Academic and security analyst Andreas Krieg, an Associate Professor in Security Studies at King’s College London, has issued a public apology via his X account. In this statement, he acknowledged that international media lawyer Paul Tweed became “collateral damage” in an agenda Krieg was pursuing regarding the United Arab Emirates. Krieg admitted that the allegations he made were false, unfair, and defamatory.
Academic and security analyst Andreas Krieg, who is an Associate Professor in Security Studies at King’s College London, has issued a public apology via his X account to Paul Tweed.
In the below statement, he acknowledged that international media lawyer Paul Tweed became “collateral damage” in an agenda Krieg was pursuing regarding the United Arab Emirates. Krieg admitted that the allegations he made were false, unfair, and defamatory.
Krieg confirmed that he is now withdrawing these allegations “unreservedly,” describing the allegations as having “no basis whatsoever.” He offered an explicit apology to Paul Tweed for questioning his professional independence and integrity, noting that the claims should never have been made or published in the first place.
Additionally, Krieg announced that he removed a previous post regarding Tweed’s work after a court found it defamatory. As part of the settlement terms—and at Tweed’s specific request—Krieg will now make a charitable donation to Reporters Without Borders.
Legal Proceedings and Resolution
The apology follows legal proceedings which originated by material in Krieg’s book and a post on X, which Tweed argued damaged his professional reputation. The case concluded with the requirement for Krieg to issue a public apology and retract his previous claims.
Following the hearing, Paul Tweed issued a video statement:
“I am very satisfied with Dr. Krieg’s unreserved and categoric apology to me before the High Court in Belfast this morning, along with his request to the publishers, Georgetown University Press, that they withdraw and destroy all remaining copies of the book.
Dr. Krieg has admitted that I have been ‘collateral damage’ in his agenda against the UAE, and it is most disappointing that my professionalism was ever called into question in such circumstances.
I remain of the firm view that Dr. Krieg’s close association with the State of Qatar should have been made clear to readers of his book. It is disappointing that King’s College London continued to lend institutional credibility to the book and promote it on their research portal for several years, notwithstanding repeated notice of the nature of its content.
Dr. Krieg was afforded every opportunity at the outset to withdraw his defamatory allegations and thereby avoid the very significant legal costs and lengthy litigation process that followed. This case was never driven by financial motivation. My sole concern had been to vindicate my reputation and not to seek monetary damages.
In that context, no financial compensation has been pursued. Instead, at my request, Dr. Krieg has made a discretionary donation to Reporters Without Borders.
Finally, I would point out that no lawyer should come under attack for doing their job, as it serves only to undermine the rule of law and the integrity of the entire legal system. And I would just like to thank my legal team, including lawyers Marie Hans and Caoimhe Cunningham here. Thank you.”
Disclosed Interests and Business Ties
The full apology on Krieg’s X account is stated below:
“PAUL TWEED – APOLOGY
In my book, “Subversion: The Strategic Weaponization of Narratives”, I made a number of false, unfair and defamatory allegations and inferences relating to the work of the international media lawyer, Paul Tweed.
I regret that Mr Tweed was collateral damage in my critical agenda relating to the UAE.
I unreservedly retract these totally unfounded allegations and sincerely apologise to Mr Tweed for questioning his impartiality and integrity and for the untrue allegations, which I never should have made or published in the first place.
I have also deleted a tweet referring to Mr Tweed’s work, which the Court has found to be defamatory.
In addition to the other terms of settlement, as a mark of my regret and at Mr Tweed’s request, I am making a charitable donation to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Dr Andreas Krieg
King’s College London”
Conclusion and Broader Implications
The above apology serves as an implicit acknowledgment of a politicized approach toward the United Arab Emirates that failed to meet professional and objective standards. Krieg’s admission regarding “collateral damage” suggests that his critiques moved beyond academic debate into a broader narrative context.
The case also highlights the escalating legal consequences for content published in books, public studies, and on social media platforms when that content impacts professional reputation or personal integrity. It underscores the level of public legal accountability now expected across both academic and media spheres.
