Jonathan Boff
@jfb1066.bsky.social
Military Historian. Writing a book on Economic Statecraft and Money as a Weapon of War (OUP, 2026). Strategy. Author of 2 award-winning books on the First World War. Professor at University of Birmingham.
. However much we might have disliked the NeoLibs and the NeoCons, having the NeoLibertarians driving US policy on Europe is even worse
Wondering if Europe/the UK can still count the US as an ally at this point.
December 5, 2025 at 3:34 PM
. However much we might have disliked the NeoLibs and the NeoCons, having the NeoLibertarians driving US policy on Europe is even worse
Excellent thread
Thread on the huge shift in US policy towards Russia visible in the new National Security Strategy - the biggest change since the collapse of the USSR. 🧵
December 5, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Excellent thread
'Some of our people like to believe that wars in Europe and in Asia are of no concern to us. But it is a matter of most vital concern to us that European and Asiatic war-makers should not gain control of the oceans which lead to this hemisphere....
December 5, 2025 at 9:22 AM
'Some of our people like to believe that wars in Europe and in Asia are of no concern to us. But it is a matter of most vital concern to us that European and Asiatic war-makers should not gain control of the oceans which lead to this hemisphere....
Trying to decide whether to spoil my day already by reading this.
The start, even allowing for Trumpian bombast, is not promising.
It defines the aim of foreign policy as the _protection_ of national interests, not _promotion_ , thus embedding the damaging zero-sum game assumption from the off
The start, even allowing for Trumpian bombast, is not promising.
It defines the aim of foreign policy as the _protection_ of national interests, not _promotion_ , thus embedding the damaging zero-sum game assumption from the off
Whole document is here. You don’t need your morning coffee afterwards. www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
www.whitehouse.gov
December 5, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Trying to decide whether to spoil my day already by reading this.
The start, even allowing for Trumpian bombast, is not promising.
It defines the aim of foreign policy as the _protection_ of national interests, not _promotion_ , thus embedding the damaging zero-sum game assumption from the off
The start, even allowing for Trumpian bombast, is not promising.
It defines the aim of foreign policy as the _protection_ of national interests, not _promotion_ , thus embedding the damaging zero-sum game assumption from the off
The Trump National Security Strategy is an act of vandalism against the things that actually make our country strong, safe, and prosperous.
December 5, 2025 at 7:41 AM
As far as I can see, this nat sec strategy is far harsher on Europe than on Russia. There is no mention of a threat from Russia or of deterrence, only that "re-establishing strategic stability" is a priority. Europe is cast as a major threat to freedom. A radical, dangerous document.
December 5, 2025 at 7:38 AM
I am desperate to find ways to support Ukraine but this will poison international relations for generations, just as happened after 1919.
Russia will never pay reparations so Ukraine will never repay the loan and the EU will end up having to write it off - to the disgust of future taxpayers.
Russia will never pay reparations so Ukraine will never repay the loan and the EU will end up having to write it off - to the disgust of future taxpayers.
Breaking news: The European Commission has proposed a loan that would leverage up to €210bn of Russian assets immobilised by EU sanctions to fund Kyiv, which would not have to repay the loan until Russia pays reparations on.ft.com/4iFKUNi
December 3, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I am desperate to find ways to support Ukraine but this will poison international relations for generations, just as happened after 1919.
Russia will never pay reparations so Ukraine will never repay the loan and the EU will end up having to write it off - to the disgust of future taxpayers.
Russia will never pay reparations so Ukraine will never repay the loan and the EU will end up having to write it off - to the disgust of future taxpayers.
Mme Boff is terribly excited to have the collected works of JM Keynes filling a shelf in her living room
December 1, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Mme Boff is terribly excited to have the collected works of JM Keynes filling a shelf in her living room
Is it true that Prez Trump thought it a good idea to invite the Taliban _to_Camp_ David _on_11_Sep_ 2019 to sign what became the Doha Agreement and had to be talked down from it?
November 30, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Is it true that Prez Trump thought it a good idea to invite the Taliban _to_Camp_ David _on_11_Sep_ 2019 to sign what became the Doha Agreement and had to be talked down from it?
Just started watching After the Hunt and so far struck by the realism of Julia Roberts as a College philosophy professor who wears Armani suits and keeps a full time housekeeper
November 29, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Just started watching After the Hunt and so far struck by the realism of Julia Roberts as a College philosophy professor who wears Armani suits and keeps a full time housekeeper
FCOL
November 28, 2025 at 3:06 PM
FCOL
Europe should give Ukraine the money right now, outright.
No ifs, no buts, no loans.
It’s the cheapest defence we will ever pay for; a loan will only store up trouble for decades; and it needs to be done with full democracy, making the case to voters to help them understand the threat we face.
No ifs, no buts, no loans.
It’s the cheapest defence we will ever pay for; a loan will only store up trouble for decades; and it needs to be done with full democracy, making the case to voters to help them understand the threat we face.
My press remarks in full here ↓
www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/informa...
www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/informa...
Informal Foreign Affairs Council: press conference by High Representative Kaja Kallas
Check against delivery! Good afternoon everybody, We just met with the EU Foreign Ministers in video format to discuss latest developments in ending Russia’s war. Foreign Minister Sybiha also joined u...
www.eeas.europa.eu
November 27, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Europe should give Ukraine the money right now, outright.
No ifs, no buts, no loans.
It’s the cheapest defence we will ever pay for; a loan will only store up trouble for decades; and it needs to be done with full democracy, making the case to voters to help them understand the threat we face.
No ifs, no buts, no loans.
It’s the cheapest defence we will ever pay for; a loan will only store up trouble for decades; and it needs to be done with full democracy, making the case to voters to help them understand the threat we face.
People responsible for this procurement should go to jail.
Even if they currently sit in the House of Lords
Even if they currently sit in the House of Lords
The MOD has paused all Ajax training after around 30 soldiers reported noise and vibration injuries, with Minister Luke Pollard ordering an urgent investigation.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/fresh-halt-t...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/fresh-halt-t...
Fresh halt to Ajax training after 30 troops unwell
The MOD has paused all Ajax training after around 30 soldiers reported noise and vibration injuries, with Minister Luke Pollard ordering an urgent investigation.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 12:02 PM
People responsible for this procurement should go to jail.
Even if they currently sit in the House of Lords
Even if they currently sit in the House of Lords
Usual King’s Road rush hour traffic
November 26, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Usual King’s Road rush hour traffic
No rabbit Ms Reeves could pull out of today could possibly save her.
The only questions are
1) will budget be so poor that it brings her down at once and threatens the budget itself?
2) if not, will Starmer get rid of her before or after local elections?
And 3) will that be enough to save him?
The only questions are
1) will budget be so poor that it brings her down at once and threatens the budget itself?
2) if not, will Starmer get rid of her before or after local elections?
And 3) will that be enough to save him?
November 26, 2025 at 7:41 AM
No rabbit Ms Reeves could pull out of today could possibly save her.
The only questions are
1) will budget be so poor that it brings her down at once and threatens the budget itself?
2) if not, will Starmer get rid of her before or after local elections?
And 3) will that be enough to save him?
The only questions are
1) will budget be so poor that it brings her down at once and threatens the budget itself?
2) if not, will Starmer get rid of her before or after local elections?
And 3) will that be enough to save him?
Flattered to be quoted in new report on UK Economic Security by Commons Business and Trade Select Committee: publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...
The points they picked up were:
1) the need for a whole-of-government approach
And
2) planning is a valuable process in itself
The points they picked up were:
1) the need for a whole-of-government approach
And
2) planning is a valuable process in itself
Toward A New Doctrine For Economic Security
Report of the Business and Trade
publications.parliament.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Flattered to be quoted in new report on UK Economic Security by Commons Business and Trade Select Committee: publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...
The points they picked up were:
1) the need for a whole-of-government approach
And
2) planning is a valuable process in itself
The points they picked up were:
1) the need for a whole-of-government approach
And
2) planning is a valuable process in itself
How’s my weekend going? Great. thanks, so long as you forget the morning spent fretting about Aged Ps, the biblical rain, the freezing cold, and the power cut this evening which a) was causing my not-so-young neighbour some grief and b) has left me sitting in the cold and dark since 6 pm
November 22, 2025 at 10:13 PM
How’s my weekend going? Great. thanks, so long as you forget the morning spent fretting about Aged Ps, the biblical rain, the freezing cold, and the power cut this evening which a) was causing my not-so-young neighbour some grief and b) has left me sitting in the cold and dark since 6 pm
Weather so awful I might as well write lectures
November 22, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Weather so awful I might as well write lectures
All that time we have spent teaching people what War is.
It now looks like we should have invested more in educating folk in what Peace means.
(Hint: it doesn’t mean a supposed ally blackmailing you into stopping fighting and doing what your enemy wants)
It now looks like we should have invested more in educating folk in what Peace means.
(Hint: it doesn’t mean a supposed ally blackmailing you into stopping fighting and doing what your enemy wants)
November 22, 2025 at 7:39 AM
All that time we have spent teaching people what War is.
It now looks like we should have invested more in educating folk in what Peace means.
(Hint: it doesn’t mean a supposed ally blackmailing you into stopping fighting and doing what your enemy wants)
It now looks like we should have invested more in educating folk in what Peace means.
(Hint: it doesn’t mean a supposed ally blackmailing you into stopping fighting and doing what your enemy wants)
Dear Rest of the World Leaders,
You don’t have to respond to everything Mr Trump says, much less immediately or according to his arbitrary timetables.
A little temporary deafness can work wonders sometimes
#strategy101
You don’t have to respond to everything Mr Trump says, much less immediately or according to his arbitrary timetables.
A little temporary deafness can work wonders sometimes
#strategy101
November 21, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Dear Rest of the World Leaders,
You don’t have to respond to everything Mr Trump says, much less immediately or according to his arbitrary timetables.
A little temporary deafness can work wonders sometimes
#strategy101
You don’t have to respond to everything Mr Trump says, much less immediately or according to his arbitrary timetables.
A little temporary deafness can work wonders sometimes
#strategy101
Reposted by Jonathan Boff
Always a like, never a repost. Some men just fear being too public about finding my content compelling.
November 20, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Always a like, never a repost. Some men just fear being too public about finding my content compelling.
I just watched my 3rd Edward Berger film.
All Quiet on the Western Front
Conclave
Ballad of the Small Player
3 strikes and out.
Pretty cinematography but dull dull dull movies
All Quiet on the Western Front
Conclave
Ballad of the Small Player
3 strikes and out.
Pretty cinematography but dull dull dull movies
November 19, 2025 at 9:36 PM
I just watched my 3rd Edward Berger film.
All Quiet on the Western Front
Conclave
Ballad of the Small Player
3 strikes and out.
Pretty cinematography but dull dull dull movies
All Quiet on the Western Front
Conclave
Ballad of the Small Player
3 strikes and out.
Pretty cinematography but dull dull dull movies
An interesting article. Its not clear to me when the authors think the golden age of war studies was, when it was producing ‘hard political reflection’, but if there ever was one, it was when historians led the charge. Now they don’t in most places
www.militarystrategymagazine.com/article/stra...
www.militarystrategymagazine.com/article/stra...
Strategy and the Last Manager: The Case for Dissenting War Studies - Military Strategy Magazine
Applying James Burnham’s theory of the ‘managerial revolution’ to the evolution of war studies, this article argues that the field has been captured and reshaped by a managerial class more concerned w...
www.militarystrategymagazine.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:51 PM
An interesting article. Its not clear to me when the authors think the golden age of war studies was, when it was producing ‘hard political reflection’, but if there ever was one, it was when historians led the charge. Now they don’t in most places
www.militarystrategymagazine.com/article/stra...
www.militarystrategymagazine.com/article/stra...
Reposted by Jonathan Boff
Research Assistant (War Studies)
King's College London - School of Security Studies School Office #skystorians 🗃️www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPK464/r...
King's College London - School of Security Studies School Office #skystorians 🗃️www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPK464/r...
Research Assistant (War Studies) at King's College London
Discover an exciting academic career path as a Research Assistant (War Studies) at jobs.ac.uk. Don't miss out on this job opportunity - apply today!
www.jobs.ac.uk
November 18, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Research Assistant (War Studies)
King's College London - School of Security Studies School Office #skystorians 🗃️www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPK464/r...
King's College London - School of Security Studies School Office #skystorians 🗃️www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPK464/r...