Charlie Hancock
@hancock2001.bsky.social
Opinion Editor at The Moscow Times – Pitch to [email protected] | Also studying MA IR&War at KCL and writing "Crisis Europa" Substack on European security | Ex-Bloomberg | My Views | Also on bird app, trying to post here more
I don't use this site often because, as unwieldy as the other-place is, it's still better set up for news.
But it's interesting that 90% of the engagement I've had for the past month is from obvious bots that don't even pretend not to be Russian anymore.
But it's interesting that 90% of the engagement I've had for the past month is from obvious bots that don't even pretend not to be Russian anymore.
November 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I don't use this site often because, as unwieldy as the other-place is, it's still better set up for news.
But it's interesting that 90% of the engagement I've had for the past month is from obvious bots that don't even pretend not to be Russian anymore.
But it's interesting that 90% of the engagement I've had for the past month is from obvious bots that don't even pretend not to be Russian anymore.
As if you needed more evidence of the cult of masculinity in Russia, Elena here is complaining that her "Z" cat decoration came without any bollocks
June 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
As if you needed more evidence of the cult of masculinity in Russia, Elena here is complaining that her "Z" cat decoration came without any bollocks
I spent a few days this week at an airbase in the northern 🇳🇱, talking with fighter pilots and military planners about NATO's largest air exercise, practicing how to respond to a Russian attack (or any other adversary).
I also got up-close with the jets, but not in the cockpit
I also got up-close with the jets, but not in the cockpit
April 11, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I spent a few days this week at an airbase in the northern 🇳🇱, talking with fighter pilots and military planners about NATO's largest air exercise, practicing how to respond to a Russian attack (or any other adversary).
I also got up-close with the jets, but not in the cockpit
I also got up-close with the jets, but not in the cockpit
Seda Sumeimanova went missing after being abducted from St. Petersburg, where she fled after her relatives threatened to kill her for escaping an arranged marriage
Lena Patyayeva wrote this (link in reply) about her campaign for her friend's release
Lena Patyayeva wrote this (link in reply) about her campaign for her friend's release
January 30, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Seda Sumeimanova went missing after being abducted from St. Petersburg, where she fled after her relatives threatened to kill her for escaping an arranged marriage
Lena Patyayeva wrote this (link in reply) about her campaign for her friend's release
Lena Patyayeva wrote this (link in reply) about her campaign for her friend's release
I'm looking forward to reporting on #MSC2025 for @themoscowtimes.com. I'm especially interested in speaking to people working on Ukraine's war effort, Western support for Ukraine, and combatting Russia aggression and espionage toward Europe and NATO. If that's you, get in touch!
January 22, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I'm looking forward to reporting on #MSC2025 for @themoscowtimes.com. I'm especially interested in speaking to people working on Ukraine's war effort, Western support for Ukraine, and combatting Russia aggression and espionage toward Europe and NATO. If that's you, get in touch!
Have been craving halva for the past few days so decided to do something about it
It looks a little gloopy but tastes very promising (rose, saffron and pistachio). Let’s see how it sets overnight…
It looks a little gloopy but tastes very promising (rose, saffron and pistachio). Let’s see how it sets overnight…
December 9, 2024 at 9:37 PM
Have been craving halva for the past few days so decided to do something about it
It looks a little gloopy but tastes very promising (rose, saffron and pistachio). Let’s see how it sets overnight…
It looks a little gloopy but tastes very promising (rose, saffron and pistachio). Let’s see how it sets overnight…
But you can't have economic or health security without national security.
I've had some interesting conversations with ppl involved in Baltic civil defense since publication yesterday. Looking forward to hearing more thoughts
END 🧵
🔗 charliehancock.substack.com/p/britain-le...
I've had some interesting conversations with ppl involved in Baltic civil defense since publication yesterday. Looking forward to hearing more thoughts
END 🧵
🔗 charliehancock.substack.com/p/britain-le...
December 5, 2024 at 1:45 PM
But you can't have economic or health security without national security.
I've had some interesting conversations with ppl involved in Baltic civil defense since publication yesterday. Looking forward to hearing more thoughts
END 🧵
🔗 charliehancock.substack.com/p/britain-le...
I've had some interesting conversations with ppl involved in Baltic civil defense since publication yesterday. Looking forward to hearing more thoughts
END 🧵
🔗 charliehancock.substack.com/p/britain-le...
Improving national resilience will take more than telling people we need to prepare for a disruptive war. But if people know what they can do, they're more likely to support national preparations for disaster
Defense was a long way from 🇬🇧's top priority in the 2024 election
Defense was a long way from 🇬🇧's top priority in the 2024 election
December 5, 2024 at 1:45 PM
Improving national resilience will take more than telling people we need to prepare for a disruptive war. But if people know what they can do, they're more likely to support national preparations for disaster
Defense was a long way from 🇬🇧's top priority in the 2024 election
Defense was a long way from 🇬🇧's top priority in the 2024 election
3rd, 🇬🇧decided after the development of the H-bomb that preparing the entire country for nuclear war would be pointless. As a result, we don't have the legacy of Cold War civil defense infrastructure to build on like 🇸🇪
We're behind our peers, and catching up will be expensive
We're behind our peers, and catching up will be expensive
December 5, 2024 at 1:45 PM
3rd, 🇬🇧decided after the development of the H-bomb that preparing the entire country for nuclear war would be pointless. As a result, we don't have the legacy of Cold War civil defense infrastructure to build on like 🇸🇪
We're behind our peers, and catching up will be expensive
We're behind our peers, and catching up will be expensive
Secondly, ppl with loud voices would *hate it.* Remember the 2023 emergency alert? Ironic how the people complain the most about snowflakes get so triggered by slight inconveniences.
But people didn't survive the Blitz by keeping calm and carrying on. It was bc they prepared.
But people didn't survive the Blitz by keeping calm and carrying on. It was bc they prepared.
December 5, 2024 at 1:45 PM
Secondly, ppl with loud voices would *hate it.* Remember the 2023 emergency alert? Ironic how the people complain the most about snowflakes get so triggered by slight inconveniences.
But people didn't survive the Blitz by keeping calm and carrying on. It was bc they prepared.
But people didn't survive the Blitz by keeping calm and carrying on. It was bc they prepared.
So why don't we have something as simple as a leaflet campaign?
Firstly, it would cost money. But when we did one in 2004, it wasn't that expensive. £14m in today's money is well below the £200m issued to Michelle Mone's PPE Medpro during the pandemic.
Firstly, it would cost money. But when we did one in 2004, it wasn't that expensive. £14m in today's money is well below the £200m issued to Michelle Mone's PPE Medpro during the pandemic.
December 5, 2024 at 1:45 PM
So why don't we have something as simple as a leaflet campaign?
Firstly, it would cost money. But when we did one in 2004, it wasn't that expensive. £14m in today's money is well below the £200m issued to Michelle Mone's PPE Medpro during the pandemic.
Firstly, it would cost money. But when we did one in 2004, it wasn't that expensive. £14m in today's money is well below the £200m issued to Michelle Mone's PPE Medpro during the pandemic.
Contrast with Estonia (1-2), which gives advice on how to act as a civilian in a conflict zone and resilience against information wars.
Lithuania (3) tells citizens how to act in the event of an occupation, avoiding collaboration and spreading the word about their actions.
Lithuania (3) tells citizens how to act in the event of an occupation, avoiding collaboration and spreading the word about their actions.
December 5, 2024 at 1:45 PM
Contrast with Estonia (1-2), which gives advice on how to act as a civilian in a conflict zone and resilience against information wars.
Lithuania (3) tells citizens how to act in the event of an occupation, avoiding collaboration and spreading the word about their actions.
Lithuania (3) tells citizens how to act in the event of an occupation, avoiding collaboration and spreading the word about their actions.
As you can see, conflict is not one of the scenarios the website advises on.
No mention of the whole reason for mounting tension across the continent...
No mention of the whole reason for mounting tension across the continent...
December 5, 2024 at 1:45 PM
As you can see, conflict is not one of the scenarios the website advises on.
No mention of the whole reason for mounting tension across the continent...
No mention of the whole reason for mounting tension across the continent...
Britain has no such booklets. Instead, we have a website!
Why is that an issue?
If you can't charge your phone bc of a power cut, or the internet has been disrupted by a cyber attack, sabotage or an EMP, how are you supposed to find out what to do?
Why is that an issue?
If you can't charge your phone bc of a power cut, or the internet has been disrupted by a cyber attack, sabotage or an EMP, how are you supposed to find out what to do?
December 5, 2024 at 1:45 PM
Britain has no such booklets. Instead, we have a website!
Why is that an issue?
If you can't charge your phone bc of a power cut, or the internet has been disrupted by a cyber attack, sabotage or an EMP, how are you supposed to find out what to do?
Why is that an issue?
If you can't charge your phone bc of a power cut, or the internet has been disrupted by a cyber attack, sabotage or an EMP, how are you supposed to find out what to do?
The genesis of this piece came from 🇳🇴 🇸🇪 🇫🇮 issuing updated booklets to citizens telling them how to prepare for crises including war
The Nordic countries have "comprehensive security" cultures and policies. They go beyond leaflets, but informing the public is part of them
The Nordic countries have "comprehensive security" cultures and policies. They go beyond leaflets, but informing the public is part of them
December 5, 2024 at 1:45 PM
The genesis of this piece came from 🇳🇴 🇸🇪 🇫🇮 issuing updated booklets to citizens telling them how to prepare for crises including war
The Nordic countries have "comprehensive security" cultures and policies. They go beyond leaflets, but informing the public is part of them
The Nordic countries have "comprehensive security" cultures and policies. They go beyond leaflets, but informing the public is part of them
It’s the first Monday of December, which means we in the Netherlands not only get to hear the testing of the emergency sirens (which happens every month) but get an alert on our phones (twice a year)
Imagine if this was proposed in the UK — our commentators would have a meltdown
Imagine if this was proposed in the UK — our commentators would have a meltdown
December 2, 2024 at 11:12 AM
It’s the first Monday of December, which means we in the Netherlands not only get to hear the testing of the emergency sirens (which happens every month) but get an alert on our phones (twice a year)
Imagine if this was proposed in the UK — our commentators would have a meltdown
Imagine if this was proposed in the UK — our commentators would have a meltdown
Absolutely the correct decision
Turns out it’s origin is surprisingly elegant
Turns out it’s origin is surprisingly elegant
December 1, 2024 at 11:28 PM
Absolutely the correct decision
Turns out it’s origin is surprisingly elegant
Turns out it’s origin is surprisingly elegant
I suppose one benefit of these early winter nights is that Amsterdam is awfully cute
November 29, 2024 at 4:50 PM
I suppose one benefit of these early winter nights is that Amsterdam is awfully cute
Cosy Amsterdam bars are made even better by the chance you’ll run into the friendly resident cat (this is Fleutje)
November 29, 2024 at 11:35 AM
Cosy Amsterdam bars are made even better by the chance you’ll run into the friendly resident cat (this is Fleutje)
Thanks to everyone who came to The Moscow Times’ “Women Against the Kremlin” symposium
It was a very interesting day of discussion from Russians rarely given a platform in the West. I also enjoyed meeting some of the fascinating people whose work I have had the privilege of editing
It was a very interesting day of discussion from Russians rarely given a platform in the West. I also enjoyed meeting some of the fascinating people whose work I have had the privilege of editing
November 26, 2024 at 7:39 PM
Thanks to everyone who came to The Moscow Times’ “Women Against the Kremlin” symposium
It was a very interesting day of discussion from Russians rarely given a platform in the West. I also enjoyed meeting some of the fascinating people whose work I have had the privilege of editing
It was a very interesting day of discussion from Russians rarely given a platform in the West. I also enjoyed meeting some of the fascinating people whose work I have had the privilege of editing
Find someone who believes in you like Russia does in Britain
November 23, 2024 at 9:51 PM
Find someone who believes in you like Russia does in Britain