Russia and Eurasia

The House of Commons Defence Committee has published the HSC's evidence to the committee's inquiry into the potential end of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

An HSC Senior Fellow, Dr Rowan Allport, has had a comment piece published by UK Defence Journal. In it, he gives his analysis of the UK Government's recently published Modernising Defence Programme report - a document intended to point the way ahead for UK defence policy.

Rather than simply being name changes, the appointments of Mike Pompeo, John Bolton and Gina Haspel may signal the beginnings of a shift in White House foreign policy stance.

As Britain comes to grips with a series of (largely self-inflicted) political traumas, the country’s security focus is becoming increasingly rationalised around its NATO commitments. Whilst they were conceived of in a different era, the Queen Elizabeth-class have the potential – if properly supported – to greatly aid this mission.

Following an extended period in which Norway could focus its military efforts in the Middle East and Asia, Oslo is now having to face threats closer to home. NATO also has a major role in the defence of Norway and the surrounding region, but serious questions remain over the progress it has made in meeting the challenges on its northern flank.

The UK’s unwillingness to risk military conflict with Russia is understandable. Corbyn’s justification for non-intervention is much less so.

The emergence of the EEU as a counterweight to the EU, US, and China poses a direct challenge to the efforts of much of the international community since the fall of the Soviet Union.

States must stand against those who hijack it, however, by its very nature, R2P is a political tool and tensions exist with the ideological nature of international law.

The prospect of another frozen conflict thus appears increasingly likely, with significant implications for long-term stability and security in Europe.

The European Union and United States have a responsibility to raise their voices and actively confront the Russian Federation with respect to minority rights and freedom of expression in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine.