Katie Stallard
LightNews LightNews
banner
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard
@katiestallard.bsky.social
2.4K followers 430 following 42 posts
Writing about Russia, China and authoritarian politics for the New Statesman. Author of Dancing on Bones: History and Power in China, Russia, and North Korea (OUP). Former Wilson Center fellow. Based in DC. Previously Beijing and Moscow.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 3d
So, is the US seriously preparing to bomb Venezuela, or is this all part of an elaborate pressure campaign intended to force the country’s strongman ruler, Nicolás Maduro, from power? The answer may well be: both. For @newstatesman1913.bsky.social www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
Is the US going to war in Venezuela?
There has been a menacing military build-up around the regime of Nicolás Maduro
www.newstatesman.com
1 4
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 4d
In his meeting with Xi, Trump has largely succeeded in tamping down a fire that he started. That hardly qualifies as a triumph of dealmaking or statesmanship. www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2025/10/how-xi-jinping-bullied-donald-trump
How Xi Jinping punched back against Donald Trump
China's leader found Trump's pain threshold
www.newstatesman.com
1 2
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · 7d
We now know precisely why UK prosecutors dropped their case against two British men accused of spying for China: www.newstatesman.com/world/asia/c...
The China spies case's million-dollar question
Why the case against two British men accused of spying for China was dropped
www.newstatesman.com
1
Reposted by Katie Stallard
newstatesman1913.bsky.social
The New Statesman @newstatesman1913.bsky.social · 14d
Of course China is a threat

The government’s handling of the China spy case has been a “masterclass in ineptitude”. Keir Starmer must stand up to the superpower.

🌎 @katiestallard.bsky.social
Of course China is a threat
The government’s handling of the China spy case has been a “masterclass in ineptitude”. Keir Starmer must stand up to the superpower
www.newstatesman.com
1 1 7
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Oct 1
If you announce it, a deal will come. Donald Trump's strategy for "eternal peace" in the Middle East in @newstatesman.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
The fantasy of Trump’s “eternal peace”
The US president is deluded to think he can solve the Middle East
www.newstatesman.com
2
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Sep 23
Kamala Harris still can't answer a question: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
Why Kamala Harris lost
On the Rachel Maddow Show, the former vice president obfuscated and equivocated
www.newstatesman.com
1 3
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Sep 19
Modern authoritarianism is not all jack boots in the streets...The more pernicious danger is the illusion that if only you keep your head down and don’t attract the ire of those in power, then you, and your family, and your business interests, will be left alone.
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
Jimmy Kimmel won’t be the last to be silenced
The Charlie Kirk crackdown is here, and the right-wing assault on free speech in America is underway
www.newstatesman.com
6 24
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Sep 10
The right now has its martyr. The left must unite in condemning his killer. The shooting of Charlie Kirk and the dangerous days now ahead.
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
The assassination of Charlie Kirk
The right-wing influencer and Trump ally was shot during a public appearance in Utah.
www.newstatesman.com
2 4
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Sep 10
"Here we go!" Trump on the Russian drones shot down over Poland, whatever that means. www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
Nato fighter jets shoot down Russian drones over Poland
Poland invokes Nato's Article Four after shooting down Russian drones.
www.newstatesman.com
3
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Sep 9
Are Europeans now prepared to put their own troops on the ground and risk war with Russia to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, because they haven't been so far. And the better way to ensure Ukraine's security. In @newstatesman.com:
www.newstatesman.com/world/europe...
The real question about European security guarantees for Ukraine
Vladimir Putin has warned that any foreign troops in the country would be "legitimate targets".
www.newstatesman.com
1
Reposted by Katie Stallard
matthewjbell.bsky.social
Matthew Bell @matthewjbell.bsky.social · Sep 5
It was a good week for Kim Jong-un. Thanks @katiestallard.bsky.social for speaking with me about Kim’s successful appearance in Beijing. theworld.org/segments/202...
Kim Jong Un has a successful week in Beijing - The World from PRX
When Chinese Leader Xi Jinping strode into Tiananmen Square for this week’s massive military parade in Beijing, he arrived with Russian President Vladimir Putin on his right and North Korean Leader Ki...
theworld.org
2 3
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Sep 3
Autocrats of the world, unite! Xi's big parade in Beijing was both a show of strength, and not quite everything it seemed. In @newstatesman.com:
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
Putin, Xi and Kim debut their new world order
Autocrats of the world, unite!
www.newstatesman.com
1
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Aug 19
Given that Trump has, so far, shown no sign of following through on his threats, what is to stop Russia fighting on, while talking about talking & pushing for a peace deal next year, when Trump will likely be even more desperate for a win ahead of the mid-terms? www.newstatesman.com/world/europe...
Trump reverses course on Ukraine, again
After meeting with Zelensky in Washington, Trump appears to welcome the prospect of US security guarantees for Kyiv.
www.newstatesman.com
1
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Aug 19
The bad news for Ukraine is that Donald Trump appears to have only the most cursory grasp of the complexities of the existential war it is currently fighting, and a strong proclivity to adopt the views of the person he spoke to last. This is also the good news. www.newstatesman.com/world/europe...
Trump reverses course on Ukraine, again
After meeting with Zelensky in Washington, Trump appears to welcome the prospect of US security guarantees for Kyiv.
www.newstatesman.com
2 4
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Aug 13
What to expect from Trump's half-baked summit in Alaska with Putin, and how Ukraine and Europe still have agency.
newstatesman1913.bsky.social The New Statesman @newstatesman1913.bsky.social · Aug 13
"The meeting alone is a gift to Putin, who can now point to his grand summit with Trump as evidence that Western efforts to isolate the Russian president and render him a global pariah have failed."

🌎 @katiestallard.bsky.social: How Putin can win in Ukraine
Trump's half-baked Alaska summit
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are not the only ones who hold the cards.
www.newstatesman.com
1 3
Reposted by Katie Stallard
korea.csis.org
CSIS Korea Chair @korea.csis.org · Aug 8
“The easy conclusion is to say that Kim Jong Un is once again vindicated in his pursuit of nuclear weapons because if Iran had nuclear weapons, like he did, they would not have gotten bombed,” says @sydseiler.bsky.social in an interview with @katiestallard.bsky.social for @newstatesman.com.
North Korea’s guide to going nuclear
How Kim Jong Un fortified his impoverished state.
www.newstatesman.com
2 3
Reposted by Katie Stallard
newstatesman1913.bsky.social
The New Statesman @newstatesman1913.bsky.social · Aug 8
North Korea’s guide to going nuclear

🌎 @katiestallard.bsky.social on how Kim Jong Un fortified his impoverished state.
North Korea’s guide to going nuclear
How Kim Jong Un fortified his impoverished state.
www.newstatesman.com
1 4
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Aug 7
48 hours after the US bombed Iran, Kim strolled through his new water park, shaking hands with the Russian ambassador. The North Korean guide to going nuclear in @newstatesman.com with @edwardhowell.bsky.social, @annafifield.bsky.social, @csis.org's Sydney Seiler & Fyodor Tertitskiy: t.co/jxECtX8VRh
https://tinyurl.com/4u53mvms
t.co
1 2
Reposted by Katie Stallard
jwassers.bsky.social
Jeff Wasserstrom @jwassers.bsky.social · Jul 23
Lovely to @katiestallard.bsky.social review of The Milk Tea Alliance (a short work on youth activism featuring profiles she describes as "concise, engaging, and ultimately inspiring") appear in @newstatesman.com on the eve of the book's 24 July UK release date www.newstatesman.com/culture/book...
From Xenobe Purvis to Jeffrey Wasserstrom: new books reviewed in short
Also featuring Moveable Feasts by Chris Newens and Monsieur Ozenfant’s Academy by Charles Darwent.
www.newstatesman.com
1 2
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Jul 15
Donald Trump appears, belatedly, to be reaching the conclusion that Vladimir Putin cannot be entirely trusted. So he's... giving him another 50 days to mend his ways. www.newstatesman.com/world/europe...
Trump is serious about getting tough on Putin. No, really
The US president has threatened Russia with "very severe tariffs" if he doesn't agree a peace deal in 50 days.
www.newstatesman.com
1 1 5
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Jul 14
Happy to share this review of @josephtorigian.bsky.social's remarkable new biography of Xi Zhongxun, which aside from the insights it offers into his famous son is also a fascinating study in the nature of power and the frailties of those who wield it. (And no, I did not come up with the headline.)
newstatesman1913.bsky.social The New Statesman @newstatesman1913.bsky.social · Jul 14
Xi Jinping’s daddy issues. The Chinese president’s concept of power was forged by the suffering life of his revolutionary father, Xi Zhongxun. @katiestallard.bsky.social www.newstatesman.com/cultur...
1
Reposted by Katie Stallard
hetanshah.bsky.social
Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · Jul 5
‘military action… has only modestly eroded Iran’s capability to build the bomb, while increasing its incentives to do so.’

Quote from a nuclear policy expert in this great @katiestallard.bsky.social piece
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
The hunt for Iran’s missing uranium
Somewhere in the country, enough material to make ten nuclear bombs remains hidden.
www.newstatesman.com
1 10
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Jul 4
“I am worried about a sneak-out scenario, where the Iranians lick their wounds after this devastating war, but quietly continue their work. It’s a very mountainous country [with] a lot of underground facilities." @nktpnd.bsky.social in @newstatesman.com: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
The hunt for Iran’s missing uranium
Somewhere in the country, enough material to make ten nuclear bombs remains hidden.
www.newstatesman.com
3
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Jul 4
"It always seemed to me that [diplomacy] was a much more promising avenue than military action, which has only modestly eroded Iran’s capability to build the bomb, while increasing its incentives to do so.” @nuclear-jim.bsky.social @newstatesman.com on Iran: www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
The hunt for Iran’s missing uranium
Somewhere in the country, enough material to make ten nuclear bombs remains hidden.
www.newstatesman.com
3 9
katiestallard.bsky.social
Katie Stallard @katiestallard.bsky.social · Jul 4
The hunt for Iran's missing uranium and the future of the country's nuclear program, with expertise from @nuclear-jim.bsky.social, Kelsey Davenport, and @nktpnd.bsky.social in @newstatesman.com
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
The hunt for Iran’s missing uranium
Somewhere in the country, enough material to make ten nuclear bombs remains hidden.
www.newstatesman.com
1