Dr. Dan Lomas
@sandbaggerone.bsky.social
Assistant Professor, University of Nottingham. Writes on 🇬🇧 intelligence.
Remains an opinionated Northerner & Mancunian. ✍ Vetting, 'Friends' & UK intelligence 📚 🇺🇦 Views my own.
🔗 https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/people/daniel.lomas
Remains an opinionated Northerner & Mancunian. ✍ Vetting, 'Friends' & UK intelligence 📚 🇺🇦 Views my own.
🔗 https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/politics/people/daniel.lomas
Pinned
Dr. Dan Lomas
@sandbaggerone.bsky.social
· Nov 16
⁉️ What is UK national security vetting, and how has the current system evolved to meet insider threats?
Really pleased to see this political, social, and cultural history of British vetting finally reach Bloomsbury's website.
🗓 Out June 2025
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/secret-hi...
Really pleased to see this political, social, and cultural history of British vetting finally reach Bloomsbury's website.
🗓 Out June 2025
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/secret-hi...
Reform UK's former Wales leader Nathan Gill is being sentenced over pro-Russia bribes - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
Reform UK's former Wales leader Nathan Gill is being sentenced over pro-Russia bribes
Nathan Gill is being sentenced at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty to eight counts of bribery.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Reform UK's former Wales leader Nathan Gill is being sentenced over pro-Russia bribes - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
BBC News - Nathan Gill: How WhatsApp messages revealed ex-Reform politician's pro-Russian bribes - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Nathan Gill: How WhatsApp messages revealed ex-Reform politician's pro-Russian bribes
The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has admitted bribery and will be sentenced on Friday.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 7:22 AM
BBC News - Nathan Gill: How WhatsApp messages revealed ex-Reform politician's pro-Russian bribes - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trump defends Saudi crown price, who US intelligence found ordered killing of Washington Post columnist politi.co/3LNFp2w
Trump defends Saudi crown price, who US intelligence found ordered killing of Washington Post columnist
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Jamal Khashoggi's killing “painful” for his country, after pledging nearly $1 trillion in investments in the U.S.
politi.co
November 18, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Trump defends Saudi crown price, who US intelligence found ordered killing of Washington Post columnist politi.co/3LNFp2w
BBC News - UK will not tolerate Chinese spying, minister says after MI5 alert
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
UK will not tolerate Chinese spying, minister says after MI5 alert
Politicians have been warned they are being targeted by suspected Chinese spies posing as "headhunters".
www.bbc.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:51 PM
BBC News - UK will not tolerate Chinese spying, minister says after MI5 alert
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
BBC News - MI5 warns MPs and peers over risk of Chinese espionage
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
MI5 warns MPs and peers over risk of Chinese espionage
Security services have issued a new "espionage alert" to members of the House of Commons and Lords.
www.bbc.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:05 PM
BBC News - MI5 warns MPs and peers over risk of Chinese espionage
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Explosion on Polish railway track was caused by sabotage, PM says - www.reuters.com/world/explos...
www.reuters.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Explosion on Polish railway track was caused by sabotage, PM says - www.reuters.com/world/explos...
BBC News - China's investment spree in UK gave it access to military-grade technology, BBC told - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
China's investment spree in UK gave it access to military-grade technology, BBC told
Tens of billions of pounds has been spent by the Chinese in the UK since 2000, Panorama has learned.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 8:31 AM
BBC News - China's investment spree in UK gave it access to military-grade technology, BBC told - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"Among Russia’s ruling elite, the once-innocuous term “Anglo-Saxons” ... denotes an ... a geopolitical cabal, led this time by London and accused of plotting to contain, humiliate and ultimately dismantle Russia".
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
How Britain replaced the US as Russia’s villain of choice
London and Moscow’s rivalry stretches back to the imperial era, but the Ukraine war has brought relations to a new low
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
"Among Russia’s ruling elite, the once-innocuous term “Anglo-Saxons” ... denotes an ... a geopolitical cabal, led this time by London and accused of plotting to contain, humiliate and ultimately dismantle Russia".
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
Former MI6 chief Richard Moore: Britain must regain the ‘power of example’
www.ft.com/content/acfe...
www.ft.com/content/acfe...
Former MI6 chief Richard Moore: Britain must regain the ‘power of example’
The outgoing head of the Secret Intelligence Service on the rise of China, why Putin is not interested in talks — and how screen spies aren’t always far from the truth
www.ft.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Former MI6 chief Richard Moore: Britain must regain the ‘power of example’
www.ft.com/content/acfe...
www.ft.com/content/acfe...
Inside the CIA’s secret mission to sabotage Afghanistan’s opium - The Washington Post share.google/fUExI0MTFUDi...
Inside the CIA’s secret mission to sabotage Afghanistan’s opium
In a decade-long operation, the CIA modified poppy seeds and dropped them by the billions from aircraft over Afghanistan in an attempt to weaken the potency of the country’s opium crop.
share.google
November 12, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Inside the CIA’s secret mission to sabotage Afghanistan’s opium - The Washington Post share.google/fUExI0MTFUDi...
Reposted by Dr. Dan Lomas
Spymaster: The Memoirs of Gordon M. Stewart, CIA Station Chief in Cold War Germany www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/3111...
November 11, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Spymaster: The Memoirs of Gordon M. Stewart, CIA Station Chief in Cold War Germany www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/3111...
I'd disagree. This is a limited and minor example of where a partner will restrict liaison because of legal obligations. Wider liaison remains untouched and the UK continues to share intelligence with the US.
The BRUSA agreement was signed in 1943 and the UKUSA agreement in 1946. Eight decades of shared history evaporating in a matter of weeks.
NEW via CNN: “The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal”
November 11, 2025 at 7:32 PM
I'd disagree. This is a limited and minor example of where a partner will restrict liaison because of legal obligations. Wider liaison remains untouched and the UK continues to share intelligence with the US.
Worth adding that the best overview of the importance of law in intelligence liaison can be found in the ISC's report on International Partnerships from 2023 that shows the UK's legal obligations vs. liaison:
isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/u...
isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/u...
November 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Worth adding that the best overview of the importance of law in intelligence liaison can be found in the ISC's report on International Partnerships from 2023 that shows the UK's legal obligations vs. liaison:
isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/u...
isc.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/u...
Some numpties will use this and apply it to all intelligence. It's a small amount, directly related to US strikes against boats. The UK does routinely share intelligence with the US generally.
"The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal".
www.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break | CNN Politics
The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes ...
www.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Some numpties will use this and apply it to all intelligence. It's a small amount, directly related to US strikes against boats. The UK does routinely share intelligence with the US generally.
"The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal".
www.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break | CNN Politics
The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes ...
www.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:09 PM
"The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal".
www.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Reposted by Dr. Dan Lomas
NYT - Kash Patel's inexperience, his dismissals of top FBI officials and his shift of resources from thwarting spies and terrorism have heightened concerns among the other Five Eyes nations that the bureau is adrift. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/wo...
F.B.I. Director Is Said to Have Made a Pledge to Head of MI5, Then Broken It
The episode has contributed to concerns among intelligence allies that Kash Patel, brash and partisan, is also unpredictable and even unreliable.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
NYT - Kash Patel's inexperience, his dismissals of top FBI officials and his shift of resources from thwarting spies and terrorism have heightened concerns among the other Five Eyes nations that the bureau is adrift. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/wo...
Russian activist held in Poland admits he worked as FSB agent, court papers say
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Russian activist held in Poland admits he worked as FSB agent, court papers say
Igor Rogov, who left Russia in 2021, due to go on trial accused of informing on other Russian opposition activists
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Russian activist held in Poland admits he worked as FSB agent, court papers say
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
BBC News - British man Howard Phillips jailed after trying to spy for Russia - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
British man Howard Phillips jailed after trying to spy for Russia
Howard Phillips's ex-wife said he dreamt of being like James Bond and was infatuated with MI6.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
BBC News - British man Howard Phillips jailed after trying to spy for Russia - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Australian spy chief says 'state sanctioned trolls' sowing social discord - www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
Australian spy chief says 'state sanctioned trolls' sowing social discord
Australia's spy chief has warned anti-immigration rallies are being exploited by neo-Nazi groups and "Russian operatives" to sow discord, as the country faces a trend seen across Western democracies of declining trust and rising disinformation.
www.reuters.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Australian spy chief says 'state sanctioned trolls' sowing social discord - www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
Reposted by Dr. Dan Lomas
How do experts measure military power? 🪖
Michael Hilliard is the Director of Defence & Security Analysis for the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs. Join us on Thursday, 5pm CET/11am EST, as we unpack their work mapping the armed forces of Central Asia. 🎧 discord.gg/bellingcat?e...
Michael Hilliard is the Director of Defence & Security Analysis for the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs. Join us on Thursday, 5pm CET/11am EST, as we unpack their work mapping the armed forces of Central Asia. 🎧 discord.gg/bellingcat?e...
November 4, 2025 at 10:24 AM
How do experts measure military power? 🪖
Michael Hilliard is the Director of Defence & Security Analysis for the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs. Join us on Thursday, 5pm CET/11am EST, as we unpack their work mapping the armed forces of Central Asia. 🎧 discord.gg/bellingcat?e...
Michael Hilliard is the Director of Defence & Security Analysis for the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs. Join us on Thursday, 5pm CET/11am EST, as we unpack their work mapping the armed forces of Central Asia. 🎧 discord.gg/bellingcat?e...
Reposted by Dr. Dan Lomas
Pleased to be talking with @patrickbriansmith.bsky.social and Miglė Bareikytė about my book at @salforduni.bsky.social' Emergent Nonfiction Lab on 3 December at 16:00 Stockholm time.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/war-in-the...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/war-in-the...
War in the Smartphone Age, book talk and discussion with Matthew Ford
Matthew Ford on his new book War in the Smartphone Age: Conflict, Connectivity and the Crises at Our Fingertips + respondent Miglė Bareikytė
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Pleased to be talking with @patrickbriansmith.bsky.social and Miglė Bareikytė about my book at @salforduni.bsky.social' Emergent Nonfiction Lab on 3 December at 16:00 Stockholm time.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/war-in-the...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/war-in-the...
Reposted by Dr. Dan Lomas
I checked the reference list on this now-retracted article, and almost NONE of the referenced articles actually exist! Total AI slop!
Who were the peer reviewers? Did an editor look at the article?
It was published online 30 April, and the retraction didn't happen until 3 November. Yikes.
Who were the peer reviewers? Did an editor look at the article?
It was published online 30 April, and the retraction didn't happen until 3 November. Yikes.
"Following publication, concerns were raised by a third party regarding the accuracy and validity of many of the references in this article ... the Editor and the Publisher no longer have confidence in the content presented".
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Retracted Article: Strengthening Caribbean Intelligence: Education and Training for Enhanced Intra- and Inter-Agency Collaboration
We, the Editor and Publisher of International Journal of Intelligence and CounterIntelligence, have retracted the following article:Smith, T., & Short, A. (2025). Strengthening Caribbean Intelligen...
www.tandfonline.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I checked the reference list on this now-retracted article, and almost NONE of the referenced articles actually exist! Total AI slop!
Who were the peer reviewers? Did an editor look at the article?
It was published online 30 April, and the retraction didn't happen until 3 November. Yikes.
Who were the peer reviewers? Did an editor look at the article?
It was published online 30 April, and the retraction didn't happen until 3 November. Yikes.