iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

NEW PODCAST: HOW TO ACE INTERVIEWS. My new podcast explores “the worst interview of all time” - my first effort to get into the Foreign Office. What could I have done better? How can you best prepare for a big interview? Plenty more tips on my podcast… open.spotify.com/episode/0HDs...

open.spotify.com

78. How to ace interviews

Leigh Turner diplomacy and writing · Episode

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

CHAGOS ISLANDS: WHAT NEXT? The UK government faces dilemmas: US security, international law, dealing with President Trump, money and disparate views amongst the Chagossians. The Foreign Office will kick the problem into the long grass for as long as possible. #chagos #chagosislands #biot #trump

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

How to ace interviews: one of the worst mistakes of my nearly-not-career was at least a great learning experience. One of the lessons in my book “Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties”. #lessonsindiplomacy #booktok #diplomacy #diplomat #book

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Striking images from @BBC News of Last night’s Ukrainian strikes on Moscow. vm.tiktok.com/ZN863YkQU/

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TikTok - Make Your Day

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

My new podcast is now available on Spotify (this link), Apple Podcasts, or other platforms. Comments welcome. I look at the case of a former colleague whose health was damaged by overwork. What could she have done differently? open.spotify.com/episode/3ZEc...

open.spotify.com

77. Don't let jobs destroy you

Leigh Turner diplomacy and writing · Episode

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Why Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff won’t bring peace to Ukraine. Why I hope I’m wrong. #Ukraine #Russia #ukrainerussia #russiaukraine #witkoff

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

BBC analysis of Modi’s call on Putin to stop the war. Steve Rosenberg links it to a recent similar call from President Tokayev of Kazakhstan. Putin will try to take no notice. But that will becoming more difficult as more people - including Russians - speak out. www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

Ukraine war: What to make of Modi's plea to Putin to end conflict

BBC correspondents in Delhi and Moscow look at why the Indian PM made a very public peace plea to his Russian ally.

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I've added my new "How to learn languages" podcast to my "Lessons in Diplomacy" playlist on Spotify at the link. You can find all my podcasts on Apple or wherever you listen to your podcasts. open.spotify.com/playlist/7bN...

open.spotify.com

Lessons in Diplomacy

Playlist · Leigh Turner · 16 items · 2 saves

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

My new podcast "How to Learn #Languages". Key lesson: everyone is different. If one method of language-learning doesn't work for you, try another. Never believe "I can't learn languages" - even the biggest "language duffer" can learn a language. I should know! open.spotify.com/episode/662e...

open.spotify.com

76. How to learn languages

Leigh Turner diplomacy and writing · Episode

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Diplomacy sounds privileged but in the real world there are ups and downs - for example, when it comes to housing. Even ambassadors may not find things too smart… #lessonsindiplomacy #booktok #diplomacy #diplomat #book

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Lessons in Diplomacy: How to know places. Don’t settle for “Top 10” lists. Get under the skin of a place and try to understand it more deeply. #lessonsindiplomacy #booktok #diplomacy #diplomat #book

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

I've just set up a "Lessons in Diplomacy" playlist on Spotify. There's also a "Russia, Ukraine and More" playlist. If anyone can tell me how to make these playlists more visible on Spotify, let me know! open.spotify.com/playlist/7bN...

open.spotify.com

Lessons in Diplomacy

Playlist · Leigh Turner · 15 items

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Russian threats to the UK for providing weapons to Ukraine have little to do with the UK and everything to do with President Putin's alarm at the success of Ukrainian drone strikes inside Russia. #Russia #Ukraine #RussiaUkraine #UkraineRussia #lessonsindiplomacy youtu.be/u_oSNPkO_EI

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Russian threats to UK show Putin's fear

YouTube video by Leigh Turner Diplomacy

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

A half-hour interview about #diplomacy on the N1 TV channel out of Sarajevo. Quite wide-ranging including crisis management, contact-building, Russia-Ukraine and much else. In English with subtitles. #diplomat #ambassador #lessonsindiplomacy www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaW8...

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Leigh Turner: Davanje ukrajinske teritorije Rusiji bilo bi zeleno svjetlo za nove sukobe na Balkanu

YouTube video by N1 BiH

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

From 2024: fun summary of “Lessons in Diplomacy” from its original launch date two years ago. Still all true! It’s done better than I dared hope. #lessonsindiplomacy #booktok #diplomacy #diplomat #book

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

youtube.com

Leigh Turner: Davanje ukrajinske teritorije Rusiji bilo bi zeleno svjetlo za nove sukobe na Balkanu

YouTube video by N1 BiH

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Being an ambassador is an immense responsibility. Here: chocolates made by friends; Brexit with Jeremy Hunt; lowering EU flag; at the UN; media; with the President at my farewell party; handing back the keys. More in "Lessons in Diplomacy”. #diplomacy #lessonsindiplomacy #diplomat #BookTok #careers

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

This kind of report illustrates how vulnerable democracy is to outside interference. Social media companies of course don’t care, as they make most money from the most controversial posts: #riots #belfast #southampton www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...

theguardian.com

Most X accounts posting about Belfast and Southampton unrest were based outside UK

Exclusive: Analysis shows 55% of accounts were overseas – and seven of 12 most-read posts came from US

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

The Leipzig Airport drone story is disturbing. A desperate Russia appears to be waging a reckless hybrid war on the territory of NATO countries without regard to the consequences. If it does not stop the risk of NATO countries being drawn into the war will increase. www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

Drone carrying explosives found at Leipzig airport in Germany

The drone was found near Ukrainian cargo planes before another object collided with a cargo aircraft in mid-air.

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Incredible country, incredible job: Istanbul 2012-16. I wrote my Istanbul thriller “Palladium” here - to be published this October in Turkish, and available in English now on Amazon. For more about my views on #Türkiye, see “Lessons in Diplomacy”. #diplomacy #lessonsindiplomacy #diplomat #BookTok

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

This is a pretty fair and interesting update from @channel4tv.bsky.social's "Foursight" show - highlighting #Ukraine’s recent successes against #Russia while underlining that the war is far from won for either side. See my recent Ukraine-Russia update for more detail. www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1NJ...

youtube.com

Russia Ukraine war: the numbers Putin doesn’t want you to see

YouTube video by Channel 4 News

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

"Looking back I should have had some better judgement... I didn't realise RT was controlled by the Kremlin..." An astonishingly frank interview by Laura Loomer with the @kyivindependent.com. A tough watch in places #lessonsindiplomacy #RussiaUkraine #Ukraine #Russia www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECn_...

youtube.com

Laura Loomer on how she fell for Russian propaganda

YouTube video by Kyiv Independent

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Soft power is a key element of hard power. The BBC World Service and the British Council really matter.

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

My new Ukraine-Russia update looks at the latest developments - notably the conversion of Laura Loomer, comments by President Tokayev of Kazakhstan and Trump’s warm words about Patriot missiles. Where are we now and what should we be doing next? open.substack.com/pub/writerle...

open.substack.com

Ukraine-Russia update

A lot is changing in Russia's war on Ukraine. A lot remains the same.

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

What role can the UK play in resisting #Russian aggression in #Ukraine with US policy under President #Trump unclear? There are positive signs for Ukraine. But the war is far from won for either side. My 27 July interview on Times Radio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJwy...

youtube.com

UK Takes Political Lead On Defending Ukraine Amidst ‘Hot And Cold’ US Support | Leigh Turner

YouTube video by Times News

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Kyiv 2008-12. Your first job as ambassador is humbling. Here talking about social media; at the console in the Strategic Rocket Forces Museum; at a mine in eastern Ukraine; and giving an interview. More in my book “Lessons in Diplomacy”. #diplomacy #lessonsindiplomacy #diplomat #BookTok #careers

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Interesting from #Tokayev. The #Kazakh President has opposed #Russia’s attempt to reimpose colonial control over #Ukraine ever since Russia’s first invasion in 2014, for the obvious reason that Kazakhstan shares a 4,750-mile border with Russia. Tokayev knows: if Russia wins in Ukraine, he’s next.

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Interesting comments from #Tokayev. The #Kazakh President has never supported #Russia’s attempts to reimpose colonial control over #Ukraine for the obvious reason that Kazakhstan shares a 4,750-mile border with Russia and Tokayev knows if Russia wins it will only go further #colonialism

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Highly interesting. I would be fascinated if anyone has any details of potential timelines for Ukraine being able to produce its own interceptors by working with Raytheon.

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Meanwhile on Instagram… many thanks to anyone and everyone who is following me there.

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

“Rather a tragic story” - don’t let jobs destroy you. For more jobs advice, including real world stories of what diplomacy is all about and what diplomats really do, see my book “Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties” #diplomacy #lessonsindiplomacy #diplomat #booktok #careers

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Director of Overseas Territories 2006-8: one of the most frankly terrifying jobs I’ve ever done. Here in a cockpit in the Falklands; on a RIB in BIOT; on Montserrat; and on holiday in Lundy Island. More in my book “Lessons in Diplomacy”. #diplomacy #lessonsindiplomacy #diplomat #BookTok #careers

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Well, this is a remarkable development. For most of my life as a diplomat (1983-2021) this would have been an unthinkable development, even when the UK was still in the EU. Good to see it happening now. Or am I missing something? #gibraltar #spain #border www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

New era for Gibraltar with removal of border controls with Spain

It is hoped that free movement between the UK territory and Spain will provide an economic boost.

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Good to be in #Tokyo for a few days: my first time since a short working visit in 1994, from #Moscow, just before my daughter Anna was born. The Imperial Palace remains as impressive, and as hard to visit (especially on a Monday) as ever #lessonsindiplomacy #castles

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I got pushback from some people when I said anyone could become a diplomat. It’s true it depends a bit where you’re from. KEY POINT: don’t assume you can’t do it. For more background see my book “Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties”. #lessonsindiplomacy #booktok #diplomacy #diplomat

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

What happened in the ‘90s when a bank robber tried to hold up a bank in #Moscow, to be told there was no money? What lessons can we draw? One is that “money” is a flexible concept. Another is that not all bank robbers are very smart. Another is that 1990s #Russia was chaotic #lessonsindiplomacy

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

How to learn languages part 2: how “false friends” messed with my head when I was struggling to learn #Turkish in #Istanbul. To learn #languages you have to make mistakes - sometimes with comic results… #booktok #lessonsindiplomacy

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

"Russia isn't some utopia." Indeed not. Notably balanced BBC piece about westerners (including several dozen Brits) moving to Russia in the belief, promoted by Moscow, that the country offers a haven of conservative, "anti-woke" values. The reality is different. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

The people leaving the West behind in search of the Russian dream

The BBC asks Westerners who moved to Russia if life there lives up to expectations.

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

How to learn languages? It may not be what you think. In my book “Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties” I explore a bit about learning, and how I - a true language duffer - ended up learning lots of them, some to a high standard. #languages #learning #diplomacy #diplomat #BookTok

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

At 04.50 a.m. #Amsterdam still cool. The last all-night revellers are decanting into taxis. The Eurostar terminal is working, check-in opened on time, passport desks staffed, strangely tiny Stache coffee stall working flat out. All we need now is a train. #booktok #eurostar #writinginspiration

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Political egos are often much bigger than you can possibly imagine. I’ve met a few top politicians, eg John Major, who didn’t suffer from this problem. Many more did. That in turn increases the risk of hubris. Let’s see how Andy Burnham gets on… #lessonsindiplomacy #politicians #politics #diplomat

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Leigh Turner Diplomacy @leighturnerwriter.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

A bit of fun for the weekend. Who knew I have a TikTok channel called “Diplomats in Trouble”, based on an unpublished and so far unavailable romantic comedy trilogy set in the years 2015-2021? The books star failed diplomat Angus Fairfax,🧵 1 of 3 www.tiktok.com/@angus.fairf...

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TikTok - Make Your Day

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