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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

I think you've read the undertone of my sentiment pretty well. And you're absolutely right to also refer to Sudan, and the lack of international action there to solve what is, a horrible bloody conflict far exceeding Gaza in scale. I do think however G7 states recognising Palestine is a big deal.

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

Which to date, they have utterly failed to do. Trump was right when he sent Egypt's half formed proposal back with a "do better" caveat. No Israeli PM even if they're left wing, will ever accept Hamas having political influence in Palestine ever again. So this is of utmost urgency to solve.

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

And I suspect Israel's domestic politics becomes the most important variable for any movement forward on a viable political solution in the long term. This does not ignore the fact that Hamas is still operating, and the Arab world needs to come up with a mechanism for full transfer of power.

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

countries follow France in support of a Palestinian State. If we're left with a point where a flailing Netanyahu is basically reliant on supportive statements from Trump, Orban and Milei but is essentially unwelcome everywhere else, then it's a slow slide towards deep extended isolation.

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

Hi Andrew, yes sadly there's so much to talk about it's difficult to cover all the ways forward, as well as where we're currently at. I honestly think that this 1) Depends a lot on Trump and whether he believes in a solution 2) Israel's domestic politics and Bibi's level of support 3) Whether other

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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

Khamenei will need to think about his choices. Negotiate now from a place of weakness and concede, or allow this to escalate further and take more damage, which could severely undermine the regime and trigger wider instability internally. Neither option is good.

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

Iran and the US have been stuck on zero enrichment, and perhaps Iran thought it had more cards to play to stretch talks out to the 13th hour, as it usually does. What the Iranians didn't realise is that it was already the 13th hour, and time had run out. It was a costly error.

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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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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

I don't even know who David Bull is...

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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

The delights of think tanking being turned into "Hot Tankery". The past 15 years has a lot to answer for.

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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

If you are a supporter of Israel living in the West, this is extremely serious, and needs to be understood. It's not about Hamas and what they have done. It is about what Israel is currently doing to prosecute this war, and the highly problematic methods it is choosing to do so.

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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

Not gonna lie, it certainly gave me a kick lol...

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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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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Which commentators are these? Trumpian ideas have plenty of appeal to UK voters, which is sort of what the past decade has all been about.

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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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Michael Stephens @mikerstephens.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Gosh it's almost as if a decade of abandoning the aspirations of young people in favour of targeting a voter base which is literally and metaphorically dying off has serious consequences.

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