Chris Costelloe
@chriscostelloe.bsky.social
Toiling in the heritage vineyards…
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
The Trump administration's worldview has always been aligned with Putin's, as was clear to anyone who paid any attention to the statements and actions of its most important members. But this isn't an alignment of equals - the White House is following the Kremlin's lead. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
New US security strategy aligns with Russia's vision, Moscow says
The Kremlin welcomes the starkly worded document, which does not cast Russia as a threat to the US.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 7, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The Trump administration's worldview has always been aligned with Putin's, as was clear to anyone who paid any attention to the statements and actions of its most important members. But this isn't an alignment of equals - the White House is following the Kremlin's lead. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
A plea to all you wonderful church crawlers : after you’ve finished at the church can scout the church yard and see if you can spot any painted grave markers? Bless ya in advance. T.
December 6, 2025 at 1:51 PM
A plea to all you wonderful church crawlers : after you’ve finished at the church can scout the church yard and see if you can spot any painted grave markers? Bless ya in advance. T.
We can ultimately blame the Anglo-Saxons for the squealing on the Central Line at Bank…
The City of London "is a place where more than 800 years of history are not confined to a museum but shape people’s daily lives", German President Steinmeier said at last night's dinner at the Guildhall.
December 5, 2025 at 11:25 AM
We can ultimately blame the Anglo-Saxons for the squealing on the Central Line at Bank…
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
Trump's national security strategy is out and some of the Europe sections are shocking. "...the growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed
gives cause for great optimism."
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
gives cause for great optimism."
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
December 5, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Trump's national security strategy is out and some of the Europe sections are shocking. "...the growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed
gives cause for great optimism."
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
gives cause for great optimism."
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
Remember Belgium
🇧🇪 Belgian PM Bart De Wever told La Libre that Russia “will not lose” in Ukraine and called claims of its defeat “a fairy tale and total illusion.” He warned that Russian assets must be returned post-war and said Moscow threatened Belgium with “eternal retaliation” if confiscated.
December 4, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Remember Belgium
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
Whatever comes out of them, today's talks in Moscow are a diplomatic all-time low for the US. Incompetent, mercurial envoys trying to reset relations w one of the worst regimes in the world at the expense of the victim of unprovoked aggression and the security of America's best allies in Europe.
December 2, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Whatever comes out of them, today's talks in Moscow are a diplomatic all-time low for the US. Incompetent, mercurial envoys trying to reset relations w one of the worst regimes in the world at the expense of the victim of unprovoked aggression and the security of America's best allies in Europe.
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
During the last German State Visit to the UK, Queen Elizabeth II presented the Dresden Cross to German President Roman Herzog.
The Cross and Orb, which was commissioned by the Dresden Trust, a UK charity, now sits on top of the rebuilt Frauenkirche as a symbol of reconciliation.
The Cross and Orb, which was commissioned by the Dresden Trust, a UK charity, now sits on top of the rebuilt Frauenkirche as a symbol of reconciliation.
December 1, 2025 at 3:24 PM
During the last German State Visit to the UK, Queen Elizabeth II presented the Dresden Cross to German President Roman Herzog.
The Cross and Orb, which was commissioned by the Dresden Trust, a UK charity, now sits on top of the rebuilt Frauenkirche as a symbol of reconciliation.
The Cross and Orb, which was commissioned by the Dresden Trust, a UK charity, now sits on top of the rebuilt Frauenkirche as a symbol of reconciliation.
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
RIP the greatest British playwright of our time on.ft.com/4anfEQJ
British playwright Sir Tom Stoppard dies
[FREE TO READ] Czech-born author of witty, cerebral plays was also an award-winning screenwriter
on.ft.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:15 PM
RIP the greatest British playwright of our time on.ft.com/4anfEQJ
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
I'm not actually that surprised that some European officials are surprised the Trump admin is prioritising economic relations with Russia. It's clear that some people in Europe's policymaking communities simply can't get their heads round the fact that the post-1945 US-Europe relationship is over.
November 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I'm not actually that surprised that some European officials are surprised the Trump admin is prioritising economic relations with Russia. It's clear that some people in Europe's policymaking communities simply can't get their heads round the fact that the post-1945 US-Europe relationship is over.
I’m sceptical that there is a sensible way to densify our large areas of 1930s semi-detached suburbs without compulsory purchase of whole street blocks, which would be quite a change of trajectory and deeply controversial.
November 27, 2025 at 7:43 AM
I’m sceptical that there is a sensible way to densify our large areas of 1930s semi-detached suburbs without compulsory purchase of whole street blocks, which would be quite a change of trajectory and deeply controversial.
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
'There is no peace process. This is not negotiations over peace: it is the transmission of surrender demands from Russia with the active facilitation of the United States.'
Read @keirgiles.bsky.social analysis on the Trump administration's proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine⤵️
Read @keirgiles.bsky.social analysis on the Trump administration's proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine⤵️
Trump pressures Ukraine to accept peace deal: Early analysis from Chatham House experts
Chatham House analysts give their initial analysis after Zelenskyy was pressured by Trump to accept a White House plan to end the war with Russia.
www.chathamhouse.org
November 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM
'There is no peace process. This is not negotiations over peace: it is the transmission of surrender demands from Russia with the active facilitation of the United States.'
Read @keirgiles.bsky.social analysis on the Trump administration's proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine⤵️
Read @keirgiles.bsky.social analysis on the Trump administration's proposed 28-point peace plan for Ukraine⤵️
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
Ukraine should accept no limits on its sovereignty that have not been accepted by other European countries. If it’s forced to do that, it will be accepting second class citizenship in Europe and the principle that Russia can treat it as a state with inferior rights
November 25, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Ukraine should accept no limits on its sovereignty that have not been accepted by other European countries. If it’s forced to do that, it will be accepting second class citizenship in Europe and the principle that Russia can treat it as a state with inferior rights
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
This story should be covered waaaaayy more than it is.
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
Nicolas Guillou, French ICC judge sanctioned by the US: 'You are effectively blacklisted by much of the world's banking system'
Six judges and three prosecutors at the International Criminal Court have been sanctioned by the Trump administration. In an interview with Le Monde, Guillou discusses the impact of these measures on ...
www.lemonde.fr
November 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
This story should be covered waaaaayy more than it is.
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
To repeat: the Trump administration peace deal was always a deal for peace between Russia and the US, not Russia and Ukraine. In it, it seems, the US gets Ukraine's resources, Russia gets Ukraine's land, and Ukraine gets to say thank you.
March 10, 2025 at 10:39 AM
To repeat: the Trump administration peace deal was always a deal for peace between Russia and the US, not Russia and Ukraine. In it, it seems, the US gets Ukraine's resources, Russia gets Ukraine's land, and Ukraine gets to say thank you.
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
This is a big moment for Europe. on.ft.com/3K3kM1S
Ukraine faces choice of losing ‘dignity’ or American support, Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns
[FREE TO READ] Donald Trump wants Kyiv to agree to US-Russian peace plan by Thursday
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:09 PM
This is a big moment for Europe. on.ft.com/3K3kM1S
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
Sir John’s Folly
A new work in response to the forgotten architecture of a failed plan, hidden in the undergrowth of Arlington. A place that has beguiled me ever since I’ve lived here.
#architecture #art #place
A new work in response to the forgotten architecture of a failed plan, hidden in the undergrowth of Arlington. A place that has beguiled me ever since I’ve lived here.
#architecture #art #place
November 19, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Sir John’s Folly
A new work in response to the forgotten architecture of a failed plan, hidden in the undergrowth of Arlington. A place that has beguiled me ever since I’ve lived here.
#architecture #art #place
A new work in response to the forgotten architecture of a failed plan, hidden in the undergrowth of Arlington. A place that has beguiled me ever since I’ve lived here.
#architecture #art #place
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
November 19, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
I see from a recent answer to a PQ that the UK has supplied 85,000 drones to Ukraine in the past six months. That is rather impressive - not least for it happening with little publicity. It's the right approach: do more, shout about it less.
November 19, 2025 at 12:19 PM
I see from a recent answer to a PQ that the UK has supplied 85,000 drones to Ukraine in the past six months. That is rather impressive - not least for it happening with little publicity. It's the right approach: do more, shout about it less.
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
The British library is in crisis: why does nobody care?
The widespread indifference to the British Library's crippling cyberattack demonstrates a perilous failure to value the knowledge infrastructure vital for national prosperity
www.cityam.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:27 AM
I’ve written a piece on the curious lack of media and political interest in the issues faced by our national @britishlibrary.bsky.social. This is strange given we live in a world where ideas, knowledge and research are a long-term source of innovation and insight
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
www.cityam.com/the-british-...
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Getting Britain out of the hole
A plan for the UK economy
getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM
New essay out today by me and @acjsissons.bsky.social - ‘Getting Britain out of the hole: a plan for the economy’. You can read the whole thing here getting-out-of-the-hole.uk
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
A chart mega-thread follows 🧵
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
Terrific, thought-provoking piece by @chrisdillow.bsky.social:
On incompetence
Much of our political culture is fundamentally incompetent.
chrisdillow.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Terrific, thought-provoking piece by @chrisdillow.bsky.social:
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
My notes from Weston-Super-Mare are now available.
1/2
1/2
Field Notes: Weston-Super-Mare (13 November 2025)
Some of Weston's C20 buildings. One with literal off-white elephants, and two that are more metaphorical ones.
buttondown.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:12 PM
My notes from Weston-Super-Mare are now available.
1/2
1/2
Reposted by Chris Costelloe
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
November 10, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
I’ve now seen Robin Hood Gardens, or bits of it, in Blackwall, Venice and Stratford. This sliver may work as a positional good for the V&A but it fails to capture the building’s complex essence, wonderfully summed up by @municipaldreams.bsky.social here municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/r...
November 3, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I’ve now seen Robin Hood Gardens, or bits of it, in Blackwall, Venice and Stratford. This sliver may work as a positional good for the V&A but it fails to capture the building’s complex essence, wonderfully summed up by @municipaldreams.bsky.social here municipaldreams.wordpress.com/2014/02/11/r...