Ukraine attacks Russian oil facility that feeds Druzbha pipeline

pro.politico.eu/news/216994

What has a slightly longer lifespan than a lettuce? I need one for an editorial project I am working on. Details to follow.

The civil service very often gets criticised for its opaque process, for making the explicit work of government. I think we have seen today from Olly Robbins the benefits of having a buffer between absolute executive power and the levers of government.

hard to imagine Liz Truss posted this as anything other than a troll - knowing that it is often commented that the late queen died so soon after this photo was taken. I’m no monarchist but feels in very poor taste from a former PM to those who loved Queen Elizabeth.

Britain sidelined in talks on Carney-backed defense bank The U.K. Treasury has expressed little enthusiasm for an initiative to provide lower cost loans to finance the armed forces.

I know we are all obsessed with the Robbins stuff, but another important story today via @estwebber.bsky.social

Despite current need for defence investment, we are not sending a minister to this incredibly important meeting.

www.politico.eu/article/keir...

I know everyone is bored of podcasts now, but how much would you listen to a James Comey-Olly Robbins podcast?

It is pretty wild that this is the same Olly Robbins painted as the man trying to undermine Britain on behalf of the EU for so many years. Just a calm and professional person, clearly taking his job very seriously.

Ukraine’s Success Still Needs Troops More Than Robots Kyiv is struggling with skepticism of conscription fueled by Russian propaganda.

“When people saw what could be achieved with unmanned vehicles, we saw suggestions that wars could be fought without personnel ... It’s a nice idea, but to hold territory and to operate UAVs/UGVs, you need people physically there.”

My latest in @foreignpolicy.com

foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/16/u...

Photo shows a heap of older style phones with the text “Planned obsolescence is now outlawed in France. It is a crime to intentionally reduce the lifespan of a product to force customers to replace it.”

Love France 🇫🇷 They understand the importance of the battery life of a Nokia 3310

D.C. sees seven homicides in five days, the deadliest stretch of 2026 The last time the city saw such a high concentration of homicides was July 2025.

D.C. sees seven homicides in five days, the deadliest stretch of 2026

www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

What Would Trump Do if Putin Struck Europe? The Russian president’s back is to the wall. That makes him more dangerous.

“Europe is hearing a siren in the night. Trump is so preoccupied with his list of anti-NATO grievances that he seems deaf to what could be the greatest crisis of his presidency”

foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/17/r...

Russia-aligned Rumen Radev set to win Bulgarian election, exit polls say Former president’s Progressive Bulgaria party is on track to win just under 40 percent of the vote.

“Rumen Radev, a Russia-aligned former president, looks on course to win Bulgaria’s election on Sunday, but will need to team up with other parties to form a governing majority.”

www.politico.eu/article/bulg...

It's sort of mad that Trump thinks up until this point he's been MR NICE GUY. We are back to destroying every bridge and power plant, it seems ...

I see

It’s a good question. I guess I think that’s a subject in itself

Ukraine’s Success Still Needs Troops More Than Robots Kyiv is struggling with skepticism of conscription fueled by Russian propaganda.

The main lessons Ukraine says we should learn: if we want to boost troop numbers, we should do it while we still have the space to do it properly.

foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/16/u...

Ukraine’s Success Still Needs Troops More Than Robots Kyiv is struggling with skepticism of conscription fueled by Russian propaganda.

Joining the military in wartime often means trading a stable life for an undefined commitment. That uncertainty is a real barrier to recruitment. Where will I serve? For how long? In what role? Without answers, many hesitate.

foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/16/u...

Ukraine’s Success Still Needs Troops More Than Robots Kyiv is struggling with skepticism of conscription fueled by Russian propaganda.

Conscription fills numbers. It doesn’t solve motivation. And in a long war, that gap becomes critical. One officer put it bluntly: it’s better to fight alongside someone who wants to be there than someone who has to be.

foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/16/u...

Ukraine’s Success Still Needs Troops More Than Robots Kyiv is struggling with skepticism of conscription fueled by Russian propaganda.

Everyone thinks drones are changing war. Ukrainians say the real problem is much simpler: finding people willing to fight.

My latest for @foreignpolicy.com

Ukraine’s Success Still Needs Troops More Than Robots Kyiv is struggling with skepticism of conscription fueled by Russian propaganda.

The main lessons Ukraine says we should learn: if we want to boost troop numbers, we should do it while we still have the space to do it properly.

foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/16/u...

Ukraine’s Success Still Needs Troops More Than Robots Kyiv is struggling with skepticism of conscription fueled by Russian propaganda.

Joining the military in wartime often means trading a stable life for an undefined commitment. That uncertainty is a real barrier to recruitment. Where will I serve? For how long? In what role? Without answers, many hesitate.

foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/16/u...

Ukraine’s Success Still Needs Troops More Than Robots Kyiv is struggling with skepticism of conscription fueled by Russian propaganda.

Conscription fills numbers. It doesn’t solve motivation. And in a long war, that gap becomes critical. One officer put it bluntly: it’s better to fight alongside someone who wants to be there than someone who has to be.

foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/16/u...

Ukraine’s Success Still Needs Troops More Than Robots Kyiv is struggling with skepticism of conscription fueled by Russian propaganda.

Everyone thinks drones are changing war. Ukrainians say the real problem is much simpler: finding people willing to fight.

My latest for @foreignpolicy.com

Ukraine’s Success Still Needs Troops More Than Robots Kyiv is struggling with skepticism of conscription fueled by Russian propaganda.

Ukraine’s advice to countries suddenly waking up to the threat: build up your reserve numbers now, not once you’ve been invaded

foreignpolicy.com/2026/04/16/u...

Arsenal fans - please join in and follow @tuesdayclub.bsky.social

Assumptions based on things he has said that I am taking at face value

I keep thinking about this. Trump keeps making people around him who are very religious pick between him and god. It's a really fascinating character trait.

What is it about Trump making his VPs pick between him and their faith?

Wildly corrupt—the Trump Organization has tons of business with the Chinese Communist Party and Eric should be nowhere near this trip

Arsenal fans - please join in and follow @tuesdayclub.bsky.social