John Heathershaw
@jheathershaw.bsky.social
Professor @cais-exeter.bsky.social University of Exeter, UK. Author of "Security After Christendom" (2024) and "Indulging Kleptocracy" (2025). Academic freedom by/for/of academics.
Pinned
It's out today! Many years in the making. Our @tenaprelec.bsky.social Tom Mayne @oxunipress.bsky.social book, Indulging Kleptocracy.
The UK’s indulgence of kleptocratic elites from Russia and Eurasia is an acute example of the phenomenon of professional enabling.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
The UK’s indulgence of kleptocratic elites from Russia and Eurasia is an acute example of the phenomenon of professional enabling.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Looking forward to joining this great line-up and my friend Corentin Cohen, the man without a face!
Professional enablers often work behind the scenes—but their influence can drive corruption and state capture. Join our GI ACE roundtable with @lizdavidbarrett.bsky.social, @devipillay.co.za, Alex Cooley, @jheathershaw.bsky.social, Corentin Cohen and @tenaprelec.bsky.social
🔗 bit.ly/GIACERoundtable
🔗 bit.ly/GIACERoundtable
Consultants, capture, and kleptocrats: how professional service providers enable corruption
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Looking forward to joining this great line-up and my friend Corentin Cohen, the man without a face!
This UK-Kyrgyzstan-Russia connection links street drugs in Britain to Russian sanctions evasion via Keremet Bank in the Kyrgyz Republic. It's the tip of enormous iceberg of illicit finance connecting organised crime and professional enablers.
www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc....
www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc....
Friday-night drug deals helping Russian war machine, UK crime agency warns - BBC News
The National Crime Agency says a "vast criminal ecosystem" funds "really bad things" around the world.
www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:16 AM
This UK-Kyrgyzstan-Russia connection links street drugs in Britain to Russian sanctions evasion via Keremet Bank in the Kyrgyz Republic. It's the tip of enormous iceberg of illicit finance connecting organised crime and professional enablers.
www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc....
www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc....
I wrote something about the character of crisis and the apparent inability of authorities to exercise political reason.
open.substack.com/pub/johnheat...
open.substack.com/pub/johnheat...
What kind of crisis do we face?
Three crises over the last week speak to a shift in the “Overton window”, the increasingly simulated character of political order, and the inability of authorities to address complexity.
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:59 AM
I wrote something about the character of crisis and the apparent inability of authorities to exercise political reason.
open.substack.com/pub/johnheat...
open.substack.com/pub/johnheat...
So much for sovereign states with functional independence. The field of International Relations needs to conceptualise elite networks of power and wealth or fall into irrelevance.
authoritarian-stack.info?fbclid=IwZnR...
authoritarian-stack.info?fbclid=IwZnR...
The Authoritarian Stack
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next
authoritarian-stack.info
November 19, 2025 at 9:07 PM
So much for sovereign states with functional independence. The field of International Relations needs to conceptualise elite networks of power and wealth or fall into irrelevance.
authoritarian-stack.info?fbclid=IwZnR...
authoritarian-stack.info?fbclid=IwZnR...
This is an excellent book.
A couple of years ago I wrote a book which explores how to make sense of Jesus' harsh words about wealth (and the ethical devastation of the end of the Celtic Tiger). The publisher just emailed to say it is 50% off with code CONFSHIP, & Media Mail shipping is free. wipfandstock.com/978153265500...
Theological Ethics in a Neoliberal Age- Wipf and Stock Publishers
Throughout his ministry, Jesus spoke frequently and unabashedly on the now-taboo subject of money. With nothing good to say to the rich, the New Testament--i...
wipfandstock.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:46 PM
This is an excellent book.
Reposted by John Heathershaw
From this minister's op-ed: "People wanting to experience God are more likely to meet the Divine trying to shut down the Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility than we ever were in church...God does not live in our houses of worship, but...with those who are bearing the brunt of cruelty in this moment."
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:38 PM
From this minister's op-ed: "People wanting to experience God are more likely to meet the Divine trying to shut down the Broadview, Illinois, ICE facility than we ever were in church...God does not live in our houses of worship, but...with those who are bearing the brunt of cruelty in this moment."
Absolutely fantastic new paper from @katiehiggins.bsky.social "CEO peer groups reveal without a doubt that therapy culture has reached the top tiers of the business class. In fact, their version of self-help is in many ways more cooperative and less individualistic than the mainstream" but... 1/2
November 14, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Absolutely fantastic new paper from @katiehiggins.bsky.social "CEO peer groups reveal without a doubt that therapy culture has reached the top tiers of the business class. In fact, their version of self-help is in many ways more cooperative and less individualistic than the mainstream" but... 1/2
It’s tough having a special relationship with a lawless regime.
Why Britain may have stopped sharing some intelligence with America
economist.com/britain/2025...
Why Britain may have stopped sharing some intelligence with America
economist.com/britain/2025...
Why Britain may have stopped sharing some intelligence with America
And how America might respond
economist.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:20 PM
It’s tough having a special relationship with a lawless regime.
Why Britain may have stopped sharing some intelligence with America
economist.com/britain/2025...
Why Britain may have stopped sharing some intelligence with America
economist.com/britain/2025...
Reposted by John Heathershaw
I totally agree with @jheathershaw.bsky.social , & have signed the petition. "Say it in English, only louder" was never a good way of dealing with the outside world; in current times, it's even less appropriate.
Languages education at all levels, especially higher, is under existential threat in the UK. It is an impoverished society which produces so few students interested in languages & a shortsighted state that cannot subsidise this public good through tough times. Pls consider signing.
c.org/qQMPqxcLCD
c.org/qQMPqxcLCD
We Can Make an Impact.
Stop the removal of Modern Languages courses at the University of Nottingham!
c.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I totally agree with @jheathershaw.bsky.social , & have signed the petition. "Say it in English, only louder" was never a good way of dealing with the outside world; in current times, it's even less appropriate.
Languages education at all levels, especially higher, is under existential threat in the UK. It is an impoverished society which produces so few students interested in languages & a shortsighted state that cannot subsidise this public good through tough times. Pls consider signing.
c.org/qQMPqxcLCD
c.org/qQMPqxcLCD
We Can Make an Impact.
Stop the removal of Modern Languages courses at the University of Nottingham!
c.org
November 12, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Languages education at all levels, especially higher, is under existential threat in the UK. It is an impoverished society which produces so few students interested in languages & a shortsighted state that cannot subsidise this public good through tough times. Pls consider signing.
c.org/qQMPqxcLCD
c.org/qQMPqxcLCD
Academic freedom is protected according to UUK when we are on “British soil”. What an extraordinarily anachronistic claim about internationalised universities that indicates that UUK has still not grasped the problem. Rules and regs of such kind are not enough. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
China-critical UK academics describe ‘extremely heavy’ pressure from Beijing
Reliance on overseas students’ tuition fees under scrutiny as scholars describe chilling effect of being targeted
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Academic freedom is protected according to UUK when we are on “British soil”. What an extraordinarily anachronistic claim about internationalised universities that indicates that UUK has still not grasped the problem. Rules and regs of such kind are not enough. www.theguardian.com/education/20...
My book Security after Christendom is 50% off through November 30. Yes, half price! Use code CONFSHIP at checkout. If you select Media Mail, shipping is free.
wipfandstock.com/978153261533...
wipfandstock.com/978153261533...
Security after Christendom- Wipf and Stock Publishers
We live in the wealthiest and most heavily defended world in history, so why do we feel so insecure? In a secular world, what does Christian theology have to...
wipfandstock.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:48 AM
My book Security after Christendom is 50% off through November 30. Yes, half price! Use code CONFSHIP at checkout. If you select Media Mail, shipping is free.
wipfandstock.com/978153261533...
wipfandstock.com/978153261533...
So much for geopolitics.
“Iran sells oil for USDT; which creates demand for Tether; which buys US government debt. Cut out the middleman and essentially, thanks to the magic of the blockchain, the Iranian and US governments are in business with each other.”
www.codastory.com/oligarchy/th...
“Iran sells oil for USDT; which creates demand for Tether; which buys US government debt. Cut out the middleman and essentially, thanks to the magic of the blockchain, the Iranian and US governments are in business with each other.”
www.codastory.com/oligarchy/th...
The Tehran-Washington Crypto Connection - Coda Story
There is a saying that the best way to make money during a gold rush is to sell picks and shovels. The worst way, presumably, would be to run a government taskforce drafting regulations for the retail...
www.codastory.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:25 PM
So much for geopolitics.
“Iran sells oil for USDT; which creates demand for Tether; which buys US government debt. Cut out the middleman and essentially, thanks to the magic of the blockchain, the Iranian and US governments are in business with each other.”
www.codastory.com/oligarchy/th...
“Iran sells oil for USDT; which creates demand for Tether; which buys US government debt. Cut out the middleman and essentially, thanks to the magic of the blockchain, the Iranian and US governments are in business with each other.”
www.codastory.com/oligarchy/th...
Reposted by John Heathershaw
New OA article @europe-asia.bsky.social: The Incumbency Advantage and the Enabler Effect: How Londongrad Beat the UK AML Regime
Drawing on £2bn of property data, we show that not a single incumbent kleptocrat (0/72!) lost their UK assets.
with @jheathershaw.bsky.social T. Mayne & S. Tokubayev
Drawing on £2bn of property data, we show that not a single incumbent kleptocrat (0/72!) lost their UK assets.
with @jheathershaw.bsky.social T. Mayne & S. Tokubayev
November 3, 2025 at 11:46 AM
New OA article @europe-asia.bsky.social: The Incumbency Advantage and the Enabler Effect: How Londongrad Beat the UK AML Regime
Drawing on £2bn of property data, we show that not a single incumbent kleptocrat (0/72!) lost their UK assets.
with @jheathershaw.bsky.social T. Mayne & S. Tokubayev
Drawing on £2bn of property data, we show that not a single incumbent kleptocrat (0/72!) lost their UK assets.
with @jheathershaw.bsky.social T. Mayne & S. Tokubayev
heffield Hallam would have fared much better - and been better prepared for such risks - if they adopted the model code of conduct of the Academic Freedom and Internationalisation Working Group which we published several years ago. 1/2
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
China intimidated UK university to ditch human rights research, documents show
Sheffield Hallam University apologises to Professor Laura Murphy for restricting her academic freedom.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 10:54 AM
heffield Hallam would have fared much better - and been better prepared for such risks - if they adopted the model code of conduct of the Academic Freedom and Internationalisation Working Group which we published several years ago. 1/2
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The irrepressible @cjcmichel.bsky.social has another book!
"A mix of 1984 and The Jungle, with a bit of The Great Gatsby tossed in for good measure".
As the Trump family and cronies instrumentalise political power for private gain, this will be on my Xmas list!
read.macmillan.com/lp/united-st...
"A mix of 1984 and The Jungle, with a bit of The Great Gatsby tossed in for good measure".
As the Trump family and cronies instrumentalise political power for private gain, this will be on my Xmas list!
read.macmillan.com/lp/united-st...
United States of Oligarchy 9781250430113 - Macmillan
A staggering examination of how America’s wealthiest infiltrated the government and allied with dictators, transforming the U.S. from democracy t...
read.macmillan.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:15 AM
The irrepressible @cjcmichel.bsky.social has another book!
"A mix of 1984 and The Jungle, with a bit of The Great Gatsby tossed in for good measure".
As the Trump family and cronies instrumentalise political power for private gain, this will be on my Xmas list!
read.macmillan.com/lp/united-st...
"A mix of 1984 and The Jungle, with a bit of The Great Gatsby tossed in for good measure".
As the Trump family and cronies instrumentalise political power for private gain, this will be on my Xmas list!
read.macmillan.com/lp/united-st...
Played by Putin again.
After showing openness to supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles, Trump – following his phone call with Putin on Thursday – played down the chances of the weapons for Kyiv.
“We need Tomahawks for the United States of America too... “I mean we can’t deplete our country.”
on.ft.com/3J4jDqo
“We need Tomahawks for the United States of America too... “I mean we can’t deplete our country.”
on.ft.com/3J4jDqo
The Tomahawk missiles Trump is considering for Ukraine
[FREE TO READ] The US president has floated selling Kyiv a long-range weapon capable of striking Moscow
on.ft.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Played by Putin again.
Maybe Lab should worry less about the 27% Reform and more about the 29% of combined Green and Lib Dem. More broadly, this shows the same old divided country with slightly more on the Left than the Right.
Our latest Westminster voting intention (12-13 Oct) has the Greens on their highest figure ever recorded by YouGov
Reform UK: 27% (no change from 5-6 Oct)
Labour: 20% (=)
Conservatives: 17% (=)
Lib Dems: 16% (-1)
Greens: 13% (+1)
SNP: 3% (-1)
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
Reform UK: 27% (no change from 5-6 Oct)
Labour: 20% (=)
Conservatives: 17% (=)
Lib Dems: 16% (-1)
Greens: 13% (+1)
SNP: 3% (-1)
yougov.co.uk/topics/polit...
October 14, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Maybe Lab should worry less about the 27% Reform and more about the 29% of combined Green and Lib Dem. More broadly, this shows the same old divided country with slightly more on the Left than the Right.
The timing of the Gaza deal is not explained by Trump's genius or Netanyahu's domestic politics. There were doubtless many factors but we must note Kushner's extensive business interests.
Did Qatari Money Drive Trump’s Push for Gaza Ceasefire?
theintercept.com/2025/10/11/q...
Did Qatari Money Drive Trump’s Push for Gaza Ceasefire?
theintercept.com/2025/10/11/q...
Did Qatari Money Drive Trump’s Push for Gaza Ceasefire?
Trump’s stance on Gaza shifted after Israel’s attack on Qatar — a close ally where he and his family have key business deals.
theintercept.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:58 AM
The timing of the Gaza deal is not explained by Trump's genius or Netanyahu's domestic politics. There were doubtless many factors but we must note Kushner's extensive business interests.
Did Qatari Money Drive Trump’s Push for Gaza Ceasefire?
theintercept.com/2025/10/11/q...
Did Qatari Money Drive Trump’s Push for Gaza Ceasefire?
theintercept.com/2025/10/11/q...
“This is his moment..”. It’s almost as if all those people had to die in an armed conflict so one man gets the acclaim his ego desperately demands.
October 13, 2025 at 7:01 AM
“This is his moment..”. It’s almost as if all those people had to die in an armed conflict so one man gets the acclaim his ego desperately demands.
This is helpful and identifies core political causes rather than "religious" ones. But I suspect that there may be some interesting variations by denomination and that certain theologies of "Christendom" feed into Christian nationalism.
"People who attend church or identify with a Christian tradition are not systematically more (or less) nativist, authoritarian or populist than their secular counterparts. Conversely, people who hold nativist and authoritarian views are often also Islamophobes, and vice versa." 👏 @kai-arzheimer.com
Islamophobia in Western Europe is not driven by religiosity
Are Christians more likely to be Islamophobic than other citizens in Europe? New research finds European Islamophobia has no link to a person’s religiosity.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
This is helpful and identifies core political causes rather than "religious" ones. But I suspect that there may be some interesting variations by denomination and that certain theologies of "Christendom" feed into Christian nationalism.
I tried to write something less triumphalist about Gaza while recognising that this is an important step for the victims of the conflict. I also wanted to look at how "peace" is understood in the Hebrew Bible (Torah) compared to what's going on Gaza.
open.substack.com/pub/johnheat...
open.substack.com/pub/johnheat...
Making a Wasteland and Calling It Peace
Genuine and lasting peace prompts lament and repentance, forgiveness and justice. The Gaza ceasefire has elicited triumph and egoism, self-righteousness and impunity.
open.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:46 PM
I tried to write something less triumphalist about Gaza while recognising that this is an important step for the victims of the conflict. I also wanted to look at how "peace" is understood in the Hebrew Bible (Torah) compared to what's going on Gaza.
open.substack.com/pub/johnheat...
open.substack.com/pub/johnheat...
Fantastic reporting by @occrp.org
If you scroll down you can see the Boeing 737 which flew Kerimguly Berdimuhamedov into Exeter, apparently to study for his Politics degree.
occrp.org/en/scoop/gol... via
@occrp.org
If you scroll down you can see the Boeing 737 which flew Kerimguly Berdimuhamedov into Exeter, apparently to study for his Politics degree.
occrp.org/en/scoop/gol... via
@occrp.org
Gold Taps and Towel Racks: How a Plane Used by Turkmenistan’s Ruling Family Got a Royal Makeover
In authoritarian Turkmenistan, even a single airplane trip abroad is out of reach for most citizens. But the country’s ruling Berdimuhamedov family, which has held power across two generations, recent...
occrp.org
October 10, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Fantastic reporting by @occrp.org
If you scroll down you can see the Boeing 737 which flew Kerimguly Berdimuhamedov into Exeter, apparently to study for his Politics degree.
occrp.org/en/scoop/gol... via
@occrp.org
If you scroll down you can see the Boeing 737 which flew Kerimguly Berdimuhamedov into Exeter, apparently to study for his Politics degree.
occrp.org/en/scoop/gol... via
@occrp.org
In @europe-asia.bsky.social we (@tenaprelec.bsky.social et al) show how Londongrad beat the UK AML regime via the incumbency advantage (political elites being in power or favour at home) & enabler effect (networks of highly-skilled legal & financial professionals)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The Incumbency Advantage and the Enabler Effect: How Londongrad Beat the UK Anti-Money Laundering Regime
The emergence and survival of ‘Londongrad’, despite the UK anti-money laundering regime, is an intellectual and policy conundrum. We analyse an original dataset of £2 billion of domestic real estat...
www.tandfonline.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:20 AM
In @europe-asia.bsky.social we (@tenaprelec.bsky.social et al) show how Londongrad beat the UK AML regime via the incumbency advantage (political elites being in power or favour at home) & enabler effect (networks of highly-skilled legal & financial professionals)
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....