Richard Barrett

Terrorism commentator and former head of UN's Al Qaeda/Taliban Monitoring Team

[BBC Newsnight @BBCNewsnight]

"International relations aren't going to be determined by rules... they're going to be determined by strong men."

Former MI6 chief, Sir Alex Younger, says the world is entering a 'new era' of diplomacy and foreign relations.

#Newsnight

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

Neem Foundation’s Lafiya Sarari Records 100% Success in WAEC Exams. Another remarkable achievement by the Neem Foundation. The best way to build social cohesion is through local initiatives with clear objectives and dedication for the long term.
https://t.co/xvjjyIGos4

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

Crunch Time in Somalia https://t.co/Ert7x3pJFf
A fair summary of the security problems in Somalia. Meanwhile droughts and floods wreak additional havoc. The challenge remains of fostering belief in the possibility of a unified nation - or devising an alternative route to peace.

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

A heartfelt appeal from @UNReliefChief for better global leadership. The need becomes even more acute with his impending departure. https://t.co/aa8VCWt5Sl

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

@bricksilk @martinwolf_ As @martinwolf_ notes: "These people (the Brexiteers) have, in sum, destroyed the country’s reputation for good sense, moderation and decency", which makes it a lot harder to persuade our fellow Europeans to join us in a new project or agree our reentry to the old one.

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

@UNReliefChief @amanpour A great interview by both (as you might expect). Real clarity in a world of noise.

[Christiane Amanpour @amanpour]

“Please, for God’s sake, remember Ukraine.” @UNReliefChief Martin Griffiths is launching a new appeal for humanitarian aid for Ukraine – less than last year, but even so, “we’re very worried as to whether we’re going to get it because the competition for funding… is very fierce”

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

A well-balanced piece by @tom_renard and @JoanaCook in @lawfaremedia on the impact of Gaza war on social cohesion and stability in Europe. https://t.co/d7qcH4heV9 With an unprecedented number of elections due in 2024, the real danger is the exploitation of tensions by populists.

[Christiane Amanpour @amanpour]

The war in Gaza “has brought famine with such incredible speed,” says @UNReliefChief Martin Griffiths. “You worry hugely about the generational hatred that is going to be created by these facts. And therefore we worry for the security of Israel, as much as the security of Gaza.”

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

@christinalamb @PressAwardsuk @louiseelisabet By sheer coincidence I was just rereading @christinalamb 's The Sewing Circles of Herat. Her writing was always brilliant.

[christinalamb @christinalamb]

Thank you ⁦@PressAwardsuk⁩ for shortlisting me for Foreign Correspondent of the Year for my reporting from Ukraine and poor forgotten Zimbabwe. Great to see so many fab women on the list - including my colleague ⁦@louiseelisabet⁩ - and a couple of men!

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

"Only by dealing with terrorism politically—isolating terrorists from the population they purport to represent and offering a better alternative—can a way forward be found ......" A short, well expressed article by @ShivshankaMenon in @ForeignAffairs
https://t.co/ay62W4EBvM

[Cole Bunzel @colebunzel]

“Gaza and Global Jihad” - my latest for @ForeignAffairs, in which I explain how ISIS & al-Qaida view Hamas and why I think they will l struggle to take advantage of the war in Gaza https://t.co/JXbWv9ARCU

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

A good article by @burke_jason on the attractions of terrorism as a political tool of upheaval https://t.co/GtGzX6wVdS

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

A further effort to correct the UK’s misguided policy towards Brirtish nationals washed up in NE Syria following the collapse of the ISIS ‘Caliphate’ But this time in better company! https://t.co/sdoa42dnOB

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

There Are 13 Guantanamos in the Syrian Desert https://t.co/oNFpGvVR4C via @politico
A timely reminder from @Charles_Lister that there is a real need for the international community to do something about Foreign Fighters held in camps in Syria.

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

An excellent review from #ICCT of the programme in #Somalia designed to encourage defections from #alShabaab. https://t.co/tcO6PmhoEl

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

A highly perceptive and well written piece by @christinalamb on the logic defying irrationality of HMG’s decision not to take back any of the British women and children in camps in NE Syria https://t.co/K6BWDuGmEd

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

Another well-informed piece on the unsustainability of the Roj and al Hol camps in NE Syria and the need for countries to accept their responsibilities towards their citizens who are detained there.
https://t.co/puoB4hSzjd

[Richard Barrett @rmdbarrett]

A good reminder from @SHeydemann that other areas of discord and conflict remain beyond Ukraine that we need to approach with better and more consistent policies https://t.co/lRqmXbQCCV