In the early hours of 6 June, Russia launched yet another massive air assault on civilian targets in Ukraine – a grim reminder that the Kremlin continues to rely on terror as a core tactic in its war. Although not the most extensive missile strike since the onset of the full-scale invasion, it was by…
Defence
Can US Sanctions, and an End to Double Standards over Sudan Prevent more Extreme Violence?
Photo by Mohamed Tohami on Unsplash The US State Department’s imposition of sanctions against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) over their use of chemical weapons suggests the beginnings of a shift in the international community’s engagement with the crisis in Sudan. Along with concerns over Iran and other nations supplying the arms that enabled the…
Pegasus Bridge
Spare a thought tonight for the selfless courage of the young men of the air landing brigade of the 6th Airborne Division of the British Parachute Regiment who spearheaded the D-Day allied forces 81 years ago. In a daring surprise attack, they landed by parachute and gliders behind enemy lines shortly after midnight east of…
Frontex Should be Deployed in Spain Say MEPs
Photo by Elvira Blumfelde on Unsplash MEPs are urgently calling for Frontex to be deployed in Ceuta and Melilla – Spain’s autonomous cities on the North African coast – to help protect the EU’s southern border. The demand follows a recent fact-finding mission to the area by a group of centre right Euro deputies. EPP…
Escalation Not Peace
Russia’s Largest Aerial Onslaught on Ukraine Marks Escalation, Not Peace In a devastating escalation of its war against Ukraine, Russia launched its largest aerial assault since the unprovoked invasion began in 2022. Between May 24 and 25, Russian forces fired 367 drones and missiles at targets across Ukraine. This massive attack clearly indicates that Moscow…
Sudan Forces Sanctioned by the USA
A nexus of chemical weapons, terrorist groups, and a threat to the Red Sea The US State Department notified Congress on Thursday of its determination on the use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), triggering sanctions to begin in 15 days. The sanctions include restrictions on US exports and financing to the…
New Sanctions on Russia and Belarus
Photo by MDSUMAR28 on Unsplash MEPs in Brussels have backed increased tariffs on fertilisers and certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods. The move, taken in a vote on Thursday, seeks to reduce EU dependency on those imports. The parliamentary plenary has endorsed the EU Commission proposal to increase by 50% EU tariffs on agricultural products…
Ukraine’s Enduring Struggle
Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash As Europe marks the anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we are reminded of Ukraine’s critical role in securing victory over Nazism – and of the striking parallels between that historic struggle and today’s war against Russian aggression. Once again, Ukraine finds itself on the front…
Orbán’s Catatonic Agenda
Photo by Joshua Fuller on Unsplash Viktor Orbán has long been regarded as an outlier in the European Union, but in recent years, his government’s actions have represented more than mere political dissent. Orbán is executing a deliberate strategy that challenges the unity and principles of the Western alliance. While maintaining formal membership in the…
Lüneburger Heide
Photo by Galt Museum & Archives on Unsplash On 4th May in 1945 General Sir Bernard Montgomery and Admiral Hans-Georg Friedrich Ludwig Robert von Friedeburg signed the unconditional surrender of the German armed forces (including the navy and naval vessels) in North West Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands at a camp in Lüneburger Heide in…