Contrary to PM Starmer’s assertion at Wednesday’s PMQs, Kosovo highlighted that major political change can be brought about from the skies. If, as is said, war is too important to be left to the generals, it should never be left to the lawyers.
The greater danger likely lies in unthinking adoration of the totems of whatever qualifies as “international law”. That tendency is obviously very strong in the Starmer government, starting with the man himself.
The EU seeks to avoid duplication, but there is already a cross-European defence forum that could address efficiency issues, such as armed forces’ inter-operability, it’s called NATO.
The Reform crowd may enjoy their fanboying, but politics is a serious, complicated business, and deep down voters know that complex issues, unlike penguins, aren’t always black and white
His disorder is not of the psychopath who lacks all empathy but of the person who has all too much, but only for himself.
Extracting critical minerals from Greenland, sustainably, would be beneficial for all NATO members, and help reduce an over-reliance on supplies from more geo-politically complex parts of the world.
Last February we committed to 3 per cent this Parliament, not Labour’s vague ‘ambition’ of 3 per cent by the next one. Our Sovereign Defence Fund would see £6bn of other Government R&D redirected to procuring drones and counter-drone tech for the military.
Starmer can try to bring the focus back to the cost of living in Britain, but with dubious solutions and the volatility of world affairs, having been criticised for being too focused on the international stage, he may find he’s going to be dragged back on it.
Though Trump would like to see the transatlantic alliance dead, it is too strong for any one leader to destroy. Better to ally ourselves with the transatlantic majority in Congress, to make any attempt to seize Greenland harder.
The President’s vision seems to be of an empire without the tedious long-term responsibilities that attend having one, including responsibilities to allies and collaborators.
Any state guaranteeing peace must be legally bound to do so, particularly amid political volatility across the continent.
Traditional allies of the United States have, however, plenty of instruments to ensure it can be defused, while building up their independent military industrial base and armed forces.
NATO’s usual way of thinking has been less about creating an effective deterrence and more about collective finger wagging. Its chronic spinelessness has been the West’s slowest-burning tragedy.
A rush to normalise relations with Russia would be a grave, historic mistake – one that Europe and the world will pay for dearly.
Focussed on domestic issues, the November budget made no reference as to how the 5 per cent NATO defence spending target will be met. The UK Government is doing too little to prepare the British people for the security challenges ahead.