Whitehall appears to be panicking after years of excessive secrecy and complacency. But leaks are no substitute for effective scrutiny by a functioning parliamentary democracy.
Tony Blair’s non-apology to the victim of ‘extraordinary rendition’ – and Jack Straw and Theresa May’s attempts to draw a line under the issue – raise more questions than they answer.
The MoD has a vested interest in exaggerating threats, in promoting concerns about a new cold war, in order to persuade the UK government, MPs, and the public to give it extra money.
“In a protest, we’re all bystanders, we’re all there because of some attempt to marginalise us; the bystanders are the people making history.” Book review.
Byrne writes, ‘the starting point for radicalisation may in fact be rage rather than religion…it’s not the madrassa that is the problem, it’s your mates.’ Book review.
While Britain’s conventional army is being slashed, Britain’s special forces are benefiting from special treatment. Their budget was doubled in last year’s Strategic Defence and Security Review.
While Britain’s conventional army is being slashed, Britain’s special forces are benefiting from special treatment. Their budget was doubled in last year’s Strategic Defence and Security Review.
