Sign in

Richard G. Whitman

@rgwhitman.bsky.social
2.5K followers 160 following 36 posts

Professor of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent; Senior Fellow, UK in a Changing Europe; Senior Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute.

PostsRepliesMedia
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Thanks to @padamson.bsky.social for the chance to offer my view on how to deliver on @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu proposal for the move to create a European Security Council.
001
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Thanks to @sieps.bsky.social for giving me the opportunity to argue why now really is the time for a European Security Council.
000
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Council on Geostrategy @congeostrategy.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
‘A reminder that whatever the external perceptions of the government in office, the Royals’ unique appeal creates an affinity for 🇬🇧 that can be used to national advantage,’ argues @rgwhitman.bsky.social, @kent.ac.uk #BigAsk #BritainsWorld
britainsworld.org.uk
Did the King’s visit to America reaffirm the importance of soft power?
The Big Ask | No. 16.2026
021
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Council on Geostrategy @congeostrategy.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Did the King’s visit to America reaffirm the importance of soft power? We asked 6 experts in today’s #BigAsk ✍️ @evieaspinall.bsky.social, @joshuachuminski.bsky.social, @vckeating.bsky.social, Dr Ksenia Kirkham, Thomas Nurcombe, @rgwhitman.bsky.social #BritainsWorld
britainsworld.org.uk
Did the King’s visit to America reaffirm the importance of soft power?
The Big Ask | No. 16.2026
011
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Stefan Wolff @stefwolff.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Always a pleasure to cooperate with @rgwhitman.bsky.social... and intellectually productive:
021
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Iran and Ukraine are changing the EU and testing its unity - analysis with @stefwolff.bsky.social on the end of the EU's age of innocence - theconversation.com/iran-and-ukr...
theconversation.com
Iran and Ukraine are changing the EU and testing its unity
The two wars are forcing the EU to take a more assertive role in defence and security affairs, leading to arguments between senior officials.
140
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Great to have had the chance to have provided evidence to the UK Foreign Affairs Committee inquiry into the EU-UK reset. The FAC report out today pulls no punches in its assessment of the relationship. committees.parliament.uk/committee/78...
committees.parliament.uk
UK-EU reset lacks “direction, definition and drive” - Committees - UK Parliament
Report: From a Common Understanding to Common Ground: Building a UK-EU Strategic Partnership fit for the future
010
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Centre for European Reform @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Applications are now open for the 13th Clara Marina O’Donnell fellowship, full details below. Start date: October 2026 for six months Pay: London Living Wage Applications in by: 09/04/26 @centreeuropeanref.bsky.social @brookings.edu @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social buff.ly/3vV64SZ
buff.ly
The Clara Marina O'Donnell fellowship
Applications are now open for the 13th Clara Marina O’Donnell fellowship. Start date: October 2026 for six months. Pay: currently £14.80 per hour plus 8 per cent pension contribution. Applications in…
045
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Council on Geostrategy @congeostrategy.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
‘The best way for 🇬🇧 to support middle powers is not to join them, but to lead in a way that makes their cooperation possible,’ argues @rgwhitman.bsky.social, @kent.ac.uk #BigAsk #BritainsWorld
britainsworld.org.uk
Should Britain act more like a major or middle power?
The Big Ask | No. 05.2026
021
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
EU agrees €90 billion loan to Ukraine, but squabbles over frozen Russian assets expose the bloc’s deep divisions - my analysis with @stefwolff.bsky.social theconversation.com/eu-agrees-90...
theconversation.com
EU agrees €90 billion loan to Ukraine, but squabbles over frozen Russian assets expose the bloc’s deep divisions
To placate pro-Moscow governments in Hungary, Slovakia and Czechia, the EU had to include an ‘opt-out’ clause for its support for Ukraine.
032
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Council on Geostrategy @congeostrategy.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
‘🇬🇧 should also help to normalise 🇺🇦 strategic integration with #EuroAtlantic allies and partners, using the coalition as a mechanism for ensuring that the country becomes a “shadow” member of #NATO,’ writes @rgwhitman.bsky.social, @kent.ac.uk #BigAsk #BritainsWorld
britainsworld.org.uk
How should Britain cultivate the Coalition of the Willing?
The Big Ask | No. 44.2025
021
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Thanks @congeostrategy.bsky.social for the #BigAsk invitation: My answer - Move beyond its ‘start-up’ phase with less focus on preparing to enforce a notional peace and more on securing Ukraine for the long term. www.britainsworld.org.uk/p/the-big-as...
britainsworld.org.uk
How should Britain cultivate the Coalition of the Willing?
The Big Ask | No. 44.2025
010
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Stefan Wolff @stefwolff.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
As Trump flip-flops and the coalition of the willing is unlikely to go beyond securing Ukraine’s immediate survival, a credible pathway to ending the war with a just and stable peace is still lacking -- my latest analysis with @rgwhitman.bsky.social for @navvortex.bsky.social : bit.ly/43IOKP9
navigatingthevortex.com
Despite another week of diplomatic whiplash, an end to the fighting in Ukraine is not in sight
By Richard Whitman & Stefan Wolff
031
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
The Trump administration flip-flops and the track record of Kyiv’s European partners to slow-walk the necessary goods for Ukraine’s defence continues. - shared analysis with @stefwolff.bsky.social theconversation.com/ukraine-anot...
theconversation.com
Ukraine: another week of diplomatic wrangling leaves Kyiv short of defensive options
Despite exhaustive discussions, neither the EU or the US has come up with any really substantial measures to boost Ukraine’s defence.
043
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Stefan Wolff @stefwolff.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Time is running out for Europe to prevent Russia from broadening its war against Ukraine into a full-blown military confrontation with the west: my latest analysis with @rgwhitman.bsky.social: bit.ly/42e0qZB
022
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Great to be back in The Conversation and especially for a shared analysis with @stefwolff.bsky.social
000
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
In memoriam: Professor A J R (‘John’) Groom It is with sadness that we bring the news that former BISA Chair Professor A J R Groom has passed away. Here @rgwhitman.bsky.social outlines some of Professor Groom's main contributions and achievements. Read here - buff.ly/8Kl7Cc5 @kent.ac.uk
buff.ly
011
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
🚨 #REF2029 update - Matthew Flinders and @ailsahenderson.bsky.social provide an update on REF2029 sub-panel 19 - Politics and IR: 🎉 Pause button pressed & Sub-panel members appointed: @usempire.bsky.social @rgwhitman.bsky.social @jamespattison.bsky.social @whitproject.bsky.social Read here 👉
buff.ly
REF2029: Update on Politics and International Relations
Matthew Flinders and Ailsa Henderson provide an update on the timeline and panel remembers.
063
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Council on Geostrategy @congeostrategy.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
‘In an era of growing uncertainty in American politics…closer British-French nuclear cooperation is a prudent strategic hedge,’ argues @rgwhitman.bsky.social @kent.ac.uk #BigAsk #BritainsWorld
britainsworld.org.uk
How should Britain and France cooperate to realise the Northwood Declaration?
The Big Ask | No. 29.2025
072
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
Macron: when France and the UK "come together around one table, everything is possible". Well not everything…https://inews.co.uk/news/world/eu-split-uk-joining-weapons-fund-france-saying-non-3791737?ito=link_share_article-top
inews.co.uk
The EU is split on UK joining its weapons fund - and France is saying non
Some countries are sceptical about full British involvement in the EU's defence investment fund - with senior officials saying it will undermine the bloc's supply chain
010
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
UK in a Changing Europe @ukandeu.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
"The summit captured a moment of uneasy consensus — forged not through shared strategy, but through collective accommodation of a US president whose commitment to the Alliance remains conditional." ✍️ @rgwhitman.bsky.social on the NATO summit and Trump's influence
ukandeu.ac.uk
The Art of the Pledge: Trump, NATO, and the price of unity - UK in a changing Europe
Richard Whitman takes stock of the NATO summit at the Hague in June 2025. He argues that the brief summit aimed to appease Donald Trump with its commitment to his 5% defence spending target and…
041
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
@edrusi.bsky.social has the must-read take on The Hague NATO summit.
062
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Anand Menon @anandmenon.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
What to make of the NATO summit? @rgwhitman.bsky.social explains all ukandeu.ac.uk/the-art-of-t...
ukandeu.ac.uk
The Art of the Pledge: Trump, NATO, and the price of unity - UK in a changing Europe
Richard Whitman takes stock of the NATO summit at the Hague in June 2025. He argues that the brief summit aimed to appease Donald Trump with its commitment to his 5% defence spending target and failed...
3103
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
In conversation with Neil Melvin on the ever insightful Global Security Briefing podcast from @rusi.bsky.social . A great opportunity to reflect on the record of the UK Labour government after its first year in office and how UK security and defence is evolving. www.rusi.org/podcasts/glo...
rusi.org
Episode 103: How Should the UK Approach European Security?
How is the UK’s Labour government approaching European security, and how does this compare to the Conservatives?
030
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
UK in a Changing Europe @ukandeu.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
"As the United States re-evaluates its security commitments to Europe, the UK and EU are under increasing pressure to assume greater responsibility for their own defence." @rgwhitman.bsky.social‬ analyses the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership & the role of the US
ukandeu.ac.uk
A modest beginning: the new EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership - UK in a changing Europe
Professor Richard Whitman analyses the Security and Defence Partnership announced at the UK-EU summit in London on Monday 19 May. He argues that the agreement does not exceed any strategic…
062
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Fantastic occasion - and very many thanks to @mybisa.bsky.social for bringing us all together to reflect on the first fifty years of the Association.
041
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
Thanks to @congeostrategy.bsky.social for giving me the chance to answer the #BigAsk this week.
010
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
AUKward - on.ft.com/4jPXsQN
on.ft.com
Pentagon launches review of Aukus nuclear submarine deal
​Ending the pact would be a blow to the security alliance with Australia and UK
242
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
BISA - British International Studies Association @mybisa.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
🌟BISA chair roundtable: 50 years and counting: reflecting on the discipline and profession of International Studies🌟 Online or in person 🎉 ‪Ft/ @rgwhitman.bsky.social‬, Barry Buzan, Chris Brown, Christopher Hill, Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, Ruth Blakeley & Mark Webber Sign up now! 👉
buff.ly
Public event - BISA chair roundtable: 50 years and counting: reflecting on the discipline and profession of International Studies
A roundtable with past BISA chairs. Part of the #BISA2025 conference.
011
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Modesty (doesn't quite) forbid me for drawing attention to this piece for @congeostrategy.bsky.social - Resetting (modestly): The UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership www.britainsworld.org.uk/p/the-memora...
britainsworld.org.uk
Resetting (modestly): The UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership
The Memorandum | No. 19.2025
041
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
UK in a Changing Europe @ukandeu.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
"It does not represent a transformative moment or strategic shift; rather, it formalises a more normalised, codified dialogue between the two parties." 🖊️ @rgwhitman.bsky.social analyses the Security and Defence Partnership announced at the UK-EU summit in London ukandeu.ac.uk/the-new-eu-u...
ukandeu.ac.uk
A modest beginning: the new EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership - UK in a changing Europe
Professor Richard Whitman analyses the Security and Defence Partnership announced at the UK-EU summit in London on Monday 19 May. He argues that the agreement does not exceed any strategic partnership...
084
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Sharp and on point from @edrusi.bsky.social
001
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
My take on the EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership agreed at the summit today.
012
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Thanks to the @congeostrategy.bsky.social for getting the opportunity to answer their #BigAsk this week - on whether Britain should have a foreign policy doctrine.
010
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Ian Bond @cerianbond.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
It isn't a surprise that an administration with little respect for domestic law is happy internationally to offer impunity to Putin & his fellow war-criminals, but it is another sad sign of US abdication from its leading role in the democratic world. Europeans must do what they can to fill the gap.
14223
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
David Phinnemore @dphinnemore.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Next EU-UK Joint Committee meeting scheduled for 29 April. This is first meeting under the UK Labour Government; last meeting was 16 May 2024 when David Cameron was UK co-chair. Expected among the agenda items is EU declaration that it is content that UK... commission.europa.eu/document/dow...
2174
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Ian, thank you - and really pertinent questions. On a) Credibility of an ESC would rest on the authority that European states would be willing to ascribe to it. On b) a convo that should def be happening at the least to rehearse the nature of the challenge?
010
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Time to dust off the idea of a European Security Council - my comment piece for @rusi.bsky.social www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
rusi.org
Time for a European Security Council?
Where and how are European countries going to discuss the European security architecture, and coordinate their activities and efforts? Is it now time to dust off the idea of a European Security (and D...
0229
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Maybe the bigger picture should be in play here…the exclusionary approach should have been dumped before the EU’s recent defence initiatives were announced… www.politico.eu/article/germ...
politico.eu
German-led push to open EU defense deal to UK and Canada hits French opposition
BRUSSELS — At least a third of EU countries support a German-led plan to allow the U.K. and Canada to take part in a scheme for common purchases of weapons. EU ambassadors on Thursday discussed a p…
020
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
Thank you Ian.
000
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
European Policy Centre @epc-official.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
📢 NEW COMMENTARY: 🖋️ By Richard Whitman Why Europe needs a common market for defence @rgwhitman.bsky.social argues that now is the time for the EU to move beyond coordination among member states and work towards a truly common European defence market. 👉 www.epc.eu/en/Publicati...
043
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
A European common market for defence bigger and broader than the EU27 is needed for Europe's security - my argument for @epc-official.bsky.social www.epc.eu/en/Publicati...
epc.eu
Why Europe needs a common market for defence
Why Europe needs a common market for defence
1196
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
UK in a Changing Europe @ukandeu.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
🚨 CALL FOR PAPERS - deadline tomorrow! ⏰ 👀 Just one day left to apply for this amazing opportunity with UKICE's @robfordmancs.bsky.social & @uniofmanchester.bsky.social 👇
077
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
UCL European Institute @uclei.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Read the latest post of our UCL Europe Blog series on the changing geopolitical order now. @rgwhitman.bsky.social asks why it's taking so long for the European Union and the United Kingdom to agree on a formal security and defence partnership? ➡️ Read more here: ucleuropeblog.com/2025/03/26/e...
ucleuropeblog.com
EU–UK Relations: Missing the moment in European Security?
Why is it taking so long for the European Union and the United Kingdom to agree on a formal security and defence partnership?
011
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
The May EU-UK summit may mark a new phase of détente between London and Brussels, but the pace of progress on an EU-UK security and defence pacy remains worryingly slow, particularly given the urgency of the security challenges Europe now faces. My thoughts for @uclei.bsky.social.
010
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Rolling the pitch for an EU-UK foreign, security and defence policy agreement - www.politico.eu/article/eu-u...
politico.eu
This moment of crisis demands closer UK-EU cooperation
Britain may have left the EU, but when it comes to keeping our continent safe, Europe cannot afford to be less than the sum of our parts.
152
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
Kaja Kallas @kajakallas.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Ukraine is Europe! We stand by Ukraine. We will step up our support to Ukraine so that they can continue to fight back the agressor. Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.
667192075547
Reposted by Richard G. Whitman
UK in a Changing Europe @ukandeu.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
With Trump continuing to make headlines over Ukraine, have a read of @kkwapinska.bsky.social’s excellent analysis on the ‘peace talks’ & potential consequences of Trump's strategy towards Europe👇 ukandeu.ac.uk/the-uk-us-se...
ukandeu.ac.uk
The UK-US security cooperation and Ukraine’s Peace Formula - UK in a changing Europe
Kamila Kwapińska examines proposed peace plans for Ukraine and argues that Trump's strategy might disrupt security between UK-US relations.
084
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
UK public response to Trump admin stance on Ukraine takes shape - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4...
bbc.co.uk
No talks about Ukraine without Ukraine, UK defence secretary says
John Healey's comments come after Donald Trump said he's ready to meet with Vladimir Putin following their phone call.
020
Richard G. Whitman @rgwhitman.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Thanks to @congeostrategy.bsky.social to the chance to join their line of thinkers to tackle their weekly #BigAsk - 'What should Britain's relationship with the EU look like?
040