Trident delay rumours lead to contrasting reactions on all sides
The Coalition’s rumoured delay on Trident renewal has sparked contrasting reactions on all sides of the political spectrum.
Brexit & Foreign Policy
Defeatism or realism in Afghanistan?
Wars, like all violence, tend to pull us towards absolutes. We either win, as in the Second World War, or lose, as in Vietnam or with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The former soldier in me is easily ‘pulled’ into seeing the conflict in Afghanistan as a matter of absolutes, of simple ‘Cause, Effect and Solution’. But the analyst in me sees things differently.
Will Hague and Clegg deliver on their pledge to the Chagossians?
Is the Coalition Government’s commitment to human rights an accurate reflection on their foreign policy or is it just a hypocritical string of half-truths?
Iran: The West plays hard over nukes but is less vocal on human rights abuses
Dealing with Iran is becoming an increasingly difficult task for the international community. The Persian state poses two problems in particular: its contravention of human rights, and its nuclear aspirations.
“We are but five men…” walking the long and winding road to peace
The Middle East peace talks will resume today amidst renewed hope of a permanent peace, with President Obama last night urging Israeli and Palestinian leaders not to let the chance of peace “slip away” – warning that “this moment of opportunity may not soon come again”.
Encouraging consensus on development policy from leadership candidates
Though four weeks remain till the result of the leadership election is known, there are a few things of which the Labour Campaign for International Development (LCID) can be certain. No matter who wins on 25th September the party will continue to be a passionate supporter of development issues.
Obama’s Afghan withdrawal timetable is a morale boost for our enemies
President Obama’s timetabling of the forthcoming withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan has been described as playing into the hands of the Taliban. Retiring US Marine General James Conway yesterday acknowledged that the July 2011 timeframe had given fighters a ‘morale boost’.
Mitchell: perception created by DfID leak is “total bollocks”
Andrew Mitchell invited Left Foot Forward for a conversation about his approach to international development. He dismissed the perception created by a DfID leak as “total bollocks”
More calls for Mitchell to explain himself as aid organisations voice concerns
More on the DfID leak story, as it emerged last night that Oxfam, Christian Aid and Save the Children sent a joint letter of protest to international development secretary Andrew Mitchell on the leaked cuts.
Storm clouds gather as Mitchell faces more questions on climate aid
The storm surrounding Andrew Mitchell continues to grow, with the Financial Times today reporting that Whitehall officials were drawing up plans to reclassify energy department programmes as aid. Aid for climate change is a controversial issue, with many in thetest