Mark Urban
@MarkUrban01
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Host @crisisroompod, writes for Sunday Times, BBC 1990-2024, author; Big Boys Rules, Rifles, TF Black, Tank War, Skripal Files, Red Devils, Tank. Trustee @I_W_M
London (usually)
Joined May 2013
There we go. "Keir Starmer says the government will publish witness statements related to the case of two people accused of spying for China" https://t.co/ctOPd5ahl2
bbc.com
Opposition parties are calling on ministers to publish evidence relating to the collapsed case of two men accused of spying for Beijing.
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@MarkUrban01 People are again missing the real point of contention here. TB3s that are on video here are not just test articles for one off shows. This is from the latest naval exercise from last week. Both aircraft were armed with live munitions. First TB3 flight on Anadolu was last year;
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@shashj @MarkUrban01 @Sam_Cranny Per Sam's point, they've already actually done the propeller driven ISR drone, of course - albeit only as test, rather than operationally, though MQ-9 does currently seem to be the best bet for the starter-pack AEW/ASW/MPA (there aren't really any other extant STOL options).
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There is an important distinction between bribery and spying, but the aims of hostile foreign states are the same for both - to gain an advantage through either gathering sensitive information or supporting a particular agenda. But there are follow on consequences of both. 🧵1/7
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This has to end. I don't understand why they couldn't be given direction to tread carefully on sensitive issues, allowing them to speak on their specialist areas and the evolving nature of conflict. We need open debate and exchange around these themes.
Quite extraordinary - @DefenceHQ strikes again @RUSI_org mil tech conference - ordering all Government speakers to be “off record “. Ridiculous
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The Royal Navy is pledged to speedy introduction of ‘hybrid carrier air wing’ with armed drones. And I’m sure they’ve got some excellent PowerPoints. Meanwhile Turkey…
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I’m honoured to have received the 2025 Charles Wheeler award in memory of one of the BBC’s greatest foreign correspondents. Thank you to @TheBJReview @JournoCharity @UniWestminster and to Shirin and Marina Wheeler. @shirinwheelerEU
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Tonight, as the shy light of peace begins to break through the unbearable pain, I pray this will be the last day I will ever wear this yellow ribbon 🎗️ Despite the horrors of October 7 and its tragic aftermath on the Middle East, the world, and my own personal life, my faith in
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Hey people let’s hear your questions for our first Q&A episode
We want to hear from you! 🫵🏼 @AmberRuddUK, @MarkUrban01 & @Mpolymer will be answering your questions in our very first Q&A bonus episode very soon. Keep your eyes peeled…👀 Got a question? Drop it in the comments below 👇🏻 Listen now to The Crisis Room on @globalplayer 🎧
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More Hamas public executions today in Gaza - with the usual claims they were collaborators. Currently its problems are with Palestinian tribal groups they've been feuding with, but the alignments between these & survivors of the old Fatah regime could now cause Hamas big issues
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The UK has finally appointed a National Armaments Director after months of delay Rupert Pearce - chief executive of satellite operator Inmarsat until 2021 - will take on the role from Tuesday His job (with one of the highest salaries in HMG) - to fix @DefenceHQ procurement...
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“The US has for months been helping Ukraine mount long-range strikes on Russian energy facilities, in what officials say is a co-ordinated effort to weaken Vladimir Putin’s economy and force him to the negotiating table… The US intelligence helps Kyiv shape route planning,
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Very significant escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. "...exchanges of fire between the forces of the two countries overnight in which Kabul claimed to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers."
reuters.com
Tensions are high after Islamabad demanded the Taliban take action against militants who have stepped up attacks in Pakistan. The Taliban deny that Pakistani militants are present on its soil.
Pakistani military says 23 of its soldiers were killed and 29 injured in the last night border clashes at multiple locations along the Durand Line with Taliban forces
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“… “peace board”, which Trump himself intends to chair and of which Sir Tony Blair is so far the only named member, though Hamas seems set to veto his participation.” The @MarkUrban01 explainer of the Trump Gaza 20 pt plan - best thing in Sunday papers https://t.co/l2JJkJKDCh
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My latest in the @UKDefJournal: "Britain’s next tank may be already ‘near obsolescence’" @CommonsDefence @DefenceHQ @BritishArmy @RoyalArmdCorps @RoyalTankRegt @MtarfaL @MarkUrban01 @nicholadrummond @ForcesNews
https://t.co/Gbkddwrc0C via @ukdefjournal
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Challenger 3 may serve as a capable stopgap, but it embodies a design philosophy already nearing obsolescence argues former tank commander Lt Col Stuart Crawford.
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Quite a week for those covering the Chinese espionage trial in the UK. Has our government lost the art of balancing our strategic interests? 👇🏻read on
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I'm really delighted to be interviewing Mark Urban on his new history of the Tank, at the RGS on Sunday 9 November. Do come along for what promises to be a stimulating occasion: https://t.co/dd1mbpwdCx
#Tankhistory #History
howtoacademy.com
Join former officer and bestselling historian Mark Urban for the authoritative history of the tank and the remarkable individuals who designed them and fought in them.
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This is going to be fun… we are with the people! Fire away…
We want to hear from you! 🫵🏼 @AmberRuddUK, @MarkUrban01 & @Mpolymer will be answering your questions in our very first Q&A bonus episode very soon. Keep your eyes peeled…👀 Got a question? Drop it in the comments below 👇🏻 Listen now to The Crisis Room on @globalplayer 🎧
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Gaza update at 11.30am UK time: - a ceasefire has gone into effect 90 minutes ago - Israel has moved to its Phase 1 withdrawal line (but still occupies >50% of the Strip - the IDF has pulled out & is standing down some reserve units - aid deliveries set at 600 trucks a day
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