iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Michael Stephens

Arthur Snell @snellarthur.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

With the UAE having pulled out of OPEC and the Iran war enhancing the divisions among Gulf countries, I was fortunate to be able to speak to @rusi.bsky.social Senior Associate Fellow @mikerstephens.bsky.social about where we're at and where it's headed. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...

podcasts.apple.com

The Iran War - the Impact on the Gulf Countries

Podcast Episode · Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell · 6 May · 41min

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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Hear Hear...what is happening to the Jewish community in the UK is appalling. We must all utterly condemn it, and stand in solidarity. Antisemitic acts, statements, and associated violence has no place in the United Kingdom.

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

'Even if the war were to last only a few more days or weeks, its impacts will fundamentally reshape the national strategic considerations of the GCC countries' writes @mikerstephens.bsky.social in the latest RUSI Commentary.

rusi.org

The Gulf's Zeitenwende Moment

The Gulf States will be re-evaluating their future following the US' betrayal of its security guarantees.

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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

My latest piece on the impact of the Iran war on the Gulf...it's a before and after moment. And one that will ultimately reduce American power. www.rusi.org/explore-our-...

rusi.org

The Gulf’s Zeitenwende Moment

The Gulf States will be re-evaluating their future following the US’ betrayal of its security guarantees.

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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

For those who don't follow the Gulf closely, I did this 25 minute podcast with The Times which covers some of the basic points of Gulf Security...and why what is happening is so seismic and a "before and after" moment for the Gulf States. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

podcasts.apple.com

The Gulf's moment of truth - reshaping the Middle East

Podcast Episode · The Story · 12 March · 29m

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Jim Pickard @pickardje.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

a decade is a long time in politics

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Arthur Snell @snellarthur.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

For some reason this was glitching earlier but I can confirm my conversation with @mikerstephens.bsky.social is now properly live! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...

podcasts.apple.com

Gaza - where are we now? with Michael Stephens

Podcast Episode · Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell · 23/10/2025 · 49m

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Arthur Snell @snellarthur.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

I spoke to @mikerstephens.bsky.social about the latest in Gaza and the wider regional dynamics. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...

podcasts.apple.com

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Mathew Lyons @mathewlyons.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

In 1945 my father was with the British fleet in the Pacific. He visited Nagasaki not long after it was destroyed. I wrote a brief post about the visual record he left behind.

open.substack.com

Nagasaki 1945

A dip into the family photo album

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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

In which myself and @snellarthur.bsky.social discuss the catastrophic aid situation in Gaza, and France's recognition of a Palestinian State. It's long long discussion, but there's a lot to say. It's frank and will cut at times, but we've tried to be fair. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...

podcasts.apple.com

A Moment of Change? France recognises the State of Palestine

Podcast Episode · Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell · 27/07/2025 · 50m

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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

It appears that Netanyahu has the freedom to escalate at will at this point. The only way off the ladder would seem to me to be Trump, who can say to Iran, "look what happens if you don't talk to me, this is the cost. Come back to the table now, or this gets way worse."

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Arthur Snell @snellarthur.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

I spoke to @mikerstephens.bsky.social about the terrible humanitarian crisis in #Gaza and the world’s shifting response. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...

podcasts.apple.com

Starvation in Gaza, is the world finally responding?

Podcast Episode · Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell · 24/05/2025 · 54m

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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

I don't always agree with Jeremy Bowen on this conflict. But he is absolutely right. Patience has run out, and the last supplies of political goodwill for Israel are fast slipping away. Outside of a small group of right wing politicians and advocates support has gone. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Jeremy Bowen: Goodwill running out as UK, France and Canada demand Israel end Gaza offensive

France, the UK and Canada are among nations that have sharpened their criticism of Israel's ground offensive.

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

James Heale @jaheale.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Tory MP on party polling fourth: “Forget renewal. More like resuscitation.”

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Aron Lund @aronlund.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Trump says he’ll drop the Syria sanctions, so what happens now? Me on The Warcast: warontherocks.com/episode/warc... @warontherocks.bsky.social

warontherocks.com

Progress for Syria? - War on the Rocks

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Ulrike Franke @rikefranke.eu · 14/05/2025

“NATO member Turkey’s military is on a roll — just as Europe seems willing to overlook the latest democratic backsliding by its strongman president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan because it needs a well-armed ally to protect its south-eastern flank from Russian revanchism.”

on.ft.com

Military briefing: How Turkey became vital to European security

Trump’s reset of US alliances and Russian threats cement Nato power’s role as ‘country condemned to strategic significance’

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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

This is not ok...this isn't about the horrors of October 7, or going easy on Hamas (who continue to behave appallingly). Israel's current Gaza policy is morally wrong, and is strategically highly questionable in its efficacy. It should be roundly condemned by all sensible and decent people.

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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Great to be at the National Liberal Club’s Defence and Security Circle Anzac Day breakfast, we heard a fascinating talk about online extremism while having a shot of rum!

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Javier Blas @javierblas.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

COLUMN: How do you say "drill, baby, drill" in Mandarin? Call it “zuan ba, bao bei, zuan ba." China may not have a drilling slogan, but it just lifted oil production to an all-time high, surpassing a peak set 10 years ago. My @opinion.bloomberg.com column: www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

🎙Will the transatlantic relationship endure? In the latest Global Security Briefing episode, with special guest Dr Liana Fix, we explore the future of US policy toward European security amidst growing global security challenges, shifting US priorities, and Europe's pursuit of strategic autonomy.

rusi.org

Episode 97: The Future of Transatlantic Security

How have the initial weeks of President Trump's second term of office impacted the transatlantic relationship, and will it survive his administration?

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Lucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · 19/03/2025

EXC: EU to exclude US, UK and Turkey from €150bn rearmament fund - unless they sign new defence pacts with bloc Move has sparked anger in UK defence sector and disappointment in UK govt, though officials insist it was anticipated via @henryjfoy.ft.com & me www.ft.com/content/eb9e...

ft.com

EU to exclude US, UK and Turkey from €150bn rearmament fund

Victory for France-backed ‘Buy European’ approach to defence spending

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

🎙Shifting alliances and global power struggles are redefining the Middle East's future. Join Neil Melvin, @burcuozcelik.bsky.social and @mikerstephens.bsky.social as they explore who will ultimately hold the power in the latest episode of Global Security Briefing.

bit.ly

Episode 94: New ‘Great Power’ Competition in the Middle East

Shifting alliances and global power struggles are redefining the Middle East's future. Neil Melvin, Burcu Ozcelik and Michael Stephens explore who will ultimately hold the power.

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Anand Menon @anandmenon.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Aha. Finally, a sensible, balanced, non hysterical analysis of the challenge Reform may pose to the Tories and Labour. Thank you, @lucyfisher.ft.com 👍🏾www.ft.com/content/faa5...

ft.com

Is Nigel Farage’s Reform hype outpacing reality?

Tory insiders mull a pact with populist party though both camps officially oppose the idea

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

'A lazy consensus seems to have emerged in the West, based more on hope than serious analysis, that Putin will agree to stop his further incursions into Ukraine' writes Tim Willasey-Wilsey in the latest RUSI Commentary.

rusi.org

Will 2025 be a Repeat of 1938 for Europe?

It is tempting to compare the two years. Any deal that Trump negotiates with Putin may have similar features to Munich: land for temporary peace. The West has already weakened its negotiating position...

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

RUSI @rusi.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

🎙 In the final #GlobalSecurityBriefing episode of 2024, we ask @burcuozcelik.bsky.social and @mikerstephens.bsky.social what comes next for Syria and the future of the region, following the fall of the Assad regime. Learn more here: rusi.org/podcasts/glo...

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Dr Tom Hill @tomhjhill.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Assad is going to start a blog, isn’t he

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Luke Knox @lukeknox.me · 12/12/2024

watching German ice football highlights, I’ve never felt more alive

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Gideon Rachman @gideonrachman.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

If you want to understand where Trump foreign policy might be heading, I recommend this pod I recorded with Dan Caldwell in DC last week. www.ft.com/content/ffe7...

ft.com

Will Trump pull America back from the world?

So-called restrainers reject post-Cold War foreign policy consensus

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Delaney Simon @delaneysimon.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

After the fall of a brutal dictatorship, the West needs a plan for sanctions relief. #Syria is one of the most heavily sanctioned countries in the world. Leaving severe #sanctions in place will be like pulling the rug out from under Syria just as it tries to stand. 🧵1/

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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Pleased to offer my thoughts to the Spectator Coffee shorts podcast about what’s at stake for the UK in the Syria conflict with the great @jaheale.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/c...

podcasts.apple.com

How does the Syrian conflict affect Britain?

Podcast Episode · Coffee House Shots · 09/12/2024 · 12m

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Aron Lund @aronlund.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

At this point, Mr Sharaa is just going around Damascus doing scenic photoshoots, like some heavily armed influencer. Source: t.me/G_CSyriaa/29

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Helen Barrett @helenbarrett.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Someone just told me their annual Christmas tree reference point is Ronald and Nancy Reagan's 1987 White House tree, so I googled it.

Ronald and Nancy Reagan with an absurdly large, overdecorated Christmas tree in 1987.

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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

So are they going to write of 2024 European politics in the way they wrote about 1848? Britain looks remarkably sane right now (which is saying something). But hey Repeal of the Corn Laws 1846 split the Tories for a generation and we stayed stable as Europe wobbled in revolt. #parallels.

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Reposted by Michael Stephens

Max Boot @maxboot.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

I am so happy @bsky.app has turned into a X/Threads replacement. Taking me back to the old days on Twitter--minus all the annoying trolls. This has pretty much all the accounts I follow on X and seemingly none of the ones I want to avoid! It's become useful, like the old Twitter, for breaking news.

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