Looking forward to speaking to @wavellroom. I know it’s widely subscribed to across the Defence community & so I hope listeners/readers will also want to contribute to call for papers published last week. We’re keen for your thinking on future of Defence. https://t.co/t0uN13xIbc https://t.co/sxdNpvLpjj
Really enjoyed speaking to @LOS_Fisher for her excellent @TimesRadio podcast Frontline. We spoke about Russia, China, the wider challenge to a rules based international order, the Integrated Review Refresh, what it might mean for our armed forces & more. https://t.co/AUrgC2wd82
@guyfunks In context of support I travel world to secure for Ukraine’s fight against Putin’s illegal invasion, yes. It was response to Q from your child’s Ukrainian classmate on what I was doing to help her country. I’m hugely proud of what I, the MoD & UK as a whole are doing to support.
Most importantly however, we will never forget the service & sacrifice of those who deployed to Iraq but never came home. We pause to think of them this week but we know their families, friends and loved ones live with their absence every week. We will remember them.
As a TELIC veteran now in politics & responsible for operational policy in the MoD, I take some heart from seeing how central the Chilcott Principles now are to our decision making & the clarity we have on not thinking we - the ‘West’ - can sort the world’s problems by ourselves.
Whatever came next (failure to plan for post-invasion Iraq & to give space for vicious insurgency to take hold that we were still fighting 4 years later) is no reflection on bravery & dedication of those that served on front line in 2003 nor any TELIC rotation afterwards.
Important though - whatever your view on the justness of the war - to remember the bravery & sacrifice of UK service personnel who served in the invasion force of TELIC 1 20 years ago this week. Crossing into Iraq and heading towards battle took immense courage & professionalism.
Reading & listening to reflections on Iraq 20 yrs on is both fascinating & poignant. Like many veterans of Op TELIC, I’m proud to have served there but by time I got to Basra in 2007, we were in fight that was consequence of our presence & that never seemed worthwhile. 🧵…
@MarkerJParker Just language of IR Refresh really. As we respond to systemic competition that challenges our interests around globe *and where our interests align*, we must seek to work ever more closely with likeminded partners whoever they may be. Scale of challenge requires that approach. https://t.co/S0KR8xal7S
This is impressively quick work. Well done @hmtreasury and @Jeremy_Hunt for resolving before markets open this morning. https://t.co/Uy9CDnKgel