ForcesWatch
👁️🗨️A sharp eye on military power in the UK.
forceswatch.net
- More than 500 people have contacted police investigating sexual abuse that allegedly took place during armed services medical examinations over almost 50 years. Most were aged between 18 and 25 at the time of the alleged offences, with some as young as 16.
- Reposted by ForcesWatchIt has been revealed that our chief reporter, @john-mcevoy.bsky.social, was among journalists investigated by a PR firm paid by Labour Together. Labour Together was then managed by Josh Simons. Simons is now Cabinet Office minister. democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
- A new report estimates nearly 2 million military casualties in Ukraine since 2022, with Russia suffering “more losses than any major power in any war since World War II”. 21st-century war is increasingly gamified, dehumanising & relentless. We must do everything in our power to prevent more of it.
- Reposted by ForcesWatch👉NEW VIDEO -- Jury frees Palestine activists who smashed Israeli arms factory Six protesters have been found not guilty of aggravated burglary at an Elbit weapons site. We were at Woolwich Crown Court where family and friends celebrated the result👇 www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0vl...
- There are 13 US airbases in the UK including RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, where reports suggest higher-than-usual activity in recent weeks. With Trump's threat of more military action abroad, US forces on British soil has never been more under scrutiny. A fascinating watch from @declassifieduk.org
- We have joined @upscrolled.bsky.social in support of open dialogue, transparency, and resistance to censorship and shadowbanning. Follow us here⬇️ tinyurl.com/5e329ctd
- Conscription Clickbait: How Sensationalist Headlines Are Stirring Fear in the UK Our newsletter provides research, commentary, and analysis on militarisation, military ethics, recruitment and the defence industry in the UK and internationally. Subscribe now ➡️ www.forceswatch.net/stay-in-touch/
- Sudan’s civil war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is the latest escalation in decades of armed conflict. For children, this means growing up amid repeated violence, displacement, and the long-term erosion of their rights. 🧵(1/3)
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- Reposted by ForcesWatchSchools should be promoting peace, not helping arms companies recruit.
- 🔍 Why is a robot dog touring UK schools? Our new STEM Detective video investigates the BAE Systems STEM Roadshow and its robot dog, Lexi — and how similar tech is being used in real military settings. 🎥Watch the full video: forceswatch.net/resources/robot-dogs-good-dog-or-bad-dog/ #STEM4Peace
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- The MoD insists that all data analysed using software from the controversial company Palantir remains under UK control, but concerns remain about potential foreign access. This follows the MoD’s £240 million contract to Palantir for supporting military decision-making.
- How do we challenge the drive to war and build real resistance to militarism? We’re excited to be part of @declassifieduk.org’s first-ever summit! Come say hello to ForcesWatch at the summit. We’ll have a stall, resources, and time to chat about how we can collectively challenge the war machine.
- Campaigners have exposed BP’s influence over UK science education through its sponsorship of a Science Museum teacher and educator training programme, which has shaped STEM teaching for thousands of teachers.
- Heba Muraisi, Kamran Ahmed, and Lewie Chiaramello ended their hunger strike on Wednesday after a key demand was met: Elbit Systems UK was denied a £2 billion government contract to train 60,000 British troops each year. Read more from the @palestinechronicle.bsky.social
- Final push – sign the open letter from Demilitarise Education now! Calling on UK universities to end war complicity and to cut ties with the arms industry. Once the letter reaches 1,500 signatures, it will be presented to leadership at every UK university. SUPPORT NOW: ded1.co/how-we-do-it...
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- From his 2018 Warrior Nation report (published by ForcesWatch) to his latest book, Paul Dixon traces the deepening militarisation of UK democracy, failed wars in Iraq & Afghanistan and how politics is shaped by military elites. Read the book review by @thecanaryuk.bsky.social ⬇️
- Could the threat of nuclear war be closer than ever? @newint.bsky.social's latest issue – The New Nuclear Arms Race explores how we reached this dangerous moment, and the pathways out of the crisis.
- While governments prioritise warfare, welfare systems are being dismantled. Hosted by No to War, No to NATO, this webinar exposes the societal costs of militarisation and makes the case for a shift towards people-centred alternatives, common security & social justice. @cnduk.bsky.social
- BBC Newsbeat features ForcesWatch warning the UK MOD is targeting young gamers, with a defence minister admitting recruitment “targets the youngest demographics.” This raises urgent questions about consent, transparency and the militarisation of youth culture. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
- 🔍 Why is a robot dog touring UK schools? Our new video for secondary students looks at the STEM Education Roadshow, run by BAE Systems, which is taking a robot dog named Lexi into classrooms. 🎥 Watch the full video and find out more: www.forceswatch.net/resources/ro... #STEM4Peace
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- 🕊️ It's not too late to get the Peace Diary for next year! To the end of 2025 we are offering a free copy of @housmansbookshop.bsky.social peace diary for 2026 if you set up a monthly donation of at least £3.
- ForcesWatch’s last newsletter of the year is out!🎉 Featuring our new video on the BAE Systems Education Roadshow, updates on the Filton 24, stories of conscientious objectors, book recs & Housmans Peace Diary offers. 📰Read it here: tinyurl.com/bdemzuzv Wishing you a peaceful holiday!
- While six Palestine Action members hunger strike, six Filton 24 defendants face harsh trial conditions after five weeks—long travel, little food, worsening health. @amnestyuk.bsky.social condemns a “cruel misuse of terrorism laws,” with up to 18+ months’ pre-trial detention.
- Six activists on hunger strike are not receiving adequate healthcare and face an immediate risk of death. Qesser Zuhrah, who is on day 48 of her hunger strike, is in a critical condition. Contact your MP: palestinecampaign.eaction.org.uk/hungerstrike... More info at prisonersforpalestine.org
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- 🔍 Why is a robot dog touring UK schools? Our new STEM Detective video investigates the BAE Systems STEM Roadshow and its robot dog, Lexi — and how similar tech is being used in real military settings. 🎥Watch the full video: forceswatch.net/resources/robot-dogs-good-dog-or-bad-dog/ #STEM4Peace
- Whistleblowers tell of UK special forces chiefs suppressing reports of unlawful killings in Afghanistan, potentially allowing war crimes to continue for years. Around 80 Afghan civilians may have been killed between 2010–2013.
- “Colour your own F-35” worksheets and missile simulators in classrooms? @thebristolcable.bsky.social's Michal Grant digs into how deeply the arms industry has pushed into Bristol’s secondary schools and how educators and community groups are now pushing back. tinyurl.com/39txpvbz
- 🕊️Conscientious objection is not just found in history books Peace Pledge Union is holding a meeting to hear directly from Russian & Ukrainian conscientious objectors, alongside campaigners defending the right to refuse to kill. 9th Dec, 6pm. Online/PPU office, London tinyurl.com/v7xucvba
- 🕊️ Heading into a new year — time for a new diary! @housmansbookshop.bsky.social Peace Diary opens with an article by ForcesWatch’s very own Emma Sangster, offering insight into militarism & resistance. Become a ForcesWatch supporter & we'll send you a copy 👉 www.forceswatch.net/support-our-...
- Armed forces personnel have ‘studied on educational staff courses’ since October 2023, Ministry of Defence discloses. This underscores how deeply intertwined UK–Israel military ties have remained, despite the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Read more from John McEvoy for @declassifieduk.org
- Richard Dannatt (former head of the British Army) & David Evans, Lord Evans of Watford — suspended from the House of Lords after being found to have breached lobbying rules. The case adds urgency to calls for reform of the House of Lords, including stricter regulation of external interests.
- ‘The Army Foundation College is the most dangerous “school” in the country." Jim Wyke from CRIN explains why the only way to stop the abuse of children in the army is to raise the age of recruitment to 18.
- ForcesWatch support Demilitarise Education's open letter, calling on UK Unis to end war complicity & to cut ties with the arms industry. Universities should be spaces for research, education, & the public good, not complicit in the destruction of war. 🔗ded1.co/how-we-do-it/open-l…
- At this week’s Long War conference, the government minister spoke of winning a long war with Russia. Do they ever consider what that would look like in reality?
- The UK’s Defence Committee report — “The UK contribution to European Security” urges further militarisation of the UK. @joejglenton.bsky.social warns these ideas rely on overhyped threat narratives, amplified by mainstream media. @thecanaryuk.bsky.social
- As Europe ramps up defence spending, we’re seeing a push towards conscription. France’s chief of staff of the armed forces said that the country must be prepared “to lose its children”!!
