Reposted by JoeIllia Ponomarenko @ioponomarenko.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Just imagine the amount of squealing, hands thrown up to the heavens, and shirts torn open in righteous indignation if Ukraine, even once (!) responded to Russia’s mass killings and barbaric bombardment of historical heritage by striking the Bolshoi Theatre or the Hermitage… 27661171
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 26/09/2026The nascent Wales History Games Collective today played Baltic Empires (great power rivalry in 16th / 17th Century northern Europe @gmtgames.bsky.social ). Prussian bureaucracy overcame the initial Swedish behemoth, as Poland & Russia grew distracted by a prolonged war. whgcollective.my.canva.site 072
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Ukrainian Independence Day is as good a day as any to announce that next April I shall run the London Marathon on behalf of 'Ukraine Charity'. @kyivindependent.com Who'd like to make the first donation to get my fundraising up and running? 2027tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/joe-boyleu17016396.ct.sendgrid.netI'm running London for UkraineIt's quite simple... People are being murdered on a daily basis in their homes and market places and railway stations. I plan to run a few miles in the hope that you could spare just a few pounds, mon 010
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 23/08/2026My daughter is not a fan of boardgames. With one exception. @downtowntbrown.bsky.social 230
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 19/08/2026Sandanista govt holds on to power despite entrenched unrest close to its borders. Contras threatened to close on Managua, but too hesitant with their sabotage attempts. Not played Peru, but The Guerrilla Generation feels richer and more evocative than The British Way to which I must return. 090
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 13/08/2026A single point victory for the Govt in El Salvador scenario, The Guerrilla Generation @gmtgames. FMLN never cracked the cities, troops locked down pivotal Cuscatlan highlands and air strikes were terrifying in their destructive power. Getting timing and sequencing right is vital for insurgents. 020
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 11/08/2026The recently formed Wales History Games Collective's next all-day event is in Cardiff on 26.9.26. Just 3/10 spaces left. We play tabletop boardgames about politics, history and war. @enwright.bsky.social @funwithboxes.bsky.social Do join: newcomers especially welcome. whgcollective.my.canva.site 033
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 22/06/2026This feels right to me as a non Labour voter who hoped Starmer could see out a full term, but will upset the Corbyn mourners and those seeking a short term political sugar high. This is a difficult era and we all err, so this pathetic expectation of political perfection is tiring and damaging. 110
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 19/06/2026I made a pig's ear of D-Day and got well beaten in our learning scenario of @vucasimulations.bsky.social's Operation Overlord but this is a game that has us excited. The rules get out of the way pretty quickly, allowing the corps / division interaction to pose lots of gritty questions. 000
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 29/05/2026Getting our head around Vuca's Operation Overlord. Great table presence and rules feel pretty streamlined (despite some gaps / early errata). 1132
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 22/05/2026"Now that the US is de facto on the side of Russia, not just economically but also having high officials in the White House repeat Russian propaganda... there's no excuse for the humiliating defeat in Ukraine." Putin is paying the price for gaining the support of super-loser Trump. Fine analysis. 010
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 14/05/2026So Farage makes every single person in Britain poorer, except of course himself. Rewarded for delivering catastrophic national failure. No wonder this country is in such trouble. People vote for him? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukNigel Farage says £5m gift a reward for Brexit campaigningThe Reform UK leader, who is facing a Commons standards probe, said he 011
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 14/05/2026In my limited political activity over the past 15 years, I've spent much of that time challenging the (Welsh) Labour Party, for whom I have no affection. I enjoy seeing them in trouble, but what they are doing to themselves is the dumbest thing imaginable. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cw...bbc.co.ukWes Streeting resigns, saying he has lost confidence in Keir Starmer's leadershipStreeting, who is yet to launch a leadership bid, tells Keir Starmer there should be a contest with 000
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 11/05/2026The Wales History Games Collective got up and running at Rules Con in Cardiif this weekend. An ice-breaking team game of Memoir 44 Operation Overlord was followed by games of SAS Rogue Regiment and Sekigahara. @rulesofplay.bsky.social @funwithboxes.bsky.social. whgcollective.my.canva.site/ 111
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 29/04/2026The Wales History Games Collective holds its first session in Cardiff, Saturday 9th May, as part of Rules Con. An 'introduction to wargaming' will feature a team game of Memoir 44. A wide range of other war and history games will be available. Whgcollective.my.canva.site @funwithboxes.bsky.socialwhgcollective.my.canva.site 120
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 26/04/2026Ran the official London Marathon My Way around the streets of Cardiff this morning, coming in just under my target with a PB of 4h 29m 49s. Not too bad for these 57-year-old knees and hips. Ran it to raise money for Ukaine Charity... 2026tcslondonmarathonmyway.enthuse.com/pf/joe-boyle... 010
Reposted by JoeThe Guardian @theguardian.com · 18/04/2026Russian blogger’s fierce critique of Kremlin goes viral: ‘People are afraid of you’theguardian.comRussian blogger’s fierce critique of Kremlin goes viral: ‘People are afraid of you’Victoria Bonya says authorities too scared to raise issues with Vladimir Putin, whose approval ratings are declining The Kremlin is grappling with the fallout from the viral spread of a celebrity blogger’s criticism of Russian authorities, as Vladimir Putin’s approval ratings register their sixth consecutive weekly decline. Victoria Bonya, a household name in Russia who rose to fame in 2006 on Dom-2, the country’s answer to the reality TV show Big Brother, posted a video on Monday warning the Russian president that a string of mounting problems risked spiralling out of control. Continue reading... 1012638
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 12/04/2026Good read... This beauty has lost none of its magic for us. 110
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 12/04/2026Could JD Vance hurry up and give his chum Nigel Farage a pre-election endorsement. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c2...bbc.co.ukHungary election: Viktor Orbán concedes with opposition on course for landslide election win - follow liveHungary's prime minister has been ousted after 16 years in power, with Péter Magyar set to be the country's new leader. 010
Reposted by JoeMeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 10/04/2026Melania Trump wants these photos and emails to be scrubbed from the Internet. Please stop liking and sharing them. Thank you for your attention to this matter. 422112845686
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 02/04/2026I'm running the London Marathon My Way (didn't get a place for the London race, so will slog around Cardiff on my own) to raise money for Ukraine Charity, which supports initiatives for children and vulnerable people affected by the war. 2026tcslondonmarathonmyway.enthuse.com/pf/joe-boyle...2026tcslondonmarathonmyway.enthuse.comJoe runs London, in Cardiff, for Ukraine.Russia, in its war against Ukraine, has systematically attacked civilian targets. They have targeted hospitals, schools, public squares in calculated and callous ways. Extraordinarily, the Ukraine's h 010
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 25/03/2026I think a game about pre-Enlightenment fanaticism is timely for our age of post-Enlightenment fanaticism. New arrivals today from @soundofdrumsgames.bsky.social and @thenewworldmag.bsky.social 040
Reposted by JoeThe Ukrainian Review @theukrainianreview.bsky.social · 24/02/2026🇬🇧🇺🇦 British actor Ian McKellen read a poem by Ukrainian veteran Artur Dron, “First to the Corinthians,” on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion. 15623216
Reposted by JoePhillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 24/02/2026Ukrainians are daily sacrificing themselves so the rest of us can live in safety and comfort. Today, more than any other day, we should thank them. 830364
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 24/02/2026'We could never have imagined such tolerance of Putin’s criminal war.' So-called "Great Powers" lose wars all the time. Russia is not a great power and will lose this war more quickly than it is if we regain our moral clarity and provide Ukrainians with the military and civilian tools they need. 000
Reposted by JoePhillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 22/02/2026Hi All, Just sent out my free weekend update (#173). It begins with reports of Ukraine liberating a large amount of territory. This could reveal alot of things, in particular that the Russian system continues to lie upwards about the state of the war. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...open.substack.comWeekend Update #173: Ukraine Liberates Hundreds Of Square Kilometres, What Might It Mean?People Stop Taking The Negotiations Seriously. Good.; Flamingos In Action 6388126
Reposted by JoeMAKS 26 👀🇺🇦 @maks23.bsky.social · 15/02/2026🇺🇦💡 For the first time in a long time, Kyiv is almost completely powered — 95% of the capital without outages this evening 321387264
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 10/02/2026Castelnuovo 1539 from Draco Ideas has quite the visual appeal. An Ottoman fleet approaches the fortress from the west. 000
Reposted by JoeBruce Springsteen @brucespringsteen.net · 28/01/2026I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay freeyoutu.beBruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen 42569709740552
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 26/01/2026A clear, important and moral statement about the authoritarian move in US politics from one of the best voices within the niche hobby that I love. youtu.be/FwWjbq4tm3o?...youtu.beA StatementYouTube video by Zilla Blitz 011
Reposted by JoeSven-Erik Volberg @volberg.bsky.social · 18/01/2026One way anyone one of us, can hit back at Trump is at the wallet. Try to use less US goods and services! Here's a database with European alternatives #EUtogether www.goeuropean.orggoeuropean.orgGo European — Discover European products and servicesGo European is a community-driven directory bringing you European products and services from across the continent. 411352
Reposted by JoeDave - Need a Con Soon! @whovian223.bsky.social · 19/01/2026Fascinating (and chilling) article about what will happen as the US retreats from its global allies. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...theatlantic.comAmerica vs. the WorldPresident Trump wants to return to the 19th century’s international order. He will leave America less prosperous—and the whole world less secure. 021
Reposted by Joeleoskyview.bsky.social @leoskyview.bsky.social · 14/01/20261\ Cities across Ukraine are now without power for most of the day in temperatures as low as -20 C. The civilian terror and suffering is immense. The Republicans pro-Putin aid package blockade began in late 2023. Their cuts to air defences finally helped get enough missiles through. 58645
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 09/01/2026This is America. www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...nytimes.comVideo: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in MinneapolisAn analysis of footage from three camera angles show that the vehicle appears to be turning away from a federal officer as he opened fire. 100
Reposted by JoeMichael @cascadilla.bsky.social · 04/01/2026All those hours-long meetings with Putin recently that were supposedly about Ukraine but got nowhere? Those were actually about preparing for our invasion and occupation of Venezuela. The US is Putin's biggest client state, bought and now paid for. 012
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 26/12/2025M. showed me his new games: World in Flames, which we'll probably take 10 years to learn, and Assault: Gela Beachhead, which needed about 10 minutes before we dove into the first training scenario. Love this pastime's range. 000
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 21/12/2025Good discussion from @phillipspobrien.bsky.social and @timothysnyder.bsky.social on how war is, in some ways, fought in the imagination and not on the battlefield. Leads to the interesting debunking of the concept of 'great powers'. (#Constructivism > #realism.) open.substack.com/pub/snyder/p...open.substack.comHow wars are wonPart one of a conversation with Prof Phillips O'Brien 010
Reposted by JoeThe Guardian @theguardian.com · 17/12/2025Putin thinks democracy is the west’s weakness. We have to prove him wrong | Rafael Behrtheguardian.comPutin thinks democracy is the west’s weakness. We have to prove him wrong | Rafael BehrThe Russian strategy of exporting chaos to provoke extremism only works if liberals succumb to cynicism and despair, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr 1716844
Reposted by JoeLawrence Freedman @ldfreedman.bsky.social · 16/12/2025 Instead of too many people coming into the UK we will soon have too few. In his latest post Sam highlights how sharp the fall in numbers will be and how this will effect economic growth and key sectors such as social care. samf.substack.com/p/the-oversh...samf.substack.comThe OvershootWhat happens to politics, and the country, as net migration collapses? 15522
Reposted by JoeAdrian Monck @amonck.bsky.social · 07/12/2025From the @wsj.com chief foreign correspondent 160104793226
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 29/11/2025Important lessons from one of the UK's best thinkers. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...theguardian.comMy guide to populist-proofing your democracy – before it’s too late | Timothy Garton AshFrom public service broadcasting to an independent judiciary, these are the things that we must fight to keep, says Guardian columnist Timothy Garton Ash 000
Reposted by JoeTimothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 20/11/2025We should get serious about sanctions. Russian missiles that kill Ukrainian civilians contain parts made in the West. And this repeated mass murder of civilians by Moscow should bring total boycotts on Russian gas and oil. And the Ukrainians should get everything they need to defend themselves 361485473
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 15/11/2025We needed some distraction therapy this evening to soothe an anxious mind, so I hauled my wife and daughter through Pax Penning. The beautiful aesthetics were a hit while the game's opaque win conditions had the desired numbing effect. A victory secured without any one knowing quite how. 020
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 11/11/2025Important investigative reporting on what I think is the real story in the current BBC furore. The BBC is magnificent. Yes, it errs, and should react much better when it does. However, we must do all we can to protect it from the snakes who would destroy it. bylinetimes.com/2025/11/11/b...bylinetimes.com'BBC Bias' Memo Was Authored by Lobbyist Tied to Pro-Trump Tech GiantsThe leaked memo that fuelled Trump’s attack on the BBC was written by a lobbyist at a firm paid by US tech giants tied to the President 022
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 03/11/2025Love Battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars so much that getting hold of the expansion kit was a no-brainer. 020
Joe @wordandtext.bsky.social · 29/10/2025Tried The Old King's Crown last night. A slow first turn, then rattled by. Teasing card play decisions, moments of tension, pleasing 'gotcha' opportunities. Keen to play again but unsure what it's trying to model. For all the thematic veneer, it feels unrooted in a geographical or political milieu. 110