Batman

UK - International Affairs Enthusiast. Reporting on conflicts, defence and politics around the globe.

[Batman @51Batman]

Pinning this post 📍

Chagos islands are British 🇮🇴🇬🇧

[Mario Nawfal @MarioNawfal]

🇱🇧 After decades of Hezbollah blocking alternatives to Beirut Airport, Lebanon has officially reopened Qalaiat Airport in the north for civilian flights.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam arrived on the first flight, marking what many see as a symbolic blow to Hezbollah's long-standing control over the country's main air gateway.

For years, Beirut Airport was effectively the only door in and out of Lebanon, giving Hezbollah enormous influence over a critical piece of national infrastructure.

Nawaf declared that Qalaiat will not replace Beirut Airport, but made clear that all Lebanese airports must operate under the authority of the Lebanese state, not any armed faction.

[Chuck Pfarrer | Indications & Warnings | @ChuckPfarrer]

POKROVSK: Russian forces have conducted persistent but largely unsuccessful offensive operations in the Pokrovsk direction following their capture of the city proper in early 2026.

Despite glowing Russian reports, advances have been minimal or refuted by geolocated combat footage. Russian efforts remain focused on infiltration tactics, small-group assaults, and attempts to consolidate/ expand footholds northwest, north, and southwest of the city (near Rodynske, Hryshyne, Kotlyne, Udachne.

[Chuck Pfarrer | Indications & Warnings | @ChuckPfarrer]

HULIAPOLE: 20–44 Russian assaults in this reporting period, with Ukrainian forces inflicting attrition via drones/artillery. Infiltration attempts west /southwest/ northwest of Huliaipole continue to be engaged and neutralized.

[Voices of WW2 @VoicesofWW2]

D-Day in allied numbers, Normandy 1944.

[ME24 - Middle East 24 @MiddleEast_24]

🇱🇧🇮🇱 A survey conducted by Statistics Lebanon in April 2026 found that 83% of Lebanese Christians support a political agreement or settlement with Israel, the highest level of support among any major community in the country. The same poll found support at 67% among Sunnis and 34% among Shiites.

[NEXTA @nexta_tv]

💔 This is what remains of Toretsk after the arrival of the “Russian world”.

[FGAU @PurpleStandard]

If all the virtue signalling paddystinians are out on this walk does that mean it’s safe for my daughter and her friends to go shopping in Zara without being harassed?!

[David Frost @DavidGHFrost]

Almost 60% of Brits reject giving up sovereignty in return for more access to the EU single market. 👇

Only 27% approve.

2-1 against Labour's "reset". Starmer has no mandate for it.

@YouGov polling for @BritainUnbound.

https://t.co/N7CHbeBYOg

[Mario Nawfal @MarioNawfal]

🇬🇧🇳🇴 Britain's £3bn flagship broke down in Norway again.

HMS Prince of Wales is stuck in Stavanger, a port city down on Norway's southwest coast, after a technical fault, though the MoD insists it's "minor" and the carrier will be back at sea soon.

The awkward part? The issue reportedly showed up during an earlier stop in the same port, but the ship still went on to lead a 10-day NATO exercise before returning for repairs.

For a flagship that's supposed to showcase British naval power, it seems to spend a lot of time getting fixed.

Source: Sky News

[L’Atlantista 🇮🇹🇺🇦 @Latlantista]

Oggi ho il piacere di annunciarvi che il “corridoio terrestre” verso la Crimea, che i russi chiamano “rotta di Novorossiya”, è stato ufficialmente chiuso.

Le autorità d’occupazione hanno esteso, “fino a nuovo avviso”, il divieto di transito per i veicoli civili su praticamente tutta l’estensione di questa strada che ora si trova costantemente sotto tiro ucraino.

Complimenti agli ucraini e a tutti i contribuenti europei: è un risultato davvero importante, strategico oserei dire.

[Mossad Commentary @MOSSADil]

🚨 STUDENT PROTESTS ERUPT ACROSS IRAN

The same regime that killed tens of thousands for protesting is now faced with another wave of protests.

Students protested today in Tehran, Shiraz, Khorramabad, Kermanshah, Tabriz, Mashhad, Karaj, and across Gilan Province.

The protests were sparked by anger over school grades being used in university admissions and fears over students’ futures.

Their chants said it all:
“We have seen no justice, only empty promises.”
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, we are all together.”

[Batman @51Batman]

@ArnoldCarton Nope

[WarMonitor🇺🇦🇬🇧 @WarMonitor3]

There is serious discontent within the Russian ruling elites and Putin knows it.

[Zia Yusuf @ZiaYusufUK]

🚨ANOTHER POLL SHOWING REFORM SURGING!

Fieldwork done in the last 3 days.

The Tories fall further.

The whole establishment has got this wrong.

Nigel Farage showed huge courage and is right.

Britain needs Reform. 🇬🇧

[Zia Yusuf @ZiaYusufUK]

Reform has WON another by-election, in Westmorland & Furness, with more votes than Labour and the Tories COMBINED!

➡️ RFM: 48.4% (New)
🌹 LAB: 24.5% (-9.8)
🌳 CON: 19.0% (-21.5)
🌍 GRN: 5.1% (New)
🔶 LDM: 2.9% (-2.7)

Reform GAIN from Conservative - whose vote collapsed again!

[Batman @51Batman]

@Seanhalamule If it’s a peace march why are there Palestinian flags there, surely both or none should be carried. Why was there a banner reading “from the river to the sea..” doesn’t seem very peavefu, rather it seems extremely one sided, advocating for Hamas against Israel.

[Batman @51Batman]

Network issues throughout but the pro Gaza terror march has walked past Scarva in Northern Ireland against the wishes of local residents. Last year’s Gaza march terrorised the local community with locals in a coffee shop threatened. Residents opposed the foreign march this year.

[Batman @51Batman]

@TF208No6 @JyCrtwrghtNat Yea but that also makes you foolish (to put it politely) and therefore to be ignored by all other patriots.

[Batman @51Batman]

@Default69202648 I remember when Republican protests equally targeted young children and families parading in marching bands or junior lodges. Sectarian terrible times.

[WarMonitor🇺🇦🇬🇧 @WarMonitor3]

Former close ally of Putin and the man that occupied Donetsk region in 2014 Pavel Gubarev has accused Putin of lying about the frontline situation and saying the Russian army are retreating in many directions.

[WarMonitor🇺🇦🇬🇧 @WarMonitor3]

Britains flagship carrier the HMS Prince Of Wales has broken down again in Norway the aircraft carrier cost over 3.5 billion pounds and has constantly experienced issues.