United Kingdom

Obama and NATO should act before the Syria crisis spreads further

By Simon Tisdall, the Guardian

Joint Strike Fighter II: The Best is the Enemy of the Good?

By Julian Lindley-French

Today is the thirtieth anniversary of the 1982 Argentine invasion of the Falklands about which I will say more later in the week. Last week I wrote a piece about the spiraling out of control costs of the ‘Fifth Generation’ F-35 Lightning II all-singing, all-dancing multirole combat aircraft.

Bradford: The Coming Crisis of European Democracy

By Julian Lindley-French

A political earthquake took place last night in the city of Bradford, in my home county of Yorkshire, that is relevant not only to Britain but could well signal a coming crisis of European democracy – the revolt of the people against the professional political caste. The defeat of the long-incumbent Labour Party by George […]

Joint Strike Fighter: How Not to Build an Aircraft

By Julian Lindley-French

F-35 Lightning II is a name to conjure with. Otherwise known as Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) ten countries are collaborating under US leadership to build a fifth generation multirole fighter that can apparently do everything and not be seen doing it – whatever it is it does. Last week BaE systems announced the opening of […]

Hands Across the Pond

By Andrew Wilson, the New Atlanticist

From Andrew Wilson, the New Atlanticist:  Both Cameron and Obama, therefore, need friends; and friendship was, indeed, what the official visit was designed to project.

Europe’s lack of key defense capabilities raises doubts about NATO’s future

By Andrew Exum, World Politics Review

From Andrew Exum, World Politics Review:  Many Poles now worry the NATO alliance is but a shadow of its former self and wonder whether it can be counted upon for support in the future.

Hands Across the Pond

By Andrew Wilson

To his base on the right, it was yet another slam-dunk for David Cameron. The British Prime Minister, fresh from delivering a black eye to those presumptuous Europeans, received the royal treatment in the United States last week, with an unprecedented trip on Air Force One, redcoats marching on the White House lawn and even—here […]