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Rory Cormac

@rorycormac.bsky.social
4.8K followers 383 following 417 posts

Professor: Subversion & Secret Statecraft | Author: Fakers (coming 2026); Disrupt & Deny; How to Stage a Coup; Crown, Cloak, & Dagger

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James Crossland @jamescrossland.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
historysdevils.buzzsprout.com/2591267/epis... This week on HISTORY'S DEVILS, @rorycormac.bsky.social and myself look at the life and lies of the conman, bigamist and would-be killer of Vladimir Lenin, the so-called "Ace of Spies", Sidney Reilly #history #podcast
historysdevils.buzzsprout.com
"Ace of Spies" or Ultimate Grifter? Sidney Reilly and the World of British Intelligence - History's Devils
This episode of HISTORY’S DEVILS delves into the life of Sidney Reilly, a dashing, semi-mythical MI6 officer who has often been referred to – without much reason – as the “Ace of Spies”. James Crossla...
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James Crossland @jamescrossland.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
📢 Happy to say that my new podcast, HISTORY'S DEVILS, will be starting on 12 Feb with an episode on the origins of British Fascism. For now, here's the season 1 trailer @philmcraig.bsky.social @ww2tv.bsky.social @mikkibrock.bsky.social @rorycormac.bsky.social #history #podcast 🗃 🎬 🔽🔽
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
I’ve never been one to watch in a good way before
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Jack Murphy @jackmurphyrgr.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
The Name of the Game is Death by Dan Marlowe The Chaos Agent Mark Greaney Elric Vol. 2 Michael Morecock The Anointed HP Lovecraft Covert Action by @magslong.bsky.social and @rorycormac.bsky.social The Present Age by Soren Kierkegaard Those Who Face Death Mark Grdovic
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Magda Long @magslong.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
@rorycormac.bsky.social and I had a fantastic time with @jackmurphyrgr.bsky.social on @theteamhouse.bsky.social - we talked #CovertAction; how and why states use it; and what we might miss if we apply the US approach too narrowly elsewhere. Watch it on #YouTube or listen on your fave #podcast app
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
Thanks for having us ; it was a lot of fun
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Jack Murphy @jackmurphyrgr.bsky.social · 27/12/2025
Not going to leave you hanging during the holidays. Tonight we have a @theteamhouse.bsky.social episode with @magslong.bsky.social and @rorycormac.bsky.social about how various Intel agencies approach covert action. youtu.be/j5cCGxOpR8w?...
youtu.be
How Different Countries Execute Covert Action
YouTube video by The Team House
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Well this is very generous and kind. Thanks @drichterova.bsky.social. So on trend it’s not even out yet! Thanks again for the advance read; I’m really looking forward to sharing it with everyone in the spring 😀
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
I can see a sequel to the next book already!
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Ooooh intriguing. Where’s that from? I’ll look into it
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Luca Trenta @lucatrenta.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
My @newbooksnetwork.bsky.social podcast with @markstout.bsky.social, @magslong.bsky.social, and @rorycormac.bsky.social is now available. Learn more about covert action here: newbooksnetwork.com/covert-action
newbooksnetwork.com
Magda Long et. al., "Covert Action: National Approaches to Unacknowledged Intervention (Georgetown UP, 2025) - New Books Network
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
Barrier committee update: A representative informs me there is - in fact - no barrier committee, just a group of relevant individuals who meet to discuss barrier related matters. That settles that then
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nottspolitics.bsky.social @nottspolitics.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
'Disinformation exploits gaps in Western alliances and domestic politics, often making countermeasures difficult' Read @rorycormac.bsky.social and Dan Lomas @sandbaggerone.bsky.social's written evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on disinformation diplomacy ⬇️ tinyurl.com/eb3za49c
Excerpt from report
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Ha! The cat was the most insightful!!
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
£48 royalties! Don’t worry kids, Christmas is saved!
media.tenor.com
a woman pushing a shopping cart in a grocery store with the words who 's on my list .
ALT: a woman pushing a shopping cart in a grocery store with the words who 's on my list .
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Update: you have to have a special “barrier permit” to pass through the barrier. Staff cards or parking permits do not count. Tempted to channel my inner PWE and forge a bunch for the black market 🤣
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
I was going to do a photo of jumping jumping over it checkpoint Charlie style… but I’m old and would trip!
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
First it would have to be “uncover” the rationale! Seriously tempted just for the Monty python-esque fun of it
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
media.tenor.com
a man in a military uniform with a lot of medals on his chest
ALT: a man in a military uniform with a lot of medals on his chest
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
(This, inevitably, is in addition to the standard main barriers at the entrance of uni. Oh and in a time of financial cuts it’s manned by 2 people because of course it is) I’m now on a one man mission to find out more about the barrier committee 🤣
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Today I learnt our uni has a “barrier committee” to determine when to open a recently installed (and much hated) barrier which prevents staff from driving from one side of campus to the other. And I just can’t stop laughing
media.tenor.com
a man wearing glasses and a lanyard is looking at the camera .
ALT: a man wearing glasses and a lanyard is looking at the camera .
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
Why, when the country is broke, is the DWP writing to advise me I’m entitled to my dead father’s winter fuel allowance??
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 25/11/2025
Few things more depressing than a door locked that is usually open, a staircase roped off which is usually clear, and three security guards standing outside - as, hidden away from staff and students, council votes on whether to close music and languages. Terribly terribly sad day.
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
So proud! Another Cambridge UP book to add to the multiple “world leading” articles, £1.1m UKRI bid, fantastic community work, an app aimed at school kids etc etc etc. An absolute superstar!
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
It was quite something to hear a passionate call to protect music and languages during a Catholic Mass in Clifton estate yesterday. I worry about the reputational impact in our own great city, let alone beyond www.theguardian.com/education/20...
theguardian.com
University of Nottingham considers axing language and music degrees
Total of 48 degrees could disappear from Russell Group institution, with falling revenues and rising costs blamed
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Thanks Peter. It’s been quite a 6 months
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Ahh thanks. I hope you enjoy it
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Funny you should say that. My brother’s dog got put down when dad had about 3 months to live. Dad was jealous of the dog, crying how unfair it was that humans are treated with less dignity
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Personal experience of this one, sadly. I watched my dad die of a brain tumour over the past 6 months. The final couple of weeks were cruel, unnecessary, undignified, and neither in his wishes nor interests He begged me to let him die. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Peers suggest over 900 changes to assisted dying bill
Experts say the volume is a record, and backers of the bill fear opponents are using delaying tactics.
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Joanne Cormac @jcormac.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Heartbroken to share the news that recruitment to Undergraduate Music courses at the University of Nottingham has been suspended. Please do contact us on protectuonmusic@gmail.com if you would like to support us.
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Phil Tinline @philtinline.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
This quotes a university employee emailing about: "Attempting to retain the business in China". The university says this doesn't reflect policy, but if it sees itself as a business, there's the issue. Universities, like councils & the BBC, are *not businesses*. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
theguardian.com
UK university halted human rights research after pressure from China
Exclusive: Leading professor at Sheffield Hallam was told to cease research on supply chains and forced labour in China after demands from authorities
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
I always enjoy trying to work out what (or who) triggered it in such circumstances
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nottspolitics.bsky.social @nottspolitics.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
“Propaganda operations in the Cold War were designed to undermine authority, chip away at orthodox ideas, and encourage questioning" @rorycormac.bsky.social reveals to @telegraphnews.bsky.social how the CIA once tried to recruit Sir Winston Churchill 🔗➡️ tinyurl.com/mvp47n4h Image cc: The Telegraph
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Thanks :)
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The Society for Intelligence History @socintelhist.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
@jrovner.bsky.social, @rorycormac.bsky.social, and @lmaschmeyer.bsky.social's new article is a super read on an important but neglected area of covert action: www.cambridge.org/core/service...
cambridge.org
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
All very true :)
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Publishers: we have a strict word limit Also publishers: all dates in the endnotes must be written out in full
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Lennart Maschmeyer @lmaschmeyer.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
New article out with @rorycormac.bsky.social & @jrovner.bsky.social on Sabotage in World Politics: how does it work, what is it good for, and how is it different from subversion?
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European Journal of International Security @ejisbisa.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
🔥 "Sand in the gears: Sabotage in world politics" from @jrovner.bsky.social, @rorycormac.bsky.social, & @lmaschmeyer.bsky.social is a must-read. 👉 Read this timely article here: cambridge.org/core/journal... cambridge.org/core/journal...
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Joshua Rovner @jrovner.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
What is sabotage? How does it work as a tool of statecraft? And what are its limits? Check out my new article with @rorycormac.bsky.social and @lmaschmeyer.bsky.social. Open access
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
When the MI5 chief warns that AI and hostile states are reshaping espionage in real time, it’s not a thriller plot - it’s just Thursday. (Ps interesting reference to “threat” in the context of China given the spy trial fiasco) www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
MI5 operating in new era of terror and state threats, says chief
In an annual speech, Sir Ken McCallum says the security service is operating in
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
The UK’s China spy trial collapsed because, legally, China wasn’t an “enemy” at the time. Apparently, you can’t spy for a country unless the government has officially decided it dislikes them enough 🤷‍♂️ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Government will publish evidence in collapsed China case, PM says
The Tories and Lib Dems had called for witness statements provided to prosecutors to be released.
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
University inefficiency 101: - Arrive on campus at 11 after an off-campus meeting  - No parking anywhere  - Security won’t lift the stupid cross-campus barrier - Exit & drive around in heavy traffic to other entrance: also full - Drive home - Cycle back in - Miss 2 meetings 👏 Perfect 👏 system 👏
media.tenor.com
a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a window with his hands on his head .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is standing in front of a window with his hands on his head .
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Nerd that I am, I’ve been thinking about (theorising is too strong!!) covert action for 15 years. And this in the new Oxford Handbook National Security Intelligence offers a neat distillation:
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
I’ve got 6 excitable 8 year olds running around my house. I’ve just made a tactical switch from man marking to zonal marking. Wish me luck!
media.tenor.com
a man in a jeep jersey is standing next to two other men
ALT: a man in a jeep jersey is standing next to two other men
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nottspolitics.bsky.social @nottspolitics.bsky.social · 10/10/2025
Dr Dan Lomas @sandbaggerone.bsky.social recently contributed to this @thetimes.com piece on the priorities of the new MI6 chief Blaise Metreweli Read it here 🔗 tinyurl.com/4puhmcud Find out more about Dan and his research on intelligence services 🔗 nottingham.ac.uk/politics/people/daniel.lomas
tinyurl.com
MI6’s new chief aims to restore British influence in Middle East
Blaise Metreweli, 48, is the youngest ever boss of the Secret Intelligence Service
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
What a lovely review. Congratulations!
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Indeed. My dad is a massive grammar pedant and it’s been drilled into me since birth. My “language evolves” argument really wound him up!
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nottspolitics.bsky.social @nottspolitics.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
📚 Congratulations to @rorycormac.bsky.social on the publication of his new co-edited book 'Covert Action: National Approaches to Unacknowledged Intervention' 📖 Read more here🔗 tinyurl.com/3cdbynaa ℹ️ Find out more about Rory and his research 🔗 nottingham.ac.uk/politics/people/rory.cormac
Book cover for 'Covert Action'
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Rory Cormac @rorycormac.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
My copy editor has (correctly) put loads of em dashes into the book but now it looks like it’s been written by chat gpt!! Grammatical errors are now a weird sign of authenticity. We are artisanal writers
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