Defence policy – War Watch

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Pete Hegseth accuses Nato countries of ‘free riding’ in combative address
ByDan Sabbagh Defence and security editor June 18, 2026

US defence secretary addresses allies in latest attempt to get Europe to raise military budgetsPete Hegseth has announced a review of US military presence across Europe, in a combative address to Nato allies where he threatened to cut force numbers in …

Read More Pete Hegseth accuses Nato countries of ‘free riding’ in combative address
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The Guardian view on Germany, Japan and the end of the postwar order: as US alliances crumble, a new world emerges | Editorial
ByEditorial April 24, 2026

Developments in Berlin and Tokyo show how far the strategic environment has shifted in response to authoritarian threat and American unpredictabilityWhen Donald Trump hosted Sanae Takaichi, the Japanese prime minister, last month, he could not resist a…

Read More The Guardian view on Germany, Japan and the end of the postwar order: as US alliances crumble, a new world emerges | Editorial
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UK prepared to deploy RAF Typhoons to keep strait of Hormuz open after Iran war
ByDan Sabbagh Defence and security editor April 23, 2026

Proposal at heart of offer made during a 30-country two-day meeting jointly organised by FranceMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritain is prepared to deploy a squadron of RAF Typhoons based in Qatar to patrol over the strait of Hormuz as part of a mul…

Read More UK prepared to deploy RAF Typhoons to keep strait of Hormuz open after Iran war
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Bahrain | Benjamin Netanyahu | Defence policy | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | John Healey | Kuwait | Middle East and north Africa | Military | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | UK news | US-Israel war on Iran | World news

UK sends more troops to Gulf amid Trump jibes over British military role
ByMatthew Weaver March 31, 2026

John Healey says extra deployment is defensive response to ‘expanding threat’ from IranMiddle East crisis – live updatesUK politics live – latest updatesThe UK is sending more military support to the Gulf, taking the total deployment to 1,000 troops, a…

Read More UK sends more troops to Gulf amid Trump jibes over British military role
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | China | Defence policy | Donald Trump | European Union | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Military | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | UK news | US news | US-Israel war on Iran | World news

Tuesday briefing: With the horror of conflict throughout the globe, how likely is world war three?
ByPatrick Greenfield March 24, 2026

In today’s newsletter: Our diplomatic editor on how global instability feeds into conflict in so many parts of the world, and whether the threshold for a major global war has been metGood morning. The world is at war. From the trenches of eastern Ukrai…

Read More Tuesday briefing: With the horror of conflict throughout the globe, how likely is world war three?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Defence policy | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Military | Nato | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Politics | UK news | US-Israel war on Iran | World news

Is Iran really able to strike London, and is the UK prepared for an attack?
ByJamie Grierson March 23, 2026

After Tehran targeted the UK-US base on Diego Garcia, Israel’s military said European capitals were also at riskMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed at the weekend that Iran had weapons able to travel about 4,000km (…

Read More Is Iran really able to strike London, and is the UK prepared for an attack?
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Anger grows among UK ministers amid fears Iran war could jeopardise Britain’s fragile finances
ByRowena Mason, Heather Stewart, Gwyn Topham and Jessica Elgot March 20, 2026March 21, 2026

Some in cabinet in despair over possible impact of war begun by Donald Trump, who branded Nato allies ‘cowards’Middle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has branded the UK and other Nato allies “cowards” as anger grows among cabinet ministers that …

Read More Anger grows among UK ministers amid fears Iran war could jeopardise Britain’s fragile finances
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UK says it remains in talks over escorting ships through strait of Hormuz
ByDan Sabbagh Defence and security editor March 18, 2026

Officials say military planners liaising with US Central Command but situation remains too dangerous for anything to happen soonMiddle East crisis – live updatesBritain has said it remains involved in discussions with the US and European allies over es…

Read More UK says it remains in talks over escorting ships through strait of Hormuz
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The Guardian view on Trump’s war with Iran: if the US is winning, why ask Nato for help? | Editorial
ByEditorial March 16, 2026

The US has overwhelming military power. Yet the battle has moved to oil routes, alliances and domestic politics – where Tehran is testing western unityDonald Trump would like you to know that he is winning the war with Iran. So comprehensively, in…

Read More The Guardian view on Trump’s war with Iran: if the US is winning, why ask Nato for help? | Editorial
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Putin’s ‘hidden hand’ lies behind Iran’s drone tactics, UK defence secretary says
ByDan Sabbagh Defence and security editor March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Pilots reportedly adopting Russian tactics as statement in name of new Iranian supreme leader vows continued attacks on US basesMiddle East crisis – live updatesVladimir Putin’s “hidden hand” lies behind Iran’s military methods, the UK defence secretar…

Read More Putin’s ‘hidden hand’ lies behind Iran’s drone tactics, UK defence secretary says