Iran Missile Test

The day after a significant step forward in the US missile defence system, Iran test fires long range missiles. Many commentators suggested the test was in response to a recent Israeli military exercise

Missile Defence agreement sparks war of words

Yesterday's agreement between the US and the Czech Republic for radar sites for the US missile Defense system has sparked a serious response from Russia. If the agreement is ratified, "we will be forced to react not with diplomatic, but with military-technical methods," the Foreign Ministry statement said.Possible responses include targeting of ballestic missiles and deployment into the Baltic sea. Rather than producing 'security', missile defence coninues to provke insecurity and danger.

Missile Defense has always been a Team-Bush pet project - whilst Obama seems to 'flip-flopping' on Iraq lets hope he slam-dunks the missile shield.

Cost of Iraq war

The Telegraph is reporting that the cost of British military operations in Iraq rose by 50% last year to almost £1.5bn.....

Meanwhile a new UNICEF report states 'A child turning 18 in Iraq this year looks back on nearly two decades of sanctions, conflict and insecurity', said Sigrid Kaag, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. 'To preserve the young generation growing up today, we need to shield children from violence, enhance humanitarian access and provide more resources."

MoD staff get biggest bonuses

Buried in the Sunday newspapers is a report that civil servants at the MoD scored £41m in bonuses last year. This comes just a few weeks after the Commons Public Accounts Committee accused former MoD civil servants of behaving 'dishonourably'after they made £100m from the sale of QinetiQ.

'Humanitarian' Aircraft Carriers

With the 'big squeeze' on defence spending its pretty difficult for the establishment to support the massive spending on two (two!) aircraft carriers at the moment but the defence establishment are giving it a go. Most are taking the easy route and using the well-worn (but fraying) jobs argument. Hats off to Des Browne for pushing the envelope by going for the "They will support peace-keeping and conflict prevention" argument. If only. A mobile nonviolent conflict resolution training centre stuffed to the 'gunnels' with humanitarian aid would be very useful in say, Zimbabwe, at the moment.

Some things never change

As he tries to emphasise the difference between himself and his predecessor, Gordon Brown's watchword at the moment is 'change'. Unlikely to change this afternoon in the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) is the amount of resources poured into the military for 'defence'; 'security' and 'peace'. Whilst the headline figures for 'defence' spending were given as part of a number of military announcements sneaked out the day before the parliamentary recess, we should see some more details this afternoon. Comments no doubt later.

Meanwhile innocent victims of war around the world continue to call for real peace and security

Talks on putting new US Missiles in UK says Daily Mail

Whilst there has already been much oppostion to the UK's involvement in Bush's 'Star Wars' programme there has never been a suggestion until now that the missiles themselves - as opposed to the radars - will actually be based in the UK. Now however the Daily Mail are suggesting that because of oppostion from Russia to the proposed siting of the missiles in Poland, talks have been opened between the US and UK on putting the missiles and the radars in the UK. This will be a real test of Gordon Brown's so called willingness to distance himself from the US. Watch this space.