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Nahar Net
3 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Britain to get defense boost aimed at sending message to Moscow, Trump
The United Kingdom will build new nuclear-powered attack submarines, get its army ready to fight a war in Europe and become "a battle-ready, armor-clad nation," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday, part of a boost to military spending designed to send a message to Moscow — and Washington. Starmer said Britain "cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses" as he pledged to undertake the most sweeping changes to Britain's defenses since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than three decades ago. "The threat we face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War," Starmer told workers and journalists at a navy shipyard in Scotland. A new era of threats Like other NATO members, the U.K. has been reassessing its defense spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The government announced military plans in response to a strategic defense review commissioned by Starmer and led by George Robertson, a former U.K. defense secretary and NATO secretary general. It's the first such review since 2021, and lands in a world shaken and transformed by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and by the re-election of President Donald Trump last year. Months after Britain's last major defense review was published in 2021, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson said with confidence that the era of "fighting big tank battles on European landmass" are over. Three months later, Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine. Starmer's center-left Labour Party government says it will accept all 62 recommendations made in the review, aiming to help the U.K. confront growing threats on land, air sea and in cyberspace. Submarines and weapons The measures include increasing production of submarines and weapons and "learning the lessons of Ukraine," which has rapidly developed its drone technology to counter Moscow's forces and even hit targets deep inside Russia. The government said the U.K, will also establish a cyber command to counter "daily" Russia-linked attacks on Britain's defenses. Monday's announcements include building "up to 12" nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines under the AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United States. The government also says it will invest 15 billion pounds in Britain's nuclear arsenal, which consists of missiles carried on a handful of submarines. Details of those plans are likely to be kept secret. The government will also increase conventional Britain's weapons stockpiles with up to 7,000 U.K.-built long-range weapons. Starmer said rearming would create a "defense dividend" of thousands of well-paid manufacturing jobs — a contrast to the post-Cold War "peace dividend" that saw Western nations channel money away from defense into other areas. Deterring Russia comes at a cost Defense Secretary John Healey said the changes would send "a message to Moscow," and transform the country's military following decades of retrenchment, though he said he does not expect the number of soldiers — currently at a two-century low — to rise until the early 2030s. Healey said plans for defense spending to hit 2.5% of national income by 2027 a year are "on track" and that there's "no doubt" it will hit 3% before 2034. Starmer said the 3% goal is an "ambition," rather than a firm promise, and it's unclear where the cash-strapped Treasury will find the money. The government has already, contentiously, cut international aid spending to reach the 2.5% target. Starmer said he wouldn't make a firm pledge until he knew "precisely where the money is coming from." Even 3% falls short of what some leaders in NATO think is needed to deter Russia from future attacks on its neighbors. NATO chief Mark Rutte says leaders of the 32 member countries will debate a commitment to spend at least 3.5% of GDP on defense when they meet in the Netherlands this month. Bolstering Europe's defenses It's also a message to Trump that Europe is heeding his demand for NATO members to spend more on their own defense. European countries, led by the U.K. and France, have scrambled to coordinate their defense posture as Trump transforms American foreign policy, seemingly sidelining Europe as he looks to end the war in Ukraine. Trump has long questioned the value of NATO and complained that the U.S. provides security to European countries that don't pull their weight. Starmer said his government would make "Britain's biggest contribution to NATO since its creation." "We will never fight alone," he said. "Our defense policy will always be NATO-first." James Cartlidge, defense spokesman for the main opposition Conservative Party, welcomed more money for defense but was skeptical of the government's 3% pledge, "All of Labour's strategic defence review promises will be taken with a pinch of salt unless they can show there will actually be enough money to pay for them," he said.
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Britain is getting a defense boost aimed at sending a message to Moscow, and to President Donald Trump
LONDON — The United Kingdom will build new nuclear-powered attack submarines, get its army ready to fight a war in Europe and become 'a battle-ready, armor-clad nation,' Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday, part of a boost to military spending designed to send a message to Moscow — and Washington. Starmer said Britain 'cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses' as he pledged to undertake the most sweeping changes to Britain's defenses since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than three decades ago. 'The threat we face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War,' Starmer told workers and journalists at a navy shipyard in Scotland. Like other NATO members, the U.K. has been reassessing its defense spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The government announced military plans in response to a strategic defense review commissioned by Starmer and led by George Robertson, a former U.K. defense secretary and NATO secretary general. It's the first such review since 2021, and lands in a world shaken and transformed by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and by the re-election of President Donald Trump last year. Months after Britain's last major defense review was published in 2021, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson said with confidence that the era of 'fighting big tank battles on European landmass' are over. Three months later, Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine. Starmer's center-left Labour Party government says it will accept all 62 recommendations made in the review, aiming to help the U.K. confront growing threats on land, air sea and in cyberspace. The measures include increasing production of submarines and weapons and 'learning the lessons of Ukraine,' which has rapidly developed its drone technology to counter Moscow's forces and even hit targets deep inside Russia. The government said the U.K, will also establish a cyber command to counter 'daily' Russia-linked attacks on Britain's defenses. Monday's announcements include building 'up to 12' nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines under the AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United States. The government also says it will invest 15 billion pounds in Britain's nuclear arsenal, which consists of missiles carried on a handful of submarines. Details of those plans are likely to be kept secret. The government will also increase conventional Britain's weapons stockpiles with up to 7,000 U.K.-built long-range weapons. Starmer said rearming would create a 'defense dividend' of thousands of well-paid manufacturing jobs — a contrast to the post-Cold War 'peace dividend' that saw Western nations channel money away from defense into other areas. Defense Secretary John Healey said the changes would send 'a message to Moscow,' and transform the country's military following decades of retrenchment, though he said he does not expect the number of soldiers — currently at a two-century low — to rise until the early 2030s. Healey said plans for defense spending to hit 2.5% of national income by 2027 a year are 'on track' and that there's 'no doubt' it will hit 3% before 2034. Starmer said the 3% goal is an 'ambition,' rather than a firm promise, and it's unclear where the cash-strapped Treasury will find the money. The government has already, contentiously, cut international aid spending to reach the 2.5% target. Starmer said he wouldn't make a firm pledge until he knew 'precisely where the money is coming from.' Even 3% falls short of what some leaders in NATO think is needed to deter Russia from future attacks on its neighbors. NATO chief Mark Rutte says leaders of the 32 member countries will debate a commitment to spend at least 3.5% of GDP on defense when they meet in the Netherlands this month. It's also a message to Trump that Europe is heeding his demand for NATO members to spend more on their own defense. European countries, led by the U.K. and France, have scrambled to coordinate their defense posture as Trump transforms American foreign policy, seemingly sidelining Europe as he looks to end the war in Ukraine. Trump has long questioned the value of NATO and complained that the U.S. provides security to European countries that don't pull their weight. Starmer said his government would make 'Britain's biggest contribution to NATO since its creation.' 'We will never fight alone,' he said. 'Our defense policy will always be NATO-first.' James Cartlidge, defense spokesman for the main opposition Conservative Party, welcomed more money for defense but was skeptical of the government's 3% pledge, 'All of Labour's strategic defence review promises will be taken with a pinch of salt unless they can show there will actually be enough money to pay for them,' he said.
3 days ago
- Politics
Britain is getting a defense boost aimed at sending a message to Moscow, and to Trump
LONDON -- The United Kingdom will build new nuclear-powered attack submarines, get its army ready to fight a war in Europe and become 'a battle-ready, armor-clad nation,' Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday, part of a boost to military spending designed to send a message to Moscow — and Washington. Starmer said Britain 'cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses' as he pledged to undertake the most sweeping changes to Britain's defenses since the collapse of the Soviet Union more than three decades ago. 'The threat we face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War," Starmer told workers and journalists at a navy shipyard in Scotland. Like other NATO members, the U.K. has been reassessing its defense spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The government announced military plans in response to a strategic defense review commissioned by Starmer and led by George Robertson, a former U.K. defense secretary and NATO secretary general. It's the first such review since 2021, and lands in a world shaken and transformed by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and by the re-election of President Donald Trump last year. Months after Britain's last major defense review was published in 2021, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson said with confidence that the era of 'fighting big tank battles on European landmass' are over. Three months later, Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine. Starmer's center-left Labour Party government says it will accept all 62 recommendations made in the review, aiming to help the U.K. confront growing threats on land, air sea and in cyberspace. The measures include increasing production of submarines and weapons and 'learning the lessons of Ukraine," which has rapidly developed its drone technology to counter Moscow's forces and even hit targets deep inside Russia. The government said the U.K, will also establish a cyber command to counter 'daily' Russia-linked attacks on Britain's defenses. Monday's announcements include building 'up to 12' nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines under the AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United States. The government also says it will invest 15 billion pounds in Britain's nuclear arsenal, which consists of missiles carried on a handful of submarines. Details of those plans are likely to be kept secret. The government will also increase conventional Britain's weapons stockpiles with up to 7,000 U.K.-built long-range weapons. Starmer said rearming would create a 'defense dividend' of thousands of well-paid manufacturing jobs — a contrast to the post-Cold War 'peace dividend' that saw Western nations channel money away from defense into other areas. Defense Secretary John Healey said the changes would send 'a message to Moscow,' and transform the country's military following decades of retrenchment, though he said he does not expect the number of soldiers — currently at a two-century low — to rise until the early 2030s. Healey said plans for defense spending to hit 2.5% of national income by 2027 a year are 'on track' and that there's 'no doubt' it will hit 3% before 2034. Starmer said the 3% goal is an 'ambition,' rather than a firm promise, and it's unclear where the cash-strapped Treasury will find the money. The government has already, contentiously, cut international aid spending to reach the 2.5% target. Starmer said he wouldn't make a firm pledge until he knew 'precisely where the money is coming from.' Even 3% falls short of what some leaders in NATO think is needed to deter Russia from future attacks on its neighbors. NATO chief Mark Rutte says leaders of the 32 member countries will debate a commitment to spend at least 3.5% of GDP on defense when they meet in the Netherlands this month. It's also a message to Trump that Europe is heeding his demand for NATO members to spend more on their own defense. European countries, led by the U.K. and France, have scrambled to coordinate their defense posture as Trump transforms American foreign policy, seemingly sidelining Europe as he looks to end the war in Ukraine. Trump has long questioned the value of NATO and complained that the U.S. provides security to European countries that don't pull their weight. Starmer said his government would make 'Britain's biggest contribution to NATO since its creation.' 'We will never fight alone,' he said. 'Our defense policy will always be NATO-first.' James Cartlidge, defense spokesman for the main opposition Conservative Party, welcomed more money for defense but was skeptical of the government's 3% pledge, 'All of Labour's strategic defence review promises will be taken with a pinch of salt unless they can show there will actually be enough money to pay for them,' he said.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
‘World has changed': Starmer plans UK army ready to fight in Europe to give message to Putin, Trump
Like other Nato members, the UK has been reassessing its defense spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 read more Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, speaks to a member of staff during a visit to the BAE Systems'Govan facility, in Glasgow, Scotland. AP The United Kingdom will build new nuclear-powered attack submarines, prepare its army to fight a war in Europe, and become 'a battle-ready, armor-clad nation,' Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday, as part of a military spending hike intended to send a message to Moscow and Washington. Starmer said Britain 'cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses' as he vowed to make the most significant upgrades to Britain's defences since the Soviet Union's collapse more than three decades ago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The threat we face is more serious, more immediate, and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War,' Starmer told workers and journalists at a naval shipyard in Scotland. A new era of threats Like other Nato members, the UK has been reassessing its defense spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The government announced military plans in response to a strategic defense review commissioned by Starmer and led by George Robertson, a former U.K. defense secretary and Nato secretary general. It's the first such review since 2021, and lands in a world shaken and transformed by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and by the re-election of President Donald Trump last year. Months after Britain's last major defense review was published in 2021, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson said with confidence that the era of 'fighting big tank battles on European landmass' are over. Three months later, Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine. Starmer's center-left Labour Party government says it will accept all 62 recommendations made in the review, aiming to help the U.K. confront growing threats on land, air sea and in cyberspace. Submarines and weapons The measures include increasing production of submarines and weapons and 'learning the lessons of Ukraine,' which has rapidly developed its drone technology to counter Moscow's forces and even hit targets deep inside Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The government said the U.K, will also establish a cyber command to counter 'daily' Russia-linked attacks on Britain's defenses. Monday's announcements include building 'up to 12' nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarines under the AUKUS partnership with Australia and the United States. The government also says it will invest 15 billion pounds in Britain's nuclear arsenal, which consists of missiles carried on a handful of submarines. Details of those plans are likely to be kept secret. The government will also increase conventional Britain's weapons stockpiles with up to 7,000 U.K.-built long-range weapons. Starmer said rearming would create a 'defense dividend' of thousands of well-paid manufacturing jobs — a contrast to the post-Cold War 'peace dividend' that saw Western nations channel money away from defense into other areas. Deterring Russia comes at a cost Defense Secretary John Healey said the changes would send 'a message to Moscow,' and transform the country's military following decades of retrenchment, though he said he does not expect the number of soldiers — currently at a two-century low — to rise until the early 2030s. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Healey said plans for defense spending to hit 2.5% of national income by 2027 a year are 'on track' and that there's 'no doubt' it will hit 3% before 2034. Starmer said the 3% goal is an 'ambition,' rather than a firm promise, and it's unclear where the cash-strapped Treasury will find the money. The government has already, contentiously, cut international aid spending to reach the 2.5% target. Starmer said he wouldn't make a firm pledge until he knew 'precisely where the money is coming from.' Even 3% falls short of what some leaders in Nato think is needed to deter Russia from future attacks on its neighbors. Nato chief Mark Rutte says leaders of the 32 member countries will debate a commitment to spend at least 3.5% of GDP on defense when they meet in the Netherlands this month. Bolstering Europe's defenses It's also a message to Trump that Europe is heeding his demand for Nato members to spend more on their own defense. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD European countries, led by the U.K. and France, have scrambled to coordinate their defense posture as Trump transforms American foreign policy, seemingly sidelining Europe as he looks to end the war in Ukraine. Trump has long questioned the value of Nato and complained that the U.S. provides security to European countries that don't pull their weight. Starmer said his government would make 'Britain's biggest contribution to Nato since its creation.' 'We will never fight alone,' he said. 'Our defense policy will always be Nato-first.' James Cartlidge, defense spokesman for the main opposition Conservative Party, welcomed more money for defense but was skeptical of the government's 3% pledge, 'All of Labour's strategic defence review promises will be taken with a pinch of salt unless they can show there will actually be enough money to pay for them,' he said.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Romania's new president faces daunting challenges after surprise victory over far-right upstart
There was a wave of euphoria and relief across Europe following the election of pro-European liberal Nicusor Dan as Romania's new president. 'For Ukraine — as a neighbour and friend — it is important to have Romania as a reliable partner. And we are confident we will,' said President Volodymyr Zelensky after Dan's victory. Moldovan President Maia Sandu echoed the sentiment: 'Congratulations, dear Nicusor Dan,' she said with visible enthusiasm. The presidential runoff was closely watched in Kyiv and Chisinau, as Dan faced off against George Simion, a Russia-linked nationalist banned from entering both Moldova and Ukraine. Dan's victory, with 53.6% of the vote, surprised many observers. He overcame a significant 20-point deficit from the first round and secured an additional 4.3 million votes in the second round. Voter turnout exceeded 64%, the highest recorded since 1996, reflecting a highly mobilized electorate. Read also: Poland, Romania presidential elections held amid Russian interference, far-right surge — what you need to know A former mathematician and Sorbonne PhD, Nicusor Dan began his political ascent as an anti-corruption activist in Bucharest. After a failed attempt to run for mayor in 2012, he entered local politics in 2016, placing second in the mayoral race and securing council seats for his new political movement — the Save Bucharest Union. That same year, the Save Bucharest Union evolved into the Save Romania Union (USR), which would become a key player in Romanian politics. However, Dan's liberalism had its limits, he left the party a year later after refusing to support equal rights for same-sex couples. Running as an independent, Dan won the Bucharest mayoral election in 2020 and was re-elected in 2024. Now, he makes the short journey — just a 40-minute walk — from Bucharest City Hall to the Cotroceni Presidential Palace. Despite the enthusiasm from European officials, experts warn that Dan faces immediate and formidable challenges. There will be 'no honeymoon,' Romanian journalist Cătălin Tolontan warned. 'Dan has to form a government immediately to manage the country during a time that all economists say is of crisis,' said journalist Magda Gradinaru in an interview with the Kyiv Independent, referring to Romania's rising inflation and growing budget deficit. Beyond economic instability, Dan is expected to deliver on promises of institutional reform and anti-corruption efforts. His stated priorities include fixing the budget deficit, bolstering national security, and restoring public trust in government. Dan's victory also highlighted the weakening legitimacy of Romania's mainstream political parties. 'We had a vote that broke the legitimacy of the mainstream parties,' Gradinaru said. 'These parties will try to preserve the status quo during coalition negotiations.' Some believe that if acting President Ilie Bolojan of the National Liberal Party becomes prime minister, he could consolidate enough parliamentary support. But others are less optimistic. Journalist Sabina Fati pointed out that Dan's outsider image and anti-establishment rhetoric might complicate efforts to build a governing majority. 'Dan said last night that 'Romania needs new people in politics.' That will make negotiations harder,' she noted. 'If the Social Democratic Party — the largest in parliament with over 25% of seats — does not support him, his presidency may suffer from a deficit of credibility.' Notably, the Social Democrats abstained from formally endorsing Dan during the runoff. Dan has promised to reduce political polarization and expressed 'respect' for those who hold different opinions. However, it remains unclear how he plans to regain the trust of citizens who voted for the far-right. While many voters expressed hope for better wages and pensions, left-wing voices have criticized the dominance of neoliberal policies in Romanian politics, calling instead for progressive taxation and affordable housing. Political scientist Vladimir Bortun, from Oxford University, underscored the urgency of addressing social inequality. Despite recent economic growth, Romania remains among the most unequal countries in the EU, with 28% of the population at risk of poverty and another 17% experiencing severe material deprivation. 'Despite successive increases in the minimum wage over the past decade, the median wage is barely over five euros an hour — about one-third of the EU average,' Bortun wrote in The New York Times. Gradinaru believes the country needs a wide-reaching debate about national unity, not just political dialogue. 'We need administrative reform and access to education, healthcare, social services, and culture for the socially vulnerable. These are the building blocks of a strong middle class — one that is more resilient to internal and external threats.' Journalist Ioana Dogioiu offered a sobering warning: if reforms don't come soon, 'this might be the last time Romania dodges a bullet.' We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
