Former Nato chief to say UK's national security 'in peril'
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Former Nato chief to say UK's national security 'in peril'
Summary: A former NATO secretary-general, Lord Robertson, says the UK’s national security is perilous and accuses the government of corrosive complacency on defence. He argues the country is under-prepared, under-insured, and under threat, urging higher defence spending beyond the current targets. The government defends its Defence Spending Review as the largest sustained increase since the Cold War, with over £270bn across this Parliament, a plan for 3% of GDP on defence by
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China’s Taiwan Calculus Ahead of the Trump-Xi Summit – The Diplomat
Summary: - The Diplomat reports a rare 2026 Beijing meeting between Xi Jinping and Taiwan’s main opposition KMT leader Cheng Li-wun, seen as part of Beijing’s effort to shape the agenda ahead of Xi-Trump talks. - Beijing intends to press Washington to limit or delay Taiwan arms sales and to frame cross-strait peace as achievable without U.S. involvement; a full U.S. policy shift toward China or Taiwan independence is deemed unlikely and unstable. - U.S. constraints include Co
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Svalbard Could Be the Arctic’s Next Geopolitical Flashpoint
Summary: The article argues that Svalbard, due to its location between the North Pole and the Russian mainland and its treaty framework, could become a major Arctic security and geopolitical flashpoint—potentially more influential than Greenland. Key tensions exist between Norway and Russia over Svalbard’s sovereignty, interpretation of the Svalbard Treaty, and the balance of non-NATO involvement in the Arctic. Norway insists on sovereignty and practical control while avoidin
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The limits of a possible settlement with Iran | Arab News
Summary: - The piece frames Saudi Arabia as playing a pivotal, balancing role in the Iran diplomacy process, pushing for de-escalation while transparently safeguarding its sovereignty and security interests. - Riyadh is backing mediation efforts led by Pakistan and Qatar, with strong support for a framework that prevents Iranian aggression from spilling into Gulf states. - Saudi demands include sovereignty and noninterference, free navigation, an end to strikes on Gulf neigh