Defence and Security: Keir gets it right again

No, we are not talking about Keir Starmer. Nor Keir Shave, that well-groomed star of the popular BBC 1 television series The Apprentice. Nor Kier construction, because it’s spelt differently. We are of course referring to Keir Giles the eminent thinker and writer based at London’s Chatham House security institute. [1] By the way, that’s a helluva first name, fella!

We have been following Keir and his thoughts here for some years. Long before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The link we have posted today is an article in The Financial Times which is a summary of his eponymous book. [2] Yet written in light of recent decisions by the Trump administration, with which we assume our readers are too gloomily familiar. Of course it’s worth a read. Biut essentially it boils down to this. For far too long the Comfortable Classes of Europe have depended on a security guarantee funded by the American taxpayer. Now that taxpayer is growing understandably tired of this, it is time for those nations to look to their own security . And to do this in a timely manner in the face of an expansive, predatory nuclear power with no seeming limit to its ambitions. But further west there is still much foot dragging. One thing is certain. Comfortable life styles based on the constant acquisition of Bright Shiny New Things (BSNT) will have to stop. Or at least get reigned in until people start to learn to live like adults once more. Perhaps that will brake the endless accumulation of rubbish that is poisoning the land and sea. Perhaps the higher taxes we will all have to pay will address some of the hideous inequalities which disfigure our societies. If these things start to make us better people, a little less spoilt, a little less selfish it may even be worth it.

our link to the FT app [2]not only seems to open keir’s article for free you seem to get access to more FT articles. If so, do it: we cannot recommend this essentially intelligent media outlet strongly enough

[1] Keir Giles Who Will Defend Europe? Hurst 2024

[2]https://www.ft.com/content/f268359a-7347-4285-b646-4353f7d6a865

#putin #trump #russia #ukraine #europe #security #chatham house