A number of different Defence stories feature in today’s news, including the Russian withdrawal from Syria, speculation on troops being sent to Libya, and the conclusion of the inquest into a Lynx helicopter crash that killed five UK servicemen in Afghanistan in 2014.
Russia/Syria
Commentary around Russia’s decision to drawdown a significant amount of its military in Syria continues with many outlets, including the Financial Times, suggesting that Russia’s intervention in Syria has always been driven by political tactics rather a long-term strategy. That leaves opinions generally split on Russia’s significant withdrawal from the conflict between a genuine move to support the ceasefire and peace talks, a ‘tactical feint’, or simply a direct failure or success of Russian foreign policy. The Independent and the Guardian suggest that President Putin has abandoned President Assad, with the Independent reporting that President Putin ‘is willing to jettison President Assad as part of a deal to end the five-year conflict in Syria’. The piece adds that diplomats are convinced that Moscow could be ready to force the Syrian leader to allow a political transition.
Elsewhere, the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail report on comments by Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, urging the West not to give the Russian leader credit for withdrawing from Syria, and saying: ‘it is a bit like did he stop beating his wife’. Mr Hammond said that Russia has done enormous damage, and should not be praised now for its decision to withdraw.
Libya
Following on from online and broadcast coverage last night, there is some additional coverage in the Daily Mirror and the Daily Telegraph of a letter from the chair of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee Crispin Blunt, calling for the Government to explain plans to send 1,000 British troops to Libya, after claiming the MOD is due to agree a mission against Daesh this week.
A Government spokesperson said:
What members of the Foreign Affairs Committee heard on their recent visit is wrong on a number of counts. There are no plans to extend airstrikes to Libya nor are there plans to send British troops to provide security on the ground in Libya. It is therefore also wrong to suggest the Defence Secretary will agree any UK contribution this week.
Lynx Crash Inquest
A number of stories, including in the Daily Telegraph, the Sun and the Daily Star, report on the conclusion of the inquest into a Lynx helicopter crash that killed five UK servicemen in Afghanistan in April 2014. A narrative verdict was delivered at the inquest into the deaths of Captain Thomas Clarke, Warrant Officer Spencer Faulkner, Corporal James Walters, Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan and Lance Corporal Oliver Thomas.
An MOD spokesperson said:
Our thoughts remain with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident - Captain Thomas Clarke, Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan, Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner, Corporal James Walters and Lance Corporal Oliver Thomas. This incident was subject to a thorough Service Inquiry and steps have since been taken to minimise the risk of it happening again. We will now study the coroner’s findings carefully to identify any further lessons that may be learnt.
Top Gear
The Sun and the Daily Star carry further coverage of the filming of the new Top Gear show, with the Sun saying that ‘politicians and military top brass last night accused Top Gear’s BBC boss of “extremely poor judgment” over the show’s Cenotaph skit’. Comments from senior military figures Colonel Richard Kemp, General Sir Mike Jackson and General Sir Richard Dannatt are included, which all criticise the programme for showing a lack of respect towards war veterans. The piece also mentions that further filming has taken place at Woolwich Barracks with an RAF Chinook helicopter – a Defence insider is quoted as saying that the MOD had no idea what Top Gear had planned and would have ‘told them where to go’ if they had.
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