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Luca Trenta Profile
Luca Trenta

@lucatrenta

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Associate Professor in IR @PCS_Swansea . #US foreign policy, #ColdWar , covert action, assassinations, drones. Host of the @ootsproject podcast.

Swansea
Joined January 2011
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
It was a remarkably difficult thing to do, but I have just sent the complete draft of my book to @EdinburghUP . [Title is still provisional].
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
5 years
‘Don’t you wish your President was competent like me...don’t ya...’ 🎶🎶🎶 #Trumpspeech #CoronavirusPandemic
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 years
I only have two questions: 1) What is a 'Meghan Markle-style cult'? and more importantly 2) How can I join it? #culturewars
@swgannon
Seán William Gannon
4 years
'Then they came for the museums ...' Unlikely to be surpassed as the most unhinged article ever written on Britain's "culture wars".
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
@EastMidRailway A “limited number” to first class customers. Are you sure? Isn’t that too generous?
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
10 months
🚨We have a cover. I went for an understated option for The President's Kill List 😀
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
5 years
@OhNoSheTwitnt This is a very optimistic take. Humanity has a future and we will still teach history.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
Just saw #Oppenheimer . A short side thread. In the film, the sinister Boris Pash makes a short appearance. He interrogates Oppenheimer on his communist contacts. Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves (Matt Damon) tells Oppenheimer that Pash is used to kidnapping and torturing people... 1/5
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
11 months
The only #Kissinger obituary worth reading. ‘Henry Kissinger: The Declassified Obituary | National Security Archive.’
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
6 months
It’s here! Thanks to @EdinburghUP and to all those who helped along the way.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
@BBCBreaking PEOPLE!!! They are people! Human beings! Not migrants.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 months
@ThePhDPlace I asked an incredibly mean question, demeaning the work and intellect of people at non elite institutions and now I’m being criticised. Poor me.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
7 months
My book The President's Kill List is now available for pre-order with @EdinburghUP . Use code NEW30 for 30% off. Tell your library too.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
5 years
@anneapplebaum See, but this is my main problem with the media. Would it be so hard to ask: 'Sir, do you know what the Warsaw Uprising is?'
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
5 years
Some personal news. I got promoted to Associate Professor in IR @PCS_Swansea and @SwanseaUni .
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
Now that I have accepted it, I'm pleased to announce that I will start new research project on the politics of covert action in 2022. The project - The CIA, Congress, and covert action: the politics of selective disclosure - is funded by a @BritishAcademy_ small grant.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
🧵My encounter with #JimmyCarter . In 2011, I took the first research trip of my PhD. I travelled to Atlanta, to visit the Carter Library. After the first week, I became friend with the Library’s secretary. One day, she told me that President Carter would visit the Library's cafè.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
It’s official 🇮🇹🇬🇧
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
🚨So, quite the birthday gift. I can confirm that I have signed a contract with @EdinburghUP for my book The President's Kill List: assassination and US foreign policy since the Cold War. Thanks @RoryCormac and @ersevius for your help and support. Now, I just need to write it 😀
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
New documentary: “Spy Ops” on Netflix. Covering CIA special ops from the 1970s to the 2000s. Particularly interested in the Noriega episode. Something I cover in my book but is very understudied.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 month
In a great turn of events, I had my first ever interview on @BBCNews this morning. It was such an honour and a great pleasure. Thanks to staff at BBC News and to @RUSI_org and @JEyal_RUSI for the opportunity to write a commentary yesterday, which opened the doors to it.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
11 days
@KimGhattas At what point will Israel's allies (as calls to the international community are pointless at this point) will have a real talk with the guy and say enough is enough?
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
Classics of the English School of IR today at ⁦ @OxfamCastleSt ⁩.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
7 months
The peak @guardian article does not exi…
@guardian
The Guardian
7 months
I didn’t eat proper risotto till I was nearly 30. And now drought may take it off menus for ever | Rachel Cooke
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
Very happy with my new set up!
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
as well as making them disappear. In the movie, there is a fleeting suggestion that Pash was involved in the suicide (homicide?) of Oppenheimer's lover Jean Tetlock. Boris Pash appears in my upcoming book on the US government's involvement in assassination.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
🚨Call for papers/contributions: I'm organising a conference/workshop at @SwanseaUni on state-sponsored assassinations in international history, politics, and law (I am also hoping to draw interest from scholars in forensic toxicology). 16-17th of May, 2023.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 years
I'm updating my #IR syllabus to give more space to post-colonialism, non-western approaches, and #race and #racism in IR. Do you have any accessible reading recommendations? And, yes, I know I'm a white western male. #AcademicChatter #AcademicTwitter
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
@Billbrowder @EliotHiggins I’m assuming everybody else is a Tory donor?
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
6 months
@TgLa7 Ovviamente, Barbero parla dell'importanza dell'antifascismo, di come ci fosse un lato giusto e uno sbagliato, e di come non bisogna limitarsi alla memoria individuale. E voi titolate: 'Ho avuto on nonno fucilato dai partigiani.' Applausi.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 month
Nice to have my first live TV interview for @dwnews this morning on #Israel 's pager attacks. [They also promoted me to professor]. @swansearesearch @SwanseaUni
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
Need to update my English School #IR lecture slides with this gem from @NewYorker
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
@AcademicChatter Going through pages and pages of documents that look like this:
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
In the early years of the CIA, he was in charge of the Agency's Policy Branch 7. According to the testimony of Pash's deputy at the time, the Branch had a charter which included assassination. This was revealed in an addenda to the Interim Report on assassination...
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 years
The start of 2021 has been a nightmare. This makes it incredibly better. My article on #norm contestation, #assassination , and the #Reagan years out soon in @Journal_of_GSS . I'll do a proper thread on it when it's published. Now, I'll book myself some Chinese food to celebrate.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
Happy to report that after about 10 months and 150000 words, the main content of my book is written. Now, only introduction and conclusion left. Plus some ruthless editing as I need to cut about 25000 of those words. Any volunteers?
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
According to the report one of the targets considered for assassination by PB/7 was the leader of Chinese nationalist Chiang Kai-Shek. This was one of the earliest post-WWII assassination plots discussed (and eventually dropped) by US officials.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 months
@repubblica La celeberrima ‘Image.’ Ma chi lavora per voi?! Chi?
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
@dwdavison Ahem...
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 months
@MDPDelPero Rampini è veramente osceno ultimamente. Non si capisce come sia diventato esperto di punta sugli Stati Uniti.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
5 years
@nytopinion @paulkrugman I’m sure the people of Central America and the Middle East wholeheartedly agree.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
5 months
Now that my book with @EdinburghUP is out in the wild, for a limited time, you can save 30% with discount code NEW30.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
@ucu Just a thought here, but instead of suggesting we listen to a podcast, why don't you send out a clear message with bullet points on what has ALREADY been achieved in practice, what is still pending etc.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
So, I’m apparently entitled to use the letters FRHistS after my name now. Very happy with this. 😍 thank you @RoyalHistSoc .
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
of the Church Committee. Howard Hunt of later Watergate fame also allegedly had a meeting with Pash to discuss the assassination of a suspected Albanian double-agent during BGFIEND. Pash denied ever being involved in assassination.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
I know it's not finished. There is a lot of work left. But after years of research, one year of writing, and 160000 or so words (I know, way too many), a first full draft of my book is done.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
@ucu I have to say your communication strategy has been incredibly poor. You have constantly claimed great victories, but we have seen nothing thus far.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
7 years
With all the publicity surrounding #FireAndFury , I just finished @brianklaas ’s The Despot’s Apprentice on the dangers @realDonaldTrump poses to American democracy, politics, and foreign policy. Strongly recommended.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
So, this was just confirmed. Ceremony on the 2nd of November in Cardiff. After that, I'll be officially a British citizen (as well as an Italian one). I might do a thread another time on how I feel about this, but for the moment, I'm very glad that the application was approved.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
Some of my first political memories are of my grandad insulting Saddam and Milosevic on TV. Much of my passion for politics probably comes from him. I lost my grandmother in March and since then he has been in a local care home. He is doing great both mentally and physically.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 years
@dbessner This is a very dumb tweet. Competence or success were never a requirement for fascism or authoritarianism. Historically, the opposite has often been the case.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 years
It would be really helpful if on @zoom_us you could create break-out rooms during a meeting and then allow participants to pick what room they want to be in (e.g. to discuss different topics). Any similar solution? @AcademicChatter
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
5 months
New research assistant visited the office for the first time today. Ready to hit the ground running (and stopping for a wee every few seconds). The contribution made so far, though, is minimal.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
Today we said goodbye to our old dog Rocky. He was the nicest dog, a quiet, gentle soul. Hopefully, his last few years with us were pleasant and comforting for him. 💔
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 months
@BBCWalesNews A triumph? No Tory, no Reform. Ideal.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 years
Tema: la giornata mondiale delle donne, Svolgimento: #belpaese #InternationalWomensDay #MeghanMarkle
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 years
#BidenHarrisInauguration Me: Can't wait for the #pandemic to end and to go back to #academic conferences where I can network with people. Also, me at conferences:
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
So, after the scare of a lifetime, turns out I am not actually dying. So I’m having some celebratory drinks.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 months
With an (attempted) #assassination in the news once again, a new opportunity to recommend my favourite ⁦ @five_books ⁩ on the topic. ‘The Best Books on State-Sponsored Assassination.’
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 months
I’ve donated a copy of my @EdinburghUP book to @OxfamCastleSt . There will be a book talk on 8 July at 7pm in the shop. If you are around, see you there.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
5 months
Do I challenge perceptions? Possibly. Do I uncover historical truths? When I’m lucky! In any case, listen in for a chat about my book and state-sponsored assassinations more broadly.
@swansearesearch
Swansea Research
5 months
Curious about the covert side of international relations? Dr Luca Trenta delves deep into the murky world of state-backed assassinations, challenging perceptions and uncovering historical truths
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
My article: 'Death by Reinterpretation: Dynamics of #Norm Contestation and the US Ban on #Assassination in the Reagan Years' @Journal_of_GSS is now available on-line. I might do a thread tomorrow, but if you want to start reading, you can find it here:
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
11 months
My favourite Kissinger quote:
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
I was supposed to travel to Calgary for the @SocIntelHist conference today. Instead, I am in Italy. On Saturday, my grandad passed away. He was 95. He was a very important and present figure in my life. Above all, my passion for politics comes from him. A short 🧵
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
Passed the Life in the UK test this morning.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 years
@PDChina I sure see lots of American flags. So great to see China-US friendship in full display.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
11 months
How the term is going...
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
🚨We are hiring. Come and work with us @PCS_Swansea . We are looking for a Lecturer in #IR . Happy to have a chat about the post. Also feel free to contact HoD @wallmt .
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
11 months
Students when I enter a lecture hall...
@nknewsorg
NK NEWS
11 months
VIDEO: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was welcomed by the public as he casted his vote in the Nov. 26 elections for provincial, city and county people’s assemblies at the Ryongsong Machine Complex.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
7 months
Don’t get what this #SolarEclipse2024 craze is all about. In Swansea, we haven’t seen the sun for months.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 months
@RandomTheGuy_ @IdiotsInCamera Natural strength vs. "Enhanced" strength
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
These people. They hate academia and everything it stands for. They don’t give a flying f*ck about research and science, and now they are all out in force with their vapid talking points celebrating a ‘deal’ for something we already had before they gave us Brexit.
@10DowningStreet
UK Prime Minister
1 year
DEAL DONE: The UK is joining Horizon Europe. Following negotiations with @EU_Commission , UK scientists will now have access to the world’s largest research and innovation programme on better terms for British taxpayers. It’s another step to grow the economy. Here’s why ⬇️
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
Me: I can’t thank participants enough. They made the conference on assassinations a great success. Faculty: It would be good to have an A1 poster on the main outcomes of the conference. Main outcome of the conference so far:
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
@TheRickWilson Still unclear whether he won 'election' but he sure won 're-election,' that's correct. 😅
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 months
I have long been convinced of the timeliness of my research, but I did not expect this kind of timeliness. "The President can now assassinate you. Officially.'
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 years
Today in the new and somewhat unexpected series: “Guarda mamma, sono in TV.” #SecretWarsUncovered @HISTORYUK @SwanUniCOAH @SwanseaUni
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 years
@richardmaass In the summer, I asked a very similar question. i compiled a reading list based on the recommendations I received. You can find it here: (Not all are post-2010 though).
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
8 months
Surely
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@AlexParkerDC
Alex Parker
8 months
What dense 700-page Pulitzer Prize-winning history book should Chris Nolan adapt for film next?
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
Very interesting article on 'fashionable' labels for war. I wonder whether the same could be said of 'remote,' 'network-centric' and many other labels. ‘Hybrid warfare’ as an academic fashion
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
Let’s sneak this in while she isn’t looking. Super proud of my wife @CristinaM_LiTM graduating today @oxford_brookes
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 months
Reminder: ⁦⁦ @ddbolger ⁩ and I will discuss my ⁦ @EdinburghUP ⁩ book The President’s Kill List ⁦ @OxfamCastleSt ⁩ on Monday 8th at 7pm. ⁦ @oxfamgb
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
There is no need to go through all the amazing things that Carter and the Carter Center have done in the post-presidency. Their demeanour and grace, their love for each other, the attentiveness and care with which they talked to me, a nobody from nowhere. Just unforgettable.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
7 months
@Phil_Baty @timeshighered If only the leading journal on the sector could have raised the alarm about this years ago and banged the drum constantly, eh?!
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 months
Currently reading Shadow State by @lukeharding1968 . It is so infuriating. Russian lackeys like #Farage are back and British media gives them prime time.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 months
Yes, #Biden 's debate was awful, but, as usual, US media was worse. No one called for #Trump to leave the race and he is (likely) a rapist, a coup plotter, corrupt, treasonous, a convicted felon, and - at best - a Russian 'useful idiot.' A bit of actual balance wouldn't hurt.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
5 years
@KevinMKruse The key question for some time has been: 'What does Trump (Russia?) have on Graham?'
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
Zeca is unimpressed by my tactics on @FootballManager
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
1 year
Quite fitting that on the CIA's birthday, I have submitted both an article on Guatemala '54, secrecy, and the politics of selective disclosure, and the final version of my book The President's Kill List for @EdinburghUP .
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
11 months
@vonderleyen I beg you, read a history book on I don’t know, Chile, Cambodia, any Latin American or South East Asian country really.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
6 months
Looking forward to this!
@EdinburghUP
Edinburgh University Press
6 months
🎪 Festival alert! Join EUP author @lucatrenta as he discusses The President's Kill List with @OliverBullough at the 2024 Hay Festival. Together, they'll dive into the US government's involvement in assassination plots since 1945. Find out more 👉
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
Having double nationality is great. I strongly recommend it. You can be ashamed of two countries instead of one.
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
4 years
Get a #bike , they said. It will be fun, they said. You’ll use it loads, they said. #WelshLockdown
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
3 years
My @Journal_of_GSS article on the Reagan Administration and the ban on assassination is now open access. Of interest to colleagues working on #norms , covert action, assassination/targeted killing, and US foreign policy. Have a read here:
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
2 years
Research find of the day @USNatArchives . In January 1970, the CIA compiled this report titled: 'Power moves involved in the overthrow of an unfriendly government.'
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@lucatrenta
Luca Trenta
6 months
Since I’m about to publish a book, I won’t name names. But sometimes I find what is labelled as exceptional scholarship to be utter common sense described in pretty words. Rant over.
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