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November 5, 2012 | Smart Defense: A Eurosubmarine

Balazs Martonffy: The nuclear submarine fleets of Britain and France are in need of replacement. Both countries and their defense industries should build a single co-produced platform. This “Eurosubmarine” might initially be designed to fully replace each nation’s fleet in an economical way, but could eventually lead to a joint European nuclear deterrent.

June 7, 2012 | Intervention is Not the Answer in Syria

Paul Smyth: The increasing bloodshed in Syria understandably generates a feeling that something must be done to end it, such as taking the principle of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) seriously and acting accordingly. This may be a popular opinion but it can be very difficult to implement such noble feelings; instead, the pursuit of just causes must be based on logic, not sentiment.

November 2, 2011 | The UK and the Uncertainties of Energy Security

Christian von Campe: Energy security is a key issue for nearly every industrialized state, and the United Kingdom is no exception. This paper examines energy policy in the UK from a threat perspective, and proposes solutions for ensuring the heavy dependence on a sufficient and secure energy supply is not an Achilles heel.

September 15, 2011 | Beyond Pooling and Sharing: Open Europe's Markets

Robert Helbig: Europe should integrate its national defense capabilities not only in training and deploying troops, but also in research, development and procurement. States must open their national defense markets to increase competition, lower equipment prices and make spending more efficient.

September 14, 2011 | A Modest Proposal for Pan-European Defense

Nikolas Kirrill Gvosdev: The idea of intra-alliance military specialization in Europe is attractive in theory, but problematic in practice. Instead, officials should pursue a two-tiered pan-European defense force, which would facilitate deployment beyond Europe and improve effeciency using economies of scale.

September 13, 2011 | The Impact of the Financial Crisis on European Defense

Christian Mölling: Europe’s defense policy has reached a pivotal moment: states can either initiate comprehensive defense sector reform through the EU, or compromise their security long-term. Europe must link its national military capabilities to improve efficiency and stave off collective security decline.

June 12, 2009 | Western Europe Should Look to Neighbors to Improve EU Vote

Rudi Guraziu: With the lowest ever turnout in European Union elections, the future of the Union has seriously been put in doubt. Conservative victories have caused major concern in membership hopeful, Turkey. If Europe fails to speak as one, its global economic and political influence could be jeopardized.

April 1, 2009 | US-UK Relationship: Not so Special Anymore

William Wallace and Christopher Phillips: The “special relationship” between the US and the UK has been characterized as the preeminent transatlantic bond. But the relationship differs as presidents and prime ministers change. The Obama administration is interested in a partnership with the major European states collectively more than with the UK alone.

January 16, 2009 | HOT ISSUE: UK Slams Poor European Committment in Afghanistan

From the Editorial Team: British Defence Secretary John Hutton has called upon NATO allies to pull their weight and share the burden in Afghanistan. In one of the most outspoken speeches from a British defence minister in years, Hutton reprimands some EU members for a lack of commitment to global security interests.

August 24, 2012 | The US Has Learned, the UK Has Not

The approach that encouraged the financial crisis has still not been replaced and sufficient regulation is lacking on both sides of the Atlantic. ++ The US recognizes this, but the UK does not. ++ Some wrongfully claim the regulations of the Financial Services Authority are detrimental to the banking system. ++ On account of the multiple regulatory authorities in the US, bankers are deterred

February 23, 2012 | How Cameron Can Save the UK

If he proposed a federal UK, David Cameron could save the union while improving both Tory electoral chances and UK politics. ++ The current political arrangements in the UK are unsustainable. ++ Depending on timing, Scottish independence might not be decided on merits alone but rather on dislike for Cameron. ++ He must address the issue before Scotland votes on independence. ++ Cameron should

January 25, 2012 | US Arms Won't Create Middle East Stability

The US and Britain have just concluded weaponry deals to Saudi Arabia worth $53 billion. ++ These deals are a short term solution to ease their recession hit economies presented as an opportunity to promote stability in the Middle East. ++ The real dangers faced by Arab countries are domestic religious extremism and militant terrorism. ++ Allowing the free market to flourish, protecting

September 14, 2011 | Britain Rejects EU Defense Proposal

An EU plan to create a defense-planning headquarters in Brussels has been met with harsh opposition in Britain. ++ As European countries struggle to balance budgets, British politicians see the proposed European project as costly and unnecessary. ++ While the UK is willing to play a central role in NATO’s foreign and defense policy, it is increasingly distancing itself from European

July 19, 2011 | British Attitudes Towards the UK's International Priorities

Chatham House’s second survey in partnership with YouGov tests British thinking about the country’s place in the world and assesses how this thinking may have changed during the coalition government’s first year in office.
Key findings include:

Support for close transatlantic relations declines with decreasing age, with 18–24-year-olds being the least supportive. This trend by age

November 9, 2010 | China's Road to Success Lies in Trade with the West

British PM David Cameron is leading one of the biggest ever trade delegations to China. ++ China has been slow in opening up its economy to the rest of the world lest it fall into the capitalist trap. ++ Mr. Cameron’s visit provides the West an opportunity to extend reassurances to Bejing that theWest needs it to succeed and that free institutions will guarantee China’s prosperity as

November 2, 2010 | The Unknown Enemies Who Live Among Us

The Yemeni bomb plot and the initial lack of urgency on the part of UK authorities betray worrying flaws in its national security apparatus. ++ Contrary to what many in Britain think, having strong, legal security policies do not undermine civil liberties but rather strengthen them. ++ Moreover, some sections of UK Government, academia and the legal community apparently ignore the fact that the

July 20, 2010 | The Special Relationship is No Longer So Special

David Cameron’s first visit to the White House will be accompanied by the usual pomp and circumstance, but the special relationship between the UK and the US is devoid of any real substance. ++ Obama and Cameron do not share common ground on domestic or economic issues, and the UK has lost its significance in trade to the EU. ++ With the legacies of 9/11 and Iraq fading, the relationship

July 14, 2009 | Taliban Will Let the Guns Talk

Britain and the US seek dialogue with the Taliban but the Taliban are not in the mood to talk. ++ Taliban leader Mullah Omar’s wants military victory and nothing can stop the war in Afghanistan except a clear defeat of the occupation armies. ++ He set up a coherent fighting strategy amongst different Taliban groups that aims to launch attacks on NATO. ++ Additionally, al-Qaeda will continue to

June 8, 2009 | A Tectonic Shift Could Be Heading for UK Politics

Following disastrous results in the European and local elections on the weekend, Gordon Brown’s premiership is undoubtedly in its death throes. ++ “The danger for Labour is that, if he remains at the helm, the party itself could be imperilled.” ++ History shows that great parties can rise and fall and it would be dangerous to assume that “British politics is fixed for good in a

March 9, 2009 | An Empty Special Relationship

Gordon Brown, like several of his predecessors, is incapable of admitting how unbalanced the UK’s special relationship with the US really is.++ But has it ever been a relationship amongst equals? ++ Even Churchill, who coined the phrase, was aware of how uneven the relationship was. ++ The disequilibrium reached its peak with Blair; his behavior towards the US highlighted “how much of a satellite

January 27, 2009 | UK Must Shed Neo-Liberal Fears

Nothing can stop increased unemployment, and the young will be hit hardest. ++ The labor market is a social institution which touches on all parts of society. ++ Some companies try to avoid laying off workers, wanting to re-train them instead, but the UK government is not supporting this. ++ We need state-subsidies for people who educate themselves instead of becoming unemployed, we need

January 23, 2009 | Nationalize the Banks, For Good

It is a case of too little, too late for British PM Brown’s second banking-bail out. ++ The current halfway measures are a recipe for failure and “risk turning recession into slump.” ++ The solution is clear: nationalize the banks. ++ Calls for nationalization are coming from economist and CEOs alike, yet the Labour legacy leaves ministers allergic to the prospect of

December 15, 2008 | China's Great Depression

The myth of decoupled markets is all but shattered. ++ Asian countries, especially China, who benefited from trade imbalances and western overconsumption, will have difficulty adjusting. ++ In reaction to these new economic conditions trade deficit countries could absorb the production imbalance through government spending; trade surplus countries could attempt to increase domestic consumption to

December 10, 2008 | British Military Frustrated in Afghanistan

The British military are increasingly angered by the poor international effort to win over hearts and minds in Afghanistan. ++ British generals have been arguing for years that getting the population on side is the key to success. ++ A top official has called the UN’s support “wholly inadequate.” ++ Meanwhile, the Taliban are “winning the information war.” ++ As NATO screams for more

November 28, 2008 | UK Diplomacy Should Heed British Council

The UK wasted a diplomatic opportunity as it opened a classy museum exhibition in Damascus. ++ UK Foreign Secretary Miliband begged Syrian President al-Assad for help with the Middle East peace process, but could have reached out to his influential wife, Asma, who represented Syria at the opening. ++ Sending even a junior minister would have helped. ++ The British are not trusted in the region.

November 19, 2008 | Britain's Black Gold Runs Out

The largely unknown British oil industry was one of the largest in the world, but is now running dry. ++ The drilling platforms off the shore of Scotland gave Prime Minister Thatcher a one-time economic boost that funded her economic policies. ++ The possibility of an independent, oil-financed Scotland has not made oil popular in the UK. ++ Production has fallen 40% since 1999, and Britain has

October 17, 2008 | Financial Crisis Vindicates the EU

The Brown-Darling rescue package for British banks not only provided a template to follow for the rest of the EU, but was also adopted by the US. ++ The British PM did not rest on his laurels and is leading international action even further by calling for reform of global financial institutions like the IMF. ++ This crisis has had one positive outcome: Europeans finally have their act together.

October 13, 2008 | God Save the Queen - She is Saving Us

Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling “have shown us the way through this financial crisis.” ++ The British Prime Minister and his officials lead the world in assessing the financial crisis and quickly enacting an apt solution. ++ The problem: lack of capital in the banking system; Brown’s solution: equity injections, a type of temporary nationalization, with the first commitment of funds coming to

September 24, 2008 | UK: Take Action, Cut Interest Rates

Unemployment in Britain will rise by 2 million by the end of the year. ++ Just last month 81,000 more British citizens were without jobs, causing the unemployment rate to rise from 5.3% to 5.5%. ++ Job activity is on a sharp decline. ++ Employers are not hiring, and unemployment among the youth is very high. ++ Unfortunately, the UK economy tends to follow the path of the US economy, simply six

September 17, 2008 | Zardari's New Vision Dimishes US Role

Republicans may praise the latest series of US forays into Pakistan’s sovereign territory, but they trouble Pakistan’s new President. ++ Therefore, Zardari wants to convince the UK that it is crucial to hold the US back. ++ In addition, he will promote his plan for an intergovernmental counter-terrorist body which would also be backed by other powers. ++ Zardari’s announcement that “the war on

September 5, 2008 | "Nobody in the Office Knows I'm Black"

The often contrived “controversies” in the media illustrate the bad state of race and politics in the UK. ++ So called truths such as “Islam is the problem” or “Racism is natural” naturalise hostility as essential to human beings and thereby legitimate the distinction between “us and them.” ++ The UK and other countries desperately need to create a language which allows them to address these

August 19, 2008 | Poland is a Fall Guy for US Military Lobbyists

By agreeing to host a US missile defence base Poland, like the UK and Czech Republic, became America’s groundbait and exposed itself to a possiblity of a nuclear attack. ++ In turn, the system is supposed to protect Poland as well. ++ Bad news is, MD will not work for at least another 50 years and it is doubtful if ever at all. ++ There is no rationale behind MD: it is only built to

April 7, 2008 | NATO Primacy is Necessary

By duplicating rather than completing the alliance’s functions, the Lisbon Treaty proposals on European defense integration damage NATO. ++ Since supranationalism would only further the EU’s democratic deficit, existing intergovernmental defense planning is preferable. ++ EU defense policy should be placed under NATO umbrella to prevent undermining transatlantic bonds and EU

January 17, 2008 | Gordon Brown Praises the EU

In a speech before business leaders, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown stressed the need for the UK to remain engaged with the EU, in order to push for “reforms that are essential for Europe’s, and Britain’s, economic future.”
Brown, delivering a very pro-European note ahead of a political struggle for ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, rejected calls by the opposition Tories to put the treaty to a

September 3, 2007 | UK Accepts Defeat in Iraq and Focuses on Terrorism

Officials in Washington are confused and disappointed at British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s decision to withdraw troops from Iraq and focus more on Afghanistan, reports Con Coughlin of the Daily Telegraph. Brown, who played a key role in the run-up to the Iraq invasion during Tony Blair’s term in office, is now refusing responsibility for the chaos in Iraq. Coughlin warns Brown and