Mark Stout
@markstout.bsky.social
Intelligence historian, former intelligence officer. Also live on the borderlands of military history. Former Historian at the International Spy Museum. University educator. I wish I were in Seattle. The cat is Boadicea.
So, this Ukraine War peace plan: has Trump just decided to take dictation from Putin? Was Rubio speaking out of turn here by saying this wasn’t a US proposal? If so, that must be a firing offense from Trump’s POV. Was there a misunderstanding between Rubio and the 3 senators? What is going on here?
November 23, 2025 at 5:21 AM
So, this Ukraine War peace plan: has Trump just decided to take dictation from Putin? Was Rubio speaking out of turn here by saying this wasn’t a US proposal? If so, that must be a firing offense from Trump’s POV. Was there a misunderstanding between Rubio and the 3 senators? What is going on here?
Reposted by Mark Stout
For a decade, Russia has been seeking to divide Europe and America, to undermine NATO and weaken the transatlantic alliance. This peace plan, if accepted, will achieve that goal.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
The Murky Plan That Ensures a Future War
Who will benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 PM
For a decade, Russia has been seeking to divide Europe and America, to undermine NATO and weaken the transatlantic alliance. This peace plan, if accepted, will achieve that goal.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Reposted by Mark Stout
📣 Job alert! 📣 Harvard Kennedy School is running 2 open-rank faculty searches in technology & public policy. One position is specifically for scholars using data science to address public problems. Please help us spread the word! academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/15561
Technology and Public Policy Search (open rank)
Harvard Kennedy School invites applications for two open rank appointments in technology and public policy. We seek applications from scholars whose research and/or practice focuses on the intersectio...
academicpositions.harvard.edu
November 22, 2025 at 8:14 PM
📣 Job alert! 📣 Harvard Kennedy School is running 2 open-rank faculty searches in technology & public policy. One position is specifically for scholars using data science to address public problems. Please help us spread the word! academicpositions.harvard.edu/postings/15561
Great opportunity for grad students working on World War I.
⚠️ Time is running out! ⚠️
🗓️ The deadline for applications for The WFA PhD Grant Scheme is 1 December.
📣 No topics are off limits, ANY First World War research considered!
#FWWHist #PhDchat
🗓️ The deadline for applications for The WFA PhD Grant Scheme is 1 December.
📣 No topics are off limits, ANY First World War research considered!
#FWWHist #PhDchat
We at The WFA have launched our PhD Grant Scheme for 2025.
The grant is open to doctoral students researching ANY aspect of the First World War.
Where will our grant take you?
See website for full details 👇🏻
www.westernfrontassociation.com/latest-news/...
#Fwwhist #phdchat
The grant is open to doctoral students researching ANY aspect of the First World War.
Where will our grant take you?
See website for full details 👇🏻
www.westernfrontassociation.com/latest-news/...
#Fwwhist #phdchat
November 22, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Great opportunity for grad students working on World War I.
Reposted by Mark Stout
Google defaulting all Gmail users to a setting that enables Google to harvest all your emails into chatbot training is straight-up evil and invasive.
www.huffpost.com/entry/opt-ou...
www.huffpost.com/entry/opt-ou...
If You Use Gmail, You're Going To Want To Turn Off This 1 Automatic Setting ASAP
Plus: a quick guide to the two-step process for opting out.
www.huffpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Google defaulting all Gmail users to a setting that enables Google to harvest all your emails into chatbot training is straight-up evil and invasive.
www.huffpost.com/entry/opt-ou...
www.huffpost.com/entry/opt-ou...
Some prose I'm writing: "And if they did receive support from Western governments, how much did it matter? Were these organizations self-sustaining in their own ecosystems?"
Why, I wonder, does Microsoft Word suggest that I change "Were" to "Are?"
This. Is. Not. Helpful. GTFO.
Why, I wonder, does Microsoft Word suggest that I change "Were" to "Are?"
This. Is. Not. Helpful. GTFO.
November 22, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Some prose I'm writing: "And if they did receive support from Western governments, how much did it matter? Were these organizations self-sustaining in their own ecosystems?"
Why, I wonder, does Microsoft Word suggest that I change "Were" to "Are?"
This. Is. Not. Helpful. GTFO.
Why, I wonder, does Microsoft Word suggest that I change "Were" to "Are?"
This. Is. Not. Helpful. GTFO.
Reposted by Mark Stout
Exclusive-US threatens to cut intel, weapons to press Ukraine into peace deal, sources say
www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
MSN
www.msn.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Exclusive-US threatens to cut intel, weapons to press Ukraine into peace deal, sources say
www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
www.msn.com/en-us/news/w...
Reposted by Mark Stout
Socialism is not Communism. Democratic socialism is not “pure” socialism. Crack a book, or stop supporting lies for your agenda, whatever that is.
November 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Socialism is not Communism. Democratic socialism is not “pure” socialism. Crack a book, or stop supporting lies for your agenda, whatever that is.
Reposted by Mark Stout
Congratulations, @chekistmonitor.bsky.social and well done!
It's truly an honor to have my book KGB Literati reviewed in the Cipher Brief by Bill Harlow, Cipher Brief's senior book review editor & former #CIA chief spokesman. @thecipherbrief.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
www.thecipherbrief.com/kgb-literati...
www.thecipherbrief.com/kgb-literati...
When the Chekists Took Up the Pen
BOOK REVIEW: KGB Literati: Spy Fiction and State Security in the Soviet UnionBy Filip Kovacevic / University of Toronto PressReviewed by: Bill HarlowThe Reviewer Bill Harlow served as chief spokesman ...
www.thecipherbrief.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Congratulations, @chekistmonitor.bsky.social and well done!
Reposted by Mark Stout
🔍 Spotlight on “Strategic Vandalism”
See our new piece with @paulineblistene.bsky.social on the recent “Red Hands” trial in Paris, which showed how Moscow instrumentalises vandalism as a calculated instrument of influence.
📝 See full article & more about "strategic vandalism" at #KCSIInsights.
See our new piece with @paulineblistene.bsky.social on the recent “Red Hands” trial in Paris, which showed how Moscow instrumentalises vandalism as a calculated instrument of influence.
📝 See full article & more about "strategic vandalism" at #KCSIInsights.
🚨New article in our KCSI Insights blog by our core team member Dr @paulineblistene.bsky.social and KCSI Co-Director Dr @drichterova.bsky.social on “Strategic Vandalism: Decoding the French ‘Red Hands’ Trial.”
🔗 Link: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
🔗 Link: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
Strategic Vandalism: Decoding the French 'Red Hands' Trial
kcsi.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:56 PM
🔍 Spotlight on “Strategic Vandalism”
See our new piece with @paulineblistene.bsky.social on the recent “Red Hands” trial in Paris, which showed how Moscow instrumentalises vandalism as a calculated instrument of influence.
📝 See full article & more about "strategic vandalism" at #KCSIInsights.
See our new piece with @paulineblistene.bsky.social on the recent “Red Hands” trial in Paris, which showed how Moscow instrumentalises vandalism as a calculated instrument of influence.
📝 See full article & more about "strategic vandalism" at #KCSIInsights.
Reposted by Mark Stout
Reposted by Mark Stout
Next Tuesday, December 2nd, is Giving Tuesday. Please keep us in mind as we continue to build our ability to serve you.
November 20, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Next Tuesday, December 2nd, is Giving Tuesday. Please keep us in mind as we continue to build our ability to serve you.
Reposted by Mark Stout
I worked for the CIA. Counterterrorism. I disobeyed illegal orders. Anyone else?
November 21, 2025 at 1:12 AM
I worked for the CIA. Counterterrorism. I disobeyed illegal orders. Anyone else?
Reposted by Mark Stout
Anonymous Bidder Pays Nearly $1 Million for Secret to Decode C.I.A. Sculpture www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/s...
Anonymous Bidder Pays Nearly $1 Million for Secret to Decode C.I.A. Sculpture
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Anonymous Bidder Pays Nearly $1 Million for Secret to Decode C.I.A. Sculpture www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/s...
Reposted by Mark Stout
Democrats Raise Concerns Over Allied Curbs on Intelligence Sharing www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
Democrats Raise Concerns Over Allied Curbs on Intelligence Sharing
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Democrats Raise Concerns Over Allied Curbs on Intelligence Sharing www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
Reposted by Mark Stout
CIA Assassination Plots: The Church Committee Report 50 Years Later
Read how the Ford administration tried to keep the landmark assassinations report secret
nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-boo...
Read how the Ford administration tried to keep the landmark assassinations report secret
nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-boo...
CIA Assassination Plots: The Church Committee Report 50 Years Later
Washington D.C., November 20, 2025 - Fifty years ago today, a special Senate Committee led by Idaho Senator Frank Church lifted the veil of secrecy on the clandestine efforts of the Central Intelligen...
nsarchive.gwu.edu
November 20, 2025 at 9:28 PM
CIA Assassination Plots: The Church Committee Report 50 Years Later
Read how the Ford administration tried to keep the landmark assassinations report secret
nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-boo...
Read how the Ford administration tried to keep the landmark assassinations report secret
nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-boo...
Reposted by Mark Stout
The third policing article included in our 20th anniversary issue is Eric Halford's "A scoping analysis of the counter terrorism command policing structure and its impact on intelligence sharing between the police and the security services." You can find it here ➡️ doi.org/10.1080/1833...
November 21, 2025 at 10:27 AM
The third policing article included in our 20th anniversary issue is Eric Halford's "A scoping analysis of the counter terrorism command policing structure and its impact on intelligence sharing between the police and the security services." You can find it here ➡️ doi.org/10.1080/1833...
Reposted by Mark Stout
🚨New article in our KCSI Insights blog by our core team member Dr @paulineblistene.bsky.social and KCSI Co-Director Dr @drichterova.bsky.social on “Strategic Vandalism: Decoding the French ‘Red Hands’ Trial.”
🔗 Link: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
🔗 Link: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
Strategic Vandalism: Decoding the French 'Red Hands' Trial
kcsi.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:57 AM
🚨New article in our KCSI Insights blog by our core team member Dr @paulineblistene.bsky.social and KCSI Co-Director Dr @drichterova.bsky.social on “Strategic Vandalism: Decoding the French ‘Red Hands’ Trial.”
🔗 Link: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
🔗 Link: kcsi.uk/kcsi-insight...
Reposted by Mark Stout
New addition
Blog post: Strategic Vandalism: Decoding the French 'Red Hands' Trial by Pauline Blistène, Daniela Richterova (published 21-11-2025)
https://kcsi.uk/kcsi-insights/strategic-vandalism-decoding-the-french-red-hands-trial
Blog post: Strategic Vandalism: Decoding the French 'Red Hands' Trial by Pauline Blistène, Daniela Richterova (published 21-11-2025)
https://kcsi.uk/kcsi-insights/strategic-vandalism-decoding-the-french-red-hands-trial
Strategic Vandalism: Decoding the French 'Red Hands' Trial
kcsi.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:26 PM
New addition
Blog post: Strategic Vandalism: Decoding the French 'Red Hands' Trial by Pauline Blistène, Daniela Richterova (published 21-11-2025)
https://kcsi.uk/kcsi-insights/strategic-vandalism-decoding-the-french-red-hands-trial
Blog post: Strategic Vandalism: Decoding the French 'Red Hands' Trial by Pauline Blistène, Daniela Richterova (published 21-11-2025)
https://kcsi.uk/kcsi-insights/strategic-vandalism-decoding-the-french-red-hands-trial
Reposted by Mark Stout
It's gonna be a Baudelairian Jihad after all.
Looks like LLMs are *very* vulnerable to attack via poetic allusion: "curated poetic prompts yielded high attack-success rates (ASR), with some providers exceeding 90% ..."
https://arxiv.org/html/2511.15304v1
https://arxiv.org/html/2511.15304v1
November 21, 2025 at 12:21 PM
It's gonna be a Baudelairian Jihad after all.
This plan for an end to Russia's war Ukraine has a few good bits in it such as returning all the kidnapped children but overall it's a travesty.
November 21, 2025 at 3:26 AM
This plan for an end to Russia's war Ukraine has a few good bits in it such as returning all the kidnapped children but overall it's a travesty.
Reposted by Mark Stout
Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. ambassador to NATO, said this week he is eager for a German general to eventually take command of the alliance's forces, a job that has been held by an American officer since the bloc's founding nearly 80 years ago.
US ambassador looks forward to having German as top NATO commander someday
The U.S. NATO envoy supports a German general taking command of all allied forces, a job that has been held by an American officer.
www.stripes.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Matthew Whitaker, the U.S. ambassador to NATO, said this week he is eager for a German general to eventually take command of the alliance's forces, a job that has been held by an American officer since the bloc's founding nearly 80 years ago.
Reposted by Mark Stout
It's important to understand what this ad does and why it is so threatening to the Trump admin. It gets to social identity theory, which posits that we have many identities, and the one which is salient in a given context will dictate how we think/behave in a particular situation. 1/
WATCH: After six Democratic lawmakers posted a video urging members of the military not to follow illegal orders, Trump erupted online, accusing them of “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” Sen. Elissa Slotkin, one of the senators in that video, joins Chris Hayes to respond.
'HANG THEM': Trump melts down, accuses six Dems of ‘seditious behavior’
YouTube video by MS NOW
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:00 AM
It's important to understand what this ad does and why it is so threatening to the Trump admin. It gets to social identity theory, which posits that we have many identities, and the one which is salient in a given context will dictate how we think/behave in a particular situation. 1/
Reposted by Mark Stout
“A fully digitised collection of the records of the Nuremberg trials is being launched online to mark the 80th anniversary of the start of the groundbreaking legal effort to bring Nazi leaders to justice.”
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Nuremberg trial records made available online after painstaking 25-year project
Launch of digitisation project marks 80th anniversary of start of legal effort to bring Nazi leaders to justice
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:37 AM
“A fully digitised collection of the records of the Nuremberg trials is being launched online to mark the 80th anniversary of the start of the groundbreaking legal effort to bring Nazi leaders to justice.”
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...