Articles and analysis

Commentary 23 - June 2026

Commentary NW 95537d11-af3f-45c3-9657-a9695f1f7296 Dropping the pilot

In the famous Punch cartoon of March 1890, Otto von Bismark is seen leaving the ship (of state) having done so much to bring about the creation of modern Germany. As he leaves, he is watched by a young Kaiser Wilhelm ii. Perhaps the analogy is a little contrived, but dropping Keir Starmer who made Labour electable again, watched by a 'young' Andy Burnham, comes to mind.

France's nuclear strategy

The Role of French Nuclear Deterrence in Fostering a New European Strategic Culture for Genuine European Strategic Autonomy

An executive summary of a paper by General Jean-Marc Vigilant, published by IRIS May 2026.

Context and Purpose

Europe has absorbed a dual geostrategic shock: Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine, prosecuted under the shadow of nuclear deterrence, and the increasingly visible divergence between American and European strategic interests. Against this backdrop, the erosion of international law and the return of Great Power competition challenge the traditional European pacifism born from the near self-destruction of the first half of the twentieth century, while international security institutions — foremost the UN — no longer fully perform their role of regulating interstate relations and resolving conflicts peacefully.

Commentary 22 - May 2026

Commentary NW 95537d11-af3f-45c3-9657-a9695f1f7296 "Events, dear boy, events"

Many Commentary readers will have been following the recent tribulations of the UK's Prime Minister. This is not the forum for any political partisanship, other than to reiterate the government's own words about defence being an engine of growth. The inertia which has gripped the government since it came to office in July 2024, as far as defence policy is concerned, has been well chronicled. It would seem that this frustration is shared by many.

The incremental announcements about equipment purchases by the MOD that have been wrung out of the government, along with the signing of security agreements with allies, is little short of performative window dressing. However, the current leadership process resolves itself, the 'new' prime minister – even if it is the present incumbent – must bring forward the Defence Investment Plan, and get a grip on the Treasury, to be more creative about how to fund the defence needs of the UK.

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Articles and analysis

Commentary 23 - June 2026

France's nuclear strategy

Commentary 22 - May 2026

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