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Jack Clayton @jackclayton94.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

I think Trump boxed himself into a crazy strike from a ‘maximum pressure’ approach to getting a deal. He wanted to bully Iran into a deal. So there is no clear objective in the strikes now. Regime change, degrading Iran’s nuclear program, humanitarian support for protesters are all different things

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Jack Clayton @jackclayton94.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

I think Trump wants to coerce Iran into a deal out of obsession with being a ‘peacemaker’. But a strike won’t significantly degrade Iran’s programme and a ground invasion is needed for regime change. But lack of a coherent goal with some GOP figures wanting regime change makes muddled policy.

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Jack Clayton @jackclayton94.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Thank you for replying so quickly. Yes it certainly is difficult. There are may of those that I have done. It is therefore sort of encouraging and discouraging at the same time that it has been so difficult. Thank you very much again for your advice.

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Jack Clayton @jackclayton94.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Hi Glen, do you have particular advice for someone who finished their PhD last year in international relations, trying to get a job and career in IR/political science academia? I taught at multiple universities, giving lectures and tutoring seminars during the degree. Best wishes, Jack

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Jack Clayton @jackclayton94.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Last weekend I had my first in studio interview discussing Trump, NATO and Starmer. x.com/gbnews/statu...

x.com

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Jack Clayton @jackclayton94.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

His indecision and lack of views shouldn’t be mistaken for pragmatism, which despite being a “dirty” word to some in politics, should have a goal. Instead, despite seeing himself as a problem-solver, Starmer isn’t because he offers few ideas in how to do so. Hence, indecision, U-turns and emptiness.

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Jack Clayton @jackclayton94.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

The article’s quote “Pragmatism is necessary in pursuit of any policy. But for Starmer it is the policy. It is an end in itself” stood out to me but actually because in that correct description of Starmer’s governing, it shows that actually he’s not pragmatic but un-ideological and indecisive.

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Jack Clayton @jackclayton94.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

This is interesting, but I’d go even further than Behr and say that Starmer’s not even pragmatic, as it implies he has an idea of wanting to get to an A to B, just not dogmatically or rigidly. He’s indecisive and politically empty as a result.

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Jack Clayton @jackclayton94.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

I have been quoted in @theipaper.com discussing Trump’s recent comments on the protests in Iran and how me may respond, as well as what the UK government may do and the possible internal Labour Party divisions there may be on the issue. inews.co.uk/news/world/w...

inews.co.uk

What's really going on in Iran – and how Trump is trying to speed up unrest

US intervention over Iranian protests could lead to 'chaos' in the region, experts and officials say

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Jack Clayton @jackclayton94.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

I agree. A mindset that in its prime helped drive it to be an economic/military top nation, but can undermine introspection to improve because it says it’s the best ‘leading democracy’ and therefore threats to the principles it says it has can be hubristically or willingly be overlooked.

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Jack Clayton @jackclayton94.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

It could be said that the US example of its sense of exceptionalism is more rooted in racial supremacy looking back at the 19th century manifest destiny, and the liberal idealism associated with it is a more recent development since post war/civil rights era that parts of the country never liked.

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