Edwin Akpotu (FHEA)

PhD Researcher @UniofBradford | International Security & Peace Studies | Enduring Rivalries • Strategic Competition • Peace & Conflict | FHEA

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

The significance of this pact goes beyond collective defence.

If an attack on one becomes a security concern for all three, crises involving one rivalry could generate strategic consequences across others.

That is where deterrence can also create new forms of uncertainty.

[Reuters @Reuters]

🔊 Leaders from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed a new defense agreement, saying an attack on one would be regarded as an attack on all. Hear more on the Reuters World News podcasthttps://reut.rs/4hQRS3q

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

A ceasefire can end fighting without ending the rivalry that produced it.

As diplomacy over the US–Iran war continues, the question is whether negotiations can alter the underlying competitive relationship—or simply return it to a more manageable form.

#InternationalSecurity

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

Drones are changing more than battlefield tactics. They are changing the economics of deterrence: cheap systems can impose costly demands on air defence and create pressure on an adversary.

What does this mean for long-term rivalry stability?

#InternationalSecurity #Drones

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

The Türkiye–Saudi Arabia–Pakistan defence agreement raises a wider question for international security:

Do new security alignments deter rivals and stabilise competition, or create new pressures that make existing rivalries harder to manage?

#InternationalSecurity #Geopolitics

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

The emerging Iran–Oman arrangement over the Strait of Hormuz shows that de-escalation does not necessarily end strategic competition.

Rivals can manage pressure while the rivalry persists.

Stability and resolution are not the same thing.

#InternationalSecurity #Hormuz

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

Enduring rivalry research has taught us a great deal about why states become locked into repeated competition.

But persistence raises another question: how do rivalries absorb repeated crises without escalating into war or transformation?

That question deserves attention.

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

Why do some enduring rivalries survive wars, leadership changes and major systemic shocks, while others eventually transform?

I increasingly think the answer lies not only in the shock itself, but in the condition of the rivalry when that shock occurs.

That distinction matters.

[Anton Gerashchenko @Gerashchenko_en]

I've always been a workaholic. But I have never worked at the pace I do now. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I haven't had a single day off. Some mornings I wake up feeling like I simply can't keep going. But somehow, I do. Honestly, I don't even know how.

I don't know how our Defenders endure it. I don't know how Ukrainians keep moving forward after daily Russian attacks and air raid alerts - how we keep working, living, and carrying on.

Alongside the work I do behind the scenes, I have also become a blogger - someone who speaks and writes about Ukraine and the Ukrainian experience every single day. I believe these daily posts are a weapon of their own. But they are also emotionally and intellectually exhausting, because every tragedy passes through me before and while I put it on social media.

Reading and listening are difficult experiences too. Some of you tell me in the comments that you read my posts every day. This shared experience is painful, as well. But it is also a source of support for all of us here. Because we are heard, and we have a voice. It gives us hope, and it is deeply human.

This might be a bit all over the place, but I just wanted to say thank you for reading and for supporting Ukraine.

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

Delighted to share my latest policy analysis, “Why India-Pakistan Crises Keep Returning,” published by 9DASHLINE. The article explores why repeated crises have not transformed one of the world’s longest-running interstate rivalries.

https://t.co/H7Tov2TSPC

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

The Moment Hormuz Became Everyone's Problem https://t.co/AeIs0NHVJr

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

My latest article on International Policy Digest

“The Moment Hormuz Became Everyone's Problem”

It explores how the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis gre

This piece draws on ideas from my research on enduring rivalvdries

You can read it here:
https://t.co/AeIs0NHVJr

[C14 News | EN @c14english]

🚨🇺🇸🇮🇷 IRGC Fury: Revolutionary Guards feel deeply betrayed. They claim negotiators Araghchi and Ghalibaf were tricked by a secret U.S. deal.

@DBalazada

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

Politics is brutal - Kier Stamer won a landslide less than 2 years ago #UK #IranWar‌

[John Spencer @SpencerGuard]

To be very clear: reality is very different from the rhetoric. The IDF takes extraordinary measures to mitigate civilian harm in Lebanon. In fact, as in Gaza, it employs more civilian harm mitigation measures than any military in past or current operations.

The IDF issues evacuation warnings through multiple channels including text messages, phone calls, voicemails, flyers, radio, television, and social media. It operates dedicated civilian harm mitigation cells, tracks civilian presence through drones, cell phone data, and other ISR capabilities, and uses rigorous targeting processes that include legal reviews and proportionality assessments for any planned strikes. Legal reviews at lowest tactical level, and with the ability (which happens often as well as command decisions not to strike based on all context) to override commander decisions, unlike any other military.

In southern Lebanon, these measures are particularly effective because civilians can move away from military objectives and active combat areas.

Even in Beirut, the IDF has repeatedly provided warnings identifying specific buildings that will be struck and when. The warnings have proven so reliable that Lebanese citizens and journalists have set up cameras in advance to record the strikes. When targeting Hezbollah senior leaders, command meetings, or other military objectives in densely populated areas such as Dahiyeh (the Hezbollah controlled neighborhood of Beirut), the IDF relies on precision-guided munitions, small diameter munition (warheads with less explosives), and other low collateral damage munitions, detailed intelligence, and other methods designed to limit collateral damage while achieving the legitimate military objective.

There is also no equivalency. Israel does not intentionally target civilians. Hezbollah is a U.S.-designated terrorist organization whose strategy includes deliberately attacking civilians. Hezbollah launches rockets, missiles, and drones at civilian communities in northern Israel (daily, despite any cease fires), targeting homes, schools, businesses, and civilian infrastructure.

One side conducts legal reviews, proportionality assessments, civilian warnings, and precision strikes against military objectives. The other is a international designated terrorist group that intentionally places military assets among civilians while deliberately targeting civilians.

[Mark R. Levin @marklevinshow]

Israel is a separate country.  Agree.  Its interests do not always align with ours.  Agree.  Israel was left out of the MOU negotiations and is not a signatory.  OK.  But damn it, it better accept and comply with every damn word of it, even if it means accepting Hezbollah on its border shooting missiles and drones into its country.  Uh, what?

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

Henry, watch your mouth

[Speedy HQ @IShowSpeedHQ]

🚨| BREAKING: Speed just met Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry and immediately got roasted by Zlatan for wearing a Nigerian shirt with a USA jersey 😭😭😭

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

I agree with Reuben Abati's views in arisenews this morning; we should support Mexico against the South Africa team in today's World Cup opening. The South African team does not deserve African support #worldcup #IranWar‌ #fifa #SouthAfricanHistory #IranUSIsraelWar #ebola

[Edwin Akpotu (FHEA) @akpotutweet]

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a "public health emergency of international concern". Sky's Adele Robinson reports.#ebola #WHO #IranWar‌ #IranUSIsraelWar #Hantavirüs #RiversState