James Thomson

This book examines how UK intelligence and national security priorities can best inform foreign policy strategy in the emerging geopolitical order. It analyses the impact on the UK intelligence community of an emerging world order characterised by an unbalanced multipolarity, in which mid-tier powers use diverse levers of power autonomously, leveraging greater influence than previously. In particular, the book uses the requirements and priorities processes to analyse which structures have best served UK decision-makers. A new framework is also employed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of different categories of intelligence requirements, and case studies at the national and transnational levels are used to examine the range of actors now relevant to policy outcomes. The book considers these in the context of the increasingly globalised and networked world order, and asks what sort of requirements system can best deal with the resulting complexity and uncertainty, and whether current UK processes are adequate. It thereby provokes wider questions about strategy and what support UK governments might need when crafting policy. This book will be of interest to students of intelligence studies, foreign policy, British politics and International Relations.

The city of dreadful night is a poetic exploration of despair and the search for meaning amid darkness and desolation. Through the image of a vast, somber city, the poem reflects the inner world of a mind burdened by hopelessness and the weight of existence. Each passage reveals a landscape where faith, love, and purpose have vanished, leaving behind the echo of endless suffering. The speaker moves through this spectral city, encountering figures whose lives mirror the emptiness that surrounds them. Their silent endurance becomes a reflection of humanity's shared struggle with loss, futility, and the inevitability of death. Through haunting imagery and somber rhythm, the poem captures the tension between the yearning for transcendence and the certainty of decay. The city stands not only as a physical place but as a powerful symbol of the collective despair within the human soul. In its unflinching portrayal of anguish, the poem confronts the reader with the stark beauty of endurance and the quiet strength within sorrow.

The essential guide to making, installing and living with beautiful, all-natural earthen floors – now fully revised and updated This full-color guide includes complete step-by-step instructions for installing your own earthen floors as well as the history, use, and maintenance of this beautiful, durable, non-toxic flooring material. Updated to reflect current best practices, it is the only resource of its kind, widely recognized as an essential tool for anyone wanting to work with this beautiful and environmentally friendly construction method. From sourcing and processing raw materials to applying the final finish, each stage of this exciting technique is demystified. Topics include: The story of earthen floors through the ages and their role in modern green buildingTips and tools for site preparation, mixing, pouring, burnishing, sanding, oiling, sealing, and moreRecipes and ratios for the ideal earthen floor mix, subfloor insulation and vapor barrier options, and how to achieve the perfect pourBeyond the basics – inlays, color washes, prints, patterns, alternative fibers, and other creative optionsRadiant heat, electric wire heated floors, and other improvements for cooler climatesUpdated resources section with suggestions for tool and material suppliers. Packed with new in-depth case studies and inspirational photographs, and drawing on the collective knowledge of the most qualified and experienced practitioners, Earthen Floors, Second Edition is a must-read for natural builders, homeowners, architects, contractors, and DIY enthusiasts.