From Crimea to Kherson – How the Kremlin’s ‘Self-Determination’ Plan Became a Blueprint for Ethnic Cleansing Putin chose self-determination over respect. He offered Russian passports to citizens of other countries (former Soviet citizens in 2002, Crimea residents in 2014, Ukraine residents in 2017, residents of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in 2019, residents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Moldova, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts in 2022). Individuals born of two Russian parents are also eligible for a RussianContinue reading “PUTIN’S PASSPORT WAR: How Vlad Invades, Evicts, and Calls It ‘Freedom”
Monthly Archives: March 2025
UK Ministry of Defence’s Struggle with Strategic Thinking
By Lee Pilgrim Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) faces a persistent and systemic challenge that undermines its ability to prepare effectively for future conflicts: a shortage of operational thinkers in strategic roles and an institutional inability to break free from short-term operational cycles of decision-making. This entrenched focus on immediate priorities—often driven by budgetary constraints, political pressures, and a culture of deployment-centric careerism—has repeatedly compromised long-term capability development. Evidence of this malaiseContinue reading “UK Ministry of Defence’s Struggle with Strategic Thinking”
Renewed Gaza Strikes
Israel has renewed air and land strikes on Gaza, with US approval, over the past few days. Having completed Phase 1 of the ceasefire agreement after a fashion, it has proved impossible for the Israelis and Hamas to agree on a basis that satisfies both sides, and the Israeli government’s patience has run out – quite understandably. The purpose of their renewed offensive into Gaza is to degrade Hamas even further andContinue reading “Renewed Gaza Strikes”
Trump Hammers The Houthis
In a move which should have surprised no-one, President Donald Trump has authorised a series of strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, carried out this weekend, using only US assets on this occasion. The American attacks were launched after the Yemeni rebel group threatened to resume attacks on Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea, prompted by Israel’s total blockade of the Gaza Strip which is now in its third week. Trump announcedContinue reading “Trump Hammers The Houthis”
The former first minister of Northern Ireland on surviving an IRA bomb, her new life as a baroness and why it takes courage to compromise
Arlene Foster interview: – Sunday Telegraph Gordon Rayner Associate Editor If Volodymyr Zelensky wants a sympathetic ear as he tries to find a path to peace, he could do worse than turning to Baroness Foster, a woman who has spent much of her life in the toughest of negotiations. The former first minister of Northern Ireland, like the Ukrainian president, knows what it is like to enter talks with sworn enemies, suppressing personal feelingsContinue reading “The former first minister of Northern Ireland on surviving an IRA bomb, her new life as a baroness and why it takes courage to compromise”