Can everyone stop saying war footing, it is nonsense

If Ukraine really wants to hit Russia where it hurts, it must increase attacks against its rail network and other core infrastructure.

My latest for the The Telegraph ✍️

telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/2…

Delighted to see this in print! It has taken over a year to bring together – a genuine trilateral cooperation between Council on Geostrategy, PISM and Ukrainian Prism. #Poland , #Ukraine and the #UK should do more together, not only for their own interests, but also to defend #Europe !

The Times and The Sunday Times Shapps also has a direct message for Germany - they must supply their Taurus missiles to Ukraine. 'They are in limited supply and there are a lot of them available in Germany. So yes, they absolutely should be supplied. They would make a recognisable difference.”

“Labour will ensure Britain is better defended'

I hope so, but I'm unsure how given the failure of Labour to match the Prime Minister's recent defence spending commitment...

Very important clarification from the CIJ_ICJ that they did NOT rule there was a plausible case of genocide (there was not) in Gaza, only that the applicant had plausible right to bring a case to the court.

Alan Mendoza Sky News I appreciated the shout out by Robert Clark and the discussion. The question is not should we buy ‘the’ Iron Dome (no) but rather do we need ‘an’ Iron Dome ie layered air defences (most certainly yes)

Does the #UK need an #IronDome like #Israel ?

Here are the arguments for and against from Alan Mendoza and Robert Clark

#KayBurley SS

✍️ 'Don’t punish the horses for charging through London', writes Robert Clark telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/2…

In an ever-growing war on culture, tradition, and heritage, we must resist the inevitable calls to end the four centuries old practice of working horses in the Household Cavalry & the British Army.

My latest for the The Telegraph ✍️
telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/2…

My new paper for Council on Geostrategy, on why #space matters for the UK -- and, more importantly, HOW to make the case for it. As Jonathan Amos noted, I argue for a DEFENCE-centric view of UK #space policy. Listing 'all the things space is good for' doesn't cut it.
geostrategy.org.uk/research/why-s…

Likely because there really are mobs attacking Jews on American campuses, and the story of Palestinian mass graves filled with those murdered by the IDF is a lie that was overthrown a day and more ago. Not that it is surprising to see Nick Kristof and the UN still circulating it.

Prime Minister Announces Defence Spending Increase to 2.5% of GDP 🪖

To explore the current state and trajectory of UK defence spending, and gain insight on the increased high-tech capabilities, click here to read Robert Clark's article: chamberuk.com/defence-spendi…

#defence

My latest for RUSI in response to the NATO 75th celebrations - they should be cut short as the Alliance has a great deal to do, and not enough time to do it...

Neither a 'war-footing' nor a 'really big deal'.

The bare minimum.

If the Prime Minister was serious about defence, 3% would have been announced as a manifesto pledge, thereby also putting political pressure on Labour to match - likely difficult, therefore easy political win.

BREAKING: UK is putting its defence industry on a 'war-footing' - investing £10 billion to ramp up production- as part of a plan to increase defence spending by 2.5% by 2030, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has declared.

This is a really big deal

Deborah Haynes Alessio Patalano Rishi Sunak 2.28 per cent last year (according to NATO) to 2.5 per cent in six years time is not 'a really big deal', still less a 'war footing'. It's a small step in the right direction. More than some are doing (France, Germany, Italy etc) but a lot less than Poland or the Baltic states.

Happy St George’s Day! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

🖊️NEW CIVITAS REPORT🖊️

Back to basics: what is childcare policy for?👶🧩

This report, foreworded by Miriam Cates, argues that in order to improve childcare policy in the UK, we first need to go back to basics and agree on what it is that it’s actually trying to achieve.

Highly informative & timely event today at Policy Exchange, w/ Sir Michael Fallon & the excellent John Spencer - Prof Spencer took great care to highlight how the laws of armed conflict are being adhered to during Israel's legitmate war against Hamas, despite the int. narrative