Defence
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.
Coalition sacks brave troops rather than risk anger of defence contractors
The Government's axe looks like it will fall on the the frontline. It has been announced that there will be a reduction in the number of service men and women in order to save money, whilst continuing with massive defence procurement spending - drawing criticism from the Pentagon and the tabloid press alike.
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.
Watching the watchkeepers: Why regulate drones?
A debate is quietly raging in the US press over remote-controlled warfare. On one side is the Wall Street Journal, which ran an editorial in April praising the expansion of UCAVs under Obama; on the other side is The New Yorker and The Nation, with Tom Engelhardt of the latter taking a strong line.
Coalition needs to work out where it stands on Trident
The call by former defence chiefs Lords Bramall, Beach and Ramsbotham to delay a new Trident programme for at least another 15 years as Britain no longer requires an “all-singing, all-dancing” version as currently planned, raises fresh concerns as to both the strategic value and value to the tax payer of the £97 billion defence procurement programme.
Where next for Afghanistan after McChrystal’s dismissal
It is a professional maxim, and sound piece of personal wisdom, that the greatest gift one person can give another is clear expectations. In that respect, the leadership of the NATO coalition in Afghanistan has not been particularly generous of late: the past two weeks have seen surprisingly public outbreaks of discord at the highest levels of the British and American security establishments.