iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 14/10/2026

Heads up for those interested that another Ukraine-related article from me is coming out tomorrow, on paramilitary units in the war. As an example - the image is from the Ukrainian ‘Liut’ or ‘Fury’ Brigade: not part of the Ukrainian Army, but actually formed of serving Ukrainian police officers!

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Right, back from my week in Ukraine. 🇺🇦 🇬🇧 I'll have a few articles out soon on the air war, dynamics in Kyiv, and what long-term residents feel that western commentators often misunderstand about the war. In the meantime, here is a drone and rocket launcher displayed in a bar in Kyiv 💪:

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Fuck me, this chart is both depressing and terrifying. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

On this day, 87 years ago, the United Kingdom declared war on Nazi Germany, and joined the fight against Fascist tyranny. Over 580,000 soldiers from the UK and British Empire would die in the fighting that followed. Perhaps 70,000 civilians would also die in the UK alone.

Famous 'St Paul's Survives' Photograph from the Second World War.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Saw Akira Remastered at the BFI last night. Fuck me it was good - better than I remembered. Story - bonkers. Violence - brutal. Dystopian cyberpunk vibes - impeccable. Music - excellent. Aesthetic and Animation - sublime. An undoubted classic that holds up exceptionally well.

Poster from Akira of Kaneda walking towards his bike.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Today is VJ Day. On the 15th August 1945, the Japanese Empire announced its surrender to the Allies, effectively bringing an end to the Second World War. The most devastating conflict in human history had finally come to a close.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Idly procrastinating by working out how many Shakespeare plays I have either watched or read. Turns out the number is (I think) 20, so roughly halfway through his works. This reminds me that I need to go to the Globe more often. A £10 ticket within walking distance is ridiculously good value.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Absolute banger that details how Britain mobilised for and won a 22-year struggle in a true ‘whole-of-society’ effort, among political and societal upheaval. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the machinery of government and mobilisation. There is so much we can learn from the French Wars.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

'The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in our life-time.' On this day in 1914, Britain declared war on the German Empire. What followed was a catastrophe that caused millions of deaths and defined the course of the 20th Century.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Saw The Odyssey in IMAX. Overall, fantastic spectacle, though the start and certain parts are ropey/could be cut. Some of the poem's most famous episodes however are done brilliantly. Slightly let down by common 'Nolan-isms' (clunky dialogue, aloof viewpoint), but well worth seeing in theatres.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

On this day, 109 years ago, the Battle of Passchendaele began. Though there were effective tactics employed, the Allied attack eventually slowed into an attritional slogging match, fought in utterly appalling weather. Tens of thousands of men lost their lives in the mud around Ypres.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Have just visited the US National WW2 Museum in New Orleans and despite my British cynicism have to admit that it was bloody good. Also great to see less-commonly told (US) aspects of the war examined, including the experiences of Japanese-Americans and of Labour Unions in the defence industries.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Continuing my one-man crusade against bad communication in Defence, I have to highlight the second paragraph here. 'The reindustrialisation of industry' is a particular clunker, as is 'defence's important role in the UK's growing defence and technology sector.'

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Damn right. Don’t mess with London’s cheese. If the situation was ever repeated again I’d 100% support any lobbying by Paxton & Whitfield to protect London’s supplies of Comté from the continent. 💪

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I guess it was more likely than not. www.ft.com/content/f2eb...

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Another utter howler from the MOD, this time on the British Army website. What is this utter nonsense? How does this help understanding? Trying to parse this just raises more questions than it answers...

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Have just finished ‘Conquer We Must’ by Robin Prior. A highly-readable account of British civil-military relations during the First and Second World Wars. Well worth a read for anyone interested the interplay between politicians and military officers in wartime democracies.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Aargh why does the MOD write like this? What does this even mean? Why is it in the document? So much obfuscation (willful or otherwise) at all levels.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

On this day 110 years ago, the Battle of the Somme began. In terms of casualties, 1st July 1916 remains the worst day in the history of the British Army. Over 57,000 men were wounded, captured or killed.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

What is this nonsense? Its so unserious. giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

I hate this sort of nonsense. Why put out statements like this when it is demonstrably untrue to anyone with a braincell and just reeks of flailing desperation?

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

The current pile of books I have out on loan from the university library... (I'm a hoarder I know)

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose...

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Excellent work on the soundbites 😜

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Fuck me that is a terrifying set of stats. And its only likely to get worse in the near term.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

This was great. Also, absolutely no surprise to anyone who knows me:

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Al Carns: 'Allyness wins Elections' 💪 (I realise this is a niche joke, but still)

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Happy Victory in Europe Day to all! A reminder that fascism can and will be defeated 💪💪

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

One for the naval history nerds, but the idea that British sea power ultimately didn't matter during the Napoleonic Wars and that the French would have regained control of the sea if Napoleon had more time is.... a take.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

I know I've posted this before but I fucking love this poster. Need to get a print framed and put up on the wall.

Poster describing the 'Downfall of the Dictators is Assured'. From Imperial War Musuem collection.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Images that go hard: a mural on the side of the Museum of Local Conflicts in Kyiv.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

UK agrees to give limited funds towards GCAP. It is remarkable how much the Defence Investment Plan is seen entirely in a domestic context with no understanding of its international impact (esp considering it should be, by its nature, internationally focussed). giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Just come back from a trip to Kyiv. Hugely educational - written report incoming on Substack soon 💪🇺🇦

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

The beatings will continue until morale improves. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/03...

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

MOD and Treasury brain at its absolute finest, here....

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

A quick and dirty comparison of air defence capability between the UK and UAE. Apart from slightly less fighters, the UAE has far more - and longer-ranged - air defence than the UK does, and unlike the UK has dedicated ballistic missile defence.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

Current sort of message I'm sending to my family at the moment. Fuck me.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

According to the IISS Military Balance we have around 10% less fighters, 5% less tanks, and 47% less artillery than in 2022) 🙃 Just to brighten everyone's day....

Chart showing a decline in the number of British fighter aircraft, tanks, and artillery from 2022 to 2025.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

The current pile of books for my Master’s degree. Truly, a first world problem that I am happy to indulge.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Remember, remember, the 5th of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason Why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot. Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent To blow up the King and the Parliament Three score barrels of powder below Poor old England to overthrow....

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

On Trafalgar Day, here is a great rendition of one of Britain's greatest battles by one of her greatest artists:

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Back to university and about to open the first book of the year! Absolutely buzzing - so good to be back in an nerdy intellectual environment 🤓📖

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Its not over until its over, of course, but it looks like PAS will clinch victory over the pro-Russia parties in Moldova! 🇲🇩

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

Finally.... its done! All 1440 pages of it.... Finally conquered the beast - and, tbf, thought it was brilliant.

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

DSEI done.... now I just need to get writing a shedload of articles 😅

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Matthew Palmer @so3brocktree.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

Final round of the excellent Prime & Load Podcast's 'Top 18C. Commander' poll. Hard one. Will probs vote for my beloved Marlborough. I imagine @sodrock.bsky.social @bafriedman.bsky.social @gravitysra1nbow.bsky.social @willfreer.bsky.social and ofc @kabinettskriege.bsky.social might have thoughts 😜

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