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Katie Stallard

@katiestallard.bsky.social

2.5K followers 436 following 36 posts

Writing about Russia, China and authoritarian politics for the New Statesman. Author of Dancing on Bones: History and Power in China, Russia, and North Korea (OUP). Former Wilson Center fellow. Based in DC. Previously Beijing and Moscow.

Posts Replies Media

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

The loss of Hong Kong affected me very deeply on a personal level. It was a home away from home for me during a formative time in my life. Here’s another stellar interview from @katiestallard.bsky.social with Mark Clifford of the Freedom for Hong Kong Foundation. youtu.be/WOy7PW7WIvs?...

The crackdown on Hong Kong bookstores | World Politics | The New Statesman

YouTube video by The New Statesman

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

“The crux of it is that we’re back in a world where major great power war is thinkable." @nktpnd.bsky.social in @newstatesman1913.bsky.social on our dangerous new nuclear age: www.newstatesman.com/cover-story/...

newstatesman.com

The new nuclear terror

Our Cold War nightmares have returned as a global arms race

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

The key question is not how much longer Putin can sustain this conflict, but what kind of war he believes he is fighting. In this week's @newstatesman1913.bsky.social with thanks to @carnegierussia.bsky.social's Alexandra Prokopenko and @samagreene.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Vladimir Putin has no way out

But he may not want one

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Less than 24 hours after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz “completely open,” it was effectively closed again. The US has fired on and seized an Iranian cargo ship. The mirage of an imminent end to this conflict has dissipated. In @newstatesman1913.bsky.social www.newstatesman.com/world/middle...

newstatesman.com

The Iran war is far from over

The Strait of Hormuz remains a deadly chokepoint in this rolling stand-off

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

The extraordinary rescue of the US weapons officer shot down over Iran and the dangerous logic of escalation for Donald Trump, in @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Why Trump keeps escalating in Iran

The daring rescue of a stranded US airman in Iran has only emboldened the president

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Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

"They could rapidly deploy using amphibious vehicles, helicopters, or parachutes to seize a small piece of territory." @2eatsoup.bsky.social up in @newstatesman1913.bsky.social man on how a US ground assault in Iran could unfold, and the risks involved: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

How would a US ground assault on Iran unfold?

Trump now has the forces in place to carry out a limited operation, but it would be fraught with risk

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Tony Boccia @tonyboccia.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Sobering analysis here from @phillipspobrien.bsky.social with the ever-sharp @katiestallard.bsky.social. As a guy who's spent 19 of his 23 years in this U.S. Navy sailing around the Pacific in defense of allies, this is a tough listen. youtu.be/Et6WjVRHr6I?...

Does Trump regret the war in Iran? | World Politics | The New Statesman

YouTube video by The New Statesman

Reposted by Katie Stallard

The New Statesman @newstatesman1913.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

The battle for the Strait of Hormuz Iran has discovered a new weapon, much more powerful than its nuclear programme By @katiestallard.bsky.social

newstatesman.com

The battle for the Strait of Hormuz

Iran has discovered a new weapon, much more powerful than its nuclear programme

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Joseph Torigian @josephtorigian.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

In DC on March 31? Come to a discussion of The Party's Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun. Panelists include Patrick Jackson, Evan Medeiros, and @katiestallard.bsky.social rd.bsky.social. Thrilled Mike Froman of @cfr.org will moderate. www.eventbrite.com/e/book-launc...

Book Launch: Joseph Torigian, The Party's Interests Come First

Join us at AU for the launch of Joseph Torigian's new book "The Party's Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping"

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Beijing has an obvious interest in understanding how MPs view geopolitical issues + more prosaic concerns like how long Starmer has left & who is most likely to come next. (And what are their views...) @newstatesman1913.bsky.social on Chinese espionage in the UK: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

How China spies on the UK

Intelligence agencies have been warning about efforts by Chinese spies to recruit British assets for years

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

What the war in Iran means for China and Russia. In this week's @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

What the war in Iran means for China and Russia

China's leadership will not welcome the prospect of a global oil shock

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

The Kremlin's calculus on Iran, featuring expertise from @hannanotte.bsky.social and @nicolegrajewski.bsky.social in @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

How Putin is backing Iran's war effort

A prolonged conflict in the Middle East would serve Russia’s interests

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

“When we are finished, take over your government." As Trump tells Iranians their "hour of your freedom is at hand" and warns Americans to expect military casualties, what is the US endgame in Iran? For @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

What is the endgame in Iran?

Trump's many justifications for the US strikes provide little clarity

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Here is the full @newstatesman1913.bsky.social with Carlo Masala on Vladimir Putin's ambitions beyond Ukraine: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glm-...

What if Russia wins? | UK Politics | The New Statesman

YouTube video by The New Statesman

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

“They are already at war against the West.” Carlo Masala, author of If Russia Wins, on Russia's ambitions beyond Ukraine, how Putin might test Article Five, and how Europe can defend itself without the US. @newstatesman1913.bsky.social's weekend interview: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Putin will attack Europe next

"If Russia Wins" author Carlo Masala on why Moscow is already looking beyond Ukraine, and how Europe can defend itself without America

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

If China had abided by the terms of its treaty with the UK, Jimmy Lai would be a free man. Instead, he has been given what amounts to a death sentence for daring to stand up for the freedoms Hong Kongers were promised in 1997. In @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...

newstatesman.com

The tragic fate of Jimmy Lai

The elderly British media tycoon has been handed an effective death sentence in Hong Kong

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Keir Starmer joins a growing list of leaders posing for the same photo in front of the same backdrop with Xi Jinping as he pitches a comparatively predictable form of authoritarianism. The US's self-inflicted loss is China's gain. In @newstatesman1913.bsky.social www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

What Xi Jinping wants from the UK

America’s self-inflicted loss is China’s gain

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Is Trump backing down over Greenland? In @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Is Trump backing down over Greenland?

The president claimed to rule out using force, while doubling down on his claims to Greenland

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Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

“We would never go to war against the Americans, but we are in Greenland and if US soldiers move in and try to remove our soldiers and our police, then we are at war"- Rasmus Jarlov, chair of Danish parliament's defence committee in @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Rasmus Jarlov: If the US attempts a military takeover of Greenland, “then we are at war”

The chair of the Danish parliament’s defence committee says "you would have to shoot people to get Greenland"

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Donald Trump claims Russian and Chinese ships are "all over" Greenland. An interview with Polar War author Kenneth R. Rosen in @newstatesman1913.bsky.social on the reality: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Trump claims Russian and Chinese ships are “all over” Greenland. This is the reality

Kenneth R Rosen argues we should take Trump’s threats to Greenland seriously

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

"In acting alone, we have alienated our democratic allies and dealt another blow to the already beleaguered rules-based international system that has served us so well for the last 80 years." - @mcfaulmike.bsky.social in @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Trump's Venezuela intervention is a gift to China and Russia

The US has alienated its democratic allies and fuelled polarisation at home

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

For the third time in 13 months, Vladimir Putin has proved unable or unwilling to intervene to prop up a supposed strategic partner during a moment of crisis. Putin's calculus on Venezuela and Ukraine in @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Vladimir Putin’s confidence game

The Russian leader will only be emboldened by Donald Trump’s assault on Venezuela

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

‘What is the difference, Putin’s supporters will ask, between Trump’s actions and Russia intervening to remove an unfriendly government within its own sphere of influence?’ @katiestallard.bsky.social on the wider precedent set for Moscow and Beijing www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Trump ushers in a new era of rogue superpowers

With the strike on Venezuela, the US joins Russia and China in carving up the globe into spheres of influence

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Maduro was meeting with China's special envoy in Caracas in the hours before the US attack. Welcome to the era of rogue superpowers. For @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Trump ushers in a new era of rogue superpowers

With the strike on Venezuela, the US joins Russia and China in carving up the globe into spheres of influence

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

We now know precisely why UK prosecutors dropped their case against two British men accused of spying for China: www.newstatesman.com/world/asia/c...

newstatesman.com

The China spies case's million-dollar question

Why the case against two British men accused of spying for China was dropped

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Are Europeans now prepared to put their own troops on the ground and risk war with Russia to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, because they haven't been so far. And the better way to ensure Ukraine's security. In @newstatesman.com: www.newstatesman.com/world/europe...

newstatesman.com

The real question about European security guarantees for Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has warned that any foreign troops in the country would be "legitimate targets".

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

It was a good week for Kim Jong-un. Thanks @katiestallard.bsky.social for speaking with me about Kim’s successful appearance in Beijing. theworld.org/segments/202...

Kim Jong Un has a successful week in Beijing - The World from PRX

When Chinese Leader Xi Jinping strode into Tiananmen Square for this week’s massive military parade in Beijing, he arrived with Russian President Vladimir Putin on his right and North Korean Leader Ki...

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Autocrats of the world, unite! Xi's big parade in Beijing was both a show of strength, and not quite everything it seemed. In @newstatesman.com: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Putin, Xi and Kim debut their new world order

Autocrats of the world, unite!

Reposted by Katie Stallard

CSIS Korea Chair @korea.csis.org · 08/08/2025

“The easy conclusion is to say that Kim Jong Un is once again vindicated in his pursuit of nuclear weapons because if Iran had nuclear weapons, like he did, they would not have gotten bombed,” says @sydseiler.bsky.social in an interview with @katiestallard.bsky.social for @newstatesman.com.

newstatesman.com

North Korea’s guide to going nuclear

How Kim Jong Un fortified his impoverished state.

Reposted by Katie Stallard

The New Statesman @newstatesman1913.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

North Korea’s guide to going nuclear 🌎 @katiestallard.bsky.social on how Kim Jong Un fortified his impoverished state.

newstatesman.com

North Korea’s guide to going nuclear

How Kim Jong Un fortified his impoverished state.

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Jeff Wasserstrom @jwassers.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Lovely to @katiestallard.bsky.social review of The Milk Tea Alliance (a short work on youth activism featuring profiles she describes as "concise, engaging, and ultimately inspiring") appear in @newstatesman.com on the eve of the book's 24 July UK release date www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...

newstatesman.com

From Xenobe Purvis to Jeffrey Wasserstrom: new books reviewed in short

Also featuring Moveable Feasts by Chris Newens and Monsieur Ozenfant’s Academy by Charles Darwent.

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

Happy to share this review of @josephtorigian.bsky.social's remarkable new biography of Xi Zhongxun, which aside from the insights it offers into his famous son is also a fascinating study in the nature of power and the frailties of those who wield it. (And no, I did not come up with the headline.)

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

‘military action… has only modestly eroded Iran’s capability to build the bomb, while increasing its incentives to do so.’ Quote from a nuclear policy expert in this great @katiestallard.bsky.social piece www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

The hunt for Iran’s missing uranium

Somewhere in the country, enough material to make ten nuclear bombs remains hidden.

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

“I am worried about a sneak-out scenario, where the Iranians lick their wounds after this devastating war, but quietly continue their work. It’s a very mountainous country [with] a lot of underground facilities." @nktpnd.bsky.social in @newstatesman.com: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

The hunt for Iran’s missing uranium

Somewhere in the country, enough material to make ten nuclear bombs remains hidden.

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Ankit Panda @nktpnd.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Enjoyed speaking with @katiestallard.bsky.social at @newstatesman.com about my new book: “The proliferation toothpaste does not go back in the tube” www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/ins...

newstatesman.com

Welcome to the new nuclear age

Nuclear non-proliferation is no longer a given.

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

"It is ironic that Putin has succeeded in creating a genuine threat to Russian territory where none existed at the start of this war." www.newstatesman.com/world/europe...

newstatesman.com

How Putin will respond to “Russia’s Pearl Harbour”

Ukraine’s drone attack on Russian airfields shows Zelensky still has cards to play.

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

This is not China's first rodeo (or trade war). Thanks to @kevinxu.bsky.social and @harvardkennedy.bsky.social's Rana Mitter for sharing their expertise on the long view of the US-China trade war for this week's @newstatesman.com Insight podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

podcasts.apple.com

This isn't China's first rodeo (or trade war)

Podcast Episode · The New Statesman | UK politics and culture · 04/23/2025 · 32m

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Tom Gatti @tomgatti.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

The @newstatesman.com Spring Special is here! 🇷🇺 Kate Mossman meets @bbcstever.bsky.social 🗳️ Julian Barnes: my political life 💻 @ianleslie.bsky.social on Nvidia’s rise 🧑‍⚖️ @katiestallard.bsky.social on Duterte’s fall ⭐️ Gary Younge on Josephine Baker 🐝 @hjm.bsky.social Cover @stephencollins.bsky.social

Reposted by Katie Stallard

BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

NEW 'Take Five' from Director/CEO @JulietDryden & Comms Intern Eve Harrison-Taylor Our top 5 readings/podcasts on #internationalstudies! inc: @katiestallard.bsky.social @newyorker.com @newstatesman.com and more: www.bisa.ac.uk/articles/tak...

Take Five - 11 April 2025

Eve Harrison-Taylor gives you a rundown of the 5 best IR podcasts and articles this fortnight.

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

The story of how justice, finally, caught up with Rodrigo Duterte, the domestic political rupture that led to his arrest, and what it means for the other leaders - like Putin and Netanyahu - currently wanted by the ICC. (Also this week's NS Insight podcast). www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

To catch a strongman

How justice caught up with the Philippines’ brutal president Rodrigo Duterte.

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Dr. Kelebogile Zvobgo (she/her) @kellyzvobgo.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

🎙️ Delighted to be featured in the latest installment of the @newstatesman.com’s Insight podcast with host @katiestallard.bsky.social, discussing former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte’s history-making arrest and transfer to the ICC. www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/ins...

newstatesman.com

Strongman at The Hague: The fall of Duterte

What could this mean for the likes of Putin and Netanyahu?

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

For the first time since the start of the war, Putin must assess that his objectives are finally within sight. It is only a matter of time and American indifference. For @newstatesman.com www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Putin’s endgame

With a fractured West and a pliable US president, he sees no reason to abandon his war on Ukraine.

Reposted by Katie Stallard

The New Statesman @newstatesman1913.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Putin's Endgame This week's cover: How the Kremlin is using Trump to win the war in Ukraine. By @katiestallard.bsky.social Inside: - Andrew Marr on the peacekeeper problem - @pennyred.bsky.social: Adolescence should not shock us - Britain's special needs trap - In search of Yoko Ono

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Max Bergmann @maxbergmann.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Great to be on the @newstatesman.com podcast to talk with @katiestallard.bsky.social about NATO’s future. www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/ins...

newstatesman.com

Nato’s fragile future

Is this the end of transatlantic peace?

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

There seems to be some discrepancy as to what, exactly, Putin & Trump agreed. The WH says it was an "energy and infrastructure ceasefire," the Russian version says, "energy infrastructure ceasefire." Within hours, whatever it was seems to have been breached: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...

newstatesman.com

Why Putin rejected Trump’s ceasefire deal

The Russian leader agreed to a 30-day halt to attacks on energy infrastructure but laid down his own demands for an eventual peace.

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

This week's @newstatesman.bsky.social Insight podcast on the Trumpian turn in US foreign policy and the view from Taiwan and Canada, featuring @brianhioe.bsky.social, @kschake.bsky.social and @danielbeland.bsky.social: newstatesman.com/podcasts/ins... (or wherever you get your podcasts)

newstatesman.com

Insight podcast - New Statesman

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Sabine Fischer @sabfis3.bsky.social · 14/03/2025

“This is the second time in three years that a major international player has overturned the whole playing field, creating a fundamentally new and very dangerous geopolitical environment.” Thank you @katiestallard.bsky.social for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts. 👇👇👇

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

On a short-term tactical basis, Putin has little incentive to stop fighting, but he will need to weigh longer term strategic objectives - and the Trump factor - in responding to the US ceasefire "plan". ✏️ @newstatesman.bsky.social www.newstatesman.com/world/europe...

newstatesman.com

Putin’s Trump dilemma

Will Russia accept the US-backed ceasefire deal with Ukraine?

Reposted by Katie Stallard

Jeff Wasserstrom @jwassers.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

👇 @katiestallard.bsky.social @eosnos.bsky.social @louisalim.bsky.social

Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Recommended reading - On Xi Jinping by @mrkrudd.bsky.social - reviewed in @newstatesman.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...

newstatesman.com

Making China great again

The former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd writes that Xi Jinping has embraced an assertive nationalism that aims to put the country centre stage.