work to make sure it’s impactful
021
Reposted by Bob
lastpositivist.bsky.social @lastpositivist.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Cannot be emphasised enough that Trump II will plausibly cause the kind of death count we associate with the worst dictatorships of the last century. Unspeakably bad that he came to be president of the world's most powerful nation.
5458171
Reposted by Bob
Elisabeth Braw @elisabethbraw.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Australia is creating a brilliant backup plan to allow its financial system to keep operating - think debit cards payments for food - in case its cables are cut. It's an unlikely scenario - but important to prepare for. Learn from Australia! www.ft.com/content/fba5... (Me @financialtimes.com)
1196
Reposted by Bob
Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
As promised, I wrote about what really bothers me about Tuesday's unsigned, unexplained #SCOTUS ruling clearing the way for the resumption of third-country removals with minimal (if any) process. Turns out, it's a lot: www.stevevladeck.com/p/254-four-t...
stevevladeck.com
254. Four Things That (Really) Bother Me About “D.V.D. III”
“Third-country removals” raise a host of difficult procedural and substantive questions. The Supreme Court should have answered those questions *before* greenlighting deportations to torture.
18499192
Reposted by Bob
Andy “voice of Brak” Merrill. 🎅🏻🤡🐒💩 @amerrill2.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
It’s October 1st. It’s time for… BRAK’S TALES OF SUSPENSE!!!!! Live from the darkest room in the house, the bathroom!!!!
715144
Reposted by Bob
Peter Hartlaub @peterhartlaub.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I ranked the 10 best views in San Francisco. Probably most notable for the big one that I left on the honorable mentions. (No regrets.) How many have you seen? Until exploring the city became my job circa 2018, I had only experienced 4 of the 10 on this list. www.sfchronicle.com/project/sf-b...
sfchronicle.com
The 10 best views in San Francisco — ranked
The city’s vista points are so iconic, our list doesn’t include the most famous one
6196
Reposted by Bob
Matt Levine @matt-levine.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This newsletter is designed to test knowledge, comprehension, and skills with respect to the risks associated with exempt offerings. www.bloomberg.com/opinion/news...
bloomberg.com
Opening Private Markets to the Public
Performance fees, accredited investor tests, default shareholder voting and Knicks-Rangers deconglomeration.
0111
Reposted by Bob
Byline Times @bylinetimes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
A *third* Byline Times journalist has now been barred from Conservative conference – Chief Reporter @josiahmortimer.bsky.social. It comes after Political Editor @adambienkov.bsky.social and the late, great David Hencke were barred last year. bylinetimes.com/2025/10/08/c...
bylinetimes.com
Conservatives Accused of ‘Trumpian’ Tactics After Barring Second Byline Times Journalist From Conference
The National Union of Journalists described the bans as a threat to media freedom which "undermines the Conservative Party leader’s repeated pledge to fight for free speech"
25227125
Reposted by Bob
Maritime RSS @shipbot.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Ireland, UK Test Joint Subsea Cable Response SubTel cable faults · 1 Oct 2026 #IrishSea #EuropeanSecurity #Infrastructure #NavalActivity
subtelforum.com
Ireland, UK Test Joint Subsea Cable Response
Ireland, UK Test Joint Subsea Cable Response Publication Staff, BreakingNews.ieSeptember 30, 2026 Ireland and the United Kingdom staged their first bilateral readiness exercise for undersea communications infrastructure on September 30, 2026. Officials worked through a simulated attack that disrupt…
064
Reposted by Bob
Martha Crawford @whatashrinkthinks.com · 29/09/2026
Help our defacto foster kid/first gen college student get through school as a biochemistry major: We now only have a funding gap of about $10,000 - $15,000 dollars to cover tuition, housing, & insurance costs for Fall semester 2027.
gofundme.com
Donate to Helping Avery Get Through University, organized by Martha Crawford
Greetings to all those that this reaches, This is Martha Crawford LCSW, and I… Martha Crawford needs your support for Helping Avery Get Through University
11114
Reposted by Bob
Tomi McCluskey @tomi-mcc.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Tanzania has sent a Note Verbale to the International Maritime Organization on a Russian drone strike against the Tanzanian-flagged MARIAM M (IMO 9167667) as it sailed toward a Ukrainian port on 17 Sept. The attack killed the ship's master and injured three crew members.
169
Reposted by Bob
Scott Shapiro @scottjshapiro.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
My conversation with Elisa Costadura and Viktoria Moissiadis about the personal and intellectual relationship between Hans Kelsen and Carl Schmitt is out. Take a listen while you’re washing the dishes. (voelkerrechtsblog.org/59-hans-kels...)
voelkerrechtsblog.org
#59 Hans Kelsen and Carl Schmitt: Friend and Enemy
3154
Reposted by Bob
Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Palantir has hired former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson ahead of a December government decision on a break clause that could end its £330 million role in the NHS's data platform. Foxglove's Martha Dark writes that his "new position contrasts starkly with his public views a decade ago."
buff.ly
Palantir's New Senior VP Swaps Lords Pass for Labour Leverage
Lord Tom Watson’s new position contrasts starkly with his public views a decade ago, writes Foxglove's Martha Dark.
062
Reposted by Bob
Matthew Stewart @roguestrands.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Ok, so every day's National Poetry Day in our household (to groans from my long-suffering wife!), but if this means poetry's on your mind today, I might just have a book for your consideration! Drop me a DM and I'll sort out your signed copy for you...
03110
Reposted by Bob
Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Days before Brazil's election, Meta briefly blocked President Lula's campaign page from running political ads and removed an Instagram profile behind a viral video on Flávio Bolsonaro. Both decisions were reversed, but raised public concerns. Brazilian journalist Laís Martins reports.
buff.ly
On Eve of Brazil Elections, Meta Content Moderation Decisions Raise Questions
Two recent moderation decisions—while later reversed—have raised concerns about the company's policies and practices, writes Laís Martins.
02211
Reposted by Bob
Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 29/09/2026
Jack Smith: "History teaches that the rule of law is rarely destroyed all at once. It's often weakened by attacks on the institutions and the public servants sworn to uphold it. Since January 2025, we have witnessed precisely such an effort."
694278859535
Reposted by Bob
Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
BREAKING: Tory talking sense on ULEZ etc. "If we campaign on a platform of taking out LTNs, be aware that we’re campaigning to send floods of traffic back down the now quiet streets where many of our voters, and many more of our potential voters, live."
conservativehome.com
Andrew Gilligan: Popular among activists, scrapping ULEZ doesn't add up - either politically or financially | Conservative Home
On the subject of motoring in London, there’s a long history of utter Tory refusal to look the electoral facts and numbers in the eye. You don’t have to agree with me on this. So please, let’s start t...
69020
Reposted by Bob
European Security @europeansecurity.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
New article: Europeanising NATO: examining de Gaulle's legacy in contemporary European security by Wyn Rees & Ruike Xu: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Europeanising NATO: examining de Gaulle's legacy in contemporary European security
Amid the erosion of security guarantees under the second Trump administration, Europe once again faces mounting pressure to assume greater responsibility for its defence. This echoes Charles de Gau...
025
Reposted by Bob
Elisabeth Braw @elisabethbraw.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
My farewell column for @politico.eu, about the costs to businesses targeted by Russian greyzone attacks. You can now find me as a defence and security commentator at @news.sky.com and, of course, at the wonderful @foreignpolicy.com. www.politico.eu/article/euro.... No paywall.
politico.eu
Europe’s businesses are paying for Russia’s hybrid war
The continent is finally naming Moscow’s gray-zone aggression for what it is. Now it has to deal with the bill.
0123
Reposted by Bob
Curtis Frye @curtisfrye.com · 29/09/2026
For the morning UK and Europe crew: Not all data you import into Excel uses commas to separate values. In this week's Techsoc movie, I'll show you how to use the new IMPORTTEXT function to bring in external data stored as text into Excel regardless of the separator character. youtu.be/63hfQT3yPDo
youtu.be
Import text data into Excel using a formula
The new IMPORTTEXT function lets you connect to an external text file using a formula rather going through the Data Tab or using Power Query. It’s the ideal solution for bringing a small data set…
192
Reposted by Bob
John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 28/09/2026
Remember, Jenrick is not stupid. He's a trained lawyer, he knows the difference between police and court bail. He's just a turd.
29459105
Reposted by Bob
Steve Peers @stevepeers.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Imagine sympathising with someone who encouraged more violence while riots were taking place
1625475
Reposted by Bob
Ron Deibert @rondeibert.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Journalist and former MEP Stelios Kouloglou has filed a lawsuit against the Israeli executives of NSO Group, the manufacturer of Pegasus spyware. In July, @citizenlab.ca discovered Stelios' phone had been hacked with Pegasus spyware citizenlab.ca/research/mem... www.dnews.gr/eidhseis/pol...
dnews.gr
Νέα διάσταση στις υποκλοπές: Μήνυση Κούλογλου σε βάρος των Ισραηλινών υπευθύνων για το Pegasus - Dnews
Νέα τροπή στην υπόθεση των τηλεφωνικών υποκλοπών δίνει η μήνυση του Στέλιου Κούλογλου κατά των υπευθύνων της ισραηλινής εταιρείας NSO Group για την παρακολούθησή του με το κατασκοπευτικό λογισμικό Peg...
01013
Reposted by Bob
Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com · 28/09/2026
New @jamestalarico.bsky.social ad just dropped.
58968671936
Reposted by Bob
Hunter Walker @hunterw.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Kyle and Decoherence Media did some awesome work on the far right troll "HowlingMutant" that seems to have a link to the president's latest vulgar social media post.
0104
Reposted by Bob
Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Chinese AI models like DeepSeek and Qwen are gaining ground with developers in Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria, not because of geopolitics, but because they are cheaper and more flexible. Information Society Law Center's Melissa Ninsiima on the strategic consequences that follow.
buff.ly
How China-Africa Relations Are Shaping the Geopolitics of AI
With China's investments, Africa is not simply a spectator of global AI developments but an emerging actor in the geopolitics of AI, writes Ninsiima Melissa.
086
Reposted by Bob
BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Are you nearing the end of your PhD? Want to know more about the viva voce? 🎉 Join the PGN on 29 October for 'Preparing for your PhD viva' an upcoming Postgrad network event talking about how to effectively prepare for and what to expect from the viva process 🌟 Register 👉 ow.ly/6sjr50ZS9JM
Professional business conference presentation with diverse participants engaging in communication.
033
Reposted by Bob
Sunder Katwala (sundersays) @sundersays.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Higher Education risks irreversible damage, says British Academy president Prof Susan Smith, with humanities and social sciences disciplines disappearing in many cold spots. BA is tracking subject provision & calling for a comprehensive review www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/news/stateme...
thebritishacademy.ac.uk
British Academy President: UK higher education crisis risks irreversible damage
As course closures, shrinking provision and widening regional inequalities threaten the future of UK higher education and research, President of the British Academy, Susan J Smith calls for an immedia...
3146103
Reposted by Bob
Micah @rincewind.run · 26/09/2026
I think it is very important that Big Balls, personally, goes to jail there are a lot of young goons who think they are invincible and it is important to make it clear that they are not
7065731334
Reposted by Bob
Better Pensions BC 🇨🇦🇺🇦 - now with 50% more anti-fascism! @betterpensionsbc.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
And here is the report from @marcuskolga.bsky.social @disinfowatch.bsky.social “Foreign adversaries are exploiting the Alberta separatist debate to erode social cohesion, deepen domestic divisions, undermine trust in democratic institutions, and amplify perceptions of political instability… in 🇨🇦.”
disinfowatch.org
Decision Making and National Unity Under Threat - DisinfoWatch
Download the PDF version of the report HERE. Marcus Kolga, Jennie Phillips, Brian McQuinn, Bartel Van de Walle     EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Foreign adversaries are exploiting the Alberta separatist debate...
25631
Reposted by Bob
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Thank God Reform is standing up for masked, knife-wielding, ex-cons. Society's most marginalised group.
22936178
Reposted by Bob
Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 26/09/2026
Does my Speak-n-Spell feel pain when I type O-U-C-H? The jury is out. Philosophers and neuroscientists say that's fucking stupid, but I called a guy from the Center for Pretending that Household Electronics Are Sentient and he said there's no way to know for sure.
5843441193
Reposted by Bob
Iron Spike @ironspike.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I am always gonna suggest a domain of your own as the best choice for hosting a webcomic, but if that simply isn't a possibility for you, check out this thread. You have options.
1228105
Reposted by Bob
evacide @evacide.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Listen, I just think it's weird that the same people who are saying they're worried that AI is going to wipe out humanity are also eager for military contracts that will give AI control of weapons.
431431340
Reposted by Bob
John Mashey @johnmashey.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
From computing history, blaming “rogue” AI’s is B.S. Robert Morris Jr unleashed a worm program that caused more trouble than intended, but far less dangerous than current AI’s. *He* (not worm) was convicted of felony. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_... I used to see him at Bell Labs w/ his father.
en.wikipedia.org
Morris worm - Wikipedia
57932
Reposted by Bob
Helene von Bismarck @helenebismarck.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
An excellent&long overdue essay on British (lack of) resilience, explaining just how dependent the UK is on circumstances it cannot guarantee itself, and why protecting your security means a lot more than to just spend more money on arms (although that is necessary, too). www.ft.com/content/ba80...
ft.com
How resilient is Britain?
As climate and geopolitical risks cast doubt on the UK’s ability to cope in a crisis, leaders are turning from ‘just in time’ to ‘just in case’ as a governing philosophy
913852
Reposted by Bob
Tony Ingesson @tonyingesson.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
When my colleagues were testing out my Raspberry Pi OSINT workstations, one of them managed to get one contaminated with Chrome malware. Perfect illustration of why I tell my students to use dedicated hardware that is isolated from their personal equipment/accounts, and then can be easily wiped.
1105
Reposted by Bob
Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Not saying the BBC News has lost focus but they currently have a live stream of the UK's biggest vegtable competition on their front page.
3628126
Reposted by Bob
nyx @werewings.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
hi so shitty rich people are trying to shut down the oldest nat history museum in the americas and do ~something~ with the +19mil pieces they have so if people could sign and boost itd be sick since this fuckass country has a bullshit war on science. save-the-academy.org
save-the-academy.org
Save the Academy of Natural Sciences
Don't mourn — organize. The museum's last public day is Sunday, Sept 27. Ten things you can do today.
036
Reposted by Bob
John Bull @garius.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
this isn't conjecture. This is the EXACT reason why one of the quickest ways to shut down a fash with a camera is to start shouting: "this video is brought to you by SquareSpace!" INSTANT demonitization. Because the streaming/social platforms already protect their advertisers more than the state.
9692148
Reposted by Bob
Susan Rinkunas @susanrinkunas.com · 24/09/2026
Yes, the person tasked with convincing the public that it’s reasonable to ignore reams of evidence and end telehealth prescriptions of abortion pills after the midterms is named… Overton
2463144
Reposted by Bob
Diane Coyle @dianecoyle1859.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This is not AI agents going rogue, but OpenAI. This hack took the company months to notice and then they notified a public email address rather than the appropriate government agency. www.ft.com/content/5613... OpenAI ‘agent’ hacked an Australian health service website
ft.com
OpenAI ‘agent’ hacked an Australian health service website
AI lab took months to spot the problem, which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called ‘obviously unacceptable’
913945
Reposted by Bob
Jakob Kjøgx Bohr @jakobbohr.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A sanctioned swiss lawyer who according to Panama Papers laundered billions for Vladimir Putin was director of a Danish company for 23 years. The same company that Danwatch could recently reveal worked with Rosneft and was owned by a top spy from the KGB. The question remains: What's the purpose?
danwatch.dk
Lawyer sanctioned as Putin’s money man. At the same time, he was a director in Copenhagen
A prominent Swiss lawyer who appears in the Panama Papers and has been sanctioned by the US for laundering money for Vladimir Putin was a director of a Danish c
35628
Reposted by Bob
Duchess Gemma 🐠🕷️🇪🇺 @gemmagould.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, shared a YouTube livestream of the boat from the Channel." fucks sake BBC not once do you mention 1. he had a knife 2. he slashed the boat with said knife 3. he committed criminal acts live on camera do fucking better
bbc.co.uk
Dozens of migrants taken to Dover after more than 30 hours at sea
Protesters had earlier gathered in Gosport after an initial report that the small boat would be brought further west.
28424152
Reposted by Bob
Binding Hook @bindinghook.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
What does 'cognitive warfare' help us understand about conflict today? Isabella Neumann explores Chiara Libiseller’s book 'Reconceptualising War: The Rise and Fall of Fashionable Concepts in Strategic Studies' & the concepts we use to describe a changing battlefield. bindinghook.com/is-cognitive...
bindinghook.com
Is cognitive warfare the next fashionable war concept?
In ‘Reconceptualising War’, Chiara Libiseller examines how concepts of war emerge, take hold, and then fade from prominence. Cognitive warfare may be next
154
Reposted by Bob
sianushka.bsky.social @sianushka.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Asylum seeking people don’t have the freedom to work, they don’t even have the freedom to shop using cash or choose where to shop, in temp accommodation they don’t have the freedom to cook or choose their own food - honestly this headline is batshit
1631202
Reposted by Bob
John Bull @garius.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This included Frankenstein, serving as part of the crew of A turret on HMS Belfast. During D Day, they provided offshore fire support during the invasion. Image: IWM (HU 71132)
four young sailors and a kitty stand proudly in front of a naval gun.
5878