Every so often governments undertake acts of unarguable good. These moments are rare, and they are frequently small, justifiable less in terms of their large-scale consequences than their own morality or merit. But governments must still be induced to act in this way. And good ought to be recognised when it is done. One such […]
Donald Trump’s press conference with Vladimir Putin of Russia on Monday has sparked uproar across the US. Senior political and intelligence figures from both parties have described Trump’s pro-Putin performance as a betrayal of US values and the acquiescence of US interests to an ardent American enemy. They are right to do so. But why […]
Observers of the diplomatic tour that sacked Brussels, laid waste to Britain, and then ended on a nuclear-tipped grand finale in Helsinki know that, like Oscar Wilde, Donald Trump travels the world with nothing to declare but his genius. And, like the divine Oscar, the less-than-divine Donald is a comedian who mistakes himself for a […]
By this time next week, the security of Western democratic nations may have been irreparably damaged. It is at least a plausible outcome that a US president who openly despises the country’s allies and the policies of his postwar predecessors will have wrecked the transatlantic alliance. I hope this is mere alarmism but the risks are […]
There are good reasons to be worried about the damage that the US President can do to NATO at today’s summit in Brussels. For much of his adult life, Donald Trump has harboured a distinct disdain for the alliance. As early as in 1987, he spoke of America’s “disproportionate” contributions, of which other countries were […]
At home we are consumed by Brexit — and the World Cup — for as long as both last, but in the world outside, change is happening. The rules-based international system looks weaker now than at any time since the end of the Cold War. Our alliances are not failing, but they are in trouble. […]
The South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) is an organisation dedicated to supporting the victims of terrorism in the part of Northern Ireland where I was born and brought up. A few months ago, SEFF brought an exhibition to the mainland which remembers many of Fermanagh’s Troubles victims with a quilt. The quilt tries to do […]
When he makes his first formal visit to the United Kingdom later this week, President Donald Trump will greeted by throngs of angry protesters, as well as a giant balloon of a “Baby Trump” flying over London. Irrespective of his domestic or economic policies, there is one area in which he should be given strong […]
Over the past decade, Britain has experienced it’s political status quo radically change. Reflecting back on 2010, when the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition was ushered into Downing Street, politics seemed vastly more stable than it is today. The country was yet to witness the rise of Scottish nationalism and Euroscepticism. Both issues have left us with […]
With the World Cup in full swing, it’s easy (and maybe even useful) to forget about the tensions engulfing relations between Russia and the West. But however tempting such escapism may be, sporting festivals – even hugely successful ones – can hardly break impasses between governments. The tournament’s joy will fade quickly. The political problems, on the other hand, are […]
From Westminster Bridge to La Rambla in Barcelona and from the Champs-Élysées to Manchester Arena, last year was a bloody and horrible one as Europe suffered at the hands of terrorists. As the war against Islamic State in Syria reaches its endgame and hate preachers encourage homegrown extremists to carry out further attacks, the threat from […]
NATO leaders will soon assemble in Brussels for their summer summit. The fact that they are meeting in the organisation’s brand new £900 million headquarters should not mask the fact that the alliance has faced some serious challenges of late. At a recent Henry Jackson Society workshop, jointly hosted with NATO and the Konrad Adenauer […]
Gavin Williamson is an ambitious man. He is, after all, a politician. People in that line of work are hardly immune from ambition’s siren call. Political careers are often embarked upon with the highest of hopes, sometimes accompanied by the most outlandish of expectations. Even the most parochial of political figures cherish some secret ambition. […]
The British Armed Forces have a long and proud history – but the time has now come for major reform so that they are properly able to serve the nation in the modern world. There is no shortage of public comment from the Forces themselves as to the many difficulties they face. The acknowledged problems […]
Donald Trump’s transactional approach to business is mirrored in his approach to foreign policy. How else to explain why, last week, he raged against the G7 and embraced North Korea? The President seems bent on alienating America’s traditional allies and emboldening American’s traditional enemies. This is the situation facing NATO as it approaches its summit […]
On Thursday, Vladimir Putin welcomed everyone to Russia for a “splendid football feast”. He then sat down with Mohammad Bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, to watch 11 men from a murderous kleptocracy thrash 11 men from a murderous theocracy 5-0. It all added to a niggling sense that the bad guys are […]
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