Today's broadcast and print news includes the Government's fight against ISIL, Defence spending and Afghan Interpreters.
Syria strikes
Today the Guardian led with reports that Downing Street is drawing up a new strategy for Syria that would involve limited military strikes against the “controlling brains” of ISIL and a reported renewed diplomatic push that could see Assad remain president for a transitional period of six months. The paper says No 10 is determined to avoid another Commons defeat on taking action in Syria.
Yesterday’s Prime Minister’s Question’s is covered in The Times and Daily Mail which report that David Cameron highlighted that the time is fast approaching for Britain to extend its air strikes from Iraq into Syria when he said “hard military force” would be necessary.
The Financial Times reports that Germany’s foreign minister has hit out at Britain and France for considering air strikes in Syria against ISIL. Frank-Walter Steinmeier is reported as saying that such plans risked derailing diplomatic efforts to ease the conflict. The Mirror and The Sun both run reports following up on the RAF strike against UK jihadi Reyaad Khan.
The Defence Secretary appeared on the Radio Four Today Programme on Tuesday to discuss a number of these issues. You can read more here.
Russia
The Independent and the Telegraph report that Russia’s foreign ministry has complained of a “strange hysteria” over Moscow’s actions in Syria, as western countries expressed concerns over apparent preparations for military intervention. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova is reported as saying that “Russia has never made a secret of its military-technical cooperation with Syria” and confirmed that Russian military specialists are in Syria to help them master the weapons being supplied. She said there was nothing out of the ordinary about their presence. The Times reports that the US is increasingly convinced that Russia is planning direct military intervention, sending air and ground troops to fight for Assad in a move that would risk an East-West confrontation. There are said to be satellite pictures of Russian military cargo planes arriving at an airfield south of the Syrian port of Latakia, bringing prefabricated housing for 1,000 troops, and giving definitive proof that support for Assad was being boosted.
Defence spending
The Telegraph reports on yesterday’s announcement by the House of Commons Defence Select Committee that they are launching an inquiry into the Government’s commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defence. The defence select committee will look at how the Government will meet the target, after the MOD has faced accusations focused around including money previously counted as aid and intelligence spending.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
By increasing defence spending in real terms every year and meeting the NATO 2 per cent target for the rest of the decade, we are sending a strong message to both our allies and enemies.
It underlines the government’s commitment to defence and the national security of our country.
The Budget committed to:
- The MOD’s budget will rise by 0.5% per year from 2016/17 to 2020/21
- Up to an additional £1.5bn per year by 2020/21 will be made available to be allocated to the Armed Forces and Security and Intelligence agencies through the Strategic Defence and Security Review and Spending Review.
- Counter terrorism spending across government, a total of more than £2bn spent by a range of departments, agencies and the police will also be protected.
- This Budget commits the government to meet the properly measured NATO pledge to spend 2% of GDP on defence every year of this decade.
Afghan interpreters
The Daily Mail continues its coverage of on Afghan Interpreters, reporting that the House of Commons Defence Select Committee will support the paper’s campaign to grant asylum to translators who risked their lives fighting alongside UK troops. It comes after former head of the Army, Lord Dannatt, met Armed Forces minister Penny Mordaunt on Monday to discuss the policy; she said the policy was working satisfactorily.
You can read more about the Government’s policy towards Afghan Interpreters in our myth busting blog here.
Chilcot inquiry
Most papers, including The Times, Daily Mail, The Telegraph and The Sun write that Sir John Chilcot has refused to set a timetable for publishing the Iraq inquiry's report despite revealing that all those criticised have now responded. Yesterday the Iraq inquiry chairman said he had received all the witness replies but there was work still to do and refused to set date.
A Government spokesperson said:
The Government’s position remains absolutely clear, the Prime Minister expects to receive an update from Sir John on the timescale for the urgent completion of this independent inquiry.
Airbus Zephyrs
The Daily Telegraph and Defense News report that Airbus is building UAVs capable of flying non-stop for up to 90 days in the hope of selling them to Ministry of Defence. There have been some reports that the MOD has already placed an order with Airbus. The situation is that no decisions have been taken as to whether the MOD is intending to investigate the military utility of High Altitude Pseudo Satellites.
The Type 23 frigate is berthed alongside HMS Belfast in the Thames, with Tower Bridge providing an iconic backdrop to the occasion.
London International Shipping Week is an annual event which showcases the success story of British maritime industry - for example more than 503.2 million tonnes of freight were handled by UK ports in 2014.
The Royal Marines Band Collingwood provided the music for the ceremonial sunset while speeches were provided by the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas and Secretary of State for Transport the Rt Hon Patrick McLouchlin.
Follow us on Twitter and don’t forget to sign up for email alerts.