Alan Philps

Author of The Red Hotel revealing the compromises, betrayals and self-delusions of Anglo-American war correspondents billeted in the Metropol Hotel in Moscow

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

Tragic story by @parfitt_tom : Act of defiance marks end of era for family of Russian rebels

https://t.co/xR71xE22Ce

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

Delighted to receive copies of the Japanese edition of The Red Hotel. The blood-red cover makes the Metropol Hotel look super sinister!

[Breaking the Silence @BtSIsrael]

Haaretz just revealed, based on conversations with soldiers, that commanders instructed them to fire at crowds near the GHF aid distribution centers to drive them away — even when it was clear the crowds posed no danger. Here’s how the soldiers described the horrific scenes:

[Ben Jamal @BenJamal48]

Another chilling example if the normalised dehumanising of Palestininians on @BBCr4today. As Sam Rose from UNRWA gave chilling detail of the complete lack of food in Gaza since Israel cut off all aid 6 weeks ago @JustinOnWeb suggested Israel's action were understandable if it ...

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

@elie_foube16925 Enjoy the book! There were honey traps at that time. Successful one with Ralph Parker the Times correspondent.

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

@elie_foube16925 Don’t worry about misspelling my name. It’s a truly unbreakable code! Alsop was not at the Metropol in the war (1941-45) which is the time I cover. I see he was victim of a honey trap in his hotel and that most likely was the Metropol which was where foreigners mostly stayed.

[Yuval Abraham יובל אברהם @yuval_abraham]

A group of settlers just lynched Hamdan Ballal, co director of our film no other land. They beat him and he has injuries in his head and stomach, bleeding. Soldiers invaded the ambulance he called, and took him. No sign of him since.

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

Looking forward to reading this book which will surely cast new light on the fate of the Russian intelligentsia under Putin

[Andrei Soldatov @AndreiSoldatov]

The galleys have arrived! ⁦With ⁦@irinaborogan⁩ and ⁦@public_affairs⁩

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

The man accused of being 'Hamas royalty' and a senior terrorist is a scientist - a technocrat who taught in the UAE (where they hate Hamas more than anyone). That explains why his son speaks such good English. Nuff said.

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

Palestinian deputy minister at heart of BBC Gaza documentary row studied at UK universities https://t.co/6ztAmSB2tK

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

Palestinian deputy minister at heart of BBC Gaza documentary row studied at UK universities https://t.co/6ztAmSB2tK

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

Israeli police have raided Mahmoud Muna's bookshop in East Jerusalem and arrested him and his nephew. The bookshop is a centre of cultural life. Muna's arrest can only be seen as 'creating a climate of fear' in East Jerusalem
https://t.co/FgZrSpvbPb

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

Unbelievable

[Aaron Rupar @atrupar]

DOOCY: Would Palestinians have the right to return to Gaza if they left during the rebuilding?

TRUMP: It would be my hope that we could do something really nice, really good, where they wouldn't want to return

(A reporter can be heard yelling, "It's their home, sir!")

[Michael Rosen 💙💙🎓🎓 NICE 爷爷 @MichaelRosenYes]

If you want to read all this, you can click on it.

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

Strong argument here against those who believe that Russia’s economic problems will force Putin to reach a peace deal before the ‘anti-Russian project’ in Ukraine is crushed

[Tatiana Stanovaya @Stanovaya]

Reuters, citing its sources, reports that Putin believes key war objectives have already been achieved, including securing land connecting mainland Russia to Crimea and weakening Ukraine’s military. It also notes his awareness of the economic strain caused by the war. The article indirectly suggests that these factors might make Putin more inclined to strike a deal with Trump to end the war, given its cost and the claimed achievement of strategic goals.

I strongly disagree with this interpretation. This perspective oversimplifies and misrepresents Putin’s position. While it is true that Putin has gained territory and "secured" (in his vision) the land bridge to Crimea, as well as inflicted significant damage on Ukraine’s military—something Russian officials have openly stated for months—these "achievements" do not mean he is prepared to stop.

If Putin were to halt the war now, Ukraine would likely accelerate efforts to join NATO and rebuild its military-industrial complex. Even if NATO membership remains a distant prospect, the alliance would solidify its presence in Ukraine, precisely what Putin sought to prevent by launching the war. His goal was to end what he calls the “anti-Russia project” on Ukrainian territory. In his view, stopping now would lead to an even more radicalized “anti-Russia” project in the remainder of Ukraine. This is central to his reasoning.

The article also emphasizes Putin’s concerns about the economy, but this issue is more nuanced. First, there are genuine, objective concerns about economic performance. Putin is aware of these issues and, while it may not be his primary focus, he understands that economic stability is critical to sustaining his policies. However, the situation is far from catastrophic, and economic concerns alone are unlikely to exert enough pressure to force a shift in his geopolitical strategy.

We should avoid overestimating the impact of these economic concerns on Putin’s plans for Ukraine. In my view, no matter the economic situation, Putin will persist in seeking to end the war on Russian terms. For him, this is an existential conflict. He is deeply committed to the idea that without a “friendly Ukraine,” Russia’s long-term survival is at risk. Many in Moscow may be alarmed by this view, but Putin is resolute, believing he must achieve his goals at any cost.

Thus, the assumption that economic troubles will compel Putin to compromise is fundamentally flawed. Economic pressure alone will not dictate his approach to Ukraine. If Putin were no longer in power, the dynamics might change significantly, as much of Russia’s leadership does not share his level of obsession with Ukraine. But that is a separate discussion entirely.

[Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya د.حسام أبو صفية @HussamAbuSafiya]

It's been 21 days since the enforced disappearance of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza. His fate remains unknown to this moment. We call on all relevant parties to urgently intervene for his release and the release of the other 450 detained medical personnel from Gaza.
#FreeDrHussamAbuSafiya
#أطلقوا_سراح_الدكتور_حسام_أبوصفية

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

60% OFF The Red Hotel: Moscow 1941, the Metropol Hotel, and the Untold Story of Stalin's Propaganda War - the audiobook that tells you everything you need to know about Kremlin control of the news. https://t.co/vp8YtGtbRt .

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

https://t.co/thZuJqr6Oh via @NYTOpinion

[sarah @sahouraxo]

Israel killed the last remaining orthopedic surgeon in Northern Gaza today.

Dr. Saeed Joudeh was on his way to the hospital when Israel shot him in the head.

He was not a combatant. He was a doctor devoted to saving lives.

[Alan Philps @aphilps]

@marcowenjones Why amazing? Even Assad’s staunchest allies decided they were not prepared to defend his regime against HTS. And now Iran is opening talks with HTS.

[Olena Tarasiuk @ElenaTarasiuk]

I missed this news about Syria. In 2016, Russian propaganda produced yet another stomach-turning project. They made a calendar with Syrian girls thanking Russians for protection.

The quote in the picture says, "I rest assured while my land is under your control."
More below🧵