Defence and Diplomacy Editor at Daily Mail. New book: Blades - The Untold Story of SAS Operations in Afghanistan available for pre-order link below.
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Mark Nicol retweeted
Why did the Taliban fear the SAS? Author @MarkNicolDM reveals the intense reality of British special forces in Afghanistan, the Devils nickname, and the true rules of engagement.
Not enough
What responsibility does the British state bear for the consequences of decisions made in its name, and how long does that responsibility endure?
justiceforveterans.uk/p/who-…
Mark Nicol retweeted
Good to be there Mark, thank you for the invite. Powerful messages from you and Richard Williams. Blades is a hugely important book - one that should be read widely, now and in the future.
Myself and @williams_rje discussing how the onslaught of lawfare threatens operational effectiveness at the launch of Blades - the Untold Story of the SAS in Afghanistan out now - Amazon link in bio. @robfox45 @jeromestarkey and @Charlie533080 and @CharlotteCGill among those in attendance. Hosted by RHQ Fusiliers at @TowerOfLondon
Mark Nicol retweeted
Thank you @MarkNicolDM for highlighting this serious issue.
EXCL: The persecution of SAS soldiers over the legitimate shooting of an ISIS terrorist went further than previously thought… Even the regiment’s Commanding Officer was hounded by military police before the investigation was dropped and no charges were brought. Little wonder morale is so low. mol.im/a/16232755
EXCL: The persecution of SAS soldiers over the legitimate shooting of an ISIS terrorist went further than previously thought… Even the regiment’s Commanding Officer was hounded by military police before the investigation was dropped and no charges were brought. Little wonder morale is so low. mol.im/a/16232755
Thank you Charlotte!
At the spectacular Tower of London tonight to celebrate @MarkNicolDM’s new book, “Blades: The Untold Story of SAS Operations in Afghanistan”. I am super interested to read this. It sounds like a very important and brave book.
Mark Nicol retweeted
@MarkNicolDM's "Blades" book launch event. Signed copy captured for a subscription giveaway. Podcast with Mark out very soon.
" Nicol’s central argument is that the greatest threat to the SAS came from "lawfare" and restrictive rules of engagement imposed by Westminster. The book details how government restrictions prevented soldiers from shooting or detaining dangerous bomb-makers."
Mark Nicol retweeted
Over 5,000 Ukrainians fought in Iraq, helping us to fight our war there. army.mil/article/15056/ukrai…
.@POTUS: "We've given a lot to Ukraine. They've given nothing to us. Remember that."
Mark Nicol retweeted
I was also a Captain in Afghanistan in the dismounted close combat role. I never got time off to go to Kabul HQ.
You are dishonest, disrespectful and dishonourable @PeteHegseth
You shame your country as @SecWar
Hegseth on Afghanistan:
I was a captain in Afghanistan, and we would go to the headquarters in Kabul, and there would be 50 flags at the headquarters.
It was a beautiful thing to see 50 different countries contributing to the NATO alliance and the ISAF mission there.
Except there were like maybe five that contributed. It was actually closer to one or two that, by the end, were actually involved in kinetic operations.
In fact, the ISAF patch, we would joke that it meant "I Saw Americans Fighting."
Readers added context they thought people might want to know
Over 1100 non-American soldiers from 31 US-allied countries were killed fighting in Afghanistan, approximately 1/3 of the total combat deaths.
t.co/x4tGhxJiFG
A reminder of the importance of this day and of the sacrifice of those who went before:
Today Veterans remember Dennis Hutchings —
a man who fought tirelessly to clear his name and who became a symbol of the miscarriage of justice faced by many who served during Operation Banner.
Dennis passed away on 18 October 2021 in Belfast’s Mater Hospital, still in the middle of a non jury trial that should never have been allowed to continue given his age, health, and the lack of new evidence.
He died far from his home in Cornwall, dragged back into court in his eighties while undergoing dialysis, determined to defend his honour one last time. His courage, dignity, and refusal to be broken by a system that failed him will not be forgotten.
For veterans, Dennis Hutchings represents more than a case — he represents the human cost of legacy prosecutions and the need for fairness, balance, and truth.
We remember him. We honour him. And we continue the fight he never abandoned.
The Sunday Times ‘scoop’ this morning… and broken again by the Mail in 2025 when the investigation was dropped and included in Blades published last week.
Daily Mail March 2024 mol.im/a/13160993
Daily Mail March 2024 mol.im/a/13160993
🔺 EXCLUSIVE: How did a secret mission in Syria lead to a crisis within Britain’s special forces?
Insight, The Sunday Times investigations team, can reveal the full story behind an SAS operation in Syria in 2022 — and its aftermath thetimes.com/uk/defence/arti…
And here’s the conclusion to the investigation in 2025:
mol.im/a/14798713
Thanks @MattNixson an alternative to the anti-SAS agenda.
Looking for your next read? 📚
Mark Nicol’s Blades scores 8/10 ⭐ in @MattNixson’s review for @Daily_Express and @DailyMirror:
“As Nicol rightly suggests, perhaps the greatest enemy facing our brave forces right now is not a kinetic enemy but our own government. Reads like a thriller.”
Read the full review and add Blades to your #tbr today: express.co.uk/entertainment/…
Mark Nicol retweeted
🇸🇦🇷🇺 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has issued a final ultimatum to Russia: stop supplying Iran with missiles and other weapons that Tehran transfers to the Houthis, who are fighting against Saudi Arabia.
Otherwise, he has threatened to open the oil taps at full capacity, just as Saudi Arabia did during the Reagan era, and drive global oil prices practically down to zero.
Readers added context they thought people might want to know
No credible reports confirm MBS ultimatum to Russia or oil price crash threat. Recent talks stressed diplomacy/safe passage; Saudi exports constrained by attacks, spurring pipeline expansions.
freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world…
agbi.com/oil-and-gas/20…
english.alarabiya.net/business/energ…