Category: NATO

Canada, Military, NATO, USLeave a comment

Carney Says Ukraine Starlink Case Underscores Risk of US Tech Reliance

Colin Henderson

 Summarize Nojoud Al MalleesOctober 23, 2026 at 8:03 AM EDT Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, welcomes Mark Carney during in Ankara on Oct. 22.Photographer: Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images Mark Carney said he’s concerned about the manipulation of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite system that has made it harder for Ukraine to defend itself, and suggested Elon Musk’s reported involvement shows why he’s focused on making Canada less dependent on any one country or technology.  The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Musk ordered speed limits on the military-grade version of Starlink, hampering the ability of Ukraine’s defense forces in the battle against Russia. The Journal also said US President Donald … Continue reading Carney Says Ukraine Starlink Case Underscores Risk of US Tech Reliance

Canada, Europe, Geopolitics, Military, NATO, UKLeave a comment

Kate Forbes: SNP can no longer afford to duck the defence debate

Colin Henderson

 Summarize Kate ForbesSaturday October 10 2026, 8.24pm BST, The Sunday Times ​ With warnings over Russia growing louder, Scotland must use its industrial strengths and confront hard questions on military readiness and nuclear deterrence Saturday October 10 2026, 8.24pm BST, “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.” Those words are inscribed on the Kohima war memorial — the scene of one of the bloodiest engagements of the Second World War where the Allied forces halted the Japanese invasion of India. The memorial is dedicated to the soldiers of the 2nd British Division, including the Cameron Highlanders. The … Continue reading Kate Forbes: SNP can no longer afford to duck the defence debate

Canada, EU, NATO, Ukraine

In the Baltics, NATO Forces Are Trying to Learn the New Way of War

Colin Henderson

 Summarize ​ As Canadian-led troops in Latvia adapt lessons from the war in Ukraine, a big gap remains Yaroslav Trofimov DAUDZEVA, Latvia—Wearing strips of red tape on their helmets, Danish soldiers stealthily moved through the pine forest and then, unleashing a firestorm, overran a position held by Spanish troops. The Danish mechanized infantry company role-played the enemy in this month’s exercise by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s brigade that has been deployed to protect Latvia from nearby Russia. The Danes started off the previous night by attacking the brigade’s assembly areas with drones launching simulated payloads. Chaos erupted, sleeping soldiers were … Continue reading In the Baltics, NATO Forces Are Trying to Learn the New Way of War

briefing, Geopolitics, Military, NATO
Colin Henderson

IN THE BASKET: CROATIA & SOUTH KOREA With Europe growing wary of Trump, South Korean defence sales are skyrocketing In the basket: 18 Hanwha K239 Chunmoo multiple-rocket launchersWho’s buying: CroatiaWho’s selling: South KoreaPrice: €544.1mDelivery date: 2026 to 2029 Big hit: South Korea makes another arms deal with Europe Croatia’s rocket-launcher capabilities are unquestionably due for an overhaul. The country’s army is still largely making do with the M-92 Vulkan and BM-21 Grad, which are both so ancient that they were designed and built by nations – Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, respectively – that disintegrated several decades ago. Its choice of replacement – 18 K239 Chunmoo multiple-rocket launchers from … Continue reading

Europe, NATO, UK, Ukraine

SAG-U handover confirmed

Colin Henderson

NATO] — SAG-U handover confirmed• Politico (Aug 1): US relinquishing leadership of Security Assistance Group–Ukraine (Wiesbaden), transition up to a year, American deputy remains. Completes the pattern: Norfolk→UK, Naples→Italy, Brunssum→Germany/Poland, now SAG-U→TBD European/Canadian officer.• Paired signal: Trump walked back the Ankara pledge to license Ukrainian Patriot production, hours before the Aug 1 Kyiv barrage (1 of 27 ballistic missiles intercepted). Kyiv notes irreplaceable US satellite ISR, targeting, heavy airlift.• Assessment: the downstream-consequence frame strengthens on both axes simultaneously — command architecture transferring to Europe while US materiel reliability degrades. Watch which nation takes SAG-U command; a UK or German flag … Continue reading SAG-U handover confirmed

AI_regulation, Diplomacy, Disinformation, Economy, Europe, Geopolitics, NATO, World Order

Morning Briefing — Thursday, 4 June 2026 · 08:00 EST · ~1,250 words

Colin Henderson

Today’s news environment is dominated by a single thread pulled tight: the Iran ceasefire is fracturing in real time, with US-Iran military exchanges now drawing Kuwait and Bahrain into the blast radius, even as both sides claim talks are progressing. Against that backdrop, two significant flanking developments emerged overnight — the House passed a war powers rebuke of Trump, and the EU dropped a landmark tech sovereignty package that structurally repositions it against both the US and China. The tariff story is also re-escalating in a new legal wrapper. 1. What Changed Iran ceasefire at its most dangerous inflection pointThe … Continue reading Morning Briefing — Thursday, 4 June 2026 · 08:00 EST · ~1,250 words

AI_regulation, Diplomacy, Europe, NATO

Morning Briefing — Saturday, 30 May 2026 · 07:57 EST · 1,180 words

Colin Henderson

Today’s briefing is dominated by a single pressure point: whether the US-Iran 60-day ceasefire extension holds long enough for Trump to sign it. Everything else — oil prices, European defence posture, global inflation — pivots on that question. The background noise includes a milestone approaching in US AI governance (Colorado Act, June 30) and a quietly significant development in the India-Pakistan thread. The overall news environment is marginally calmer than yesterday, but underlying dynamics remain fragile. 1. Top Stories — What Changed Oil drops 20% from 2026 peak as Hormuz deal awaits Trump signatureBrent crude closed at ~$91–94/bbl Friday, down … Continue reading Morning Briefing — Saturday, 30 May 2026 · 07:57 EST · 1,180 words

intel, iran, Israel, Military, NATO, Nuclear, Russia

Likelihood of world war is now a risk – ref “The Coming Storm“ Westad and parallels to 1912

Colin Henderson

Currently state analysis in context of potential for regional or World War. Examples: Note introduction of Bolivia as a direct and unpredicted new thread, along side Russia /China relations actively managed by China which could lead Putin to move asynchronously. ANALYSIS Prompt We appear to be in a high risk of a regional or even world war. Breakdowns in diplomacy now exist : Russia / china, us/ Israel, us/china, Iran/ Saudi, UAE,, quatar. Yemen remains a wild card. Output The risk architecture is real but worth disaggregating — not all breakdowns are equal, and some of the apparent fractures are … Continue reading Likelihood of world war is now a risk – ref “The Coming Storm“ Westad and parallels to 1912

EU, Europe, NATO

European defense autonomy: Kiel Institute puts a price on it

Colin Henderson

This is the Kiel Institute paper which provides costing to achieve military autonomy that excludes US. This clear evidence that a new structure for Europe following the clear messaging from America, including most recent inclusion of European commentary in recent Security paper which refers to Europe as a terrorist breeding ground. This from a country which promotes guerrilla tactics against its own citizens based on race or political persuasion. European defense autonomy: Kiel Institute puts a price on it ⚑ A paper by five senior German defense economists and industry executives, published by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, concludes … Continue reading European defense autonomy: Kiel Institute puts a price on it

Diplomacy, EU, Europe, Military, NATO
Colin Henderson

EU Article 42.7 mutual defence blueprint ordered Following the Iran war drone strike on a British airbase in Cyprus, EU leaders at a summit agreed the European Commission will prepare an operational blueprint for Article 42.7 — the EU’s mutual defence clause. Macron called it “not just words.” Cyprus, an EU but not NATO member, is particularly exposed and has been the most vocal advocate. New today: Formal Commission mandate agreed; blueprint process now underway. Why it matters: Article 42.7 is the functional basis for a European collective defence structure outside NATO’s US-dependent command chain. Operationalising it is a qualitative … Continue reading