Marion Messmer
@mgmessmer.bsky.social
Senior Research Fellow in International Security at Chatham House
Former BASIC, King's College London
Former BASIC, King's College London
Reposted by Marion Messmer
my number one most serious writing tip is to make cool friends. in the last year I've needed to know about blacksmithing, neo-medievalism in the american empire, and mid-century lesbian pulp publishing and each time I've been able to just. call a guy.
November 17, 2025 at 10:13 PM
my number one most serious writing tip is to make cool friends. in the last year I've needed to know about blacksmithing, neo-medievalism in the american empire, and mid-century lesbian pulp publishing and each time I've been able to just. call a guy.
Reposted by Marion Messmer
“Helsinki hasn’t registered a single traffic-related fatality in the past year…Citing data that shows the risk of pedestrian fatality is cut in half by reducing a car’s speed from 40 to 30km/hr, city officials imposed the lower limit in most of Helsinki’s residential areas & city center in 2021.”
Helsinki just went a full year without a single traffic death
The capital city is Finnish’ed with car-related fatalities.
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 6:31 AM
“Helsinki hasn’t registered a single traffic-related fatality in the past year…Citing data that shows the risk of pedestrian fatality is cut in half by reducing a car’s speed from 40 to 30km/hr, city officials imposed the lower limit in most of Helsinki’s residential areas & city center in 2021.”
Reposted by Marion Messmer
Yes. By the same token, I don't think Germany as a society truly understands what Germany's complicity in all this means for the country. I predict Gaza will be a significant factor in alienating or repelling the "high-skilled" workers the economy needs: www.iamexpat.de/expat-info/g...
November 16, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Yes. By the same token, I don't think Germany as a society truly understands what Germany's complicity in all this means for the country. I predict Gaza will be a significant factor in alienating or repelling the "high-skilled" workers the economy needs: www.iamexpat.de/expat-info/g...
Reposted by Marion Messmer
Who were they clubbing with? They were clubbing with trafficked children, correct?
November 16, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Who were they clubbing with? They were clubbing with trafficked children, correct?
Reposted by Marion Messmer
You could literally do a horror anthology based on the different ways this can go wrong.
AI dead mom escapes into your TV, and your digital fridge, and your pacemaker.
AI dead mom escapes into your TV, and your digital fridge, and your pacemaker.
What if AI dead mom ends up neglected just like one of those digital picture frames. Sold at a digital goodwill for $2.50.
November 15, 2025 at 7:27 AM
You could literally do a horror anthology based on the different ways this can go wrong.
AI dead mom escapes into your TV, and your digital fridge, and your pacemaker.
AI dead mom escapes into your TV, and your digital fridge, and your pacemaker.
Reposted by Marion Messmer
A real loss. Rest in power, Alice Wong.
November 15, 2025 at 6:16 AM
A real loss. Rest in power, Alice Wong.
Reposted by Marion Messmer
Wenn man Menschen jeden Tag erklärt, was sie angeblich alles nicht sagen dürfen, werden immer mehr Menschen glauben, dass sie irgendwas nicht mehr sagen dürfen.
Aber was passiert eig. so Schlimmes, wenn wer im Alltag „aus der Normung fällt“ und „Kindergärtnerin“ sagt?
Aber was passiert eig. so Schlimmes, wenn wer im Alltag „aus der Normung fällt“ und „Kindergärtnerin“ sagt?
Das ist nicht falsch, was der Precht da schreibt (aus „Angststillstand“)
November 14, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Wenn man Menschen jeden Tag erklärt, was sie angeblich alles nicht sagen dürfen, werden immer mehr Menschen glauben, dass sie irgendwas nicht mehr sagen dürfen.
Aber was passiert eig. so Schlimmes, wenn wer im Alltag „aus der Normung fällt“ und „Kindergärtnerin“ sagt?
Aber was passiert eig. so Schlimmes, wenn wer im Alltag „aus der Normung fällt“ und „Kindergärtnerin“ sagt?
Reposted by Marion Messmer
Delighted to announce I have found my first published academic article clearly written by ChatGPT. Full of non-existent references. What are we even doing anymore?
November 14, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Delighted to announce I have found my first published academic article clearly written by ChatGPT. Full of non-existent references. What are we even doing anymore?
Reposted by Marion Messmer
its also funny because politicians the Telegraph supports have dominated British politics since 1975 so...
"What is certain, and felt instinctively by almost everybody, is that things cannot go on in their present way" – The Times, May 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
“It is difficult to imagine a previous period when such an all-pervasive hopelessness was exhibited at all levels of British life” – Professor Stephen Haseler, 1975
November 14, 2025 at 9:37 AM
its also funny because politicians the Telegraph supports have dominated British politics since 1975 so...
Reposted by Marion Messmer
Russia's insatiable demand for bodies to feed the meatgrinder of its war on Ukraine has a real and tragic human cost for the Global South. Here @munira.bsky.social in @engelsbergideas.bsky.social describes deceit and exploitation in Africa, South Asia and beyond.
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
The trafficking networks sustaining Russia’s war of attrition
As Putin seeks to avoid another politically damaging mobilisation, the temptation to draw on Moscow's extensive global trafficking networks will only grow.
engelsbergideas.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Russia's insatiable demand for bodies to feed the meatgrinder of its war on Ukraine has a real and tragic human cost for the Global South. Here @munira.bsky.social in @engelsbergideas.bsky.social describes deceit and exploitation in Africa, South Asia and beyond.
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
engelsbergideas.com/notebook/the...
Reposted by Marion Messmer
3 PhD scholarship in digital war studies, University of Edinburgh:
edin.ac/4hVNTAL
edin.ac/4hVNTAL
WARSHARE PhD Scholarships | School of Social and Political Science
Applications for the 3 PhD scholarships close at 23:59 GMT on Thursday 11th December 2025. Late applications cannot be accepted.Following a European Advanced Grant Award funded by UKRI to Professor An...
edin.ac
November 12, 2025 at 9:02 PM
3 PhD scholarship in digital war studies, University of Edinburgh:
edin.ac/4hVNTAL
edin.ac/4hVNTAL
Reposted by Marion Messmer
finding joy despite the world in 2025 is like this lol
November 12, 2025 at 3:34 PM
finding joy despite the world in 2025 is like this lol
Reposted by Marion Messmer
Yes, and: There are lots of reporting jobs at startup nonprofit local news organizations doing really important work outside of corporate ownership, for any journalists willing to consider living outside of the nation's three largest cities!
November 12, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Yes, and: There are lots of reporting jobs at startup nonprofit local news organizations doing really important work outside of corporate ownership, for any journalists willing to consider living outside of the nation's three largest cities!
Reposted by Marion Messmer
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 18181999:
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 18181999:
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
Reposted by Marion Messmer
The Danish MOD announced the interim solution for short/medium range air defence has been converted into permanent confirming acquisition of (Altinget):
2 x NASAMS (Kongsberg) i.e. not leased
2 x IRIS-T SLM (Diehl)
2 x MICA (MBDA)
In additon (long range)
2 x SAMP/T (MBDA)
2 x NASAMS (Kongsberg) i.e. not leased
2 x IRIS-T SLM (Diehl)
2 x MICA (MBDA)
In additon (long range)
2 x SAMP/T (MBDA)
🇩🇰Denmark surprises nearly everyone and selects three interim short range ground-based air defence systems at one time in order to have everything in operation by 2026:
NASAMS (Kongsberg)
IRIS-T SLM (Diehl)
MICA (MBDA)
Here we go!
www.fmn.dk/da/nyheder/2...
NASAMS (Kongsberg)
IRIS-T SLM (Diehl)
MICA (MBDA)
Here we go!
www.fmn.dk/da/nyheder/2...
November 10, 2025 at 2:16 PM
The Danish MOD announced the interim solution for short/medium range air defence has been converted into permanent confirming acquisition of (Altinget):
2 x NASAMS (Kongsberg) i.e. not leased
2 x IRIS-T SLM (Diehl)
2 x MICA (MBDA)
In additon (long range)
2 x SAMP/T (MBDA)
2 x NASAMS (Kongsberg) i.e. not leased
2 x IRIS-T SLM (Diehl)
2 x MICA (MBDA)
In additon (long range)
2 x SAMP/T (MBDA)
Beautiful Saturday hike 🍂🍁
November 8, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Beautiful Saturday hike 🍂🍁
Reposted by Marion Messmer
🇪🇺🇷🇺 #Europe - #Russia: Political Systems and Societal Resilience.
🔎 Read Ifri's new collective Study: "Europe-Russia: Balance of Power Review". www.ifri.org/en/studies/e...
🔎 Read Ifri's new collective Study: "Europe-Russia: Balance of Power Review". www.ifri.org/en/studies/e...
November 5, 2025 at 11:53 AM
🇪🇺🇷🇺 #Europe - #Russia: Political Systems and Societal Resilience.
🔎 Read Ifri's new collective Study: "Europe-Russia: Balance of Power Review". www.ifri.org/en/studies/e...
🔎 Read Ifri's new collective Study: "Europe-Russia: Balance of Power Review". www.ifri.org/en/studies/e...
I remember how shocked I was when a friend who works in environmental conservation explained to me that the UK, despite its high level of rainfall, does not actually have good water management or a safe level of fresh water reserves. Not very crisis resilient.
I've been talking about this on here for a while. We just assume it will always rain enough, so the management of water in the UK is totally disastrous. Now, after a relatively few dry months, we are approaching a calamity. We have done it to ourselves. Yet again. We are a deeply unserious country.
England facing drastic measures due to extreme drought next year
Government and water companies are devising emergency plans for worst water shortage in decades
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I remember how shocked I was when a friend who works in environmental conservation explained to me that the UK, despite its high level of rainfall, does not actually have good water management or a safe level of fresh water reserves. Not very crisis resilient.
Reposted by Marion Messmer
I've been talking about this on here for a while. We just assume it will always rain enough, so the management of water in the UK is totally disastrous. Now, after a relatively few dry months, we are approaching a calamity. We have done it to ourselves. Yet again. We are a deeply unserious country.
England facing drastic measures due to extreme drought next year
Government and water companies are devising emergency plans for worst water shortage in decades
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I've been talking about this on here for a while. We just assume it will always rain enough, so the management of water in the UK is totally disastrous. Now, after a relatively few dry months, we are approaching a calamity. We have done it to ourselves. Yet again. We are a deeply unserious country.
Reposted by Marion Messmer
My first for @bayareacurrent.bsky.social -- A self-driving car killed a beloved SF cat. It’s part of a long history of tech companies using the Bay as a testing ground at our expense. People have had enough.
bayareacurrent.com/fuck-waymo-l...
bayareacurrent.com/fuck-waymo-l...
Fuck Waymo, Long Live KitKat
A self-driving car killed a beloved SF cat. It’s part of a long history of tech companies using the Bay as a testing ground at our expense. People have had enough.
bayareacurrent.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:42 PM
My first for @bayareacurrent.bsky.social -- A self-driving car killed a beloved SF cat. It’s part of a long history of tech companies using the Bay as a testing ground at our expense. People have had enough.
bayareacurrent.com/fuck-waymo-l...
bayareacurrent.com/fuck-waymo-l...
Reposted by Marion Messmer
When people talk about the excesses of MeToo, they have to lie, because the reality is that there was no massive social reckoning forcing people to believe survivors or hold perpetrators accountable. In fact, there has been a significant backsliding and new punishments in rejection of MeToo
November 6, 2025 at 4:33 PM
When people talk about the excesses of MeToo, they have to lie, because the reality is that there was no massive social reckoning forcing people to believe survivors or hold perpetrators accountable. In fact, there has been a significant backsliding and new punishments in rejection of MeToo
Reposted by Marion Messmer
Peter Goosen, the titan of arms control, has passed. Peter was an amazing man, a proud South African who left his mark on chemical, biological and nuclear arms control. However, he will be most famously known for his role in the NPT’s indefinite extension in 1995. (1/n)
November 6, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Peter Goosen, the titan of arms control, has passed. Peter was an amazing man, a proud South African who left his mark on chemical, biological and nuclear arms control. However, he will be most famously known for his role in the NPT’s indefinite extension in 1995. (1/n)
Reposted by Marion Messmer
Nachdem Populismus Trumpscher Prägung ja leider auch in gehörigem Maße nach D geschwappt ist, hoffe ich, dass die gegenteiligen Botschaften auch ankommen. Sollte ja eigentlich gerade für SPD und Grüne interessant sein. Man kann auch Wahlen gewinnen, indem man überzeugt und glaubhaft progressive 1/
Mamdani’s victory is a rebuke to the failed strategies of the Democratic party | Moira Donegan
The Democratic party appears listless and unprincipled, unwilling to fight because they do not believe in anything. Zohran Mamdani is the opposite of this
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Nachdem Populismus Trumpscher Prägung ja leider auch in gehörigem Maße nach D geschwappt ist, hoffe ich, dass die gegenteiligen Botschaften auch ankommen. Sollte ja eigentlich gerade für SPD und Grüne interessant sein. Man kann auch Wahlen gewinnen, indem man überzeugt und glaubhaft progressive 1/
Reposted by Marion Messmer
BROKEN RECORD is more than a book—it’s a collective outcry. Nearly 50 academics share stories of gendered abuse, harassment, and institutional silence, demanding accountability and transformation.
#NewBookTuesday #ReadUP tinyurl.com/znejxkdk
#EndAcademicAbuse #FeministScholarship
#NewBookTuesday #ReadUP tinyurl.com/znejxkdk
#EndAcademicAbuse #FeministScholarship
November 4, 2025 at 9:25 PM
BROKEN RECORD is more than a book—it’s a collective outcry. Nearly 50 academics share stories of gendered abuse, harassment, and institutional silence, demanding accountability and transformation.
#NewBookTuesday #ReadUP tinyurl.com/znejxkdk
#EndAcademicAbuse #FeministScholarship
#NewBookTuesday #ReadUP tinyurl.com/znejxkdk
#EndAcademicAbuse #FeministScholarship