Roger Hutton's Avatar

Roger Hutton

@rogerxhutton.bsky.social

Former MOD Director International Security, public policy, Humanists UK patron, President Defence Humanists, diversity/inclusion, music (esp. opera), Charlton, climbing, walking and skiing.

2,199 Followers  |  51 Following  |  74 Posts  |  Joined: 15.11.2024
Posts Following

Posts by Roger Hutton (@rogerxhutton.bsky.social)

Preview
Shoot first, ask questions later In my most recent blog, I hinted towards the end at my views on the current Iran conflict. On reflection, it’s a little unfair to leave it hanging like that, so here are some more developed thought…

Another shout-out for my latest blog, about the #Iran conflict.
rogerxhutton.com/2026/03/06/s...

07.03.2026 10:17 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Shoot first, ask questions later In my most recent blog, I hinted towards the end at my views on the current Iran conflict. On reflection, it’s a little unfair to leave it hanging like that, so here are some more developed thought…

Another shout-out for my latest blog, about the #Iran conflict.
rogerxhutton.com/2026/03/06/s...

07.03.2026 10:17 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Shoot first, ask questions later In my most recent blog, I hinted towards the end at my views on the current Iran conflict. On reflection, it’s a little unfair to leave it hanging like that, so here are some more developed thought…

My take on the US/Israel #Iran intervention.
rogerxhutton.com/2026/03/06/s...

06.03.2026 12:58 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Shoot first, ask questions later In my most recent blog, I hinted towards the end at my views on the current Iran conflict. On reflection, it’s a little unfair to leave it hanging like that, so here are some more developed thought…

My take on the US/Israel #Iran intervention.
rogerxhutton.com/2026/03/06/s...

06.03.2026 12:58 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Shoot first, ask questions later In my most recent blog, I hinted towards the end at my views on the current Iran conflict. On reflection, it’s a little unfair to leave it hanging like that, so here are some more developed thought…

My take on the current military intervention in Iran:
rogerxhutton.com/2026/03/06/s...

06.03.2026 10:09 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Long and the Short of it If recent trends are anything to go by, it seems that I am destined to publish just one blog a year. My apologies for that, but there’s a very good reason why this has come to pass. I decided last …

There's a little bit about the current #Iran conflict at the end of this piece, but maybe not enough. I'm tempted to write again through the prism of the last Gulf war and the Iraq Inquiry's take on it...
rogerxhutton.com/2026/03/02/t...

04.03.2026 09:43 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Long and the Short of it If recent trends are anything to go by, it seems that I am destined to publish just one blog a year. My apologies for that, but there’s a very good reason why this has come to pass. I decided last …

Writing, public policy and spaghetti - some thoughts.
rogerxhutton.com/2026/03/02/t...

03.03.2026 08:59 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Long and the Short of it If recent trends are anything to go by, it seems that I am destined to publish just one blog a year. My apologies for that, but there’s a very good reason why this has come to pass. I decided last …

The world needs better public policy - discuss.
rogerxhutton.com/2026/03/02/t...

02.03.2026 17:46 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Long and the Short of it If recent trends are anything to go by, it seems that I am destined to publish just one blog a year. My apologies for that, but there’s a very good reason why this has come to pass. I decided last …

Here's my explanation for why I've blogged so infrequently of late, in short form. I'm afraid you'll just have to wait for the long form...
rogerxhutton.com/2026/03/02/t...

02.03.2026 11:08 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
In full: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos
YouTube video by The Journal In full: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos

Mark Carney: the new leader of the free world?
youtube.com/watch?v=izDA...

22.01.2026 16:09 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
US capitalism casts millions of citizens aside, yet Badenoch and Farage still laud it | Phillip Inman Rightwing parties want to follow in US’s footsteps of minimal government intervention, but at what cost?

www.theguardian.com/business/202...

28.12.2025 08:48 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Need cheering up after a terrible year? I may have just the story you’re looking for | Martin Kettle A single act of kindness reminded me that, despite so much evidence to the contrary, the better angels of our nature are not necessarily doomed, says Guardian columnist Martin Kettle

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

28.12.2025 08:40 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
When the AI bubble bursts, humans will finally have their chance to take back control | Rafael Behr The US economy is pumped up on tech-bro vanity. The inevitable correction should prompt a global conversation, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

23.12.2025 16:07 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
At the dark end of a brutal year, I’m grateful to these heroes for showing us the light | Jonathan Freedland From the Bondi beach rescuers to the women taking on the police, great acts of courage offer hope even in the bleakest times

Cause for hope.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

20.12.2025 09:20 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Putin vows no more wars if West treats Russia with respect Russia's leader said during a four-hour TV marathon that claims that an attack on Europe was planned were

I think we should take him at his word🀣🀣🀣🀣🀣🀣🀣
BBC News - Putin vows no more wars if West treats Russia with respect
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

19.12.2025 17:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme Exclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say

Good news.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...

16.12.2025 21:06 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all | Rafael Behr Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament, asks Guardian columnist Rafael Behr

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

26.11.2025 08:15 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Indeed, Mark.

10.09.2025 08:00 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
What is the endgame in this toxic immigration debate: is it friends and neighbours thrown out of the country? | Jonthan Liew The notion of remigration was abstract, but the right is dragging it towards respectability. If the goal is homogeneous whiteness, they should say it, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew

We really do need to wake up to this before it's too late.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

10.09.2025 07:05 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
There’s an obvious way to challenge Nigel Farage. But Keir Starmer won’t do it | Rafael Behr Labour’s reluctance to name Brexit as the cause of so many problems hasn’t stopped Reform’s rise. It’s time to try the truth, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

27.08.2025 18:32 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Flags as symbols of prejudice, not pride – and a distinct air of menace. Welcome to England 2025 | John Harris The rapid spread of these banners is unsettling – and shows how the hard right is reaching people and places the left cannot, says Guardian columnist John Harris

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

25.08.2025 06:26 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
After the welfare vote debacle, this much is clear: Starmer must change. Labour MPs will demand it | Rafael Behr The anti-Tory energy that won the PM a majority last year has gone. He needs to give his old supporters new reasons to keep him in office, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

02.07.2025 06:30 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Video thumbnail

Brexit has hammered our economy, cost us Β£100 billion in lost growth, and stripped Β£40 billion from our tax base.

The worst-hit? Businesses drowning in red tape.

It’s time to face facts and fix the damage.

25.06.2025 14:07 β€” πŸ‘ 159    πŸ” 44    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 3
Preview
British politics is in a loop and it's Farage's vision that's stuck on repeat | John Harris Unlike Keir Starmer and his cabinet, Reform UK’s leader actually understands and exploits the rules of engagement in our digital age, says Guardian columnist John Harris

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

16.06.2025 10:25 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Netanyahu attacked Iran to avert an β€˜existential threat’. He may have made it worse | Jonathan Freedland Israel has eliminated many of the brains behind Tehran’s nuclear programme. But don’t expect the regime to back down, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

14.06.2025 06:54 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

04.06.2025 06:31 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
A Labour lost in the weeds can’t rebuild this country. Starmer must regain his nerve | John Harris Labour has good ideas and years left to change Britain. Why is it acting as if its time is almost up, asks Guardian columnist John Harris

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

19.05.2025 07:06 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Keir Starmer is caught in yet another trap of his own making | Rafael Behr The prime minister’s immigration approach follows a now-familiar pattern: letting fear of a difficult argument get in the way of policy that might work, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

14.05.2025 06:45 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
If Brexit is so unpopular, why is Farage winning? Labour are unwilling to attack the Reform leader’s greatest weakness

Labour are unwilling to attack the Reform leader’s greatest weakness

02.05.2025 08:56 β€” πŸ‘ 35    πŸ” 10    πŸ’¬ 8    πŸ“Œ 3
Preview
The Tories have shown Labour exactly how not to fight Farage | Rafael Behr As local elections loom, it’s clear that years of agreeing with the Reform leader have failed to discourage people from voting for him, says Guardian columnist Rafael Behr

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

30.04.2025 06:32 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0