The Chatham House event focused on the UK’s defense obligations and spending, highlighting concerns about readiness for potential conflicts, particularly with Russia. Discussions emphasized the need for urgent action to enhance defense capabilities, accountability in spending, and a national dialogue on strategic priorities. Comparisons to Germany and Poland revealed the UK lagging in defense investment.
The Chatham House meeting highlighted Ukraine’s perilous situation amidst military pressure from Russia, energy crises, and a political corruption scandal involving $100 million in kickbacks. The persistence of crony capitalism undermines trust and impacts EU relations. Reforming governance and law enforcement is critical for rebuilding post-war Ukraine and addressing systemic corruption.
View More Chatham House: How corruption threatens war effort in Ukraine, and what is the remedy?
The Chatham House event discusses the relevance of the United Nations amid global challenges. Speakers Rebeca Grynspan and Sir Mark Lyall Grant emphasize the impact of nationalism, trade wars, and the need for reform. Grynspan, nominated for UN Secretary-General, advocates for proactive diplomacy and the importance of multilateralism in a changing world.
View More Chatham House: A new multilateralism. How are the UN and other global organizations adapting to a new world?
Mike Pence shared insights on U.S. foreign policy at Chatham House, emphasizing the importance of strong transatlantic ties amid rising global tensions with Russia and China. He highlighted the need for America to lead while addressing issues like public debt and immigration reform. Pence asserted that strong alliances and values are crucial for global stability.
View More Chatham House: Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States, speaks at Chatham House
The meeting discusses the UK’s aid budget amid global aid cuts, primarily due to reduced US funding. Speakers emphasize the geopolitical impact, highlighting how aid affects conflict resolution, health, and climate issues. They call for renewed commitment to development, addressing poverty, and the need for a cohesive international framework, especially regarding the UN.
View More Chatham House: Aid in an age of security: What should the UK’s global priorities be?
Asaad al-Shaibani, Syria’s foreign minister, outlines post-civil war plans to rebuild international relations and internal governance. The new regime aims for inclusivity, economic investment, and transitional justice while addressing community trust. He emphasizes a pragmatic approach towards rebuilding, focusing on diplomatic ties, especially with the UK and Turkey, amidst regional challenges.
View More Chatham House: A foreign policy for the new Syria
Wez G – Peace Podcast is a musical blend featuring artists from Russia and Ukraine, hosted by an English DJ. The podcast aims to promote unity and hopes for an end to the ongoing war. A Spotify playlist of the featured songs is available, excluding one track.
View More Wez G – Peace Podcast – подкаст о мире
This deep vocal techno track is a peace song by Wez G for the war between Russia and Ukraine – a Ба́ба-Яга́ is a deadly drone used by both sides in this conflict. BUY / STREAM HERE: Ба́ба-Яга́ by Wez G
View More Wez G – Ба́ба-Яга́
Artificial Intelligence or AI is a real technology buzz word. It has dominated global news stories and is seen as the great new leap forward in modern technology that will have a transformative effect on all our daily lives. Whereas the advantages to the civilian sector seem positive, good and…
View More Review: AI, Automation, And War – The Rise Of A Military-Tech Complex – by Anthony King
I discovered this book at Chatham House library. The front cover image of Arkan with his trademark white tiger gave away a lot of the subject detail of the book. It focuses on the war of the former Yugoslavia. Later in the work we touch upon the mass atrocities in…
View More Review: Architectures of Violence – The Command Structures of Modern Mass Atrocities – by Kate Ferguson
The past year’s headlines have been hijacked by global conflict. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli reaction to Hamas in Palestine. These two major wars have dominated. Yet a major, long-running war that has endured for 35 years came to a head in September 2023 when the conflict…
View More The Long, Forgotten War in Nagorno-Karabakh
I am a new member of Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, in London. On a recent visit, I made use of the vast resources of a very well-stocked library at Chatham House and this book is the first of the loans that I have finished reading. It…
View More Review: Moscow Rules: What Drives Russia To Confront The West – by Keir Giles
Chatham House is the Royal Institute of International Affairs. It is based in St. James’ Square, Mayfair, London, a short walk from Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. I have been a member of Chatham House for several months but with me being based in Wales all of my interactions thus far have…
View More Chatham House: How Effective Are The United States’ Sanctions? 19.06.2023
I have previously read a lot of material on World War 2 codebreakers and the likes of Alan Turing and their critical work against Enigma and the invention of modern computing during that period. Of course, codebreaking and cryptography is not a new science and has been a critical part…
View More Review: Before Bletchley Park – The Codebreakers of The First World War – by Paul Gannon
I had previously read Alison Weir’s most excellent book specifically on Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine many years ago so the author was familiar to me. I chanced upon this title in my local library (Caldicot) and thought I’d give it a go. It covers the lives of several British Queens,…
View More Review: Queens of the Crusades – by Alison Weir