Mel Farrell
@melfarrell.bsky.social
Historian, mostly of Ireland,1912-37. New book, 'Vying for Victory', on the 1923 election, co-edited with Elaine Callinan & Thomas Tormey https://tinyurl.com/4jtm4ndb . Also a big Villa fan & music lover. Any views, are my own.
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Mel Farrell
@melfarrell.bsky.social
· Feb 27
Timothy Ellis-Dale reviews Vying for Victory: The 1923 General Election in the Irish Free State, ed. Elaine Callinan, Mel Farrell @melfarrell.bsky.social and Thomas Tormey
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
@ucdpress.bsky.social
academic.oup.com/ehr/advance-...
@ucdpress.bsky.social
Vying for Victory: The 1923 General Election in the Irish Free State, ed. Elaine Callinan, Mel Farrell and Thomas Tormey
Four years ago, Micheál Martin, the leader of Fianna Fáil, described his appointment as Taoiseach, in coalition with Fine Gael, as ‘the end of Civil War po
academic.oup.com
My thanks to Timothy Ellis-Dale for this fair review of our edited collection on the 1923 General Election in the Irish Free State. Check it out in @enghistrev.bsky.social
Reposted by Mel Farrell
not the kind of behavior I expect from the winner of the fifa peace prize
December 15, 2025 at 7:28 PM
not the kind of behavior I expect from the winner of the fifa peace prize
Reposted by Mel Farrell
🇦🇹 Austria exposes FSB network posing as "Ukrainian Nazis" - profil
According to the investigation, the campaign covered not only Austria, but also other European countries. The network was coordinated by Austrian, who has been working for the Russian special services for a long time.
According to the investigation, the campaign covered not only Austria, but also other European countries. The network was coordinated by Austrian, who has been working for the Russian special services for a long time.
December 14, 2025 at 9:49 AM
🇦🇹 Austria exposes FSB network posing as "Ukrainian Nazis" - profil
According to the investigation, the campaign covered not only Austria, but also other European countries. The network was coordinated by Austrian, who has been working for the Russian special services for a long time.
According to the investigation, the campaign covered not only Austria, but also other European countries. The network was coordinated by Austrian, who has been working for the Russian special services for a long time.
Reposted by Mel Farrell
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared the "Pax Americana" over, warning of a permanent US withdrawal from Europe.
December 13, 2025 at 6:34 PM
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has declared the "Pax Americana" over, warning of a permanent US withdrawal from Europe.
Reposted by Mel Farrell
>The officer then said that even a swift return of America to its former role won’t matter.
>Because “we will never fucking trust you again.”
Accurate.
www.readtheline.ca/p/matt-gurne...
>Because “we will never fucking trust you again.”
Accurate.
www.readtheline.ca/p/matt-gurne...
Matt Gurney: 'We will never fucking trust you again'
Some blunt talk for our American neighbours at the Halifax International Security Forum.
www.readtheline.ca
December 13, 2025 at 11:48 AM
>The officer then said that even a swift return of America to its former role won’t matter.
>Because “we will never fucking trust you again.”
Accurate.
www.readtheline.ca/p/matt-gurne...
>Because “we will never fucking trust you again.”
Accurate.
www.readtheline.ca/p/matt-gurne...
Reposted by Mel Farrell
People who are saying that Trump's new National Security Strategy should not be taken seriously should ask themselves this: Was it right or wrong not to take Project 2025 seriously?
December 12, 2025 at 8:21 PM
People who are saying that Trump's new National Security Strategy should not be taken seriously should ask themselves this: Was it right or wrong not to take Project 2025 seriously?
Reposted by Mel Farrell
The Steve Bannon photos with Jeffrey Epstein make a lot of sense from their emails. I wrote them up in order, 2017 until the moment he was arrested, and they were connected at the hip.
#EpsteinFiles
open.substack.com/pub/ellieleo...
#EpsteinFiles
open.substack.com/pub/ellieleo...
The Epstein-Bannon Emails -- 2017
Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon struck up a friendship in early 2017, mostly over email, but also traveling and filming their gonzo documentary with all the biggest names in science, academia, and, l...
open.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The Steve Bannon photos with Jeffrey Epstein make a lot of sense from their emails. I wrote them up in order, 2017 until the moment he was arrested, and they were connected at the hip.
#EpsteinFiles
open.substack.com/pub/ellieleo...
#EpsteinFiles
open.substack.com/pub/ellieleo...
Reposted by Mel Farrell
Is Trump breaking up with Europe? This is the question I discussed with Pat Kenny on Newstalk FM this morning.
Like many breakups, this one is messy but Europeans will be much better for being out the other side from an abusive partner.
www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...
Like many breakups, this one is messy but Europeans will be much better for being out the other side from an abusive partner.
www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...
Is Trump breaking up with Europe? | Newstalk
John O'Brennan, Professor of European Integration at Maynooth University, joined Pat on the show ...
www.newstalk.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Is Trump breaking up with Europe? This is the question I discussed with Pat Kenny on Newstalk FM this morning.
Like many breakups, this one is messy but Europeans will be much better for being out the other side from an abusive partner.
www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...
Like many breakups, this one is messy but Europeans will be much better for being out the other side from an abusive partner.
www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...
Reposted by Mel Farrell
Zelensky arrived in Kupyansk, which Putin claims is "under Russian control."
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Zelensky arrived in Kupyansk, which Putin claims is "under Russian control."
Reposted by Mel Farrell
The Irish Times view on Trump’s security strategy: a wake-up call for Europe
The Irish Times view on Trump’s security strategy: a wake-up call for Europe
European leaders are now coming to terms with clear evidence of the US president’s hostility
www.irishtimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:42 PM
The Irish Times view on Trump’s security strategy: a wake-up call for Europe
Reposted by Mel Farrell
Regardless of what happens to the reparations loan, which is still under intense negotiations, the Russian assets will be protected from undue interference.
It's a bold decision and an act of defiance. The Europeans are finally playing their cards.
It's a bold decision and an act of defiance. The Europeans are finally playing their cards.
EU agrees to indefinitely immobilise €210 billion of Russian assets
The EU has decided to keep the assets of the Russian Central Bank immobilised for the foreseeable future. The ban, which is based on a provision for economic emergencies, pushes back against external attempts to release the €210 billion in assets before Ukraine is compensated.
www.euronews.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Regardless of what happens to the reparations loan, which is still under intense negotiations, the Russian assets will be protected from undue interference.
It's a bold decision and an act of defiance. The Europeans are finally playing their cards.
It's a bold decision and an act of defiance. The Europeans are finally playing their cards.
Reposted by Mel Farrell
A split between the US and Europe will have to come:
Der Spiegel:
“Two villains, one goal.
“How Trump and Putin are attacking Europe.”
Der Spiegel:
“Two villains, one goal.
“How Trump and Putin are attacking Europe.”
December 11, 2025 at 2:16 PM
A split between the US and Europe will have to come:
Der Spiegel:
“Two villains, one goal.
“How Trump and Putin are attacking Europe.”
Der Spiegel:
“Two villains, one goal.
“How Trump and Putin are attacking Europe.”
Reposted by Mel Farrell
The US is wrong to try to impose its worldview on Europe – but it has been able to do so because European leaders don’t have a strategy of their own.
Europe must reject Trump’s nonsense accusations of ‘civilizational erasure’ – but it urgently needs a strategy of its own
The US is wrong to try to impose its worldview on Europe – but it has been able to do so because European leaders don’t have a strategy of their own.
tcnv.link
December 11, 2025 at 9:34 AM
The US is wrong to try to impose its worldview on Europe – but it has been able to do so because European leaders don’t have a strategy of their own.
Reposted by Mel Farrell
🇺🇸🇻🇦🇪🇺 Trump's latest statements are trying to break the alliance between the US and Europe, says Pope Leo XIV
He commented on recent interviews by the American leader in which he "tries to destroy what should be a very important alliance today and in the future."
He commented on recent interviews by the American leader in which he "tries to destroy what should be a very important alliance today and in the future."
December 10, 2025 at 9:30 AM
🇺🇸🇻🇦🇪🇺 Trump's latest statements are trying to break the alliance between the US and Europe, says Pope Leo XIV
He commented on recent interviews by the American leader in which he "tries to destroy what should be a very important alliance today and in the future."
He commented on recent interviews by the American leader in which he "tries to destroy what should be a very important alliance today and in the future."
Reposted by Mel Farrell
I need you to listen to and share this story - of how Trump is preparing to abandon Ukraine in exchange for Russian money for his billionaire friends.
It could be the greatest corruption of American foreign policy in our history. Russia gets Ukraine. Trump's friends get rich.
It could be the greatest corruption of American foreign policy in our history. Russia gets Ukraine. Trump's friends get rich.
December 9, 2025 at 10:45 PM
I need you to listen to and share this story - of how Trump is preparing to abandon Ukraine in exchange for Russian money for his billionaire friends.
It could be the greatest corruption of American foreign policy in our history. Russia gets Ukraine. Trump's friends get rich.
It could be the greatest corruption of American foreign policy in our history. Russia gets Ukraine. Trump's friends get rich.
Reposted by Mel Farrell
EC President António Costa: “We won’t abandon Ukraine like others did in Afghanistan.” Speaking in Dublin, he made a clear comparison to the US pullout from Kabul in 2021. Costa said peace must be fair and lasting, not just a pause in fighting, and that only Ukraine can decide on territorial issues.
December 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
EC President António Costa: “We won’t abandon Ukraine like others did in Afghanistan.” Speaking in Dublin, he made a clear comparison to the US pullout from Kabul in 2021. Costa said peace must be fair and lasting, not just a pause in fighting, and that only Ukraine can decide on territorial issues.
Reposted by Mel Farrell
Gentle reminder that the European Union was established because the first four decades of our 20th century were mostly internecine war and genocide.
December 8, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Gentle reminder that the European Union was established because the first four decades of our 20th century were mostly internecine war and genocide.
Reposted by Mel Farrell
The leaders of Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden call for a fast approval of the reparations loan for Ukraine, arguing it will put the country in a "stronger position" to negotiate a peace deal with Russia.
"Time is of the essence."
"Time is of the essence."
December 8, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The leaders of Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden call for a fast approval of the reparations loan for Ukraine, arguing it will put the country in a "stronger position" to negotiate a peace deal with Russia.
"Time is of the essence."
"Time is of the essence."
Reposted by Mel Farrell
After this weekend's racist attacks on the EU, I've written a column about the moral obligation to stop posting on X.
Oh no, wait, I wrote it *two years ago* when it was blatantly obvious what was going on and how it would get much much worse.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Oh no, wait, I wrote it *two years ago* when it was blatantly obvious what was going on and how it would get much much worse.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
December 7, 2025 at 10:18 PM
After this weekend's racist attacks on the EU, I've written a column about the moral obligation to stop posting on X.
Oh no, wait, I wrote it *two years ago* when it was blatantly obvious what was going on and how it would get much much worse.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Oh no, wait, I wrote it *two years ago* when it was blatantly obvious what was going on and how it would get much much worse.
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Mel Farrell
The 2025 National Security Strategy is an extremely welcome document because it makes it impossible for anyone to continue to think it's all basically business as normal. There's been a lot of dangerous wishful thinking going on in many quarters; that's not an option now.
December 7, 2025 at 5:48 PM
The 2025 National Security Strategy is an extremely welcome document because it makes it impossible for anyone to continue to think it's all basically business as normal. There's been a lot of dangerous wishful thinking going on in many quarters; that's not an option now.
Reposted by Mel Farrell
Never going to happen although I wish it would.
The government has conditioned society that no one will ever attack and defence is not a priority. No votes in it.
Naval ship building in Cork closed. Timoney armoured vehicle research closed down. You mention Russians and everybody laughs.
The government has conditioned society that no one will ever attack and defence is not a priority. No votes in it.
Naval ship building in Cork closed. Timoney armoured vehicle research closed down. You mention Russians and everybody laughs.
December 5, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Never going to happen although I wish it would.
The government has conditioned society that no one will ever attack and defence is not a priority. No votes in it.
Naval ship building in Cork closed. Timoney armoured vehicle research closed down. You mention Russians and everybody laughs.
The government has conditioned society that no one will ever attack and defence is not a priority. No votes in it.
Naval ship building in Cork closed. Timoney armoured vehicle research closed down. You mention Russians and everybody laughs.
Reposted by Mel Farrell
If they implement the NSS, and to be clear, there is every reason to believe they are already, it could destroy the alliance.
"The strategy signals that the Trump administration plans to orchestrate the downfall of almost all of Europe’s political leaders." www.csis.org/analysis/nss...
"The strategy signals that the Trump administration plans to orchestrate the downfall of almost all of Europe’s political leaders." www.csis.org/analysis/nss...
The NSS That Could Destroy the NATO Alliance
The latest U.S. National Security Strategy doesn’t just sideline Europe—it seeks to reshape its politics, backing nationalist parties and challenging the European Union in ways that could push the tra...
www.csis.org
December 5, 2025 at 11:50 PM
If they implement the NSS, and to be clear, there is every reason to believe they are already, it could destroy the alliance.
"The strategy signals that the Trump administration plans to orchestrate the downfall of almost all of Europe’s political leaders." www.csis.org/analysis/nss...
"The strategy signals that the Trump administration plans to orchestrate the downfall of almost all of Europe’s political leaders." www.csis.org/analysis/nss...
Reposted by Mel Farrell
Why did Steve Witkoff kowtow to Putin so completely on Ukraine? You maybe didn't know he has received millions in investment from a former advisor to Vladimir Putin's sovereign wealth fund. Yes, I know. You can't make it up.
🔴Trump Envoy Has Financial Ties With Former Adviser to Putin’s ‘Money Man’ Now Leading Kremlin Peace Talks
Steve Witkoff’s real-estate empire is bankrolled by a former adviser to Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and a key architect of Moscow’s Ukraine negotiations
Steve Witkoff’s real-estate empire is bankrolled by a former adviser to Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and a key architect of Moscow’s Ukraine negotiations
Trump Envoy Has Financial Ties With Former Adviser to Putin’s ‘Money Man’ Now Leading Kremlin Peace Talks
Steve Witkoff’s real-estate empire is bankrolled by a former adviser to Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and a key architect of Moscow’s Ukraine negotiations
bylinetimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Why did Steve Witkoff kowtow to Putin so completely on Ukraine? You maybe didn't know he has received millions in investment from a former advisor to Vladimir Putin's sovereign wealth fund. Yes, I know. You can't make it up.
Reposted by Mel Farrell
The E3 (UK, France, Germany) counter-proposal for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine is vastly superior to the US sell-out.
It has a strong focus on Ukraine’s sovereignty, EU membership, security guarantees & reparations, and no surrender of free Ukrainian territory to Russian occupation.
It has a strong focus on Ukraine’s sovereignty, EU membership, security guarantees & reparations, and no surrender of free Ukrainian territory to Russian occupation.
November 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
The E3 (UK, France, Germany) counter-proposal for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine is vastly superior to the US sell-out.
It has a strong focus on Ukraine’s sovereignty, EU membership, security guarantees & reparations, and no surrender of free Ukrainian territory to Russian occupation.
It has a strong focus on Ukraine’s sovereignty, EU membership, security guarantees & reparations, and no surrender of free Ukrainian territory to Russian occupation.
Reposted by Mel Farrell
So, to recap, Ukraine and Europe understand that America has effectively endorsed a 28-point plan to force Kyiv to capitulate, set a Thursday deadline to accept it, and threatened to cut off all aid.
Now Marco Rubio says it's all wrong, that's not the plan, there's no deadline and no threat.
Now Marco Rubio says it's all wrong, that's not the plan, there's no deadline and no threat.
November 22, 2025 at 11:04 PM
So, to recap, Ukraine and Europe understand that America has effectively endorsed a 28-point plan to force Kyiv to capitulate, set a Thursday deadline to accept it, and threatened to cut off all aid.
Now Marco Rubio says it's all wrong, that's not the plan, there's no deadline and no threat.
Now Marco Rubio says it's all wrong, that's not the plan, there's no deadline and no threat.