I have a small book for children written during the French Revolution, teaching children about the evils of monarchy and the virtues of liberty and the Republic. A find in a bookshop in Paris a few years back.

The backstory: Ukrainian drones struck a Yandex supercomputer facility in Vladimir, taking it out. Suddenly, bot activity in US social media fell by 49%, confirming suspicions that this was the site of a massive Russian influence operation targeting US social media—mostly targeting MAGA.

I find the politics of saying this now fascinating even in the context of “Burnham just says what he thinks, for good or ill”

"I loathe the word identity. An Identity is never an objective category. It is a deeply personal& emotional choice. If you want to explore that for yourself, fine. But the moment you try imposing your definitions on others and sort people into categories, I, as a historian&a German, get v.nervous.“

Or Ionian or Peloponnesian, of course, depending…

My first reaction is that Glucksmann is the candidate I’d like to win … but I don’t know if he’s going to make it. My second reaction is I should actually read his pre-campaign book that I bought a couple of weeks back.

🔴 Communiqué de la primaire de la gauche CHOISIR 2027 | Résultats du premier tour d'une primaire de la gauche marquée par l'engouement des électeurs.

Good call with Zelenskyy today. Fully supported his call for a ceasefire that would protect global food supplies and energy infrastructure in ukraine and Russia. The war has entered a new, grimmer phase. Russia is stalling on the battlefield and striking civilians far behind the front lines.

Always has been. Was an issue for Birmingham (Warks/Staffs) and Manchester and Liverpool (Lancs/Cheshire) in the 19th century and wasn’t solved till 1974.

It wasn’t offered. Anytime to Stansted and Off Peak to London (travelcard because we have to tube around a bit with Rob)

What would have saved was a railcard but it’s not really worth it given how rarely we’re here.

It’s 50 to Stansted but we went with the travelcards which were a bit more but less than we’d spend on the tube journeys we’d need to take in London.

Two people Crawley to London, plus one person Crawley to Stansted, 130 euros. On. Ge. Loofelijk.

NEW BOOK: my first children's book is out this week. It's an encyclopedia of Europe for 8-12s.

Amazed that this sort of analysis could be produced in spring this year rather than say the height of Boris.

Through spending cuts - so challenging the stereotype of public spending addicted leftist francophones vs frugal rightist Flanders (which was what I was thinking of)

Budget negotiations look like they’ll be blocked because the leader of MR refuses to consider tax increases and is looking for more spending cuts. Countering the narrative of spendthrift lefty Wallons vs frugal right wing Flemings.