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
As the Salisbury inquiry issues its final report, I reflect on how Sergei Skripal dreams of sanctuary in this country were shattered
thetimes.com
Mark Urban was expecting to find CCTV and other visible precautions. Instead he spotted a ‘lucky’ horseshoe above the front door
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Banter about Whiggery aside, many congratulations to @holland_tom and @dcsandbrook for this. TRIH is a light of erudition and good hunour shining in a world of dreary humourlessness & dumbing down. Helped me cope with some difficult times over the past few years. Bravo
Five years ago, two English historians started a podcast to occupy themselves during lockdown, and The Rest Is History. 📚 Our 2025 Show of the Year, @theresthistory, is a banter-filled trip to the past with hosts @DCSandbrook and @Holland_Tom. https://t.co/VIN3jWDh1b
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The trad BOTY boozy chat is on @AspectsHistory pod today w/ @Roger_Moorhouse @Tonisenior @RForemanAuthor featuring books from @MarkUrban01 @NeilBlackmo @CapelLofft @sauldavid66 @olivernmoody @SpitfireFilly @burke_jason @jonawils @holland_tom @BernardCornwell @colinfreeman99 1/2
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“There was the risk of panic” With the Salisbury inquiry in focus, @MarkUrban01 & @AmberRuddUK unpack why key details weren’t shared sooner — and whether greater transparency might have sparked public panic Listen to The Crisis Room on @globalplayer 🎧 #Salisbury #Putin
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Blaming the user is never a good look @generaldynamics - and bravo to @UKDefJournal for this story which was picked up @FT this morning 👏🏻
A senior employee of General Dynamics UK has posted comments on social media suggesting that crews bear responsibility for several problems associated with the British Army’s Ajax armoured vehicle. Click image for more. https://t.co/mBDnjaK1yv
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French soldiers opened fire on 5 drones above the Île-Longue naval base, which shelters France’s nuclear submarines. https://t.co/1jc7Zjh8ou via @Le_Figaro
lefigaro.fr
Un dispositif de lutte anti-drones et de recherches a été mis en place. Le bataillon de fusiliers marins, qui assure la protection de la base, a effectué plusieurs tirs anti-drones, selon la même...
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🚨 New episode alert! Putin found "morally responsible" for the Novichok attack that killed Dawn Sturgess — @MarkUrban01 & @AmberRuddUK break down the Salisbury inquiry and what the government got wrong Listen to The Crisis Room on @globalplayer 🎧 #Putin #Salisbury #Inquiry
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BREAKING: The Pentagon released an 84-page report on Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal to discuss military strikes. It found he risked putting troops in danger.
politico.com
The agency watchdog investigated whether the Defense secretary violated the agency’s standards for sharing classified information and put troops in danger.
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Download it for the commute home - or indeed just for the sheer pleasure of it
podcasts.apple.com
Podcast Episode · The Crisis Room · 04/12/2025 · 38m
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This week’s Crisis Room just dropped - chock full of insight and anecdote on the Salisbury inquiry report, whether Europe will use Russian cash for Ukraine and Trump’s campaign against narco boats!
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The inquiry into the Salisbury poisonings of 2018 has just been published - here's my initial take
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'Why did the Russians risk killing so many people?' @MarkUrban01 reflects on the 2018 Salisbury poisonings and the tragic death of Dawn Sturgess, who collapsed after unknowingly using a perfume bottle laced with Novichok Listen to The Crisis Room on @globalplayer 🎧
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Do you have a burning question you’d like @AmberRuddUK, @MarkUrban01 & @Mpolymer to answer in the next Q&A episode? 🤔 Drop your suggestions below 👇🏻 or email us at thecrisisroom@global.com ✉️ #QnA #questions #politics
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I suspect Mark Urban is correct here 👇 "...tighter operational control seems inevitable, and legal action against some of those involved must also be on the table." https://t.co/Pki7ipdbrU
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Lt Col Williams, who commanded the SAS 2005-2008 responds here to the selective nature of testimony released, accuses the Afghanistan Inquiry of failing to do the same with evidence it received in support of the soldiers' actions
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Good explainer on new evidence against UK SAS in Afghanistan from pretty much the leading expert. All too similar to the credible accusations against a few Australian SASR operators. Interestingly UK accusations (rightly) raised by officers (Aust was by mainly fellow diggers).
There's a great deal at stake for the SAS with this Afghanistan inquiry - here's my take on the latest evidence
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There's a great deal at stake for the SAS with this Afghanistan inquiry - here's my take on the latest evidence
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There's been a big release of previously classified evidence to the Afghanistan Inquiry into alleged crimes by UK Special Forces. What to make of it? 👇
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Very sad to hear of Andreas Whittam Smith’s death. He oversaw the creation of something bold, exciting and fresh with The Independent in 1986. And he was always very kind, thoughtful and a source of wise counsel during my 12 year stint as deputy editor of the paper
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Sue was one of those who saved victims of the Salisbury poisoning 👇🏻
@MarkUrban01 @AmberRuddUK @Mpolymer Just listened to this - I found it really interesting to hear about other peoples perspectives & learn how this situation was being managed OUTSIDE of the hospital. I did see Amber when she visited us but was gutted to be off duty for the PMs visit!
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