Robert Fox
4.9K posts
@robfox45
Writer, Def Ed Evening Standard, broadcaster, Hon Fellow Exeter SSI etc -- especially etc
"The UK may be uniquely embarrassed by the timing of this conflict. It spent decades maintaining a naval presence in the Gulf, which until recently included a frigate, four mine-countermeasures vessels that were considered a ‘crown jewel’ capability, and an auxiliary mother ship. None of these remain" iiss.org/online-analysi…
“Trump just ran the most brutal loyalty test in NATO history and every single ally failed it.” One of many reasons to leave NATO!
Radio 4 this morning : Misha Glenny on Dada -- terrific in all respects, followed by Armando and Marina Hyde Strong Message Here on Trump speak etc -- two oddly complementary programmes. A MUST LISTEN (especially to fellow adherents of Truth Antisocial !)
Both the article referenced and this response are good examinations of the military progress of Op Epic Fury. For what it's worth, I think it's still early to make a call; we can see overwhelming conventional superiority being applied with both precision and a large scale, but...
Just spoke to @POTUS about our European allies’ unwillingness to provide assets to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning, which benefits Europe far more than America. I have never heard him so angry in my life. I share that anger given what’s at stake. The arrogance of our allies to suggest that Iran with a nuclear weapon is of little concern and that military action to stop the ayatollah from acquiring a nuclear bomb is our problem not theirs is beyond offensive. The European approach to containing the ayatollah’s nuclear ambitions have proven to be a miserable failure. The repercussions of providing little assistance to keep the Strait of Hormuz functioning are going to be wide and deep for Europe and America. I consider myself very forward-leaning on supporting alliances, however at a time of real testing like this, it makes me second guess the value of these alliances. I am certain I am not the only senator who feels this way.
Trump is 100% correct: NATO has stabbed America in the back. We've protected them for over 75 years - at immense cost. And now not one NATO nation is willing to offer minesweeper vessels to clear the Strait of Hormuz & help us end the #IranWar . It's time to LEAVE NATO! I'm done.
How the problems with the defence investment plan can be traced back to June last year and warnings from Angus Lapsley and Admiral Tony Radakin. Plus much more about the behind the scenes tensions inside the MoD in our read today thetimes.com/article/da2f1d…
@Peston So how on earth is Starmer still PM, Peston? Tell me that. Because if ANY other PM was this bad, you'd have been telling everyone they had to go. What's in it for you? What are Labour giving you to not go after him? You, Rigby and Crerar are all just government mouthpieces.
I get the feeling that a point will come very soon when the government raises the defence budget, and will blame the global security situation. They will completely fail to comprehend that the security situation would not have deteriorated if they had raised it earlier. thetimes.com/uk/defence/art…
@afneil "the Royal Navy has ships all over the place" EXCEPT none in the Mediterranean. The last Royal Navy deployment to the Mediterranean was from April to November 2025. x.com/i/grok/share/6… Is Grok wrong? cc @afneil @DrChrisParry
