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Dr Emma Salisbury

@salisbot.bsky.social
8.7K followers 707 following 2.4K posts

Naval Iconoclast, Military-Industrial Expert Senior Fellow, National Security Program, Foreign Policy Research Institute

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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 9h
I am learning about Heavy Gustav, the largest-calibre rifled weapon ever used in combat (once, at the Battle of Sevastopol) and the ultimate in Nazi overcompensating. It fired 7-ton shells, but only if you built a railway to move it, had 3 days to assemble it, and the battle wasn't already over.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 12h
"Project Meridian recommends weaponizing Grok and a Cybertruck for every GOFO."
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 17h
Today's fun WWII fact: Window (metal chaff dropped to confound enemy radar) almost got stymied for fear of the Germans figuring it out and using it too. Churchill had to overrule the naysayers. Turns out the Germans had the same worry and had stopped their own Düppel chaff research!
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Someone has described this as the ultimate dad thread - I'd like to clarify that as a childfree woman in her late 30s I am proud to display an intense amount of dad energy and I am also good at grilling
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
If you could read only one book about the Pacific theatre of WWII - either an overview or about a specific campaign/operation/etc - what would it be? (And yes my TBR pile is fine please don't ask about my TBR pile thank you) M3A1 Satan for tax
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
My first outing in the New York Times, which hits different for this longtime Americaphile 🇺🇸 www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/w...
nytimes.com
How Ukraine’s Naval Drones Are Remaking War at Sea
They began as modified motorboats. Now, Ukrainian sea drones act as miniature aircraft carriers, and other countries want in.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
If a Democrat-controlled Senate does indeed end up impeaching Hegseth, I may have to take some time off work to watch every single second of the hearings, for totally professional reasons
static.klipy.com
Sickos Haha Yes
ALT: Sickos Haha Yes
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Having my work in print is always a delight, but especially when it's this pretty! My article (in Spanish) for La Vanguardia Dossier no. 101, on naval warfare in the Strait of Hormuz, is available here: www.lavanguardia.com/internaciona...
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Because we all need some joy right now, a recommendation. I'd known of Ken Liu as the translator of Cixin Liu's works - but he's a far better writer than the latter. Beautiful.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A deal that's the same as what was already on the table, for the low low price of ruinously undermining your most important alliance. Such diplomacy, much coercion, wow. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
US and Denmark reach deal over Greenland's security after Trump threats
Denmark and the US have reached an agreement after months of threats from Donald Trump to annex the territory.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"Excuse me, where's the cheese?" "Just to the left of the Shahed, sir."
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Apparently when you promise to circle back to things in the fall, at some point fall happens? And you have to circle back to the things? Who designed this system
static.klipy.com
Shut It Down
ALT: Shut It Down
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The prose? Gorgeous. The despair? Pervasive. The trauma? Emotional. 14/10 I will never read this again
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
As I haven't had enough punishment this week, tonight I will be reading the second half of Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
static.klipy.com
Emotional Damage Meme
ALT: Emotional Damage Meme
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Welp, here I gracefully slide into middle age
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The collective crush on Mamdani comes from the same place as the collective crush on Zelensky: ✨️COMPETENCE✨️ We miss it, we crave it, we adore it when we see it.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
American English (Corporate) is a whole separate language. "I have noted a few windows to connect. Please let me know if we need to explore alternative availability, or if there is a preferred point of contact for managing your calendars." Translation: "Does this time work for you?"
static.klipy.com
Patrick Bateman: Impressive. Very Nice. (American Psycho)
ALT: Patrick Bateman: Impressive. Very Nice. (American Psycho)
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I obviously looked immediately to see who James Talarico's favourite drag queen is and he needs to be elected immediately, he has excellent taste. Alyssa Edwards, yes gawd.
static.klipy.com
Alyssa Edwards: I Don't Get Cute
ALT: Alyssa Edwards: I Don't Get Cute
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I'm reading about the Mongols at the moment and my favourite fact so far is that they swiftly gave up on the idea of conquering India because they couldn't cope with the humidity
static.klipy.com
Jelian Mercado Says Girl Same
ALT: Jelian Mercado Says Girl Same
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Huge, huge rec for this - cosmic horror filtered through deeply British, Adams-esque humour. I am devouring it like an unknowable entity from beyond the bounds of memory.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
"You don't have space for more books!" What I don't have space for is your NEGATIVITY
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Caught up with an old friend today. F: Is the Hormuz stuff really as dumb as it looks? Me: No. F: Oh good! Me: It's so much dumber than it looks. F: Oh. Me:
static.klipy.com
You're Welcome
ALT: You're Welcome
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Girls are lethal too, Hegseth 💅🏻
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I'm playing Airsoft immediately after work today, so I'm currently having the most central Army experience: Writing emails while dressed in camo for no reason ✨️
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I talked with Bloomberg about the blockade of Iran. BLUF: Iran can weather this for a lot longer than the Trump administration seems to think. www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
bloomberg.com
The Iran Blockade’s Growing Price Tag Is Draining America’s Global Military Power
The cost of naval operations since the buildup began in January has topped $7.1 billion — not including all the US assets being used to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Turns out those naval mines that the US swept months ago and weren't even there in the first place are pretty splodey (technical term)
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Just the US Fifth Fleet HQ and regional logistics hub being blown to smithereens, nothing to see here folks, so much winning taskandpurpose.com/news/navy-ba...
taskandpurpose.com
Iran ‘blew the hell out of’ base in Bahrain, acting Navy Secretary admits
The base, home to the Navy’s 5th Fleet and a major logistics hub, was targeted repeatedly at the start of the war.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Perim is right in the middle of the strait, bang in the centre of the shipping lanes, with a captured resupply port in Mocha. While the Houthis claim they will only attack Saudi ships, this is a huge point of leverage for their backers in Tehran. BLUF: Big yikes. edition.cnn.com/2026/09/10/m...
edition.cnn.com
Iran-backed Houthis capture key island in Bab al-Mandeb Strait | CNN
Iran-backed rebels in Yemen captured the strategic Perim Island in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on Friday, two Yemeni government sources told CNN, potentially expanding Tehran’s influence over another key...
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I am of the generation that was entirely shaped by 9/11 and the GWOT. Our worlds changed irrevocably in ways we couldn't have imagined as young teenagers, watching the planes go into the towers. May all those who died - in the attacks, the wars, and their various terrible aftermaths - rest easy.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The duality of me at a conference - professional vs "um no"
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Some thoughts from me having just returned from speaking about regional security (😬) in the Gulf. The Gulf states are loudly pissed off with Iran, and more quietly so with the US and Israel. The UAE in particular feels personally targeted by Iran. They are, most fundamentally, tired of this shit.
static.klipy.com
I'm Tired of This Grandpa! That's Too Bad!
ALT: I'm Tired of This Grandpa! That's Too Bad!
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I always joke about how much I hate Dulles and Newark but in reality the worst airport, the one that truly sucks the joy out of your soul, is specifically Terminal 4 of London Heathrow.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Never forget that Trump bragged almost immediately after 9/11 happened that one of his buildings was now the tallest in Manhattan
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Gulf looks fine from here, don't know what everyone's fussing about
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
AfD winning elections in Germany, you say?
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Someone in the environs of my hotel in Abu Dhabi is playing the Star-Spangled Banner on the harmonica
static.klipy.com
What Is This Whats Happening
ALT: What Is This Whats Happening
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I'm very much looking forward to this, as well as returning to the beautiful UAE - getting to do this kind of thing for work is a privilege.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I'll be speaking at the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi next week on - what else - the Strait of Hormuz. I'm looking forward to hearing the perspectives of our friends in the Gulf, as this is a rather immediate issue for people who are in the path of Iranian missiles. hiliforum.ae/en
hiliforum.ae
Hili Forum 2026 — Gulf at Crossroads: Conflict, Consequences and Course Correction
The 3rd edition of the Hili Forum convenes global leaders in Abu Dhabi. Co-organized by ECSSR & AGDA, exploring the Gulf at Crossroads: Conflict, Consequences and Course Correction.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Girl, same
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
There is something particularly German about being held on the tarmac for longer than your flight time due to... paperwork. The efficiency stereotype is not something that survives contact with the actual country.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
... which lying regime?
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
It turns out Hamburg, a city where I have previously only consumed flammkuchen and currywurst, also has some of the best sushi I have ever had. East, on Simon-von-Utrecht-Straße. Excellent cocktails too. Go with a friend with an American techbro expense account, if you can.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Some thoughts from my remarks and conversations at SMM Hamburg. SMM is all about maritime industry and commercial shipping. Their biggest worry now is, rightly, geopolitical crisis. There was a lot of talk about cooperation and international rules. All very good and worthy. But.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I don't think Republicans care, of course, but I wish they could hear the mix of eye-roll and uncomfortableness when I mention the Trump administration during a talk in a European setting
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Tony Stark's Iconic Eye Roll
ALT: Tony Stark's Iconic Eye Roll
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
So you're... losing against a superior Persia? (The Spartans had allies so even this is not accurate...)
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Canada actually have four submarines (yay!) but only one works right now (oh no) so Bessent is doubly wrong. Thank you for listening to today's episode of Sub Facts. Like and subscribe.
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Reposted by Dr Emma Salisbury
Foreign Policy Research Institute @fpri.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Amy J. Nelson outlines three shifts that undermine US credibility when it makes claims based on classified information: the need to effectively communicate to multiple audiences, overcome preconceived doubt, and convey compliance breaches in an era of technological gray-zones. buff.ly/S7tXQyh
orbisjournal.org
Phantom Signaling: The Waning of American Nuclear Credibility
Explore the complexities of nuclear signaling as the United States faces credibility issues with allies and adversaries.
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Just arrived in Hamburg for SMM, enjoying picking out the ex-military American guys who now Sell Boat Things in the passport queue - there is a vibe and dress code that is unmistakable but that I could never explain
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Dr Emma Salisbury @salisbot.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
It's properly raining in my little corner of England for the first time since June and I am extremely happy
static.klipy.com
Man Dancing in Rain with Umbrella
ALT: Man Dancing in Rain with Umbrella
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