Duncan Brown

Classical musician (mostly) and part-time specialist on Bulgarian politics. PhD on the Union of Democratic Forces.

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

In a week where another war in the Middle East threatens an economic and humanitarian crisis, and facing local elections in the UK, PM Starmer's focus is "antisemitism in universities and the Arts Council". When was there a PM so less in touch?

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

man suspected of stabbing two Jewish men in Golders Green has a "history of serious violence and mental health issues". So what is this to do with widespread anti-semitism?

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@alvinfoo There was a similar bus to Athens, called Magic Bus. No sleeping bunks and a £60 fare. They didn't guarantee that you'd get there, only that if it broke down they would dividewhat was left in the kitty between passengers. We called it Tragic Bus

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@DimitarBechev Simeon did overstate his competences with his '800 days' claim and suffered because of it. Thus far, at least, Radev has eschewed any grandiose plans in favour of a more pragmatic approach, which should serve him better than Simeon.

[Prof Colin Talbot (and my late pal Rory) @colinrtalbot]

There is no way the UK should be allowing the USA to use British bases to,carry out these attacks. They would be War Crimes.

Please RT if you agree.🇬🇧

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

There are many despicable people in this world, but then there's Netanyahu and then there's Trump.

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@DimitarBechev @johnpaul_newman We're they resettled during the Ottoman period? Their music, by the way, is quite distinctive, a mix of I assume demotiko with Bulgarian influences. Philip Kutev inevitably produced каракачансите танци, which are very much a Bulgarian version of their music

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@DimitarBechev @johnpaul_newman Yes, I can imagine that is so. That day they were colourfully dressed in traditional costume and the horses immaculately cared for. It was an impressive spectacle. I saw them a while ago, and I hope this tradition continues

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@DimitarBechev @johnpaul_newman Wonderful horsemen. I remember seeing them gather on a Sunday morning near Kazanlak to demonstrate their horsemanship

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@Hoffman8Jon Worse, Israel's strike on Pars indicates that its 'quest for security' overides any consequences on the global economy. That this will inevitably impact the US,is something that the Trump administration deems less important than its support for Israel

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

It was inevitable that the Orange stain, unconstrained by any semblance of adults in the room, would f-ck up and rain chaos upon the world. Oil prices rising and Israel hinting unsubtly at using nuclear weapons,that moment has arrived.

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@vtchakarova Yet, these consequences are something Trump and his acolytes seem oblivious to. Israel, I'm sure, knows but its regional ambitions override any wider concerns. The Trump administration is almost Stalinesque in prioritising its aims over human rights

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@DimitarBechev My father-in-law, a crusty Sofia lawyer used to use tarikat to describe a particularly slippery opponent in court, a sign of both respect and disdain, perhaps reflecting its Sufi origins

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@rshereme All political orders come to an end, usually violently. 'Nothing stinks like end of empire'. to quote Rebecca West. If Europe acts decisively as Stubb lays out, against its instincts, this might be a Westphalia and not Sarajevo 1914 moment

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@johnpaul_newman Or better,to place the fragility of the 90's Yugoslav state in the perspective of its founding philosophy, John Lampe's Yugoslavia as History

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@reformexposed @darrengrimes What a disgusting little shite

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@JohnOBrennan2 Peevski is an Orban in waiting

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

and be replaced by a more adept and prescient PM

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

Starmer's unfailing political acumen strikes again. From losing the pensioner vote, through 'island of strangers' and banning Palestine Action, to deeming criticism of Israel anti-semitic, he has no understanding of the public mood. Time for him to go.

[Duncan Brown @BulgarianDunc]

@reformexposed So the next 'arts' event will feature lots of flags