The first 100 days.

To drive Russia out of Ukraine now is going to take the full military force of NATO - thousands of tanks and aircraft, an operation similar to driving Sadam Hussein out of Kuwait. I don’t think that is going to happen, it amounts to declaring war on Russia.
Alternatives are continuing the war of attrition we have now, Russia can easily sustain that, or declaring a ceasefire which would leave Ukraine neutral, both a victory for Putin. If Trump wins the US election I don’t see the US going head to head with Russia, is EU not equipped to fight a major war, Russia backed by China is a formidable enemy

The meeting of European Heads on Thursday at Blenheim is going to discuss exactly that issue, together with how Europe is placed to defend itself.

Is China that formidable? It’s going to stop Russia directing its bombs at the West in order to protect its consumer market. We hope ….

Whitewavemark2

The meeting of European Heads on Thursday at Blenheim is going to discuss exactly that issue, together with how Europe is placed to defend itself.

We can defend ourselves against Russia, Germany and Poland have substantial capability for a land war, UK and France have a nuclear deterrent, the question is how much are they going to commit to regaining the Ukrainian lost territory.

When the conflict started they were very reluctant to do much, a big response in the early days might have stopped an unprepared Putin, it’s much harder now.

David49

Whitewavemark2

The meeting of European Heads on Thursday at Blenheim is going to discuss exactly that issue, together with how Europe is placed to defend itself.

We can defend ourselves against Russia, Germany and Poland have substantial capability for a land war, UK and France have a nuclear deterrent, the question is how much are they going to commit to regaining the Ukrainian lost territory.

When the conflict started they were very reluctant to do much, a big response in the early days might have stopped an unprepared Putin, it’s much harder now.

Yes, we should have faced Russia head on years ago. Instead we pussyfooted around Putin and he thought this was soft. He doesn't understand how politics works in the west.

He was involved by influence on the brexit vote, believing the breakdown of Europe would ensue, but he was wrong.

Equally he uses Trump to unsettle NATO, and to a degree that worked in the US.

Now he probably hopes Biden gets pushed aside as he knows Biden is an intelligent opponent, unlike Trump who is a mere puppet.

However, just because it is harder now doesn't mean it is impossible. Putin can be beaten without massive escalation, it will just take a long time and he isn't a patient man.

Defence

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a “root and branch review” of the armed forces to help prepare the UK for “a more dangerous and volatile world”.

The review will invite submissions from the military, veterans, MPs, the defence industry, the public, academics and the UK's allies until the end of September and aims to deliver its findings in the first half of 2025.

We will make sure our hollowed out armed forces are bolstered and respected, that defence spending is responsibly increased, and that our country has the capabilities needed to ensure the UK’s resilience for the long term.”

The review will be overseen by Defence Secretary John Healey and headed by former Nato Secretary General Lord Robertson along with former US presidential advisor Fiona Hill and former Joint Force Commander Gen Sir Richard Barrons.

The global security threats facing the UK and its Western allies are more serious and more complex than at any time since the end of the Cold War in 1990.

They also coincide with what many commentators have said is a catastrophic running down of the UK’s armed forces to the point where the country is arguably no longer considered to be a Tier One military force.

A thoughtful discussion with Andrew Marr about the signals to look for in the Kings Spoech to reveal the type of government we can expect. I respect his insight.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySbZfIWM-FE

There doesn't need to be more spent on weapons, more wars. There needs to be a move toward peace, disarmamen, non proliferation treaty.

America is the aggressor it has started more wars than anyone, putting sanctions on countries, spending huge amounts on keeping the war machine going, while public services come last.

This is neoliberalism, not good for the people not needed. Labour are keeping to this also, spending huge amounts on weapons not on public services.

The answer is to stop wars bring peace, give peace a chance.

I am so glad five Independents won in the GE including four Greens gives hope now and for the future good.

I have left Grans net

Being naive about aggressors doesn't help to bring peace.

War, unfortunately, is here to stay however much destruction it brings. If your next door neighbour puts a fence up which takes away your garden you wouldn't just say, 'I don't want to fall out with you, I didn't like that bit of garden anyway.'

You would go and try to sort it out before resorting to throwing fireworks at them. At least reasonable people would.

War is about two things; land and power. If you study what ends wars it is always negotiation or capitulation.

Either Putin grabs as much of Ukraine as he can, or Zelensky gives him some. This is how it will end.

Putin does not understand what he sees as weak government ie; democracy and neither do most of the Russian people.

The west (including us) have to protect not just our land but our democratic system, creaky though it might be. You have to be prepared to take on a greedy neighbour and Starmer knows this, as does the rest of NATO.

keepingquiet 👏👏👏

Having an effective armed force, powerful weaponry, etc is a deterrent and helps to keep the peace.

Spot on keepingquiet.

Hallo according to reports on the state of the British armed forces, we have not had an effective military for some time…that seems to be more of an incentive to stay out of wars than engagement.

Grany don’t leave GN, different views and opinions make this forum interesting.

If we all sang from the same hymn sheet it would be extremely boring.

Today is the first day of a new session of parliament.

The Kings Speech will set the agenda.

Please don't leave Gransnet Grany I have missed your posts and wondered if you were still here.

Not one single mention of tackling poverty that I can see, although possibly some of the proposed workers’ rights will help a bit.

I’m astounded - and amused - that they’ve been able to introduce a Better Buses Bill. Official titles of Bills aren’t normally allowed to sound like political slogans (although their unofficial working titles often do, of course)

Siope

Not one single mention of tackling poverty that I can see, although possibly some of the proposed workers’ rights will help a bit.

I’m astounded - and amused - that they’ve been able to introduce a Better Buses Bill. Official titles of Bills aren’t normally allowed to sound like political slogans (although their unofficial working titles often do, of course)

"Better Buses" debated in 2018 (Conservative Govt). It's not a new term.

Ilovecheese

Please don't leave Gransnet Grany I have missed your posts and wondered if you were still here.

Agreed, you speak what is in many hearts about peace, but I have become a pragmatist later in life when thing happen like the invasion of Ukraine. Also peace keeping troops like when Yugoslavia dissolved and genocide was on the cards.

When I was involved in the World Disarmament campaign many years ago I remember things that were mentioned that, at the time, I didn’t agree with. If you want peace prepare for war and, to not have a nuclear deterrent is like going naked into the negotiations room. Now I’m older and much more cynical about my fellow human beings I understand what they mean. Please don’t leave, Grany: we do with all our hearts want the same as you but the world is so dangerous at the moment; I don’t think that just wanting peace is the way forward x

I had another proud to be British moment watching the state opening of parliament; I’ve never been to the Houses of Parliament and have never really looked at them closely before; I’d love to go there. I know our new Labour MP is really proud to be there and tries to include us in her political journey. I have been feeling that our parliamentary procedures needed dragging into the 21 st century but now I’m not so sure because I think Keir will make sure his MP’s will treat the place with the respect it lost during the Johnson/Truss years.Still think we need a written constitution, though.

“Better Buses" debated in 2018 (Conservative Govt). It's not a new term

That wasn’t really my point, which was that it’s officially the title of a Bill, in contravention of tradition. I just found it an interesting anomaly.

Siope

^“Better Buses" debated in 2018 (Conservative Govt). It's not a new term^

That wasn’t really my point, which was that it’s officially the title of a Bill, in contravention of tradition. I just found it an interesting anomaly.

Realise that, apologies.
I thoughtt your being 'astounded' was quite strong 😀

It seemed a lot of faff to me. I'm sure the King and Queen didn't want to be there. The only people who seemed to be enjoying it were the Lords in their silly Santa suits.

I wonder how much the whole thing cost?

Interesting email from the BBC (got on a news list somehow) - they picked out nationalising rail as the headlines.

OldFrill, you’re right. Lazy choice of words on my part. But thank heavens they didn’t manage to start every Bill title with Change.