Explainer-in-brief: Poland’s fighter jets pose problems for Nato March 10, 2022 Yesterday, the US made a decision which shocked many as President Biden refused to act as a go-between and send Polish fighter jets to Ukraine. For those clamouring for more support in Ukraine, it seemed nonsensical. But it is part of a broader line Western countries are trying to balance as they support Ukraine’s efforts [...]
Letters: Our law is not your law March 10, 2022 [Re: British human rights lawyer flees Hong Kong after meeting with national security police, March 3] The departure of veteran British human rights barrister and former chair of Hong Kong’s Bar Association, Paul Harris, following police questioning marks yet another dark day for human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong. It is [...]
As Britain vies to join the key Asia trade bloc, it must stand up for Taiwan against China March 10, 2022 Last year, Xi Jinping celebrated the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party with a stark warning: “We must take resolute action to utterly defeat any attempt toward Taiwan independence”. In other words, Beijing remains committed to transforming their “One China” stance from legal fiction into geopolitical fact by any means necessary. With Russia’s Vladimir Putin [...]
From Moscow to Kensington: transparency can end properties funded by corruption March 10, 2022 Look around the borough of Kensington and Chelsea and you’ll see why so many diplomats refer to our city as “Londongrad”. Over 6000 properties are registered to anonymous foreign shell companies in places like Jersey and the British Virgin Islands. While 3000 households are on the housing wait list many of these properties stand empty. [...]
Explainer-in-brief: Bringing eastern Europe into the EU fold March 9, 2022 The European Union has decided to formally assess Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova’s bid to join the bloc. The move is mainly symbolic, but it does signal a shift from the EU’s previous tough position on admission. France has suggested that Ukraine could receive a special type of membership. which could take less time to approve. [...]
We have weakened the very systems of international law we need to restore peace in Ukraine March 9, 2022 In the global and regional corridors of power, Russia’s place – as the successor to the Soviet Union – has made international diplomacy appear impotent. There has been continued human rights abuses abroad and on its own soil, and under Vladimir Putin’s leadership, there has been an almost total disregard for national sovereignty over the [...]
As government debt jumps to fund defence spending, our economy will pay the price March 9, 2022 Sanctions will clearly hit the Russian economy very hard. But economic prospects for the West are not exactly rosy. Twice in the 1970s and again in the early 90s, there were rapid spikes in oil prices; each instance was followed by economic recessions. The deep recession following 2008 was, of course, due to financial causes [...]
North Sea Oil won’t save us from the energy crisis if we don’t invest in renewables March 9, 2022 The UK has a fundamental problem with its energy supply: gas. For as long as we’re tied to the global gas market, the successful greening of our economy by 2050 – and the economic benefits and lower prices it brings – is not much more than a pipe dream. Our reliance on foreign gas –and [...]
Letters: Time to bank on it with Solvency II March 9, 2022 [Re: Insurers and analysts temper enthusiasm on Solvency II reforms, March 2] They say good things come to those who wait. The governments proposed post-Brexit reforms to the EU’s Solvency II requirements finally incentivises UK insurers to put their excess cash to better use with lower capital charges. Solvency II has proved to be overkill [...]
International Women’s Day and feminism every day March 8, 2022 In her book published last year, Amia Srinivasan wrote: “Feminist theory is grounded in what women think when they are by themselves, what they say to each other on the picket line and on the assembly line and on the street corner and in the bedroom, what they have tried to say to their husbands [...]